Isle of Stoner Railway Blog - Progress at Underhill

[Isle of Stoner]

I've been a busy bunny over the last couple of days so Underhill finally has some colour and plant life.

http://isleofstoner.blogspot.co.uk/

Pictures and words, both a little fuzzy.


John W

[tedp]

Looking good, your Lordship.    ;D 

I wonder how you made those trees. I have been chickening out buying a forest in a box last summer, for my own new project. 

[Isle of Stoner]

I cheat with trees and buy them. There are a selection of makes as I just buy trees when I see some I like when the funds allow, the pine trees are from Unit models and I think they are great, all hand made. The rest are a mixture of Auhagen, Hornby and so on. I grew up in Surrey and spent many happy hours wandering and playing on the North Downs when I was a lad (some time ago now).As with all modelling, observation is the key to realism. I'm pretty pleased with the effect but there is plenty of detail to be added yet, I made a ground frame and modified a water tower last evening.

John W

[invercloy]

You have most definitely "been busy"! I thought I was working quickly...

It looks very good.

For bought trees I've had some armatures from Realistic Modelling Services (who were probably at Tonbridge, Ted) and they are very good, well detailed and allow you to add the foliage yourself to vary the colour and shape slightly.  I think I may use a few of these mixed with a few I make.

[Isle of Stoner]

With the December exhibition starting to get nearer I decided that I must bite the bullet and get on with the second Underhill baseboard.

Read more on my blog at http://isleofstoner.blogspot.co.uk/


Cheers


John W

[Isle of Stoner]

I've finished the woodwork now and the layout is self supporting and quite sturdy too. Now for the wiring!

Check out the blog for details.  http://isleofstoner.blogspot.co.uk/


John W

[invercloy]

I recognise the background to those photos :)

Looking good, John, I found it made me feel a lot better prepared for exhibiting once I'd completed the legs for Isle Ornsay.

It certainly looks like a sturdy structure you've got there, just got to hope the cheese smoking isn't too enthusiastic with all that timber beneath it  ;D

[berryr99]

John,

Progress looks good.

Please can I ask how you made the legs but specifically, do they fold and also how do they attach to the baseboard ?

The reason for asking is that in a moment of weakness (fuelled by too much coffee and cake !) I agreed to build a layout for exhibition and your baseboard and legs setup is the sort of thing I'd like to do. My back isn't too good so I need a bit of height to the layout

Thanks

Bob

[Isle of Stoner]

Height was important for my dodgy back too.

The legs are just simple trestles made from 18 x 44mm softwood glued and screwed together.

The legs are hinged at the top and so far gravity is holding the baseboards onto them. I may screw some  timber cross pieces onto the layout that the legs can slot between... or not. The first public outing is in December so I'll see how it goes then.

The other dodgy part of the design is the bar that keeps the legs of each trestle apart has a hinge at one end and a kitchen cupboard magnetic catch at the other, I may change that before December, not sure to what though.

Hope that helps.


John W

[berryr99]

John,

Thanks for the information.

It is very helpful and has given me the clue about how to do it.

At my age (60+) I can learn new stuff but it takes a while to sink in !

Bob

[Isle of Stoner]

Learning new stuff is what keeps you alive I think.

Good luck


John W ;D

[Isle of Stoner]

Lights, camera, action... well anyway I've been a bit busy on the layout. Have a squint at the blog.

http://isleofstoner.blogspot.co.uk/


John W

[Isle of Stoner]

Much progress on Underhill so have a surf along to the blog for details. http://isleofstoner.blogspot.co.uk/Will it be ready for the exhibition? Come along and find out.

Porthmadog Santa Model Railways: 8th December
(Organiser: Paul Towers)
The Glaslyn Room,
Canolfan,
Porthmadog,
Gwynedd.
(near FR/WHR Harbour Station)

Opening Times: 10:30-16:00

4 Layouts, 2 Trade Stands
Layouts include "Tuthill" (009) from Dave Holmes, a new 009 layout from John Wooden and a

[Hugh Norwood]

It was great to see Underhill and Port Lucy in the flesh at NGN on Saturday.  :)

[berryr99]

John,

Nice to meet you, nice layout and thanks for letting me photograph your legs !

I hasten to add the layout legs !

Bob Berry