Hi everyone for only the 2nd time in 2013! Survived the bush walk in Tassie and all the tiger snakes avoided me! However, some sort of bug caught up with me in Hobart and meant I was confined to bed for the day rather than soaking up the culture at the Museum of Old & New Art (MONA), oh well I guess that is a reason to go back! Anyway enough of the travel log onto the trains. Tenterfield now has some sky blue backboards which have given the layout some depth and made trains disappear for what seems like extremely long periods of time before re-emerging.
I have also dusted off those blocks of foam that have been stored under the house for years awaiting their chance to become New England hills and gullies. It's amazing how when you collect and store them you think there is enough to model the complete Great Dividing Range but once you start cutting, shaping and gluing you run out after about 1½ hills! At least my investment from Mr Uneek several years ago has proved it's worth. The Foam Hot Wire Tool has made life a lot easier and cuts down on those snow/foam storms! However, I must admit my 1st attempt and hill (& gully) making hasn’t been too encouraging so after some discussions with the brains trust last Friday night it was back to the drawing board.
Decided to place some templates of the buildings in their intended locations to get a better feel for how high (or low) we need to make the base layer of foam before applying the plaster soaked towels etc. Next step is to do some research in AMRM on how the layout Swan’s Crossing created those granite boulders/soft rocks several years ago. I’ve also been constructing the IDR CW cattle/elephant wagon. It’s a great kit which includes a dose of character training when you cut out the flash from between the planks. Unfortunately I fell at the last hurdle and was a bit heavy handed with the gloss coat for the decals so its out with the paint stripper! But that’s for the next post. I’ll keep this one short and include a few photos.
Until next time happy modelling!
Great work Bill, the backdrops have really picked up the feeling of distance. Good luck with the hills and dails, I know what I want but getting it to look right well that is another story and I look forward to seeing your progress. Darren
ReplyDeleteBill, what a huge change to the layout. Just the action of dividing the room changes your perspective altogether, and the curves! How sexy are they???? It'd be good to hear how you put them together and installed them. I really think you've done a great job, great stuff,
ReplyDeleteGeoff.