Time to build a railway...but where?

[philipy]

"Magnum opus", I think that says it all.

Edited to ask, Is that Camomile growing near the crossing on the last 2 or 3 pictures? I've used that as well, but forgot to put in in on my plants thread.

[ge_rik]

Brilliant, Peter. Looks like it's been there for ages.

Rik

[Just Julie]

Wow, The village is brilliant Peter, it looks so realistic. I can’t believe how fast it has come together. Brilliant pictures

[bazzer42]

That is a cracker Mr B. My grandson would love those cars but.....

That pen tip is worth knowing about.

Edit just bought black and white for wagon numbering!

[Andrew]

Congratulations, that looks fantastic, all the careful planning really payed off! The scene looking down towards the level crossing is particularly realistic...

Have you had any rain recently, to test your drainage system?

Cheers,

Andrew

[Peter Butler]

"Magnum opus", I think that says it all.

Edited to ask, Is that Camomile growing near the crossing on the last 2 or 3 pictures? I've used that as well, but forgot to put in in on my plants thread.

Thank you for all your replies, I am feeling a little pleased with myself now it has come together.
The plant is Camomile and I have used it in various locations around the line, it spreads well, possibly too well in places, and smells lovely when touched.

[Peter Butler]

Andrew, up until now the drainage system has seen no rain as I have had the entire area covered while the cement, then the SBR had time to dry out. As you can see from the above pictures, it is now exposed but so far, strangely, no rain!

[Andrew]

Andrew, up until now the drainage system has seen no rain as I have had the entire area covered while the cement, then the SBR had time to dry out. As you can see from the above pictures, it is now exposed but so far, strangely, no rain!

Keep us posted - I'm intrigued to see how it will all work...

[IanC]

Peter, one couldn't get bored of seeing work of this quality. Not enough superlatives to describe your work. Well done. You have every right to feel pleased with your village.

[Soar Valley Light]

Peter, one couldn't get bored of seeing work of this quality. Not enough superlatives to describe your work. Well done. You have every right to feel pleased with your village.

Amen to that!

[Lonsdaler]

Excellent result Peter. I'm so pleased the marker pen worked out for you. Are you practising before you write 'Araf Slow' at every corner?

[SimonWood]

Absolutely breathtakingly wonderful!

[Peter Butler]

Are you practising before you write 'Araf Slow' at every corner?

Sounds like they are teaching Welsh in North Yorkshire.

[Lonsdaler]

Are you practising before you write 'Araf Slow' at every corner?

Sounds like they are teaching Welsh in North Yorkshire.

I'm afraid not Peter. As a youngster on trips to Wales, I used to wonder what an Araf was, and why you had to slow down for it
Of course, I now know what it means

[Peter Butler]

Working on detailing the areas surrounding the buildings now, paving etc...
Fortunately I have quite a few old roofing slates which I ran through my tile cutter making lots of small, square blocks to form paving slabs. After cutting I washed them and put them out to dry in the sunshine.....
(This is what is left after fixing the ones in the following pictures)

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To attach the blocks to the concrete and attempt to keep them level (ish!) I use waterproof tile cement mixed with SBR to add flexibility to the adhesive. No water or washing-up liquid added. The mix is easily workable with a scraper and dries in about twenty minutes.....

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When dry I use a sloppy mix (water this time) of exterior grout and after a short drying time use a damp sponge to remove the excess......

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The worst part of all is the cleaning up afterwards.....

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[IanC]

Superb. Just when you thought it couldn't get any better!

[Lonsdaler]

Lovely job Peter. I love cutting slate, but it does make a mess doesn't it? I take it you've left the roof slate full thickness? I split the ones I made to about 2-3mm thickness, using a stanley knife blade. Very satisfying but tedious, and only a 60 to 70 per cent success rate

[philipy]

Lovely job Peter. I know what you mean about the mess, I laid a slate floor in our kitchen a few years ago. The electric tile cutter subsequently came in very useful for cutting Cotswold stones 'stone's for a couple of tunnel mouths. Cotswold stone really does make a mess

[bazzer42]

Lost for words.....just brilliant craftsmanship....what next??

[Hydrostatic Dazza]

Well done, you have been given Australia's highest award