Time to build a railway...but where?

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Peter Butler
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Re: Time to build a railway...but where?

Post by Peter Butler » Fri Aug 10, 2018 6:47 pm

Interesting question Tom.... but no! Although I have taken a lot of enjoyment and satisfaction from building my village it represents just part of the overall package. Whatever I do I like to do with passion and commitment and reach a standard I am happy with. In doing this project I have discovered new methods and materials and let you all know of my experience. Not everyone wishes to go to such lengths but there is always room for new ideas which others can adopt or adapt.
My concern is that before long my railway will be 'finished', something we all dread as I might just stop creating more features.
Today I have worked on my walls again...... pictures to follow.
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Re: Time to build a railway...but where?

Post by bazzer42 » Fri Aug 10, 2018 7:15 pm

Impressive stuff Mr B , can't wait for the next round of photos.

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Re: Time to build a railway...but where?

Post by Peter Butler » Fri Aug 10, 2018 8:57 pm

The weather here was dreadful this morning but dried up with sunshine PM, so out came the paintbrush and an application of masonry white with acrylic tints was given to the wall sections. This is just a base coat to enhance the mortar courses, at least two further warm brown tones will be added to pick out the separate stones. Although I always use a kneeling pad the ground and foundations are hard on the old knees so I'm really looking forward to that!!!!
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Re: Time to build a railway...but where?

Post by ge_rik » Sat Aug 11, 2018 8:57 am

Thanks for the overview pictures of the whole site - helps to see how all the bits will fit together. I don't envy you picking out all the indvidual stone blocks on the walls - not just punishing on the knees but the back as well I'd imagine. The map you hold in your head must be incredibly well detailed - I see you have aleady included the steps where alleyways and paths will go.

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Re: Time to build a railway...but where?

Post by FWLR » Sat Aug 11, 2018 9:04 am

Are our railways ever “finished” Peter.
You have given so much inspiration not only to me, but to all that read your threads.So I/We all look forward to any build you do.

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Re: Time to build a railway...but where?

Post by jim@NAL » Sat Aug 11, 2018 9:38 pm

Are we going to have a grand opening Peter with beer wine etc looks seriously impressive

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Re: Time to build a railway...but where?

Post by Peter Butler » Sat Aug 11, 2018 10:26 pm

When the railway was first running I did have an open day and club members, friends and local neighbours were invited. Looking back at the pictures now it is a surprise even to me to see how it has developed. I wonder if I would have taken on such a project if I had known where it would take me?
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It would be interesting for the same people to come back and see how it has changed. You would certainly get an invitation too Jim.
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Re: Time to build a railway...but where?

Post by jim@NAL » Sat Aug 11, 2018 11:08 pm

I'm defanatly up for that looking great Peter and it's going to look ever better with age/time etc

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Re: Time to build a railway...but where?

Post by philipy » Sun Aug 12, 2018 8:20 am

Peter Butler wrote: Sat Aug 11, 2018 10:26 pm Looking back at the pictures now it is a surprise even to me to see how it has developed. I wonder if I would have taken on such a project if I had known where it would take me?
Magical mystery tour, Peter.
Surely that is a part of the pleasure, not knowing what is around the next corner?
As for what to do when it's finished, surely you have a couple of acres of land to play with???
Philip

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Re: Time to build a railway...but where?

Post by FWLR » Sun Aug 12, 2018 10:02 am

I would also love to see your brilliant line Peter. It somehow shows, with a little bit of imagination what can be achieved with garden railways.

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Re: Time to build a railway...but where?

Post by Peter Butler » Mon Aug 13, 2018 10:14 pm

Well, rain certainly stopped play again this morning but I had some indoor modelling time to catch up with. The entrance to the village from the great uncharted expanse beyond crosses the line so a level crossing, with gates, is a must......
Before.....
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The wood effect is made from scribed and painted plasticard, the green plasticard is there to raise the outer sections almost flat and level with the rail.

Another addition today are sections of resin walling which I had in stock without any plans for. They have now found a home and I was able to paint them in advance before fixing them in position. This will be my colour scheme for the rest.....
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I have a crossing gate but no posts, so that is currently on the worktable ready for me to attack tomorrow.
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Re: Time to build a railway...but where?

Post by philipy » Tue Aug 14, 2018 6:49 am

The last picture, looking down the street, is magical. You are going to get some amazing photo opportunities when you've got a bit further on.
Philip

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Re: Time to build a railway...but where?

Post by FWLR » Tue Aug 14, 2018 9:16 am

That is a brilliant job on the crossing Derek…..err Peter.. :lol:

Seriously Peter, I love the crossing. There is one in Formby, which is a Town not to far from me that had a crossing similar for the local farmer to cross and you could see the sleepers were worn down by his tractors, leaving indents by his wheels. You could do something similar with your plasticard couldn’t you Peter.

I love the colour scheme on the walls too. And like Phillipy, you will have some magical photos of the village, even more so when it snows.

Really looking forward to paying a visit soon, to see such a brilliant build.

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Re: Time to build a railway...but where?

Post by IanC » Tue Aug 14, 2018 1:37 pm

The street scene is superb Peter.
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Re: Time to build a railway...but where?

Post by Peter Butler » Sun Aug 19, 2018 1:51 pm

Thanks for the comments, your support is always welcome. More concrete in place now, that completes the base coat of rough cement/gravel mix which will form a strong and permanent base for the roadway to be screeded on top. I am waiting for a good weather report to do this as it needs to be laid in one visit to prevent joins in the roadway.....
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While I'm waiting I think of other things to enhance the village scene and it occurred to me that, with new regeneration schemes, a small percentage of the total investment is given over to 'public art' projects. This is usually in the form of sculpture. So I searched my workshop for items which I could cobble together to represent the location and history of the area. This is the result......
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It is, of course...... 'The Angel of the West'
Made from a 'Doctor Who' Angel figure and an assortment of plastic animals, stuck to a plastikard plinth and painted to resemble a bronze cast. All is then raised on a stone effect plastikard base with painted stonework.
She represents the strong historical religious background of the Welsh, combined with the national passion for livestock.
Well, that's my opinion!
I have the perfect location for it on the approach to the village market, sited in the centre of the roadway where it diverges around the Market Hall.
If you look very carefully in the first photograph of the layout you can also see the crossing gate in the distance, which is now in place.
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Re: Time to build a railway...but where?

Post by Soar Valley Light » Sun Aug 19, 2018 4:00 pm

Very nice Peter,

Is the spaniel sculpted on one of yours? ;)

Keep the inspiration coming please.

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Re: Time to build a railway...but where?

Post by SimonWood » Sun Aug 19, 2018 4:21 pm

Looks fantastic Peter. Really looking forward to seeing it with the roadway surfaced, drain covers, public art and all.

But, whatever you do, don't blink!

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Re: Time to build a railway...but where?

Post by Peter Butler » Sun Aug 19, 2018 5:32 pm

Soar Valley Light wrote: Sun Aug 19, 2018 4:00 pm
Is the spaniel sculpted on one of yours?

Andrew
Thanks Andrew, glad you approve. I think the Spaniel is more of a Cocker than a Springer, nice resin casting though. One of a set I bought from doll house suppliers.
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Re: Time to build a railway...but where?

Post by ge_rik » Sun Aug 19, 2018 6:07 pm

Presumably, the figure is Dr Wholittle?
I'll get my coat and shuffle apologetically out of the door......

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Re: Time to build a railway...but where?

Post by Peter Butler » Sun Aug 19, 2018 6:14 pm

Nice one Rik..... I might use that when explaining to visitors.
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