Over the last two days, I have done some more work on the small bridge carrying a pipeline across the lines. I have painted the concrete parts, then added the pipeline on concrete blocks, and finally I have added the embossed Brick Card. Still to be blended and weathered.

This is the follow up to my recent O Gauge Ballast post. I have now weathered the three test samples, with the basics. I have not added any oil patches, grime or filth, they can be added as a separate application on Depots, near Station Buffer-stops and even at signals on the main line. I would treat the goods yard scenario slightly differently, depending on the products being loaded/unloaded, noting different parts of a Yard can handle different products.

I always use enamel Railmatch Paints and have hand painted the sample, although I would use airbrushing on larger areas. I have dry brushed the sleepers to make original Peco sleepers look a bit more accurate.

Also note that the colours I have used for the rail sides, they differ as well as the ballast. Again the merging of different areas need to be seamless. I have in the past treated the chairs with a little dark rust as Cast Iron and Steel weather differently – this is dry brushed, but I guess it could be done with powders. This is a very time consuming job, OK on smaller layouts, but would be soul destroying on really large layouts.

The colours I used were, Sleeper Grime, Frame Dirt and Roof Dirt. For the grime etc. I would use all sorts of colours from Black to White and everything in between, bearing in mind that its not a ‘matt’ world. Some liberal use of Satin or Gloss is acceptable. In Steam Days, remember, the effects of water, ash and emulsified oils, lovely!!!!

I have agreed to help a friend start to ballast his large layout. I think using actual O Gauge ballast all over the layout in all positions does not look realistic. I have therefore done a trial board of the three ballasts I use for all my O Gauge layouts. I intend to paint them and the track sides later and then post again.

The number of Exhibition layouts that take a one size does all is amazing, even in these days when all sizes are available at reasonable prices. Remember some goods yards and terminus station areas have not been re-ballasted or had new track for 50 years as all speeds are low in these areas. I would treat through Stations with no goods or sidings completely different, using virtually all O Gauge ballast.

I use O Gauge Ballast on Mainlines and Secondary Lines – I use N gauge Ballast for Terminus Station areas and fine sand for well trod areas like engine sheds and goods yards. These could have been laid on ash anyway! – When I do this, I do a transition length by mixing two types together, with different percentages of each at least three times, so that the transition is seamless and realistic. Abrupt changes do not work!

I worked this morning doing some further work on the O Gauge Layout. I cut the plastic girder that goes in the gap under the bridge, this is a strengthening system that a lot of bridges use. I added the shelf in the fiddle yard and then corked it. Finally I made the pipe holders and glued the dowel to represent the pipe.

Neither the Girder or Pipeline are glued down – needs the bridge to be ‘clad’ first.

I now need to order a few items for the next step, so it may be a little time before another post on this subject.

Today I have added the backscene to my new O Gauge Layout. I used 4mm MDF on the majority of the layout, but 6mm on the entry to the sector plate. I have also formed a small bridge that will carry some pipe work over the railway – I guess the railway was there when the pipeline was needed and permission to take up the track was not given – hence the over bridge. It helps to make a believable scenic break – better than a hole in the sky!!!

I have also added some partitions in the fiddle yard so that the operation is not seen. I will add a shelf to these partitions to hold a couple of wagons while not being used on the layout. I have already made the shelf but darkness defeated me today.

Shelf to be glued on.

This is the first of my recently finished baseboards and the first for track laying. This is a pointless layout, as a space saving sector plate is used. All track is Peco BH flexible type, and for this track plan I only used four track joiners. The track was glued down with superglue with steel weights holding it until dry – no pins for me!

I am not 100% sure of what this layout will become, maybe a BR 50/60’s goods yard, shunting plank or perhaps an industrial layout of some sort. When you only have a scenic area of 4′ x 18″, the track plan really dictates itself. To help all the track to be level and correctly spaced I cut my own spacers, a photo appears in the below photos. Yes I could have found space for one small radius point, but it would have made a very cramped scene and scenic to track would in my opinion would not make a good balance.

No isolating sections required as the layout will be DCC and Sound. Any shunting will be carried out by the ‘sprat and winkle’ system, but using the 4mm variety not the ungainly 7mm ones.

I have purchased the 4mm MDF boards for the backscene, but I am just working out what height and whether to add a ‘photographic scene’

All the track was laid in two hours, between the light rain showers!

Yesterday, we spent the day exhibiting our group layout ‘Grub Lane’ at the GOG ‘get together’ at Bury St Edmunds. This is a great way to talk all things O Gauge in very pleasant surroundings at the BSE Sugar Beet Factory Social Club.

Although me and the wife were on our own as other group members were attending conflicting Railway events, we were helped by our friend Mike Boakes of the Norfolk Mardellers, thanks Mike for giving me the chance to meet other friends and have a good look around, I would also like to thank Dave Eccles, Norfolk Mardellers, Kloggies and all other organisers for a great day out.

I believe that there was a record attendance and I have to say that the quality of the Layouts and Traders was the best so far. Again, a big well done to the organisers for brilliant day.

Here are a few photographs taken by my wife of ‘Grub Lane’, running BR (S) instead of the usual Industrials. The new lighting rig has certainly helped her get some great shots. I have to say, weathered stock on a weathered layout is the best way to recreate realistic scenes.

I am trying to sort out my last few layouts. At the age of 76, it can’t go on for ever. Being realistic is the main problem as you grow old. But to keep stretching myself is vital for me to stimulate the old grey matter.

I have two unfinished layouts, both started over five years ago, but paused to do smaller layouts as we changed cars so that no space was available to take these larger layouts to Exhibitions. The list is:-

1/ O Gauge Station Terminus Layout – 17 x 2′ – Track laid, Electrified, Buildings made – last worked on 2018!

2/ O Gauge Stabling Point for Diesels 12 x 2′ – Track laid, Electrified, 50% ballasted – a little work this year, but no real progress.

I have now made two further baseboards – one 6′ x 18″ and one 8′ x 18″ – still researching scale and era, but probably O Gauge and DCC Sound. Photos below.

I also still have seven other layouts that need keeping in good order and sorting after the rigours of exhibiting, although some will be sold. I have already decided to finish exhibiting when I am 80 !!!!!!! But hopefully family and friends will be able to take my layouts out for many years to come.

While doing the make ready for the lighting, I started to prepare the layout for the Bressingham Museum Exhibition this Sunday. The layout was given a good clean and check that all was ready for the day.

I did not pose any locos and thought it would be a novelty just to take a few photos of the empty layout showing the cameo scenes.

We will be running our DCC Sound London Transport circa 1965 option. I must admit I am considering using this layout for other steam era’s – watch this space.

This layout will also appear at the Chelmsford Exhibition and the Whitwell and Reepham Exhibition in October.

I will take some more photos on the day and post then on Monday – come and say hello if attending.