Cameron has been in touch with his model train display case – which is also a shunting puzzle:
“Dear Al,
This is my final instalment on Lanarth.
Scale 1:76 00 scale
Track Peco Code 100 HO
Region – English, Southern, South West
The final parts of the layout were the scenics and backdrop.
There was a grassy foreground to the prototype that I wanted to capture on the layout. As a rough base for this I used old carpet underlay. The underlay is normally brown so I bleached it with some household bleach.
To lay I smeared a liberal amount of pva on the layout and positioned clumps of the underlay.
Following this I coloured it with some watered down acrylic paint. It looked good at this point but not 100%. To improve it I applied some static grass with spray adhesive.
The backdrop was more of a challenge. In keeping with the theme of this layout I decided to paint my own. One of he biggest challenges of a good backdrop is getting a realistic perspective.
I wanted a station building in the foreground of the backdrop so the perspective needed to be spot on. I use CAD software at work so I put this to use for the backdrop.
I modelled the background in 3D, generated perspectives at different angles then printed them out on paper. I could then test the prints against the rest of the model to pick the angle that looked best. The final backdrop is painted with acrylic paints.
The rest came together in the box and is working well. Being quite small I can keep it in our dining room on top of the side board. Visitors like to try their luck at the shunting puzzle. Hope you all enjoyed the progress and posts.
Bye for now.
Cameron”
I’ve really enjoyed Cameron’s updates – and I think the finished model train display case looks great. I just love the back drop he’s done. Stunning stuff indeed.
If you want to remind yourself, his last post is here.
Now on to Phil:
“This is my try at model railroading. Since I retired this is a fun way to pass time.
I bought a hanging plant liner. I cut it into 3/8″ sections. to make hedges. I sprayed them green & what didn’t cover is fine it looks like dead brackets like a real hedge. I anchored it in place with tooth picks & cut off the excess. pictures are attached.
Keep-up the great job.
Phil”
Next up, Eric:
“Hi Alastair
I know all your readers like tips, how about a simple conversion job.
All that is needed is some thin balsa wood, slate roofing card, paint and glue.
I suppose most British railway modellers have at some time purchased the low relief cinema kit from Metcalfe and either used it as a backdrop or stowed it away for future use. (Pic 1).
Mine has been on the shelf for a few years now and seeing it I decided to incorporate it in my new Wensdale layout, except it looked as if it should have a better place as it is rather well finished, so in a couple of hours I transformed it into a stand alone unit.
First I took of the card backing off the cinema and made a simple balsa box with a shelf to hold the lighting for the shops and cinema entrance. (Pic 2).
Next was to slip in a balsa shelf where the top windows are and fit a strip of three blue lights and a baffle behind them to shield the blue light from the shops. (Can’t really be seen except for wires (Pics 3+4).
Next a couple of small arms stuck either side of the cinema door and a red balsa baffle behind with door marked on and give a back to the shops. (Pic 3).
Then I matched the cinema height with the box and stuck balsa roof rests on top of the box. (Pics 5+6).
Next stick the cinema front and the box together and hold while set.
The walls coated with concrete paint and the top edge in black
Final job was to cut some roofing slate cards to more or less match the cinema roof (Pic 7).
And hey presto a small stand alone cinema. (Pic 8).
Really pleased how it turned out and may give some others an idea of what they can do in a couple of hours on a miserable day.
Happy modelling
Eric”
That’s all this time folks – don’t forget it’s nearly the last day to bag the savings on the new tunnels, which you can grab here:
A huge thanks Cameron for sharing his model train display case.
That’s all for today folks.
Please do keep ’em coming.
And if today is the day you get busy just like Cameron, the Beginner’s Guide is here.
Best
Al
PS Latest ebay cheat sheet is here.
PPS More HO scale train layouts here if that’s your thing.
Love the shunting puzzle! Can you do a video showing how it works please?
Scenery is excellent.
Dave’s video – love the quick clips and music – very effective!
Very, very nice!
Re: Camerons puzzle
What a masterpieece !
I enjoy Dave’s video
Dave……
Great video, love the music, love the graphics, love the footage of your layout. HOWEVER, as i watched the video, at 0:36 into the video, WAS THAT a catastrophic accident as one of your cars derailed and HIT a building just before the bridge?????? Hope no one was seriously injured…… LOL!
Jim
Cameron’s layout is utterly amazing. It is so lifelike that I expect to see the clouds roll in or a flock of gulls fly by. One of top layouts I have seen.
I always enjoy seeing a Master Builder at work. This creation looks so real. A true artist. Congratulations on a job well done.
Brilliant job Cameron, very realistic. And Dave’s as entertaining as always.
Very nice Cam – beautiful landscaping and professional finish. Love to see a video of it in action! And Dave it is always a pleasure watching your videos – so creative.
Glyn
Very Well Done…….Hope to have a layout upon retirement………
So much talent from both of these guys! Thank you guys.
Dave’s videos are always impressive and entertaining!
What is the size of Dave’s layout?
Very Very Nice
Maybe Dave and I were the only ones that noticed what appears to be a train wreck at 36 seconds into the video as the last couple of cars came to the bridge on the upper deck. Was that in-fact an accident or just some video tomfoolery?
Cameron’s backdrops really give the layout depth!
Such great talent….
I want to focus on Cameron’s layout for a bit… Both to answer a question or two and to offer appropriate and effusive praise.
The trackplan is a basic Inglenook. Good information on the operation can be found on several sites. The trackplan is devilishly simple and deceptive. It is a very elegant design that requires only two sets of points (turnouts or switches).
Operation is when the deception of the design becomes obvious and rapidly proves how much operation is possible in a very confined space and with very little track.
Cameron’s layout is a masterpiece in many ways and a true example of the modelbuilder’s art. The backscene (backdrop) is amazingly effective and perhaps the best I have ever seen. What makes it special is the mist effect that is so well done that you do not notice that it does not extend into the three dimensional space where the structures and track are… (The grass in the foreground adds tremendously to the illusion as does the muted colors on the structures)… If there is a museum for model railroading; Cameron’s layout belongs in it…
Al, I know you have a “Hall of Fame” for specific modelers… Have you thought of one for specific layouts… If you do, this little layout of Cameron’s should be the first inducted.
Cameron has done an excellent job. If only I had such talent!
Such great talent….
I want to focus on Cameron’s layout for a bit… Both to answer a question or two and to offer appropriate and effusive praise.
The trackplan is a basic Inglenook. Good information on the operation can be found on several sites. The trackplan is devilishly simple and deceptive. It is a very elegant design that requires only two sets of points (turnouts or switches).
Operation is when the deception of the design becomes obvious and rapidly proves how much operation is possible in a very confined space and with very little track.
Cameron’s layout is a masterpiece in many ways and a true example of the modelbuilder’s art. The backscene (backdrop) is amazingly effective and perhaps the best I have ever seen. What makes it special is the mist effect that is so well done that you do not notice that it does not extend into the three dimensional space where the structures and track are… (The grass in the foreground adds tremendously to the illusion as does the muted colors on the structures)… If there is a museum for model railroading; Cameron’s layout belongs in it…
Al, I know you have a “Hall of Fame” for specific modelers… Have you thought of one for specific layouts… If you do, this little layout of Cameron’s should be the first inducted.
John from California
Wow Cameron,
Your not just a modelrailroader but you’re an artist.
Which I had those scenery and painting skills.
Cheers,
Jan
from Belgium
looks good so far
I like Dave’s latest video—unfortunately he spelled “There”. It should read: “Railroads at THEIR best”. but in the long run–does anyone really care?
Love Dave’s latest dramatic quickie. Though he did misspell the word snow on one of his title pages. Or I didn’t realize the Brits spelled snow with an i in it. LOL Certainly didn’t let that distract me though, always love his videos. Keep them coming.
Wonderful layout Cameron, very realistic! Especially like the grass in the foreground.
And Dave, you continue to overwhelm and entertain.
Cameron’s is a true work of Art
Love it all. Dave actually had several spelling mistakes. Sure that was only a glass or two of merlot Dave? Cheers from Oz.
The idea of using the carpet for this application is really quite clever.
Great video. Went back and caught the derailment on the second showing. It reminded me of an article in today’s Chicago Tribune where a CTA train went off the elevated train tracks and fell to the streets below Feb 7, 1977. 11 people killed and 160 injured.
Only critical comment: Title should be “Railways at THEIR best”, not “there”. Unless that’s British spelling preference. Anyway I enjoyed the video
Cameron!
What a brilliant Inglenook interpretation. Love the way the scenery takes your eyes up to the track and the idea of presenting it a picture frame is superb.
Well done.
very nicely done Cameron. great video Dave
Excellent Cameron the best layout and setting that I have seen on any of Al’s offerings. The backdrops are often the hardest to unertake. The key is if course simplicity. Very well done
Cameron – outstanding craftmanship on all levels! Extremely well done, sir.
Dave, that video is just amazing. Thanks for sharing.
Cameron, nice work on your layout. Agghh, you guys inspire me
to do more on my layout.
Hey Dave, comment on your wreck. Curious on what happened and the extent of the damage.
I wish Dave would include a diagram of his switching layout. His photos were grea, and the video, as always, out of this world. I’m past the age of active modeling, my hands are not steady enough to put any car smaller than O or perhaps 1 gauge on the tracks.
Thanks to both for your contributions. However as a teacher I must say Dave that it is “THEIR” not “THERE when used in the context you were using it. Other typos can occur BUT overall I loved the content and the background music. CHeers
Now I know why someone invented the word “Clever”
Cameron:
Perhaps driven by the need for protection in your living space in the house, your “display” format allowed you the museum viewing paradigm of the diorama, which greatly simplifies perspective and contextual problems, lighting – a wonderful template to work in, and you have risen to the occasion with a truly beautiful model. But for the dillemma of operational access, I wish more would try this format.
Fred
Hello,
Am intrigued as well as puzzled by what a ‘shunting puzzle’ is…
Can you write a brief explanation of what it is and how it is done?
Thanks
Nice display case Cameron and some good ideas, thanks for sharing.
james bond nice touch.