4mm Frosty Mornings - a layout rebuild in 6 months!

Broad Sword

Western Thunderer
Having had nothing mentioned about the trap point, I thought I would. No, it's not connected, the budget wouldn't run to that. Evidently every thing had been spent on "Angel Dust".
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It will teach me to be quicker next time!
 

Rippers

Western Thunderer
"f'Kinfrosty" .

Yup to look at the layout its 'Kinfreezing'!..........:D
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As for how it was done ........... after hours of googling military modelling sites and like for ideas on how to do it and even more hours experimenting on a small test piece I made using various mixes in my airbrush of whites, pales greys and silvers I found the best way of creating it quite by accident when doing something completely different....... now isnt that always the way!:rolleyes:

The frost effect as seen on this model is simply (and I mean simply no added anything) a good quality 'White Acrylic Automotive Primer' sprayed straight from the can.
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Most areas and features you can see in the pictures have 3 or 4 light passes at 6 -8 inches or more distant (with as mentioned before a small sprinkling of the fine glittery Angel Dust added on the flat field areas (whilst wet - and sealed with a pass of hairspray when dry).

The couple of road vehicles with the effect (showing that they were parked overnight) were done off the layout and with 1 or perhaps 2 passes (I did have to replace one after overdoing it by thinking oh perhaps another......!:oops: ).
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Acrylic Primer is literally small particles of paint in a very light suspension for spraying which from a near dry layer when applied lightly from a distance (whereas my thinned airbrush paint was too wet). My lightbulb moment came when noticing the effect of overspray on a cobweb when priming a model in my spraybooth.........
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It takes practice to do but the hairy grass scenic base (1 or 2 plys of very fine hanging basket liner in this case) take the paint and show up well. I was quite pleased with the overall effect created which seems to match the look we often get on the fields and fencing down the lanes near our village on cold winter mornings.

In doing it I had to mask or be careful with buidings, walls etc as not all materials cover with frost in the same way (so obervation and thought to the most!)

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So if one of the purveyors of Scenic wares suddenly come up with 'instant frost in a can' you already know the secret of how to buy it cheaper!;)
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Note these later shots show the model with the addition of the scratch build GNoSR signal box (with point rodding) and goodshed which completed the station area. Though the starter signal is still absent.
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Scenically the layouts was now more like the sort of layout we would have produced to start with had we been tasked with this kind of project from the start which was the whole idea as Martin had long been a fan of the models we build). Though I doubt that we would have build the layout as long and thin or simple as it was.

As for my experiment with the scenic presentation well ................... in the years prior to our getting our sweaty mits on the the layout had only attended 3 or 4 shows all of which were as a result of the owner knowing someone involved in the show concerned. It has never got any further 'cold' enquires for invites when at those events.............

First time out at the BRM Doncaster show start of 2013 (with us showing it and Martin as trainee........on his own layout) the layout received the grand total of 9 un-solicited invites over the two days (all 'wow like this can you give me details, come here with it etc etc).............. most pleasing as this is when we wanted for Martin (who we were sad to find had spent an awful lot of cash on the original professional build).

We were further please to hear that a few weeks later at BRM Ally Pally he gained a further 6 more and from then on the calls havent stopped.............. so much so he cant cope with number ............... still that part isnt our problem! :D
 

adrian

Flying Squad
with as mentioned before a small sprinkling of the fine glittery Angel Dust added on the flat field areas (whilst wet - and sealed with a pass of hairspray when dry).
Thanks for the explanation - it is very effective and it's great to hear that the owner is getting the interest in the layout.

My better half uses "shimmer spray" when making cakes. This gives a slight glittery feel so it might be an alternative self adhesive glitter spray to the Angel dust and hairspray.
http://www.hobbycraft.co.uk/dr-oetker-shimmer-spray/583179-1001
 

Rippers

Western Thunderer
My better half uses "shimmer spray" when making cakes. This gives a slight glittery feel so it might be an alternative self adhesive glitter spray to the Angel dust and hairspray.
http://www.hobbycraft.co.uk/dr-oetker-shimmer-spray/583179-1001

Interesting product and cetainly worth investingating the possibilities of. My better half threw in the idea of using sparkle hairspray too - which is probably a similar idea but inedible!

I dare say it would be excelent for enhancing the open area and trees etc. but would need care as it would be less controlable than the hand applied stuff.
 

Rippers

Western Thunderer
To wrap up my drivel on this fun rebuild project..........
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The layouts scenic area (now just 3 of the 4 boards) was given our standard design of lighting facia unit.

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Plus the original fiddleyards which consisted of a 2 road sector plate which could hold a max of loco plus 2 coaches only was swept away to be replaced with this much longer 4 road unit capable of holding all of the trains need for the layout (which we had taken, played about with and weathered at the same time as wreckin.......sorry improving the layout ) mounted on the original baseboard frame.
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This and the wonders Broadsword did at taming the electrikery - removing a whole box of the stuff yet it all still worked!............... revolutionised the exhibition operation. On top of which the ability to actually hold a train ready to depart in either loop or platform was added (where before you could only isolate a loco in the headshunt or siding........... which meant when you brought another in alongside you couldnt move either!..... strange! :confused:
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With the layout boards given individual lightweight ply covers for protection in transport and storage - the fiddleyard in a much shalower box by virtue of us incorporating a flding facia (no point transporting empty space!.
The whole layout plus facia, controls and stock can be seen here which in this format fit neatly into a medium sized family estate car with enough room for tools, luggage and two operators.
 

Rippers

Western Thunderer
So if you happen across this at a show .........seen here as completed ...........you know where it came from.......
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Class 24/1 (Bachmann conversion) arrives with a freight including shock fitted vehicles for the distillery.

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Local service (link to the junction is provided by a 105 2 car unit in unusual but correct Blue SYP)

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Some of the stock shows signs of the wintery conditions..
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Icy roads and crossplys........not nice!
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The final finish for the reworked distillery scene (see how it compares with the as delivered version).
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The local coal merchant is probably glad that it is his empties leaving and not loaded ones arriving to be empties this day.......

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The distilleries own shunter ventures out into the cold.

A whole lot of fun and a satisfing project for us.

The question is did we actually improve the original layout or waste our time and completely ruin it (as some have said to us since in loud and espresssive tones!!).?
 

Simon

Flying Squad
I think the frost is very effective indeed, makes me feel cold just looking at it!!

Overall a significant improvement I'd say:thumbs:

Simon
 

Mike Sheardown

Western Thunderer
I really like the lighting fascia unit, as it forces the eye down, and seems to lengthen the layout.

Is this why you've kept the fascia fairly low, and what do you use for lighting?

Thanks for posting

Mike
 

Rippers

Western Thunderer
I really like the lighting fascia unit, as it forces the eye down, and seems to lengthen the layout.

Is this why you've kept the fascia fairly low, and what do you use for lighting?

Thanks for posting

Mike

The lighting is simply fluorecents - a trio of 2fts on this one if memory serves (one in each section).

The way we usually position facia height is so the bottom edge of the facia coresponds with the top edge of the backscene of the layout when the viewer is stood at the usual barrier distance from the frontage (say half a metre or so). So as to draw the eye to the model and away from any hidden nasties behind said model.

We find by doing this we find the layout is frames well for viewing but a viewer leant on said barrier or stood up looking over the facia can still converse with us to ask questions or throw insults if needed.

With Kinfrosty this rule didnt quite work as well as the backscenes were much lower than the 12 to 14 inch we tend to use (and we had no intention of changing them other scraping off the santex and repainting:D) as we were concious of the space issue and the layouts need to fit within the confines of an existing domestic vehicle).

We actually did so well at this the whole of the finished layout in its covers along with all the other bits and stock were proven to fit in a Vauxhall Meriva and Ford Fusion with ease both of which are considerably smaller than the intended Skoda Estate. The finsihed layout in its transport packaging was actually smaller and far lighter thna it was as it arrived!

Therefore as we had addapted the height of the baseboard to that of Outwell (which can be seen in the background of some of the shots) the facia was set at the same height. It doesnt quite have the cut off that we like due to the lower backscenes but does frame the model well.
 

Mike Sheardown

Western Thunderer
Thanks Rippers,

That's really useful and interesting, and I think the fascia, and the way in which you use it, really does enhance the viewing experience no end!!

Thanks again

Mike
 

Rippers

Western Thunderer
Thanks Rippers,

That's really useful and interesting, and I think the fascia, and the way in which you use it, really does enhance the viewing experience no end!!

Thanks again

Mike

No problem...but remember this is just our take on the idea (others have other ways that are just as good....indeed some layout formats work better without one at all.............all part of the variety that is this hobby).

One of the things I like about this particular forum is the willingness for folk on here to take the time to share ideas and answer questions. A refreshing change.

I have to say that I am just as happy to learn from others experience and ideas as I am to share any of mine.

Ask away if you have any points you with to discuss.
 

Rippers

Western Thunderer
Great layout with plenty of atmospher, I like this scene!

I have to agree the Distillery end did come out well and for what is still quite a small scenic area it does have several interesting viewpoints.

My own favorite is the view looking over the roadbrige with the lane turning away into the backscene. (I was particuarly pleased with how this bit turned out - though with the hedges hiding the join was far easier than it was with the main street on Outwell.
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Incidentally the use of the A35 at the rear is deliberate as the small vehicle gives a better impression of distance (the roadway is narrowed as it turns into the backscene too as part of the visual trickery)......... than the pensionable half cab in its distinctive custard yellow Alexanders livery that was initially planned would have done.......... plus the latter would have been to close to that 'bus on a bridge' cliche which we try to avoid.:D
 

Osgood

Western Thunderer
The first photo of post 2 - that looks like the start of a tenon joint you have cut in the cake with the wood chisel. If you've made the new framework out of cake then no wonder it is lighter!

A case of 'you can't have your layout and eat it?
 
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