I've spent some time recently on the overbridge which seperates the main scenic section of the layout with the fiddle plank. Last week it was painted and weathered and over the weekend I placed it into position, built the enbankment around it and completed the static grass process. Like the rest of the layout this has been given a late summer/early autumn look with scorched and dead grass mingling with bushes and foliage clumps.
This corner of the layout was always left and I began to wonder what it would eventually morph into. A bridge? But what kind? Brick completely? A girder involved? Does it even need a bridge? Well, yes. I do like railway architecture and bridges especially. I particularly have a fondness for small over/under bridges from days gone by. You know the sort, the ones that were always built to last.
The weathering looks nice on the bridge itself. I had to insert a piece of wood in the corner to strengthen the back scenes. Sadly, the layout had been in store for a number of years in between moving to the south west and the boards did become damaged, but only slightly. In time I intend to paint over it but it doesn't bother me as I originally thought it would.
The opening through the bridge needs a little tidying up but this shouldn't be too much of a problem. I'm considering painting this black just inside the bridge and also perhaps using a cover with flaps cut in to allow the trains to pass through but conceal the fiddle plank on the other side.
Earlier this afternoon I was experimenting with some 'wet effects' liquids I have as part of the Ammo range. These are designed to imitate damp conditions, dripping or running water and water ingress in brickwork, for example. I may add more of this over time just to make the effect a little stronger. However, I do like the grass on the embankment at this angle. Wild and overgrown and having been scorched and bleached by the sun from those long summer days.
I also added some brick dust effects and a touch of what could be limescale.
At the other side of the bridge I have now included a low relief warehouse which fits nicely. This has had some weathering added and was inserted prior to the embankment being constructed around it. I'd like to have something dumped at the end of this siding rusting away and forgotten. A tank locomotive perhaps or a wagon.
Here is an old yard crane which I added rust weathering to and placed on a base a few months ago. It isn't stuck down to the base as yet. I'm unsure whether to cut out a hole in the cork underlay for this to slot into. I'm pretty sure that I've seen yard cranes on separate bases on the ground and also just on the ground themselves?
More to continue with for the time being.
Chris