4mm The Idler

[Joe1980]

After adding a Scale Model Scenery pub signpost, and then fashioning the larger pub name board from offcuts, the pub is looking pretty near complete. Needs flashing and guttering, but I’m mostly happy with how it looks now!

 

[Joe1980]

The latest addition to the fleet, waiting in the headshunt by the pub.

 

[Joe1980]

During lockdown I’ve done more modelling than in the last three years combined. At the moment I’m working on adding a bit of texture to my pottery works building. Still a bit to do.

 

[Joe1980]

Because I’m a masochist... more three links for the freight stock!

 

[MartinWales]

Masochistic? More like theraputic!

 

[Joe1980]

Masochistic? More like theraputic!

Haha! Thanks Martin! it’s amazing how many are just “don’t do it!” when you talk about three link couplings. Personally I love the challenge of fitting them and using them.

 

[MartinWales]

Well,when you've done a few hundred.....

 

[Joe1980]

Layout progress has been a bit slow of late due to focusing on “Project Lockdown” (an upgrade of an old Airfix class 31). Today I’ve started to experiment with the backscene, aiming for atmosphere over detail/hyper-realism.

 

[Martin Shaw]

All it needs is a 3D scan of me on the footplate and it could be in Scotland, although clay hoods and bucolic pubs aren't really a scottish thing, very atmospheric though. Could rename it to "The Idler of Bo'ness", then it really would suit me.
Martin

 

[Joe1980]

All it needs is a 3D scan of me on the footplate and it could be in Scotland, although clay hoods and bucolic pubs aren't really a scottish thing, very atmospheric though. Could rename it to "The Idler of Bo'ness", then it really would suit me.
Martin

Send down the figure and we’ll try and create the scene! I’ll dot a few saltires about too!

 

[Martin Shaw]

Joe
I found a pic of the loco and my daughter tells me she has a pic of me looking like an engine driver which will arrrive in due course. Dotted saltires are not needed.

Martin

 

[Martin Shaw]

Ta da

Driver Shaw is unimpressed with being given a wee green pug to drive.

 

[Joe1980]

I’ve made a decent bit of progress over the last few days. Decided I simply had to get on with the main pottery works factory building. I’ve finished the brickwork and given it an initial coat of drybrushed brick colour. I’ll eventually weather it and pick out some of the bricks in different tones to make it look less like a new build! Then add the roof, windows and door.



Here’s a picture of it in position:

 

[Joe1980]

I’ve not really given much of an update recently, lured by the world of Model Railway Twitter and also just being ridiculously busy at work.

Here’s an overall view of the layout as it is today, with the factory building roofed and a small canal area built at the front of the layout.



And here’s a shot of the Sentinel in the new canal siding, taken during a pre-summer holiday shutdown shunt.



In the meantime, I hope everyone is well. I’m off to dream of having a layout like the various Sheep-related ones.

 

[steve50]

Nice photo's Joe1980, I like the livery of the Sentinal too, suits the layout

 

[NHY 581]

Top stuff Joe.

Lovely layout and a classic illustration of what can be achieved in a small space.

Rob.

 

[Joe1980]

Nice photo's Joe1980, I like the livery of the Sentinal too, suits the layout

Cheers Steve. It needs a bit of weathering and a larger coupling hook, but it’s perfect in the small space.

 

[Joe1980]

Top stuff Joe.

Lovely layout and a classic illustration of what can be achieved in a small space.

Rob.

Thanks Rob. Means a lot coming from the “Sheep Guy”!

 

[Joe1980]

I tend to slow down a bit over summer, but I did have a go at making a “thing” to act as a scenic break.



And I’ve replaced the large yard crane (that was quite frankly a hassle when shunting), with a smaller one next to the canal.

 

[Joe1980]

I haven’t done an update on here for years. Loads of things have been going on like changes at work, moving house and having a child, but I’ve been doing bits and bobs over the years.

I’ve improved the back scene a fair bit, added a CDU for the points and started to add some great little ModelU figures.

Longer term, I want to build a new small layout with a station based on something I’d seen on Dan Evason’s Instagram. I will continue to add little bits on The Idler on maybe improve some trackwork too.