I was intending to do this at Easter but decided I was having to much fun on actually doing stuff on the layout rather than write about it.
I have copied some stuff from the Facebook site as it has been updated more regularly than the blog as it is easier.
January - I finally got around to making these name plates for my layout and after just under 8 hours of 3D printing these beauties were done.
Very noice!
Layout name is Illavearf, split into two areas. Rural village of Kensington Hill and industrial town of Bray.
February and March - mostly continued kit building and preparation for hopefully time at Easter to do airbrushing.
April/Easter - My Good Friday was spent in self isolation in the Shed. The circumstances and the weather we're good for spending a day under the tin without boiling. So out came the air brush booth, compressor and airbrush to finally get around to painting some models I had put together before Xmas last year. Still some hand painting of small details required but a very productive day. I progressively placed the airbrushed kits on the layout during April.
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| airbrushing box and table setup |
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| water tank and loading gauge |
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| Dapol trackside hut and coal office |
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| Dapol water crane. I am very chuffed how this one turned out. |
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| Ratio water tank, water crane and grounded carriage |
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| Kensington Hill fettler corner |
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| Grounded carriage. I particular like how I weather this. Looks like Dr Who is paying a visit as the TARDIS is hiding behind the green house. |
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| Temporary placement of the hut and coal office. Still a WIP in this corner. |
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| View of Kensington Hill. Still a few things to do. |
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| The Ratio water tank and crane kit came up pretty well with my weathering (IMHO) |
May - Labour Day Long Weekend - After years of gathering dust I finally took the opportunity of scrubbing the rails of my layout with a track rubber followed by a coating or two of Track Magic. I wasn't overly impressed so taking a recommendation from Mr Mackie I bought a bottle of Wahl Clipper Oil and applied it then ran a loco around for a bit. I am impressed. Improved the locos as well. Also out came the laptop (as I didn't have a spare Raspberry Pi) to run JMRI on the layout. Everything still worked fine from the touchpanel of the laptop via a JMRI panel. I now have found my layout mojo again.
Whilst working from home due to COVID-19 I also finally got around to printing a static grass applicator (grassinator) STL I found on the Prusa 3D printers site of all places. I was able to re-use the ion generator and metal grill from my earlier model I made years ago out of PVC piping. I think the new model is much better and a hell of a lot cheaper that a bought one. I had to modify the design by making some 'plugs' to accommodate a LED and a push button. The end product was field tested yesterday by applying some grass to a section of Bray.
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| The two grassinator models. The original that I made years ago is on the left. The new model is on the right. Works a charm. |
I have also a started making a concerted effort on the Bray side of the layout focusing on the industrial areas.
Matthew's layout - also during this time Matt and I have been spending time getting Matt's layout up to spec. Last weekend I cleaned the rails and this weekend we had trains running. Woo hoo.
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| Mr Mackie's beehives have found a spot on the layout |
