I've been doing some further work on the Dobcross bridge/tunnel which forms part of the scenic break at the exit to the fiddle yard. Recent work has been to add a section of curved wall alongside the steep lane going over the bridge. These days, it is almost completely obscured behind brambles and other thick undergrowth but I imagine it was fully exposed to view at the time the railway is set (mid to late 1950's). It appears in a photo on page 23 of Larry Goddard's Delph to Oldham book.

Following construction and installation of the new wall, the stone-work has been painted. The above mentioned photo (unfortunately undated) shows that the stone was not completely blackened, as was common around Oldham at that time, with the mortar generally being a lighter colour than the stones. This has necessitated a different technique to the other stone structures. These had been painted a stone colour followed by matt black, which was partially wiped off after a few minutes drying (as recommended by Gravy Train). This is very effective for rough stone but results in the joints being black. For the bridge, the black has been applied by dry brushing over the stone colour, tending to leave the mortar the base stone colour.

The different stone effects are the nearest commercial embossed plastic sheet to the various types of stone-work on the real thing. I suppose individually engraved stones (a la Geoff Kent) would have have enabled a better representation but I can live with the result I've got.

Here are some photos of the result, previously seen only in grey primer.

First the "Delph" portal:

The lane side wall, including the new curved section:

The "fiddle yard" portal (and the end shown in the L.G. book):

There may well be some further weathering but the bridge can now be fixed in position and the cess ballast touched up against the walls of the bridge.

Dave.