Bacup - Mills in the hills

[Jason T]

The problem with getting one building to an almost finished state is that it then highlights that the surrounding area is otherwise bare and sometimes, stands out more because of it.

Over the last couple of days, I have been making a start on the scenic formers that surround the mill, using foamboard (I was tiring of seeing doors in mid-air). Whilst I was doing so, it struck me firstly that it would be easiest to just form teh area directly surrounding the mill, e.g. the land owned by it, and then create the formers for the rough and uneven ground between it and the railway afterwards.

 

But then, I was looking at the mill and where the smallest building is and thinking that it would be logical for that to back onto a road. Likelyhood is that there would be other buildings on the road but there isn't enough room at the back for buildings facing it, so instead I came up with the idea of having yet another row of houses on the same side of the road (and hence blocking the view of those opposite), climbing up a hill that continues above the height of the railway. All very well, but the angle of the mill doesn't really allow a straight road if continued because of the railway.

 

Solution (hopefully, if I can suss it out) is to have the houses climb and turn away from the railway, which will leave more than enough room for back yards and an embankment between them and the railway itself.

Just got to work out the lengths of the 'front' of the houses now, so that the curve of the road is consistent. The fronts will be left blank.

 

[devondynosoar118]

The hill will need a bakers boy on his bike and cobbles! Great idea and fits the space perfectly.

[Jason T]

I've been a bit quiet in the last week but I have been progressing a fair bit, mainly with the new row of houses for the back of the layout. As mentioned in my last post, these houses are a sort of 3d backscene (as in the rear of them - the front of the row - is not detailed), and represent the backs of the houses, which curve away from the railway as they climb a hill away from the mill. As per usual, they have been built to sit on the baseboard with the land formed around them, which is why they appear very tall. Due to their location, they also sit on two different heights of baseboard.

 

There have been a few head-scratching moments with this build, not least because of the curvature of the row of houses and the corresponding angles for the roofs. All the stonework was cut, painted and weathered prior to the windows being added (and curtains, etc, adding to those); same with the doors, although some of them need a second coat.

 

I was pretty chuffed when the building had the correct curvature when glued together, as I wasn’t 100% sure it would work; ‘it’ being cutting the ‘street’ side of the houses slightly shorter than the backs, scoring between each house to enable a clean bend, doing the same to the plastikard with the Olfa jobbie, being very careful attaching the Plastikard to ensure the bend was still there (e.g. I didn’t just glue it on flat as that wouldn’t have allowed the bend).

 

Still not finished them but at the moment, I am (once again) attaching slates to the roofs; front all done but the backs only 1/3 completed. Why am I doing the backs when it won’t be visible? Because you will be able to see the edges of the roofs, that’s why. A pain in the backside but needs must and all that.

 

 

Anyway, here goes:

Card is scored between each house to add the curtvature of the street. Obviously each house has straight walls. On the end walls, you can see that I have added strips of Balsa to assist with squaring each house up

 

Embossed Plastikard is added, scored to ensure that the curve is still present

 

Once the stonework is painted and windows, etc., added, it is glued together. More balsa strips added to allow the roof panels to be glued on. Interiors painted dark grey.

 

Roof panels added, alleyway (between the houses, through the arch) added. Not 100% perfect but a bit of dry brushing will fix it

 

Aerial shot with the houses on the magic carpet, showing the curvature

 

Slates in the process of being added. Needs the back doing and the edges trimming, before ridge tiles and lead flashing are added

 

In a moment of boredom, I started to glue the outhouses and back walls for the original houses together

 

Wakes Week?

Edited November 19, 2012 by Sandside

[Mythocentric]

Hi Jason

 

Good to see you back and storming along as usual. The new houses compliment the factory perfectly and well up to your high standards.

 

Regards

 

Bill

[Removed a/c]

These new buildings are simply amazing !!!!

[gordon s]

Jason, another set of superb buildings that really look the part on that incline. Absolutely beautiful....

[Jason T]

Thanks for the kind comments and likes, folks. Funnily enough, one of the reasons that I held off posting this one was because I wasn't sure it would come out alright. I'm glad it did :-)

[Andrew P]

Hi, Ref your thread with Jeff (physicsman), Yes, please do a step by step on those wonderful buildings, great stuff,

 

all the best Andy.

[Physicsman]

Told you they'd be VERY popular!!

 

And I want to see how it's done in DETAIL too!!

 

Jeff

[jukebox]

You make it look quite effortless - which I am sure comes from the amount of practice you have had.

 

Another vote from me for a "how to" tutorial.

 

Regards

 

Scott

[92220]

Jason,

Another vote of admiration and thanks from me. Superb buildings and everything fits in the overall scene so well.

Iain

[Jason T]

I've started a new build and am documenting it all in a step-by-step guide, the quality of which may be debatable

 

http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/40873-buildings-for-bacup/page__st__75

[coachmann]

Now the station is surrounded by buildings it has a touch of Rochdale about it. Which reminds me, don't forgot a bus or two in the old corporation colours (Rochdale and Bury?).

[Jason T]

Good point, hadn't really given it much thought but the Ribble bus that has been parked near the bridge for the past two months is somewhat out of it's home territory

[Steve Hewitt]

Now the station is surrounded by buildings it has a touch of Rochdale about it. Which reminds me, don't forgot a bus or two in the old corporation colours (Rochdale and Bury?).

 

From memory, I think the buses in Bacup were from Rawtenstall Corporation, Haslingden Corporation, Accrington, Burnley, Todmorden and Rochdale.

Rossendale buses were formerly Rawtenstall and Haslingden.

I seem to recall the Todmorden service was operated by some joint company with LMS connections????

The only services to pass the Station were those going to Accrington via Rawtenstall and Haslingden, plus possibly some local services.

Bury buses didn't make it up the valley to Bacup but did go as far as Waterfoot (second station from Bacup in the Bury direction), where they took the Lumb Valley road to Water.

Ramsbottom buses also came into the Rossendale Valley, but only as far as Rawtenstall.

The longer distance services used to be operated by Ribble Motors e.g. X43 Skipton, Burnley, Rawtenstall, Manchester, X53 Burnley Manchester, via Water, 236 Burnley Bolton etc.

 

Ah, memories zzzzzzz

Steve.

[2ManySpams]

Jason - your very own thread in BCB, thanks for volunteering to help out with the project. Still looking for a nice subject for you though.

[Jason T]

As well as trying to put together the step-by-step guide (e.g. constructing a whole new pair of houses - progressing well by the way, but nothing worth uploading so far), I have been moving forward with the houses on the hill, namely painting the roofs in slate colour. I have also been experimenting with ways to create and attach guttering (and I have a lot to do). Basically, I took some half-round Evergreen stuff and flied down one edge of it. This was then stuck onto a strip of Microstrip, and the top (e.g. the inside of the gutter) painted with a mix of brown and black to represent crap that has accumulated in them. For obvious reasons, it's much easier to do it now than when they are attached to the buildings. Once attached, they will be (carefully) painted.

 

Anyway, here are the houses. Lead flashing has also had a first coat of paint although it needs toning down and weathering. The paint I used for the slates, the same as I always use (a Tamiya acrylic) turned out quite glossy for some reason, despite me stirring like mad. As a result, i have tried to tone this down with weathering powders which seems to have done the trick although there is still a bit of a sheen to some of them. I'm not overly bothered as it doesn't jump out at you and slate can appear quite shiny anyway.

 

A cruel close up of the guttering, including the Microstrip to assist with glueing it to the houses, etc. It looks like it's been raining tar !

And here are the houses from further away. It will hopefully look a lot better when the surrounding terrain is added.

[Mythocentric]

I've got to agree with Jeff and the rest of the guys. That townscape you're creating is superb! I've just been looking at my own (bare) baseboards (a mere 10ft x 2ft 6in scenic area) and wondering if I should just forget the railway bit and build the town instead! Wonderful inspiration. Congrats on the BCB vote of confidence also. I'm looking forwards to your contribution!

 

Regards

 

Bill

[Andrew P]

Yes Bill I think I will model POST BEACHING on my next layout, anybody got any rusty rails for sale?

 

Andy.

[Mythocentric]

Yes Bill I think I will model POST BEACHING on my next layout, anybody got any rusty rails for sale?

 

Andy.

 

Hey! You bad lad. Don't be coming on here saying that naughty B word. You'll have the Mods after us! Wishful thinking actually! Being a firm believer in putting the railway in the landscape when I see the amazing job Jason's doing it makes me realise that the only way I'm going to achieve anything close in my limited space is to either forget the railway part or paint it on the background. I could also throw everything out of the bedroom I suppose and sleep in the bath!

 

Regards

 

Bill

Edited November 24, 2012 by Mythocentric

[Guest Tom F]

I'm loving the townscape Sandside. You just need that haze of smoke above everything like you used to see on old film reels.

 

Following with interest!

[Jason T]

This thread is a year old today and whilst that may not be the anniversary of when I actually started the layout, it's close enough.

 

So first, a look back to where I was a year ago. Basically, the frames for the baseboard were in position although two of them still needed their legs shortening and had the Sundeala baseboard tops on from my previous layout. A couple of Templot printouts were laid on the base (and not attached) ply tops, four turnouts were constructed (none of which were used in the end), the almost finished station (started four months previously) and the first four stone houses were also sat atop the boards, along with a collection of rag-tag buildings from my previous layout.

 

 

A lot has happened in a year, to say the least.

 

The same viewing point as last years photo:

 

A few houses:

 

 

 

A few mills:

 

 

 

A bit of green stuff:

 

And yes, one of the shots does include progress so far on the Step-By-Step house

Edited November 27, 2012 by Sandside

[trisonic]

Superb thread and brilliant modelling.How did I miss this todate?

 

Best, Pete

[Andy Y]

How did I miss this todate?

 

Dunno but it's certainly one of my favourites at present.

[Jason T]

Awww shucks; thanks guys