Gedward

It's beginning to look a lot like a railway.

That's both interesting and spooky. We're planning to add a derelict cottage or barn if the space permits. So that could be an ideal place to plant some tulips.

Journey To The Centre Of The Earth By Bus

Yep, progress is well on the permanent way. Looking good.

The jewellery work of setting stones in Dartmoor continues.

Those cobblestones look perfect from where I'm standing.

I love freelance layouts because it means never having to say you're sorry.

And so is Damerum.

With their Ian Allen books, 1930 edition.

There are plans to find a rather decayed and rusted old tractor buried under weeds somewhere on Bovey Tor.

Me too!

This is something I really noticed coming back to the hobby after 30 years. People and crew. Minatur Wunderland is an amazing layout. It's pure entertainment. And the thousands of people and cameos are a big part of the production. But personally, I really don't see that figures/people are useful on a basic layout. I see why it's nice to build little interesting cameos around the layout. But for me, to see a bunch of passengers waiting patiently on the platform for the train. And then the train leaving and they're still waiting, is not a good look. And as for crews in engines. Fine when in one direction, but as soon as the engine runs around. Well they're plain not looking where they're going. Cats and sheep are perfect for a layout though.

That looks really good and makes a big difference doesn't it? I'm dreading the ballasting stage too.

Well, I got a little red tractor Too lazy to plough 'fore day Well, I got a little red tractor Too lazy to plough 'fore day Keep everything in the barnyard Upset in every way

I first put down a layer of 2mm straw. Not with the static grass applicator, but sprinkled by hand with a shaker. And then a layer of 2mm early spring using the applicator. However the glue was painted on strategically. So as to leave patches. Once all the rocks and walling is in place, I will use the longer lengths of static grass.

WWS 2mm early spring and WS 2mm straw.

And one more.

Those last shots are taken with the 'slab' at the working site. This one shows it put back in situ.

Still loads to do, but am quite pleased with the progress so far. Have layered an early spring grass on top of a faded straw colour. Next we need to get all the stones embedded in. Build walls etc. Then lots of longer grasses, weeds, bushes etc.

As idyllic as a John Constable painting.

Back in 2008, the art studio I worked in, decided to purchase two copies of Cinema 4d for a special project. Only one problem with that, no one in the studio could use it. I was persuaded to give it a try. But TBH, I found it no different to learning rocket science. I gave up. But after a short while, went back and had another go and fell in love with the damn program. Got completely obsessed with it. Spent every evening and weekend training. And it then became a very useful new skill for a very 2D based, ad agency.

Many thanks Rob. Hope you're feeling better now. Nothing like a new project to help lift the spirit.

Thanks for that Alex. Burnt sienna and burnt umber powder paint. It's just a matter of adding them gradually till you get something suitable.

Yes the great gardener and broadcaster. Er, that be grout. Sorry for the bad handwriting.

Happy to be finally at the static grass stage. But first we need a layer of the finest Devonshire soil. Using my recipe of dried soil from the garden plus pigments and grout. Next will add larger particles etc. And then on with the grass.