The GnATTERbox

[Steve Bennett]

Time to bring this topic back up the list again .

It was nearly a case of posting to say that the cardboard layout had gone in the bin. Despite taking as much care as I could to make the surface waterproof with varnish and paint, putting the ground surface down still caused the card surface to get soaking wet and it sagged between the underboard supports. After a lot of headscratching though and several attempts of re-wetting and applying weights and supports, I managed to salvage it and it is now running again.
I might build another in a similar way, as having almost completed this I now like the idea of one based on a farm or horticultural setting in Gn15. Next time I think I might try a double skinned board with a waterproof membrane between the two layers, that way the top surface will be better supported.
Not much to do to finish up now, a bit of groundwork at the far left around a timber fence which is ready to install, then re-attach the buildings. Here's a pic of the current state, yes, as you can see, I have been playing trains .

_________________
Steve Bennett
Sidelines
http://www.pepper7.co.uk

[rue_d_etropal]

Steve, this is a problem this the thinner corrugated cardboard boxes, why I am pleased to have some triple ply ccorrugated cardboard, not that I will risk over soaking it.
I am also thinking of trying out the papier mache to create the scenary, as well as my paper paint mixture, both techniques having already been tried for ballasting track cardboard has ot distorted so far.
one other advantage of using cardboard is that it is cheap and easy to replace, so a bit of experimentation won;t do anyharm. just remember to chop out old experiments and turn them into fresh mash
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Simon Dawson,
Narrow gauge Francophile interested in 1m, 60cm,50cm , 40cm and smaller gauges . Build in scales from 1/6th to 1/24th. Also 1/32nd and 1/35th using 16.5mm track to represent 50cm and 60cm gauges.
http://www.rue-d-etropal.com

[Steve Bennett]

[MOG]

Won't suit avery application BUT.. how about using double-sided carpet tape to lay the track.. ballast can then be applied on top and the excess brushed off. If necessary, a spray fixative (masking tracks) will keep it in place.

On a little layout like this one you might even get away with covering the whole area in super sticky tape and applying scenic powders/flock stuff.

No water.. no warping problems.

Hmm.. might have to put my money where my mouth is and try this out again!

By the way - glad you stuck with it Steve, that looks really nice.

What's happening front left?
_________________
Martin Hogg
MOGTRAINS at:
http://freespace.virgin.net/family.hogg/
http://mogtrains.blogspot.com/
http://s19.photobucket.com/albums/b160/mogworld/

[Steve Bennett]

[MOG]

Just realised .. I meant front right!! looks like a concrete base for a building or something?
_________________
Martin Hogg
MOGTRAINS at:
http://freespace.virgin.net/family.hogg/
http://mogtrains.blogspot.com/
http://s19.photobucket.com/albums/b160/mogworld/

[Steve Bennett]

[MOG]

Literally a five minute experiment.. With a bit more care I imagine you could get quite good results. The tape was white which didn't help.. but you can get 'clear' double sided carpet tape (about 3 or 4 inches wide)..
The track is pretty firm but a couple of pins could make sure.

_________________
Martin Hogg
MOGTRAINS at:
http://freespace.virgin.net/family.hogg/
http://mogtrains.blogspot.com/
http://s19.photobucket.com/albums/b160/mogworld/

[Steve Bennett]

Is that your entrant to the challenge
Sorry couldnt resist, looks fine Martin and could well be a good way to go on a cardboard base. Did you use any fixitive other than the tape, past experience has shown that it doesnt hold for long. After a while the adhesive of the tape gives up as it dries out, so unless something extra is used, it probably will only be temporary, which of course, does have advantages. I guess either a spray on artists fixitive or hairspray would make a more durable base. Certainly has the advantage of keeping moisture out of the equation.
_________________
Steve Bennett
Sidelines
http://www.pepper7.co.uk

[Steve Bennett]

Time for somebody else to take over bumping this thread back up the list as I dont think there is anything more I can add on my little project. Here are a few pics of the completed module (I cant bring myself to call it a layout ). I might add a few more details yet, but I want to keep this as simple as possible for taking around to shows to illustrate how effective a very simple layout using most basic techniques can be. Thats about it, I will leave you with the pics, I'm going to play trains




_________________
Steve Bennett
Sidelines
http://www.pepper7.co.uk

[Gerry Bullock]

Superb Steve you've made your point
Playing trains eh
http://www.loystoys.com/sounds/hq215.wav
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So little time, so many ideas!!!!! GerryB.
http://gtb13.fotopic.net/
http://protos.fotopic.net/

[dr5euss]

That looks good Steve, I like the firebell - is it one of yours?
_________________
George

[Steve Bennett]

Thanks guys, apart from the warping base, it was a really fun and quick little project.

The firebell was very much a last minute addition, just a simple turning in a drill with some brass rod inserted into it. I do plan on replacing it with a better one later, it's main task is to hide a join in the printed building, thought it would make a change from a drainage downpipe .
_________________
Steve Bennett
Sidelines
http://www.pepper7.co.uk

[scott b]

That is a beautifull little example at a show to get people moving to do something rather than just thinking about it. You may even want to have a little hand out howto, step by step on how you made it and what you used. I don`t see any need to replace the bell it lookes fine and a very clever coverup it is. You may want to bring your standing figure forward a bit though, the shadow gives away the flat background, but then I`m just being picky.

Scott

[Steve Bennett]

Thanks Scott, your comments tell me that I have achieved what I set out to do. The handout is not a bad idea, will have to look at putting something together. I hope to be demonstrating some of the building techniques, which are all very simple, at a few shows, so a handout to go with it is a good idea.

Good point on the shadow from the figure, I will remember that in future photo's. There is no shadow under normal lighting conditions, just from the lights for the photography. There isnt much room to move him forward much though he would lose his knees as the wagon went past .
_________________
Steve Bennett
Sidelines
http://www.pepper7.co.uk

[Steve Bennett]

Just for Scott, no more shadow from the figure onto the building, there's more space this side of the tracks


_________________
Steve Bennett
Sidelines
http://www.pepper7.co.uk

[michael]

I like that shot better. The briks don't look half bad either
_________________
Regards Michael
If you believe you can make something, you can make it.

http://users.xplornet.com/~macton/index.html

[Steve Bennett]

[AndyA]

That's a really neat piece of work, Steve; as has already been commented, a great example that should encourage other people to get something done.

You commented:

[Steve Bennett]

[DCRfan]

I had better go and find some toys to throw out of my cot

This looks so good now, what will it be like with the rest of the years titivating
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Paul
Gnu Zealand

[Steve Bennett]

[scott b]

Steve, that last shot is set up beautifully, it shows so much depth and the lack of shadow makes the whole scene completely believable. Michael may have set up the printies(which I have printed as well for a player to be named later) you made them come to life with your design and creativity. It may all be very simple and basic technique but easy things can be done badly and this is a fine example of how to do it right.

Scott

[MOG]

Looks great Steve. Don't knock calling it a layout.. If it's got 'playability' surely that counts? Be nice to see this on Carl's scrapbook !

The fire bell is a nice touch too. That could be a subject in itself couldn't it? Things used to disguise joins..

Best get some creosote on the base of that fence though! I was taught to erect them with a few inches ground clearance.
_________________
Martin Hogg
MOGTRAINS at:
http://freespace.virgin.net/family.hogg/
http://mogtrains.blogspot.com/
http://s19.photobucket.com/albums/b160/mogworld/

[Steve Bennett]