It would be GREAT if the convention recorded your talk and made the video available!

Thanks, Tom.

Its been exciting for me watching it all come together, too. I've worked out that Tellynott is 96 square feet while Shadowlands will be 235 feet squared. That gives a total of 331 square feet. I don't think I will need to bore a hole through the wall to steal more space! Those long sweeping curves are really starting to look like something. I hope to create a lovely scene along here of tiny trains snaking their way through massive mountains. I've now completed benchwork for 123 square feet of the 235 in Shadowlands, so I guess I'm half way. That probably makes completion of the benchwork by next March unrealistic, when taking into consideration the need for a concrete slab and shed, the spring growth and lawn mowing needed, the convention and the care of a new puppy, but we will see. I have a good system now. Whereas I had to think through how to construct everything in the beginning its only the finer points I have to do that with now.

I hope to see Curt back here soon.

My convention talk will be on 'Techniques to help visualise complex designs in their finished state. This will include the advantages and methods of building a model of a model and mock-ups, along with various other imagineering tools.'

Cheers, Mark.

Mark, Cheers,

Wow, you've been very busy on the layout benchwork. I love all the curves, as it is in the real world with mountain railroading. This has been very exciting to watch now that I'm caught up on all 80 pages.

BTW, I gave Curt the message to come back. He's still a member here but stopped posting. He told me he has two other forums he watches so his time is limited. I've also encouraged him to come back. We'll see.

I do admire your ability to model a mock up of the layout. My mock up is all in my head.

Tom

Part 4...

Photo 10 - Here is a photo down the alcove from a bit more of an angle. Its been some pretty good progress since February. (Note - I just looked back through this thread and my first post on benchwork was the 6th of March - so I guess I started this in March. That's 6 1/2 months. I'm pretty happy with that.)


Photo 11 - Here is a shot through the second river valley. next to the river in this valley will be a mine. This will be the lowest trackage on the layout. The height is yet to be finalised, but somewhere very close to 800mm (31.5")


Photo 12 - One more view of all that benchwork.


More soon, cheers, Mark.

Part 3...

Photo 7 - Here is a straight on view of the new timberwork. This shows clearly the ribbon board and cleats. My two passing loops are long enough to have trains double this length.


Photo 8 - Here we are at the end of the, as yet unbuilt, peninsula sneaking a view around the corner at the right end of this benchwork.


Photo 9 - Here we are looking along the length of the first module I built. The limeworks will be in the foreground here. Again, this should be another long view, making distances appear vast.


More in a sec, cheers, Mark.

Part 2...

Photo 4 - Here we are at the end of the alcove.


Photo 5 - And here is a closer view of the new benchwork. You can see I have diagonally braced the end riser to keep it plumb and sturdy. I also added a piece of ribbon board to the backdrop and added cleats out the the top of the rises. It is now all quite sturdy. You can see the river baseboard in a kind of an 'eye' shape in behind the summit track.


Photo 6 - And here is the same view on the model of the model.


More in a sec, cheers, Mark.

Hi guys.

Well - per Johns request, here are a few shots of the benchwork and accompanying model of the model shots. I did a little more carving yesterday, uncovering various scenes, and took some more photos of the model of the model. I find it difficult to get good photos of the model of the model.

Photo 1 - So here we are standing at the end of the last module looking down the isle behind the back wall of Tellynott. If we moved back a little from here we would be standing at the other side of the peninsula.


Photo 2 - Here is the same shot from a slightly higher angle, looking through and over the river gorge. The same shot is available under the bridges, but doesn't photograph well with my cell phone.


Photo 3 - From a little further back showing the front arch bridge.


More in a sec, cheers, Mark.

Thanks, Bill.

You are quite right. I was amazed how small it looks from the other side of the room - it feels like miles! I will hopefully get things mocked up for the convention tour and I'll take some photos when I do. I can already see views I hadn't thought of - like across the limeworks from the end of that module to the summit line behind. I was doing a bit more carving of the model of the model yesterday, opening up a scene the I could see would work better. I think it will be important to get the peninsula in as soon as possible. Maybe I'll just try and get all the benchwork done by the end of next February.

Cheers, Mark.

Thanks, Rob.

You're pretty on the money with a John Allen influence on the bridges. I'm constantly looking through his book for inspiration. Like with my structures I will scratchbuild some and heavily kitbash others. I also bought a large book on New Zealand bridges to help me get a bit of a New Zealand feel. I've also been looking through the likes of Walthers to see what is available that might work. I have a few in my stash so far...

Thanks for following along and I appreciate you stopping in the comment. Since the upgrde here I don't seem to be able to see how many people have viewed my photos. I always found that a good indicator of how many people were actually following along - which is good when you only get one reply...

Cheers, Mark.

Mark, Your "little train" provides a clear sense of how big the scenery will be. There are going to be some great photo angles!

Looks brilliant Mark. Nice sweeping curves will really make a nice scene once all the rockwork is in.
And looks like you're going to have some very high bridges.
I'm envisaging the Squaw Creek High bridge or Scalp mountain bridge on the Gorre & Dephetid.

Keenly following along, even if I don't comment much.

Thanks, John.

I'm putting some serious work into my little drill and impact driver, too! I have three different length driver bits - one over a foot long, and two different length 3mm drill bits. The construction of the model of a model is on page 50, a few different views (including of the area I'm working on) are on page 51. I'm sure I posted more photos than that, but perhaps I only posted those on the Modelers forum? I'll add a few shots of the model of the model alongside the next shots of the benchwork I post. I need to get some housework done first!

Cheers, Mark.

Thanks, George.

Its a shame to have to stop the woodwork for a while - but logistically I've worked myself into a corner! I'll need to box and pour a slab, erect a kitset shed, and relocate things from the machinery barn section into said shed. Then I will be able to construct the modules next door and move them in when completed. First, though, is to get things ready for the convention layout tour next month.

Cheers, Mark.

Thanks, Scott.

Yes - I put a lot of time into getting those curves right. I spent ages with a couple of Peco curved turnouts trying to get the loop tracks looking right. The aesthetics are always important to me. I'm sure I've said it before - but I'm a big fan of Iain Rice's track designs. You might enjoy studying some of these.

Cheers, Mark.

Wow - you are on a roll. You are putting some serious hours on those saws. Can you point me back to the page with the pictures of the model of the model or just post it again here?