So this is more fun than serious but hopefully it could generate some interesting conversation. Some of you may have seen my crossing keeper's cottage on Facebook or Instagram (it blew up and there was a lot of interest1) It was really fun to make so I wonder what other buildings people might like to see of the same kind of modelling style?



The prints seem to come out beautifully and the coloured pencil brickwork works really well.

Personally I'd love to do more Victorian village buildings - cottages, an inn and the like. But anything goes, it would be great to get an idea of what you think is missing and needed in the 2mm space.

Will.

Does a turntable count 

I was going to say Kenilworths first railway station but that was sandstone.

Your crossing keeper cottage was amazing though.

Will,

Not being on either Instagram or Facebook, would you be willing to share your crossing keeper's cottage photos on this forum please?

Cheers,

Geoff

Quote from: leachsprite4 on January 15, 2025, 10:07:09 PMDoes a turntable count 

For me yes, something like the no longer available ADM turntable, indexing etc.

No point in my opinion having one that's just there for show, you need to be able to use it and without derailments and have a live bridge for sound equipped locos. Peco one looks to be difficult to motorise and the other RTR are really expensive or just look wrong or both.

Craig

Quote from: Dalek on January 16, 2025, 09:51:55 AM

Quote from: leachsprite4 on January 15, 2025, 10:07:09 PMDoes a turntable count 

For me yes, something like the no longer available ADM turntable, indexing etc.

No point in my opinion having one that's just there for show, you need to be able to use it and without derailments and have a live bridge for sound equipped locos. Peco one looks to be difficult to motorise and the other RTR are really expensive or just look wrong or both.

Craig

The Peco one is relatively easy to motorise with a Locomotec motor.

https://www.locomotech.com/

but it's not cheap.

Martyn

I would like to see something that would be difficult to scratch build.

How about a sewage works - complete with deckchairs 

Quote from: martyn on January 16, 2025, 11:19:21 AM

Quote from: Dalek on January 16, 2025, 09:51:55 AM

Quote from: leachsprite4 on January 15, 2025, 10:07:09 PMDoes a turntable count 

For me yes, something like the no longer available ADM turntable, indexing etc.

No point in my opinion having one that's just there for show, you need to be able to use it and without derailments and have a live bridge for sound equipped locos. Peco one looks to be difficult to motorise and the other RTR are really expensive or just look wrong or both.

Craig

The Peco one is relatively easy to motorise with a Locomotec motor.

https://www.locomotech.com/

but it's not cheap.

Martyn

Have you got one of these up and running Martyn ?

Craig

I've had one of these working, including a dcc chip, but unfortunately my layout is now dismantled due to a house move, and the table plus motor drive is now packed safely away.

Somewhere.....

Martyn

Quote from: Dalek on January 16, 2025, 01:06:54 PMHave you got one of these up and running Martyn ?

Craig

I had one up and running on Moorpark (also now dismantled). It wasn't particularly complex, I chipped it with an accessory decoder and ran it from my PowerCab controller. Obviously not indexed, but taking things slowly it was relatively simple to stop it in the right spot.

The Peco turntable itself though could really do with genuine wheels rather than moulded plastic as they tend to grab on the bottom of the pan and cause some jerking.

My sound-equipped Castle kept alive through the operation, the quick skip on the isolated section isn't noticable.

I've got a video somewhere, I'll dig it out.

Here's the video. Terrible quality as I was getting used to autofocus and zoom on the camera, but you get the idea. This was very early in the Moorpark build. The depot board was the first one I built.

Quote from: Belly on January 15, 2025, 10:23:00 PMWill,

Not being on either Instagram or Facebook, would you be willing to share your crossing keeper's cottage photos on this forum please?

Cheers,

Geoff

I haven't got many photos of it yet but this I snapped while testing coloured pencils to do the brickwork .



I'll be doing another one with a more prototypical mortar colour very soon.

Clearly there is appetite for turntables, very interesting!!

Will.

Some GWR wooden station buildings would be nice. And also various platform canopies to suit different regions - something with nice wrought ironwork, a bit better than the rather chunky laser cut wood ones on offer elsewhere.

Totally agree Rob.


There's a lot of expensive GW and SR buildings although they look OK, not for me and modellers are turning to 3D. Hellifield canopy is lovely though I have seen those modelling pre 1930s / 40s having to consider scratchbuild or 3D

Thanks Will.

That's very much appreciated and a lovely model to boot. 

Furthermore, I like the use of pencils as, similarly, I use pastel pencils for the detail work and weathering on Metcalfe kits.

Cheers,

Geoff

I'll be doing another one with a more prototypical mortar colour very soon.

Clearly there is appetite for turntables, very interesting!!

Will.
[/quote]

Interesting your concern for mortar colour:-
In Telford my house had black mortar made from furnace ash and lime
In Norfolk it was whiter than sand because the local sea washed sand had salt residues and they used lime to bond.
Both properties about mid 1800s
Now in Kent in 1960s house the chose a cement/sand mix which is decidedly yellow. Our church is however held together with very grey looking mortar!
Good luck with your choice?