that would make it "Rod Mock" then Doug ……..and it's certainly doing that !!!

The Altycefan Bridge – Update 11^th April 2010

3 weeks between forays into the layout room, serious withdrawal symptoms were setting in, and the layout has so much dust on the track that the rolling stock refuses to move, sigh.

Still, Sunday afternoon arrived with a howling hot easterly wind, being outdoors was “difficult” at the least and so the lights were turned on over the workbench instead.


The bridge is substantially complete. External stonework, buttresses, capping stones, roadway and footpath, weathered and cut into the polystyrene landscape.





Colonel Frobisher from the Board of Trade is inspecting the bridge which still needs some attention to detail with moss and scribing of capping stones.





In this photo you can just see the feature stones, the hallmark of the railway bridge contractor, on the section over the railway.



 

This photo was taken before the bridge was sprayed with a coating of artist’s matt fixative and things are a bit shiny still, a bit like a shower of rain has just passed through. The flat nature of the cap stones are clearly shown in this close up. The plan is to put a straight edge along the joins between the stones to create a bit more of a 3D effect.




Not so bad from this side, Colonel Frobisher is realising just how high this bridge actually is! The footpath is a bit more regular and straight than the real thing too, might have to “distress” it a bit.




  

Descending to the river bank and looking up Colonel Frobisher has NO doubt about the size of the bridge. (Mobile phone camera held upside down in the river bed).



 

The “up” milk from Green Grove rattles through the railway arch high above the river. The woollen mill will be built on the far bank where the house is. 





And, from track level, the line clearances on the railway tunnel look to be about spot on.





It’s a bit straighter and tidier than the real thing but it conveys the feeling of the bridge and for the time being will do. There are several places where the camera has shown bits that could have been done better but after about 30 hours work so far it’s time to move on to the footings, the weir, the mill and race.

Mmmm. very nice especially the last photo.

Cheers Sol, mobile phone upside down on the track. Looking forward to getting the ballast and vegetation in place.

My land of goshen Marty, that bridge really looks good! Can't wait to see what you come up with next!

Wayne

Woweee Marty. :thumbs:thumbs:thumbs:thumbs:thumbs:thumbs

Absolutely stunning.  Love all the photos and particularly pleased that the Engineers Dept gave Colonel Frobisher a tracor as a company car………………:roll::roll::roll::roll:

I'm never quite sure if seeing models like this spur me on or suggest I ought to give up. :hmm

We can only aspire to produce something that good - you must be extremely pleased with it. :cheers

 

 That is soooooooooooooooooooooome bridge Marty, well done mate  :doublethumb

That is one lovely bridge Marty, I love the detail on it.
Thanks for shareing.

regards Derek.
PS: I have had a break from my model, But getting back to it again.

Derek,
   Glad to see you're still with us mate,I'd been wondering what had happened to you!

Cheers,John.B.:thumbs

Hi Marty,

Being a newcomer I've been looking at all the layout threads.  The comments on your layout are amazing but your pictures appear to have disappeared - any chance of posting a few ?
:cheers
 

Marty,

Ignore my request - Its my computer settings

A beautiful piece of work Marty. There again, what else would we expect from you!:thumbs

Don't know how I missed this - fine work, Marty.

Just keeps getting better & better Marty :thumbs

Fantastic Marty - absolutely fantastic :doublethumb

I like what you are doing Marty keep it up mate.Piran

Marty, next time you take a photo of your excellent bridge can you kindly include a measure, an Imperial ruler please, so its size can be better appreciated.

Great work Marty - thoroughly enjoying the thread!

If it's of any help, I live a mere 15 miles from Newcastle Emlyn, and it would be no trouble at all to checkout/photograph any parts of the area you may need clarifying. Just post or PM.

ATB
Shaun.

Thank you Shaun,

Very generous of you. Glad you didn't offer 18 months ago or I would never have visited the area and would have been poorer for the lack. It's a beautiful place and I'm so jealous that you live nearby!

At the moment the train room is sadly neglected, the rails are covered with dust and nothing will run until they are cleaned. Work is just manic, horrendous client deadlines and as I am a State Emergency Service (Civil Defense) volunteer and trainer and this is our winter there is a lot going on.

The next stage in the development of the layout is the scratchbuilding of the Wollen Mills at Altycefan. I have the urge to mock them up in Google Sketchup first but finding the strength to drive another 3D software package after a days work spent in 3D AutoCAD is a daunting task.

Still, these busy times run in cycles and it shouldn't be too long before the pressure comes off and I can get back into modelling.

So glad you enjoyed the story… more as it comes to hand.

cheers

Look forward to it, Marty.

Col. Frobisher has an uncanny resemblance to Stan Laurel.