Crane mechanism
Roadway
Grass
Strimming
Fencing
Brambles
Laurence continued with his crane mechanism, although now with a closer appraisal of the component sizes after realising that the one he was copying is slightly oversized.
Stephen progressed the bridge roadway surface. A difference in prototypes came to light in that he'd always pictured the bridge as a deeply rutted farm track linking fields, possibly with cattle crossing, whereas Geoff had pictured a metalled road. The thick plaster surface was rubbed down and acrylic paint applied to simulate mud/earth (the road had been given a coat of black paint the previous week). It will be left to dry and the effect appraised in due course.
Geoff continued to apply grass. Stephen had brought an old sheet of silicon baking paper onto which Geoff applied lines of glue and electrostatic grass. These can be peeled off and applied as strips, when dry. Laurence had brought an old electric shaver and experimented with the beard trimmer, removing grass that was too close to the rails.
Areas of steep ground behind the buildings had been discussed previously and brambles were thought to be most appropriate. The ground shape also described a suitable line for a fence, protecting livestock from falls. Geoff and Stephen cut and prepared hardwood strips for fence posts and experimented with straining wire, on a small section at the end of the layout.
Geoff had determined that the mine adit, in keeping with most prototypes would be exuding water and continued to apply varnish along the base of the retaining wall. Only having satin varnish, previous layers have dulled, but Geoff insists that a 'wet look' will be achieved with enough layers.
