Monday 18th August 2025

The main task for the day was to start extending the front of the fiddleyard board to the new alignment. The storage area would remain intact, but the display case needs to be moved forward onto a new extension piece capable of taken its weight and the stock being displayed. A lot of thought went into finalising the design and to source suitable materials, but work eventually got underway. It will take a few sessions to complete and paint.

Some rocks were crushed and added to the pile of debris being tipped into the quarry.

Some black self-adhesive vinyl had been sourced and will be added to the underside of the water panel, to protect the paintwork when fitting and removing. 

The tree Stephen had recently finished needed to be planted. However, we couldn't remember if we'd proved that it wouldn't be crushed in transit-mode, so it was decided to make it removable. A suitable brass tube with a bottom flange was inserted from below and glued in place on the foam substructure with hot-melt-glue. Foliage was glued to the base of the tree to disguise the the join.

Wednesday 13th August 2025

The main job was to check the clearances for the Edwards boards. Like the main station boards, the two boards are bolted face-to-face for transport and it was noted at the end of the last session that the new area of rising ground at the front might hit the building roofs. The end plate for the most likely clash was bolted to one board and the other carefully offered up.....

There was a good 10mm clearance so we were able to take another breath. All was ok, but as we had to re-drill a couple of holes, we decided to gain another 5mm.

Geoff had cut out the new MDF end panels and we were able to drill the fixing holes. 

After routing the public side of the track opening, the panels were given a coat of undercoat.

Another very productive session.

Wednesday 6th August 2025

Worklist:
Complete shrubbery around the water pipes. 
Continue the new quarry water insert.

Extend the fence beside the quarry.

Stephen gave the pipes a splash of Green Scene 'Yard Filth', a fine grit in thick brown paint that we have previously used to create the texture of rust. The dry rust was then painted rust colour. The bare ground beside the pipes was covered with scatter material and some shrubbery.

Geoff continued with the quarry and the removeable water sheet. The perspex was placed on a layer of clingfilm that wrapped over the edges, which was then slid into place. Reeds and grasses were then glued on the 'water', tight against the clingfilm. The initial layer of rock/rubble was also glued tight into position under the tipping point. Both areas will be revisited to build up the effects.

Some redundant fencing from the station area was trimmed and fixed in place on the edge of the quarry to close the field off.

Friday 1st August 2025

Yes, a different day of the week due to Geoff's site visit to his 'other project'...

Stephen had researched and started producing a small wooden coal office, but then cut the depth down by 1/3. A little bit of time in Photoshop produced some colour options, for consideration.

However, placing the office on the layout was a bit of a shock - it looked enormous and completely swamped the area, blocking views to some lovely features. It was a non-starter and was unanimously dropped.

Stephen had found two different packets of "Kappler Mill Scale Lumber" and the plank & batten pack was used. Strangely, this was 'all-the-thing' 50 years ago when Geoff had imported some direct from the USA, but he has no recollection of it. The roofing felt was made from dark 'interfacing' (supplied by the wife). Very thin so it folds well and has a nice texture.

Geoff had decided that the solvent blemishes discovered on the new pond Perspex sheet were not acceptable and prepared a new sheet. He started painting the underside again, although not exactly the same. The semi-matt surface of the old water will be replicated by fine polishing and the grey watery depths need another coat. Remembering how the rock spoil was built stretched the memory quite a bit, but Geoff worked it out eventually.

Stephen moved on to the factory water supply pipes extension. Having cut a channel for the pipes, it was now decided to cut the whole area away and fill it flat. Hey presto! (Brown grout sped the process up).

Geoff had 3D printed some new pipes and joint flanges, which were assembled and glued in place.

Some time was spent reviewing outstanding scenery areas (more shrubs and electrostatic grass), painting details and fitting the new point ground frame and fittings.

Wednesday 23rd July 2025

Worklist:

Cut the perspex for the new pond.

Add electrostatic grass, foliage and the road surface on the Edwards boards extensions.

Extend the pipework to the factory building.

Geoff made an extended template for the new pond using the existing perspex sheet and some card. Masking tape was laid around three edges and the template used to mark the cut-line. Jigsaw blades were tested, a lovely smooth cutter was chosen and the perspex cut to shape.

Geoff then finely polished the perspex surface to take the shine off, then applied paint to the underside to represent the greenery around the edge, quarry sludge at the tipping area and an overall murky grey.

Road extension topping: Stephen practiced laying chinchilla dust on a sample panel. When happy, he applied diluted matt Mod Podge glue, let it dry, applied another layer of the glue and sprinkled the dust over.

Stephen sanded the wooden structure for the new pond area.

Geoff and Stephen laid electrostatic grass on both Edwards boards together with more foliage clumps. The water supply pipes needed to be extended, but the route caused some problems. Two pieces of 5 & 3.2mm brass rod were cut to length and some of the 3D printed flanges located. We anticipated concrete blocks and straps, but the ground rises towards the front edge and the pipes didn't look right running up a slope. Cranks were considered and dropped. Geoff then located some of the 3D printed rainwater downpipes which looked good. Eventually, it was decided to cut a trench in the ground to keep the pipes horizontal and then disappear into the ground. 

Geoff will print smaller versions of the RWP's and next week we'll see if it's still a good idea.

Wednesday 16th July 2025

Grass and foliage again...

From last week, with basic, coarse undergrowth applied. Some previously applied 12mm grass on the mound.

This week, the electrostatic treatment. Geoff applied daubs of Mod podge* onto the existing surfaces, then placed the connector wire/pin into the glue, pressed the button and shook the dispenser over the area.

The effect was brilliant - far better than we've seen previously. Geoff suggested this was down to the electrical supply being upgraded from a 9v battery to a 12v transformer.  It certainly looks better than previous attempts. (6mm grass used here).

Meanwhile, Stephen was attempting to finish the wall extension, but it kept going wrong. A weak filler mix was wiped over the wall for the mortar joints. However, when wiping off the surplus, the acrylic base paint rubbed off in patches. Painting individual bricks was attempted without a satisfactory result. After several attempts, foliage was applied to cover the mess, but this wasn't successful either. Back to the drawing board next week.

*Mod podge is a glue/sealer widely used in crafts. It contains PVA, but has other ingredients. An added benefit for our use is that it is available in matt finish.

Monday 7th July 2025

Another switch of day.

Worklist:

Apply a basecoat on the end wall and paint the road.

Apply electrostatic grass to the ground cover/foliage along the new strips.

Paint extended road into Edwards.

Stephen made-up a pallet of acrylic paints, mixed a matching red brick and applied a basecoat on the wall. A pallet of grey followed for the road, copying details and variations in the existing.

Geoff assembled a mixture of electrostatic grasses. 6 and 12mm almost straw coloured grass appeared to have been used previously and he eventually found some of them all. However, the start was delayed when the electrostatic pot wouldn't work. A faulty connection was repaired and he was back in business. He applied PVA to a test area and with the glued grounded with the lead, 'charged' long grass strands were sprinkled over the area. It was a good match for the existing areas, so he pressed on with more. (Photos to follow)

Stephen moved on to the road into Edwards, again matching colours and deviations. The existing road surface had also received a coating of fine light grey granules. It was eventually established to be chinchilla dust, which we still had a pot of.

Discussions ensued regarding the addition of fences in the extended areas, but no agreement could be reached. And the pipes need to be extended. We'll discuss it all next week.

Finally, a coat of undercoat was applied to the new front fascia's.

Wednesday 2nd July 2025

The wall extension had been a success, so a small batch of dark brown ground cover paint/filler was mixed and applied. 

Stephen moved on to applying foliage to both sides of the sides of the bridge extension.

Meanwhile, Geoff continued to apply foliage and ground cover to the new sidings. The heavy growth on the track will be checked for wheel clearance once the glue has set.

Extension? What extension?

Wednesday 25th June 2025

Worklist:

Infill roadway and adjacent ground.

Progress wall extension.

Add scenic materials to new sidings.

Upgrade electrostatic grass dispenser.

Stephen mixed a batch of plaster filler and brown paint powder, and applied it to the the road and grass bank extension. The wall extension panel he'd been working on was checked for size and alignment before being glued in place. A triangular wood core was made for the large brick coping and also glued in place. The plasticard brickwork will be added in due course...

Meanwhile, Geoff made a start on the grass/foliage for the new boards. Exactly matching landscaping materials were available in small quantities, so a mixture of old and new were used. 

Geoff has a specific look in mind for the siding, bordering on 'un-passable', but he knows what is passable, so it is realistic. The 'fresh' ballast will also be covered in a wash of 'dirty thinners'.

Geoff also found the electrostatic grass applicator and upgraded it from a battery to transformer power supply. Additional scenic material will be obtained before the next session.

For clarification, the 'Aldershot' exhibition is organised by the Farnham & District MRC at the Alderwood Leisure Centre, Aldershot, on Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th October 2025. 

(Link to club website)