Removing Roadblocks – March 2023

Modelling should be a pleasing and pleasant time. When my workspace doesn't work, the pleasure evaporates and I don't want to model. Recently, Dan Cecil shared his 'portable' modelling workspace on the HO Scale Shelf Modelers group on Facebook. The photo below shows it set out on his dining room table. I want to talk...

A quick trip to Geelong (October 22, 2022)

Momma Bear and I headed out in a rainstorm this morning to visit Geelong. Geelong on the bay Geelong, the city by the bay, is Victoria's second-largest conurbation. The sky was overcast, with little wind, so the time was perfect for catching the light and mood of the ocean. The best part of the city's...

Melbourne A1 class trams – photos added

Melbournes venerable A class trams soldier on almost 40 years after their introduction. Love them, or hate them, these 1980's trams are now being returned to service after their life extension works. The Melbourne A1 class tram page updated I've spent quite some time looking through my photo collection to find unique perspectives of their...

Scenery techniques that might surpise you

Most of my scenery projects are focused on model railways/railroads. While I've seen a layout in pure grayscale before (here in Oz), I've never seen anyone work through making a diorama with that as a step. (Note: you could apply this technique to a micro layout too!) Diorama - The Calm Before The Storm -...

Bricks are not easy to paint so they look right – until now…

Convincingly modelling (and painting) bricks is not easy. You can certainly just spray one colour, put some grout colour in the spaces and then clean up. Getting colour variation? That's not so easy. Until now, thanks to Uncle Night Shift. Carving Bricks And Stones Into A Block Of Styrofoam Uncle Night Shift's video shows more...

Waxing Gibbous Moon – July 19 2021

While desolate, and inconsolably lonely in our sky, the moon has an allure all its own. The last-minute photograph It was very cold last night, and I thought as you do that I'd pop outside to see the sky, and to see if mother moon was out. The backyard was bathed in that soft grey...

GE 70 Tonner (HO Scale) Oil Weathering – Body work (mostly) complete

The oil weathering of the body of #27 is mostly complete. Cleanup was the first step to sort out a few issues with the previous application, then edge and panel lightening, and a little more rust work. Work in progress So at the end of the weekend, with a little more work on in washes,...

GE 70 Tonner (HO Scale) Oil Weathering ongoing

The oil weathering that started last weekend is now at a stage I'm happy to call almost complete. There is a little cleanup to do, and then weathering powders to finish off. Work in progress I'm going to do some more of that cleanup tonight, having given the oils some time to go off. Otherwise,...

70 Tonner weathering continues

Yesterday's oil weathering dried under the heater vent overnight. So a little more work today. Work in progress More oil filters on the loco today, along with some oil paint chipping using torn-off bits of makeup sponge, in a manner similar to dry brushing (dry sponging anyone?). Colours used for those interested are: Emerald Green,...

The Easter 2021 Project – Ewan’s Desk

I've always been a maker, tinkerer and wonderer. So any chance I get to spend some time making something, I relish it. This project was building a desk with, and for, my son Ewan. Why the desk? Ewan's been using a makeshift desk now for almost a year. It was time to make him something...