Beechcroft Model Railway - #40. No expense spared!!

#hornbyrailways , #modelrailways , #bachmann , #modeltrains , #oogauge
After watching countless videos about rock faces, I’ve decided to make my own from insulation board - but… this is by no means a tutorial. There are plenty of talented modellers out there who can showcase how it should be done.
For the small amount I need I can’t really justify paying out for rock moulds and, as I have lots of off cuts of insulation board I’m making my own for free!
They might not be the most realistic out there but they do the job for me and are great fun to make, albeit a bit messy!!
I’ve focussed on the inner curve wall for now just to get used to the techniques and process. I can then carry this over to the main rock face.
I did make a sneaky purchase at the Doncaster Festival of British Railway Modelling - a Princess Riyal class ‘Lady Patricia’ in weathered blue. I had a quick running in session with her as I waited for some paint to dry….
Let me know what you think of the rock effect.
Thanks for watching.
/ @grandadstrainroom-pn3tt
andyjxf​@yahoo.co.uk

[@RitaFarrow]

clever idea with the rockface,what a beautiful loco that is love it, could add a few flowers along the fence,well done superb

[@Grandadstrainroom-pn3tt]

Thanks very much. I’ve been promising myself one for ages so couldn’t resist when I saw it! 😊

[@1tonyboat]

That`s made one hell of a difference ,surprising what us modeller`s can do 👍👍👍👍

[@Grandadstrainroom-pn3tt]

Thanks. It’s good fun trying different things out with no plan! 👍

[@jamesmackinlay2500]

What a excellent job you done.great video. Looking forward to the next one.👍👍👍

[@Grandadstrainroom-pn3tt]

Thanks very much 👍

[@daveharland9126]

It is interesting how such things tend to look doubtful until suddenly they 'click'. ✔️

[@Grandadstrainroom-pn3tt]

I know. Never sure how something will turn out, but it’s fun making a mess!

[@georgethomas7814]

looks fine to me too. Glad to see you back on the modelling after your Christmas holiday

[@Grandadstrainroom-pn3tt]

Thanks very much. Looking forward to longer, lighter days…

[@zivadivathedog9392]

Looks fantastic another use for insulation board.

[@Grandadstrainroom-pn3tt]

Thank you. Nice and cheap! 👍

[@silkytrack8091]

A great result. Thanks for sharing.

[@Grandadstrainroom-pn3tt]

Thanks very much for watching 👍

[@user-ji9sg6ci6b]

Nicely done on the cliff side, I think you’re done job than doing it with the moulds.

[@Grandadstrainroom-pn3tt]

Thanks very much 👍

[@PaulSmith-pl7fo]

Great rock faces.

[@Grandadstrainroom-pn3tt]

Thank you 👍

[@DonningtonCastleModelRailway]

Never thought of using insulation foam like that. Looks really good so might have a play with that technique myself. Thanks for sharing!

[@Grandadstrainroom-pn3tt]

Thanks Martyn. Maybe I can use the money I saved on a new loco that I don’t really need!

[@roderikvanderkelen]

Very nice rockfaces!!

[@Grandadstrainroom-pn3tt]

Thanks very much 👍

[@Harp-House-Halt]

Very impressive, looks great to me :)

[@Grandadstrainroom-pn3tt]

Thanks very much 😊

[@Amberlea-Model-Railway]

Really good and informative video, thanks for sharing. Chris

[@Grandadstrainroom-pn3tt]

Cheers Chris. Regards, Andy 👍

[@kelvinVAUGHAN]

Nice job on the scenery.

[@Grandadstrainroom-pn3tt]

Thank you 👍

[@davemitchell9941]

😎Looking really good. Keeping it simple always pays dividends & very effective at keeping £costs down. Good on you for not being in fear of experimenting also & sharing ideas. Thank you 😊

[@Grandadstrainroom-pn3tt]

Thanks very much. I agree, anything to save a few pennies! 👍

[@stuartallen8684]

Just an opinion but I think this layout is Railway Modeller Magazine standard. Hope it gets featured some day!

[@Grandadstrainroom-pn3tt]

Wow, thank you. Not sure if it’s up to those standards. I’m in awe at some of the layouts they feature 👍

[@martynbuzzing3327]

You have a very powerful imagination, and it shows in everything you build. Very well done, Sir.

[@Grandadstrainroom-pn3tt]

Ha thank you. I wish I know when to stop sometimes! 😳

[@hutchewah]

Looks great !

[@Grandadstrainroom-pn3tt]

Thank you 👍

[@CharlesPruden]

The rock work is looking pretty good. Some stubby sapling along the base of the taller rock face will help hide some of the seams along the bottom of the wall.

[@CharlesPruden]

also if you want to make your own rock molds you just need liquid silicone rubber, a nice looking rock you want to copy and petrolatum as a release agent. youtube has many examples on how to do so. and the results are pretty amazing. just need to find some nice shaped rocks. shale is a pretty good one to use.

[@andrewwarcup684]

Something even cheaper. Came via Markinofsweden, from a US modeller, pine tree bark.

[@briansewell7263]

Even cheaper mould is crumbled tin foil, no two mould the same

[@Grandadstrainroom-pn3tt]

Tin foil. I’ve not heard of that one! I’ll check it out 👍

[@darrenfawkner2018]

Excellent video looks amazing mate great ideas i hoping i can put to mine many thanks

[@Grandadstrainroom-pn3tt]

Cheers. Go for it 👍

[@mels1811]

Wonderful video

[@Grandadstrainroom-pn3tt]

Thank you ☺️

[@EssexThameside]

Hi Andy, good video and a good idea. Bit worried about the durability as any knock would reveal white. Maybe a coat of varnish would provide a protective coating? Brian

[@Grandadstrainroom-pn3tt]

Yes, you’re right. Even a derailment would cause damage! Matt varnish is a good idea 👍

[@BrettsTrains]

Rock faces look great! Any video of the Princess Royal? :)

[@Grandadstrainroom-pn3tt]

Thanks. Yes, need to give the track a quick clean where I made all the mess then I can get her running through that cutting 👍

[@briansewell7263]

I love these sort of updates, a little thought and effort goes a long way into transforming a scene. One the otherside is completed, can we havd a before and after shot please? Looks better than my effort from 10+ years ago, might have to revisit that once i see the completion on yours The Dragonby you mentioned, rings a bell but i cant put a location to it, wanna say near Scunthorpe Thanks again for the time to share your update

[@Grandadstrainroom-pn3tt]

Thank you. Yes, I’ll do that. You’re right about Dragonby, it’s just outside Scunthorpe 👍

[@briansewell7263]

@@Grandadstrainroom-pn3tt does that put you in North Lincs then?

[@Grandadstrainroom-pn3tt]

It does indeed. Originally from sunny Scunny!! Still live pretty local to there.

[@briansewell7263]

@Grandadstrainroom-pn3tt that'll be why it rings a bell, 17 years ago I lived at Barton, now live further south closer to Skeg Vegas at Spilsby. If I ever get mine running again, your welcome to visit

[@Grandadstrainroom-pn3tt]

​​⁠ Ah yes, Barton. Used to go to a lovely Indian restaurant there a few years back when I lived in Barnetby! Always up for a day trip out👍

[@adriank8698]

I love the result. Your modelling techniques yield a superb effect. Hopefully you haven't yet secured and detailed the rock face on the other side of the double track. I'm hesitant to raise the issue because it could be entering the realm of nitpicking (but is a matter I would have trouble accepting on my own layout if it was pointed out to me): the orientation of the fault lines on your large rock face looks to be the opposite of those on the smaller one that you've already completed. If it doesn't matter to you all well and good, but if it would bother you, perhaps there is an opportunity for you to reorient the fault lines before they are 'set in stone'. I'll now don my tin hat and duck down below the parapet.

[@Grandadstrainroom-pn3tt]

Thank you. You are so right. I did all the faces together on the workbench, not thinking one would switch 180 degrees 🫣. I’ll see how much it irritates me…. 😄