Creating the hillside and quarry face on my model railway layout: Elvenhome EP 154

In this video of my N Gauge Model Railway layout Elvenhome, I finally start work on creating the hillside and quarry face that will link the village of High Elven with the canal basin and canal that sits below it. I also have used past running session to show how much the layout has developed since February of this year - you might need your dancing shoes for the final music track.
The image of the entry to Salisbury Tunnel Junction is the copyright of the Crown and is taken from the Rail Accident Investigation Branch Report 12/2023 "Collision between passenger trains at Salisbury Tunnel Junction, Wiltshire 31 October 2021" and used in accordance with the copyright notice contained in the report assets.publishing.service.gov...

[@nigelh3253]

It's very helpful the way you tell us your thoughts in detail. Plus the running sessions show us the outcome of your labours. Thanks

[@Elvenhome]

Thanks Nigel. I am glad you find my description of my thinking helpful. That was one thing I wanted to make sure I did when I started the channel. Stephen

[@roystudds1944]

I really enjoyed the running sessions in this video, if only to review your progress this year. You are absolutely right, we do forget what we have achieved as we progress. The landscape around the lock is coming along nicely. I look forward to catching up with your next video. Roy.

[@Elvenhome]

Thanks very much Roy. I was nice to review the progress - of only to remind myself that I have made progress. Hope to start on the cliff face either later today or tomorrow, so we shall see how far I get in the next video. Stephen

[@bringingverneyjunctionback9642]

Always great to look back to see how far you have come! Small steps 😆

[@Elvenhome]

I was surprised how much had changed since February when I reviewed the running sessions. It was nice to put the selection of running sessions together. Stephen

[@ngaugefouroaksstreetstatio6932]

Very interesting Stephen, as you say , in most cases we learn by doing, often we think too many steps in front and become paralysed so as to speak. Love the music to the running shots, always feel good beats. cheers

[@Elvenhome]

Thanks Chris. I does help sometimes to concentrate on the immediate. You can't lose sight of the end goal, but neither can you take forever plotting every step - unless that is you are a project planner! The music is form a sight that provides royalty free music - for a monthly fee. It does have so much good music on it. Stephen

[@Miertreg1]

Super video, super job🚂🎥👍👍🛤️👌🖖. Greetings Gert

[@Elvenhome]

Thanks very much Gert. Stephen

[@gavinfry6612]

Loved this video, I have watched your layout develop over the year. The additional running shots were a great reflection of the time. Keep up the excellent work and commentary in the future.

[@Elvenhome]

Thanks very much Gavin. It was quite a surprise to see how much had been done when I reviewed the footage. I'm glad you've enjoyed watching the videos. Stephen

[@JasonWood_Escarpment]

Hi Stephen. Yes agree, one step at a time, as trying to work out the whole scene can be daunting at the best of times. The scene is coming along nicely..cheers

[@Elvenhome]

Thanks Jason. There are time you just have to trust your natural creativity to get to the place you want to go. Im pleased how this is turning out. Stephen

[@peterjackson-cheadleheath1182]

Hi Stephen I really like your layout, I find it it very inspiring and like others have mentioned its had quite a transformation over the last few months or so. Great work many thanks for sharing these videos. Thanks

[@Elvenhome]

Thanks very much Peter. Watching the running sessions has made me appreciate the layout a bit more. You get so used to seeing it, sometimes you stop really looking at it. Stephen

[@Wickford_N_Gauge]

Magnificent trumpet 🎺 well worth blowing 😇 Fantastic update with lots of cool tunes and gorgeous running shots 😍 Fascinating to follow your thought process around the canal bank too 👌 Excellent show 👏👏👏 very best wishes from the Emerald Isle ☘️

[@Elvenhome]

Thanks very much Paul. I was very surprised just how much had been achieved in the eight months since February, and I had fun finding new music to go with the running session clips for three of them. I always enjoy that bit of putting the video together. I was also pleased and relieved when I stood back from the work on the hillside and saw before me what had been in my head - it showed I wasn't delusional!! Stephen

[@thegrowler-blackwoodngauge]

Hi Stephen - cracking video! The explanation of how you tackled the first part of the hillside was brilliant - loved each part being dropped in - just a bit like Blue Peter ! The hillside is already well modelled - even before you add all the finishing touches. Also enjoyed your four running sessions. I may be at Warley on the Saturday - haven't definitely decided as yet. Cheers Euan

[@Elvenhome]

Thanks Euan. I wish I had thought of the Blue Peter similarity, I could have said here's one I made earlier in my best Christopher Trace impression (now remembering Chris Trace really dates me). I am quite relieved the hillside has worked. At one point I was worried that I might have to redo the tunnel entrance, but everything went together as I hoped. It would be good to meet at Warley. I have contingency in place should I need to travel down sooner - what with weather and the continuing rail strikes it pays to make arrangements - so I will definitely be there on the Saturday if you make it. Stephen

[@piccadillymodelrailways]

Wow what a tranformation, you can really see how it will look now. The slope fro High Elvon really works. I do agree trees there will once again make a huge difference. Thanks for the mention, I too will be looking for tree forms at Warley. Hopefully we will meet, Im there on the Saturday.

[@Elvenhome]

I was so surprised that so much has been done at this end of the layout this year when I reviewed the running sessions. I am also very relieved that the idea I had for how this would look I can now see me being able to achieve. It would be good to meet at Warley. As usual I will be there both days. There is so much to see on the layouts alone that I usually reserve Sunday for that (and buying the things I should have but on Saturday of course). Stephen

[@lynganddistrict]

Hi Stephen, thanks for the update - its all looking very good. I was particularly interested in your comments regarding the embankments of steam era, and as the photos taken show, trees were not prolific. I shall have to bear this in mind when it comes to my layout scenic work so thanks for the heads up on that. Looking forward to the progress in furture videos. Regards Steve

[@Elvenhome]

Thanks Steve. I was really taken with the image from the RAIB report. I always knew that embankments were kept clean, but I was surprised that was still so true in 1970. Very pleased that I have the hardest part of the hillside building done - at least I hope it's the hardest part. On to the quarry face itself next. Stephen

[@joshhemingwaythewlismetcalfe96]

Lovely video Stephen

[@Elvenhome]

Thanks very much Josh. Stephen.

[@MichaelHenfrey]

Hi Stephen, I bet that took some work planning how to make that canal and the edge of high elven blend together. I look forward to seeing the scene progress. Very interesting comparison on the embankments all the way through to modern day. Suprised to see how it was kept clear even in BR Blue times. Cheers, Michael

[@Elvenhome]

Hi Michael. It did take a few days of head scratching and trying things before I arrived at the basic structure. So pleased that has appeared to work. The comparison of the embankments was a bit of an eye opener. I think the first two photographs were taken in 1963 and 1970 (which is only 2 years after all steam stopped). It really helps one understand why 'leaves on the line' wasn't a problem in the steam era. Stephen

[@iansngauge]

Hi Stephen! I used to have a similar saying when I was working, which went along the lines of "With taking small steps we can come along in leaps and bounds!" Corny I know, but true! I liked your explanation at the start of how you were going to achieve the final goal, and that it all seemed to go to plan! The area will look great with a forest of trees on the slope - which I hope you manage to source at Warley! You can see the progression of Elvenhome through the running shots, and it must be nice to see how all of your hard work is paying off! Looking forward to the next instalment already! All the best, Ian.

[@Elvenhome]

Hi Ian. I cannot tell you how relieved I am that the plan did work out. Just the bit at the back to work out, but I think I can see how that can be done now. It was a surprise to see how much has been achieved this year but very pleasing also. Looking forward to Warley and the tree hunt. Stephen

[@SC68]

Hi Stephen, enjoyed the video, good progress on the tunnel mouths and the abandoned quarry! I will be interested to see how this project will progress and develop! Some good camera views of the trains running in the running session! Cheers Gary

[@Elvenhome]

Thanks Gary. I spent today carving the foam to produce the quarry faces. I must remember to do some recording tomorrow before I start painting. Some of the camera views in the running sessions can no longer be taken, but I am looking forward to when I can get a view of trains emerging from the tunnel with the hillside in place. Stephen

[@SC68]

Hi Stephen it’s quite therapeutic carving the quarry faces so you probably got carried away! It’s always a great sight in my opinion seeing a loco with a long rake of coaches or wagons exiting from a tunnel! Looking forward to seeing your end result! Cheers Gary

[@highlandersixtysix]

Just as I was about to post you MIA up pops a notification! Splendid video, and my word the transformation is remarkable. Work commitments have me popping over from Ireland to Germany quite a bit at the moment and I'm unsure if I'll be able to make Warley this year, but I must try.

[@Elvenhome]

Thanks very much Donald. The layout has changed quite a bit in this area, more than I realised. It is coming together as I imagined it which is pleasing. It would be good to meet at Warley if your jet set lifestyle allows. I will be there both days (weather permitting of course). Stephen

[@moorlandmodelrailwayandy]

Hi Stephen another enjoyable episode of Elvenholme. Always good to see everyone's different techniques. Have you tried the Model Tree Shop for trees, Steven is based close to you in Dunns, border country. I usually visit his house when I'm in Scotland as he no longer attends the shows. I used to see him at warley and Stafford. Anyway he's normally got every tree that you can think of, it was just a thought cheers Andy

[@Elvenhome]

Thanks Andy. I do indeed have Model Tree Shop trees on the layout. In fact only a month or so ago I found a whole box that I forgot I had bought at Model Rail Scotland in 2019 some of which are now in place on the layout. I noticed that he wasn't there earlier this year and I understand why now. I have already looked at what he has just to compare with what is at Warely. I suspect I will get some from Steve even with what I buy at Warley because I do want to put quite a few trees in that space. Stephen

[@exehavenharbour]

Hi Stephen, you can really see the transformation of Elvenholme over the past year through the running shots. It is so difficult making that first step I always find but once you’re up and running you soon get in the swing of things. That rock face is starting to really look good and I’m sure as you go along and add the trees the scene is going to come together so well. I’m looking forward to further updates over the next few weeks, cheers for now Stephen, John

[@Elvenhome]

Thanks John. I was surprised how much progress has been made. I sometimes think I have done much this year, but it appears that is not the case. I am so relieved the rock face is working, and I'm looking forward to carving the quarry face. I can see my way to finishing the structural work now thank heavens. Stephen

[@PChisholm]

There was me thinking I could use the tree tunnels in in the 50s as arboreally as it looks now. Oh well, I have been enlightened yet again by one of your excellent videos. Thanks

[@Elvenhome]

Thanks Peter (have I got that right?). It is possible some rural lines may have been tree lined, but I suspect not because in the summer the engine would be likely to set fire to them! Stephen

[@PChisholm]

I've just review the photos - there are a lot of trees, but there are some buildings. I mostly want to hide a junction because it does not follow the prototype - Paul

[@Elvenhome]

@@PChisholm Hi Paul (glad I checked!) Well there is always Rule 1 - I use that all the time - and there is also a prototype for everything somewhere on the railway. The main thing is that whatever you do, it pleases you. Are we ever likely to see the results of your labours? Stephen

[@PChisholm]

Last time I was in the UK I took some border country scenery, which could also mask the fact that the coldstream line goes down under the board instead of west. The rest of the ECML run can stand proud (like a young Sheldon) on the Royal border Bridge and the embankment that gets the line from Berwick to Tweedmouth. I would like to blog and youtube when I get started on the pile of tuits (round) that I already have stacked up. I only have a temporary layout just now, which I am glad I built. Issues like thermal expansion and wandering rodents have been observed and addressed. I still have some basic electronics to add to the experiment, before moving on. The layout base is in place. The plans are made. However, I was just reviewing Charlie's Helix vids and noticed that I'm going to try take the outside loop through a steel bracket! 35 mm need cutting out of about a dozen or so tracks to be able to move it away... I'm just getting back into things after 6 months of fielding family and friends who have been enjoying the weird, but warmer, weather we have had through the summer. Also, there a so many threads to this project, and many have steep learning curves. I've spent last few days (since half term) using evernote to document some project management. I started a blog, but I need to return to it. I think I could possibly do some short outbursts on KZbin soon, just to get my own head around what I'm tackling. Next silly season begins around mid december and continues through a substantial part of january, but I've just been reprieved from a road trip to Basel, due to small beings performing and thus occupying my newly retired wife. I'm arriving back in yuk just before Charlie's youtube course, but unless I do some, I'm not really eligible, even if there was space. So, to conclude: yes you will see some results soon... Paul

[@Elvenhome]

@@PChisholm That is quite a lot to do, but I felt much the same when I started this layout. Good luck getting through to mid January, and I've subbed so that I don't miss the first video. Stephen

[@robappleby2359]

Hi Stephen, So sorry you couldn't make Peterborough - I was really looking forward to a face-to-face chat about our shared interests. Keep the inspiration coming ,,,

[@Elvenhome]

Hi Rob. I was so sorry not to be able to make it down, but Babet has other ideas. I’ve already reserved a place for next and I am going to come down on the Thursday to give some leeway if the weather tries to intervene. Stephen

[@robappleby2359]

@@Elvenhome I’ve gone down from Newcastle on the Thursday night for the last three years. It means there’s a lot of time to kill on the Thursday but Allens do try to keep us occupied. 😊

[@robappleby2359]

**Friday 🙄