Model making - a hobby rekindled

Model making has always been a keen interest of mine! 
If you ask my parents, I'm sure they will remember my ever-increasing collection of toilet roll tubes, plastic bottles, sheets of card and "model making" materials that often cluttered up my bedroom...

I recently rekindled my enjoyment of this hobby by "purchasing my son" a train set! (Yeah, ok the real reason was so I could play on it!)

After setting it up a few times, dismantling and rebuilding it, it occurred to me that a single loop of track isn't actually very exciting...
It was then I decided that I needed to start creating scenery to make the layout more interesting!

ROCKS AND ROCKY TUNNEL.

Rocks made from Sponge and paint

I first attempted to create some rocks that I can attach onto a model layout.
My rocks were created using some old sponges (washing up sponges were fine), and some brown poster paint.
These types of rocks are very easy to create.

I started by tearing the sponge into pieces that were the rough shape and size of the rocks I wanted.

I then used them to paint each other using the poster paint. It is actually fairly effective, however I'd recommend you use a base colour first, then add different spots and highlights after the first layer of paint has dried.

Mountain tunnel

After leaving my rocks to dry for a while (I think they took about 2 days to dry fully, as they absorb so much paint), I then created a rough tunnel out of an old cardboard box.

My idea here was to add the rocks to the tunnel and create an interesting tunnel for the trains to pass through.

I used PVA glue on the cardboard, and stuck down some kitchen roll first.
My reasoning was the kitchen roll would provide a better surface to stick the rocks to, however it has actually made the rocks harder to attach.
I stopped working on this tunnel shortly after I got as far as I did in this photo, mainly because my tunnel wasn't working as I had hoped.

METAL BUILDINGS.

Making industrial units

My son had sheets of corrugated cardboard, and I decided that this would make an excellent corrugated metal texture if it was painted correctly.

I decided that using this card would be perfect to make some industrial units.

The construction of these units was easy enough, I simply cut out segments of the card and stuck it to some lightweight cardboard boxes I found.
I then painted these with some metal finish acrylic paints I had, and used a dry brush and a mixture of different paint colours to give the metal a weathered look.

Corrugated industrial shed

I was temped to attach some further details to these units - windows, doors etc.

However, I have still not added these features -
I have found that by omitting these features, I can use these units in several different orientations, making for a model that can be used in different locations, depending on the requirements.

I know the corrugated card isn't in the correct scale for a model railway layout.

Despite this knowledge, I am very happy with the way these have come out, and plan on incorporating them (and more I plan on building at a later stage) in a layout.

My Fiance, Jan also wanted to get involved with making models too, so we visited a local model shop, and purchased some card model buildings, produced by Metcalfe Models.

The first model Jan started building was the Goods shed.

The good thing about the Metcalfe models is they are all built up from flat card, most of which is pre-cut and pre-printed to make it easy to create a detailed model building using only a few tools!

I was very surprised by the quality of these models - considering they are made from card, once they have been constructed, they are actually fairly sturdy!

The other model Jan wanted to build was the Semi-detached houses.
These come in a modular form, so you can design them to make streets and residential areas!

MODEL SCENIC.

I started researching into model making on Youtube, and realised that I wanted to start making more scenic models, based on model railway layouts.

Some interesting videos that helped me decide how to start are by Everard Junction,  Woodlands Scenics, Model Railroader Magazine and a guide on How to make a Diorama by StormtheCastle.

I also joined Darlington Model Railway Club, and became involved in working on a club layout - the
Rookhope Mining company.

I then decided to create my first scenic!

This was created over several weeks, using various different materials...

Read my step-by-step guide to see how I built this.

Do you have any models / scenery / model railway layouts you have built?
Do you have any hints or tips you can share? Leave your comments below!

- TheLittlerich

Building a scenic - a step by step guide

For background to why I built this scenic, please read my previous blog!

This is a step by step guide as to how I created this model.
My techniques and materials were selected based on knowledge I picked up from a combination of watching videos online, as well as reading various articles in magazines on how to make model scenery.

My techniques may not be the same as the ones you use, so if you have any techniques or (constructive) comments, please leave them in the comments box below!

STEP 1: THE BASIC SHAPE

I decided to create my scenic layout using the inside of a box.

I started to build up a basic shape using some old christmas wrapping paper I found in the back of a cupboard. 

I scrunched it into a rough shape and taped it to the walls of the box, as well as the floor of the box.

When doing this, you can build up the shape using several pieces of paper, and tape it into the rough shape you want the hills / mountains to be. 

I decided that in one corner of the box, I wanted the hills to be quite high, and in the opposite corner I thought a smaller hill would balance it out, and so I added more scrunched up paper in the opposite corner.

With a bit of tweaking, I ended up with an overall shape that I was happy with.

I decided this is an ideal shape to form into a stream, with the higher ground on each side of the water.

STEP 2: BUILDING UP THE ROCKS

The next step was to create a hard rock using the scrunched up paper as a guide to form the shape.

To do this, I mixed up some all purpose filler with water using the instructions on the packet and added in some brown paint (to give the rock a base colour without having to paint it afterwards). 

I dipped strips of kitchen roll into the mixture. 

My son Dominic was keen to get involved in this stage, but once he realised it was as messy, he helped by tearing up the strips of kitchen roll for me!

I then applied this plaster covered kitchen roll over the rolled up paper to form the covered rock surface.

I soon discovered this is a very messy process! 

I also discovered that larger strips of kitchen roll are better to work with than thin strips, as they tend to be easier to lay on flat.

The kitchen roll / plaster mix has a tendency to dry fairly quickly, so I recommend making up smaller batches of the mixture so you don't waste much.

If you are adding paint into the mix, it's also fairly important to get the same mixture of filler / water / paint if you want an even colour to the rock base.

Also, because it is filler that is being used, it will dry into a hard structure, making the rocks sturdy enough to accept any scenery details you add to them!

STEP 3: BASIC GROUND COVER

Once the rocks had dried, and had turned nice and solid (this may take a few days to dry completely, depending on how much filler mixture you use), it was time to start applying the greenery!

Build the greenery up in stages for better results.

I started by applying a layer of 50/50 mixture of PVA glue and water.
There are many different ways you can apply this to your model, however I simply used an old paintbrush and painted the mixture directly onto the formed rock formations.

I then started laying the ground cover, using some green blended turf, made by Woodland Scenics. (This is also known as "flock").

I chose Woodland Scenics items because it was the manufacturer that people often mentioned in the video tutorials I'd watched. 
(It was also the only type available at the local hobby store I bought my materials from!)

There are other model scenery manufacturers who produce other items, however I have not tried anything other than Woodland Scenics materials.

After I had covered the area I wanted with the green blended turf, I used a basic spray bottle filled with "wetted water" - tap water and a few drops of washing up liquid.

The washing up liquid helps break the surface tension so you can apply more PVA glue / water mixture to the flock to help stick it down.

Give the layer of flock a fair soaking with the wetted water, then apply more of the PVA glue / water mixture on top of the flock.

The beer is optional! :)

Again, there are several ways in which you can do this - I used an old plastic syringe to drip the glue / water mix onto the flock.

You could use a pipette to drip the glue on if you have a smallish area to stick down, or simply make up a spray bottle of the glue / water mixture and spray it over the model if you have a large area to cover.

Also remember to be careful - if you squirt the glue / water mixture at your model too hard, the force will wash away / remove some of your texture.

STEP 4: MORE DETAILED GROUND COVER

After I had applied the base coat of the scenery, I started to build up more and more details using various different turfs, foliage and other model materials.

Initially, I was worried about how wet my model seemed to get, however after it is left to dry out, the glue holds the flock and other scenic materials down very well!

After I had set a layer of flock down, sprayed it with wetted water and applied the glue, I then went on and added my next layer, using a different material.

Some of my materials!

I found that the larger the variety of different materials you use for your ground cover, the better results you can achieve!

On this particular model, I ended up using about six different base materials that I had bought.

I started with a mixture of blended turf and coarse turf in different shades of green to make the base grass texture.

Once this had dried and set, I started to add some clump foliage to create small bushes to my scene.

With the clump foliage, I found that using PVA glue by itself works well.
Because the glue is thicker by itself, it gives the heavier material more of a chance to stick to the model.

Again, when I had finished adding materials to my scene, I sprayed the new additional materials with wetted water and then applied the 50/50 mix of PVA glue and water to stick it down firmly.

After these had set, I added some Poly fiber in places to create vines, undergrowth and other rambling vegetation.

The area I planned a waterfall...

My next addition was to include some Lichen in areas to create some more bushes and ground cover.

I found this material felt more moist than the other materials I had worked with, mainly because the lichen is a natural material.

I found this slightly harder to attach to the model, and ended up using PVA glue without a water mix to attach it.

I added some static grass flock patches on the higher hills to create grassy patches.

Initially, my idea for this model was to be a stream, with high rocks and mountains on each side and I also wanted to incorporate a waterfall in the corner of the model.

However, I didn't have any materials that could be used to create water, so my design became a dried out creek bed, once had a train track running through it.

STEP 5: FINISHING TOUCHES

I finished up my model by adding a sandy texture in the creek bed, added some weeds using a mixture of my other materials, and then added a piece of track I painted with poster paint to give the appearance of rust.

I attached some weeds and some small twigs over the track to give it an appearance that it had been left deserted for a while,

I also added an old plastic Shell wagon I had bought from Ebay to the model, however I spent very little time on weathering this so far. (It's on my to do list!)

Voila! Considering this was my first attempt at scenery model making, I am pretty pleased with the final result!


I took my model to the Darlington Model Railway Club and was told about a competition to create a scenery layout in a shoebox, which I plan on entering.

I have also ordered more materials to allow me to add more details to my next model, and will post an update when I create it!


Eventually, I plan on creating a full model railway layout, however this won't be until I have a place to set it up on a more permanent basis!

Please let me know what you think of my layout! 
Do you have any hints, tips or constructive comments? 
Please leave your comments below!

- Thelittlerich

How do we define justice?

Justice
noun

Image courtesy of Dreamstime.com

1. The quality of being just; righteousness, equitableness, or moral rightness: to uphold the justice of a cause.
2. Rightfulness or lawfulness, as of a claim or title; justness of ground or reason: to complain with justice.
3. The moral principle determining just conduct.
4. Conformity to this principle, as manifested in conduct; just conduct, dealing, or treatment.
5. The administering of deserved punishment or reward.

The last explanation really gets to me - "Deserved punishment or reward"...

Image courtesy Freeimages.com

So, IF you keep your nose clean, you stay out of jail... You keep your "freedom", and in doing so, you pay taxes on almost everything...

Extortionate prices on fuel, food, rent and other living expenses, travel, education, healthcare...

You pay more money when you are working because the government take half of it back off you in income tax and national insurance...

OR... 

Image courtesy of Dreamstime.com

You commit criminal activity, you get put into jail (occasionally, but that is for another blog...), you LOSE your "freedom"!

This basically means you get everything paid for you - a roof over your head, free food, entertainment, internet etc... You can learn for free as well as have free medical treatment given to you whenever you need it.

This is often referred to as "paying your debt to society"! 

Maybe they should turn the system on it's head! Lock the non-criminals up and keep the criminals in society to face the doom and gloom of taxes, inflation, VAT, sky-high fuel prices, education and other expenses...

Maybe this is how criminals should really pay their debt to society!

I was speaking to a friend, Collette Howe earlier who made a very valid point. Their point was:

"what is it with all these programmes on tv where they all have some kind of special power or extraordinary memories or something...does my head in, in the 'real world' people are frigging struggling to survive everyday as it is... and if anyone with any 'special powers' existed they totally would just be a criminal anyway so they can get something on the down low and not have to pay stupid prices.... not a freaking hero like this shit on tv portrays em to be!" [SIC]

So, to sum things up: with great power comes great responsibilit.... Ahhh screw it! Wanna rob a bank?!

- Thelittlerich

Can I quit smoking using Electronic cigarettes?

Although I am not a heavy smoker, I have got to the stage where I am totally sick of smoking all together.

The only problem is, I enjoy the actual routine of having a cigarette in my hand and smoking it. 

I tend to enjoy this routine the most when I am driving, especially when I'm traveling to and from work...

Roll up, roll up! I prefered smoking "rollies"...

Until now, I have smoked roll up cigarettes. I much preferred these to actual cigarettes for several reasons:

• I enjoyed rolling them.
• I could light a roll-up cigarette, take a few drags of it and put it down, and it would go out.
• I could control how thin I wanted to make them.
• They were easier to smoke than normal cigarettes.
• They were lighter in weight than a normal cigarette.
• They were a "healthier" option* compared to normal cigarettes... 

* I say roll ups are healthier because they have less chemicals in the tobacco than a cigarette does. My reasoning is the fact a cigarette is designed to stay lit until it burns out, it contains more chemicals to stay alight...

Although I smoked roll-up cigarettes because of these reasons, I was still not enjoying them...

As far as my health is concerned, I am constantly coughing and trying to clear my throat and in the mornings I wake up all phlegmy and bunged up. 

I often feel sick in the mornings and I have occasionally thrown up because of the catarrh and horrible mucus stuff building up in my lungs.

It's not good for my health and not a good image when I am coughing and clearing my throat constantly whilst having conversations with customers at my work.

My electronic cigarette!

I heard about the electronic cigarette from Jan's brother and her sister who are trying to quit. 

I thought it sounded like a good product to try.

The idea behind the electronic cigarette is that it doesn't contain any tar or toxins, doesn't emit smoke or ash, is a non flammable product and still delivers nicotine to quell the actual cravings associated with cigarettes. (You can find out more information at http://www.10motives.com/ )

As for my smoking habits, I decided I wanted to try one, as I thought it would be perfect to keep in the car, enabling me to have a few puffs on my journeys to and from work, without having to actually light up and smoke!

I bought one today from Tesco. (It costs £5.99).

It claims to be the equivalent of about 30 normal cigarettes. 

My initial reaction is that it feels a lot heavier than a normal cigarette. However, once you get used to it, the weight isn't much of an issue.

The device is fairly large - it is very similar to smoking a super-king size cigarette. 

(I probably have noticed the size and weight more because I am used to smoking roll up cigarettes).

It tastes quite similar to a cigarette, and the device emits a vapour when you inhale, so when you exhale there is actual smoke! 

The E-cigarette has a glowing tip and creates realistic smoke to exhale!

It seems to be much better than any other imitation cigarette I have tried, and the fact I still have the "smoke" (a harmless vapour rather than a poisonous cloud of cigarette smoke) makes the sensation seem that much more realistic! 

The tip also glows, similar to a real cigarette. (Although the device I have has a blue tip rather than a more natural red one)...

I'll see how I get on with it and keep everyone posted!

Are you trying to quit smoking? Perhaps you have quit? Whatever your stories about breaking the habit are, leave your comments below!

- TheLittlerich

Why do online companies feel the need to change things?

Why do online companies always feel the need to change things? If I use a site frequently, I get to know how to use it, how it works and what I can do with it.
Suddenly, the owner of the site decides that the site needs an overhaul, and completely changes the look, the operation and the way in which you interact with a site.
It is "easier to use" is often an excuse that is given.

Well, IT'S BLOODY NOT!

Blogger : New interface...

I've just logged onto Blogger for the first time in a while (my last blog was back in March... Sorry people!) and I find a totally new layout to contend with...

Nobody ASKED me if I wanted a new system to use... Nobody told me to expect a new system to use...

Basically, it pisses me off that when you get used to how a system (such as Facebook or Blogger) works it gets changed.

Put it back to how it was, because I KNOW how to use it. Now, I just have to learn a completely different way of working, using a different method and I'm probably going to screw things up whereas before I knew how to do what I wanted to do, I wouldn't screw things up.

HOW IS THIS NEW SYSTEM EASIER TO USE?

Facebook Timeline - do you like it or not?

The Facebook "Timeline" feature is another recent example that has caused a huge outcry...

Millions of users of Facebook have complained about the new layout system, asking "what is the point?"... It is a good question - if something isn't broke, why try to fix it?

I don't really like change... I like to know where my shit is at... It's the same in my "offline" world - if the local supermarket rearranges the shelves into different locations it really annoys me! I nip in to pick up a few items and end up walking round the store twice because now I can't bloody find what I was looking for... It's not where it is supposed to be...

GRRRRRRR!!!

Does anybody else feel the same way?
Leave you comments below... (If the comments are still below, and not hidden behind a "sleek new interface design metamorphosis" ... )

Nobody said being a parent is an easy task...

Nobody said being a parent is an easy task...
Almost every day, your children will teach you a new lesson! I thought I would share some of the lessons I have learnt by being a parent with you.

  

Daily life...

 

Hidden motives? Dominic and Makayla

1. If a child is playing and making lots of noise, everything is ok. It's when they go quiet you know they are up to mischief...

2. A child who unexpectedly wants a cuddle from a parent or sibling doesn't always just want a cuddle - there is usually a hidden motive!

3. If a child falls, they will cry... However, they will first check to see the parents reaction beforehand to see how much sympathy they can milk out of it!

4. No matter how big and macho a man thinks he is, if a toddler hands a pretend telephone to him, he will always put it to his ear and say "Hello?!".

Cleaning and decorating...

Your hoover sucks, Mum!

5. No matter how good your vacuum cleaner is, a 6 month old baby will always find bits on the floor shortly after you have hoovered it!

6. When choosing carpets, always go for dark colours as they are the best colours to hide the dirt kids will bring to them. Avoid white or cream at all costs!

7. Re-decorating your house when you have a child under 5 is pointless - they will be more than happy to "help" you strip your wallpaper off the walls, or add interesting crayon patterns to your decor - even if you don't want them to!

Other observations...



Woo! This box is great!

8. Despite a slide having a perfectly good set of steps or ladders to climb up, a child will always attempt to clamber up the 'slippy' part instead!

9. No matter what present you get for a child, they will usually think the box that it came in is much more fun to play with than the present inside!

10. For the first 12 months or so, a parent will look forward to their child being able to walk and talk...
However, after these milestones have been reached, a parent will forever want their child to sit down and shut up!



Have I missed any parenting lessons out? Do you have any other advice you wish to share? Please leave your comments below!

- TheLittlerich.





Why don't they make cartoons and TV programmes like they used to?



I was born in 1981... I was a child of the 80's... I grew up (like many children of my age did) spending many hours in front of the television!



Dangermouse: The greatest secret agent in the world! Image (c) http://www.80scartoons.co.uk/



Back in those days, the programmes that filled the television were made for one reason - simple entertainment!

Now as an adult, I compare the TV shows I watched with the TV shows of today... I have to admit, I will always say the cartoons and programmes I grew up were MUCH more fun, exciting and memorable than ones of today!

Thunder! Thunder! Thundercats!

Unlike children's TV of today, the kind of shows I grew up with usually had some sort of good v evil theme, where the heroes were often utilising magic, technology or special abilites to overcome the threat of the diabolical villans and evil forces that threatened mankind.

Any character that used a weapon in these shows were more often than not equipped with some sort of laser-based armaments, technology was often heavily utilised in body armour or vehicles and special abilities were usually added in good measures to add to the excitement and provide a feasable way to tip the balance of power between the battling forces.

The animation of most of the shows back in that era was very similar to each other... It had a certain look about it, and was often set in space, a distant planet or a different (often futuristic) time.

Defenders of the Earth!

The characters in these shows were tough - they often possessed super-human strength, agility and a very solid sense of right or wrong (right in the case of the heroes, and wrong in the case of the villans).

As well as the strength and abilities, the stars of these programmes used their intelligence to defeat the evil-doers as well.

It was often a villanous trait to be less intelligent than the heroes of the shows - even if the main villan was an intellectual match to the hero, the sidekicks and assistants were usually very stupid, and usually led to the downfall of the villan's plans...

The heroes also seemed to posses good luck when it came to tricky situations - with the bad luck following the evil sides.

It seems on reflection the hidden agenda of these shows was to promote good behaviour. No matter what the show was, you always knew that the star was going to win the battle, save the day and defeat the criminal or anti-hero of the show.

No matter what the political agenda of the shows, the whole idea of the show was simply to entertain the children watching it - and entertain it certainly did!

Us kids back in those days weren't bothered about any of the diplomacy - we just wanted to see lasers and robots and space shuttles and monsters, magic, epic battles with big explosions, lots of heavy duty firepower, strong villans and stronger heroes who we knew would defeat them! Big guns, action, excitement and fun!

Cartoons such as He-Man, Thundercats, Pole Position, Visionairies, Jayce and the Wheeled Warriors, Defenders of the Earth, MASK, Transformers, GI-Joe, X-men, Dangermouse, Inspector Gadget, Chip and Dale: Recue Rangers and Superted to mention but a slight few of the awesome programming back in the 80's that I watched enthusiastically as a kid!

I'm sure there are many of you who would instantly remember these shows, (as well as others I haven't mentioned here) and I bet you would be able to sing the theme tune, remember the heroes and enimies in these shows...

It's such a shame that they don't make and broadcast quality programmes like these any more... I, for one think they should bring back classic cartoon viewing for kids nowadays and let them have the same excitement we did as a kid!

Take a trip down memory lane! Click on the following titles to watch the opening themes for the following programmes:

He-Man | She-Ra | Thundercats | Pole Position | Visionairies | Jayce and the Wheeled Warriors

Defenders of the Earth | MASK | Transformers | Dangermouse | Inspector Gadget | Raggy Dolls

Chip and Dale: Recue Rangers | Superted | Dungeons and Dragons | Duck Tales | Count Duckula

Bananaman | The Mysterious Cities of Gold | Dogtanian and the Muskehounds | Fraggle Rock

Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles | The Real Ghostbusters | The A-Team

Knight Rider | Airwolf | Doogie Howser, MD | Magnum, P.I. | Knightmare

The Littlest Hobo | Fun house | Button Moon | Batfink

Were there any shows that you watched as a kid I've missed Any other shows I should've mentioned? Please leave your comments below!


- TheLittlerich