What a brilliant, elegant and simple solution. I'm needing to build about 22m of retaining wall and have been in blind panic at the potential cost of using any manufacturer! Metcalf viaducts - here I come!
That is a great reuse of a Metcalfe kit, very clever! Also adds a bit of variety in terms of architecture to their standard offering, have lots of these to build so will certainly look to use this option too. I successfully cut in half PO239 wayside station shelter to make two low relief buildings, so it's all about thinking "outside the box", well done, Stephen
Good idea, looks great. I like Metcalfe stuff and have more than a few, but the trouble is they are so popular that everyone's towns all look so similar. You've created something truly unique and kudos to you sir. Kitbashing done right! I got a mould for a retaining wall which I filled with wall plaster. After a short while it dries and it is possible to make a considerable amount in a reasonably short time. They also, as you would expect, take paint and weathering very well and look very realistic.
That's a really good idea! I will consider this as I have a long bit of retaining wall to build on my upper section. Plus I could leave out the MDF backing so I can curve it. Thanks very much for this. 😊👍
Yes, this is just beginning of the possibilities with the viaduct kit. As with the curved viaduct I made, you could definitely make a curved retaining wall as well.
Great idea. A vast improvement on the previous retaining wall. To save having to build up the scenery behind, you could trim the bottom of the new wall to match the old one without any detrimental effect. Best wishes, stay safe. John.
Hi John, I did consider chopping a bit more off the wall height but I saw the opportunity to redo the church area in preparation for the layout extension will require the church to move anyway. I have taken the wall height down by 20mm on the church side and a bit more on the factory side.
Here I am again with another cup of tea 7:30am here in the UK watching your video. Got a bit confused as I thought is it Sunday, lol! Great idea and it looks really good I must say. Have you heard of a company called Scalescenes, I’m sure you have, they have lots of kits to download. Very detailed, they do a retaining wall and obviously many other things maybe worth a look if you don’t know of them. The good thing is once you’ve purchased the download you can print it as many times as you want and you get it instantly. I’m currently building the cargo ship as I intend to have a harbour scene and wanted to see the size (I’m building in N gauge).I print onto a4 labels which makes it much easier to stick to card then take it from there. I have some Metcalfe kits too which I like and are a little easier to make and find both can compliment each other. Sorry if I’m rambling on! Looking forward to your next video, home you’re all well, kind regards John
Hi John, I am familiar with Scalescenes and have consider some of their downloadable kits in the past. The only thing that's stopped me is the having make up glazing and relying on the home printer for quality. But in this situation where there are no windows, it would be a good option. I just like the quality of the Metcalfe kits better than what my printer can produce. However, in saying that, I have previously scanned Metcalfe brick sheet which I then print out for scratch build scenarios.
@@StationRoadModelRailway yes I understand completely, I haven’t got an expensive printer by any means, just a £20 Hewlett Packard from Tesco’s my local super market, it seems to be up to the job. I have recently placed an order for the Scaleglaze windows which complement the Scalescenes kits. They come from Australia funnily enough, bit nearer you than me, so I understand it makes things easier and a better finish. Might be worth trying a couple of free downloads they do just to see. Please carry on with the great job you’re doing on Station Road Julian, I also look forward to the extension to your layout. Kind Regards John
Have you looked at Scalescenes website? A fraction of the price. You may need to do a bit more work but you're doing that anyway. Have a look at their scratch building materials. You make a small payment to download the pattern for the sheet material you want and can then print it off as many times as you want. You're already adept with preparing card substructures. All you then need to do is stick the brick or stone paper onto your structures. Best of luck. Bob (UK)
Hi Bob, I've had a number of folk who have suggested Scalescenes as an alternative over the years, enough for me to try them out a while back and I was impressed with the results that can be achieved, but my conclusion was there is no money saving, in fact I found it a more expensive in the end than using a Metcalfe kit. Check out this video... ua-cam.com/video/h4YYWEM_Py4/v-deo.html
I find in Australia prices are kind of ridculous too. Shipping from the UK is not too horrible in price, but it is the time waiting for it to get here that can be the killer. I sometimes it worth waiting a bit and doing an order from the UK and still get it for almost half the price things are available here. That said, I like to make my own things where I can, but sometimes they just don't turn out as well as I would like. Thanks for some great ideas on reusing different kits. A little imagination can go such a long way
That's very clever idea what you did with the metcalfe kits ,I do like metcalfe kits they are a easy way to get your layout up and going until perhaps eventually you may scratch build items , I know you are NZ can you not buy direct from the supplior in the UK or would that include to much postage or tax ,obviously I know its better to support your local model shop just didn't know if it was a cheaper alternative ,I liked what you did before with the curved viaduct made from the metcalfe kit some time ago ,I have done previously quite a bit of slight alterations with some metcalfe kits ,stay safe over in NZ its hitting quite hard here in the UK at the moment ,bless the NHS .Ray .
Hi Ray, thanks for your message. Interestingly, it does workout cheaper to buy direct from the UK and that includes the postage. The only problem is the wait time, can take up to two weeks to get here, so requires planning ahead. We're all in lockdown here, Jacinda got on to it earlier I think, so NZ cases just under 1000, only 1 death at this stage. Stay safe in the UK.
I'm always on the lookout for different ways of doing things that's going to cost less, and mainly so I can save money for the more pricey items that I try not to scrimp on like rolling stock and locos, although I won't pass up on a deal there either.
Have you come across Scalescenes and Smart Models? They sell print at home kits, both railway and on-railway. You buy it once and then you can print off forever. Smart Models produce a range of railway kits primarily of North Eastern Railway originals including the free to download signal box at the Beamish Open Air Museum (which was originally at Carr House East). The free to download kit from Scalescenes is a goods yard office/weigh bridge, which comes in different brick or stone options. The Scalescenes kits tend to be a bit more generic.
May I suggest you try using 2mm or 3mm. foam board instead of the thin MDF ( whichis fairy heavy and not to easy to cut. The foam board is available in various qualities one of which is called "Kapa" board which is similar to foam board but a more dense foam board centre between the paper outsides. The material is "feather weight" and so easy to cut with a scalpel. Strength wise, obviously not the same as card but probably actually stiffer than the card. A retaining wall is not going to be moved after installing som strength does not come into the equation. Such materials should be available from art shops or via the wonderful Web. Hope this is useful information for you. I suggest searching on U.Tube for some videos of it in use. Regards Jim R in the UK.
Hi Jim, thanks for your great feedback. I have seen the foam board used in model construction and I do have some floating around somewhere, but the reason I use MDF for most model construction substrates is because I have a plentiful supply stacked in my garage where I only paid $5 per 8 x 4 sheet, so it make sense for me to use.
Hi Julian great video mate you could put a suburban platform between the two tracts in the cutting to make a inner suburban station you have a enough room beweenthe train mate stay safe Julian I have today been working on my layout at lancaster station doing scenery and ballast the track in the station mate clive
Interestingly enough, in a very early stage of the layouts history, there was an island station platform in that approximate location when the mainline curved up around behind the church. It was an insane radius and incline which was thankfully removed when I added the extension some years ago.
Hi John, I never saw that most, so obviously great minds think alike. I'm not always scouring the facebook posts but I did see your post on the factory/hotel conversion, which looks brilliant.
Either Scalescenes or have a look at Chandwell Model Railway, on UA-cam and see what this bloke is doing with card and brick or stone paper printed from a free source. The software that he uses (Inkscape) is also free. Bob
One aspect I found with Scalescenes kits is the quality is only as good as the quality of the printer. Fortunately as a graphic designer, I have a good quality colour laser printer at home. Plus I have Photoshop at hand for scratch-built card projects. An example of this was a coaling stage I constructed many years ago using printed brick I had manipulated in Photoshop... ua-cam.com/video/n8D3XwVJODE/v-deo.html I've taken a look at Chandwell and I am impressed, particularly that he is modelling in N gauge too.
G`day Julian, I just caught up with this video......I`m a bit slow at this, however it made me wonder whether you are familiar with the Scalescenes web site which has down loadable model kits. They are very high quality at very reasonable prices. I will insert a link below that shows their arched retaining wall kit. The philosophy of the site is down load it once and then print as many times as you wish. Hope this may be of assistance to you........Cheers Gormo scalescenes.com/product/r018-low-relief-arches/
Hi Gormo, I am quite familiar with Scalescenes and a number of other providers of downloadable kits. However, the jury is out for me on these as it's very much dependant on the quality of the printer. But in saying that, I have recently downloaded an engine shed kit from Scalescenes which I hope to get started on soon. This might become a how-to video.
@@StationRoadModelRailway OK......that`s good. I am getting really good results with just a basic HP 20 dollar printer.....no problem, however I have taken to going to Officeworks instead because they print @ 70 cents per colour A4 page at much better quality. That saves using up my ink quickly at home. It`s also essential to seal the printed pages before building the kit with a matt spray sealer as well. All the best Gormo......PS....I have just downloaded the engine shed as well......great minds think alike...LOL
What a brilliant, elegant and simple solution. I'm needing to build about 22m of retaining wall and have been in blind panic at the potential cost of using any manufacturer! Metcalf viaducts - here I come!
That is a great reuse of a Metcalfe kit, very clever! Also adds a bit of variety in terms of architecture to their standard offering, have lots of these to build so will certainly look to use this option too. I successfully cut in half PO239 wayside station shelter to make two low relief buildings, so it's all about thinking "outside the box", well done, Stephen
One word : brilliant. That is kitbashing at its higher level ! Thanks for one of the cleverest idea I had seen at this date in model railroading.
Thank you kindly for your comment, I almost wonder if Metcalfe could develop a new retaining wall kit based on this.
Good idea, looks great. I like Metcalfe stuff and have more than a few, but the trouble is they are so popular that everyone's towns all look so similar. You've created something truly unique and kudos to you sir. Kitbashing done right! I got a mould for a retaining wall which I filled with wall plaster. After a short while it dries and it is possible to make a considerable amount in a reasonably short time. They also, as you would expect, take paint and weathering very well and look very realistic.
I love these budget focused videos.
That's a really good idea! I will consider this as I have a long bit of retaining wall to build on my upper section. Plus I could leave out the MDF backing so I can curve it. Thanks very much for this. 😊👍
Yes, this is just beginning of the possibilities with the viaduct kit. As with the curved viaduct I made, you could definitely make a curved retaining wall as well.
Thanks for showing this, I did the exact same thing with the metcalfe viaduct kit.
This has been a great help. I have do this in a large area. This has given me some great help. Thanks
Great idea. A vast improvement on the previous retaining wall. To save having to build up the scenery behind, you could trim the bottom of the new wall to match the old one without any detrimental effect. Best wishes, stay safe. John.
Hi John, I did consider chopping a bit more off the wall height but I saw the opportunity to redo the church area in preparation for the layout extension will require the church to move anyway. I have taken the wall height down by 20mm on the church side and a bit more on the factory side.
Great idea and awesome video. Thank you..Hope you and the family are doing well
Here I am again with another cup of tea 7:30am here in the UK watching your video. Got a bit confused as I thought is it Sunday, lol! Great idea and it looks really good I must say. Have you heard of a company called Scalescenes, I’m sure you have, they have lots of kits to download. Very detailed, they do a retaining wall and obviously many other things maybe worth a look if you don’t know of them. The good thing is once you’ve purchased the download you can print it as many times as you want and you get it instantly. I’m currently building the cargo ship as I intend to have a harbour scene and wanted to see the size (I’m building in N gauge).I print onto a4 labels which makes it much easier to stick to card then take it from there. I have some Metcalfe kits too which I like and are a little easier to make and find both can compliment each other. Sorry if I’m rambling on! Looking forward to your next video, home you’re all well, kind regards John
Hi John, I am familiar with Scalescenes and have consider some of their downloadable kits in the past. The only thing that's stopped me is the having make up glazing and relying on the home printer for quality. But in this situation where there are no windows, it would be a good option. I just like the quality of the Metcalfe kits better than what my printer can produce. However, in saying that, I have previously scanned Metcalfe brick sheet which I then print out for scratch build scenarios.
@@StationRoadModelRailway yes I understand completely, I haven’t got an expensive printer by any means, just a £20 Hewlett Packard from Tesco’s my local super market, it seems to be up to the job. I have recently placed an order for the Scaleglaze windows which complement the Scalescenes kits. They come from Australia funnily enough, bit nearer you than me, so I understand it makes things easier and a better finish. Might be worth trying a couple of free downloads they do just to see. Please carry on with the great job you’re doing on Station Road Julian, I also look forward to the extension to your layout. Kind Regards John
Have you looked at Scalescenes website? A fraction of the price. You may need to do a bit more work but you're doing that anyway. Have a look at their scratch building materials. You make a small payment to download the pattern for the sheet material you want and can then print it off as many times as you want.
You're already adept with preparing card substructures. All you then need to do is stick the brick or stone paper onto your structures.
Best of luck.
Bob (UK)
Hi Bob, I've had a number of folk who have suggested Scalescenes as an alternative over the years, enough for me to try them out a while back and I was impressed with the results that can be achieved, but my conclusion was there is no money saving, in fact I found it a more expensive in the end than using a Metcalfe kit. Check out this video... ua-cam.com/video/h4YYWEM_Py4/v-deo.html
Excellent idea, thanks for sharing.
Great video and good ideas given. Hope you and your family is safe and well. Take care -Kevin
Great Idea, very well explained thank you
I find in Australia prices are kind of ridculous too. Shipping from the UK is not too horrible in price, but it is the time waiting for it to get here that can be the killer. I sometimes it worth waiting a bit and doing an order from the UK and still get it for almost half the price things are available here. That said, I like to make my own things where I can, but sometimes they just don't turn out as well as I would like. Thanks for some great ideas on reusing different kits. A little imagination can go such a long way
That's very clever idea what you did with the metcalfe kits ,I do like metcalfe kits they are a easy way to get your layout up and going until perhaps eventually you may scratch build items , I know you are NZ can you not buy direct from the supplior in the UK or would that include to much postage or tax ,obviously I know its better to support your local model shop just didn't know if it was a cheaper alternative ,I liked what you did before with the curved viaduct made from the metcalfe kit some time ago ,I have done previously quite a bit of slight alterations with some metcalfe kits ,stay safe over in NZ its hitting quite hard here in the UK at the moment ,bless the NHS .Ray .
Hi Ray, thanks for your message. Interestingly, it does workout cheaper to buy direct from the UK and that includes the postage. The only problem is the wait time, can take up to two weeks to get here, so requires planning ahead. We're all in lockdown here, Jacinda got on to it earlier I think, so NZ cases just under 1000, only 1 death at this stage. Stay safe in the UK.
Fantastic video and great idea of the use of other Metcalfe kits.. it's going to save me some money as well..
I'm always on the lookout for different ways of doing things that's going to cost less, and mainly so I can save money for the more pricey items that I try not to scrimp on like rolling stock and locos, although I won't pass up on a deal there either.
Brilliant idea! Thanks for sharing. Cheers Onno.
Innovative, superb structure,.
Hi from Garth Close from South Africa
A great idea and looks really good,wish I’d thought of it 😂,look after yourself 👍
Thanks for sharing this great idea ........Peter
Have you come across Scalescenes and Smart Models? They sell print at home kits, both railway and on-railway. You buy it once and then you can print off forever. Smart Models produce a range of railway kits primarily of North Eastern Railway originals including the free to download signal box at the Beamish Open Air Museum (which was originally at Carr House East). The free to download kit from Scalescenes is a goods yard office/weigh bridge, which comes in different brick or stone options. The Scalescenes kits tend to be a bit more generic.
Fantastic video.
great job
And if you need extra brickwork, Metcalfe sell A4 sheets of it. 😀
May I suggest you try using 2mm or 3mm. foam board instead of the thin MDF ( whichis fairy heavy and not to easy to cut. The foam board is available in various qualities one of which is called "Kapa" board which is similar to foam board but a more dense foam board centre between the paper outsides. The material is "feather weight" and so easy to cut with a scalpel. Strength wise, obviously not the same as card but probably actually stiffer than the card. A retaining wall is not going to be moved after installing som strength does not come into the equation. Such materials should be available from art shops or via the wonderful Web.
Hope this is useful information for you. I suggest searching on U.Tube for some videos of it in use. Regards Jim R in the UK.
Hi Jim, thanks for your great feedback. I have seen the foam board used in model construction and I do have some floating around somewhere, but the reason I use MDF for most model construction substrates is because I have a plentiful supply stacked in my garage where I only paid $5 per 8 x 4 sheet, so it make sense for me to use.
Good idea.
Hi Julian great video mate you could put a suburban platform between the two tracts in the cutting to make a inner suburban station you have a enough room beweenthe train mate stay safe Julian I have today been working on my layout at lancaster station doing scenery and ballast the track in the station mate clive
Interestingly enough, in a very early stage of the layouts history, there was an island station platform in that approximate location when the mainline curved up around behind the church. It was an insane radius and incline which was thankfully removed when I added the extension some years ago.
you can buy mould kits on ebay
Did you copy this idea from my March 27th posting on Metcalfe model group ?
Hi John, I never saw that most, so obviously great minds think alike. I'm not always scouring the facebook posts but I did see your post on the factory/hotel conversion, which looks brilliant.
Made scratch-built walls using cardboard from an amazon parcel and the Metcalfe blue engineer's brick.
Brilliant stuff, love hearing about what other materials are being repurposed for model making.
Either Scalescenes or have a look at Chandwell Model Railway, on UA-cam and see what this bloke is doing with card and brick or stone paper printed from a free source. The software that he uses (Inkscape) is also free.
Bob
One aspect I found with Scalescenes kits is the quality is only as good as the quality of the printer. Fortunately as a graphic designer, I have a good quality colour laser printer at home. Plus I have Photoshop at hand for scratch-built card projects. An example of this was a coaling stage I constructed many years ago using printed brick I had manipulated in Photoshop... ua-cam.com/video/n8D3XwVJODE/v-deo.html
I've taken a look at Chandwell and I am impressed, particularly that he is modelling in N gauge too.
Why not photo copy the pieces you have and make sure to clear coat your copies and you can make any amount
G`day Julian,
I just caught up with this video......I`m a bit slow at this, however it made me wonder whether you are familiar with the Scalescenes web site which has down loadable model kits. They are very high quality at very reasonable prices. I will insert a link below that shows their arched retaining wall kit. The philosophy of the site is down load it once and then print as many times as you wish.
Hope this may be of assistance to you........Cheers Gormo
scalescenes.com/product/r018-low-relief-arches/
Hi Gormo, I am quite familiar with Scalescenes and a number of other providers of downloadable kits. However, the jury is out for me on these as it's very much dependant on the quality of the printer. But in saying that, I have recently downloaded an engine shed kit from Scalescenes which I hope to get started on soon. This might become a how-to video.
@@StationRoadModelRailway
OK......that`s good.
I am getting really good results with just a basic HP 20 dollar printer.....no problem, however I have taken to going to Officeworks instead because they print @ 70 cents per colour A4 page at much better quality. That saves using up my ink quickly at home.
It`s also essential to seal the printed pages before building the kit with a matt spray sealer as well.
All the best
Gormo......PS....I have just downloaded the engine shed as well......great minds think alike...LOL