Eurospoor 2016 conclusions

Three days of Eurospoor (plus one for setting all up) are an intense experience, but definitely worth it. Especially when you can enjoy operating a shelf-switching layout with a length of almost 7m with two other great guys, Marco and Jasiu.

I am really pleased with the looks and the technical performance of Valkenveld! Three days of smooth operations without a single technical problem. All engines crept slowly over the tracks switching and dispatching cars to the other modules. We mainly operated with Roco NS 2400 locomotives which are a real joy. The light and sound effects installed by Marco drew the attention of many visitors.

Valkenveld and the other modules received a lot of compliments and positive feedback which is really encouraging. It was great to hear that many visitors saw our modules that fit almost any home as inspiration.

Many commented that the impression of depth was really good, despite the real layout depth of only 30cm. They also felt that the scenes were not overcrowded and represented the 1960s in the Netherlands well.

Our next outing will be the Open Day of the OMC on 12 November 2016 in Hilversum.

The whole set-up with 5 modules, except the fiddle yard on the left.

Impressions from EUROSPOOR 2016

 

 

Meet Valkenveld in hall 11 at EUROSPOOR

As mentioned earlier, Valkenveld will be exhibited at EUROSPOOR 2016 in Utrecht from 28 to 30 October. My module will be part of a 6,30 m long modular layout of three members of the Omroep Modelspoorclub (OMC) Hilversum. Our layout will be located in hall 11, stand 11A002, of the Utrecht Jaarbeurs.

I am looking forward to meeting any fellow model railroaders there!

One of the final preparations included the making of a barrier between the silo area and the track. After some trials with fences (too much blocking the view) and stones, I went for a simple solution with old rail sleepers. Also, the Volvo truck got weathered.

Overviews

A few "low quality mobile phone overview snapshots". I have taken them to see the general effect running up to "Eurospoor 2016" from 28-30 October in Utrecht. I am really pleased with the result so far. There is not much missing. A bit of weathering here and there, more weeds and plants, people to inhabit the place, some detailling on the buildings, etc.

Currently I am working on some stones that I will line-up alongside the silo area parallel to the track. The 3mm high stones will protect trucks to run into the tracks. I did not want a high fence or wall to hamper the views on the track.

Backdrop scene fine-tuning

Two workers take a well-deserved break at the Valkenveld warehouse. The backdrop scene was changed slightly as I added more height with two more silo's and I weathered the oil tank.

The wire fence is from Model Scene (No. 48130) which I have spray-painted really, really thinly with a grey coat. The white oil tank is a left-over from Piko's Mineraloelhandel (No. 61834) and the dark tanks are from Auhagen (No. 80111) on which I closed off the top. They received a coat of "German grey". Nature is as usual a mixture of various Heki and Woodland Scenics materials. The ivy is from MiniNatur. The two non-working workers are from Noch (No. 15278).

Next step: some sand, dirt and weeds underneath the warehouse platform.

Backdrop scenery

Some progress on the backdrop area, meaning the layout section between the factory facade and warehouse facade. I added a tree (self-made by friend Rob) and some bushes, a path for the train crews to grab some coffee in town during breaks, and a small area for a tank and barrels.

As usual, the images will be used to fine-tune the scene.