I have started using the Hattons Oil Spill kit. It is a very fine powder that you brush into place and then pour (in my case) a 50/50 PVA water, washing-up liquid solution over the powder and wait for it to dry. The first picture shows it drying, not yet applied the oil solution. I had to lift the retaining wall as the pva seemed to find its way everywhere. The second picture shows the powder (dirt) before the pva mix. I will probably use it for a few inches in front of the buffers at the stations and also at the other end of the platforms. The kit is good value for money - I recall it was £10.00 - the powder is very dense (whatever you do don't sneeze ) and goes along way.
Hi Brian - When I was doing the front of the shed area I stretched the powder as far as the turntable, but did not, at the time, go back towards the retaining wall - that is currently some Woodland Scenics fine cinders and black paint. So in the second picture (back of shed) I had pva'd the track at the bottom of the picture, and then started spreading the powder on the other tracks. I'm not sure whether to take it back to the retaining wall or not - pva seems to spread further than you would like.
Last edited by bulleidboy on Tue Feb 15, 2022 12:03 pm, edited 1 time in total.
They call it "Oil Spill Kit", but I think it is really designed to give a smoother finish and black. If you have noticed at some steam railways the ground around the shed area is just black, sodden with oil and shed dirt over very many years.
You’re right about the crud in the yard - a heady mix of ash, coal dust, oil and water. You will also find it where locos stand in stations. This is from the NYMR webcam a few minutes ago.
I’ve always used this view as my example when trying to emulate standing areas. So often missed on models but so evocative.
This section of track at Grosmont ‘bounces’ as trains pass with quite a lot of splashing from water that has pooled under the sleepers. Surprised they have not relaid it.
Thought I’d post this picture showing a loco shed area modelled by a guy called Steve Fay. He scratch builds all the buildings. He said he was happy for me to use the picture.