In it for the long haul
Robin Sweet has worked on this homage to Brent station for over a decade.
Big layouts can be even bigger commitments; opt for a micro layout and you’ll likely be finished within a year – sometimes less. But large layouts like Robin Sweet’s ‘A Nod to Brent’ (14ft by 7ft 10in) can take years to complete, and even then there’s always something to fix, upgrade or amend. The solution? Make sure you choose a subject that’s going to retain your interest for the long haul. The reasons why Robin chose to build a model of Brent station are many, but his main connection with the subject matter is deeply personal. “My father used to live in nearby Kingsbridge when he was a lad,” he explains. “Brent station is a model he would have built if he were still alive, so it’s something of an homage.” Robin also shares his father’s affinity with the prototype, and has found much to enjoy since he started the build way back in 2003. He explains why: “It’s a GWR main line station with a branch line, which means I can run a variety of stock. The main line caters for my love of fast express trains, which I can leave to run round while I shunt the yard.” The name ‘A Nod to Brent’ is derived from the compromises Robin has been forced to make along the way. His nod to the prototype has certainly worked; the key hallmarks of the station are all there
– it couldn’t be anywhere else! The layout should prove inspirational to anyone who’s ever dismissed the idea of modelling a prototype layout because of space restrictions.
EASY LIVING
Since starting the project in 2003, Robin has observed a sharp rise in the quality of specialist scenic products. “It’s much easier now than it used to be,” he says. “The past five or six years have been a giant leap in terms of availability and quality – it’s good for the hobby.” An example of such advancements are the laser-cut flowers that adorn the station, but Robin isn’t averse to turning back the clock. “The laser-cut flowers are from Noch, but flock and a touch of paint still works well”, he says. Robin is also an advocate of carved polystyrene covered in plaster of Paris bandage. He explains why: “It’s an old method, but it still works. Once it’s dry, I’ll paint it green or brown and then cover it in Green Scene’s Grass Mat. The finishing touch is a few static grass fibres, applied using a Noch Puffer Bottle and secured with a misting of hairspray.
BESPOKE BOUTIQUE
There’s no questioning the merits of Robin’s scenery, and the buildings leave no doubt as to the prototype location. The layout houses a mixture of modified kit-built and bespoke laser-cut structures, the latter built by DJ Modelmaking Services’ David Amias. “David is a professional model maker. He built the buildings on the platforms and the overbridge,” says Robin. “He sends me the buildings in kit form, leaving me to assemble and paint them.” The buildings were produced from authentic drawings, but Robin was forced to compromise on the length of each canopy: “If a building’s too big you’re forced to cut it down. Any changes can’t be too drastic or you’ll lose the building’s essence. I had to shorten each canopy, but was happy with the result – it’s about what you can live with.” Robin’s painting regime is an undercoat of Halfords Primer Grey, followed by layers of Phoenix Precision Paints; the station buildings are clad in the classic GWR Stone No. 1 (P21) and No. 3 (P22) shades and really look the part. Weathering has become something of a subculture within the hobby. There’s a multitude of different techniques with which to
achieve a variety of effects. Yet Robin prefers to weather his buildings sparingly: “I don’t like to see things too grotty. I’ll weather roofs, but otherwise I tend not to bother. For me, less is more.” Despite his stance on weathering, Robin has heavily weathered the water tower and an old barn to reflect their age. The barn is an old Wills Kit, as Robin explains: “It’s supposed to look old and run-down, so I weathered it. I tend to dry-brush, although I’m into using weathering powders at the moment too.” The water tower is a Mike’s Models kit and has
“I don’t like to see things too grotty. I’ll weather roofs, but otherwise I tend not to bother. For me, less is more”
been treated to a layer of rust. “The building was painted using Phoenix Precision Dark Rust (P951),” says Robin. “I then stippled Humbrol Maskol onto the areas I wanted to look rusty. Once the whole model had been painted and was dry, I used a stiff brush to remove the Maskol, revealing the rusty surface beneath.”
HARD knocks
‘A Nod to Brent’ wasn’t without its challenges; the relatively large 14ft by 7ft 10in footprint demanded a lot of baseboard work. But Robin rose to the challenge,
despite having never built his own baseboards before. “I used 3ft by 1ft bracing with a plywood top,” he explains. “I actually found it quite straightforward – the trick is not to rush things. I’m pleased because this is my first attempt and it’s stood for over a decade.” Some challenges weren’t quite so simple. Robin remembers his experience painting the retaining wall: “It was a nightmare. I decided to install it first and then paint it… All I needed to do was apply an undercoat, pick out a few individual bricks and finish off with some dry-brushing. But with the retaining wall in situ, I had to lean awkwardly over the layout while maintaining a steady hand – not recommended!” Water proved equally as frustrating, and that’s something many modellers can sympathise with. Robin still isn’t happy with his efforts, despite the fact that the Model Rail team thinks the water looks grand. I can certainly relate to my own efforts when modelling water (MR228). Very often we’re our own biggest critics. There’s no disputing the effectiveness of Robin’s method: “The colour is paint, applied directly onto the baseboard, and I used a mixture of browns and greens. Just don’t use blue – everyone assumes water is blue but it never is!” Once the paint had cured, Robin layered Woodland Scenics Realistic Water on top.
Finally, thin layers of varnish were brushed onto the dried Realistic Water for a glossy finish.
GRASSROOTS TO GREATNESS
Robin chose a subject matter that really appealed, and he’s stuck to his guns; ‘A Nod to Brent’ is testament to what can be achieved if you take your time and see a project through. It’s hard to believe that ‘A Nod to Brent’ was Robin’s first proper layout. Not only is it beautifully modelled, it clearly resembles the prototype. Since embarking on ‘A Nod to Brent’ in 2003, Robin has become an experienced modeller. As such, he has some advice for anyone embarking on their first proper layout: “Plan everything, because I never did. The prototype has two overbridges, but I only managed to accommodate one on my layout. If I’d been more thorough in the planning stage I could have found room for two.” No layout is perfect and every layout is a learning experience. Find a subject that interests you, stick with it and you might end up surprising yourself. ‘A Nod to Brent’ gets a tip of the hat from Model Rail.