Schotterwerk Heberndorf -1

For some odd reason and for the past twenty odd years ballast loaders seem feature on my layouts, possibly this is the origin - Ludwigsstadt 1971

A simple layout was built and exhibited around Europe, it proved to be quite successful. 

Move on ten years and a new, larger home layout is being planned, a ballast loader could be used in front of the view blocker that hides the storage sidings. This time the ballast loader at Heberndorf provides the inspiration, it has been featured in Hp1 #29

And the real thing, 

More to follow......................

Eternal search

Once upon a time, you could rely on Fleischmann to produce the goods. If the offered a loco in the standard range, you could order it and know that it would arrive in due course.

Not anymore, I am searching for a Fleischmann DR BR41 Reko 413471 but one R no one has one for sale. 

I don't care if it is secondhand or even AC, I just want this loco and will pay whatever the cost. 

This is merely the tip of the iceberg, I cannot find a number of previously available models, thankfully I have obtained a Rivarossi Dosto and a green Piko DRP Gbs. But everything seems to going a bit Pete Tong.

 

Recycling waste

I don't often go dumpster diving, it is so undignified, but a visit to the local recycling centre resulted in this 'aquarium' rock. Cost -nothing, it was a throwaway.

OK, it was broken but some glue and a piece of foamboard later, it is a potential piece of the layout that is set in Fränkische Schweiz The region is notable for the rocky limestone outcrocks, therefore this is a very useful find.

The white filler is the amazing advanced Polyfilla applied with a pallette knife and smoothed over with a very wet 25mm flat brush. The stone colour is a Crown matchpot tester called 'taupe' and it will receive another coat over the filler followed by a wash with my favourite mix of water/vodka/artists sepia ink.  All the stone structures on Aufsess receive the same treatment so that everything has the same texture and colour.