Update 4 @ 12.01.2001
BLACKPOOL
I am pleased to report the footbridge is complete although the railings drove me mad. It just needs a little weathering in the course of time.
click here..The experiment of printing my own paving has been used although at present it looks a little bright compared to the real thing, again a little weathering in due course should rectify this. Although it must be said that the commercial colours are too dull to give the correct effect. The fixing I tried was clear Humbrol matt varnish and proved to be disappointing as it left a white residue on the surface in places this will be corrected in the near future.
As for computer assistance it has proved a boon with the promenade obstacles such as shelters, kiosks, power cabinets, tourist information kiosk ( not yet complete ), and more over the tram shelters (currently in progress ). The tram and seated shelters were drawn and printed, from photographs and when cut out stuck to clear acetate to provide both strength and windows. The kiosks were stuck to card prior to cutting and glazed with acetate as required. In the case of the tourist kiosk, photographs were scanned to provide the window detail and reduced / enhanced to good effect before fixing inside the glazing. It is still awaiting a roof at present. The same approach was taken with tram and bus stop signs alas the reduction gives only reasonable results
The overhead has been installed but requires, modification in places and remains untested due to track cleanliness and being occupied with the construction of the tram shelters. I must admit that with just the correct amount of shelters the line looks a bit spartan, so have decided to add a few more to give a appearance in similar fashion to the traction poles looking too distant at scale dimensions on most layouts.
Update 5 >>>>>>