Wear Valley Railway

my new art blog - none railworks

2012-01-06T06:03:00.000-08:00

I have started a new blog which for once has nothing to do with work.

http://art-of-dsiddle.blogspot.com/

Mostly it will be my own drawings and paintings.

I am not saying there will be no cross over, my hobbies often influence my work, however it will be mostly art talk.

cheers

Derek

Deerhouse finished

2012-01-05T04:46:00.000-08:00

Not bad for a long days work.

d

Deerhouse

2012-01-04T16:42:00.000-08:00

Ok, so not near the track but I was never going to leave it out!

Here we see it half complete. the inner walls and shadow bake still needed.

d

Cockton Hill Start

2012-01-03T12:27:00.000-08:00

Now for my infant and junior school.

d

Bishop Auckland, King James, Middle School

2012-01-02T11:43:00.001-08:00

I had to do a few best guess's here and there but close enough for what I need.

cheers
d

Happy New year!

2012-01-01T12:01:00.000-08:00

And so we are in the future! Exciting times ahead indeed.

So in prep of 2012 I felt the need to clean up my study. I spend over 10-12 hours a day in it so it often gets trashed quickly, paper/magazines/books etc everywhere.

I am lucky to have such a space I know but growing up I shared a room with my 2 brothers and never had any space to spread out my work. I remember oil painting sat on the bedroom floor, room stinking of turps, oil paint splodges on the carpet etc. (not that you could tell mind, the carpet pattern was so hideous)

Anyway, here is to a creative 2012.

all the best.

Derek

Fir tree

2011-12-31T06:15:00.001-08:00

Tomorrow the Christmas tree comes down, and while looking at it I was wondering how I can better the FF fir tree in RWs.
I was never that happy with it but it is hard to get the shape/body and depth in the tree without the polys mounting up. I can certainly make a nice looing 2D version but some 3D versions for close to the track would be cool. Here I have just being playing around with some textures and these are not the final ones, but I think I might be able to make something out of it for fir trees up past Witton le wear.

d

My new route

2011-12-25T12:40:00.000-08:00

:)

d

Merry Christmas

2011-12-24T13:56:00.000-08:00

Just a note to wish everyone who stumbles through this blog a very merry Christmas.

best regards

Derek

King James Middle school dining hall

2011-12-23T03:58:00.000-08:00

My school was just down from the tracks and like the rest of the town will all be modelled.
Lower polygon models but they still look great from a short distance away.

cheers
d

Dec Update

2011-12-18T09:42:00.000-08:00

Well I'm back!

Woodhead is by no means out the woods just yet but it is looking pretty special for most of it, in the new year the guys involved will give it a blitz.

SO where does that leave my route, will it ever get done!

The good news is I have found someone willing to aid me in the track laying. This is a major step forward.
I will not put a date against this route but I think 2012 will be pretty special.

More updates to follow over the festive period (as long as the missus allows me some time at the pc!)

cheers

Derek

Where has the time gone!

2011-11-19T01:50:00.000-08:00

Gosh time has flown by.
So many projects hard to keep track of what I have been doing!

Project Woodhead and the other loco projects I have been involved in has taken up much of my free time. However I do hope to get back to this route over Christmas and into the new year with a 2012 launch. (fingers crossed)

TS2012 is huge and the number of users just keeps on growing! We certainly have come along way since RS days.

You will have noticed that my time on forums has been reduced, much of this is down to work and family (my little boy growing up!)
I plan on cutting back even further from forums too for my own sanity, anyone who wishes to communicate with me can do so in the comments section here(stay on topic please) or if TS2012 issues/questions or just want to contact me then do so by emailing Support@railsimulator.com

I loved being involved with some of the community on the forums and I have made many friends, certainly was fun banter most of the time but I just don't have the time or energy to do work/life and keep my hobbies and other interests going as well as keep track and post in all the various threads in random forums.

Its been a long 6 years and if I am to last a further 6 years I need to stop burning the mid night oil candle from both ends so to speak. :)

So, more posts on WVR very soon which I am very excited about, and less posts on forums.

I wish everyone luck in their projects.

regards

Derek

bridge TS2012

2011-09-06T09:34:00.001-07:00

BA in TS2012

2011-09-06T01:59:00.001-07:00

I now need to look at updating a few materials, but it does have a nice solid feel.

d

Wearhead Engine shed ref

2011-08-17T14:36:00.000-07:00

Hi, here is a section of map I am using as ref from 1950 of wearhead:

Go here and click on the launch GIS, from ther eyou can go back through old maps of the durham area. been a great help plotting the route.

Here is a picture of the engine shed, I have a few others that show slightly different views but none give me a full idea of what it looks like on all sides, I will make my best guess.
cheers
d

Wearhead goods shed

2011-08-14T15:20:00.000-07:00

2 hours to make a simple goods shed. From what I can gather in the few images I have is that this shed design looks like it was used at Wearhead/St John's Chapel and Westgate. Well it will be for sure on my route. :)

Up in the Dales there are few houses so I don't have to do grouped assets. A number of Generic stone houses/barns/farmhouses/bridges and stores should cover the bulk of the scenery above Stanhope.

Wearhead Station

2011-08-13T15:32:00.001-07:00

With a few hours to fill I managed to texture and place Wearhead Station.

Shame the building was not brick, probably would look more interesting. They Pebble dashed the walls to protect them from the harsh weather up in the dales.

This building/platform will be used as the basis for a few other stations. St Johns, Westgate and Eastgate all use the same basic block and layout.

cheers

Andrew Barclay?

2011-08-08T03:30:00.000-07:00

A year or so ago I came across this this image with a Tank engine by the West Signal box.
This will be the small shunting loco that will join the other locos in the route. Just need to find out some dimensions and maybe some drawings. If not I can go for the Hawthorn instead.
d

a few B1 details

2011-08-07T06:17:00.000-07:00

All work in progress and just really throwing shapes at it while James sleeps and Emily is playing in the garden.

Probably all for today.

18 spoke Wheels

2011-08-07T03:28:00.000-07:00

To B or not to B

2011-08-06T14:08:00.000-07:00

Just something i started tinkering with, a B1. Maybe a Q7 next.

Lord of the Flies

2011-08-03T00:13:00.000-07:00

Many things around the internet make me chuckle.
Amazed at how folks on discussion pages (BBC 606 for example, or comments left on youtube videos) behave and conduct themselves, it's jaw dropping.

I read Lord of the Flies ages ago as most of us did at school, I picked it back up and re read it recently, and while still an uncomfortable read (even more so being a parent) I could not help but smile when I came across something that I see mimicked on the internet or in forums.

I look forward to seeing how the internet evolves over the years, but I'm sure there will always be a virtual soap box to get up on. (Even if no one is listening)

derek

Looking West

2011-07-28T15:20:00.001-07:00

Starting the houses around the Grand Hotel and what was Stephenson's works? Not really sure what was there. I remember some big iron gates and some large buildings and a couple of diggers I think but beyond that it is hazy. Much easier to build the Grand and Sun street!

SouthView - Black Path

2011-07-24T02:00:00.000-07:00

On modeling South View, the black path and Wilson Forge.

Above is the image looking towards the station, none of my track is final, I still need to make the changes for the line heading to Spennymoor.

Not many images of wilsons forge about but Google earth shows the buildings still in place. I walked past the place every day from School and have a good idea what the side facing SouthChurch road looks like. The 3 vents (2 pointing up and 1 down for some reason) and the big wall that ran along side it. If anyone does have a photograph of the place I'd be interested in seeing it, here is the area blocked out.

cheers

Tackle Africa football marathon 2011

2011-07-17T01:50:00.001-07:00

And so I managed to get through the the day..

Team Underdogs made up of 8 guys who never met before the event.

The weather was shocking, rain coming in horizontal across the common for many hours in the morning, it did however get a little brighter in the afternoon/evening with only a few downpours.

So how did we do? well like last year we won some, lost some and drew some. After 2 rounds we won as many as we lost so not too bad. However we lost in the first round of the knock out phase, but managed to win the others bar one. Not sure where we ended up but I think mid thirties from 52.

best names of the day were 'Me and your Mum united' and 'AC A Little Silhouetto Of Milan'.

So thank you all who gave on charity page, on the day we raised over a £100000 again so well done to you all.

Next year? who knows, maybe I need to do more training, i am hobbling around like an old man today!

View from Silver St

2011-07-14T15:27:00.000-07:00

St Annes

2011-07-09T16:03:00.001-07:00

Town Hall

2011-07-04T02:49:00.001-07:00

lets have a meeting!

Not finished yet, will add more detail when I add St Annes church and the houses behind the Town hall. Currently only using half of my (1024/1024) texture but I am sure I will need another 512/512 texture to complete the group. Also may need a few small textures to use as alpha's railing on roof.

May as well keep them all together as I unit, easier to place down.

Tuesday chuckle

2011-06-28T05:31:00.000-07:00

i got sent a link to this:

http://www.annoyances.org/exec/show/article09-208
made me chuckle.

d

Ok, United and lockey buses

2011-06-27T04:06:00.000-07:00

I really want to make some vintage buses. Ok, United and Lockeys would be perfect.
I'm no expert on buses, but if anyone knows where I can get dimensions or maybe a profile drawing to get me started that would be great.
Cheers
Derek

shed

2011-06-25T03:23:00.001-07:00

That time of year again..Tackle africa2011

2011-06-20T16:37:00.000-07:00

http://www.justgiving.com/dereksiddle01/

help if you can, if not then no problem, I understand times are hard.

best regards

Derek

textured building

2011-06-19T15:51:00.000-07:00

Large building at the top of Grey St.

2011-06-19T08:46:00.000-07:00

Here is my work in progress image of the large building at the top of Grey St which over looked the track side water tower.
This is the first of a selection of buildings that were on the far side of platform 4.
I will play about with a few elements before I texture it so they are the correct proportions. Once done I will put together to put in my route.

regards

Derek

Darlington at Wembley

2011-05-08T06:41:00.000-07:00

Well after the hilarious tears from Catboy and the 'it's over when I say it's over' saga, it was time to turn my attention to more important matters... Darlo!

My brother and his son came to stop the night before and drinks and food were had out on the astro turf till late.

Saturday could not have gone any better.
Railway pub at 12 in West Hampstead for a number (best not say how many) of lovely Tribute beers before heading to the ground.

Mansfield had more supporters than Darlo something like 13000 to Darlo's 9000, however the overall attendance was 28000 so not a bad turn out overall.

Darlo were far the better team throughout and created a number of good chances, but Mansfield had a good spell in the second half and had some noisey fans.

Darlington should have wrapped it up towards the end of normal time when the hit the bar from a freekick and a low diving header that should have been on target.

Extra time came and went until the last minute (I was expecting pennas) a cross, a header, the bar, keeper did a gomez and flapped mid air before Senior poped up at the far post to head in. The fans went wild, after the crazyness there were lots of songs and for once the darlo fans had something to cheer about.

Mansfield had a free kick at the death but it came to nothing.

More beers at the railway before pizza/wine and rounded off the day with a little BlackAdder series 3.

Days just do not get better than that!

Derek

Bishop Auckland Odeon

2011-03-20T16:49:00.000-07:00

Had a few hours spare and made the odeon, this area needs some landscaping!

d

Historic Darlington railway line awarded special status

2011-01-30T12:07:00.000-08:00

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-12318591
great news for Bishop.

d

War...

2011-01-25T14:03:00.000-08:00

War

The stretched twig of peace is at melting point.

I know who my moneys on.

d

The Siddler

2011-01-22T06:36:00.001-08:00

Back in 94 I worked at PGL, Marchants Hill, Surrey. One of the best times of my life.
I have a number of photos from the time but only this Video that my wife made into a DVD for me.
I think she just liked to see me in green tights!

Oh well, enjoy the bodge it and scarper production!

Batman vs the Siddler

regards

Derek

yesterday

2011-01-20T14:30:00.000-08:00

I had a little rest from work.

regards
Derek

39 steps

2011-01-19T01:03:00.001-08:00

Jeez... where did they time go?

No real update today, but as it is my birthday I am going to spend the day oil painting, got a few ready to start, can I really paint the Deerhouse one more time from the same spot? Of course I can, just paint it bigger each time!
:)

rejoice

Derek

Real vs RWs

2011-01-17T14:23:00.001-08:00

I have had a number of folks ask about what I am doing so I thought I would put up 2 shots to show the real and my version in RWs.

While making assets I often try and get the feel of an area rather that worry about getting it exactly right. I try and get the right number of houses in the street and match the window layout and brick colour etc, but I do not worry about every house looking as it does now. I don't live there anymore, I don't have the time to go to that detail, and i think it would not be that much fun. Also, I am modelling the route in the 50's so much would have changed anyway.
:) and I'm sticking to that.

regards

Derek

Escomb road

2011-01-16T15:12:00.001-08:00

Just building a number of terrace houses and old hospital, and I remembered I had not updated what I did with Escomb road. This is one asset with 2 lods, all detail drops off at 200 M.

The texture for this is 512/1024, however I could enlarge this to a square to fit in some of the surrounding terrace houses and sheds.

Away from the track I give myself a rule of thumb which is a 2 story building is 256 pixels high and I work from that to get the rest.

It is really easy to throw too many textures at objects. While I don't mind doing this for my stations, the filler objects need to be kept low otherwise the route will run slow and take ages to load.. sound familiar?

regards

Derek

All the best!

2010-12-31T10:25:00.000-08:00

Just a quick one to wish you all the best for 2011.

I managed to grab an hour or so to start work on Escomb road seen here at the top near the little wooden garages. Hope to show more progress tomorrow.

regards
Derek

Merry Christmas everyone

2010-12-25T00:46:00.001-08:00

I just poped on line to do a sneaky bit of modelling on my G5, (Gosh it's hard to find out info on it, though there is a group rebuilding one, 'Class G5 Locomotive Company', good luck to them.

Anyway, I'd like to wish you all a merry Christmas and a great holiday rest.

regards

Derek

K4 start

2010-12-20T14:24:00.001-08:00

Units set up and work begins, I now have the G5, J21 and K4 underway.

regards

Derek

Old Bakery beside Grey St.

2010-12-06T14:31:00.000-08:00

By using google earth, street map and various other old maps and photos I have pieced together the old Bakery/Stables/tobacco factory complex.

I don't really remember anything about the buildings, and I'm sure they were knocked down by the time I was 7 or 8, but my landscape looks less baron now that I have it in.

I have also laid the houses to Princess St, all place holder but a good start. I have tried to get the correct number of houses in the street. I will do my best to match the houses/windows on all streets, however they will all use a varied but generic texture.

So all still very much blank blocks, I can now do the fun part and texture them.

Hope to show progress over the coming days.

regards

Derek

Update

2010-11-28T12:14:00.000-08:00

I seem to be forever giving reasons why I am making slow progress, and just when I am through the issue another one pops up. Work and family eh!

Anyway, I finally got round to picking it back up again, just spending some time getting to know the route again. There are some good things been worked on at RS.com towers so I may have to re think some areas to use the new tech next year.

For now and the next couple of weeks, I will be making the area around the station. Here is some progress on the footbridge to the rec.

Off to work on the class 03 cab and characters tonight but tomorrow... I think I will tackle the large buildings behind platform 4.

derek

Where thou art?

2010-11-21T05:15:00.000-08:00

Hi,

I have had a number of pm's asking why I've stopped posting in forums.
The main answer is fairly simple, I've been busy, but also my personal time is far to important to be arguing the toss with various folks.

Rome would never have got built that way.

So in this time of non posting I have been fairly productive.
The works Yard area is coming along well, as is the 03. (images below)

I'm just texturing the cab and going through a fix list to finish it all off.

So, what is the Works (industrial North) all about? Well it grew out of the 03 shunter. I have had that on my drawing board for almost 2 years, but the team were like; 'not another shunter pack!' How very dare they! (I only have a couple left to do to have the full set!)

We discussed what we could do to make the pack more interesting than just a small diesel.

I really wanted to do Consett Steel works and surrounding area but and 03 was just not right and I did not have images for a Sentinel shunter. Not to mention how much work it would be.

As I researched the area I was amazed at how complexed it all was from track to buildings, so we brainstormed some more and came up with a works area, Doncaster became the clear favourite as we discussed ideas.

We distressed many bits of rolling stock and added a number of new buildings and assets, However, I was keen to add more characters to the area too, all animated doing various tasks.

Below is one of the recycled chatacters before being skinned and animated.

cheers

Tea time

2010-10-27T11:22:00.001-07:00

While multitasking (badly) I have been keen to put together a couple of new characters. This one taking time out to have a cuppa.

So an interesting week. RS2 out which is good.
The Arkem is quiet for a change but UK kicked off.

Not sure UKTS have got to the bottom of the real problem though. Maybe they (Matt) should be asking why the creators are taking their work down...
Anyway, for once not my problem which is nice...!

Nice!

RailWorks2

2010-10-17T12:16:00.000-07:00

So the upgrade happens tomorrow.

Everyone backed up?
I backed up this afternoon as I noticed I had not doing it for 2 months. (well at least the whole set of folders)
Not that anything should go wrong of course, just a good excuse to back up.

It feels good to be backed up, but what about the backing up of the back ups? where do you put all the data? These days the files and folders are so big it makes it difficult and time consuming to back up.
Anyway, had a good look around the forums today, some really cool stuff going on, and interesting chatter.
The route building challenge on UKTS is producing some high quality and nice to see my buildings being used, many have thanked me which was unnecessary but nice.
The signs I'm making for the guys however is eating into my time here at home but will make a difference to the routes. Just wish I had them all done.

A subject on UKTS made me laugh again, how an image and a line about the image/RWs-RWs2 can have folks jumping to all kinds of conclusions. Chinese whispers/mis quotes etc (including a few who like to stir... :) )has people talking nonsense, kinda sums up forums really.

On another note it is a shame that 'Arkem Asylum' is still being run by the inmates, not that it makes any difference of course, just a shame to see them wallowing around in the mud when the rest of the world is moving on without them.

So, onto my Wear Valley Route, great news, Google earth shows the Bishop Auckland area in the 1940s! this really is the last piece of the jigsaw regarding some areas I've struggled with.

Looks like the long dark nights will be filled with route building and object creating. (if the wife lets me)

So whats after RWs 2? well we have a couple of routes in progress and the 03 is finally going to be finished (as soon as I finish the FS cab! (did I tell anyone I hate making cabs?) )

So onward with the evolution

evolution

Steaming ahead?

2010-10-10T07:55:00.000-07:00

Just a subtle hint at what lies in store for the WVR... (thanks for the ref photos Sly)

Ok, so I have been away and very busy... all will be known soon.
(Next week will be very interesting indeed)

Anyway, after the free asset pack I put together and random DLC I now want to turn my attention to my own work. For the past few months I have been slogging away with work and my own project has suffered.

I am just in the process of making Wearhead station and surrounding area, wanted to have a look at what the moors would look like with the terrain textures, not a bad first stab but still more work needs doing.
The sky is just a test I was messing about with for one of the RS.com coders. Hopefully more on this soon.

It's good to be back.

derek

This week I ave been mostly been tired.

2010-09-06T11:57:00.000-07:00

OK back at work in a big way. Shunter shunter shunter, can not move on my hard drive for shunters!

Anyway, got some great pics from my trip north. Here are just a few. Rather than walls, trees and floors I have been mostly taking pics of skies these past few weeks.

here are a few:

Time off for good behavior

2010-08-20T01:39:00.000-07:00

ok all, I have 10 days away from the office.

Off up north for a few days to see family and friends, of course the camera will be with me incase there is a building I have not photographed.

:)

cheers
d

Tackle Africa 2010

2010-08-08T14:52:00.000-07:00

A big thank you to all that sponsored me.

By kick off on the day we (everyone) had managed to raise over £95000, this is expected to rise well above £100000 once all pledges are received.

A big thank you to all involved.

So the day was tough, couple of comedy moments during the freak downpour, we did not do as well as last year and only managed to come in at around 30th out of 52.
We won a few, but managed to draw as many as we lost.
Of course the winning was not that important, just getting through the day was.
We had 2 fallers by midday, and a lame duck in goal that actually played far better than the rest of the team.

So, I think I did more running than last year, as much shouting and swearing and managed to grab a couple of goals. 1 or 2 were almost roy of the rovers stuff too. Of course we will not talk about the 'chuckle brother' moments of which I was involved in a few. :)

As last year there were some really funny names, Shame my team did not go for my suggestion of 'Lorrain Kelly's growler'
Anyway, I think 'Smack my pitch up', 'Diaby Does Gallas' and 'Your Mum's Athletic' are the names that made me chuckle.

top day, will I do next year? who knows.
Hope I am still up for it.

cheers

Del

Can I kick it?

2010-08-06T13:12:00.001-07:00

Ok big day tomorrow, so having an early night after a bit of shunter unwrap action.

Thank you to all who sponsered me!

cheers
d

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=298vtPJYSTM

this never gets boring!

Wesley church - Newgate Street

2010-07-18T14:31:00.000-07:00

Ok, as much as I will be doing on the Wesley church.

As this church is right by the track and a big feature in Bishop Auckland so it has it's own texture page. It is a little ropey in parts and I have just noticed I have missed a chimney off it. As I don't live in Bishop and it is a 3 hour drive away I am only working off a small number of images, this texture was made from 3 photos and there were many hours of photoshop trickery to get it all squared up.
Anyway enough is enough and time to move on.

regards

Derek

Tackle Africa

2010-07-17T08:00:00.000-07:00

It's that time of the year when I pull on the old boots one more time and see if I still have it... the shouty man voice that is!

http://www.justgiving.com/Derek-Siddle

please help if you can.

best regards

Derek

Football over :( well done spain!

2010-07-13T13:07:00.000-07:00

Now that the world cup has come to an end I find myself with some free time.
Not been doing very much of late on this route, tinkering mostly.
The heat and tears from the little one has burnt out all my energy.
Still, laughing at 'lunch ladies' passes the time and is always fun too.

Anyway, off on a research trip tomorrow to get into the cab of another loco we have in dev.
Such kind and friendly people out there.

derek

Ich Nichten lichten

2010-06-27T23:24:00.001-07:00

He didn't like it but had to go along with it.

Summer field

2010-06-27T02:04:00.001-07:00

Wear at the dam head just on the left, railway line up on the horizon. Just filling out some scenery waiting for the football to start...

cheers

Just a few updates

2010-06-22T01:50:00.000-07:00

Wesley Church (4 Clocks) WIP

View of Cemetery and Bracks wood. Lot os housing to lay down but it is all marked out. You can just about see the station in the top left.

d

Weardale Railway

2010-06-08T15:46:00.001-07:00

Thanks to my brother for putting us up.
Got to ride the DMU up to stanhope from Bishop.

Bishop Auckland West

The siddlers at Wolsingham station.

Just a screenshot

2010-06-07T10:34:00.001-07:00

I'm back!

2010-06-03T14:54:00.000-07:00

Hi,

Off up north this weekend to ride the 141 to Stanhope from Bishop Auckland.
Ok not a classic DMU (did I really just say that?) but still pleased the line is now open.

Last time I did that I think was in 1989. I then walked the 10 mile to Burnhope Reservoir ( A place I use to go fishing with my dad)

First time the little siddler has been north and the rest of the clan are keen to meet the little fella.

Look forward to making more progress on this route very soon.

Flickr

2010-05-01T02:26:00.000-07:00

I have set up a personal flickr site to share some of the images I use to create my textures.

See link on the right, or link below:

Here

Feel free to use these images for your own personal projects.
No restrictions apply.

regards

Derek

Where am I?

2010-04-23T09:30:00.000-07:00

Sorry to you that follow the blog, I'm just finishing off the 101 DMU which is taking up most of my work and free time, once done I'll be back on this.

regards

Derek

lights on

2010-03-20T16:49:00.001-07:00

random shot

2010-03-20T06:25:00.000-07:00

Bishop Auckland - Platform 1

2010-03-17T16:06:00.000-07:00

First light bake pass on platform 1.

A tad to dark but over all pleased it is almost done. Platform 4 clutter and remaining out buildings still to do.

regards

Derek

Platform 3 seen from platform 2

2010-03-11T16:35:00.000-08:00

Not final but getting there... still. Needs People! (and maybe a train)

Platform 3 WIP

2010-03-10T15:33:00.000-08:00

Still lots to do but it all fits together well. Now the details and do I model the inside of the booking office? hmmm, maybe later in the year!

d

Monday Fun

2010-03-08T03:09:00.000-08:00

Stephen Fry is brilliant, and this from room 101 made me chuckle this morning.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tO_jmUDaHSA&feature=related

About 4.25 there is a bit about a film critic, sounds very familiar...
:)

d

Footbridge_WIP

2010-03-07T15:22:00.001-08:00

Still in a very unfinished state with large chunks not lit.

Just put together the first pass of the footbridge. I don't remember this at all and have only seen it in old photos.

I will go back to the bridge later because I think I may have to model inside it and I really don't want to do that till I have modelled Platform 1.

More Platform 2

2010-03-07T04:32:00.001-08:00

Platform2 WIP

2010-03-06T14:06:00.000-08:00

Getting there but not happy with the canapy boarder and also missing a few details.
I like the Filey and Whitley bay posters mind
d

Public Warning

2010-03-06T09:23:00.000-08:00

Just a quick object today, Public Warning notice. This is the sign that was next to the East Signal Box.

Sign

2010-03-05T14:10:00.000-08:00

Only an hour or so free this evening, but i thought I'd get the sign out the way.

tunnel test bake

2010-03-04T17:36:00.000-08:00

You can see from my earlier post how important a light bake is in RWs.

This is just a dirty hack bake and just done quickly to see how it might look.

Fairly pleased with progress.

Passageway

2010-03-04T07:01:00.000-08:00

Not shadow baked or lit yet. Also missing details and the slight curve.
I'm amazed at how long this section has taken.

BA station WIP

2010-03-03T03:41:00.000-08:00

When you have a new born you find yourself awake and sleeping at very odd times.
During my awake time (and family sleep time) I have been pottering with the station some more.
Pretty happy with the overall shape and placement, just replacing the blocks with more detailed versions of the buildings. Then once I am happy I will shadow bake the elements.
More soon.

d

James D Siddle

2010-02-27T14:29:00.001-08:00

Just a few hours old and looking like he has just been in his first scrap.

Family home and well.

d

Valley

2010-02-24T00:22:00.000-08:00

Wear Valley rest

2010-01-31T13:21:00.000-08:00

Just having a rest from the Bishop project while I work on Project platform. please click link on right for more info.

cheers

d

Station Progress part 1

2010-01-23T10:01:00.000-08:00

Rolling back the years

2010-01-18T15:53:00.001-08:00

How time flies.

38 today! (19th)

Thanks to the footy boys for the beers, (and Whiskey) we won and I scored 5 goals!
Happy days.
Just about to enjoy a wee glass of Oban.

Cheers all.

del

Crook Platform

2010-01-17T15:18:00.001-08:00

A busy weekend really, The snows gone and so has my attic!
Saturday full of family, but I manage to sit down to write a tutorial on TrainLightMapwithDiffuse material for Max:

http://the-art-of-rws.blogspot.com/

Also managed to have a couple of hand bags, reminded me of the poem about he pot and the kettle.

Still, all's well that ends well.
:)

Sunday I managed to grab a few hours to finally get back to the main station at Bishop Auckland. Here you can see work in progress of the Crook platform.
I should have enough details to be able to model the path through the building to the slope that leads to the approach. I will have to work on my lighting rig to get the shadow map right but once done it will look like an impressive structure, and one you will be able to fly around inside somewhat.

Still a long way to go.

d

Fun

2010-01-11T14:41:00.000-08:00

http://en.tackfilm.se/?id=1263248372246RA56

Guildford Snooooowwwwwww

2010-01-08T10:18:00.002-08:00

little brick huts

2010-01-05T15:27:00.000-08:00

Re-using the signal box texture, (again) I have created a few little huts to sit along side the track at various places.
Nothing special but they will be very useful.

regards

Derek

Laying some bushes

2009-12-31T01:26:00.001-08:00

Not had much time to do much over the holidays, but the rest was nice too!

I did however manage to find 1950's maps of my entire route, and I now know where the turntable was at Wearhead!
(My wife is not really impressed at my findings!)
Here I have been using the map to lay hedges around the South Church area.

While getting the detail how i want it is time consuming it is rather enjoyable and very much like oil painting. I look forward to getting some time to complete the route.

d

Permanent way

2009-12-23T09:49:00.000-08:00

The Permanent way building that use to be opposite the Station (just off Escomb rd).

We use to call it the 'blue' building because in the 80's all doors were blue, creative stuff!

I have to hold my hands up, I smashed a few windows in that building in the 80's (and more besides, but we will not talk about that!)

Doing my best to rebuild it.

Merry Christmas everyone!

regards

Derek

Tornado Edition

2009-12-10T06:50:00.000-08:00

It is always nice when you come to the end of a mini project, there is a great sense of accomplishment!

The Tornado was started many months ago but could only really move on once we had been on the resource trip.

The guys have worked hard on this loco and the beta team have all been key to the quality.

So on the eve of launch of a limited addition run of RailWorks which includes the Tornado addon the team are due a little Rand R for a couple of weeks. (after a few beers!)

It's been a long and hard year for the guys, but RW's is going from strength to strength and I am very proud of the team and what we have all managed to achieve.

On a personal note I'm glad the class 37 made it out, and it looks like the 101 and 03 are well on the way too.

Hopefully further progress will be made on the WVR, that and the grand plans we have at RS.com we will have another busy and creative year.

There have been some wonderful works by the able talent from the community too, great projects going on around the world and more to come next year.

I'm looking forward to 2010 more than ever and it may well be open season on the dinner nannies.

derek

A1 and Bishop Auckland North Signal Box

2009-12-06T13:10:00.000-08:00

Just a little fictional scene with the Bishop Auckland North Signal Box.

Twister hits Bishop!

2009-12-05T07:03:00.001-08:00

Just doing some testing on my WVR line. I think the Tornado will be here many times in the future.

tangent

2009-11-29T13:54:00.000-08:00

North signal box

2009-11-27T02:42:00.001-08:00

There are not many images of the North signal box at Bishop Auckland, this one however is one is a beauty. Will get cracking on this over the weekend.

d

Looking over to the Bishop's Park

2009-11-18T14:37:00.000-08:00

RIP Derek B - EZ Q

2009-11-17T15:20:00.000-08:00

A sad passing of a british hip hop artist.

Goodgroove and Bad young brother were 2 tracks that meant so much to me in my mid teens.

Seems kind of gentle now, but back then it was fresh.

Goodgroove
Bad young brother

d

looking across at the Cemetery

2009-11-17T03:23:00.000-08:00

Just playing around with foliage