Once upon a time, before the life I have now, I was a roofer for some 15 years. I learned my trade from an old roofer who was himself a third generation roofer so I spent a lot of time repairing churches and old houses and such. Specialist work, as well as the more modern styles of roofing that we have today. As a result of this to this day I spend a lot of time looking architecture and at roofs for some strange reason :) I have an appreciation for what people could do with so little in terms of tools and the craftsmanship cannot be match today by many. I now work in IT and in many ways miss working on roofs but the recession of 2006-7 made me put being able to pay the mortgage first so I re-skilled :) What hit me the first time I ever saw Wrenton was the attention to detail on the roofs of the houses and in particular the "lead work" of the church, old habits die hard they say :) A lot of people may not ever notice it but I was hit by the sheer attention to detail in that particular aspect of the layout, as well as all the rest of the subtle little details. What you do is a craft in it's own right and you have my utmost respect for this. What came with the IT work was stress, which is strange when you consider my previous occupation involved working over 100 ft in the air on a 2 inch beam :) I find Wrenton strangely soothing so thank you for sharing it with us :)
Thanks Raven. I think the roofs of models are important because they are so visible, unlike the real thing! Most of the houses and cottages on the layout have tiled roofs which are derived from photos of some of the real roofs in Finchingfield.
Thank you Roger for sharing your wonderful method of building your church. I like that you use balsa wood for rigidity of the walls. Cardboard on its own just isn’t enough. You replicated the wall stone work and windows very well. I like the way that you can cut out directly from your drawing software too. Very well done indeed 👍🏼. The trains passing are so beautiful and the scenery so restful (I think I faintly heard the church organ playing a Bach Toccata above the birdsong 🎶).
Hi Roger - You are definitely a master builder in my books. Your church is exquisite, what a masterpiece for your layout. Definitely a lot I will copy from your videos, the ballasting material and colours for a start when i get round to it. Regards Chris
As a small boy, I had a jigsaw of Finchingfield. The first time I saw a photo of your layout in the NGS Journal I was reminded of it. Outstanding work! I’ve just found out about your channel today. It’s wonderful to finally see Wrenton in the fourth dimension. Best wishes, -Ed
Greetings Roger 🌞 what another fantastic visit to Wrenton ❤️ so peaceful and enjoyable 😎 The Church is a masterpiece 🤩 and it was fascinating to see the process behind the build 👍 an inspired use of Photoshop to make the wall texture 😍 Very best wishes from County Wicklow ☘️
I have said before of your layout, the best I have seen, but that Church is just on a whole other level of excellence, an absolute pleasure to watch this video, thank you.
That view at 3.52 is beautiful. I am just beginning to start putting my buildings together on my N gauge layout, mostly Melcalfe cardboard cutouts But after seeing your scratch built buildings dare I try and build my own? You have inspired me to at least have a go. Getting the trains to run is the easy bit. Creating the whole diorama, now that means really getting your sleeves rolled up. I have been perusing your Wrenton website. Thank you for all the work and the love.
Thanks Alan. I really wanted to get that 'S' bend in the trackwork even though there's no logical reason for it. I try to avoid straight lines in my garden, too! Good luck if you try scratch building. The Metcalfe models may give you ideas about how to do it - I built a couple of them though they didn't stay on the layout.
Thanks Simon. Not much to show, really. The layout doesn't have a lighting rig, instead I use four old 400w security lights mounted on stands at about 2m high. I angle them up so the light is all reflected from the ceiling. I use an iPad mounted on a tripod - I'd prefer to use a phone but my one doesn't do very good video.
Bonjour Roger, Everything on your 'magnifique' layout is high standard and the construction of this church is just outstanding. Very well done !! I watched all your video's and enjoyed the work of your hands and the superb design. Nicely balanced track plan vs peaceful landscaping and scenic elements. Beautiful trains, all running very well. Your 'Wrenton' truly is a great work of art and will inspire many model railroaders. The precision is stunning regarding the small scale. I'm into OO/Ho and find it a challenge to get all the details right and in harmony. Excellent and very creative Roger. Bravo !! But how do you operate your wonderful creation ? DC or DCC ? You have a 'shadow station' from where the trains start ? Maybe a video on the tech side of Wrenton ? Thanks for sharing & success. Greetings from France, Filip
Thanks Filip. It's DCC control and there's a ten road fiddle yard behind the back scene. There's a track plan on page 47 of my web site at www.roger-beckwith.co.uk/mr/. Best wishes.
It takes you back to when the world seemed a better place. Beautiful.
Almost as good as a Tardis! Thanks Phil.
Thank you for another opportunity to visit the wonderful tranquility of 'Wrenton.' The church is a lovely and unique model. 7 weeks well spent!
Thanks Tim!
Churches are probably the most difficult of buildings to get right. Yours is quite simply a masterpiece.
Thanks Martin. It's certainly my favourite building on the layout.
Once upon a time, before the life I have now, I was a roofer for some 15 years.
I learned my trade from an old roofer who was himself a third generation roofer so I spent a lot of time repairing churches and old houses and such.
Specialist work, as well as the more modern styles of roofing that we have today.
As a result of this to this day I spend a lot of time looking architecture and at roofs for some strange reason :)
I have an appreciation for what people could do with so little in terms of tools and the craftsmanship cannot be match today by many.
I now work in IT and in many ways miss working on roofs but the recession of 2006-7 made me put being able to pay the mortgage first so I re-skilled :)
What hit me the first time I ever saw Wrenton was the attention to detail on the roofs of the houses and in particular the "lead work" of the church, old habits die hard they say :)
A lot of people may not ever notice it but I was hit by the sheer attention to detail in that particular aspect of the layout, as well as all the rest of the subtle little details.
What you do is a craft in it's own right and you have my utmost respect for this.
What came with the IT work was stress, which is strange when you consider my previous occupation involved working over 100 ft in the air on a 2 inch beam :)
I find Wrenton strangely soothing so thank you for sharing it with us :)
Thanks Raven. I think the roofs of models are important because they are so visible, unlike the real thing! Most of the houses and cottages on the layout have tiled roofs which are derived from photos of some of the real roofs in Finchingfield.
Absolutely beautiful scene, the church is magnificent.
Many thanks!
Thank you Roger for sharing your wonderful method of building your church. I like that you use balsa wood for rigidity of the walls. Cardboard on its own just isn’t enough. You replicated the wall stone work and windows very well. I like the way that you can cut out directly from your drawing software too. Very well done indeed 👍🏼. The trains passing are so beautiful and the scenery so restful (I think I faintly heard the church organ playing a Bach Toccata above the birdsong 🎶).
Thanks Arthur. I was almost tempted to add a hint of organ music in the background!
Excellent model of the church looks very realistic to my eyes
Thanks David.
Hi Roger - You are definitely a master builder in my books. Your church is exquisite, what a masterpiece for your layout.
Definitely a lot I will copy from your videos, the ballasting material and colours for a start when i get round to it.
Regards Chris
Thanks Chris. Glad you like the church - my favourite building on the layout.
As a small boy, I had a jigsaw of Finchingfield. The first time I saw a photo of your layout in the NGS Journal I was reminded of it. Outstanding work! I’ve just found out about your channel today. It’s wonderful to finally see Wrenton in the fourth dimension. Best wishes, -Ed
Thanks Ed. I just wish I'd had space for the pond which probably featured on your jigsaw!
A work of absolute beauty, thank you.
Thank you too!
This is a fabulous model, wonderful work. Pendon-esque.
Thanks Frank.
Greetings Roger 🌞 what another fantastic visit to Wrenton ❤️ so peaceful and enjoyable 😎 The Church is a masterpiece 🤩 and it was fascinating to see the process behind the build 👍 an inspired use of Photoshop to make the wall texture 😍 Very best wishes from County Wicklow ☘️
Many thanks Paul. Glad you enjoyed the latest video.
Fantastic build! But you whole village looks amazingly realistic. Fantastic layout!
Thank you very much!
Such an inspiring building i really like it 😉
It helps when the prototype is attractive, as here!
This is why I have notifications turned on. Lovely stuff, Mr. Beckwith.
Thanking you!
I have said before of your layout, the best I have seen, but that Church is just on a whole other level of excellence, an absolute pleasure to watch this video, thank you.
Many thanks!
That view at 3.52 is beautiful. I am just beginning to start putting my buildings together on my N gauge layout, mostly Melcalfe cardboard cutouts But after seeing your scratch built buildings dare I try and build my own? You have inspired me to at least have a go. Getting the trains to run is the easy bit. Creating the whole diorama, now that means really getting your sleeves rolled up. I have been perusing your Wrenton website. Thank you for all the work and the love.
Thanks Alan. I really wanted to get that 'S' bend in the trackwork even though there's no logical reason for it. I try to avoid straight lines in my garden, too! Good luck if you try scratch building. The Metcalfe models may give you ideas about how to do it - I built a couple of them though they didn't stay on the layout.
Beautiful model Roger :)
All the best
Matt
Many thanks.
So very realistic, a great watch
Many thanks. Glad you enjoyed it!
Hi Roger, excellent lighting, can you make a video showing your set up?
Thanks Simon. Not much to show, really. The layout doesn't have a lighting rig, instead I use four old 400w security lights mounted on stands at about 2m high. I angle them up so the light is all reflected from the ceiling. I use an iPad mounted on a tripod - I'd prefer to use a phone but my one doesn't do very good video.
Bonjour Roger, Everything on your 'magnifique' layout is high standard and the construction of this church is just outstanding. Very well done !! I watched all your video's and enjoyed the work of your hands and the superb design. Nicely balanced track plan vs peaceful landscaping and scenic elements. Beautiful trains, all running very well. Your 'Wrenton' truly is a great work of art and will inspire many model railroaders. The precision is stunning regarding the small scale. I'm into OO/Ho and find it a challenge to get all the details right and in harmony. Excellent and very creative Roger. Bravo !! But how do you operate your wonderful creation ? DC or DCC ? You have a 'shadow station' from where the trains start ? Maybe a video on the tech side of Wrenton ? Thanks for sharing & success. Greetings from France, Filip
Thanks Filip. It's DCC control and there's a ten road fiddle yard behind the back scene. There's a track plan on page 47 of my web site at www.roger-beckwith.co.uk/mr/. Best wishes.
@@rogerdB Thank you for the link to your web pages! Most enjoyable and great information. Kind regards, Filip
What cutter do you use ?
Silhouette Portrait.
@@rogerdB is that the brand of the machine ?
Brand and model. See www.silhouetteamerica.com/featured-product/portrait. See mine working here: th-cam.com/video/5gi_ZbUsxZ0/w-d-xo.html.
@@rogerdB ah, you use thick paper, I thougt it was plasticard
Paper for the mock-up, plasticard for the actual model.
I'm so disappointed, the video didn't last as long as I wanted, I'm hoping the next one last at least 4 times longer.
If I made them that long I'd never have time to do any model making!!
@@rogerdB You are right about that, but you can of course let us enjoy the work you do on the model railroad. I wouldn't mind.
is your layout dc or dcc?
It's DCC. Prodigy Advance 2.
I'm going to check out your channel now! New fan :)!! Do not waste your time = P R O M O S M!!!
Hope you enjoy the other videos!
Greetings, Love your Work
Thanks Klaus.