Moving on with the scenics....
The Cattledock (and end-loading bay).
Simple job - infill the track with 'granite setts', allowing for a drainage gully.
Good 'ole S E Finecast - commendably thin, so no problem with flangeway clearance, but laid on a piece of 20 thou, painted black down the centreline, and 20 thou thicknessers on the edges to provide a slope to the gully. The client will add etched grilles to the gully... Also noticeable now - the brick walling to the cattledock!
For the last two years there have been moments of elation, more often outweighed by moments of frustration (usually electronics related!) However, the last couple of months has seen real progress, with the trackwork finally working properly and being ballasted. This was done using two colours of 'N Gauge' ballast (to represent the LBSC's shingle ballast obtained from 'The Crumbles' near Eastbourne) mixed and laid dry with 'Cascamite' powder adhesive. A good soaking with a fine misting spray and
This blog is a bit like a 'bus service... Nothing for ages then two come along at once!
Initially the goods shed was intended to be built of brick, using the prototype at Baynards as a guide -
(Image from client)
However, the clien, during a discussion re the building pointed out that the LBSC also built some goods sheds in wood - and whilst the later building on site WAS brick-built, in the period being modelled (1840-70) there was a good chance the structure would have been built
My intention was to place passengers in the coaches - however there is a dearth of 'Victorian Era' seated figures! My client pointed me to the range created by Andrew Stadden, and I selected and ordered the relvant set from his web-site. Within an hour of placing the order Andrew phoned me in person, very apologetic that there would be a weeks delay in the figures as he was going off on holiday the next day! He offered to return the money - or if I cared to wait he would include an extra five
An apology (or 2)... Firstly - sorry its been a while - what with Xmas and some personal modelling (if you're interested visit the 'micro-mouse section' at http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/113568-the-odiham-branch-a-new-project-in-2mmfs/)...Secondly - whilst I started work on this section of the commission before Xmas I've mislaid the images - so bear with me, your coming in with the work 30% done!
This part revolves round the construction of two very early (1845) coaches
Complete!
A bit of a cheat tho' - its 'posed' on 'Tryfan Sidings'!
I've now also completed two 'running-in boards - one for the platform and another that was situated at the approach to the station throat.. Doubtless they will appear in the fullness of time!
Right - next - the goods shed...
Time to finish this - it has to be with the client by Friday!
In the interest of speed I have cheated slightly -
I WAS going to scratch-build the steps but a trip to 'Alton Models' for something else provided a couple of lengths of 'Plastruct' steps... Add some handrails and job done.
The same trip yielded a 'Ratio' signal-box detailing kit -
and with some modifications (this is a VERY small box!) it fits in (just).
However -
The block bells etc have had t
Okay, on with the signal-cabin - assembling the main structure.
This is a real 'multimedia' model - acrylic, card, plasticard etc....
The 'upperworks' consist mainly of the four sections seen in 'part 1' - here they have been assembled with 'PVA'
The next job was to assemble the 'locking-room' base - this was a simple(-ish) task, using 0.030" plasticard..
Here we are just waiting the crane to lift the 'glass-house' into position! The observant will note that the 'floor'
About a year ago I drew up the plans for the 'signal box' - a 'Saxby & Farmer type !' - based on various sources :-
and now, finally, I'm getting round to building it. As usual I start with the windows. Regular readers will know I have my own method involving adhesive paper, acrylic, card and lots of cutting out. Well, the first three components are still there but the methodology has changed... I'm not going to take up bandwidth, but the story is here:-
.rmweb.co.uk/community/i
Having been tasked to build a small board for the REC's 'O' gauge layout (which would effectively replace the goods yard and turn the layout into a terminus) I found there was just room enough for a small goods shed.
Being a fan of the 'DN&SR' I decided that the 'goods lock-up' at Burghclere would make a suitable subject.
As ever I decided to make a mock-up in card, based on the cutting file for the laser cutter...
(Please note that the small porch over the trackside door i
Whilst my client was away on holiday, he asked me to complete some kits he'd started - all in whitemetal, from '5&9' who do a great range of early LBSC 'Stroudley' cattlewagons. There appear to be sufficient in the range to model most of the variants (I'm not an 'LBSC' man, so don't take my word for it...)
One of the problems is the buffing gear. Its brilliant (if you want a static model) but not so good if you want to operate.
Cast in whitemetal, the buffer shanks are EXTREMELY
No entries for a while - and here's the reason...
One side of the workshop, where I've now installed an 'Emblazer' laser cutter. To those who are not aware - the story is on the 'special interests' forum - look for 'Darkly Laser'.
Best £750 (including import duties) that I've spent in... Well. we won't go into that! Suffice to say I'm REALLY impressed -although like all things it has a 'learning curve'!
Given my penchant for making buildings & brickwork, the cutting runs can
I've been working regularly with my client on the 'Midhurst' model - mainly concentrating on track & point electrics (not my strong point...) a couple of weeks ago we had a VERY frustrating day, when, no matter what we did, we could not get a point to correctly polarise the crossing.
The second factor in this tale is the timesetting for the model. 1860... The only horsepower available was, well, horsepower!
So as a little compensation for the 'wasted' hours, I made this
from
Okay - I didn't win. Against that, neither did anyone else! Unfortunately there were only three entrants on the night, out of 6 that were promised. All three layouts which were exhibited had 'teething problems'. Mine - having happily run with a pair of croc clips acting as the power feed - suddenly shorted completely. Only when I got the layout home did I find out that the pins on a (brand new) 2-pin socket had closed up and were shorting...
So, by a unanimous decision, judging has been put
Another solid day's modelling, concentrating on stock, scenics and architecture - not necessarily in that order.....
First job was to tome down the scenic base using acrylics. Much better... At the same time the roads went in, and the rear access path to the terrace. The buildings are a bit 'gappy' round their bases, but a bit more scenic work should resolve that.
Then the 'wadding' (see the earlier post) was applied using latex adhesive. Time for coffee & walk the dog to allow
Too green at the moment! Attendance at the 'Basingstoke Show' (well done to the organisers - about the right combination of trade & layout - more anon) limited the amount of time working on the layout. However, Friday afternoon was spent adding the groundwork framing - the usual strips of card, held down with latex glue (think 'Copydex' - but not too hard, theres' good, cheaper alternatives out there!). Big advantage over PVA - it drys quickly - in fact you can use it like 'Evostik') -
About 65 hours working time now. The major development has been above the 'Canal Bridge' where another 'Metcalfe Model' (much chopped) provides a background. On the opposite side of the cobbled street is the 'Union' pub (the only 'scratchbuilt' structure on the layout) and a relic of an earlier unfinished brewery layout..
Further development has seen the skeleton of the earthworks added using 12mm high-density foam (off-cuts from other modelling projects). These will be covered wit
Well, 33 hours modelling time and most of the last 12 hours or so has been spent on the architecture.... High above the sidings, the community of 'Tryfan Terrace' is taking shape.
Okay, they're commercially available cardstock kits - but scratchbuilding this lot in 12 hours or so would have been a feat worth doing! It's tempting to say 'well it's only a shunting challenge' but I DO like doing scenic work and the proposed steep, grass-covered embankment should show the action off nicely.
Okay, 13 working hours in to the project....
First, I hit a snag - namely code 75 track & code 100 pointwork.. B...ER! However I was off to Alton Model Centre on Friday anyway, so resolved the issue by buying a new Code 75 'three-way' point (it was only later I realised it would have been cheaper to replace the plain track... Ho Hum!).
So, on to construction. all the goods rolling stock will be built from kits. They'll all be pretty much 'out of the box', except the buffer-beams will
About three months ago, the secretary of the Railway Enthusiasts Club Farnborough announced that he was organising a 'Shunting puzzle' layout competition to coincide with the Club AGM. At the time I didn't consider entering - too much to do with the commissions etc.However, this afternoon in a vain attempt to tidy up the studio I came across some 16.5mm track which I'd always intended for a 'quickie' layout. I also had two 4' x 2' baseboards...
So 'Tryfan Sidings' was born. The main issue is
The bridge went in today & glad to say the customer is very pleased with it (Stops playing trumpet...!) Two views below - it'll look even better when the buttress to the right is finished, the lane is metalled and a farm cart will make it's way under the bridge! (It's 1860's - and there are NO cars.. The second view will (I hope) be enhanced by a backscene that includes a representation of the LSWR station.. More work for 'Paintshop Pro'! Tomorrow I hope to do some of my OWN mode
Midhurst LBSCR was the first station in the town - but not for long. The LSWR soon followed suit and it made sense to link the two traffic-wise. So a short connecting spur was laid between the two, passing over a local lane on a plate girder bridge. This forms one end of the layout under construction so effectively becomes a headshunt.
The commission required a bit of 'recycling' as the client had in hand an old 'Airfix' turntable which could provide the sides.
A quick plan as drawn up,
As many of you are aware, about two years ago I formed my own company - 'Perfection In Miniature', offering a
model-making service covering most fields. Since then business has grown (hooray!) but personal modelling has
virtually ceased (Boo!) - the joys of turning a hobby into a business!
Activities have included making a model of a set for an upcoming film (just a little diorama - a mere 3m x 2m when
assembled). Its a War movie - hence it's got lots of miniature soldiers etc - must find
The client was in the process of commisioning this product from another company when we became aquainted. A few weeks ago, the model arrived
and I was asked if I could 'breathe' on it..
Jobs to do...
1. re-affix the centre chimney which the client had removed in error. provide 'flash round all the chimneys.
2.
Add guttering and down-pipes to both extensions and the rear of the building(?) (the platform side will be dealt-with
by a gulley between the building and the (
So much for starting on the station building...
A quick trip to my 'local' modelshop ('Alton Models' about 10 miles away) provided me with some 'Knightwing' parts
so
the centre bearing cover (with some judicious use of a razor saw) was made from these -
At the same time the 'locking latch' was added to the table -
and I'm sure you can recognise the origin!
The locking pin itself will be on the 'walkway' -
made from my favourite material, 'Depron'. In
