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meeth

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RIP it up and start again...


bcnPete

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Afternoon peeps,

 

Followers of my blogs and threads will note this is a usual post in the evolution of anyone of my projects...and now it’s time for Meeth :rolleyes:

 

Following completion of ballasting I was shocked at just how bad the running qualities were of the layout, which prompted the recent foray into my 7mm project.

 

However a trip to Railwells a few weeks ago, saw Mick Simpson’s superb 2FS Callaton layout and the running qualities were enviable so I decided to get out the scrapers, screwdrivers and various dental tools at my disposal to try and get the layout running.

 

Following 1/2 hr of said work above, it was still pretty awful so I decided to bite the bullet and rip it up...turnout included. After all, if you can’t get a single track and siding running sweetly, what hope is there?

 

So, much scraping and hacking later, I have now removed it and I will rethink my tactics. Am tempted to try the method of laying the sleepers, ballasting and then threading the rail. I might also return to the dry ballast and dilute PVA application as for some time I have been applying painstakingly by paintbrush...

 

In other news I have just returned from 10 days in Ibiza where I managed to break a rib following an accident involving one of those inflatabliles towed at high speed behind a speedboat...so the next 6 weeks may be thinking rather than doing time as it hurts when I stoop over the layout :yes:

 

Here’s where we are at...cue 80’s song by Orange Juice...:jester:

 

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As always...comments welcome...;)

 

Pete

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Oh dear oh dear (both for the track and the rib).

 

Actually the last shot has a certain ambience. Maybe a post-closure cameo with a JCB or bulldozer dragging away the last few sleepers and bits of rail?

 

Operation possibilities may be limited though and it would probably be disqualified from the GJ challenge.

 

Hope the rib mends soon.

 

Regards, Andy

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Hi Pete,

 

Think Andy is right in the comparison of a post-closure cameo. 

 

Thankfully the phoenix will rise from the ashes and once more Class 25's and 31's will be running on the newly laid track...

 

Looking forwards to delayed progress reports.  Broken ribs are very painful! Ouch!

 

Cheers,

 

Mark

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Hi Pete. Shame about the step backwards, but if it's not working for you taking steps forward gets you to a worse place still. If you decide to lay sleepers, then ballast, then thread rail, you might want to try my method: walnut sleepers laid and stained, which look better than ply or plastic ones and take the solvent better because of the more open grain; then chairs threaded onto rail and stuck down with solvent after ballasting. You can do turnouts the same way; by laying the crossing, then ballasting, then gauging everything from the crossing. I've built 12 so far, with a further 6 just needing blades, and about 80-90 ft of single track so far and am really pleased with the results.

Ballasting and painting the easitrac on my 2mmFS layout proved much more difficult than the tracklaying itself. I've tried the above method in 2mmFS and it works, by the way. I can let you know the walnut strip supplier if you wish; it comes in 1m lengths and is 2mm x 1mm section.

Good luck with whatever you try

 

Ian

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better done now than finding out later how poorly its runs 
Cheers Nick...absolutely...besides, I always have these setbacks!

 

Oh dear oh dear (both for the track and the rib). Actually the last shot has a certain ambience. Maybe a post-closure cameo with a JCB or bulldozer dragging away the last few sleepers and bits of rail? Operation possibilities may be limited though and it would probably be disqualified from the GJ challenge. Hope the rib mends soon. Regards, Andy
Cheers Andy - Yes it would certainly be the dullest entry to the DJ Challenge...determined to see this one through though as there is still plenty of time left ;)

 

Hi Pete, Think Andy is right in the comparison of a post-closure cameo.  Thankfully the phoenix will rise from the ashes and once more Class 25's and 31's will be running on the newly laid track... Looking forwards to delayed progress reports.  Broken ribs are very painful! Ouch! 
Thanks also Mark - perhaps I can use the rib recovery time to think through the new process, rather than rush into it...

 

Hi Pete. Shame about the step backwards, but if it's not working for you taking steps forward gets you to a worse place still. If you decide to lay sleepers, then ballast, then thread rail, you might want to try my method: walnut sleepers laid and stained, which look better than ply or plastic ones and take the solvent better because of the more open grain; then chairs threaded onto rail and stuck down with solvent after ballasting. You can do turnouts the same way; by laying the crossing, then ballasting, then gauging everything from the crossing. I've built 12 so far, with a further 6 just needing blades, and about 80-90 ft of single track so far and am really pleased with the results.Ballasting and painting the easitrac on my 2mmFS layout proved much more difficult than the tracklaying itself. I've tried the above method in 2mmFS and it works, by the way. I can let you know the walnut strip supplier if you wish; it comes in 1m lengths and is 2mm x 1mm section.Good luck with whatever you try
Many thanks Ian,That does sound good although I was assuming to just use easitrac again for the plain track which already has the chairs on...I just need to rebuild the turnout again first as that will allow me to set out the two lines.Am trying to think it through rather than rush into it...the turnout always being my Achilles heel :rolleyes:Pete
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Thanks all re the rib...managed to get to 52 years before breaking the first bone in my body...hopefully it will be the last :yes:

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Hi Pete,

 

A step backwards to take a few forward is no bad thing at all. It sounds like you have got your mojo back and look forward to seeing progress. Don't forget about the 7mm scale big boys toys though!!

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Dear Sir, being towed behind speedboats in Ibiza does not conform with the public perception of railway modellers. Please revert to type immediately!

 

Only joking Pete. That's a shame about the track, but at least it's not a room-size mega-layout. It's actually interesting to see the layout with scenery but no track, it shows just how much potential the layout has. I hope you'll find the motivation to finish it, I think it's a good example of how much can be achieved with a clever design and few but well considered features.

 

I really like the colour of the grass by the way. 

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Hi Pete, A step backwards to take a few forward is no bad thing at all. It sounds like you have got your mojo back and look forward to seeing progress. Don't forget about the 7mm scale big boys toys though!!

Thanks David - yes the 7mm is my ‘go to project’ when this all goes belly up ;)

 

Dear Sir, being towed behind speedboats in Ibiza does not conform with the public perception of railway modellers. Please revert to type immediately! Only joking Pete. That's a shame about the track, but at least it's not a room-size mega-layout. It's actually interesting to see the layout with scenery but no track, it shows just how much potential the layout has. I hope you'll find the motivation to finish it, I think it's a good example of how much can be achieved with a clever design and few but well considered features. I really like the colour of the grass by the way.

 

 

:jester: yep, what ever was I thinking...maybe it was the big rucksack on my back at the time that led to the broken rib ;)

 

Thanks Mikkel - yes, there is no point continuing with the scenery if it don’t run well...am hoping to include the new 2mm point rodding etc. as part of it so it makes sense to try and get it running sweetly.

 

Thanks re the grass - it was just the base coat and I still need to add layers and try to merge it with the base of the backscene...

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Dear Sir, being towed behind speedboats in Ibiza does not conform with the public perception of railway modellers. Please revert to type immediately!

 

Isn't the explanation obvious? Someone asked him if he wanted a ride on a flying banana and he misunderstood what they meant.

 

;)

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Isn't the explanation obvious? Someone asked him if he wanted a ride on a flying banana and he misunderstood what they meant.

 

:laugh:

 

Except it was more croissant shaped then flying banana...no where to charge my iPhone on it either...:jester:

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