Starting a new layout in oo

[Grahamrfd]

I've recently started a new layout with the aim yet again to have it ready by October. As I want to keep costs to a minimum I'm using up old copper sleeper strip from previous forays into em gauge, along with code 75 rail. Due to the small size of of this layout I have used points the same size as peco small radius, not really ideal but it will have to do.

Im basing it in Scotland as I have a few old lima 26s, 27s and 37s along with a couple of 20s and 25s from Bachmann.

Initially it will be wired for dc but later I will make it usable with dcc as well as I have recently been tempted and bought a couple of Hornby tts locos, a class 40 and a 47.

The layout itself is 8' long by 16" wide.

I'll put a couple of pics up later as for some reason its not allowing it tonight.

 

[Grahamrfd]

Heres the first few photos. Its going to be a slow process as I'm away all week working so only have a little time to work on this but hopefully will be in a usable state by October

 

 

 

 

[Grahamrfd]

I forgot to add the track plan.

 

[Grahamrfd]

I've been a bit busy this weekend trying to get my old transit van ready for a trip to Germany in a few weeks but managed to get an hour or 2 on the layout.

I've been wondering how to control the points as eventually I want to use levers so I had a go at making something to screw under the switch blades. 

Here's the first attempt which should work, its a bit of brass tube, gardening wire and a paperclip soldered together but seems strong enough.

 

During the week at work I've been trying my hand with scalescenes papers making a weighbridge hut for the coal yard, I don't really like using papers but I want to do this as cheaply as possible

Just needs a few more bits doing to finish it off.

 

I also have a couple of old triang grain hoppers which I got secondhand years ago so I will see if I can make them look a bit better. i've removed all the underframe bits and will replace the buffers with cast metal.

Last week a couple of Parkside cct wagons arrived so will take them to work this week to play with in the evenings.

 

 

 

[Grahamrfd]

During this last week I started on some parkside southern cct vans. I managed to get the first coat of blue on today and hopefully finish that tomorrow.

With a bit of luck these will be done by next weekend

 

(does anyone know how to turn the photo round?)

Edited July 30, 2017 by Grahamrfd

[Grahamrfd]

I ordered a couple of Dapol unpainted gunpowder vans which arrived last week. They have spoked wheels so will need rewheeling with 3 hole, also I will need to add vacuum cylinders. I have plenty of these though, left over from previous wagon kits. My impression of these vans is that they are more toy like than most of whats on offer now but this is reflected in the price (£9.00 each)

 

Ive started the wiring now and am adding cosmetic fishplates, mainly because I already had them.

 

Also in the post this week was a Hornby TTS class 20 but I've not yet been able to try that out and won't be able to for at least another couple of weeks but looking forward to seeing what it's like. I also have a Hornby class 40 and 47 with TTS chips fitted. While Hornby might not be the best it does make sound an affordable option for me. I will have to splash out on some chips for my 25s, 26s and 27s at some point though. Any suggestions as to what are good sounds for these are welcome.

[Grahamrfd]

I've not done much this last week as I've been trying to get my van ready for the holidays (fitting beds in the back) but I have managed to paint the gunpowder van bodies. I will do a bit with the underframes before I put them back together as they need tiebars, vacuum cylinders and cast buffers fitting. The electrics really need doing as I need to start testing it all soon before I start  on the scenic side so I prepared to panel diagram and ordered the switches but they are coming from China so don't know how long that will take

Once I get the holiday out of the way hopefully I can get on with this as October will soon be here and I need it running for then.

[Grahamrfd]

Well thats the holidays over and back to work, literally with a bang, as on my first day back I had a tyre blowout. Hopefully thats not an indication of how things are going to go. Anyway I need to start getting some modelling done as I need a working layout (not finished but running) by October 14.

Ive got the 2 Dapol gunpowder vans painted but need to prepare the lettering still, hopefully by next weekend.

Ive added brass tie bars as the Dapol model doesn't have any, a vacuum cylinder, a leftover from a parkside kit and cast buffers. I still need to add couplings which will be instanters.

 

 

Edited September 3, 2017 by Grahamrfd

[SGJ]

I like your layout and am following the progress with interest

 

[Grahamrfd]

Thanks SGJ

Your own layout looks interesting too and you have some very good photos there.

I work away all week so modelling time is very limited although I do try to get little bits done during the week

[Grahamrfd]

Managed to spend a few hours today on the layout, working on the point control. It needs a little tweaking still but the idea seems to work. I got the idea for the cranks from a chap in Oz who goes by the name of Gormo. helpfully he has made a few youtube videos on the subject.

The cranks are just cut down tile spacers and the rodding is 2.5mm garden wire. It will need supporting on the longer runs and I will try cable clips for this.

I still have 5 more points to do so still a bit of work but hopefully they will be done in a couple of weeks.

I still have to fit micro switches to throw the crossing polarity but that should be easy enough.

 

[Grahamrfd]

Ive finally got the layout running but it needs a bit of tweaking on some of the clearances. I attended our local show with it as a layout under construction which gave me the opportunity to set it up and have 2 days finding all the trouble spots.

Now I need to get on with the scenery.

Heres a few photos of the fuel yard area.

 

The concrete area is fine sawdust glued down then sanded when dry. After I had finished sanding I found a weighbridge plate, possibly from a Wills kit so dug a bit up and fitted that, looks a bit better than a printed one. I'm also going to replace the card hut with a plastic one at some point.

On another topic, I recently bought a Bachmann 37 which has some missing lamp brackets. is there anyone now who makes lamp brackets that would be suitable?