malcolmy Posted July 6, 2012 Share Posted July 6, 2012 Hi everyone, I finally have a little more progress to report on my new Severn Valley Railway based layout. I iterated through a few track plans in a thread in the "track design" area. I have finalised the plan now as below: We have also made some progress on the Garden Office as shown in the photos below. The 'shed' (Engine House - lol!) is a GBC Arley with a couple of additional windows. So here is the site for the new layout: And then the landscape gardener prepared a 13x17 concrete base, and the GBC installers arrived on probably the wettest day ever! Here is the kit of parts: And then it starts to go together very quickly: Here is some detail of the insulation layer in the walls and ceiling: And after about 9 hours, here is the finished train shed: The next jobs are to get some electricity installed with fluorescent lighting, and a nice heater with a thermostat. I will probably also get some window blinds, and a carpet. Then hopefully I can start building the layout! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bangor Lad Posted July 6, 2012 Share Posted July 6, 2012 Impressive! Dave Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
devondynosoar118 Posted July 6, 2012 Share Posted July 6, 2012 Nice building. It would be a disservice to call it a shed. Layout looks fab too, if it goes up as fast as the office we will be seeing trains run shortly! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
malcolmy Posted July 6, 2012 Author Share Posted July 6, 2012 I think the layout will take considerably longer! Lol Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stehill1 Posted July 7, 2012 Share Posted July 7, 2012 Hi Malcolm.. Sounds a very good project indeed, just wondering, is it planned as a preserved railway or before preservation times? Regards Ste Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
malcolmy Posted July 8, 2012 Author Share Posted July 8, 2012 Hi Ste, Thank you for your interest. This will be the SVR as currently running - though I have many more functional steam locos than the SVR (only 3!) this weekend. Although the SVR was running 50044 Exeter today which I don't have a model of! I currently have a layout based on Arley in my loft: http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/gallery/album/658-arley-svr-oo-loft-layout/ This new layout is being built at my fiancee's new home where I am moving to in the future, when my youngest son finishes school. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stehill1 Posted July 8, 2012 Share Posted July 8, 2012 Lovely idea there to model The SVR as it is today, really enjoy the real thing on a regular basis, so looking forward to your updates. Kernow models do an example of 37906 in the livery it is preserved at SVR, if you were not aware already, also Class 50 Ark Royal is available from Olivias in loadhaul livery, which I saw at Bridgnorth fairly recently.. I do have some pics of it somewhere, will try and upload at somepoint for you. Keep up with the updates mate. Ste Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garethp8873 Posted July 19, 2012 Share Posted July 19, 2012 Hello Malcolmy, I looking forward to seeing this layout's progess. If you are interested, I have a flickr photo page where I upload photos of the Severn Valley Railway. If you need any specific photos, please PM me and I will help in anyway I can. All the best! Garethp8873. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave ottney Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 What a beautiful yard you've got there. Looking out the windows will be very nice. I'm assuming you'll heat with electric so what are the electric costs in the UK? Here in the States it varies depending on where you live. I can't wait to see the layout construction begin. Dave Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will J Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 Wow. Just caught this thread having known your work from the SVR forum.. I do like the shed and look forward to seeing progress. It is a shame the lift out corner 'south' of Arley is quite tight, otherwise you could have a Victoria Bridge! A bit like mine: http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/blog/351/entry-9744-a-sunny-day-in-worcestershire-victoria-bridge-update/ which will be on show at the Kidderminster Railway Museum this weekend. I particularly like the look of the Coalyard Branch at Kidderminster in T gauge. I used to drive that a long time ago! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
beeman Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 Looks great, lots of low level windows to see inside, a prime site for the burglars, now you have advertised what you will be putting inside. Suggest a good alarm system switched from the house, along with some security lights outside,also well visible outside siren boxes as deterent and/or a couple of good dogs. I've got one of these multi tone horn type suitably protected, fitted inside mine as well as the outside one, the sound level is ear shattering and would drive anyone away. With battery powered jigsaws its easy to cut thro a wooden wall on a blind side of the building. Sorry to be pessimistic but better to do things early than be sorry later. Good Luck Beeman Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
devondynosoar118 Posted July 21, 2012 Share Posted July 21, 2012 Looks great, lots of low level windows to see inside, a prime site for the burglars, now you have advertised what you will be putting inside. Suggest a good alarm system switched from the house, along with some security lights outside,also well visible outside siren boxes as deterent and/or a couple of good dogs. I've got one of these multi tone horn type suitably protected, fitted inside mine as well as the outside one, the sound level is ear shattering and would drive anyone away. With battery powered jigsaws its easy to cut thro a wooden wall on a blind side of the building. Sorry to be pessimistic but better to do things early than be sorry later. Good Luck Beeman You forgot the barbed wire fence, tripwires, search lights, guard towers and SWAT team.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
malcolmy Posted July 21, 2012 Author Share Posted July 21, 2012 Thanks for all the comments guys. The shed is already included in the house alarm system and it has outside lights. Ill also be putting blinds at the windows so it's less obvious what's inside. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluebell Model Railway Posted July 21, 2012 Share Posted July 21, 2012 Certainly a nice building to house a layout, wish i had one! Nice to see another preservation layout coming in to being, seeing as there so unpopular , shall be keeping an eye on this one looks promising from the plan. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
malcolmy Posted September 12, 2012 Author Share Posted September 12, 2012 I'm afraid there's little progress to report on the new layout... However, I've now started to dismantle my existing 'Arley' layout in my loft. I need to remove it to be able to tidy up so I'm able to put my house on the market in January. So it's all starting to look bare now I've been packing my stock away. I need more bubble wrap now though! It's an odd feeling packing up all the stuff. I'll re-use as much as possible on the new layout, but I'm losing one of my 'escape' mechanisms! OK - I've got an N-gauge layout to complete and operate in the meantime. Oh well I shall enjoy un-packing it all for the new layout in a few months time. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
malcolmy Posted September 26, 2012 Author Share Posted September 26, 2012 Today Neil and Shaun from Professional Layout Services (Sherwood Models) came and installed the baseboards. They have 12mm birch ply tops, braced with 3x1 softwood. Instead of the normal curtains below board level, sliding 6mm MDF doors have been fitted. An excellent job - if I may say so myself? I obviously got the dimensions right, as it all fits very nicely. I couldn't resist transplanting some of my existing Arley buildings into (temporary) position on the new layout. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
HARRYMALLARD Posted September 28, 2012 Share Posted September 28, 2012 Did you scratchbuild the station Malcom? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
malcolmy Posted October 8, 2012 Author Share Posted October 8, 2012 Hi, No the building is from the Hornby Skaledale range. I've just given it a wash of colour on the walls and a little detail painting to 'convert it' from red brick to Arley yellow brick. Just a little progress to report, as I've now started modifying all my points (as per the Cobalt installation instructions), and layed a few out in situ... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
fender Posted October 8, 2012 Share Posted October 8, 2012 what a great site for a layout. hope it goes well. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
malcolmy Posted November 12, 2012 Author Share Posted November 12, 2012 I spent yesterday doing some temporary track laying to check that the plan matched reality, and to enable me to mark the cork underlay locations... The triangle and wye leading into Alveley sidings. The triangle will be relaid now I've had some help to get the curves correct! Battle of Britain 34053 Sir Keith Park is both mine and the real SVRs latest addition to the running fleet A bit blurred, but shows the general layout of Kidderminster with its wide island platform. There will be a T gauge line in the foreground representing the miniature 'coalyard' railway Western Courier (yes a Lima Western! - but with a Craftsman detailing kit) waits to run round its train This is Bridgnorth MPD with Hagley Hall and Western Ranger testing the rather sparse facilities! A view across to the location of Kidderminster station. Here you can see the sliding MDF doors to keep underneath tidy - hopefully! The central board contains the scenic fiddle yard made up of Alveley Sidings, and Kidderminster Carriage Shed A view across to where Kidderminster diesel depot is being re-created. The two short sidings to the left will eventually lead to a Heljan turntable when it arrives! A close up of the diesel depot with D3022, 37906, and 50035 in residence Hopefully I'll get to do some more in the not too distant future. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
malcolmy Posted December 30, 2012 Author Share Posted December 30, 2012 I made some real progress today! Four points laid with point motors and decoders, plus associated plain track to make up the platform lines and release crossovers at Kiddermjnster. It seems to be taking around an hour per point on average. This seems a bit excessive, so hopefully with more experience ill get this quicker! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
malcolmy Posted February 25, 2013 Author Share Posted February 25, 2013 Well it's been an interesting period of activity on my layout. Having fitted some analogue Cobalt motors for the cross-overs using AD1 accessory decoders, I then fitted several of the digital Cobalt motors. Unfortunately I suffered a high failure rate on these devices. Some email diagnosis with Richard at DCC Concepts was unable to identify the cause. This obviously dented my confidence in both the devices, and my own abilities! I have therefore removed all my installed Cobalts and returned my entire order back to the supplier. Last Wednesday I spent a day with Neil, from Professional Layout Services, wiring and installing Tortoise motors with an NCE Switch 8 to provide the accessory decoders. So far all has been working well. So over the weekend, having regained some impetus, I have laid much more of the remaining trackwork. It all takes much longer than I'd expected though. I'd rather do the job correctly and well once, than have to return to fix issues later, so it's time well spent. Here is the 'north' end of Arley station. This is the 'south' end of Arley station. I need to extend the sidings a bit more, but I'll wait to see what 'offcuts' I have. Looking across at Kidderminster station, which is all now functionally complete - laid, wired, and point motors fitted. The current operational limit is the end of the Kidderminster loop, where Hinton Manor is resting. The diesel depot is just laid out for alignment checks. Only the entrance track with 50035 Ark Royal waiting for it's next shunting move is operational. Here I've been drilling the holes for all the point actuator pins, and the frog connection wire, before laying the points in place. The loco depot is again just laid out for alignment checks - and coz I like putting locos out for display! Finally I moved on to laying out the points at the opposite end of Alveley Sidings (the scenic fiddle yard). Hopefully next weekend I shall complete the track laying. Then I can complete wiring the bus droppers before the major point motor fitting marathon! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold McC Posted February 25, 2013 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 25, 2013 Interesting to hear about your Cobalt DCC motor issues. I had a batch of 48 motors from them about 6 months ago - ended up with just over 50% return rate. Am due the replacements shortly - will be interesting to see... Layouts looking great - will be following with interest! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
malcolmy Posted February 25, 2013 Author Share Posted February 25, 2013 Yes that's about the same failure rate I was experiencing. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
malcolmy Posted March 4, 2013 Author Share Posted March 4, 2013 More track laying over the weekend. My fiancee had friends to stay so I got some extended 'play' time! Completing the other end of the Alveley loop sidings. The 'main line' is concrete sleepers, whereas all the sidings have wooden sleepers. A close-up of the points in situ. You'll notice that the signal box has been transplanted to this end of the layout. Now moving onto the Kidderminster carriage shed and sidings. All the points are laid, now I need to fit the approach track from the mainline I've now completed the circuit, so one could push a wagon all the way round. Obviously power feeds and point motors are still to come. I'm planning on doing the baseboard joins for the lift up section with copper/resin verro-board soldered to the tracks. Close up of 'Highley' signal box in it's new location, with a siding behind. A little similar to it's real situation. My recently purchased 'Alveley Sidings South' box in position. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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