To complete the signalling on my layout I need something to control the exit of traffic from the exchange siding across the double slip. One route leads out onto the main and the other onto a short head shunt, so two arms would be required. I could have employed another twin arm siding signal similar to the one that controls the exit of the loop, but liked the idea of a ground signal to add a bit of variety. As my layout is set in Edwardian times it predates ground signals using discs to indicat
I had a very enjoyable time at the Telford 0 gauge Guild show and amongst the bits and pieces that I bought for the layout were some rather nice buffer stop kits. Ragstone Models produce some lovely looking castings that once assembled make a variety of buffer stops from different railway companies, they also produce some very nice water cranes:-) Before I can finish ballasting my layout the buffer stops need to be installed in position, so a start was made on building the kits.
Ragstone mod
As a bit of light relief from the rigours of ballasting which I'm glad to say I've almost finished, I decided to make a start on the retaining wall at the front of the layout. The retaining wall supports the earthworks that the exchange siding runs along and will eventually have water modelled running below it. The first decision was to decide what type of material such a retaining wall would most likely be made from. Initially I thought that a wall constructed from old sleepers might be possibl
Since the last update, some progress has been made, albeit at a slower pace than I'd planned! The point rodding is now a rather fetching vermilion colour, it will need a little judicious weathering as its a bit "in your face" at the moment! I've also made a start on the ballasting and installed one of two ground signals. Ballasting is one of those tedious jobs that I find you have to be in the right mood for! This is my first 7mm scale layout and I definitely found ballasting this scale far more
I've just looked back through my blog and was surprised to find that it's been nearly 2 years since the last update on my goods shed! I've still got work to do on the interior, but at least it's received a coat of paint:-) As I tend to mix my own colours the main problem was getting a finished result that matched, or at least blended in with the completed station building. Humbrol Enamels were used in the main, with some use of colours from Railmatch. I've also spent some time facing the foam bo
Once the construction of the signals had been completed, I needed to install them on the layout. At a recent local show I had seen Derek Mundy demonstrate working signals that had a rather nice "bounce action" to the semaphore arms when they were returned to danger. They were controlled by a module from G F controls and powered by miniature servos. I was really impressed with the setup so decided to use this method of operation for my signalling. I placed an order with Geoff and Frank at G F con
Before I could begin painting the signal box a number of detail components needed to be constructed. The gutter down pipes included in the kit were of course designed to fit a ground level type box so were no longer long enough to reach ground level. The pipes were extended by inserting sections of suitable diameter plastic rod between the moulded down pipe fittings included in the kit and then attached to the building using liquid poly. A name plate was made using 2mm Slaters Plastikard letteri
Before I moved onto step and handrail construction, I decided to make a start on the roof. The roof components that the kit provides were assembled together with Liquid Poly and once dry tried on top of the signal box. To my eye the overhang on the roof looked much too wide and gave the building a strange continental appearance.
Overersize roof
I measured the overhang and calculated that it worked out as a scale 18 inches all round which sounded far too much. I decided that the easiest wa
Well its been 10 weeks since my shoulder operation and I'm pleased to say that I've more or less got two functioning arms again! The operation went well, but I found being stuck in a sling for six weeks was a very frustrating experience. I've still not got full mobility or strength in the joint, but having regular sessions with a fierce, but very pretty Physiotherapist is definitely helping my recovery!
It's still uncomfortable reaching across the layout baseboards, so I've decided to have a
During the time that I've spent pottering along doing my point rodding, as a bit of light relief I've been making progress with the signals that I need for the layout. In part 1 of signal construction http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/blog/1131/entry-14441-first-signal-for-sherton-abbas/ I'd built the Platform Starter, but needed to tackle the construction of the Siding signal. Parts were once again used from the Model Signal Engineering range of components. I needed a signal to contro
Before I start painting and ballasting the trackwork I want to tackle the point rodding. A number of years ago I made the mistake on a 4mm layout of ballasting first, I then spent hours digging up small patches of ballast so that I could install the rodding stools! Armed with a copy of GWR journal number 89, Steven Williams GWR modelling part 1 and some useful advice from Mike (Stationmaster) I made a start by drawing a schematic of where the runs needed to go. Once this had been completed I pla
Well I've seen the consultant and been told that I need to have surgery to fix my damaged shoulder :-( I'm on his waiting list, hopefully it's not too length a wait! I've wanted to start forming some scenic contours for the layout for a while now, but the limited movement in my shoulder means that I can no longer reach the back of the layout with my right hand. Now I don't like having my modelling plans thwarted at the best of times, so I needed to find a way to overcome this problem! I had
Well there's not been any progress on the signal front or much other modelling come to that! At the beginning of August on my way to work, a half asleep motorist pulled out of a side turning and knocked me of my motorcycle. He was very apologetic, a classic case of "I'm sorry I didn't see you mate!" I suppose I should be grateful that he was insured and has accepted liability, but the upshot is he's b#ggered my Summer! The bike's a right mess, but at least it can be repaired. I've been left w
Now the track laying has been completed, its time to make a start on the signalling and point rodding for the layout. Despite reading numerous books on the subject, I must confess that I find comprehending the mysteries of signalling to be one of the more challenging aspects of the hobby. With this in mind, I decided it would be a good idea to get some expert advice! Fortunately for me, Mike (The Stationmaster) was a fount of useful information and clarified what was needed during a very enjoyab
Once I was happy with the overall size and shape of the bridge, the underside of the arches, parapets and abutments could be tackled. South Eastern Finecast brick embossed sheet was wrapped around a curved former of a suitable diameter (Empty bottle of Aussie red wine!), then placed in a bowl of boiling water and allowed to cool. Once back to room temperature the sheet stayed in a reasonable curve and was glued to the underside of the bridge side walls. Flat embossed plasticard sheet was also cu
Before I can finalise the height of the backscene at the point where it curves around the front of the layout, I need to work out the contour of the landscape in this area. During the planning stage of the layout http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/blog/1131/entry-9648-mock-up-completed/, I decided to have a twin arch road bridge that would act as a view blocker between the off stage area and the main layout. The height of this bridge will dictate the profile of the land around it, so be
I tend to find wiring a layout one of the more tedious aspects of railway modelling, a job that "needs" to be done rather than enjoyed! On this occasion however it all seemed relatively painless and didn't take as long as I had feared. I'm still undecided about the merits of DCC, it all seems a bit too much like computer programming rather than playing trains for my liking! I do like the idea of sound in my locos though, so I may have to overcome my prejudices and embrace digital control at some
I'm glad to say that laying the track work has almost been completed! The back siding still needs to have its other rail installed, but as I've run out of C&L's plastic chairs, it will have to wait. I've placed the station building and goods shed in roughly the position they'll be on the layout, in an attempt to help keep my enthusiasm going during wiring! I want the private siding to look as if it's been laid with less care than the G.W.R. track, so I've introduced a few direction changes a
Thanks to a timely intervention by Buffalo who pointed out my error in assuming that my track should be built from 60 foot panels http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/blog/1131/entry-13638-track-laying-part-2/ , a slight rethink was nessessary! My project is set in 1905 and as 60 foot track panels didn't come into existance on the Great Western Railway until 1929, this length would be completely inappropriate for my layout. Thirty two foot rail sections first appeared on main lines in the
Once happy with the alignment of the paper template, the "flow" of the point work and I'd glued the cork underlay in position, permanent track fixing could begin. The paper template was cut from under the points and then each point was put back in position on top of the cork. When building the points I deliberately left the rail over long, to allow for some fine tuning of the point's relative positions.
Point and Double Slip with over long rail
The rail was trimmed back to the correct
It's been a long time coming, but after a lot of procrastination I've finally started laying the track for my branchline project. I bought some rubberised cork sheet from the C&L stand at the Bristol O gauge show back in January to use as a trackbed foundation, so the first step was to get that laid in the correct position on the baseboards. I cut the track plan into sections, so that I could use the pieces as a template to dictate where the cork had to go. I started by positioning the mainl
I'm afraid very little progress has been made with the track laying for my project, It's far too cold, wet and windy here in Wales at the moment to contemplate crossing the garden to the workshop! I decided that a smaller project that I could build in the warmth of the house was in order, at least until the weather perks up a bit.
I decided that a little weighbridge hut would look good near to the entrance of the yard and shouldn't take too long to complete. Once again I used Southeastern Fi
I'm relieved to say that I've finally finished building the pointwork for my branchline terminus. The points were built using parts from C & L components. Although I've hand filed rail section to make Crossing Vees' and Point Blades in the past, I decided on this occasion to splash out and buy pre-made items. The points are built to 31.5mm gauge, using roller jigs supplied by RMweb member "Debs." I think the finer flangeways created by using this 0.5mm narrower gauge result in better looking
Well it's taken a while, but my Dean Goods project is finally completed. I'm lucky enough to have access to micro-abraisive blasting equipment, so before painting could commence the model was subjected to air abraision. Fifty micron Aluminum Oxide particles were used at 3 bar pressure to clean the surface of the brass. This process ensured that the paint would have a clean matt surface to adhere onto. I like to use an acid etch primer on brass kits, but don't like the idea of spraying an etchant
Well its been a month since my last blog entry, so I thought it was about time I posted something up! Once the number plates for the Dean Good's turn up I'll post up some pictures of the finished loco. I've been promised delivery by the end of the month, so hopefully not too long a wait!
Although not much progress has been made on the modelling front, my modelling room has come on considerably. I've finished skimming and painting the plasterboard walls and laid a laminate floor. It used to f
