Historical posts from the old RM
Entry posted by Kris
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Avonwick, South Devon in 2mm
by Kris on Fri Apr 18, 2008 6:13 pm
A new layout! Why?
Having recently moved and found myself with some space that could be used for a layout but not being large enough for my 2007 challenge layout I started looking for inspiration then ....
.... in December the 2mm association announced that they would be running a challenge competition for their Golden Jubilee which occurs in 2010. The challenge is to build an operational model railway to 2mm association standards in less than 9.42 square feet. This gives me a timescale to work to (I need this or things just don't seem to get done!
Avonwick will be my entry into this challenge.
As this will be the first layout I have built in this scale I wanted to keep things simple yet if possible use a prototype. I looked about at various prototype locations (there aren't many prototypes you can fit in the space allowed) I chose Avonwick.
A little history.
Avonwick station was found on the GWR branch to Kingsbridge in South Devon close to where I now live. First opened in December 1893 the station was some distance from the village it took its name from. The station was never that busy being down graded to Halt status in 1956. Shortly after this the siding was lifted. The line closed in September 1963 at which point it looked like there was a real chance of it being reopening by the local community much as the Totnes to Buckfastleigh line was. This unfortunately never came to fruition. The station is now a home.
What if the preservation plan had not failed?
What if the siding had been re-laid?
And now my plans
I initially intend to operate the layout as if the line was saved and the siding was relaid but in future I might back date the line to the 1920's (hence the siding being in place, oh and it make things more interesting).
As I said this is a small prototype which means the visible area (see the plan below) will fit into a space just 6ft x 1ft with a pair of traversers for fiddle yards each holding trains up to 3ft long,long enough to hold a reasonable sized train in 2mm.
Plans for Avonwick station
Avonwick.jpg (48.96 KiB) Viewed 10182 times
Stock
Currently a problem area as I don't have much suitable for the line (a few wagons only) hence going for preservation, I can run what I like and build the stock required for earlier operation in the future.
The construction
Well it's just about got underway, the wood has been purchased and cut. Had today have been dry then I would have finished drilling the holes needed to complete the main baseboard.
Last edited by Kris on Tue Mar 17, 2009 8:58 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Layout - Avonwick
Work bench
by IanHolmes on Fri Apr 18, 2008 7:50 pm
Good luck with it.
Look forward to seeing progress.
IanHolmes
by Kris on Sun Apr 20, 2008 3:30 pm
Saturday was a dead loss for building the layout (drilling has to be done outside I've been told! ). This morning however there was a few dry moments allowing me to complete the drilling of holes on the main board. Having done this I've pegged the whole lot together to give me this.
Avonwick main scenic baseboard
IMG_7356.jpg (48.55 KiB) Viewed 9727 times
Nothing is glued together at the moment but the pegs give enough strength to hold it all together for moving about.
The back scene won't be added until I've laid the track to give me access to solder from both side.
The next task before gluing it all together is to work out where the track exits and to cut holes in the appropriate locations to allow for this, the cutting will have to wait for the rain to stop though!
Whilst it's been raining not all has been lost. I have built and part painted a Mink C so increasing my stock for the layout. pic will follow when a second coat of paint has been added.
Last edited by Kris on Sun Apr 20, 2008 7:02 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Layout - Avonwick
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Kris
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by ChrisM on Sun Apr 20, 2008 4:05 pm
I shall watch this one with interest, I always have time for people with the skills to work to such small and fine standards as in 2mm FS
http://www.tonbridgemrc.co.uk/
ChrisM
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by gwrrob on Sun Apr 20, 2008 4:16 pm
ChrisM wrote:I shall watch this one with interest, I always have time for people with the skills to work to such small and fine standards as in 2mm FS
Me too as I have a fondness for the Kingsbridge branch and my layout is loosely based on Brent.
Robin
gwrrob
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by Pudley Wonderer on Sun Apr 20, 2008 5:45 pm
Kris wrote:
Saturday was a dead loss for building the layout (drilling has to be done out side I been told! ).
Oh well, next time that certain person needs some extra shelves putting up in the kitchen, or for those new pairs of shoes, you know what excuse to use to get out of doing it
Look forward to seeing this one progress Kris, especially as it's GWR, its simple, and it's to fine standards Can see it being one of those layouts to leisurely watch the trains pass by
Puds.................I Know What I Like (On My Workbench)
Pudley Wonderer
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by Kris on Sun Apr 20, 2008 7:11 pm
[quote[Pudley Wonderer wrote:
Oh well, next time that certain person needs some extra shelves putting up in the kitchen, or for those new pairs of shoes, you know what excuse to use to get out of doing it
There is a golden lining to it
Well on with the modelling
The Mink has had a second coat added to the roof, it'll need a third one, then lots of weathering.
GWR Mink C
minkc.jpg (92.85 KiB) Viewed 9451 times
I've established where the holes need to go in the end boards just need to wait for some dry weather now to sort that out.
Layout - Avonwick
Work bench
Kris
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by Kris on Sun Apr 27, 2008 5:06 pm
Progress has been made having not gone to the meet up in Taunton today. The track bed has now been cut to shape and put in place (not glued yet though) as has the river and stream bed. Holes have been cut in the ends to allow the trains to exit the scene (this sort of thing always helps ).
Layout - Avonwick
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Kris
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Re: Avonwick
by Beacon on Sun Apr 27, 2008 5:11 pm
Looks like a great idea. I'll be keeping up with this with interest.
Kingsbridge is my hometown and I wish they had preserved the line!
Peter
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by davidpk212 on Sun Apr 27, 2008 7:58 pm
Great weathering, but the underframe is too glossy. Give it some matt varnish and it would be immeassuarably.
David Kendal
by Sir Jacky on Mon Apr 28, 2008 12:37 am
Looking good there. Seems to be comming together well.
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by Kris on Mon Apr 28, 2008 7:34 pm
davidpk212 wrote:Great weathering, but the underframe is too glossy. Give it some matt varnish and it would be immeassuarably.
The gloss part comes from having found out that my matt black paint has suddenly become gloss ??? whilst in storage. That's some repainting to be done rather than toning down, I'm not pleased that it happened.
Thanks for saying you liked the weathering though, I can only say that that it's fluke given that all I've done is put on a single light coat of grey paint which has allowed some of the base colour to show through, it does look rather good though.
Layout - Avonwick
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Kris
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by Kris on Thu May 01, 2008 9:13 pm
The main scenic board is now finished to a state where track laying could commence, however I have decided to hold off doing this until I have built the boards with the traversers on. This plan was going well (with the first of the boards well under way) right up to the point that I tried to cut the tubing I'm going to use for the guide rails. The tubing turns out to be made of stern stuff, at least it's sterner stuff than the hacksaw blade I was using to cut it with. The hacksaw blade stared to wear away before it had even pierced to tubing
Layout - Avonwick
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Kris
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by Kris on Fri May 02, 2008 3:43 pm
Just a quick image of the main board.
ATTACHMENTS
avonwickbb.jpg (36.97 KiB) Viewed 8259 times
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by Kris on Mon May 05, 2008 5:07 pm
Attempt 1 at building a traverser for Avonwick appears to have worked . The framework is in place and pegged and it still slides nicely, without using draw runners. Time to glue it together and add the track bed, well it gives me something to do over the next week.
Layout - Avonwick
Work bench
Kris
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by nzovu on Mon May 05, 2008 5:50 pm
Looks like sound and tidy benchwork. Nice Mink too. Looking forward to seeing som 2mm GWR locos
GWR Modelling at http://www.gwr.org.uk
nzovu
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by KE on Wed May 14, 2008 3:19 pm
Good luck with this. If you have not already found it have a look at my website http://www.loddiswellstation.org which gives links to other William Clarke stations (including some models)
Although there are some differences between us and Avonwick I can let you have photos of any details you might want. In particular you should note that all station roofs on the line were lowered in the 1920s (no one knows why).
Other fans of the Kingsbridge line might like to know that I am about to start on http://www.thekingsbridgebranch.org and would be very interested in any unpublished photos you may like to contribute (full accreditation will be given of course).
As I say, good luck.
by Tim V on Wed May 14, 2008 3:36 pm
If you read the account of the early days of the Dart Valley preservation, they nearly took on the Kingsbridge branch instead. The story of why they didn't isn't clear, but I don't think you are stretching reality too far by postulating your scheme. You could even come up with authentic engines/stock, just in a different location.
Tim V
Tim V
Tim V
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by Kris on Wed May 14, 2008 3:49 pm
Hi KE
I've seen your website, it's rather useful, I found it having read the info outside your home as I walked past. I nearly modelled Loddiswell but it would have required just a little bit more space than I have, still maybe when I have more room it might get built and added on to the Avonwick part, that would however mean building Gara bridge though..... hmm space, where can I find space.... (don't say look up at night ).
Changing the height of the station roofs sounds strange. Looking at the photos I have for Avonwick it must have changed before 1921 as the height appears to be the same after that.
Thanks for the offer of the detail photo's, it'll be a little while until I get to the stage of adding buildings so I may take you up on the offer.
Just a quick question about the signal box at loddiswell. Where did this come from?
Hi Tim
I've seen the story, it's what gave me the idea for saying it was preserved. As you say I can get the authentic stock.
Layout - Avonwick
Work bench
Kris
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by KE on Wed May 14, 2008 3:53 pm
The reason the line was not saved was that for the first time in history BR HQ moved fast.
The asking price for the line was twenty four thousand pounds.
The locals raised 20,000 and informal agreement was reached locally.
As they left the meeting they found that the demolition contractors had already started ripping up at Kingsbridge having been sold the line by the Paddington office for 18000 pounds. What a loss!
by KE on Wed May 14, 2008 4:08 pm
If you look at pictures of the chimneys you may see shoulders on them, this is the give-away. The roofline formerly went up to the bottom of these to make a water-seal. Also the roofline extended over carved corbel stones at the lower end (see 1921 picture at the end of my website, the carved stones went during the change).
My modelling is in strictly 1:1 scale, or really rather worse (OO to Life). I wanted the box and had seen the pictures of what was at Gara Bridge and at Kingsbridge and also got my hands on the original plans from one of the Authors of the Kingsbrige line book. I tried to buy a box from Spacia just as it was being formed but they were impossible to deal with as they were just getting organised and took ages to reply. I had even found an obsolete box I wanted to buy but gave up in the end.
So with the plans and a Hornby model to inspire me our box was built from scratch. It is as authentic as I can make it even to reproductions of the lights that were used at Kingsbridge. Unfortunately the embankment was not stable even after all this time and we ended up with a basement we had not planned. The whole box was entered for the Heritage awards one year. The judge was extremely complimentary and we got through to the finals. We were beaten by the roof of the Eurostar terminal at Waterloo. That's a scale of things I just can't compete with!
by Kris on Wed May 14, 2008 4:42 pm
KE wrote:If you look at pictures of the chimneys you may see shoulders on them, this is the give-away. The roofline formerly went up to the bottom of these to make a water-seal. Also the roofline extended over carved corbel stones at the lower end (see 1921 picture at the end of my website, the carved stones went during the change).
Those corbels are really evident at Loddiswell but when you look at the Avonwick station at the moment the corbels on two of the chimneys at on the roof line, the 3rd chimney however has it's corbels higher than the roof line (as at Loddiswell). I wonder if they rebuilt the two chimneys were rebuilt. I might take a detour on my way home to have a quick look later this week.
For your Kingsbridge website - It appears that one of the old crossing gates at Topsham bridge is still in place, well the post and bracket anyhow.
Layout - Avonwick
Work bench
Kris
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Posts: 648
Joined: Sun Mar 04, 2007 10:55 pm
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Re: Avonwick
by KE on Wed May 14, 2008 5:58 pm
Good point, I will photograph the crossing post that is left. (I have got the others).
by Kris on Thu May 15, 2008 3:47 pm
Hi KE
I stop as I drove past the crossing today. Both the gate post, some of the hinges and the gate stop post (don't what it's called so that'll do!) on the Gara bridge side are present. There is nothing on the other side as someone has built a wall there.
Topsham Bridge level crossing looking towards Gara bridge. I would have been standing on the track.
IMG_17905 Topsham Bridge level crossing.jpg (155.9 KiB) Viewed 7462 times
Layout - Avonwick
Work bench
Kris
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by invercloy on Thu May 15, 2008 4:05 pm
I like this part of the world, it will make a lovely model. Look forward to seeing how you get on with it
Tom.
If you don't count my rivets I won't count yours
Do you see me jumping around all nimbly pimbly from tree to tree?
by Kris on Thu May 15, 2008 4:33 pm
Progress is slowly being made, I make more if I spent less time on line (I'm sure I'm not the only one who knows this feeling )
The first traverser would now be finished if I hadn't found that the beams have a slight bow in them putting the runners fractionally out of line, something that gets worst as I use it. This is making the table very tight in places. A couple more braces should solve this issue though (I hope)
avonwick traverser.jpg (39.23 KiB) Viewed 3107 times
Layout - Avonwick
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by Kris on Sun May 18, 2008 5:56 pm
Today has been a reasonably productive one. Avonwick now has legs, they still need adjustable feet adding but that will happen when I buy them . I have also added some more bracing to the traverser module, that's still got it's glue drying but it should solve the problems I've been having. If this is the case then it'll be time to crack on with the second traverser module which is the final part of the baseboard left to build.
Layout - Avonwick
Work bench
Kris
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by Captain Kernow on Mon May 19, 2008 3:48 pm
KE wrote:Good luck with this. If you have not already found it have a look at my website http://www.loddiswellstation.org which gives links to other William Clarke stations (including some models)
HI Kelvin,
Just had a look at your very interesting site. I'm at the other end of the branch (Brent) and have very fond memories indeed of the cream teas that your predecessors served at Loddiswell. In fact, I don't think we ever found a better cream tea!
It's amazing to note that you've built a signalbox, I never realised, despite regularly driving along the 'main' road through the valley. My memories of visiting the station when it was open for teas was that it was wholly on private land, so I've never ventured off the main road. Is your signalbox visible from a public vantage point?
Anyway, the very best of luck with your 12" to the foot work there!
???I suppose Kernow might want to know why I didn??™t ask permission to leave the ship. Anyway, never mind about that, the Bodmin coach leaves in an hour??™. Archie collected their bags and they quietly left the little tavern, which had been their home for the last few days. But little did they realise that a Prussian grenadier called Horst was quietly watching them from behind a pair of beer barrels
Captain Kernow
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by Kris on Mon May 19, 2008 6:53 pm
The signal box is easily visible from the road to Woodleigh
Layout - Avonwick
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Kris
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by Kris on Wed Jul 09, 2008 4:52 pm
Time to update this I feel as it's been a while since I did. Progress is being made, rather slower than I would have liked due to various work related reasons, however the second traverser board is now complete except for adding the top for the approach road. Once this has been added it will mean that the base boards will be complete to the point where I will be adding track (time to get the soldering iron back out).
Layout - Avonwick
Work bench
Kris
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by Kris on Thu Jul 10, 2008 7:30 pm
Just a quicky to show the completed BB's all joined together for the first time. Despite only being 1ft wide the structure has surprised me by being rather stable.
avonwickbb.jpg (52.16 KiB) Viewed 2666 times
Layout - Avonwick
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by Kris on Tue Jul 22, 2008 6:39 pm
Having completed the baseboards, it seem logical to start on the track next.
Three days and on and off work has seen the entrance and "run round" stub on the southern traverser completed and laid along with the first track on the traverser (the rest of the tracks on here will have to wait to see if I have enough rail or if I need to order more!). The first 480mm or so of the track on the main board has also been completed (not all of it is stuck down yet). Another 200mm of plain track with get me to the site of the first point, a point that I'm still not happy with so there will need to be some redesigning coming up on that one I think.
Looking down the main board towards the southern traverser.
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avonwicktrack2.jpg (47.83 KiB) Viewed 2547 times
Layout - Avonwick
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by Kris on Wed Aug 06, 2008 10:32 am
Progress is slowly being made on the "main line". I was expecting to have this part almost complete today, but I just come across one of those Oh ###### moments. I managed to load the sleepers for a curved left hand B8 point into the jig the wrong way round this has resulted in a right hand point being created. I don't really need a right hand B8 point. However rather than let this point go to waste (about 4hrs work) I will use it in the siding instead of an A7 unit that I have yet to start.
Layout - Avonwick
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Kris
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by Kris on Wed Aug 06, 2008 8:06 pm
The errant point that I accidentally built has now been fiddled with so it fits it's new location.
Layout - Avonwick
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Kris
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Posts: 648
Joined: Sun Mar 04, 2007 10:55 pm
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Re: Avonwick
by Doncaster Enterprise on Wed Aug 06, 2008 8:20 pm
Kris,
Looking good so far!
Any chance of some closer- ups of your traverser, particularly the "slidey bits"?
I have one to make shortly and need some further ideas with regards to a good design.
Many thanks,
Andy.
Doncaster Enterprise
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by Kris on Thu Aug 07, 2008 8:06 am
It'll be a few days before I can get any pictures of it I'm afraid but it's very simple and cheap (as this is being built on a very tight budget using what I already had).
Layout - Avonwick
Work bench
Kris
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by Class50009 on Thu Aug 07, 2008 12:46 pm
A good baseboard will provide the foundations for a good layout.
by Kris on Fri Aug 22, 2008 12:13 pm
Right, I'm back and work has recommenced.
Firstly for Andy, the traverser. As I said in my earlier post it's very simple. I've cut down a metal pole (one designed for holding up worktops), then drilled holes fractionally bigger than this pole in the framework of the traverser to allow it to slide. It's not a perfect design, it's a little rough but it does work and its a very cheap solution. In the long term it's something that it likely to be replaced.
Traverser close up of runner
IMG_21085.jpg (81.76 KiB) Viewed 2059 times
And now for the progress. I have now built and laid all the point work that it required for the layout. On the scenic side of the layout I have another 6 or 7 60" track panels to build to complete all the track work on the scenic part. Dropper wires are in place for all the track that has been laid so far, hopefully meaning that the wiring up process will not be hard. The point motors also need to be added.
IMG_21083.jpg (68.83 KiB) Viewed 2056 times
Layout - Avonwick
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by Doncaster Enterprise on Fri Aug 22, 2008 12:31 pm
Kris wrote:Firstly for Andy, the traverser. As I said in my earlier post it's very simple. I've cut down a metal pole (one designed for holding up worktops), then drilled holes fractionally bigger than this pole in the framework of the traverser to allow it to slide. It's not a perfect design, it's a little rough but it does work and its a very cheap solution. In the long term it's something that it likely to be replaced.
Wow, Kris- what an ingeniously simple solution! I have spent hours messing around trying to make drawer runners fit: I think a re- think might be in order here.
Many thanks for posting the pictures. Progress looking good so far!
Andy.
Doncaster Enterprise
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by -missy- on Fri Aug 22, 2008 9:56 pm
Hi.
Fantastic! You can never have enough 2mm FS layouts as far as I am concerned I am looking forward to seeing this in 2010...
Missy
HIGHCLERE
-missy-
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by Kris on Tue Sep 02, 2008 3:09 pm
Today at just after 15:30 the first train traversed the complete length of the scenic board then ran back via the through siding without hesitation at slow speed. I'm rather happy about this . For this test the layout was attached to a DC controller, it is however wired for DCC. The points do not currently have motors attached so to allow for the running they were pushed shut. The loco was also tested into the stubs at the ends of the through siding again with success Complete running down the stubs could not be done however as these have yet to be glue down and wired in ( and in the case of the one at the South Brent end of the layout I'm missing an inch or so.)
The slight blur at the far end was the loco moving
IMG_21923 Avonwick.jpg (51.04 KiB) Viewed 1781 times
Layout - Avonwick
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by -missy- on Tue Sep 02, 2008 3:33 pm
Kris.
Hi. Looks fantastic You have certinaly hit a milestone there and got something to run. Its something that I am quite a bit away from right now.
Out of interest what engines do you have?
Missy
HIGHCLERE
-missy-
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by Kris on Tue Sep 02, 2008 4:06 pm
-missy- wrote:Kris.
Hi. Looks fantastic You have certinaly hit a milestone there and got something to run. Its something that I am quite a bit away from right now.
Out of interest what engines do you have?
Missy
Thanks for that Missy
The only working loco I have at the moment is a converted Farish 31, I do have a class 11 about 80% completed (I've a habit of starting things and not finishing them ) & waiting until I feel confident that I won't muck it up I've one of the 9f's from the Fence house stables (all those little bits to solder ) must get courage, must get courage, must get courage, wibble well might wait a bit longer and maybe try finishing the class 11 first .
Layout - Avonwick
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Kris
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by -missy- on Tue Sep 02, 2008 4:44 pm
="KrisThanks for that Missy
The only working loco I have at the moment is a converted Farish 31, I do have a class 11 about 80% completed (I've a habit of starting things and not finishing them ) & waiting until I feel confident that I won't muck it up I've one of the 9f's from the Fence house stables (all those little bits to solder ) must get courage, must get courage, must get courage, wibble well might wait a bit longer and maybe try finishing the class 11 first .
Kris.
Dont worry about the 9F, I am in exactly the same situation too
Missy
HIGHCLERE
-missy-
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by Stumpytrain on Fri Sep 05, 2008 2:26 am
-missy- wrote:Dont worry about the 9F, I am in exactly the same situation too
Me too, I bought two of the kits as well!
Excellent progress on the model, keep us posted.
Stumpytrain
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by Kris on Mon Sep 08, 2008 7:16 pm
3 of the 4 points now have motors attached and wired in and tested, followed by rewiring 2 having managed to put the frog feed the wrong way round, whoops. The 4th point motor will be going in soon-ish. This one is not as easy to mount due to the attachment I tried with the switch blades, an experiment that works but is not as good as the way I have done the other switches.
Layout - Avonwick
Work bench
Kris
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by Kris on Wed Sep 10, 2008 7:27 pm
Just a quick update on progress.
The final point has now been fitted and wired in. I changed the attachment on the switch blades to match those on the rest of the layout for ease of fitting and reliability, my experimental design turned out to be rather weak. I've also made a start on building a buffer stop.
Layout - Avonwick
Work bench
Kris
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by Kris on Tue Sep 16, 2008 7:58 pm
The buffer stop is now finished (just needs glueing down then wiring in). It's not perfect by a long shot and I've half a mind to stat afresh with it. The side beams are not quite identical, I have filed one of the cross beam supports a little low, and the whole unit is slightly twisted (something that I hope will be resolved when it is stuck down). I've included a few photos of the unit so you can see if you feel it would be worth redoing.
IMG_21939 buffer.jpg (69.68 KiB) Viewed 1223 times
IMG_21937 Buffer stop for Avonwick.jpg (47.11 KiB) Viewed 1224 times
IMG_21936 Buffer stop for Avonwick.jpg (56.15 KiB) Viewed 1224 times
Having studied photos of Avonwick again it would appear that this is the only buffer stop I need with the end of the cattle dock being a wall with a beam attached to from the stop.
Layout - Avonwick
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Kris
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by Captain Kernow on Fri Sep 19, 2008 7:48 pm
Can't see much wrong with that, Kris, and especially when painted, weathered and set into the scenery. I wouldn't re-do it if it was me!
???I suppose Kernow might want to know why I didn??™t ask permission to leave the ship. Anyway, never mind about that, the Bodmin coach leaves in an hour??™. Archie collected their bags and they quietly left the little tavern, which had been their home for the last few days. But little did they realise that a Prussian grenadier called Horst was quietly watching them from behind a pair of beer barrels
Captain Kernow
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by Kris on Sat Sep 20, 2008 8:24 pm
The first scenicy bits are have now started to appear. The base painting of the track has now been completed. I've made a start on the river and stream banks, and the platform has also been started. It's amazing what you can get done whilst one bit has glue drying.
I'm still not happy with the buffer stop. I can live with the lack of uniformity in the side frame but it's the lack of high which is really bugging me and likely to lead to replacement. I might try just adding some new uprights to see if I can bring it up to a better height.
by 2mmMark on Sat Sep 20, 2008 9:55 pm
Kris, the trick with 2mm finescale bufferstops is to solder 4 lengths of code 40 rail side by side vertically, then bend all 4 together as one. Heat up after bending to seperate.
Mark.
Not far from what was 70B
2mmMark
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by Kris on Sun Sep 21, 2008 9:02 am
2mmMark wrote:Kris, the trick with 2mm finescale bufferstops is to solder 4 lengths of code 40 rail side by side vertically, then bend all 4 together as one. Heat up after bending to seperate.
Mark.
Thanks Mark I'm now kicking myself for not thinking of doing it when I built this one.
Layout - Avonwick
Work bench
Kris
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by Kris on Tue Sep 23, 2008 4:46 pm
Scenic work is slowly progressing. I have lined the river and stream channels with the exception of the stream bed under the bridge and the platform is now well underway. The platform at Avonwick was lower than those of today. Looking at photos I'm guessing that it was only just over 2'6" above rail height.
I've included a couple of quick photos to give an impressing of the start I have made.
IMG_21949 Avonwick start of scenic bits.jpg (38.16 KiB) Viewed 3068 times
IMG_21952 Avonwick start of scenic bits.jpg (43.14 KiB) Viewed 3070 times
Layout - Avonwick
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by shortliner on Tue Sep 23, 2008 6:02 pm
RE Traverser - on Sunday morning I was in my local B&Q supershed. In the metal shapes rack I came across some brass in a Flat-bottomed U shape and some solid brass rod that is a perfect fit inside it.The rod will make the running surface and the u shape will epoxy to the underside of the traverser bed - power is fed via the rods and U-shaped channel
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shortliner
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by Kris on Sat Oct 18, 2008 3:51 pm
It's been a while since I updated what I've been doing (partly because I've not done a lot!). However today I've done something I mocked up the main station building in card. All the measurements for the building were guestimates based on photos. I've not added any of the chimneys yet and am still puzzling over the best way to represent the ornate supports that were on the canopy. In an ideal world these would be etched, but the cost of doing these would be prohibitive given that I only need 4.
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station building 1.jpg (37.27 KiB) Viewed 2886 times
station building 2.jpg (37.98 KiB) Viewed 2882 times
There is also a small shed that can be seen on some of the photos. This is the goods shed. I've knocked this up using plasticard.
Layout - Avonwick
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Kris
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by Tim V on Sun Nov 30, 2008 1:49 pm
There is a drawing of Loddiswell station building in the June '77 Model Railways, same as Avonwick. There are also drawings of the goods shed at Gara Bridge in the June '68 Railway Modeller.
If you haven't got access to copies send me a PM.
Tim V
Tim V
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by Kris on Sun Nov 30, 2008 4:38 pm
Thanks for the offer Tim.
I'll just add a quick up date for the progress I've slowly been making.
I've nearly completed the shell of the main station building. Creating the chimneys for this is fun!
IMG_3271.jpg (57.47 KiB) Viewed 2663 times
The cattle dock now has edging stones and a surface, so is now awaiting painting.
Work has started on constructing the bridge going under the platform. To do this I have trimmed the track bed (it was too wide), then removed sleepers so that a false steel bridge deck can be inserted.
IMG_3275.jpg (52.92 KiB) Viewed 2659 times
There will be part of an ornate metal (iron?) footbridge shown on the layout. To get to this there was a small crossing at the Kingsbridge end of the platform. Part of this crossing has been constructed.
I've fitted the electromagnets for uncoupling, but have not wired them up yet - This was a job for today but making the soldering iron go bang at 10:30 this morning put pay to that idea. I have popped out and bought a replacement one this afternoon, only to get home and find out that it's a 12v one, arrgh, something tells me it's not a good day to be soldering.
Layout - Avonwick
Work bench
Kris
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by -missy- on Thu Dec 18, 2008 9:00 pm
Hello Kris
Where have you gone? Its just getting interesting too and you have gone quiet! Show me more.....
M.
HIGHCLERE
-missy-
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by Kris on Thu Dec 18, 2008 10:15 pm
Progress has been rather limited by work so far this month, so there's not much to show Missy. I've managed to fit the electromagnets for uncoupling and have started building the insides of the station building (it's going to be basic), but other than that I've not managed anything . I can't promise much over Christmas either, Once I do get a few moments though I'll crack on again.
Layout - Avonwick
Work bench
Kris
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by London cambrian on Sat Dec 20, 2008 3:47 pm
I think its going very nicely Kris. I like the station buildings especially.
LC
AKA... Mark.
by Kris on Thu Jan 08, 2009 8:21 pm
Right with Christmas out of the way I've made a small amount of progress on Avonwick.
The scenic board has been missing a board, onto which I could attach a back scene, this part is now no longer missing, it's nailed and glued on. I have also added a sheet of paper onto which I will at some point paint / bodge a nice (hopefully) back scene. This is currently looking a little rough at the top and bottom. Not really an issue as it will be covered by scenery at the bottom and some woodwork to hold up a bit of lighting at the top, more on the lighting to follow.
I have started to add the formers' for the small ground level rises (can't be a hill as it's only about 15-20 scale feet in height) at the South Brent end of the layout. So far these have just been done with corrugated card every 30mm or so, and only on the viewing side of the layout, however I intend to start on the risers for the rear of the layout once I've finished this post.
The stream running under the station has had its channel lined with "bricks". From the photos I have I'm not 100% sure if the brick lining is correct, but it looks okay.
The base of the main river bed has had a quick coat of paint seal the wood.
Back to the lighting. I have decided to try lighting the layout with LED's, having picked up a set cheap after Christmas (07 rather than 08!). To support these I am currently constructing a frame to attach to the top of the end and back scene boards. I have got as far as cutting the framework to size and marking out all the holes that I need to drill for the LED's, all 180 of them. If the weather is okay on Saturday I aim to get drilling then. Hopefully having this number of LED's over an area just 6ft square should give enough light, if not it's back to the drawing board.
IMG_23552 Avonwick Model station main board.jpg (46.55 KiB) Viewed 2096 times
IMG_23553 Avonwick Model station main board.jpg (56.03 KiB) Viewed 2094 times
As you can see from the above picture's I have not finished the station building yet, and I can't even claim that it's down to the builders going under in the current financial climate, it's just slackness on my behalf
The 108 has not yet been converted to run on the track, it's just placed there looking pretty. I know it's not appropriate for the line, but hey looks good and if I purchase the kits for the correct DMU's I've got to then find time to build them along with the rest of the layout and other kits that I have in the queue.
Layout - Avonwick
Work bench
Kris
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by Brinkly on Thu Jan 08, 2009 8:53 pm
Hi Kris,
What a lovely project, I live down the road at Ivybridge and it is nice to see a local line being modelled. I can sympathise entirely with having so much to do and so little time!
Keep us updated as I am looking forward to seeing the layout grow.
Nick
Member of SWAG
Brinkly
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by Kris on Sat Jan 10, 2009 4:36 pm
A bit of hard work today (in between some gardening) has seen the lighting board built painted and added to the main board. The lights have been placed in their locations, but not yet glued down. Overall the light is a little blue as expected. The light is a little dimmer that hoped for but not unbearably so.
A little bit of wiring.
IMG_23554 Avonwick Model station main board lighting.jpg (67.07 KiB) Viewed 1862 times
IMG_23555 Avonwick Model station main board lighting.jpg (46.93 KiB) Viewed 1862 times
Layout - Avonwick
Work bench
Kris
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by Kris on Sun Jan 11, 2009 5:43 pm
Further progress has been made today. The addition of the back scene prevented me placing the controller on the top of the layout (where it had been placed for testing purposes). To solve this problem I have added a hinged shelf with a lip to the underside of the layout. When in use this folds down and the controller is placed on it and plugged into the layout. This solution was chosen as it does not take up any additional space when the layout is stored as the shelf folds up fully into the underside of the baseboard.
I have also made a start on a small control panel which will, when complete show the direction the points are set, house the buttons for uncouplers and a switch for building lighting. This control panel has been designed to fold up into the underside of the baseboard when not in use like the controller shelf.
Layout - Avonwick
Work bench
Kris
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by -missy- on Sun Jan 11, 2009 8:00 pm
Hello Kris
Its great to see some progress on the layout. The LED lights really do fascinate me, they certianly do give a sort of feel to the layout and I am looking forward to seeing it for real. Are you brining it to this years 2mm Expo? I was thinking of using a similar method for lighting myself once but I didnt really take it any further as I wasnt sure they would be bright enough.
Keep up the brilliant work...
Missy
HIGHCLERE
-missy-
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by Kris on Sun Jan 11, 2009 8:19 pm
-missy- wrote:Hello Kris
Its great to see some progress on the layout. The LED lights really do fascinate me, they certianly do give a sort of feel to the layout and I am looking forward to seeing it for real. Are you brining it to this years 2mm Expo? I was thinking of using a similar method for lighting myself once but I didnt really take it any further as I wasnt sure they would be bright enough.
Keep up the brilliant work...
Missy
Thanks for the comments Missy. It's highly unlikely that I will be at the Expo this year. It's a 6 hour / 320 mile journey to get there, which would mean leaving on Friday, something that work prevents me doing I'm still not sure that the LED's are bright enough on there own, however providing the layout's not in a very dark location they appear to boost the available light enough. The photo taken with the LED's on was in a dark location, with no camera flash.
Layout - Avonwick
Work bench
Kris
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by Kris on Fri Jan 16, 2009 1:54 pm
A morning off work has seen the wiring for the point work of Avonwick altered. When I started the project I always intended for it to be DCC, however when I wired in the points to start with I wired them up with standard switches. This has now been changed and the points are now controlled via a Lenz LS150 decoder. This changed has removed some of the switches hanging down below the baseboard, making things a little neater. It did take a little while for me to figure out how to program the pulse time of the decoders, but an hour or two later I think that the four points are now working as was was expecting them to. All good that!
This morning also saw a Hymek converted to DCC - a nice easy job, would have been quicker if I'd had my thinking head on! This will become one of the main loco's on the layout once the wheels have been turned down to 2mm spec (just need to send them off now to get that done).
The postman also delivered a couple of spare parts that I need to convert a Farish xx57 to run on Avonwick. When I first tried to convert one a few years ago I rushed it, failed to use the correct tools and consequently ended up with a chassis that was wrong Hopefully this time I'll get it right!
Layout - Avonwick
Work bench
Kris
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by Kris on Fri Jan 16, 2009 4:13 pm
I've just spent the afternoon doing a tiny bit of ballasting (oh the joy), and having done this I've been having a think about the second fiddle yard. Given that I'm going to be operating the layout on my own I'm not sure now whether to have to traversers or to convert the second one to a conventional ladder of points. The working involved in doing this would be reasonably minimal, but I would be limited to a maximum of 6 points which would cut the storage potential. At the moment the second board has only the lead track on it. This track would be required for the point or traverser solution so is not wasted.
Any thoughts on traverser of ladder of points?
Layout - Avonwick
Work bench
Kris
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by -missy- on Fri Jan 16, 2009 4:48 pm
Kris wrote:The postman also delivered a couple of spare parts that I need to convert a Farish xx57 to run on Avonwick. When I first tried to convert one a few years ago I rushed it, failed to use the correct tools and consequently ended up with a chassis that was wrong Hopefully this time I'll get it right!
Hello again Kris
Its great to hear things are still happening on Avonwick. As a matter of interest how are you converting the pannier tank? Are you using the 2mm SA conversion kit? The reason I ask is because I would love to know what its like and how easy it is to convert, I did think about using it for mine but ended up scratch building a replacement chassis!
Missy
HIGHCLERE
-missy-
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by Kris on Fri Jan 16, 2009 5:04 pm
Hi Missy
I'm using the association kit. I've just started a work bench thread about it. There's a link at the bottom of this.
Layout - Avonwick
Work bench
Kris
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by Barcaneatpete on Tue Jan 20, 2009 6:16 pm
Hi Kris
Have been catching up on this thread. It looks to be a very nice project and I look forward to seeing it at the 2mm 2010 Expo.
I really like the simplicity of the track plan and the narrative that accompanys it.
For your station buildings, have you prepared a base of embossed plastic sheets and then overlaid very thin card to create the quoin stones etc around the corners and openings? It looks very effective.
Keep up the good work
Pete
by Kris on Tue Jan 20, 2009 6:50 pm
Barcaneatpete wrote:
For your station buildings, have you prepared a base of embossed plastic sheets and then overlaid very thin card to create the quoin stones etc around the corners and openings? It looks very effective.
Cheers for the comments Pete, whilst it's most definitely not up there with the very best layouts, I am enjoying building most of it (ballasting excepted ). The station building is a base of embossed plastic sheet (2 different styles) then overlaid with 10 thou (from memory) plasticard to create the quoin stones. I did try using paper but it didn't work very well.
Layout - Avonwick
Work bench
Kris
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by Barcaneatpete on Wed Jan 21, 2009 9:04 am
Kris wrote:whilst it's most definitely not up there with the very best layouts,
Kris - can't see why not? - for me, the forum allows us to draw inspiration and motivation from other peoples progress and achievements and learn some new techniques - I am always keeping tabs on it and am looking forward to seeing more pictures. Pete
Barcaneatpete
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by sithlord75 on Tue Feb 03, 2009 10:24 am
Just found this thread courtesy of Missy plugging the 2mm FS Gang. Very interesting.
Looking forward to progress reports now that I have caught up!
Kevin Knight
by Kris on Sun Feb 08, 2009 12:50 pm
The hills of Avonwick are slowly coming to life, well they aren't just card former's now. They are now prepared for a coat of paper m????ch???©. I have done this using small balls of screwed up paper, (care of an old phone book) between the card former's covered in masking tape to keep the paper balls in check and to give a better surface for the paper m????ch???© to form a smooth unridged surface (well fingers are crossed for the last bit! ).
New Hills at Avonwick
IMG_3873.jpg (34.37 KiB) Viewed 664 times
by Barcaneatpete on Sun Feb 08, 2009 3:36 pm
Kris - watching with interest as I need to move into that phase soon - how will you treat the scenic break? ......with a bridge/tunnel/trees??? Pete
Barcaneatpete
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by Kris on Sun Feb 08, 2009 4:23 pm
Hi Pete.
The scenic break will be masked by trees, which were / are there in reality. At the Kingsbridge end the trees are big scots pines close to the track, with smaller trees closer to the river. The South Brent has lots of smaller trees of various species (I haven't looked at these closely yet to work out what they are).
Layout - Avonwick
Work bench
Kris
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by Kris on Mon Feb 16, 2009 11:09 am
A little while ago I talked about changing the fiddle yard at the Kingsbridge end of Avonwick from a traverser style one to a more standard point arrangement. Having spent a little while considering this I have decided to go down this route. This has not been an easy decision to come to as it means scrapping part of the original idea + work already done, and loosing some flexibility regarding train length.
I have decided to do this as it makes the layout easier to operate on my own and saves me having to walk up and down in front of layout (it's mainly a home based layout so I have designed it to be operated from the front).
As the layout still has to conform to the rules of the 2mm associations Golden jubilee challenge size of a maximum size of 9.42 square foot I don't have the space to build a full set of running loops, so I have come to the plan below. I have done some calculations and find I have up to 300 inches in which to build this. If I discount the areas of the board next to the points (acceptable under the rules) I can fit this plan in quite easily. This plan will give me the option of running round some trains and bringing in new locos for trains using the red and green sidings. I intend for the spare locos to be held on one of the yellow lines, with the other line being used for DMU's. I have only gone for a 6 point layout as I have already got 6 point motors, and am being tight fisted and don't want to buy more.
fiddle yard for Avonwick.jpg (46.11 KiB) Viewed 2058 times
So having decided to go down this route, what's the next step? I have assessed the current base board frame and believe that with a bit of modification I can reuse this. This modification will be include adding in some more cross bracing and a new board top. I have the wood for more bracing but not the top, but that's only a minor expense. I won't be able to get the wood until Wednesday so I won't be doing the board until then. In the mean time I intend to start building the points. These will just be solder and sleeper construction.
Layout - Avonwick
Work bench
Kris
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by Kris on Mon Feb 16, 2009 5:51 pm
In between poking more at the 57xx and going for a walk on the beach, I've knocked together the first turnout for the new fiddle yard.
IMG_23889 Point for Avonwick.jpg (36.12 KiB) Viewed 1980 times
Layout - Avonwick
Work bench
Kris
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by Barcaneatpete on Tue Feb 17, 2009 9:15 am
Kris - Great progress with the turnout - you are a lot more efficient than me with your track building!
In terms of your traverser, am just struggling to get my head around the overall picture. Is it a through station with fiddleyards either end or only at one end? I always thought it was the former looking at the openings at each end of the wooden backscene? Also, you mention allowable rules within the GJLC competition.......where can you find that in more detail, as I only have the original flyer giving the 9.42 requirement
Grateful for any further intel!
Pete
Barcaneatpete
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Posts: 750
Joined: Sun Jul 20, 2008 7:27 am
Location: Barcelona
Top
Re: Avonwick
by Kris on Tue Feb 17, 2009 4:35 pm
Hi Pete
This is a section of an e-mail from Simon regarding entry. I imagine you should have it. It was sent on the 13th July 2008.
Rule 1. The Layout should be a maximum of 9.42 square feet (inc fiddle yard)
The total area of any cassettes that are being used does not count towards the total area of the layout. Cassettes or Traversers are allowed to overhang the baseboard edge by a third of their length (unsupported) without being included in the total area.
Additional shelves and tables are not included in total area.
If the entry is intended to form part of a larger layout, it can be entered on larger boards with the "Challenge" area being entered clearly identified.
There are 2 fiddle yards on the layout. I'm keeping one as a traverer, the one at the same end as the controller. It's the second one that is being converted from a traverser to a standard fiddle yard. As this 2nd yard will be exposed to view it is my intention to convert it to a scenic are in future and extend from the red and blue lines. (When I first thought of this idea I had hoped to motorise and hide this traverser) I've not quite worked out how I'm going to mark out what is not included in the competition size but this might include lots of nasty coloured paint.
thanks for the comment on the point. Before I went out this morning I managed to get another 1 1/4 hours modelling done which saw a second point 80% completed. This second point is looking better than the first one.
Layout - Avonwick
Work bench
Kris
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by Kris on Tue Feb 17, 2009 6:01 pm
Point 2 now finished.
Layout - Avonwick
Work bench
Kris
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by Barcaneatpete on Tue Feb 17, 2009 6:20 pm
Kris
Thanks for the extract on the GJLC. I never got that email from Simon - I requested further information a few times but he said he was having probs with his internet connection. I would have thought it would have been on the 2mm Website or in the journal. If you have it still I would be curious to see it to check I am not violating anything [can you PM it to me?]
That said, the combined total of my three boards [shelves] is just uncanningly within the requirements of the GJLC rules [.17 sq ft!] with my cassettes contained within
Thanks also for the clarification on your traverser. Now I get the picture. Interesting that you are building in a bit of flexibility for the future. Perhaps you can find another way of indicating the section outside of the GJLC without resorting to the horrible colour paint!
Sounds like that new fiddleyard will be completed in the next 10 days, the speed of which you are building
Pete
Barcaneatpete
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by Kris on Tue Feb 17, 2009 7:34 pm
Do you want me to send you the complete mail Pete? If so just pop me a PM with your e-mail address on and I'll forward it to you.
As to the fiddle yard. I've got this week off so I'm hope to get most of done before the weekend. Yesterday and today has been manly family orientated, so I should be able to increase my productivity over the next couple of days. I'd also like to get a couple of scenicy bits done to the main board this week.
Layout - Avonwick
Work bench
Kris
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by Barcaneatpete on Tue Feb 17, 2009 7:40 pm
Kris wrote:Do you want me to send you the complete mail Pete? If so just pop me a PM with your e-mail address on and I'll forward it to you.
As to the fiddle yard. I've got this week off so I'm hope to get most of done before the weekend. Yesterday and today has been manly family orientated, so I should be able to increase my productivity over the next couple of days. I'd also like to get a couple of scenicy bits done to the main board this week.
Kris - Thanks - PM en route!
So I was almost right......the fiddleyard will be finished sooner than 10 days
Pete
Barcaneatpete
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by Bryn on Wed Feb 18, 2009 3:17 pm
Kris wrote:In between poking more at the 57xx and going for a walk on the beach, I've knocked together the first turnout for the new fiddle yard.
Bryn
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by Kris on Wed Feb 18, 2009 5:51 pm
Thanks for the comment on the point Bryn, though I must say it's not as neat went you look at at really closely. On the plus side I've now completed the 5th point and purchased the wood I need to rebuild the baseboard. All I need now is for the drizzle to stop tomorrow so I can get on with rebuilding the baseboard.
Layout - Avonwick
Work bench
Kris
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by Kris on Thu Feb 19, 2009 8:15 am
The final point has now been completed , so it's now time to have breakfast, then it's onwards with sorting out the boards that they will sit on.
The quality of the points has improved as I've been building them, but the appearance of them is still quite rough, but as they are for the fiddle yard I'm happy with that. When the layout get extended in the future they may be replaced, but for the time being they'll do.
Layout - Avonwick
Work bench
Kris
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by Kris on Thu Feb 19, 2009 4:29 pm
A new (converted) flat top has emerged, and is now ready for fitting out.
I've laid the points out in their approximate positions and any eagle eyed amongst you may notice that they don't quite match the plan I produced earlier. Now I could claim that I have done this as it provides a better layout for the fiddle yard as it allows me to have a DMU with a tail load and run round it, this however would be a lie and we don't like those do we . The truth is more along the lines of me failing to take account of the fiddle yard entrance being slightly off set whoops. The original plan didn't quite fit. Never mind. This one takes up less space and gives a couple of longer sidings, all the better for storage etc.
The bus bars for power are already in place.
Avonwick new fiddle yard.jpg (42.73 KiB) Viewed 1292 times
The loop will mainly allow me to run round freight trains, the maximum length of which will be a brake van + 10 short wheel base wagons.
The longest siding should hold a loco + 5 coaches (Not tested but I'm hopeful).
I now need to let the glue dry. Tomorrow should see some more track building and some track laying.
Layout - Avonwick
Work bench
Kris
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by Kris on Sun Feb 22, 2009 6:33 pm
Today has been a busy one.
I start just before this point by finishing the run round loop to produce this.
IMG_23938 New fiddle yard for Avonwick.jpg (44.47 KiB) Viewed 1177 times
The next step was to add the short spur at the end of the loop to allow running round.
IMG_23939 New fiddle yard for Avonwick.jpg (48.68 KiB) Viewed 1175 times
Once this was in the siding to be used by DMU's was added.
IMG_23941 New fiddle yard for Avonwick.jpg (48.72 KiB) Viewed 1172 times
Then came the longest siding which will a some point in the future form a through line.
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