Sometimes all the thinking in the world can't compete with a a well timed bodge up I've been thinking about how to frame the layout for a while now, some of you will remember my BcnPete style sketch from last summer.
After operating Jerry's excellent layout, Highbury Colliery at RailEx, I was convinced a picture frame type arrangement will work very well in this scale. Now time to put concept into practice.
Thanks to Mr Masking Tap and his old friend Double Corrugated I have
After many years of sitting on the back of the work bench, my humble 20T brake has finally been completed. Built from the 2mm Association etched kit, I have to say I'm pleased with the end result. I've still got another to build, I just hope it doesn't take another 3 years to finish it
Next up is my MDO, a Stephen Harris etch. This is stil a "work in progress model". Firstly, I painted it a solid light rust and then stippled on some darker rusts. Then I left it for a few days to dry
Finally some progress on the layout! I've finally got on with trying out CNC cut ply wood, as previously done by Missy on her excellent fiddle yard. The top beam is designed to turn the single sheet back scene into a structural support for the forth coming lighting rig, a sketch of the possible design is shown below. I am very impressed with this machined ply, accurate and a clean cut The above photos show a dry run, tape and airbrush boxes arn't in the final design...
After following TomE's approach I've been playing with some test ballast examples. Above shows what I have finally decided on using on Colwyn, it's a 50/50 mix of Treemedus Earth power and Carrs fine ash ballast, all fixed with (still wet and slightly glossy) Kleer. I will do a more indpeth write up when it gets applied to the layout. Thanks again to Tom for the advice
Another experiment was to prepare the plastic Easitrac sleepers to take paint more readily, this was done by brushing on a
Too much track tweaking can drive a person insane. Now for an image intermission.
I know it doesn't look very different from the images from last November, but it now runs and basic shunting is now possible
After a few "cut n' shut" style modifications I have just about finished the first test build. The top sides have been lowered and the overall hopper shortened by .3mm. Next to that, it all seemed fit.
Even thought it looks a bit worse for wear, I'm quite happy with the out come. I just have to design the hopper operating mechanisms and the vacuum braking components.
Also, since have your attention;
I am still after any images of Herrings you may have. I am modelling the GWR design
Video Link Broken
Just to prove I have got something running and an excuse to play with my new camera. Sorry about the quality, but good lighting has always been an issue. I am currently playing around with methods to treat Easitrac ready for painting, more on that next time.
EDIT: By clicking the video you have the option to select full screen in HD, well worth the effort.
After some consideration I have decided to withdraw Colwyn Bay Goods from the GJLC. Due to personal reasons, I can not complete the layout to a standard where I would be happy with by July.
Thanks to everyone who followed the thread and gave up time to help with research and construction advice. The layout will go into storage and I hope to have another attempt over the coming winter months.
The on going saga of my first attempt at etch design lumbers forward once again. Modifications include -
1) Finally I created some axle boxes and springs. Layer etch, Stephen Harris style.
2) Brake rigging/rib issues have been resolved. They don't clash anymore!
3) Beefed up wire on pivot bar, 0.5mm wire from 0.3mm.
4) Clever tab system to line up hopper doors.
It might see production next year, if the slow rate of progress continues
Just a quick post to show the on going progress of the layout. All track work is currently in place and the 3 way installation is still on going. I'm quite happy with it so far, in comparison to the link below;
http://www.2d53.co.u...ynbay/s2378.jpg
(Thanks to Dave Plimmer www.2d53.co.uk)
Anyway, back to the grind stone...
Introduction
My name is Bryn and I've decided to build a layout for the 2mm Association's golden jubilee challenge, based around the goods yard at Colwyn Bay. What started as a shunting plank has now grown into a full layout, thanks to the competition. With the sheer luck of; the new Farish 24 and TTAs, new etched 2FS 16T minerals and cheaper DDC systems, it looks like this might be possible after all.
The Prototype
The goods yard at Colwyn Bay was built in the early part of the 20th centu
Yes, "that" 24. It's the only one that would have still been operational during my time period. That's my excuse anyway
Modifications
- Water tanks removed from the underframe.
- Body side steps filled to boiler fill point.
- Gangway door filled, to represent welded up version.
- Headcode discs thinned down.
- Extra buffer beam details added, MW air pipes and electric MW socket rebuilt.
- TPM screw couplings.
Final painting and weathering is still required, but progress has been
Now this wagon has to be a personal record for the longest work bench tenant. At about 4 years from the start of the build and one of my first etched kits, I built the major body bits and left it be. This weekend I decided to finally get on with it, only to discover half the chassis trussing was on backwards! Much fudging ensued....
Please excuse some of the wonky details, most of it predates my ability to use a RSU properly
The kit is from Stephen Harris and is built as a vacuum fitte
Built from the etched kit 2-515 from the 2mm Scale Association Shop (originally an N Gauge Society kit) and fitted with 2-313 Standard BR W-irons, the above kit has been sitting on my shelf for the last two years. Since Graham Farish released a new version of the the RTR wagon, I didn't know which route to take.
In short.... I'm glad I continued with it
Just a quick post to show the track work is progressing. The ongoing saga of tweaking the points continues.
I have devised a little test axle to show up any faults with the track, quick to build and fun to play with. I hope it is of use to someone.
Well,
Slow progress is happening in my few days off before my second block of night shifts, the first turnout operating unit (TOU) has been installed. Luckily there was enough play in the whole assemble to stop any excess force being applied to the switch blades. The pictures are pretty much self explanatory, when compared with the previous post.
Also, I've knocked together a 12T van for a bit of a change. I'm quite pleased with it
Three months without an update, I'm sure that's a personal best
Nothing really to report, I'm halfway through installing my 3 way point and have decided to weather my 21T MDV coal wagon.
The above was achieved by first giving the etched wagon a grey etched primer base, followed by brush painting enamels in solid colours (sleeper grime for the chassis, rust for the body). Once these layers havd dried ff fully, I started adding a few basic washes of thinned acrylics. When these ha
I think I've over done this, but I'm still quite pleased 24081 is now officially my first finished locomotive for Colwyn Bay Goods.
Weathering was carried out by applying MIG powders in a thinner wash, quite thickly. Once dry, this thick layer was dusted back with a dry brush to give a more subtle tone. This was then sealed with a quick spray of Dullcote.
Just a quick photo update to catch up on a few of the smaller jobs that are on going around the layout;
First up is the fitting of chair plates, 2mm Scale Association part 1-092, to fix them I dipped the whole fish plate in thin super glue and held then in position with the tip of a pin until the glue set.
Here we have one of 5 etched buffer stops, designed by our very own Chris Higgs. Once this has be primed and fixed in place cosmetic sleepers will be added to fill the gaps, these wil
After nearly 2 years of inactivity Colwyn Bay Goods has finally seen some progress! Not much, but progress none the less. The track weathering has started and all the baseboard wiring has been completed.
This weekend it will be on display at the Nottingham show on the 2mm Finescale Association stand as a work in progress.
http://www.nottingham-modelrailway.org.uk/exhibmain1.htm
Built from Stephen Harris etches and weathered using methods previously described in past posts. Transfers are from the Fox range.
EDIT: Underframe image for Andy.
After readings David's excellent article on Easitrack step by step, I was inspired to do the same for fitting DG couplings. So here goes;
Constructing the DG
I'm not going to go into detail here, as the instructions are very good. I would highly recommend that you chemically blacken them now (while they are still on the fret), I used Carrs blackening fluid for this and just leave the etch in a shallow bath until they are a nice dark brown colour. I find dark brown blends in better than so
Tonight marks a small milestone, the wiring is complete and trains are running on the main board of Colwyn Bay Goods! After struggling with the 3 way point for the last 12 months, I can now put this chapter to rest. A few beers are in order
Also, the MDO has had the correct buffers fitted... from the MCV which also had incorrect buffers fitted. I should really start paying more attention
I am currently trying to make the correct style of MCV buffers by turning the heads of some
Sorry for the rushed post, but I thought I would post my idea for pivoting switch blades before I install them. One of the main issues with my 3 way asymmetrical point was the short switch blades.
The shortest blade will only be supported by 2 chairs, so...
- Two plastic chairs didn't seem tough enough long term.
- Two brass chairs on PCB sleepers would be more than strong enough...
- Now the blade was fixed solid at one end, it would be tough flex the short length of rail using
I've been experimenting with backscene materials, I finally decided on use of 3mm PVC foamboard. Unlike wood this has a very smooth finish and takes spray paint well, this was glued to the wooden frame with contact adhesive and kept it's subtle curves.
Track weathering was carried out with a dark brown powder pigment applied to each rail side, this was then faded in with a broad fan brush. Once happy this, along with the road/yard weathering was sealed with a matt varnis
