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Lights, power, mirror and paint...

bcnPete

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Evening all,

 

Aside from the BV kit posted earlier this week, I mentioned I was hoping to do further works on the layout having taken the 4 days off work. Am happy to report some good progress has been made.

 

First up was acquiring a Digikeijs DR500 which James at DCC Automation had suggested to me last year as I was worried about continually plugging and unplugging the wires on the Uhlenbrock Daisy between layouts. One of the great things about this bit of kit is that it has a socket which the Daisy handset can be plugged into. It also has 3 Amps so am told has more oomph for 7mm. Having mounted it in position and connected the track outputs and programme track, I plugged in the Daisy handset and off I went - It can also be connected to a laptop and also allows running stuff off your phone / tablet :yahoo:

B209FBDD-BA60-46E1-9917-F24A8B0FC0AA.jpeg.8cde3179872839bd1cf9927824d9918a.jpeg

 

Next up was spraying the track as despite most of it is inset, I wanted to ensure no silver bits can be seen between the gaps. This was done using Phoenix Precision track colour (weathered sleepers) and I do like the colour it gives as a base. The main road along the front will be ballasted so am looking at using black ash based on some colour photos I have of the line in use. Am still in two minds how to do the inset track as it’s been a disaster for me a few times on my 2mm layouts. I think after talking with Gordon and Maggie I will try card as they have done on Arun Quay - that looks fab :yes: 

 

Then, the backscene was also filled and a first coat of off white put on to lighten it up. This was done using Wilco match pot testers. Most of it will be taken out by the dries buildings so it is more the sky for this model...and I try to avoid pure blue as it never seems to work for me :no: Some more filling and sanding required to finish this.

 

Another development was to add a mirror as per Marc Smith’s suggestion at the start of this project. Rather than get one cut, I first tested the idea using some mirror sheet we had in our studio. It’s only 1mm thick so fairly easy to score and cut with a scalpel. I must say I am very happy with the result even though it’s just been dropped in temporarily - it needs bringing flush with the rail heads but first impressions is that it will give the dries added length...and double the amount of hoods as I only have 4 :D

 

09D34434-794D-4265-A974-B82F396A14BE.jpeg.b17429eeaf98b65cf8c9ff81c671de60.jpeg

 

I also finished the lighting installation. Both boards/shelves are lit by a Screwfix type LED light, 911mm in length more usually used under kitchen cabinets giving a cool white light. As I wanted to have continuous lighting and no gaps, it occurred to me I could mount the 911mm fittings each end and then add a 300mm fitting to bridge the gap. This means the 911mm fittings are permanently mounted and secured with a glue gun. Once the layout is assembled, the 300mm fitting is then slid into position to link them. The beauty of this being, if I want to only work on one board/shelf at a time, I can still plug in a cable and light the 911mm strip whilst I am doing scenics :smoke: 

 

In the style of the Karate Kid Master...

 

4F96A8B2-1EAF-4EF1-A507-DADC3CEFAFF8.jpeg.9646bb3610553619b649e48aba1a1918.jpeg

Lights off...

 

2B05D45C-4F87-4353-B3DF-A4998909118D.jpeg.6282ef7580e8ad98746fa15cd5c24e14.jpegLights on...

 

Finally I gave a couple of coats of my usual grey paint to the front fascias. One end will have the mirror, the other will have a clear perspex sheet. Am thinking of cutting two openings in that should I decide to add on a small cassette at a later date - this will be explored through sketches...watch this space ;) The layout name was also added in my usual font by self adhesive letters.

 

The end of the week saw me having a little running session with the 08, hoods and BV kit. Much pleasure was derived from that sound chipped 08 shuffling a few wagons around. I have attached a few pics already so size restrictions prevent more. If I can upload a couple of vids I might do this as a separate follow up post. Overall, am happy with the way things are moving on this project.

 

84640A34-230A-4BD2-8A7D-90A749489CE4.jpeg.d180afccff9df452b41135a42e2901dc.jpeg

 

As always, comments welcomed...

 

Pete

 

 

 

 

 

 

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bcnPete
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10 hours ago, NeilHB said:

Looking good Pete - so glad to see progress on Wenford! 

 

Many thanks NeilHB...the mojo is raging on this one at present...

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south_tyne

Fantastic to read of progress Pete as I have been following and admiring this one for a long time. The track colour looks excellent and the use of the mirror is great. It certainly had me fooled!! 

 

As with all your work, the presentation of the layout is superb. Glad to see you have got some 0 gauge mojo! Hope to see more in due course. 

 

David 

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Mikkel
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Nice progress Pete, these free days can sometimes end up a disappointment as you build up expectations but reality then intrudes. However you've clearly made maximum progress here. It's fun to see the old mirror trick come back in use, and very effective and well masked too, even at this stage.

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Stoker

It feels like a bit of a waste to bury such nice trackwork under concrete! But nonetheless I look forward to seeing how you tackle it.

The real thing was done in two pours - the first pour established a base slab onto which the track was bolted, the second pour brought the concrete surface level with the railhead. The second pour was shuttered on both sides of each rail, and so far I've yet to see anyone model this detail. The idea was that the track could be removed and replaced since the bolts were still accessible. I think you could probably do it with a first pour to fill the gaps between the sleepers, and then glue some styrene angle section either side of the rail up against the chairs to act as a form for the second pour. If you wanted to be super realistic, use some fine sand to partially fill the gaps. In less travelled bits plants and grasses would grow in the sand, another detail perhaps.

Another detail I never see on model clay works is hose pipes for hosing down the concrete after loading. The loading edge wall would have spigots and coiled up hoses hanging on hooks. You can see what I mean in this photo on the right hand side just below Elaine.

5924730_orig.jpg.d84d16f82438e7902c4c38cd68db144b.jpg

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bcnPete
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On 27/04/2019 at 10:59, south_tyne said:

Fantastic to read of progress Pete as I have been following and admiring this one for a long time. The track colour looks excellent and the use of the mirror is great. It certainly had me fooled!! 

 

As with all your work, the presentation of the layout is superb. Glad to see you have got some 0 gauge mojo! Hope to see more in due course. 

 

David 

 

Many thanks David - am really enjoying the big stuff at the moment!...

 

22 hours ago, Mikkel said:

Nice progress Pete, these free days can sometimes end up a disappointment as you build up expectations but reality then intrudes. However you've clearly made maximum progress here. It's fun to see the old mirror trick come back in use, and very effective and well masked too, even at this stage.

 

Many thanks Mikkel - Yep I know what you mean re free days - I think I managed to balance the week with a few chores and some modelling. I also knew what I wanted to try and achieve which I think helps. The mirror gag works for the wagons but not so good when the 08 appears at the other end!...

 

17 hours ago, Stoker said:

It feels like a bit of a waste to bury such nice trackwork under concrete! But nonetheless I look forward to seeing how you tackle it.

The real thing was done in two pours - the first pour established a base slab onto which the track was bolted, the second pour brought the concrete surface level with the railhead. The second pour was shuttered on both sides of each rail, and so far I've yet to see anyone model this detail. The idea was that the track could be removed and replaced since the bolts were still accessible. I think you could probably do it with a first pour to fill the gaps between the sleepers, and then glue some styrene angle section either side of the rail up against the chairs to act as a form for the second pour. If you wanted to be super realistic, use some fine sand to partially fill the gaps. In less travelled bits plants and grasses would grow in the sand, another detail perhaps.

Another detail I never see on model clay works is hose pipes for hosing down the concrete after loading. The loading edge wall would have spigots and coiled up hoses hanging on hooks. You can see what I mean in this photo on the right hand side just below Elaine.

5924730_orig.jpg.d84d16f82438e7902c4c38cd68db144b.jpg

 

Thanks Scott - some interesting information there about the concrete. Interesting that you talk about pours as this time I think I will not use filler or DAS clay etc. I am going to use mounting* (:biggrin_mini2:) board card and in fact had another good chat with Gordon Gravett yesterday (at the Nescot show) about how he did it on the superb Arun Quay.

 

Am thinking of doing a length of track to test both ballast and inset track as both are key to getting this project right...

 

*edited for typo...

Edited by bcnPete
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Stoker

I assume you meant "mounting" not "mountain"!

Yes I've thought about going that route too. There's an art and framing store a short walk from where I live that could probably supply the material. The only thing you'd have to be careful of is the thickness. Using fine sand to partly fill the gaps between the card and the rail you could hide the sleepers while leaving enough room for the flangeway. Then For points where you won't be able to use the sand trick, I think I'd be tempted to use the card to fill the gaps between the sleepers.

I think I might just have to pop up to the model store to get some cheapo code 100 points and track to test this out.

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bcnPete
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1 hour ago, Stoker said:

I assume you meant "mounting" not "mountain"!

 

Good spot and yes to that...:jester:

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46444
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Cracking progress Pete.

 

Nice work and bet your pleased with how WD has progressed.

 

Can't beat an 08 shuffling a few clay hoods about.

 

Look forwards to seeing scenics develop.

 

Cheers,

 

Mark ;)

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PaternosterRow
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Great progress, Pete.  Lovely and the presentation is superb as usual.  The mirror is a brilliant idea and the join is seamless - always a hard trick to pull off.  Love to see those vids with sound.  

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bcnPete
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On 28/04/2019 at 22:34, 46444 said:

Cracking progress Pete.

 

Nice work and bet your pleased with how WD has progressed.

 

Can't beat an 08 shuffling a few clay hoods about.

 

Look forwards to seeing scenics develop.

 

Cheers,

 

Mark ;)

 

Thanks Mark

 

Have made a test strip of 60ft to try some ballast and inset track samples on...

 

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On 28/04/2019 at 23:42, PaternosterRow said:

Great progress, Pete.  Lovely and the presentation is superb as usual.  The mirror is a brilliant idea and the join is seamless - always a hard trick to pull off.  Love to see those vids with sound.  

 

Thanks Mike - will see what I can do about the vids...think they will be too big as am not a ‘Goldmember’ :D

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PaternosterRow
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2 hours ago, bcnPete said:

 

Thanks Mark

 

Have made a test strip of 60ft to try some ballast and inset track samples on...

 

3BFA74E4-7ABC-4132-BF9B-073CBBBB5C6F.jpeg.4c4ac3b99ba971c22934c55ca8f61a51.jpeg

 

 

Thanks Mike - will see what I can do about the vids...think they will be too big as am not a ‘Goldmember’ :D

Know what you mean about the Gold member reference.  All this new business reminds me about a hilarious ‘Frasier’ episode.  The one where he and Niles join an exclusive men’s relaxation salon.  Never satisfied they both mithered on about upgrading their membership to Gold status once they realized they were only at Silver level. After much wrangling they managed to get an upgrade and got to go through to the super exclusive Gold sauna area.  Once inside, both all wrapped up in robes and smeared with lotions, they spotted what looked like a Platinum door.  They started mithering on again about exclusivity especially after being told by an assistant that the area beyond the door was out of bounds to them.  Of course, they both couldn’t resist and eventually opened it and went through. The door slammed shut behind them and, after wiping off their face masks, they found themselves in a back alleyway amongst the trash bins!  The funniest bit of Telly I ever saw.  

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Mikkel
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"Niles, why can't we be happy? Why must we allow the thought of something that at this point can only be incrementally better rule what is here and now?"

 

Not standard fare for a sitcom!

 

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bcnPete
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19 hours ago, PaternosterRow said:

Know what you mean about the Gold member reference.  All this new business reminds me about a hilarious ‘Frasier’ episode.  The one where he and Niles join an exclusive men’s relaxation salon.  Never satisfied they both mithered on about upgrading their membership to Gold status once they realized they were only at Silver level. After much wrangling they managed to get an upgrade and got to go through to the super exclusive Gold sauna area.  Once inside, both all wrapped up in robes and smeared with lotions, they spotted what looked like a Platinum door.  They started mithering on again about exclusivity especially after being told by an assistant that the area beyond the door was out of bounds to them.  Of course, they both couldn’t resist and eventually opened it and went through. The door slammed shut behind them and, after wiping off their face masks, they found themselves in a back alleyway amongst the trash bins!  The funniest bit of Telly I ever saw.  

 

14 hours ago, Mikkel said:

"Niles, why can't we be happy? Why must we allow the thought of something that at this point can only be incrementally better rule what is here and now?"

 

Not standard fare for a sitcom!

 

 

Does sound funny guys :laugh:

 

Only extract I have seen from the show is where he says “I’m back baby” :D

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