Avonwick South Devon in 2mm (Kris' Blog)

Looking very nice Kris.

 

The addition of paint to the scultptamold does seem to make a big difference in reducing that brilliant white glow! Though, 6 days does seem to be a bit long to dry out - I think you may have put it on a bit thick... ... I think this is an oportunity to learn from your experience

 

Just how long does it take to get round the layout at a 'reasonable' speed? I'm sure you could get dizzy in your swivel chair if you try to follow a train thats going too fast - more importantly - is the chair the one offered in the Not the Nine O'Clock News sketch on business negotiations.... ?

Yep, defiantly an opportunity to learn from my experience as far as thickness goes.

 

Travelling at about half speed my Hymek takes about 1:30 to travel a complete circuit. This is about a scale 3/4 mile, so a scale speed of about 30 mph. Going much faster than this makes the train appear to travel much to fast through the Avonwick section. I don't think that I am going to get to dizzy at that speed.

 

Now on to the important question of the chair......

 

 

.... I'm sorry I haven't a clue, but It's comfortable and allows me to work for hours at the computer when the layout is not in the way.

Each siding holds a large loco

 

...glad to see that you are still including that Class 50 in your plans Kris

 

Great shots posted - really gives a good sense of what you set out to achieve and it really takes Avonwick into a new chapter - That fiddleyard arrangement looks like it has worked out fine despite initials concerns about it being on the curve.

 

In terms of the chair I was thinking it looked more Darth Vader at the centre of controls than NTNON...and as for that video link :lol:

...Travelling at about half speed my Hymek takes about 1:30 to travel a complete circuit. This is about a scale 3/4 mile, so a scale speed of about 30 mph. Going much faster than this makes the train appear to travel much to fast through the Avonwick section...

 

Surely, that's still too fast - I think the historical precedent was clearly defined in the Titfield Thunderbolt - not to exceed an avarage speed of 25mph...

Yep still to fast Steve, not by much though, unless , cunning thought time, the line has applied for a transport and works order allowing a higher speed limit on the line, unlikely given the state of the track work I must say. Even back in BR and GWR days the maximum line speed was low, 35mph comes to mind but I can't think where I got this figure from.

 

extra thoughts on why the Sculptamold is taking so long to dry out.

 

Having the foam on the underside is giving a non permeable layer so any moisture in the sculptamold has to come out of the top thus slowing (maybe doubling) the drying times.

I suppose it might just be down to how thick you applied it. When I did mine it took a couple of days to go off having used brown corrugated card formers to make the contours onto which I applied a thin scrim...not unlike icing a cake...mind you, what I know about icing a cake I could write on the back of my hand...

...mind you, what I know about icing a cake I could write on the back of my hand...

 

[slight diversion off topic... - part of my selection criteria for SWMBO#2:

1) Must like trains...

2) Must cook...

I must have got lucky second time round as a) SWMBO#2 likes trains and n-gauge in particular (she's learning slowly about being converted to 2mmFS...), and B) she's a trained chef

 

end of diversion].

 

Back to the classics; how about this for a cameo somewhere on the 'back' of the layout (where the 'straight' joins the 'curve', furthest from window)...

 

 

...and just to keep the inspirational mojo flowing

 

 

...a suggestion for an Autocoach interior?

I've a lorry just (nearly) like the one shown, but no I shall resist, after all this would suggest that the local bus firm could get a bus to follow the route without it breaking down. I do like the suggestion of the autocoach.

Don't forget that there are etched kits in 2mm scale for the bogie coach (ex-Wisbech and Upwell), the GWR Toad van, and hopefully a chassis for the Dapol 14xx, so you have a complete 'Titfield' train. I think Jerry Clifford has one running on his Highbury Colliery layout. Now all we need is a kit for 'Thunderbolt' and a vintage carriage body on a well-wagon chassis, and away you go!

 

Andy

i've got the toad, I've got the well wagon, I've got the 14xx, no no no no no must not go further

Yes, yes, yes... ...you just know that it makes sense...

Now if you are really looking for a building 'challenge'...

 

 

...then you've got the complete 'set'

 

(PS don't get me started on the other great railway classic - The Great St Trinian's Train Robbery )

So ..... er ..... how does the wheel base of the lion compare to a 14xx? Might be a mini motor job though.

 

 

Why am I even thinking of this, I'm not even modelling the same county

Fixed wheelbase of 'Lion' 144.5 inches (12ft 0.5in)

 

Fixed wheelbase of 14xx 15ft 6in

 

I don't think it will fit somehow!

 

Andy

Shame it's not N gauge. You could have 'compromised'

Compromise, Compromise, Compromise, I assure you sir, we do not ever compromise,

well maybe compromise has been know to happen, but only on days of the week ending in a y

 

It does sound like the 14xx to lion plan might be a compromise to far though.

Looking great! Its all the primary features of the branch in one compact layout- well done! Kris you are right about the branch speed limit, its printed in most of the books as 35mph but I suspect the actual running speeds were lower most of the time.

Hi Kris

 

Compromise, Compromise, Compromise, I assure you sir, we do not ever compromise,

 

Oh pants! Thats me out then, Highclere has 'compromises' all over it!

 

As for Sculptamold drying when I used it over styrene foam stuff I just left it overnight and by the morning it was set solid. I think its more to do with what you mix in with it as I never mixed it with paint/glue/other stuff.

 

Its very impressive on what you have done so far, excellent speed too, that would take me aggeeessss to do.

 

Missy

Thanks for the comments DD

 

Speed Missy is generally down to me being unemployed, but I have been told by a new agency that once a new CRB comes through I should start to get some work. This is still 3 or 4 weeks away so work will progress until then, but is likely to slow after that point.

Hi Kris, my you really are making progress with your layout. Looks like a decent run you have there.

 

"In the grey light of an early morning..." set me wondering if anyone has ever built a period layout in black and white/ shades of grey, such that the whole thing resembled a black and white photograph?

That would be a challenge and a half - but resolve at a stroke arguments of what exactly constituted Midland Lake!!

Mind you, could you imagine taking an airbrush with greys in it to your hard work, pride and joys?!

 

Regards,

Chris

Nice to see your plans coming together. Its a nice long run. Thats not the wooded section is it you could be making trees forever. Seriously it is good for locos to stretch their legs a bit.

Regarding the Scultamold i suggest that a thick layer on a non porous base is the reason for slow setting.

regards Don

Chris - a grey layout is an interesting idea. I wonder how it would be received? I feel that it could be a right pain to try and work out the right shade of grey for everything. Maybe some form of filter could be used.

 

Don. Trees, hmm still not built enough for the main section, but there will be a reasonable number of trees on this section, most of these will be constructed using sea moss. I find this a quick and effective way of making trees.