Paxton Road's workbench

James. So very good to see the re-awakening of this project. It would be great to think that this is back on the cards... and given the results you achieve, I know it'd be something to behold in the end. Perhaps this could be a nice winter project... when the garden layout is a little less enticing?

I can appreciate that this won't feel the same as G scale ... it'll never have that Impact you get with big models.... but all you need to do is move closer. The impact can be greater... if you change you're perspective - just look at Jon Sandhills thread and you'll know what I'm rabbiting on about.

And thanks for the link... so maybe my plea did achieve something then ;-) welcome back to 4mm.

Oh, and I just ordered some superstrip!

Keep it up.. and I'll be following your achievements.

 

Jon

 

Edit: Sorry - forgot to ask.. are these D&A bits with various gauge wire to represent the pipes etc. I had to do something similar to my 55... and I can see that this will look nice once all the levels of pipework is added... especially along the whole length. Good luck with that one ;-D

I was really hoping you'd get back to this eventually, selfishly I hope you continue because I'm sure it'll be something to see. Unselfishly, you should do whatever makes you happiest!

 

I reckon what you have in the picture is a good start and shows just how much more you can do over and above the (quite nice) Bachmann model. There's a lot of industrial-looking detail to capture and that seems to be going well.

Thanks guys - I knew you chaps would respond, thank you for your kind words of encouragement. In the cold light of day I do feel less flat about the project, more up beat. I can see the potential - if still a little daunted by the scale and complexity of 'plumbing' this all in! At least the other side is a lot less complicated!

 

So I think I will continue to progress the 66, slowly, alongside the scratchbuilt station building and kitbashed guard/brake van for the Austrian outline large scale outdoor layout...

 

Unfortunately Paxton Road is now beyond rescue and I think is best remember for the wonderful photos that appeared in the Traction Annual last Christmas... There are some scenic details I'll be rescuing for re-use. I have learnt a lot in the project, and some things I am very pleased with - the texture in the yard, the colours (although I'd like to go more sun-bleached next time) and the ballast shoulder achieved on the running lines. However I was never happy with the short radius points and running quality (I didn't wire up the frogs so the shunters sometimes stalled).

 

So I've mocked up Paxton Road Mk2, http://paxton-road.blogspot.com/2011/06/rmweb-2011-challenge-proof-of-concept.html initially as a RMweb challenge entry - however if I do progress I think I'll not restrict myself to the sizes of the challenge and build something to the space I have. It's a cliche, but anyhow - the idea is it's a 'window' on a large yard - a bit like what Marc Smith does with those tiny layouts (Hendre Lane and the wet night scene steelworks). At the front some parallel sidings, DC controlled for shunting with my Bachmann 08s/09, and a place to show off my stock. At the back a DCC powered line for the big locos, lights and sound.

 

Potentially a line between the pair, with shouldered ballast and more respectable permanent way - the idea being that this is a line into the station - a bit like Didcot yard.

 

Storage / offscene there will be a traverser or sector plate on the left hand side - potential expansion to include one on the right hand side to allow a Sprinter (165/166 in Chiltern or NSE or FGW) to run from side to side to add interest.

 

Benefits - simple small and finishable.

No points on the board - no extra wiring!

The ability to use finescale more realistic track (Exactoscale bases, nickel silver track)

A self contained box to allow storage in the study when out of use - not in the garage.

Covered so the cats can't sit on it!

 

What do you think?

I might do some more sketches and post something up about it...

And Jon - in answer to your question - no this front section is all scratchbuilt detail - 30 thou plasticard drilled (0.9 and 0.7mm) for the pipes at the back. The pipework is 0.33, 0.45, 0.7 and 0.9 brass rod. There is also a 1.5x0.5 (IIRC) section of brass for the stantion.

 

It's not perfect - as any thinner and the wire would be too fragile, and I can't do all the pipework but I hope I achieved the layered look of the prototype. I also have not removed the lighting recess from the front, as I intend to keep the Bachmann lights - another comprimise.

 

Oh well - I'm no perfectionist - I suspect the visual impact will be impressive enough for me to overlook these minor differences

James, you know you can count on us ;-)

the idea you're suggesting is very familiar... I've a similar outline (but no details at yet...but I'll be basing mine in the late 1970s, so not quite modern image. But as with Hendre lane (that got me interested in the first place) and other similar micro mini layouts, the idea of a nice compact scenic depot, with the ability to do a bit of through running, does appeal! The means to avoid points turnouts (see I'm learning the lingo) appeals, especially in P4... but I think i will need a few, especially as some of them (Colin Cragg's - if I've spelt that right) are just exquisite.

Welcome back... nice to see there's more than just a loco plan... and looking forward to development.

I realised I never replied to your Paxton Road Mk. 2 idea. I think it's a good plan - somewhere between a photo plank and a shunting plank. I'd be tempted to get a turnout on there, wiring isn't *that* bad, but maybe that's just the kind of over-complication which gets in the way of finishing. Mind you, if you can handle a traverser, points should be easy

 

The biggest difficulty seems to me to be what to do at the ends. Unless you're prepared to only photograph side-on, you'll want something to mask the exit from the modelled scene. Maybe mirrors a la Hendre Lane would be a good fit here?

Mirrors sound very promising actually Will - plus it will be framed by a window and view blocks each side with luck. As for a turnout - hmmm - we'll see - it makes the geometry more difficult but I'm not sure yet... it's really not much more than a scribbled sketch in my notebook at present.