coombe junction - moorswater

looking good a little surprised you didn't opt for plaster between the check rails any reason why not ?

Yikes! Some trials and tribulations there Peter.

 

I had similar disappointments when working on my Frankland tram track - I know how protracted and frustrating this sort of process can be.

 

It looks like it's starting to work-out for you now and hopefully will be worth the effort in the long-run

 

Just one thing though - with those egg-shaped trees I still can't get away from thinking I'm looking at an episode of the 60s series 'The Prisoner' ... I keep expecting one of them to start bouncing around and chasing me down the road!

Good to see that you're getting the tricky jobs out of the way - they can really hold up progress. Some people might have been driven to distraction and gone off to do some modelling of Scotland or some such.

 

Are you sure those big white spheres aren't just a bit closer to the track than last time?

Hi Pete.

 

From that final photo, looks like you've cracked it............... Looking good!

 

Hope the stock is all salvageable. Been there, got the spare parts!

 

Tom.

Hi Pete,

 

I don't ever recall seeing trees like that down at Moorwater! Be interesting seeing a Class 66 queeze between those!

 

Excellent stuff though and shows some dogged determination. I love the shots of the dries themselves. There is no doubting the location-Wenford Bridge isn't it?

 

Cheers,

 

Mark

looking good a little surprised you didn't opt for plaster between the check rails any reason why not ?

 

Thanks Nick - I decided to just use a 'filler' in small quantities to minimise the amount of shrinkage over a large area...if that makes sense?...

 

Yikes! Some trials and tribulations there Peter.

I had similar disappointments when working on my Frankland tram track - I know how protracted and frustrating this sort of process can be.

It looks like it's starting to work-out for you now and hopefully will be worth the effort in the long-run

Just one thing though - with those egg-shaped trees I still can't get away from thinking I'm looking at an episode of the 60s series 'The Prisoner' ... I keep expecting one of them to start bouncing around and chasing me down the road!

 

Thanks Mark - Sorry that those trees are freakin' you out ...maybe I should remove them!...

 

Good to see that you're getting the tricky jobs out of the way - they can really hold up progress. Some people might have been driven to distraction and gone off to do some modelling of Scotland or some such.

Are you sure those big white spheres aren't just a bit closer to the track than last time?

 

Thanks Andy - I might actually just be revisiting Scotland soon...but in another scale ...

 

From that final photo, looks like you've cracked it............... Looking good!

Hope the stock is all salvageable. Been there, got the spare parts!

 

Thanks Tom...it was third time lucky I guess...I think the stock will wait for a Barcelona rainy day...

 

I don't ever recall seeing trees like that down at Moorwater! Be interesting seeing a Class 66 queeze between those!

Excellent stuff though and shows some dogged determination. I love the shots of the dries themselves. There is no doubting the location-Wenford Bridge isn't it?

 

Thanks Mark - You never visited in the snow then? ...Actually its Ponts Mill...

Trials and tribulations for sure. I went through something like that with DAS on my goods yard surface.

Those white objects - is there a nuclear facility adjacent to the dries?

 

Yes, watch your eyes Pete - I'm convinced 2mm has done for mine!

Working in 4mm is so much easier.,,, so 7mm must be a breeze by comparison to 2mm!

Really very nice Pete. This update reminds me so much of when I was an architectural design student! Absolutely love those polystyrene trees!

 

Fascinated by the last sentence; I'll show you mine if you show me yours?...

Trials and tribulations for sure. I went through something like that with DAS on my goods yard surface.

Those white objects - is there a nuclear facility adjacent to the dries?

Yes, watch your eyes Pete - I'm convinced 2mm has done for mine!

Working in 4mm is so much easier.,,, so 7mm must be a breeze by comparison to 2mm!

 

Thanks Chris - those white trees have certainly caused a stir around these parts...

 

Really very nice Pete. This update reminds me so much of when I was an architectural design student! Absolutely love those polystyrene trees!

 

Thanks Steve - They are primarily for massing before I commit plastic to 4D Model shop...I will reuse them in my office afterwards so they are from a sustainable source too...

 

Fascinated by the last sentence; I'll show you mine if you show me yours?...

 

That better be a PM then...I will dig some stuff out...

Is now a good time to mention I have purchased a bit more 7mm scale stuff?

 

Pete,

 

I assume you wrote this so small because your wife has bad close-up vision?

 

David

 

PS. Sorry if I've just given the game away ...

I assume you wrote this so small because your wife has bad close-up vision?

 

...not really David...she has 0% interest in the forum so all my posts are pretty safe on here...

 

I wrote it small because I think I am starting to get a reputation for too many layouts in too many scales...but at least KoL is finished now...sort of...

Looks good to me Pete, a well timed post as I've got some in filled track to crack on with shortly. Thanks for the detailed report and I hope the locos are ok.

Gosh, Pete, you're dedicated! That's a lot of work, but it's great that you wont compromise and ruin a great model. I get frustrated with getting things right in 4mm let alone the hassle it must be in 2mm - especially the sparks. I spent a whole afternoon last week cleaning and dismantling a point before realizing that the problem was with the motor. Your track work looks spot on and all the fiddling with a suitable infill will make for a brilliant effect once painted and weathered.

 

Taking about weather - at least you've got the sunshine in Spain, which must at least compensate for all the doom and gloom generated by the economic situation.

 

As far as the trees are concerned - keep them simple and sparse at the front just so you don't impede view of the trains and have them appropriately clumped and sized to create a forced perspective at the rear. I love that mixture of Industrial and rural location you're creating - it is always either one or the other on most models.

 

Keep up the great work - it's turning out to be another lovely little model.

 

Mike

Looks good to me Pete, a well timed post as I've got some in filled track to crack on with shortly. Thanks for the detailed report and I hope the locos are ok.

 

Thanks Bryn - I believe that DAS is the preferred way to go but I seem to bet better with dry rather than wet trades!

 

Gosh, Pete, you're dedicated! That's a lot of work, but it's great that you wont compromise and ruin a great model. I get frustrated with getting things right in 4mm let alone the hassle it must be in 2mm - especially the sparks. I spent a whole afternoon last week cleaning and dismantling a point before realizing that the problem was with the motor. Your track work looks spot on and all the fiddling with a suitable infill will make for a brilliant effect once painted and weathered.

Taking about weather - at least you've got the sunshine in Spain, which must at least compensate for all the doom and gloom generated by the economic situation.

As far as the trees are concerned - keep them simple and sparse at the front just so you don't impede view of the trains and have them appropriately clumped and sized to create a forced perspective at the rear. I love that mixture of Industrial and rural location you're creating - it is always either one or the other on most models.

Keep up the great work - it's turning out to be another lovely little model.

 

Many thanks Mike - my modelling always features various ups and downs...and although it can be frustrating I think it is good to show the good and bad...and it does feel more satisfying to complete something after a few failed attempts!

 

I have always liked the Looe line as the dries gives a bit of gritty to contrast the rural stuff...PS...there's no sunshine here today!

Hi Pete -

 

Tough luck with the modelling clay... However, it has given me ideas for the stone blocks I need for Ambridge's 'wharf scene'.....

 

Regs

 

Ian

Tough luck with the modelling clay... However, it has given me ideas for the stone blocks I need for Ambridge's 'wharf scene'.....

 

If something good has emerged from my disasters Ian...then I am happy

Don't think you solve the problems by going up a scale or two in 7mm you can see so much more things like different rivet sizes, bolt heads cotter pins, different leaf shapes, all these sort of things start to become noticeable. Apart from that 0 gauge stock doesn't bounce either dropping 0 gauge locos can be expensive!

Do admire your perseverance good result.

Don

Don't think you solve the problems by going up a scale or two in 7mm you can see so much more things like different rivet sizes, bolt heads cotter pins, different leaf shapes, all these sort of things start to become noticeable. Apart from that 0 gauge stock doesn't bounce either dropping 0 gauge locos can be expensive!

Do admire your perseverance good result.

 

Thanks Don - I guess we have all had a piece of rolling stock or two hit the floor in our modelling careers...as you say, the bigger...the more expensive...

Hard luck with the modelling clay Pete,

I use DAS - but as I'm applying it, I mix in neat PVA....

 

It gets my fingers all grubby - but it's got that satisfying

"Potters wheel" feeling to it

 

Seems to work a treat though - as I don't get many cracks appearing

 

Hard luck re the stock hitting the floor too

Sheesh, that's a lot of bad luck....

On the bright side, the layout is looking really great

And those 2mm engineers didn't ruin your track,

with their jack-hammers......

 

Cheers

It gets my fingers all grubby - but it's got that satisfying

"Potters wheel" feeling to it

 

Next time, ask your other half to help...you can recreate that scene from the movie 'Ghost' then

 

Thanks Marc - I hear only good things about DAS...and I used to make models with it a junior school all the time so why I don't use it now is strange...but its not available here.

 

Anytime you see progress on this layout means the 7mm stuff is on ice...best we not start talking about that on here though

Hi Pete,

 

Hope the locos have survived. I'll never forget the day I sent my Dad's scratchbuilt N Gauge 76 off the end of the layout. Quiet doesn't quite describe the moments we watched the thing fly through the air as if in slow mo...

 

Can I ask a couple of questions about using Lack shelves for layouts? Sorry if you've answered these questions elsewhere, but how have you joined the various shelves together, and have you cut much out of the bottom of them for wiring etc and if so has it had any impact on their strength?

 

Thanks,

 

Simon

Hope the locos have survived. I'll never forget the day I sent my Dad's scratchbuilt N Gauge 76 off the end of the layout. Quiet doesn't quite describe the moments we watched the thing fly through the air as if in slow mo...

Can I ask a couple of questions about using Lack shelves for layouts? Sorry if you've answered these questions elsewhere, but how have you joined the various shelves together, and have you cut much out of the bottom of them for wiring etc and if so has it had any impact on their strength?

 

Hi Simon - I think with a bit of TLC they will be fine - if not I will send them to Bob Russell...I can't seen to fathom these new mechanisms...must be an age thing!

 

Sure thing - With the Lack shelves, I haven't found the ideal method to join them yet! When I work on the layout I simple place them on the table (I put some little rubber grommets to raise them off slightly) and I just butt them together...trains run across fine as with the weight they don't move. That said, I guess you could use those case latches on the sides or I was thinking perhaps some kind of simple mecanno like metals tabs and bolts accessible from below.

 

In terms of cut outs, I haven't done much yet as my wiring is DC so pretty basic and surface run along the bottom (using the depth created by the grommets) whilst my turnouts (2) are wire in tube...all pretty low tech.

 

However, I think they are still quite strong as Chris Lock cut out some fairly large openings in his for point motors etc and I recall there were no stability issues.

 

I tend to use them more as a convenience as I don't have a workshop or a place to store my layouts. But so far they have performed exactly as I need them too so I will keep using them until otherwise (I have 3 layouts on Ikea shelves...and am planning the fourth at present!)

 

Hope that answers it...if not drop me a PM by all means...

Thanks Pete. I like the idea of the grommets. I'll have to try that one. I'm planning on using 2 boards for a small N gauge layout for my son so I'll definitely have to have a play and find something to fit the two boards together.

 

Simon

No problem Simon.

 

I guess you can use those male/female connectors (can't recall who makes them now) if you recess them in some way.

 

The insides are stiffened with cardboard so sometimes if you feed a wire through it takes a strange route to get to the other side...but for me the advantages of using them outweigh the negatives.

 

Keep us posted on the layout

Pete is quite correct, in that I pretty well hollowed out 50% of a 1100mm Lack shelf for the station section of my Glenfield layout.

This was to accomodate wiring and Cobalt point motors ( I did however have to raise the shelf on plywood sides to fit the motors in with sufficient clearance, which may well have added additionall strength.)

I have not noticed any warping at all, so its a thumbs up so far to Pete's favourite baseboard!