Ron Heggs

All the detailing of the deck beams involves over 400 items, all of which require cutting out of the etch sheets, cleaning and the rivets embossing. As it has taken four days of work to complete this preparation before starting their assembly to the deck build, you can understand my curiosity as to the number of rivets that has caused a daily dose of stiff back and an aching wrist ... and the calculated count was 7172 Another few of days should see all the detailing on the deck completed, with pictures being posted hopefully before Xmas Ron

As the deck construction continues. I have been sorting out the components for the two latticed span beams. Disaster !! There is an etched 20thou brass sheet missing holding 129 items for the major portion of the lattice work. An extensive search through drawers and boxes has drawn a blank, a new sheet will have to be ordered with delivery some time in the New Year Yet another pause is in the offing after the deck is completed, or alternatively I could slow down and enjoy the festive season without fear of a tipple or two causing too much modeller's finger shake and/or blurred vision

The three deck sections assembled - Start made on adding the rivetted iron detailing - Close-up of the bracket supports for the inter-beams, and flanges for the main deck beams -

Hi, Benn These few links to images were found on Manchester's Image Archive. You could search further for more images on this site http://images.manchester.gov.uk - 1966 http://images.manchester.gov.uk/web/objects/common/webmedia.php?irn=45331&reftable=ecatalogue&refirn=8341 1972 http://images.manchester.gov.uk/web/objects/common/webmedia.php?irn=57713&reftable=ecatalogue&refirn=62392 1972 http://images.manchester.gov.uk/web/objects/common/webmedia.php?irn=57714&reftable=ecatalogue&refirn=62391 1961 http://images.manchester.gov.uk/web/objects/common/webmedia.php?irn=19608&reftable=ecatalogue&refirn=8051 Ron

Hi, Jamie The original riveting tool has been retired, as it was a little inconsistent in producing identical embossing. Have all the materials to hand to construct a replacement tool which should be better at repeat embossed rivets, the tool being more compact and easier to adjust Ron

The First and Second sections of the deck have been assembled with the transverse deck beam webs and the inter-beam rail-load support RSJs - The third section which will complete the deck is a mirror of the left hand first section, and is under construction at the moment First and second sections joined The overall length of the three section deck is 600mm. The deck and span beams will be fully detailed as it is easier to provide the detail with the brass etches

Thanks. Tests carried out a few years back proved that a styrene build shatters within two weeks when left outside even in a continuously shaded area ..... it shows there would a great deal of UV attack The decision was made rather than not run the track around part of the garden in a loop and back into the station enviroment, that all the external structures would be produced using non-ferrous metals, mainly brass and aluminium. Wood is definitely out - early garden usage of protected timber was a disaster. Replacement after just two seasons was necessary. Re-designed and built in aluminium Etched brass for the viaduct would be the most appropriate material. Overall costwise it is running at 40 times the cost of a styrene build, but then it saves a continuing replacement of a styrene build, and will go towards allowing a better operating regime for the layout Ron

Whilst waiting for the copperclad to arrive, I have been going through the list of items still to build/construct, and one the most important is the Castlefield Viaduct section for linking to outside. The etchings were finally delivered back in December 2014, and a start was made with the build, but stalled with trackwork builds and the installation of the Trainshed taking priority Restarted the build of the viaduct from the brass etches - First of three sections of the viaduct deck. Further track support beams to be fitted/completed, along with beam end supports, etc. Another view of the same section Typical view of existing deck built in styrene The viaduct will be located here, extending the right hand viaduct through into the garden -

One of my Xmas presents has arrived early - Well it was my present to myself The replacement camera, a Canon EOS 1300D has been delivered direct from the UK. Even with the delivery charges it was still cheaper than buying in Spain So now the pictures should be to a better resolution and sharpness, especially the close-ups

The lower turnout is already part of a three way. So does that make it a four way?

Thanks. I missed that obvious solution. A case of 'can't see the wood for the trees' Cheers Ron

Thanks Colin My one worry with the trackwork builds has been that trying to match the original complex track layout in OO gauge and 4mm scale would ultimately fail. So far it is working out quite well, with just a couple adjustments with the check rails to overcome slight lack of smoothness through the crossings Employing 00-SF has certainly eased the build and running qualities There is the electrical switching problems ahead due to one or two switch rails closing over the common crossing on an adjacent turnout. In the prototype that was not a real problem, however with electrical feeds through the rails on the model, it can cause unwanted short circuits. These may require additional selective switching

More problems - My Minolta Dimage 7i has just packed up after 15 years. Thought it may require a new set of batteries, but no. It is totally dead It looks like one of my Xmas presents is going to be a camera The pictures have had to be taken with my non-smart phone, so the resolution is a little poor The turnouts on the extreme left await the copperclad strips. From bottom left to right - the tracks pass into Platforms 7, 6, service road, 5, 4, service road, 3, 2 and service road. With track into Platform 1 just off plan to the right View from opposite end Overhead view

Have been a little busy with some tedious assembly work on the Sri Lanka project, whilst continuing the trackwork build on the Manchester Central layout The approach trackwork into Platforms 8 & 9 and the centre service road has been completed and placed on the layout in its approximate position, and awaits the marking out of turnout motor and tie bar actuation positions. Hope that these positions are clear of the cross-bracing supports, otherwise a little bit of engineered carpentry will be required Following receipt of 2000+ Exactoscale chairs, the adjacent trackwork into Platforms 7, 6, 5, 4 & 3, the two centre service roads, and parts of the trackwork into Platforms 2 and centre service road is almost complete, and awaits a shipment of copperclad strip for the completion of the final turnout on this portion of trackwork This trackwork assembly comprises ten single turnouts, a threeway turnout, two diamond crossings, and a portion of a further threeway turnout which is part of the next adjacent section, all built in a curved close formation This assembly will then be moved to the layout and placed adjacent to the previous trackwork section Will post pictures tomorrow when the lighting will be more favourable for photography, and the work area has been cleared of tools and scrap materials

Hi, I have managed to cut mesh in 10thou for a small item on the Sri Lanka project. The minimum width that could be achieved of the bars was 0.5mm with the holes also 0.5mm wide I aligned all the horizontal lines - left to right, and the vertical lines - top to bottom. Cutting at speed 1 The finished mesh was a little warped but dipping it in hot water for a minute or so, and drying it pressed flat under a small weight cured the warping Ron

Very nice structure build Have you used laser cut ply or mdf bonded with PVA ?

Don't have carpet or rugs in the modelling areas just off white porcelain tiles. So even if the item bounces off the wall and/or drops to the floor a quick scan usually finds it. Although sometimes it pings right back onto the model table, and then a real search has to be undertaken amongst many similar items. Will I ever find it, and would I recognise it as the one that tried to get away??

Hi, Mike Knowing how busy Phil is, I suggest you pay as soon as possible after placing your order, that will cut out the requirement for him to take time out to send you a return email. It also means he can pick you order and post it, knowing that he does not need to chase payment, and have picked orders waiting for confirmation of payment I pay by Credit Card, after giving Phil a couple of days to go through his orders, etc. I phone him with the credit card details, and he can pick the order and post, usually all within a day Ron

Hope you have better luck with your new assembly Must admit I had similar problems when constructing my first attempt at the baseboard for Manchester Central. I almost decided to strap it all to Rolled Steel Angle underframing. But finally decided on 30mm thick Insulating Foamboard on 150mm deep x 7mm thick egg crate construction, and it has worked out OK. Just have to make sure I don't get any sort of solvent, solvent based adhesive or paint on the foamboard Ron

This is the view South across the valley here in Jalon, Spain - The local Co-operative Bodegas is the reddish building lower left with the tanks holding the wine just behind. Benidorm is a few kilometres the other side of the Bernia mountain range (Thank goodness. That's the main reason we live this side of the mountains) Ron

This is the Crane at Demodara Station Goods Yard - .. and this is the model made from 10 & 20 thou styrene with a small length of nylon thread - The model stands 55mm high and is not a working model The gears do not rotate, and the gear teeth are scaled at twice scale size, otherwise it would be impossible to cut them

They look convincing enough. Just have to wait for the correct items to turn up for the present track sections Ron

Hopefully soon. Just doing the final commissioning checks on the crossing barriers and flashing warning signs on the Sri Lanka project, before they fly off to Sri Lanka Ron

I have contacted the retailer via there website, and await their reply Ron

Oh dear - The 1000+ chairs turned up in Friday's post - but they are the wrong ones Ordered 1000 3 bolt/hole LMS/BR BH chairs - received 2 bolt/hole GWR chairs. Pack had the wrong item/order code marked on it Cost more to send them back, so may use them in the carriage sidings where they are unlikely to be noticed. Have to re-order now with note/comment Getting nowhere fast - sleepers and timber all laid for the approach trackwork to Platfoms 2, 3, 3/4 service road, 4, 5, 5/6 service road, 6 and 7. Cut, filed and soldered the common crossings for 16 turnouts, 2 diamonds and 2 slips - just need the chairs to lay everything Looks like it is going to be back on Sri Lanka for a few more days Ron