bcnPete

Thanks for the kind comments Mark. Yep much deliberation, faff and pondering was had before I decided to work on the present…the one thing at a time approach and try and finish stuff. Worry not, that Tractor will keep making cameo appearances…and no doubt will be joined by a few other Rule No.1 purchases…

Thanks Kris Ha! Yep a right up lash up…extensions plugging into extensions That will be sorted before it get’s on the road

Afternoon all, Well I have to confess that since that 37 arrived much time has been spent running it rather than modelling however just having this week off work (a ‘use it or lose it’ kinda thing) I decided to work on something I have been pondering for some time now. The layout was originally planned as a toe dipper into the senior scale…something to set up on the DRT and shuffle a few wagons about…the planning was all based around an 08 and the lengths of wagons used to set out the track layout. Whilst this has been realised and much fun had to date, I always liked the idea of taking it on the circuit to help demonstrate that 7mm can be done in a relatively small space (2.2m x 260mm) I realised that shuffling wagons at a show for a day (or two) may have its shortcomings so I set about thinking of extending the layout another board. Much thinking and sketching was done on which end it should be however what nailed it was the fact that the trains actually arrived and disappeared to the right hand end of Wenford (as viewed) so this made much more sense. So an additional board (aka IKEA Lack shelf ) was duly purchased and I decided that I would use a single laser cut cassette (from Intentio) to serve both roads…again much pondering whether to have one or two run offs...more on that in a future update. So prior to finishing work last week I laser cut the fascia’s from 3mm ply to match and have introduced a cheeky viewing slot which seemed to work well on Kyle 2FS. The larger of the two openings may have a track plan whereas the hole to the top rhs is sized to allow an iPad screen to sit behind and display a slideshow of the prototype photos that layout is based on. The other requirement was to how to support the boards as it was now 3.3m long and our DRT is only 2m I have two Draper metal trestles that I use for Kyle at shows and I like the fact you can get the track level at around 1200mm above finished floor level…a lesson learnt from an early first exhibition of Kyle when it sat on a table provided for me at a show - wrong height, bad lighting etc…things out of your control that can make a big difference. As much as I love my IKEA Lack shelves since I first started using them in BCN 2008, the only downfall is all the wiring needs to be below…unless you want to try and thread it through the shelf amongst all the support material This meant I needed to build some support boards which could sit atop the trestles so the wiring was not compromised. Again, much thought was given about building something that could be used or extended for Kyle in 7mm which is planned as circa 4.3m long. Much sketching was done whilst commuting until I decided that I needed a solution for now as Kyle 7mm was planned to be my retirement layout…and that’s still a few years off yet Originally I wanted a neat solution to incorporate the attachment of the black fabric base however that will be reconsidered as I adapted as I built it to get a stronger attachment for the front 75mm fascia. So essentially a 50 x 25mm sw framework with a 6mm MDF top was proposed which was hinged in the middle so folds to 1.65m. The wood was sourced Monday and work started Tuesday this week. I have no workshop or power provision to a remote garage so the MDF was cut to size and I cut the sw and glued and screwed it on the LR floor…mostly whilst my wife was out Sketches here… The reason why I have included a small moat at the front (which will have a 10mm foam base) is am terrified at any stock falling off It may not completely stop it but hopefully may help! For the Fiddleyard board I first did a quick dry assembly with masking tape to check fit. Here is the completed sub structure sitting on the trestles and it will all be painted Matt black in due course. It works well with just the two trestles I currently have and this is helped by a 1000 x 30 x 5mm galvanised metal strap which straddles the two boards at the rear, secured with a few bolts as required. From the front and with the boards added it will look like this…the fascia will be painted grey to match the other boards. Another 900mm LED light from Screwfix extends the lighting into the Fiddleyard area - cables etc. will all be routed safely and discreetly. With the layout lights on we get this… I was pleased that it all sits very stable and it’s good to have the layout (albeit temporarily) at this height as was originally envisaged. So whilst it was all up I took the liberty of a quick play…No Fiddleyard as yet as that needs to be wired and am awaiting some 1m rail lengths from C+L… So a productive week off for me and now lots of smaller jobs to get on with which won’t require the full layout to be erected, before I can get back to the scenery and finishing the dries buildings. As always, comments welcomed, Pete

Nice work Graham

Many thanks to everyone for your help and responses. As mentioned I have two of the Draper ones already which am pleased with - just thought I would ask as we have various baseboard manufacturers to choose from now…but not for the supports. As someone once commented on a table design “nice table top…shame about the legs” This week I have made a support frame to sit on top of the Draper trestles as for my next planned layout I already have the Tim Horn baseboards which can sit directly on top. I will post a blog entry later today on whatI did. Thank you again everyone for your input to this thread Pete

Hi all, Had a quick search prior before posting this but does any manufacturer make timber trestles to order? I have been using a couple of Draper (metal) ones which are good as I usually like to set my layouts with rail height 1200mm above finished floor level. Am looking at other options for a new layout and my timber skills are pretty hopeless (plus I have no facilities to build in my apartment) Just wondered whether anyone manufactures them? Many thanks in advance, Pete

Only just found this thread after seeing the layout at the Tolworth show yesterday (I was the guy you blamed the derailed 47 on as I was videoing it on my phone at the time ) Great layout ( it got my vote for the cup!) and really enjoyed watching it for some time as was my era - I will go back to the start of the thread and have a read through now Pete

I visited the show yesterday afternoon too and spent a pleasant 2 hours as we try to return to some sort of normality. Some great layouts and a good mix of scales, eras and trade support. My favourite was Tidworth as that’s my era and interest but I also enjoyed the scenery on Outwell Village Thanks to the organisers for taking the decision to proceed with the show - I did ask if I could pop back today to the show just to buy some stock boxes from JB’s Model World (as I needed to check back at home what I needed) but was told I would have to pay full price again (would have thought a steward could have escorted me to the stall whilst I made the purchase and then out again) but on that basis it’s cheaper to do it by mail order. On a positive note maybe two day exhibition shows could consider having a ticket which was say 1+1/2 times the full day price? Not a grumble just a suggestion. A few iPhone pics from me…

Superb stuff Mikkel Those clip on scenic sections are a good way of increasing the layout without taking up to much real estate… A smashing and clever extension to this layout and the photographs to finish are stunning

Just found this! Nice layout and some cracking rolling stock including that crane

Just back home - as always, a show worth the drive down from London. Even better, this year I parked in the adjacent Tesco’s and recharged my car during the two hours spent at the show A nice range of layouts in scales and different eras so something for everyone. Good to chat with the 2mmFS peeps, Kevin from Coastal DCC and also finally meet Dave with his superb Sherton Abbas layout with the new infill piece. Thanks to Adrian and the Uckfield MRC team for organising another good show and allowing the chance to meet and speak with real people after all this time again A few pics from me (shot with iPhone 12)… Thanks, Pete

Always a great show so looking forward to come to it and see the layout again (last time was RAILEX I believe) Will come and say hello Dave

Thanks Chris - only just noticed this! Hi there - sorry, only just seen this - yes the products were excellent but that was 8 years ago - hopefully they are still trading in 2mm

Scrub that! I clicked on the other link it provides and that seems to work!

Thanks for the tip off. Is this still available as the link is broken? Thanks!

Already looking stunning

Only just found this and looks superb Am going back to Page 1 to have a good read

Thanks jollysmart - agreed, I have a class 26 and 27 on preorder. That should be it for rolling stock after that…famous last words Thank also Mike - I had a bit of a bonus from work last year so thought I would buy the stock while I had it for the future…especially as looking at my depressing predicted pension statements - no margin for 7mm as it will just about keep me in Mars Bars in the future… Thanks Mikkel - yes agree about end on views. As you say more for the viewer than the camera I think. I think the cantilevered corner on Kyle 2FS seemed to work well so I may as well scale it up and then improve upon it. At least the 2mm stock is easier to hide/store than the 7mm

Ha! Have pondered that one quite a few times Kris but have decided I will just make an 800mm Fiddle stick for it as a run off…more on that in the next Wenford update

Evening all, Just an update on the project as much thinking has been done of late - purchasing too…more on that later. A couple of firm decisions have been made with regard to track plan and boards. Firstly I have decided to model the other side of the station to my 2mmFS version as per the photo on the previous entry. A few reasons really, in that it will make a change to have a different viewpoint, there’s a slightly different track layout plus it’s not the side that people are most familiar with. Secondly I have decided to move away from using Lack shelves (as on Wenford) as the width is not sufficient and the water and platform would need to be added on. I did consider making them myself using the laser cutter in the studio however it’s a lot of ply and a bit different to making my own 2mm boards! So I have decided to use the excellent Tim Horn baseboards and have been having to and fro conversations with Tim of recent. Am hoping they will be lighter than using the Lack shelves too as am not getting any younger Much mapping out of boards using stock has now confirmed that I will have two scenic boards at 1220mm in length and two fiddle yard boards at 950mm in length. The latter will accompany a 37 and three Mk I coaches, the parcels rakes and vans will be arranged accordingly within these limits. The 26 and 27 being shorter than the 37 means no issues here too…maybe allows a CCT tacked on the end of a rake The extra length in the scenic boards will allow me to return and run the water at the end of the scene allowing an interesting end on view. I note that my hero Ian Futers did this with his Loch Lochy 7mm layout and again a slight departure from what I did on the 2FS version. Lessons learnt from 2FS Kyle on the runaround will also be addressed by the longer scenic boards as it will allow 3 coaches to be set back and a split traverser arrangement along the board joints. This will allow me to avoid lifting and turning the locos as I have to do on 2FS Kyle (that is partly due to couplings one end but I will use the 3 links for this) as they are heavy beasts. Finally re the purchases I have started to accumulate the stock required as Heljan have a habit of doing a run and then stopping it - noting that most of their excellent modern image wagons are currently no longer available. I have acquired the three Heljan Mk I’s and a GUV already from Tower Models as well as pre ordered 2 CCT’s and a Mk II coach awaiting release 2022. For the vans I used the great deal Tower Models had and bought 6 x Planked and 6 x Plywood Dapol vans all individually numbered. That will just leave one off wagons in kit or RTR format to be added later if required. The detail on the Heljan MK I’s is superb and the Dapol vans pretty much take up the length of Wenford As I mentioned, this stock is being stored for now using some nifty foam lined plastic container boxes by these guys https://trainsporters.com A few pics below… Board layout and end on view… Mapped out using actual stock… Stretching their legs on Wenford… The typical Kyle rake with BG located in the centre for the ramp… The complete rake of vans!… Heljan 37 on the previous mock up… And again with stock in platform…. That’s all for now and as usual, comments welcomed! Pete

Thanks Graham. Yes this 7mm stuff is very tempting… Thanks Marc - go to it I say - about time we were treated to another stunning layout from yourself Sir…

Damn, going to have to skip this as 24th is my birthday - don’t think it will go down too well in the household if I disappear for train indulgence Was looking forward to the 2020 one before it was (understandably) culled…

More smashing stuff Mike I particularly like the first shot looking at the station - has to do a double take that it wasn’t a real pic at first How are the extensions bits to make it a roundy roundy coming on?

Cracking stuff Rob - the layout and the pics are superb Look forward to the new emerging plans…

Many thanks to the RAILEX Team for organising a great show - was very pleased to be part of it. The content was easy to navigate and have been dropping in and out of it since Saturday to catch up on different layouts and articles. I recall reading that it will remain viewable until the end of June. I also enjoyed to see the differing styles of video. I had never shot one before so the virtual exhibition gave me the opportunity to swap the modelling chair for a directors chair, learn how to use iMovie and edit something from 30 mins of footage to under 15. Thanks again for (virtually) having KoL at the show Pete