SouthernMafia's Projects & Portland - a 'what might have been' NSE layout in Dorset

[SouthernMafia]

45 minutes ago, Rhysb said:

Rich,

 

Great to see some updates! Very jealous of the Thumper centre car! Really like the changes to the layout too!

 

Good to hear the REP is coming along well. Was interesting to see the progress last time I saw you. Looking forward to seeing how it has come along!

 

All the best

 

Rhys

 

Thanks Rhys, nice to hear from you. The REP is very nearly there. I hope to share a full project update from start to finish to show how it's progressed once done. There's not much left to do but I'm being distracted by Portland, who'd have thought it after 2 years of no progress !

[griffgriff]

Hi.  Just found this thread in the last day or so. Some lovely stuff on here. I’ve really enjoyed catching up with what I’ve missed. A question. I’m really impressed with the colour match on the thumper. What paint did you use?
 

Griff

[SouthernMafia]

10 hours ago, griffgriff said:

Hi.  Just found this thread in the last day or so. Some lovely stuff on here. I’ve really enjoyed catching up with what I’ve missed. A question. I’m really impressed with the colour match on the thumper. What paint did you use?
 

Griff

 

Thanks Griff. The white was just an off white, the blue was based on Mainline blue with a dash of something, sorry I can't remember exactly! I just made it up until it looked about right. Then transfers from the excellent Precision Labels. 

I won't be in a rush to do it again, but then Andy P says can I do a VEP !?!! Let's hope Hornby release one in Connex before my arm is twisted lol.

[SWT442]

40 minutes ago, SouthernMafia said:

I won't be in a rush to do it again, but then Andy P says can I do a VEP !?!! Let's hope Hornby release one in Connex before my arm is twisted lol.

 

I did ask nicely, and I don't think I got a no! (Well, what was said may have meant no though! )

 

Andy.

[SouthernMafia]

Today I finished off wiring a signal that had been left for a rainy day....funnily enough it's raining outside.

This is at the exit to the carriage siding and has 4 routes available into the two platforms (1&2), the goods loop (L), and a shunt ahead just short of the goods loop (S). Nice bit of handy work from Absolute Aspects on the route indicator, who also provided the pre-decorated post, the rest was scratch built.

 

[SouthernMafia]

Work on tweaking Portland's Yard continues, I've finished off the trackwork mods with a new trap point at the exit, and all the original ballast has been removed and pointwork cleaned up in readiness for a repaint and reballast. But before that happens I need to finish off the rewire and test run some stock through the points.

 

 

A paperwork issue meant a ballast train turned up a bit early! This had to be shunted out the way into the carriage siding.

 

[SouthernMafia]

The DAS modelling clay has been out for some trial and error landscaping, with some inspiration drawn from Mr Nevards techniques. I've tried using this before and struggled, but this time things seemed to go a bit more to plan, though it's hard work on your index finger if covering a large area!

I will be building this up in a couple of layers to give the impression of a low relatively slopeless platform surface from the two sunken sidings down to sleeper height at the run-round on the left. The wood edging will all be covered. I've also constructed one ramp on one of the sidings, the other won't have one so I'll need to do something with that chunk of wood I've glued on the end !!

 

 

I've also been fiddling about with neodymium magnets and uncoupling NEMs ala Brian Kirby method, works a treat with 2x 12mm diameter 3mm thick magnets spaced 20mm apart. I drill a small pilot hole from the top down through the baseboard, then using a 12mm drill bit drill from the underside about 4-5mm deep. The magnets slot in and stay as it's a tight fit. No gluing required and if it's slightly wrong I can remove the magnet and drill another hole. Now just a few hundred NEM hooks to solder staples too !!

 

 

[Markmiller2008]

I Like the look of the uncoupling method, might have to try this on my new layout.

 

Does the strength of the magnet matter?

 

Mark

[SouthernMafia]

5 hours ago, Markmiller2008 said:

I Like the look of the uncoupling method, might have to try this on my new layout.

 

Does the strength of the magnet matter?

 

Mark

 

Neodymium seems to be the accepted type to use, I first started using small thin rectangular ones which I glued to the underside of the baseboard, and then added more magnets to until I got the strength to move the hooks at track level. It wasn't very reliable though, having to account for 6mm ply, cork, ballast and sleepers in the way! Hence why I changed to 3mm thick round ones so I could drill them into the underside of the board, they're very reliable now. I expect you could get away with 10mm or even 8mm diameter but I just went with 12mm.

[Markmiller2008]

17 hours ago, SouthernMafia said:

 

Neodymium seems to be the accepted type to use, I first started using small thin rectangular ones which I glued to the underside of the baseboard, and then added more magnets to until I got the strength to move the hooks at track level. It wasn't very reliable though, having to account for 6mm ply, cork, ballast and sleepers in the way! Hence why I changed to 3mm thick round ones so I could drill them into the underside of the board, they're very reliable now. I expect you could get away with 10mm or even 8mm diameter but I just went with 12mm.

I'm certainly going to try your method out, seems a very good way of shunting without the hand of god.

 

Mark

[dasatcopthorne]

21 hours ago, Markmiller2008 said:

I'm certainly going to try your method out, seems a very good way of shunting without the hand of god.

 

Mark

 

Where ever you put your magnets you will need to experiment.

 

The main thing to avoid is the magnets attracting steel axles because they will move a wagon or two.

 

Been using these for about 6/7 years now.

 

Best of luck.

 

Dave Smith

[SouthernMafia]

With the help of a fellow Winchester club member who specializes in carriage construction I've finally completed this 205 centre car in Connex livery for a friend. Its a Replica 64ft suburban coach modified with through wiring and couplings so the lights work at the ends. It then came to me for painting and transfers, which are from Precision Labels, very nice they are too. As I like to take my time with projects this took a number of months to complete !! Then back to Tony for final assembly, and those all important No Smoking labels, he must be mad. All in all quite pleased with the result.

Also my first go at focus stacking in Photoshop, its not quite perfect but as only 3 images it's turned out ok.

 

 

[alchemy]

On 06/03/2018 at 14:23, SouthernMafia said:

4 days off work, 5 days until the show. A ridiculous amount to do but I'm getting there! Off to Winchester tomorrow to work on the layout for 2 days before it's packed up on Friday. Today I've been adding some scenic stuff to the town scene board, and finishing off the two main structures I've been working on. Still lots to do but adding windows, doors and glazing has transformed the buildings IMO.

The station building needs cladding, chimneys and guttering, and is then almost finished. I won't get this done for Saturday (I don't think...)

 

The parcels building needs doors (today hopefully) and maybe a light weathering. Very nearly there as well. Roof being glued on currently.

 

This afternoon the Matt varnish and airbrush are out to tone down my road vehicles and seal the paint on the 73.

 

Bulk weathering also took place last night, won't win any awards but most of my locos are at least not straight out the box anymore.

 

 

 

Hi

 

I have just come across this layout thread. Can I ask where the black railings came from in the above 2 pictures?

 

Thanks 

Mark

[SouthernMafia]

On 30/05/2020 at 14:12, alchemy said:

 

Hi

 

I have just come across this layout thread. Can I ask where the black railings came from in the above 2 pictures?

 

Thanks 

Mark

 

Hi Mark,

 

It's Ratio 432 SR Precast Concrete Fencing sprayed Matt black.

 

HTH.

[SouthernMafia]

Various bits and bobs happening with stock at the moment, including...

 

3x Dutch 73s in the paint shop for colour rectification (not all mine):

 

47303 in Freightliner red triangle nearly there:

 

New Heljan 33063 receiving a livery modification (Mainline branding in wrong place on one side - being replaced with a Construction sector):

 

33207 and 37711 adopted some ploughs:

 

Scale Model Scenery MoD side door containers built and now in the paint shop:

 

And finally got in a lil running session on Redbridge to test some stock and run things in, including my Hattons 66 which is now wobble-less! 

 

Happy modelling.

[Southwich]

303 looks absolutely stunning! The photo of the shed looks superb as well.

 

Keep up the good work! 
 

Will

[SouthernMafia]

Wow mid-October, how did that happen!? It must be time for a thread update. Not too much has happened to the layout as I've been working on a lot of stock projects lately, but I've finished landscaping the area around the new sidings and some crude grey concrete painting has been slapped on, this will need weathering to improve the look. Also used some textured paint and brown earth stuff to fill in some corners. 

Trackwork has been painted, some more magnets installed, and now waiting for a ballasting session (putting this off for as long as possible...)

 

Stock update in next post.

 

[SouthernMafia]

Seemingly I like to have multiple projects on the go at the same time! Here's a few completed in the run up to September.

 

My Hornby 60s received some attention, with 60078 becoming 60044, 60007 becoming 60059, and 60014 become 60056. Sometimes I like to have locos with different variations they carried throughout the years on either side, hence why 60044 only has one EWS sticker on one side:

 

60044

 

60059

 

60056

 

L-R 60054, 60033, 60021, 60059, 60044, 60056



 

My DCC sound install in a 450 was improved with a second speaker added to the adjoining trailer car, this was a vast improvement:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some footage of this can be seen here:

https://youtu.be/_9C6PVbL35U

 

A couple of Airfix Warrior tanks built for me were mated to some recently acquired Warwells. Will need to get hold of and build the PHD cradles at some stage:

 

 

 

I've also been working on some container repaints, here's a 40ft P&O Nedlloyd before finishing, one of a pair:

 

Tied in to these I bought some very nicely finished Genesis wagons off eBay, including an FAA and FKA set:

 

 

 

And this lovely VTG KWA. The dozer is HO, but it works for now:

 

 

 

More soon!

[Rich Papper]

Hi Rich

That's a lovely collection of 33s in the top post. I also really like the picture of the 60s. The effect of stabling some on the lower level to have others visible behind works really well.

Looking forward to more.

Rich

[SouthernMafia]

5 hours ago, Rich Papper said:

Hi Rich

That's a lovely collection of 33s in the top post. I also really like the picture of the 60s. The effect of stabling some on the lower level to have others visible behind works really well.

Looking forward to more.

Rich

 

Thanks Rich, it fills up with 159s quite nicely for a Salisbury depot feel too!

 

 

 

I'll have to take some shots of the 33s all lined up, I think I'm up to about 15 of the blighters now! 

 

In the mean time, some 37 projects have been nearing completion, with 37401 finished, a renumber from 37411.

 

 

I've been focusing on getting as much of the fleet up to the same standard, with loop couplings and lowering being the main work recently. All these shots show lowered ones which really makes a vast difference I feel. Here we are before and after next to 37422:

 

 

 

 

37422 has had its horrible factory weathering removed with enamel thinners, thanks to James Makins tips:

 

 

...as has 37254...to become 37191:

 

 

37043 also finished, although this has been sold on:

 

 

And the most recent 37 project 37892:

 

 

This is version 1, which started life as 37428 and has had a nose job, end grille changes and the bodyside window filling, then a partial repaint. Hoping to do a better version 2 at some stage with an easier base model.

 

 

Edited October 20, 2020 by SouthernMafia

[SouthernMafia]

Night shifts are great for thread updating! A few more projects on the go, starting with some more renumbered 37s after a Railtec delivery today, 37097 and 37191 join Cardiff colleagues 37046, 37711 and 37905:

 

 

As we're in Dutch mode, this pair of 73s have been resprayed and renumbered for Andy P SWT442:

 

 

And 47303 is another respray into Freightliner triple grey, looks good behind a 57 often how I remember them.

 

 

 

Some footage of 47303 in action:

 

https://twitter.com/southernmafia1/status/1317033842696474625?s=19

 

 

Lastly, 47197 is having some surgery at one end to make it correct, 47190 being the base model which is flush at both ends:

 

 

 

Edited October 23, 2020 by SouthernMafia

[SouthernMafia]

Some more early 2000s loco work and sticking with the Freightliner theme I've been working on my Hattons 66s. I finally took the plunge to sort one of 66621s lighting out - it's still not right but it's a step in the right direction. The markers now work correctly thanks to the excellent article produced ( http://s374444733.websitehome.co.uk/class-66hattons-big-headlights/index.htm ) but I'm still not happy about the wrong colour - they should be white. If I'm feeling brave I may look to replace the LEDs one day.

 

I've also sorted the bufferbeam livery issue and have made the black correct for 66621. Original on the left.

 

 

 

My second 66621 has been renumbered to 66539, but I feel the colours are a little dark so I have asked Steve at Railtec if he can sort some greener replacements.

 

I've also fitted a ModelU driver to 66621, and painted up a GBRf man too.

 

 

 

 

Now, perhaps a little controversially, I've swapped out my EM2 speaker. Whilst it's nice to have one, I actually think it's a little too bassy, and doesn't bring out the mid and high tones of the 66 that well, especially when running on the layout passing a camera, I just thought it sounded a bit like a generic drone noise rather than a 66. So I've replaced it with a 40mm x 28mm high quality speaker and custom enclosure, seen here before the lid was glued on.

 

 

Quite pleased with it, I'll see if I can get a video soon on the club layout.

 

Also finally finished adding nameplates to my GBRf 73s. Olivia's Dapol variant had printed nameplates bigger than the Shawplan etch, (weirdly the original Dapol model 73206 was the right size...), so these had to be removed which left a nasty sheen. A gloss then satin varnish over the whole model helped hide the sheen, and new plates now fitted.

 

 

 

 

73205 is a Dapol body on a free running Lima chassis, and has an EM2 in it for pairing with 72306.

 

 

[d winpenny]

I must say your rolling stock collection is really impressive keep the pictures coming 

[SouthernMafia]

5 hours ago, d winpenny said:

I must say your rolling stock collection is really impressive keep the pictures coming 

 

Thanks, I feel lucky to have been able to build it up over the years. The problem with having an interest in early 90s NSE, mid-90s privatisation, and the 2000s is there's always something to add to the shopping list !

[Craig1989]

Did you have to mill any of the chassis out to get the EM2 in?