Heaton Lodge Junction

[Mick Bonwick 6,609]

44 minutes ago, HeatonLodge40 said:

A very short clip here but shows what maybe achievable with weather effects in the future.

Using a backscene that rises up and over the layout which can then project mist, and what looks like rain I’m pretty sure can be done

 

The sountrack is very effective, too. I subconsciously looked out of the window to check how heavy the rain was!

[HeatonLodge40 9,506]

On 14/11/2020 at 11:07, KNP said:

Very effective, I would, and probably others, be interested to see how that was done?

Haven’t a clue sorry!
Jonathan one of the software chaps wrote the effects over the original video.

However I'm certain weather can be replicated with a wrap around back screen and some special effects going forward..

[HeatonLodge40 9,506]

Not much modelling this week for a change. What I did do is adding detail to the Huddersfield double tracks on the upper level. 

However I did run Heljans new 56 for a full 8 hours last week on an Eastbound MGR train - I’d been wanting to do this for a while.

Totting it up I’m pretty sure it covered around 7 miles (which is, ironically about 5 times the length of the real Heaton Lodge Junction) by the time it was shut down at 6pm.

 

The trusty old kit built Romanian 56009  is also seen here heading west a minute or two later. The sound file on this is so much better, hopefully it’ll soon appear on the Heljan 56 

 

56064 is booked in for an oil and wheel clean tomorrow 

 

 

[Sandhole 641]

17 hours ago, HeatonLodge40 said:

Not much modelling this week for a change. What I did do is adding detail to the Huddersfield double tracks on the upper level. 

However I did run Heljans new 56 for a full 8 hours last week on an Eastbound MGR train - I’d been wanting to do this for a while.

Totting it up I’m pretty sure it covered around 7 miles (which is, ironically about 5 times the length of the real Heaton Lodge Junction) by the time it was shut down at 6pm.

 

The trusty old kit built Romanian 56009  is also seen here heading west a minute or two later. The sound file on this is so much better, hopefully it’ll soon appear on the Heljan 56 

 

56064 is booked in for an oil and wheel clean tomorrow 

 

 

Totally agree with you about the sound on the kit built 'Commie.'
Watching that clip took me back to watching these trains on that line.
Incidently, I 'copped' both of these locos. The 'Commie' at Didcot I seem to remember.

[Crepello 154]

18 hours ago, HeatonLodge40 said:

Not much modelling this week for a change. What I did do is adding detail to the Huddersfield double tracks on the upper level. 

However I did run Heljans new 56 for a full 8 hours last week on an Eastbound MGR train - I’d been wanting to do this for a while.

Totting it up I’m pretty sure it covered around 7 miles (which is, ironically about 5 times the length of the real Heaton Lodge Junction) by the time it was shut down at 6pm.

 

The trusty old kit built Romanian 56009  is also seen here heading west a minute or two later. The sound file on this is so much better, hopefully it’ll soon appear on the Heljan 56 

 

56064 is booked in for an oil and wheel clean tomorrow 

 

 

Hi Simon,

Great stuff as usual. I'd be interested to know how you clean the track on HLJ and do you have to clean the scenery regularly?

18 hours ago, HeatonLodge40 said:

Not much modelling this week for a change. What I did do is adding detail to the Huddersfield double tracks on the upper level. 

However I did run Heljans new 56 for a full 8 hours last week on an Eastbound MGR train - I’d been wanting to do this for a while.

Totting it up I’m pretty sure it covered around 7 miles (which is, ironically about 5 times the length of the real Heaton Lodge Junction) by the time it was shut down at 6pm.

 

The trusty old kit built Romanian 56009  is also seen here heading west a minute or two later. The sound file on this is so much better, hopefully it’ll soon appear on the Heljan 56 

 

56064 is booked in for an oil and wheel clean tomorrow 

 

 

 

[HeatonLodge40 9,506]

3 hours ago, Crepello said:

Hi Simon,

Great stuff as usual. I'd be interested to know how you clean the track on HLJ and do you have to clean the scenery regularly?

 

Ah now there’s a question. Cleaning the track is an utter nightmare. 
Because I’m still working on it, I’m not running trains regularly on all 4 main lines & the 28 fiddle yard roads. 
Therefore tarnish appears after a few days and won’t come off with anything other than a track rubber. 
Ive tried every track rubber on sale and the best one by far is the Peco one. It leaves a little bit of residue but nothing like others I could mention.

 

To clean all the lines inc the fiddle yard takes 18 Peco track rubbers and 4 hrs.

If anyone knows of a way to get tarnish off the rails without a track rubber I’d love to know! I realise once trains are running regularly I’ll just use a track cleaning wagon.
 

Cleaning scenery - I vac all the tracks regularly but simply spray matt varnish over all the scenery (10 cans). 
It immediately brings colour back and the dust just adds more texture 

[woodenhead 11,499]

1 minute ago, HeatonLodge40 said:

Ah now there’s a question. Cleaning the track is an utter nightmare. 
Because I’m still working on it, I’m not running trains regularly on all 4 main lines & the 28 fiddle yard roads. 
Therefore tarnish appears after a few days and won’t come off with anything other than a track rubber. 
Ive tried every track rubber on sale and the best one by far is the Peco one. It leaves a little bit of residue but nothing like others I could mention.

 

To clean all the lines inc the fiddle yard takes 18 Peco track rubbers and 4 hrs.

If anyone knows of a way to get tarnish off the rails without a track rubber I’d love to know! I realise once trains are running regularly I’ll just use a track cleaning wagon.
 

Cleaning scenery - I vac all the tracks regularly but simply spray matt varnish over all the scenery (10 cans). 
It immediately brings colour back and the dust just adds more texture 

You're in O gauge with a monster trainset - I think you might need to consider something radical.

 

Have you considered changing your locos to battery driven remote control - your track will then never need cleaning beyond a vacuum every once in a while for dust.

 

True cab control then as well.

[ian 1,900]

20 minutes ago, HeatonLodge40 said:

To clean all the lines inc the fiddle yard takes 18 Peco track rubbers and 4 hrs.

 

Respect.

 

That one sentence tells you all you need to know about the scale of this project.

[HeatonLodge40 9,506]

1 minute ago, ian said:

 

Respect.

 

That one sentence tells you all you need to know about the scale of this project.

I’d make a great burglar cos my fingerprints have long disappeared 

[Roger Sunderland 719]

Hi Simon

 

i ditched Peco track rubbers some time ago, couldn’t put up with the degree of “clag” they produce, however I do model in 00.

Have you tried the DCC Concepts track rubber- best I’ve ever come across. Leaves practically no residue, it’s made from aluminium oxide. Best way is simply to polish with it not put a lot of pressure on. No link to them just a very happy customer .

[LongRail 1,227]

What about a CMX track cleaning truck, I have the 00 gauge one and it works well.

I have seen in a  couple of places that use of a track rubber can damage the rail head which allow dirt to collect even more.

 

[Roger Sunderland 719]

Yes the Peco one does that as it’s very abrasive. However the DCC Concepts one doesn’t at all. Simply polishes the rail head. Oh and when it gets dirty it can be washed and it’s as good as new.

[jrb 1,032]

Simon,

 

Have you tried graphite on the rails (once they're clean, obviously)?

 

I was skeptical about it, but used it on my shunting plank (different scale to your layout, in many ways!) but was surprised how well it protects the rails & stops tarnishing.

 

Jonathan

[HeatonLodge40 9,506]

6 hours ago, LongRail said:

What about a CMX track cleaning truck, I have the 00 gauge one and it works well.

I have seen in a  couple of places that use of a track rubber can damage the rail head which allow dirt to collect even more.

 

Yes I’ve got a CMX track cleaning truck but it won’t remove tarnish. Great for track that’s dirty but not tarnished tho

[HeatonLodge40 9,506]

4 hours ago, Roger Sunderland said:

Yes the Peco one does that as it’s very abrasive. However the DCC Concepts one doesn’t at all. Simply polishes the rail head. Oh and when it gets dirty it can be washed and it’s as good as new.

I tried it Roger maybe I was scrubbing it too hard, I’ll retry it but be a bit gentler 

[HeatonLodge40 9,506]

2 hours ago, jrb said:

Simon,

 

Have you tried graphite on the rails (once they're clean, obviously)?

 

I was skeptical about it, but used it on my shunting plank (different scale to your layout, in many ways!) but was surprised how well it protects the rails & stops tarnishing.

 

Jonathan

Hi Jonathan I’ve got some graphite pencils for this reason I’ll actually try these now you’ve mentioned it!

[HeatonLodge40 9,506]

Still working on the 30ft final section of double track- yep the Huddersfield upper level lines.

Three layers of static grass later, plus lots of dolls hair to create undergrowth/weeds & the small embankment is coming together.

 

Pics show the bare dolls hair (often sold as canopy or postiche) being covered with spray matt varnish. After the dolls hair is soaked I sprinkle woodland scenics Earth blend through a sieve. Just ‘lifts’ the scenery off the floor if you know what I mean.

 

Two lines on the left are the (usually covered) dive under lines 

[HeatonLodge40 9,506]

Dolls hair before and after..

need to clean the excess flock off the concrete trunking yet 

[HeatonLodge40 9,506]

Starting next week I’ll be uploading the first in a series of YouTube videos (with the link on here) on creating particular types of scenery found on Heaton Lodge Junction.

 

Without wishing to come across pompous, these videos will be the first in a series of ‘Modelling Masterclasses’ with the emphasis on redefining realism.

I suppose, given this projects timescale I’ve picked up and learnt a lot of what to do, and what not to do’s.!

Moreover the great Mr Downes taught me how to work fast without compromising on detail.

 

So next week will see the first video on creating the ultimate in static grass. It’s quick, it’s fast but gets great results.

 

I’m planning future videos on : 

 

: modelling water features

: modelling undergrowth 

: modelling lineside features such as concrete trunking

: civil engineering eg retaining walls

: stone walls & fencing

: roads & tracks 

: paths and walkways

 

Anything else of interest you’d like to see covered let me know.

 

Simon 

 

oh and it’ll all be in the book too 

 

[jcarta 2,416]

Thanks Simon

 

It will give some of us an insight on how you achieved this & that. 

 

Looking forward to seeing the videos

[Mick Bonwick 6,609]

Roll on next week!

 

It will be good to see some tutorial videos from which the results are readily visible. I might have to set aside some time to sit in front of the computer.

 

Splendid idea, Simon.

[SP Steve 768]

On 23/11/2020 at 17:47, HeatonLodge40 said:

Ah now there’s a question. Cleaning the track is an utter nightmare. 
Because I’m still working on it, I’m not running trains regularly on all 4 main lines & the 28 fiddle yard roads. 
Therefore tarnish appears after a few days and won’t come off with anything other than a track rubber. 
Ive tried every track rubber on sale and the best one by far is the Peco one. It leaves a little bit of residue but nothing like others I could mention.

 

To clean all the lines inc the fiddle yard takes 18 Peco track rubbers and 4 hrs.

If anyone knows of a way to get tarnish off the rails without a track rubber I’d love to know! I

 

 

Hi Simon,

 

I can recommend the following for ease of removing tarnish from track work:

 

https://www.buckandhickman.com/en/shop/products/details/3945469/ROEBUCK-FLEXIBLE-MULTI-PURPOSE-POLISHER-FINE

 

I first made acquaintance with them whilst observing fitters using them to provide a blemish free finish on stainless steel panels which were then installed in a clean room environment.

 

Being large they do both rails at once and don't crumble.

[class27 108]

Something decent to watch, that's a novelty, looking forward to them already

[blueeighties 7,903]

Happy to show the latest Heljan 0 gauge pre production refurbished class 31 model that I have been painting. When finished this will be put through it's paces on  Heaton Lodge Junction.

Please note this has just been painted, a few tweaks, varnishing, weathering and glazing are still needed to complete.

[HeatonLodge40 9,506]

Been rather a stressful week I don’t mind admitting. 
It’s been at the back of my mind for some time - given the sheer size of HLJ, and the constant testing work the locos are undergoing, I needed to get a proper maintenance schedule sorted out.

 

This all came to a head on Wednesday when a (prearranged) film crew arrived to capture footage of HLJ. As well as putting up with multiple locos stuttering (despite the track being clean) they just missed kit built 56009 lose all its wheels from the front bogie before collapsing on its side like a dead pig.

 

So I've now stopped modelling temporarily so all locomotives can go through an 'A’ exam which by my definition is wheel clean, pickup clean & oiling gearbox & axles. 
Have to say I put a 46 (and my pet Colas 60) through it today and both now run perfectly.

 

With a couple dozen Heljan locos due to land next year I’m going to have to be much more disciplined with maintenance from now on.

Added to which I’m going to offload much of the kit built traction cos they seem to have between them a similar traffic availability of a real Clayton Class 17.  
 

Incidentally the camera crew were filming for another series next year celebrating Hornby’s centennial. Whilst HLJ has little to do with that subject they are devoting a whole episode to HLJ which is very flattering. They are due back after Christmas to film at the real location. Should be aired in March next year I believe. 

There’s even 5 minutes on static grass!