37114 Posted November 10, 2019 Author Share Posted November 10, 2019 One of the things that was a puzzle for a while with the operation of PCVS is how to remove the coaches from the layout back into the fiddle yard, bearing in mind the train engine will be "off scene". My initial thoughts were to pull them out manually but having operated a friends layout on similar pretence I wasn't convinced it was the best way so an alternative was required, enter the sentinel: I bought this loco a few years ago for a planned layout based around an exchange siding for a wagon works, as it will never venture onto the layout it's non protypical nature is not a problem. The loco has had laserglaze fitted, the cab interior cut down and painted, the bufferbeam slots filled, the MSC branding removed and given an internal number. It is ideal for it's role as a fiddle yard shunter being 4 wheeled so easy to place on the track, except the small issue of the 3 link couplings. The carriages retain the tension locks at the non scenic ends but putting the original tension locks back on the sentinel is not an option so I decided to make a replacement from brass wire: The wire coupling is glued to the back of the bufferbeam but can be removed at a later date when it's role is completed and will be sold on. On other locos I have started to weather my class 50. As Hornby have yet to produce an un-named blue loco with central arrow I had to choose a prototype which had the arrows under the number, 50031 being the loco of choice. I had intended to strip this down, sort the windows, roof and radiator grilles but such is the amount of work required it wouldn't be ready for April and to be honest for whatever reason it is not a project I feel I have the appetite for at the moment. More weathering required (and of the oversized 08) but I have run out of a couple of key colours I use when weathering. 16 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post 37114 Posted December 13, 2019 Author Popular Post Share Posted December 13, 2019 Now that the layout is nearly finished, the next stage of testing ready for Trainwest next April can commence. I recently finished the fiddle yard cassettes so with Dave and Alan coming over it seemed an ideal time to set up the layout and start working through an operating plan. With the layout set up and obscuring the TV my son showed an interest and gave D1023 a spin: A list was kept of things to do before the show, one of which is to install a light in the fiddle yard, I am hoping to get the same light as on the layout so I can link them together. The storage area underneath the deck seems to work well even if the pint storage area is better suited to a straight glass rather than a handle. Alan used 31401 and 08949 mostly to do some tests. The 31 needs some attention as it is too clean for a Bristol class 31 and the more urgent matter is it needs more weight in it as it lighter than when the loco started life as a Lima model and does not run as well as I would like. While my other class 31 uses the original Hornby crumbling centre section of the chassis which has some weight to it, this variant uses the Lima plastic chassis frame with some weight added but clearly not enough. One of the things I have never attempted on a layout is forced perspective as I have never been convinced I could get it right so for a laugh while my 0 gauge 08 was out for some more weathering for a bit of a laugh it ventured onto the layout... In readiness for the progression to O gauge when this layout moves on some of the stock not required has moved on to other homes, with all 3 class 37's being sold (first time in 30 years I have not owned a class 37) and many of the 4mm wagon fleet from Peafore Yard has gone as well. With the class 25's on their way out as well from a loco point of view I will be left with a more manageable fleet for this layout with a core fleet of: 2 x class 08 - (08949/950) 2 x class 31 - (31210/401) 1 x class 35 - (7017) 1 x Class 45 - (45132) 2 x class 47 - (47076/105) 1 x class 50 - (50031) 1 x class 52 - (D1023) 31 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Ramblin Rich Posted December 13, 2019 RMweb Gold Share Posted December 13, 2019 This is looking very convincing! The perspective shot almost works, just that office building in the left distracting If you need to be rid of any 25s (or 31s) I would be interested.... 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
37114 Posted December 13, 2019 Author Share Posted December 13, 2019 2 hours ago, Ramblin Rich said: This is looking very convincing! The perspective shot almost works, just that office building in the left distracting If you need to be rid of any 25s (or 31s) I would be interested.... Hi Rich, the 25s have gone today, the 31s are required for this layout for a bit but will let you know when I decide to move them on, eventually all my 4mm stock will go. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Ramblin Rich Posted December 13, 2019 RMweb Gold Share Posted December 13, 2019 Missed out as usual! 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Regularity Posted December 14, 2019 RMweb Gold Share Posted December 14, 2019 That’s your money shot, IMO: 10 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
37114 Posted December 14, 2019 Author Share Posted December 14, 2019 9 hours ago, Regularity said: That’s your money shot, IMO: Thanks, putting the track on an embankment makes such a difference. Andy Y is coming to photograph it in February and based on how good his photos of Peafore yard were I can't wait to see his results. 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
37114 Posted December 14, 2019 Author Share Posted December 14, 2019 21 hours ago, Ramblin Rich said: Missed out as usual! The 37's have stayed local(ish) but one of the 25s has gone to Australia so it is one I have probably seen the last of! 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tempfix Rich Papper Posted December 15, 2019 Tempfix Share Posted December 15, 2019 This looks fantastic. I used to work at Bedminster Down and went past this on the bus every day, this definitely captures the feel of the area. Pleased to hear you're bringing it to Cheltenham, I'll look forward to a good look. Rich 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
37114 Posted December 15, 2019 Author Share Posted December 15, 2019 1 hour ago, Rich Papper said: This looks fantastic. I used to work at Bedminster Down and went past this on the bus every day, this definitely captures the feel of the area. Pleased to hear you're bringing it to Cheltenham, I'll look forward to a good look. Rich Thanks Rich, that reminds me I need to speak to Mike as there is nothing on the website so need to check he hasn't forgotten he has it booked... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tempfix Rich Papper Posted December 15, 2019 Tempfix Share Posted December 15, 2019 He's in good health as ever. I've been drafted for 2020 to fill a gap with Oxford Road. Don't mind as it is only round the corner from where I work anyway. Rich 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post 37114 Posted December 29, 2019 Author Popular Post Share Posted December 29, 2019 I have been distracted a little recently with some of my O gauge projects but I final ticked off a job I had been meaning to for ages this morning; getting the yard lights and the building lights going. I had originally planned to use an old Scalextric 12v power supply I had kicking around but it was on the rather large side so decided to use an old Hornby trainset controller which had the benefit of not only been smaller but having the ability to provide some element of dimming control. In addition to the yard lights I also put lights in the admin block, one of the storage sheds and the garage at the front of the layout. These were from the Hornby skale lighting range and were acquired very cheaply from Hattons so presume that they weren't popular as I haven't seen them advertised recently. Here is a view of the layout without the layout lighting turned on: In normal exhibition use the lights are not really that visible against the layout lighting but it was never intended to be a fully lit layout, as Street lamps, cars and houses are not lit and a number of outdoor cameos are not suited to a night-time scene. The main reason for making the lights work was it is not an unreasonable expectation for any future purchaser to want the yard lights to work and I wanted to show the detail inside the garage scene: The carriage cleaners arrive for their shift. At least you can see my mixer tap at the sink inside now but I need to add some office furniture in the other side... 16 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Gwinnett Posted December 29, 2019 Share Posted December 29, 2019 I think those interior lights will work very well to permit the details to be viewed under "daylight" conditions - very nicely done. 3 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post 37114 Posted January 25, 2020 Author Popular Post Share Posted January 25, 2020 It is only a few weeks until Andy Y comes to photograph the layout and with me spending a couple of those weeks in Eastern Europe with work I decided I had better tend to some of the outstanding bits and pieces to do on the layout. This was predominantly bits of weathering and some small details such as putting the unloading pipe in for the tank wagon on the dead end siding and adding some rubbish bags. While I had the layout out I also did a couple of minor repairs to a couple of locos so took the opportunity to take some pics: My last remaining Parkside van will be used on the layout, I am not sure what it was used for in reality but clean bedding would have been delivered by rail for the sleepers as well as spares: D7017 seeing out it's last few weeks in traffic (technically it is a little early for the layout but I have fond memories of riding behind it on the G&WR when it visited some years back) I think in BR era D7017 was withdrawn before D1023 got it's Dominoes so probably won't appear together at the same time at shows but I couldn't resist putting them on together. One of my favourite areas of the layout is the A38 bridge. I am currently making the air lines to fit to the container lorry, something I meant to do ages ago... Aside from the photo shoot I am also preparing for the layouts first show. The information board proved popular on Peafore Yard so I have done the same again for this layout; Something which I never properly fixed on Peafore Yard was the cassettes rattling around in the fiddle yard while being transported, and with significantly more cassettes on this layout a solution was required to hold them in place. I wanted to be able to shut the lid with stock on the cassettes for 2 day shows so something fixed permanently to the lid was out. The solution were these 3 removable clamps which are held in place when the lid is shut. I used bubble wrap on the bottom to cushion the track. Simple but effective. 20 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Gwinnett Posted January 25, 2020 Share Posted January 25, 2020 Seeing the whole layout like that just shows what a triumph this is. It is the very antithesis of glamour, and all the more brilliantly observed because of it. Bravo! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
37114 Posted January 25, 2020 Author Share Posted January 25, 2020 1 hour ago, Jon Gwinnett said: Seeing the whole layout like that just shows what a triumph this is. It is the very antithesis of glamour, and all the more brilliantly observed because of it. Bravo! Very kind comments, I don't think I could ever do glamour/ quintessential England as a modelling subject. 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold 5BarVT Posted January 26, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 26, 2020 As I recall, last Hymeks were withdrawn spring ‘75; headcodes went from 1 Jan ‘76 and dominoes came in some time after that. (0O00 for most, 10xx for Westerns in the interim.) Paul. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
37114 Posted January 27, 2020 Author Share Posted January 27, 2020 6 hours ago, 5BarVT said: As I recall, last Hymeks were withdrawn spring ‘75; headcodes went from 1 Jan ‘76 and dominoes came in some time after that. (0O00 for most, 10xx for Westerns in the interim.) Paul. Thanks Paul, as I suspected I will need to be careful what love's I run at the same time as D7017. Generally it is only 1 mainline loco on the layout plus an 08 so I should be fine. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post 37114 Posted January 29, 2020 Author Popular Post Share Posted January 29, 2020 Pet hate fixed..I had been meaning to add the suzies (air lines) to the container lorry. They are the wire from freezer tags painted appropriate colour. 16 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post 37114 Posted February 15, 2020 Author Popular Post Share Posted February 15, 2020 With Andy Y coming over on Tuesday I have set up the layout to finish some last bits. First off some rubbish has been added, photos of Malago Vale show rubbish all over the tracks presumably from cleaning of the carriages. As I had the layout up, I started working out how to operate it effectively. The photo below shows the layout as full as it can get with stock and still be able to operate. 22 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
37114 Posted February 17, 2020 Author Share Posted February 17, 2020 All set for tomorrow, just indulged in some operating practice and I am actually starting to enjoy operating this layout... 17 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Legroom Posted February 18, 2020 Share Posted February 18, 2020 On 29/01/2020 at 19:29, 37114 said: Pet hate fixed..I had been meaning to add the suzies (air lines) to the container lorry. They are the wire from freezer tags painted appropriate colour. Hi Rob You have done a fabulous job of capturing the South Bristol atmosphere. I like the drain cover. Was it an etched part? Max Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
37114 Posted February 18, 2020 Author Share Posted February 18, 2020 7 hours ago, Max Legroom said: Hi Rob You have done a fabulous job of capturing the South Bristol atmosphere. I like the drain cover. Was it an etched part? Max Thanks Max, yes it was I bought them years ago as they have been used in all my 4mm layouts, I think they came from Ten Commandments if I remember correctly. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
37114 Posted February 18, 2020 Author Share Posted February 18, 2020 Really enjoyable morning with Andy Y today catching up and discussing the hobby while Andy captured some great pictures of the layout. I had forgotten an essential part of Andy's armoury is the famous rice bag... All being equal the layout should appear in BRM later this year, hopefully to co-incide with it's second exhibition outing in July. A loco which hasn't seen much use on the layout (in fact I don't think it has ever run on the layout) is 45132 which appears in the photo shoot and was also the star of one of my favourite phots Andy took of Peafore Yard. This loco is one of only 3 of the current stable to have seen use right at the start of my exhibition history with the first show of Pallet Lane, the others being 08949 (then numbered 08632) and 47105. The class 31 in the shot below is also one of my longer serving locos, arriving in time for the last show with Pallet Lane along with 47077. All of my other locos are either new for this layout or arrived while Peafore Yard was on the scene. 16 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob D2 Posted February 18, 2020 Share Posted February 18, 2020 Looking good. It’ll be a gutsy move to flog the lot and head off into O gauge ! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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