Popular Post RJdeVries Posted January 5, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted January 5, 2019 (edited) Hello Everyone, I've just started building a new small layout that's only 130 x 45 cm. The scene is set in a Coal mine yard where 2 small locomotives still have a lot of work for themselves in shunting empty wagons and picking up full wagons at the loading station. The plan is to make this a portable layout that is easily transported in the back of the car. (that is in the boot with the rear seating down) The plan; The R & J Colliery Ltd. Rev2 by Robbert Jan., on Flickr The visual part is 130 x 45 cm with a shelf hinged on the back to create an additional 130 x 45 cm in order to make it a small loop, just because it fits. Both locomotives are Andrew Barclay 0-4-0 type engines with a slight difference in appearance between them, they will recieve a couple of nice etched name plates. The build; Model Railway Viewing Case by Robbert Jan., on Flickr A few hours of work yields a nice start to the project, a case is build and this will contain the scenery etcetera. The R & J Colliery Ltd. by Robbert Jan., on Flickr The case is then completed with a roof and trimpieces, this will give it the look of a moving painting, lights will be fitted to the roof and where ever necessary. The R & J Colliery Ltd. by Robbert Jan., on Flickr The points and rail have already made there way over here from the UK, Code 75. The R & J Colliery Ltd. by Robbert Jan., on Flickr Layed out it should look a bit like this, small but fun, thats the plan. Extra's; The R & J Colliery Ltd. by Robbert Jan., on Flickr I've made the descision to add a Magnorail track to the mix (www.magnorail.com) to give the layout that much more life, I've always wanted moving verhicles and this system gives me that oppurtunity without having to rebuild verhicles to the Faller system. Beginnings of MagnoRail track by Robbert Jan., on Flickr The track runs around, it partially runs behind the backscene and makes a 180 degree loop behind the coal loading bunker on the right hand side of the layout. It has to have a solid base to mount the track to so I've made a completely wooden track that will be fitted underneith the baseboard at a certain depth, this willl allow the road to sit level with the baseboard. That's all for now, I do hope you will enjoy my build. Greetings from the Netherlands; Robbert Jan. Edited January 8, 2019 by RJdeVries 20 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kev Posted January 5, 2019 Share Posted January 5, 2019 Looks very interesting good start will watch to see how it develops a very good start 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Londontram Posted January 5, 2019 Share Posted January 5, 2019 Good start. Looking forward to seeing this develop. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clover Posted January 5, 2019 Share Posted January 5, 2019 Robbert nice work on the construction of your portable layout. This looks like an interesting layout and one I will be watching. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJdeVries Posted January 5, 2019 Author Share Posted January 5, 2019 Thanks for the encouraging reply's. I've actually build the layout over the last fortnight and it has been a blast getting the new layout underway and getting the creative engines working. Due to the lack of parts (these are currently in the mail) I've been concentrating on the coalbunker and the loading of wagons as such, I'm actually going to load wagons on the scenic side of the layout prior to transporting them behind the scenes for emptying. I've made a test version out of a funnel and a styrene (plasticcard) slide valve and 45 degree distributor, this to evenly load a wagon. Coal Shute by Robbert Jan., on Flickr Coal Shute by Robbert Jan., on Flickr This seems to work fine with the material I'm using to immitate coal, a sort of hard plastic pellets. The Coal loading facility will have 4 seperate filling stations and these will be mounted on a single sheet of styrene, like the examples below. Coal Bunker by Robbert Jan., on Flickr Coal Bunker by Robbert Jan., on Flickr Well, styrene didn't perform as i would have liked and flexes to much under load, especcialy with a servomotor attached to it, it was really pointless to continue. That made me rebuild all of the slide valves in brass with styrene parts where possible. Brass discharge valves by Robbert Jan., on Flickr Coal Bunker by Robbert Jan., on Flickr The valve body is made of brass, the ring that will be attached to the funnel is made of styrene. This all results in a solid structure that will work as intended, to bad the servo decoder is still in the mail. Bunker workings by Robbert Jan., on Flickr The arm of the servo will protrude trough the styrene from above and will power the slide valve via a connecting rod. Well, thats all for today! I'm up to date with the progress so far and from here on the progress will be 1:1. Greetings, Robbert Jan. 9 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJdeVries Posted January 7, 2019 Author Share Posted January 7, 2019 Since no mail arrives over the weekend I've been concentrating on the coal loading facility. I'm constucting it out of styrene profiles from Evergreen since this is, for me, the most effective and fun way to construct buildings in general. Silo building by Robbert Jan., on Flickr I've made a start with the steel structure and this is made using 4x4mm (5/32") H profiles. The diagonal braces and 1 size down and mesure 3,2x3,2mm (1/8") The corners will be and have been strenghtened with rivet plates and some extra braces on the inner corners. Since this frame carries the complete inner workings it has to be somewhat sturdy. The glue has cured over night and the end result is slowly starting to appear. Steel structure by Robbert Jan., on Flickr Steel structure by Robbert Jan., on Flickr A locomotive will not fit underneith the facility, this is not required since there is only space for 2 wagons. If a single wagon is used it would be practice to use a repurposed conflat in between the loco and wagon. Steel structure by Robbert Jan., on Flickr And this is the frame as it stands now, the complete interior will be able to slide out in order to fill the hoppers with fresh coal, this will happen trough a little door in the side of the cabinet. Regards, Robbert Jan. 9 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJdeVries Posted January 9, 2019 Author Share Posted January 9, 2019 Wait a minute.... where did this topic come from, well, it was in the wrong section and I had it re-placed here. No worries, I'm not that far in to building my new layout, actually it is only 2 weeks old. So I've decided to pick up the storyline from here; Loading station by Robbert Jan., on Flickr The loading facility is taking shape and it coming together nicely, it obviously requires a lot of work to complete the bare building, then there is detailing and painting. The picture above didn't quite give me the right impression, the walls where to high up the building and it seemed to be to "open", like a slightly short skirt. Andrew Barclay @ Loading facility by Robbert Jan., on Flickr Much better I would say, the Loco will fit underneith the beam, but not underneith the actual devider below the storage hopper. A well, minor detail. Andrew Barclay @ Loading facility by Robbert Jan., on Flickr The building will sit flush with the backscene so there is only room for 2 wagons underneith. Next item to be attended is the installation of the Magnorail system to the layout, the contours have already been outlined and the install should be relatively staight forward, say it with some bendy bits. Hope you enjoy! Regards, Robbert Jan. 9 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allegheny1600 Posted January 9, 2019 Share Posted January 9, 2019 Hello Robbert Jan, What an interesting and intriguing subject, well done sir! Very imaginative, I shall enjoy following. John. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJdeVries Posted January 9, 2019 Author Share Posted January 9, 2019 Hi John, It's a combination of holiday memory's, pictures found on the internet for inspiration and just a lot of imagination. I'm not trying to recreate any location in specific, and that makes it more of a fun challenge for me, I just love building from scratch and working towards a complete small layout that is small enough to take to exhibitions. (and it fit's my hobby room so that's a bonus as well ) Regards, Robbert Jan. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJdeVries Posted January 10, 2019 Author Share Posted January 10, 2019 (edited) And yesterday I did finally recieve a set containing a servodecoder and 4 servomotors. I've wasted no time installing these since I had the whole setup prepared in advance. Coal Loading facility by Robbert Jan., on Flickr The servo's are used to operate the sliding valves underneith the coal hoppers. This gives me the possibility to actually load coal wagons on the layout, as in, bringing empty's to the facility and taking full wagons back to the main line for collection. Coal Loading facility by Robbert Jan., on Flickr The setup is not really difficult, a brass slide valve is mounted underneith the hopper and this is operated by a lever (with a piece of pring steel rod) mounted to the servomotor. The normal position is obviously closed and that allows for the hopper to be filled with a certain amount, likely the contents of 1 wagon since closing the valve mid stream is problematic. That is not really an issue since I'm not filling 10 wagons at a time, maybe 2 or 3 so no operational problems there. A short clip is also viewable on Youtube; https://youtu.be/b97S2lFwQQw And I've made the trip to the cold garage to install my recently accuired MagnoRail system, this will be used to pull along a couple of cars and maybe in the future a cyclist. MagnoRail track by Robbert Jan., on Flickr The loop runs just behind the railway and has a 180 degree turning loop that will be camouflaged by the loading station, the track is a continuous loop and a portion is running behind the backscene. This is also where the drivemotor is installed, this will pull/push the chain that will run in the track. Hope you enjoy! Regards, Robbert Jan. Edited January 10, 2019 by RJdeVries 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold PaulRhB Posted January 10, 2019 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 10, 2019 Very nice , You said so you don’t have to adapt them to the Faller system but will you put some sort of steering on the cars so the wheels turn into the corners? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold tomparryharry Posted January 10, 2019 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 10, 2019 Hi John, It's a combination of holiday memory's, pictures found on the internet for inspiration and just a lot of imagination. I'm not trying to recreate any location in specific, and that makes it more of a fun challenge for me, I just love building from scratch and working towards a complete small layout that is small enough to take to exhibitions. (and it fit's my hobby room so that's a bonus as well ) Regards, Robbert Jan. Hi John, It's a combination of holiday memory's, pictures found on the internet for inspiration and just a lot of imagination. I'm not trying to recreate any location in specific, and that makes it more of a fun challenge for me, I just love building from scratch and working towards a complete small layout that is small enough to take to exhibitions. (and it fit's my hobby room so that's a bonus as well ) Regards, Robbert Jan. You've got that washery building just about right; very convincing. Andrew Barclay locomotives sometimes had a horizontal whistle protruding out of the front cabsheet, just to keep the loco height down. Happy modelling, Ian. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJdeVries Posted January 10, 2019 Author Share Posted January 10, 2019 @ PaulRhB. That is indeed something I have been thinking about, I've just recieved a model of a series 1 Landrover and I think that a Faller steering gear would fit, this would make cornering way easyer than just dragging it along. I've still got some connections with the local Model railway club and they would probably help me out with a steering setup if asked. @Tomparryharry That would be an interresting alteration, it would be relatively easy to alter the position of the wistle, I will defenitly look in to that. Regards, Robbert Jan. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJdeVries Posted January 12, 2019 Author Share Posted January 12, 2019 After a few days at work there is again some progress. I've reworked the loading facility because there where some places where small pieces of coal became stuck and this would then jam the mechanism into not closing properly. I've fixed this issue in the space available, meaning the divider underneith the hopper had to be lowered a good 2mm and this did the trick without any further problems, the wagons still fit so that is a bonus. Facility by Robbert Jan., on Flickr Then there was the issue of the amount of fine debris in the "coal" that was also getting into the working mechanism, I therefore spend the better part of the friday morning cleaning all the "coal" by washing it and agitating it over a screen of fine mesh so all the fine particles where discarded. Another project, a Land Rover Mk1, has to be made capable to run on the MagnoRail track and this is quite a challenge, I've ordered a steering rack so the front wheels can actually steer, further enhancements where made to give the model a bit more appeal. This means that the soldering iron was needed, 6 led's, a few resistors and some fine wire. Mark 1 Land Rover by Robbert Jan., on Flickr The headlights, markerlights and taillights where drilled and given a drop of Micro Kristal Klear to form a lens where a small led sits behind. The whole setup works on 2 1,5volt button batteries, these will last a day. Mark 1 Land Rover by Robbert Jan., on Flickr Obviously overexposed, but it's visible Mark 1 Land Rover by Robbert Jan., on Flickr And the rear, this will do nicely. Regards, Robbert Jan. 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJdeVries Posted January 15, 2019 Author Share Posted January 15, 2019 (edited) Been quite busy with some of the prepwork for the more intense stages of building the baseboard and the features added to this. Yesterday I've been repeating myself over and over again with the all the parts required to make a complete Magnorail chain, all of the chain links where cut free from there sprue and given a smooth finish to the system will run without any issues. Magnorail track by Robbert Jan., on Flickr After this exhausting endevour there was some time to install a couple of rare earth magnets that are supplied with the system. Magnorail track by Robbert Jan., on Flickr 2 large magnets where pushed into the chain, each facing a different direction, meaning there is one facing north side up and the other is south side up. The same is done with the verhicle slider and the 2 are highly attracted to one and other. I've also added a 0,5mm brass rod to the end, this will hook up with the steering gear on my Land Rover Mk1. Magnorail track by Robbert Jan., on Flickr This is how the chain will sit in the guiderail, this will be a job for a quiet afternoon. The sides of the guiderail will be filled in with 8mm cork and there will be a photocard layer on top acting as the road surface, this is according to the manufacturer, the best option being that plasticcard will tend to distort with temperature differences. And then the layout, so far the only building that is actually giving some clue is the coal washing and loading facility, this is almost in the right place, it needs some adjustment still. Global layout of the layout by Robbert Jan., on Flickr And this a top down view, a small engine shed will be placed where the red Barclay is sitting. Both holes will be inspection and maintenance pits. Global layout of the layout by Robbert Jan., on Flickr Obviously there will be more buildings against the back of the cabinet, some larger buildings, and a conveyor going across the track from the back to the washing and loading facility. I'm also tempted to build a winding work since that is an obvious sign of a mine. Enough to do whilst I'm also preparing my Dutch layout for the next show at Rail 2019 (Houten Expo the Netherlands) This exhibitions normally also features a dozen British and/or British build layouts to plenty to see Regards, Robbert Jan. Edited January 15, 2019 by RJdeVries 10 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon A Posted January 15, 2019 Share Posted January 15, 2019 An interesting project. My only observation is that the Land Rover headlights appear too bright and too white. Gordon A Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJdeVries Posted January 15, 2019 Author Share Posted January 15, 2019 Hi Gordon, The headlights look very bright since the picture was taken without any extra lighting, my room was dark at the time. If used under normal circumstances there isn't even that much light being emitted as I would like there to be visible. I'll be testing some more and May even redo the headlights with proper sunny white one's. Thanks for the observation Regards, Robbert Jan. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium New Haven Neil Posted January 15, 2019 RMweb Premium Share Posted January 15, 2019 This layout has all the signs of becoming something special. I follow with interest! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJdeVries Posted January 18, 2019 Author Share Posted January 18, 2019 Last wednesday my order of cork finally arrived so I wasted no time getting this gluedinto place with ordinary woodglue. Kreatief met kurk by Robbert Jan., on Flickr So yesterday when the glue had set there was a short period before going to work whereI took the time to install the Magnorail chain and got it correctly tensioned, in a way that itisn't bunshing up in the guiderail. (especially when the chain is pushed rather then pulled) It work's https://youtu.be/I1yZ2Tpx-gk That was also the time to install the steering gear to the Land Rover, this was a challenge in it self since the whole frame had to be cut of and I made a new one from plasticcard. Land Rover Mk1 by Robbert Jan., on Flickr The steering rack is a complete assembly from faller, with an adapted slider from faller. Land Rover Mk1 by Robbert Jan., on Flickr The body also needed a bit of work since there is no clearance for the wheels to turn. The inner wheel wells had to be ground down with a dremel in order to make the room for the wheels to fit inside, it should be enough, but the real test will be when the Magnorail track is covered with a road surface, Regards, Robbert Jan. 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJdeVries Posted January 19, 2019 Author Share Posted January 19, 2019 Well I've been messing about with covering the Magnorail track with photocard and this was with some initial troubles really do-able. Wegdek van fotokarton by Robbert Jan., on Flickr I've used double sided carpet tape as an adhesive and placed it almost everywhere to ensure the photocard doesn't pop up etc. The individual pieces of photocard where taped together with clear packingtape. And after a lot of trial and error a working slider was build that would fit the faller steering gear, it is fixed underneith the steering gear and almost dead center. This gives the most dependable turning action and since this is all solid there is no real play in the system, for the better. I've been running her for about 2 hours now and no problems at all. Land Rover Mk 1 by Robbert Jan., on Flickr Navigating a 180 degree turning point. Land Rover Mk 1 by Robbert Jan., on Flickr Coming out from under the bridge navigating a slight incline and bend in the road. Now this is finished I finally can get to laying the track and points, installing point motors and all the other items that should be installed prior to attacking scenery etc. Regards, Robbert Jan. 8 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
danstercivicman Posted January 19, 2019 Share Posted January 19, 2019 (edited) Pretty incredible! A good start Edited January 19, 2019 by danstercivicman Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJdeVries Posted January 20, 2019 Author Share Posted January 20, 2019 Thanks! I've been busy with the laying of the set of 6 points, fitting them with drop wires for the Dcc current and the frog polarisation, The points will be operated by Tortoise pointmotors on a fixed 9 volt Dc current with a simple switch to operate. Rail and point placement by Robbert Jan., on Flickr I've soldered the wires directly to the underside of the rail, that includes the frog because the attached wire snapped on the first installment after applying a small amount of force to pull the wire though. Rail and point placement by Robbert Jan., on Flickr And after a hour of soldering, alligning and cutting a piece of flexitrack the bulk of the work has already been done and it all fits nicely after some adjustments to the sleepers interfering with one and other. The bit of flexitrack has also lost a third of the sleepers and I will space the remaining one's out accordingly, I think it lookspretty neat so far. Rail and point placement by Robbert Jan., on Flickr And well, there are already lot's of wires underneith the base, these will be sorted out once the point motors are installed. Regards, Robbert Jan. 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
steveNCB7754 Posted January 20, 2019 Share Posted January 20, 2019 (edited) Thanks! I've been busy with the laying of the set of 6 points, fitting them with drop wires for the Dcc current and the frog polarisation, The points will be operated by Tortoise pointmotors on a fixed 9 volt Dc current with a simple switch to operate. Regards, Robbert Jan. Great progress Jan. Assuming it is not already too late (and you may be doing this anyway of course), but Lance Mindheim (the doyen of US layout design and building) has a useful tip in the January newsletter I have just received. He says that when you run your main power bus (he usually does that first), you solder your droppers to the rails (as you have done) as you install the points, but DON'T yet solder those droppers to the bus wires. Then, connect-up the bus to your DCC booster/power supply, connecting each feeder set to the bus and immediately checking that a loco runs OK each time. Continue connecting each pair of feeders and testing each time, repeating until they are all done. That way, you will know which one is causing a problem (such as a short), whereas if you solder them all to the bus and then start testing, you will have no idea which one(s) is causing the problem. Probably well known, but I know I would probably get on and do all the soldering first (LOL). HTH Edited January 20, 2019 by steveNCB7754 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJdeVries Posted January 20, 2019 Author Share Posted January 20, 2019 Hi Steve, Thanks for the tips and tricks. I've yet to start wiring everything to the bus wire so I will keep the above in mind. I do keep a strict wiring scedule as the red (rear) and black (front) wire with the green wire for the frog (how convenient) I'm currently at work and will be wiring some rails and more tomorrow and if it all goes to plan the bus wire can then be installed and tested point by point. Regards, Robbert Jan. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJdeVries Posted January 22, 2019 Author Share Posted January 22, 2019 (edited) Well, a lot has been done since the last post. I've been busy wiring the point motors and connecting all the drop wires to the main bus wires for the Dcc system. Wiring the point motors by Robbert Jan., on Flickr The point motors where powered up one at a time to check the polarisation of the frog and to wire them correctly. Meanwhile the other parts of the track where made ready and an initail trail run has been made without any hickups. Running the first train! by Robbert Jan., on Flickr Running the first train! by Robbert Jan., on Flickr And ofcourse a short clip; https://youtu.be/YXrIaLlBAFk The remainder of the trackwork will also be installed whilst the landscaping can also take place in order to hide the open areas. Regards, Robbert Jan. Edited January 22, 2019 by RJdeVries 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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