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Veja Megstra - RhB Nm layout


MrTea
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2 hours ago, MrTea said:

 

and where to put things like tunnels and the main landforms. I’ve been doing bits of research online and there is some really good reference material on YouTube (both real world and model). 

Also use google street view on the RhB as they ran the trike around the system on a flatcar. You can study catenary, track and tunnels ;) just drop the little bloke on the track in various places and then click along the line. 

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On 08/01/2020 at 10:30, PaulRhB said:

Also use google street view on the RhB as they ran the trike around the system on a flatcar. You can study catenary, track and tunnels ;) just drop the little bloke on the track in various places and then click along the line. 

 

Following Paul's advice I've been looking more closely into the catenary used on the Albula line and the Davos branch.

 

Here are some of the Kato poles tweaked ready to position on the layout:
 

8C672C32-1F72-4E32-BF53-E5C0F3DA7C83.thumb.jpeg.17eecdb0db850524a2985b20314c8f1d.jpeg

Edited by MrTea
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I've also been able to make a start on the scenery at one end of the layout. Where the track curves away I've made a start on a tunnel using foamboard which I'm hoping will mean I can have a removable roof.

 

IMG_5939.jpeg.4dce482f0894444a227c47f6d5d3fea7.jpeg

 

You can see the Kato catenary pole base on the bottom right of the photo.

 

IMG_5940.jpeg.2db262a05e6f096724c43c90f9a42121.jpeg

 

For the baseboard joins I've replaced the longer bolts that come with the baseboard kit with 20mm screws to help locate the boards positively. I'm also using the standard Kato connectors for the wires as it'll make setting up the layout quicker when it comes out of storage. There's a satisfying 'plug and play' element to the design of the Unitrack components.

 

IMG_5942.jpeg.8c86fd239e43c80d6fcdee933243e1b0.jpeg

Edited by MrTea
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Got a bit more done tonight!

 

I've installed a Faller tunnel portal at the summit end of the layout. Also tried a clearance trial with a Ge 4/4 III and Glacier Express stock.

 

IMG_5950.jpg.542e4384c91f5e20e4fb04b171e82155.jpg

 

IMG_5951.jpg.a0be162e0bd330efb9fc3284bab8acd1.jpg

 

Maybe the Kato catenary poles are a touch on the tall side? From what I've seen the tunnels on the RhB are quite a tight fit for the more modern rolling stock so I'll need to run the locos with the pantographs adjusted quite low so as not to foul the tunnel roof.

 

I'm pretty pleased with how the tunnel is turning out so far and I think the Faller Dekorplatte portal is a close match to the tunnels I've researched so far on the Filisur to Davos line. The foam material is quite brittle so needs to be handled with care but I reckon with some subtle weathering it'll fit in pretty well.

 

IMG_5952.jpg

 

Decorflex bridge and tunnel components. 

Edited by MrTea
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On pantograph height I think it’s a compromise without wires. If you have it right down for tight tunnel clearances it looks low when on view vs looking a bit high just at the tunnels. I went with similar clearances to your current pic as a result.

I‘m currently planning on using 40mm height for ‘the wire’ and setting pantographs at 35mm from the railhead. This is my draft clearance diagram. 

2B277DF2-07FC-4D29-990D-BDB60B6ACBF1.jpeg.83a9b5a082a5624b20a58a2854b6cc2d.jpeg

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Next on my list to sort is the backscene. Because the scenery is probably going to be fairly tall on the boards due to the track being on risers (datum level is 2" from the baseboard at the station) I'm not sure whether to go for a plain-ish sky or try something a bit more mountainous?

 

There seem to be a few options on the market. But my knowledge of German isn't the best in terms of what to Google for.

 

Has anyone seen or used the prints from atelier-dietrich.at? This one looks like it might be just the job if it's not too expensive to ship to the UK:

http://www.atelier-dietrich.at/modellbauatelier/kaufkulissen/index.html

 

Otherwise ID backscenes have a range of sky images and also a Bavarian scene that might be ok?

https://www.art-printers.com/product-list/bavaria

https://www.art-printers.com/product-list/overcast-sky

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Yeah they look good, just copy the paragraph and drop it into Google translate, the translation won’t be perfect but you’ll get the general idea. I have the app on the phone too and you can link it so it will translate web pages.

On the iPhone I just tap the little Up arrow on the bottom of the screen,

50B0D363-C93F-4524-B5D8-D53F04BB9A05.jpeg.9a90fcfb78a7a851c734ec75defbda66.jpeg

 

 

scroll down and hit translate. 
0638CAC3-74A6-40CE-A692-3EA495EEF5FC.jpeg.631025a43268288a3421372220c27fe1.jpeg

 

And ta da! 
9B29C8EB-527E-444D-BE2D-23DA0838CBD2.jpeg.c2f976817d43180891d0d61f53c5c436.jpeg

Edited by PaulRhB
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An alternative approach. Go to - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Main_Page and search for Swiss Panorama. Have a hunt and find a file that would fit the bill and greater than 10mb. Download and take to you local print shop or sign maker and have it printed to your dimensions on Vinyl. There is a temporary one - just A3 pages - on my 2013 layout thread but gives you an idea of whats out there.

Edited by JimFin
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Managed to fit in a bit more work on the layout over the last few evenings. Made good progress with fitting the plain backscenes (for now bargain mount board from The Range) and have extended the tunnel on the far side.

 

IMG_5957.jpeg.d874b3c8c4e3b29f5876a43cb1d3cc33.jpeg

 

I've also tidied up the first tunnel mouth by fitting internal walling pieces and a roof (a recycled toilet roll tube turned out to be just the right diameter!).

 

IMG_5956.jpeg.02fa54f40e887971e712e00b398f66bb.jpeg

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First running session last night. Everything worked which was a massive relief. I think if I was starting again I'd have gone for 3% gradient risers as the gradient transitions are a little bit sharp.

 

 

To maintain the loco’s speed around the circuit requires a steady hand on the controller as the loco slows considerably on the long climb and runs away pretty quickly as soon as the train crests the summit!

Edited by MrTea
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Been making slow but steady progress on the layout in the past couple of weeks. Part of the problem is that the boards have to be packed away when I'm not working on them as we need the dining table during the week!

 

From doing a bit more research on Google Street View I discovered a small station (halt with a loop) called Muot between Bergun and Preda on the Albula line. The track layout isn't a million miles away from what I've got (loop, single siding at the rear) so I'm thinking of updating the plan slightly and moving the station building to the valley side of the line e.g.

961498899_RhBStationlayoutv7.png.8f9953600db9f9272d368639a101c91f.png

 

I've also been exploring the spirals and tunnels that make up this part of the route. It's fascinating that the line hugs the side of the valley for much of the way and then where the valley floor has steps in it the engineers decided to maintain the ruling gradient by tunnelling into the hill side to gain height and then swing the line from one valley side to another. For me this makes for a fascinating prototype which is crying out to be part of the model.

 

By looking closely at the tunnels I came across this place up the line a couple of km from Muot:
https://www.google.com/maps/place/46°35'49.0"N+9°45'28.7"E/@46.596955,9.7574351,19z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x0!8m2!3d46.596955!4d9.7579836

Here the line dives into a tunnel while ahead the track crosses over above on a viaduct:
https://www.google.com/maps/@46.5968544,9.7580249,2a,75y,154h,87.04t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sM6tSFGGtVMaaJ1y054Cg5w!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

 

Looking at the end board of the layout I've decided I can base the scenery on this, possibly with the viaduct featuring on the back scene.

 

https://www.google.com/maps/@46.5970364,9.7577423,3a,75y,343.77h,90t/data=!3m10!1e1!3m8!1stRx82H54N13H7TdyotXMVA!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo2.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3DtRx82H54N13H7TdyotXMVA%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D277.68823%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i13312!8i6656!9m2!1b1!2i51

 

Other than that I've finished off installing the plain back scene and curved it into the corners.

 

Couple of pictures to finish of Kato Ge 4/4 II #631 Untervaz resting in the headshunt.

IMG_5976.jpeg.4a9623bab9f90531420d2b3d2959fe06.jpeg

 

The foam board pieces below are temporary off-cuts that will be reprofiled once I figure out how the contours should look at this end of the layout.

IMG_5975.jpeg.d480044ec07d0297515aecb2394452cc.jpeg 

 

 

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As it was terrible weather today I managed to get a couple of hours on the afternoon to get the layout set up. Didn't manage to get any work done on the scenery other than trimming the back scene boards a bit but I did find time to have a running session:

 

 

 

Edited by MrTea
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Hi all,

 

Quick progress update as I haven't done one for a while. The layout was packed away while some decorating at home took priority :mellow:

 

I've been working on the right hand end of the layout which represents the first tunnel up the line from Muot station:

 

IMG_6183_small.jpg.cecd49a05a4b80bbdde05678c83e1819.jpg

 

I've been using spare pieces of risers to build up the landscape and trying to follow the shape of the hillside (if a little compressed) from the Google Maps and Google Streetview links I've been using for research.

 

1820663736_IMG_6181small.jpg.53bdc9e1afd320bdc98e6ed85f1aefd3.jpg

 

The tunnel portal is coming together and I think it nicely captures the character of the real thing. You can see the viaduct looming above in the background and hopefully I'll be able to represent that on the backscene.

 

I had to move the catenary pole foundations as I'd originally placed them on the outside of the curve.

 

Here's some more detail of the portal:

2040552664_IMG_6182small.jpg.b24bd9492810d155f4be6f9bf4baf6c0.jpg

 

Although it's very brittle the embossed Faller stonework really seems to suit this location. It's going to need painting and weathering though. And the stone courses are going to need blending in where I've grafted different sections together.

 

Let me know what you think.

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Oh and the new Kato restaurant car arrived in the post on Saturday. It's gorgeous:

 

 

I love the little table lamps but I must get around to swapping the Rapido couplings this weekend:
448903817_IMG_6194small.jpg.f4f5c9b72f5bcd5e629dce45d07c842f.jpg

 

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Managed to get an hour on Saturday to switch the couplers and install the lighting 'lens'.

 

IMG_0009_small.jpg.c55a9dd38ca617f6a1a7f07d71633b45.jpg

The car disassembled.

 

IMG_0010_small.jpg.9792c978be8ce1ea95a7b9e0d9214bb2.jpg
Couplers switched and 'lens' installed. There's a small piece to remove from inside the roof moulding, presumably to allow the light to flood up and into the roof. It's nicely designed with the LED lighting strip in the kitchen section or under the floor.

 

IMG_0014_small.jpg.80de2c176b8094c80660c15ddadc20ff.jpg

All back together. The replacement close couplings are a massive improvement in looks.

 

Hopefully will get chance to run this on the layout soon!

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Made a bit more progress on the layout over the last few days. I've also decided on a name for the layout 'Veja Megstra'. I'd originally thought of calling it 'Muot' after the station on the Albula line I've been inspired by but as the layout is hopefully going to include other sections of the Albulabahn I wasn't 100% happy with that.

 

From doing lots of research on Google Maps and Streetview I kept seeing the name of the road that follows the line between Bergun and Preda and that seems quite a good name - although I've no idea how you pronounce it!

 

IMG_6338.jpeg.3fc81c1198a34fba2fb38534118ccdf1.jpeg

 

I've been focusing on this section of the line at the moment as I only have space to work on one of the 4 baseboards at once now we're all working from home/off school.

 

IMG_6327.jpg.4d0fba0e87644203081b3576939916d5.jpg

Overall view showing the mountain side taking shape. I've used scrap pieces of the Woodland Scenics risers mostly (and lots of wood glue!).

 

IMG_6353.jpg.b73bc82f5f9a8b2585bc2b86438c5b7f.jpg

Top view showing the road sub base at the bottom of the picture (foamboard off-cuts) and the removable tunnel roof (middle top right).

 

IMG_6328.jpg.c8438cf3aec1bd2488a6a928e99f927a.jpg

Detail of the tunnel mouth showing the rock faces on the left.

 

IMG_6330.jpg.ded4d41f69f04f8302011cf4f93a11a3.jpg

Top view including cut down catenary mast (Kato) more in-line with RhB examples.

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More progress on the layout this week:

 

Started on covering up the polystyrene base and my girls (6 and 9) wanted to get involved too. It turns out they’re both a dab hand with the plaster bandage!

 

IMG_6369.jpg.830c233b4ef8d9ca044bdfdd7784202f.jpg

 

I’ve also made some progress with the  fascias on this board (more mounting board). 

 

This morning we were doing some crafting together outside so I managed to get started on the curved viaduct for the opposite side of the layout:

 

E11F8464-3D8D-4F72-A410-E897AA458403.jpeg.3c8cbdd43ba964476f5326ec8780fea8.jpeg

 

This is from the Faller ‘Landwasser’ kit. I contemplated trying to reuse the deck section but it’s not suitable for the Unitrack ballasted track shoulder and I’m wondering if I can track down some closer to scale hand rails that aren’t quite so chunky. 

Edited by MrTea
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It's been a few weeks but after a distraction with building some wagons in 00 I've made a bit more progress with the station side of the layout.

 

IMG_6534.jpeg.94491ec238b846772c4a388ec85817dc.jpeg

Road barrier installed. Fence added. Ground cover started. It's amazing what a difference ballasting the trackside made to the overall look of this section.

 

IMG_6542.jpeg.d1ffff3a125ff9fa25ec77f4cde2e822.jpeg

Tunnel mouth painted. Rock face drybrushed.

 

I'm not particularly happy with the grass in the foreground as it seems much too dark but it was the only green colour of Woodlands Scenics fine turf I had to hand. I added some bushes and some coarse turf ground cover at this point as the real location is quite covered in vegetation on the photos I've found online.

 

IMG_6548.jpeg.090bae21956f28e31edd7c0bc32947f7.jpeg

Commenced work on the landforms on the station section.

 

What I learned from the corner section is not to rush adding the bushes etc and to take more time building up the layers of grass and vegetation.

 

I've also done some more work to install the viaduct on the 'valley' side of the layout.

IMG_6543.jpeg.ea448a83a9910c901c09df65add2757a.jpeg

Viaduct installed showing the rising gradient left to right.

 

IMG_6545.jpeg.107c46e63509fbaad64937385c8f82cc.jpeg

Close-up showing the curve of the viaduct. Hopefully I'll get away with the piers being straight and the arches on a slope when it's weathered and landscaped in!

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The other thing I’ve found in the last month that might be useful for others modelling the RhB (and other lines by the look of it) is a website called Structurae. It contains details of engineering structures from all over including railway bridges and tunnels. 
 

There are some really useful reference photos of structures on the Albula line in particular e.g.

 

https://structurae.net/en/structures/albula-viaduct-iii/photos

 

https://structurae.net/en/structures/albula-line/photos
 

The pages on each structure also contain data such as build dates and dimensions. 

 

 

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14 hours ago, MrTea said:

I'm not particularly happy with the grass in the foreground as it seems much too dark but it was the only green colour of Woodlands Scenics fine turf I had to hand.

 

This is looking really good. I too found the shades of Woodland Scenics turf too dark for swiss summer grass and I came up with 2 alternatives.

 

For large areas of meadow I used Javis Summer Grass mat, which I think is about right for my needs, but having a brown paper base it discolours easily if you overlay it using watery glue or splash it with water by accident. Where I've needed to add another layer of loose grass - say to disguise a join - I found it best to spray the area with hairspray, scatter the loose material then seal it with another coat of hairspray.

 

For rougher slopes I take a layered approach using 4 different colours of scatter. First, a fairly solid layer of FP123 Lush Grass from Footpath. This is far too vibrant but it provides a good foundation colour, so I scatter a fair bit of FP122 Wild Grass over the top to tone it down. Finally I add a touch of Woodland Scenics T43 Yellow Grass and T44 Burnt Grass. By adjusting the quantities you can get a variety of tones. 

 

Happy modelling

 

Keith

 

Edited by Frutigen
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