Virtual Members' Day Exhibition - the layouts

[Indomitable026]

Is it today?

 

Just kidding, we’re 20 minutes down the road at a Greasy spoon, just washing up - be there in a bit...

[mullie]

Upbech St Mary is the first layout I have offered for exhibition so I do have virtual 'L' plates on!

 

Upbech was built as a test plank in EM to see if I could successfully work in a finer gauge. It was started after my Pott Row layout in finescale 00 was dismantled after ten years. What I had built in the beginning did not match what I was building at the end and having the layout in a garage shared with the car had taken its toll. As I was starting to build loco chassis and etched wagons the move to a more correct gauge seemed worth trying and I have found it an enjoyable change though I felt P4 was beyond me.

 

 

The layout is around five feet layout long with a scenic area of 32 inches. There is a small halt based on those between Melton Constable and Yarmouth Beach in Norfolk. An exchange siding for goods traffic including loaded and empty sugar beet wagons. Passenger trains are pulled by J70 trams. Goods trains are propelled and shunted by either Great Eastern or LNER locomotives in the style of the Snape branch in Suffolk. Couplings are Spratt and Winkle 3mm mark 1s modified for remote and delayed uncoupling.

 

The fiddle yard uses short cassettes connected via SMP code 75 rail joiners. There is an additional cassette for shunting that has an S&W magnet at one end and a Kadee magnet at the other. The layout can be run in a 1960s period after East Anglia was dieselised. 1960s stock is fitted with Kadee couplings. Uncoupling magnets on the layout are Kadee undertrack magnets that are hinged to minimise accidental uncoupling, pulled into place with string (yes really!). The Kadee magnets work well with S&W couplings.

 

Track work is soldered PCB powered by DCC. Points are manually operated using wire in tube attached to SDPT switches for polarity switching. Stock is a mixture of modified ready to run and kits. All stock is weathered using a mixture of artists acrylic paint, ink, ground chalks and charcoal. Locos on the layout were shedded or operational in the area between Kings Lynn and Great Yarmouth in the period 1948-52 on either Great Eastern and Midland and Great Northern lines with the exception of the J72.

 

The two photos show all 32 X 12 inches of the scenic section.

 

 

 

Small amount of rolling stock as follows:

 

J15 65460 is a Hornby model modified with Gibson wheels, crew and tarpaulin rail. A Norwich loco seen at Well Next the Sea in a photograph but I didn’t have the heart to make it as filthy as it is in the photo.

 

J39 64900 is a Bachmann model on a Comet chassis and Mainly Trains tender chassis with Mashima motor and Comet gearbox. Loco was at Norwich in 1951 and was seen on the M&GN in a Dr Allen photo album.

 

 

There are two J70s on the layout, both are detailed Silver Fox kits running on Bullant bogies with the wheels simply pulled out on their axles. 68217 and 68222 were both shedded at King Lynn in 1948.

 

 

69013 is an anomaly on the layout as it is one of two J72s briefly shedded at Ipswich in 1950. It was built because the chassis was my first attempt at chassis construction using the Comet product. Originally built in 00 it was dismantled and rebuilt in EM. Runs with a Mashima motor and High Level gearbox.

 

 

The only carriage on the layout is a severely bashed Ratio four wheeler. Using a drawing supplied by the Great Eastern Society it has been made to look vaguely like a carriage that ran on the Kelvedon and Tollesbury line. It has been lowered, steps added, new handrails fitted, altered rain strips, buffer beam raised, end doors for conductor working added. Because there is no run round two locos are involved in the shunting of passenger trains. The arriving train is released by the tram in the mpd that will then carry out any shunting and head the departing train.

 

 

Shows the range of goods wagons on the layout either built from kits or modified rtr. Open wagons have removable loads so a full wagon will depart empty and vice versa. Typically a goods train will propel into the station area and be shunted as happened at Snape in Suffolk. At the moment the J72, in lieu of an industrial style loco will take wagons out to the fens and return with either empty or loaded wagons that are then collected by a subsequent train. The passenger train can also have a tail load but only one wagon is possible due to the length of the fiddle yard.

 

 

Work on an extension to the layout has been started. As stated earlier the layout can be run in 1960s mode though there is still much to do on the stock. If there is interest I can post some 1960s photos later.

 

Thanks for looking

 

Martyn

 

 

 

 

 

 

[queensquare]

Well the chickens have been sorted, me and Jazz have been social distancing and the campers have been fed so time to set up for the show.

 

 

 

 

 

Over the years we've brought Highbury, Tucking Mill and William Smiths Wharf down, as well as demonstrating so this year, through the wonders of virtual multi-tasking, we can bring them all!

 

 

 

HIGHBURY

 

TM and the Wharf

 

 

and finally, Foxcote at home

 

 

 

Back for a demo later

 

Jerry

[Phil Bullock]

Many thanks to Andy and the team for the opportunity to (not) bring Abbotswood along.

 

In true Abbotswood style we are good to go just as the doors open! Please note that these videos are not monetarised so no adverts to endure. If you enjoy them please consider contributing to todays good cause.

 

Will be adding more to this as the morning goes on but heres some videos for starters...

 

The back story 

 

 

Timetabled running - early morning trains

 

 

And the next part of the timetable

 

 

One for the hydraulic fans - we love them!

 

 

And a couple that are a bit of fun

 

 

 

If you enjoy those theres plenty more on the Youtube channel. If you would like to comment or engage further please post in the layout thread on here - link in signature below.

 

Please also see our content in the catering and demonstration threads

 

Thanks for dropping in

 

Phil and James Bullock and all the Abbotswood crew

Edited April 26, 2020 by Phil Bullock

[Mr.S.corn78]

This putting the stock on may take a little longer than planned, some blokes just turned up with a camera wanting to take some photos

 

He's just put his camera all over the tracks as well

 

 

A big thanks to Mr York for taking the photos that we will be posting up in a bit

 

Ps No scenery was damaged during the taking of said photos

Edited April 26, 2020 by Mr.S.corn78

[Steve Purves]

So whilst everyone is inside setting up we were out in the car park laying track. Welcome to the There and Back Light Railway. We are w portable miniature steam railway and we would love to take your for a ride. We have up to 300 foot of track but we can only offer 200 foot for today's ride. 

A special for today... all rides are free so come on, steam's up, climb aboard.

 

See more on our website http://www.thereandbacklightrailway.co.uk or on facebook http://www.facebook.com/thereandbacklightrailway

 

 

Dont forget you can bid to come and drive our train as part of the charity auction. Get your bids in... it's not something we normally allow!

 

Edited April 26, 2020 by 47845

[43110andyb]

Aaaaaagghhhhhh! I have left one of my stock boxes at home!      Just enough time though I reckon to do the 600 mile round trip and back before it starts??? 

 

Yes I’m back and It’s that troublesome ‘Jolly green giant’ stock tray again- 

[KNP]

Right, I've managed to dismantle the layout from Bedroom four, load it into the crate and get it delivered here.

Roads quiet and not many people around to help me unload, apart from two very stern looking people in the car park.

Bit of a delay in setting up as I trip over a cone left by the door!!!!

Luckily I was able to find a space in the corner of the room that was the exact dimensions to the room it came out of so setting up was easy.

On the way I asked a couple of locals for directions, to be honest they didn't really pay attention....

 

 

 

Anyway we got here, that's me and the layout safely here and car parked by the lorry that had arrived ahead of me

 

 

Lorry backed up and huge discussions about how to 'safely' unload the layout

 

 

Popped across the road and asked if these gents could help as they didn't seem to busy!

Is that AY reading a paper?

 

 

Once we had got the layout off the lorry and out of the crate needed to move, luckily found some trolleys so we could wheel it into the hall

 

 

Now where to set up, had trouble finding someone to ask...

then over in corner of the hall standing in the imitation potato field was the person charge

Had to wait a minute as he seemed to be measuring out the positioning of some boards

 

 

We are in and setting up......

See you later when we are ready.

 

OK, who forgot the extension lead?

Edited April 26, 2020 by KNP

[Re6/6]

A rave from the grave!

 

We were at the very first gathering IIRC. It was our first public outing. Regrettably it is no more due to 'wood warp' but....all the essential bits do still exist......!

 

All pictures courtesy of Mr Nevard and Model Rail Magazine.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And finally, The Captain's lovely little 14xx on the 'Dawlish Donkey' of 1998.

 

 

 

Edited April 26, 2020 by Re6/6

[Gilbert]

58 minutes ago, Tony Teague said:

 

Gilbert

Great images of a lovely layout - lots of beautifully observed detail.

You didn't say, but is this 4mm?

Tony

16mm - I'll sort out some layout info Tony - nice thing about today is I could set up then pop back to bed for a lie in....

[rab]

1 hour ago, Gilbert said:

• I don't remember the floor being that sloping before...

After effects of last night????

 

[Mark Forrest]

Manifold Valley Minerals

 

My new layout is (not) making its exhibition debut at this years members' day.

 

The project represents some exchange sidings serving a quarry somewhere around the Staffordshire/Derbyshire border.  It’s here as a work in progress rather than as a completed layout.

 

In its current form, the layout is approximately 1.8m long and is (not) standing on some mini trestles on top of one of those folding leg exhibition tables.

 

 

When operational, there will be a fiddle yard at the right hand end of the layout, this will be on two levels, the higher level for the mainline and the lower for the quarry branch.  The mainline fiddle yard also serves as the other end of the run round loop for the sidings.  It will pivot to provide access to hidden kickback sidings hidden along the rear of the layout (hence the large access holes in the back scene).

 

The slides below give an overview of the story so far.  I’ll be around throughout the day, drinking tea and possibly even doing a bit of work on the layout so feel free to ask any questions.

 

 

Thanks for stopping by to have a look at Manifold Valley Minerals, I hope that you enjoy the rest of the member’s day exhibits; I’m off to have a wander around the rest of the show before the crowds arrive and to see if I can get a refill of my tea mug.

[Gilbert]

1 minute ago, rab said:

After effects of last night????

 

It was my Birthday.....

[Gilbert]

1 hour ago, Tony Teague said:

 

Gilbert

Great images of a lovely layout - lots of beautifully observed detail.

You didn't say, but is this 4mm?

Tony

Here we go...

 

Gare de Brindille is my first attempt at an SM32 layout and is something of an experiment as unusually for this scale (normally used for garden railways) the locomotives are track powered rather than radio controlled.

 

It is a simple test track laid out as an “Inglenook” or shunting twig and has been built using Peco track. It is designed to allow us to play trains by shunting the various WDLR wagons I have built from kits as a result of an increasing interest in the WDLR 100 years on from the First World War. The publication of the “WDLR Album” compiled by Roy C Link and the chance purchase of the Swift Sixteen “Protected Simplex” or “Tin Turtle” at “Tracks to the Trenches” at Apedale in 2015 were major factors in the development of the layout. It contains a number of scenic elements typical of the World War 1 narrow gauge railways and very loosely represents a small loading point some way behind the trenches.

 

The layout is run with an NCE DCC system and the locomotives are sound chipped with Zimo decoders from Digitrains. They represent the small petrol engine locomotives typical of the era and are built from kits by Swift Sixteen and PDF models. The wagons are kit-built and modified plastic, resin and wooden kits from Swift Sixteen, Andel, Red Star and Slaters.

 

Chris

[NHY 581]

 

 

 

Morning all. 

 

Sheep Dip is up and running. In terms of prototype location etc, I've not thought about that too much. It's just a product of my woolly brain. 

 

The above vidjoe explains a few aspects of the layout. I apologise for my delivery which is in the somewhat hushed tones of a Welsh David Attenborough watching a family of gorillas.

 

It was recorded quite late with the family in bed.....not my usual noisy self. Anyhow. ......

 

Sheep Dip follows what is now an established process. 

 

The basis, as ever, is the larger of two tables supplied as a pack by  IKEA. The size is 120cm x 40cm and 5cm deep. Light and square. This is then boxed in with 9mm MDF. 

 

Trackwork is PECO Code 75 streamline, all points being either LH or RH small radius. The points are worked by way of 'Pokey finger '

 Go is provided by a Gaugemaster Combi. No isolating sections. 

 

Ground cover is DAS to raise the level up. 

Ballast is Woodland scenics, suitable concealed with a variety of static grass and fine flock. 

 

All stock is RTR and the buildings are all Bachmann RTP. 

 

Everything is weathered using mainly Humbrol weathering powders. 

 

Sheep Dip has taken roughly three months to get to this point. It's not finished with the main area of work required being around the engine shed which needs a floor and the buildings  can then be bedded in. I do hope you enjoy your visit. Finally, I have a suitable layout to run a  few Pecketts on......

 

I hope this demonstrates what can be acheived in a short period, using readily available materials to produce a small workable, fun layout. It can be used at home or taken out to exhibitions........or not. 

 

My thanks to Mr York for making the vidjoe possible and for the tinkly music.  Without his input it would have been a far more tricky process.......( Probably impossible).

 

Additional thanks go to my daughter for the loan of her skateboard. 

 

 

I hope you enjoy your visit. 

 

Rob. 

 

 

Edited April 26, 2020 by NHY 581
Photos added.

[westerhamstation]

Off to the station to catch the train, large rucksack check, camera with tripod check, b.o. check should be a good day out. All the best Adrian.

 

 

[Gilbert]

Track plan...again courtesy of the chaps at PECO

 

[AdeMoore]

48 minutes ago, Alister_G said:

Right, finally got the legs on the right way round...

 

Here's an introduction to Ladmanlow Sidings:

 

 

 

Now, just need to find a socket to plug the extension cable in...

 

Al

Brilliant job on the video and a cracking layout, top drawer stuff.

 Cheers for sharing and attending.

Ade

[ELTEL]

Sorry I’m late as I overslept, but as Camel Quay only takes 1 minute to download I’ll be ready for opening time.

 

 

[Mike Bellamy]

21 minutes ago, Mr.S.corn78 said:

 

Now the layout is up we can start putting the stock on........just hope we get it all out before the crowds come in

 

Its only a little fiddle yard see

 

Is it me or have those walls changed again might be the very late night in the pub, the landlord said something about the beer going off. Would have been rude not to help him out.

 

 

I didn't get very far with the pub quiz so can I claim an extra point for recognising that as part of Derby Roundhouse - another event that's not taking place this year.

 

Great to see the progress on the work done so far in not setting up the show. I hope you all enjoy not being there.

 

Mike

.

[AY Mod]

Steve's got the shuttle service set up to the station!

 

 

 

[Alister_G]

5 minutes ago, Mark Forrest said:

Manifold Valley Minerals

 

I'm really looking forward to seeing what you do with this Mark, its a lovely area to model.

 

Al.

[bgman]

If there are any Suvvern Fans out there feeling left out maybe this will help ?

 

 

[Mr.S.corn78]

2 minutes ago, Mike Bellamy said:

 

I didn't get very far with the pub quiz so can I claim an extra point for recognising that as part of Derby Roundhouse - another event that's not taking place this year.

 

Great to see the progress on the work done so far in not setting up the show. I hope you all enjoy not being there.

 

Mike

.

You can have two extra.....

 

We don't normallly take photos during the stocking up but i did at the Roundhouse for some reason. Glad i did now & must do it more often at shows.

[Tony Wright]

Andy suggested I post some pictures of Little Bytham on here.

 

Being a 'permanent' layout (built by a team of modellers) this is the only show it'll ever go to.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It's built in OO, and represents this famous ECML location in the summer of 1958.

 

It appears regularly on Wright Writes.

 

 

I hope the show is a great success! 

 

 

Edited April 26, 2020 by AY Mod
Video added.