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Another Scottish N layout.


Robert Shrives
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  • RMweb Gold

Hi 

Well as lockdown and using up leave allows revisiting things I have started work on a small roundy that was a test layout- and then loaned  out for recovery for a modeller who could not due to broken limb get to his shed !   A simplish oval with loop, passing siding and two dead end sidings , to use up some of the pop up buildings - see thread elsewhere.  Will be based on RETB  era as it makes signalling easier !  Highland  lines based  near to Inverness to allow a 156/158 shuttle operation along with loco hauled and short freights/ engineers workings. - well that is the imagineering anyway.   

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  • RMweb Gold

more pics , under board and a catch point fitted. Underside view shows cap discarge unti left 3 point motors top and single motor to right. The un motored points are ddc from control point.  The trap is a single blade - off cut rail with alot sanded and filed off along with offcuts of sleepers to extend normal flex track - to more opposite end of loop shown and protecting the sidings.  All would be off groundframes in RETB days.  Signalcabin now home to bats and the PW..

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  • RMweb Gold

Last pictures tonight  control panel and other catchpoint  at end of through siding. The panel is front to allow layout to sit on a table and be operated from end rather than behind the Chief imagineer sees a Distillery type building to disguise it into the scene, with perhaps a portion of roof or removable roof.  Section switches and point push buttons on diagram for visible portion.  Capt. Afterthought  commented on how a three way could fit in hidden bit - right but this meant two passing contact switches for the seep motors and two red capped push to make for powering the two sidings - these can hold a 156/158 length train or a short freight train. 

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The signal marked 2 was just part of the play plan from long ago. modernisation means RETB boards will appear in a while. 

Hope forgoing of interest. progress diverted back to G1 class 20 this evening.  

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  • RMweb Gold

Well found my box of Pop up buildings  so had a little plonking session !  The double track loco shed placed to be reminiscent of Helmsdale - and being a diesel layout abandoned by railway- could well end up being used by Highland Omnibus.  Station building  is the large villa model and not dissimilar to Georgemas or Achnasheen with the three roof spliting  windows. Signal box latest 3 d print and the exiting bridge in rear was the first N print - scaled  to take stock above or below - inspired by the loch Cannon inlet bridge that stars on many photos. 

I have a part built classic lattice footbridge for the station and along with water tank, goods shed and water columns plus the two smaller cottages - next to the level crossing that is a about it - a second "south cabin required and I suppose a hint of a tuntable pit would add to the shed scene - a ring or two of edge slabs and bushes growing out of the fill - save trying to cut hole - where imagineering meets bodging! 

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  • RMweb Gold

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Every layout in the BR blue era needs BRUTES !  but these are tiny brutes to make  4 parts per vehicle, cruel enlargement -will revisit the two where floor not flat.  In the background is one of two  2mmfs HR buffer stops - a natty fold etch and fitted on a scrap of code40  finescale track, this and its mate will go in goods yard.  

 

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This is a 2mmfs chassis but will get N wheelsets on 12.25 axles, these are for an engineers trains - two 3D print Tope wagons - the 3D print chassis is nice but I could not get wheels to fit and rotate.  This chassis also went well until fitting wheels - the inner chassis etch fouls N wheel - but sure they clear the finer 2mmfs standards so excess ground away, coupling mounts fitted and body fitted tonight.  Amazingly these two chassis and 3 BRUTES took most of the day - albeit a gentle one but 10.00 - 16.00. Moved on to the footbridge - it might well work but as a 4mm shot to 2mm always going to be fiddly - If I can do more and make it presentable then I will show but it might well be replaced with plan B - a York lazer version.  Despite all the soldering today I still have all my finger prints! 

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  • RMweb Gold

Track painted , buffer stops in yard, levels over crossing sorted platform foundations and accommodation bridge in place. Not bad for a couple of hours. DBSO arrived so 47/7 , 2SO, DBSO  and 156 tested .

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The height of code 40 /80 a bit obvious but some weeds and dross around the track should help . This stop will be mainly hidden from view by Goods shed which is  a shame  as it is a signature item.  Track is weathered sleeper with a dollop of track dirt, when ballasted I think a waft of rail grime required .

 

Imagineer advises that the level crossing will be the main road and the a lane from the bridge will drop to a crossroads  that includes the railway access and the forth road exit will be the main road climbing  towards the rear with a false crest to hide road disappearing  into a stand of tress that will mask the line departing the stage behind the goods shed. Being sparsely populated the two small cottages hint at the settlement of scene.  A few small buildings in the yard and the old turntable pit and shed  will be centre stage.  A mock up of the panel surround  next for the Imagineer  to consider , along with typical rock formations for the far north line.

   

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  • RMweb Gold

Couple pics to end the day. Now added cable troughs so ballasting in platforms can go ahead  with out platforms in the way.  Second shot shows 156.  given its all a bit tight I can report the 47/7 2MK3s and DBSO roared round all through trackage happily  and the 156 and a 180 likewise.  While they do clear the bridge I would not want to lean out !  A class 40 happily runs on all bar one point  in the facing direction ( bang road move  from the outside platform to the "main line". - removed fluff from leading axle but no improvement so will have to have a play..

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  • 1 month later...
  • RMweb Gold

Hi Pop up designs are on the web, but are currently relocating from North of Inverness to just south of Edinburgh so off air for a month or so.  https://www.popupdesigns.co.uk.  They have been very good and check out www.openfactory.uk for 3D print versions of some of the range and a few extras. - These are printed in Edinburgh. Rogart signal box is brilliant for the size.  Hope that helps.

Pics as promised:

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Level crossing with mocked up building locations.

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Other end of loop showing panel hidden in to rock face troughing leads to point set indicator boards locations, differing ballasts as I can but all will get toned with some spray grot. Loco shed trackage lifted and will get walled up door ways- one with a rollershutter - concrete post and mesh fenching suggested sold off for non railway use.

I am imagineering   that  siding behind box was connected to loco shed with a diamond over the right hand road that leads to good  shed, similar to track at Dingwall.    Loco track has two into shed and a siding to left of shed - I will model this with finetrax N and a buffer stop but rusted and over grown. The cottage near level crossing could get moved to other side of road and in its place a part filled turntable pit, suggestions of track leading to loop line.   

 

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  • RMweb Gold

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This shows route "south" into rock cutting 2mmfsa HR bufferstops  , middle track in main outer is a goods loop rocks on left mask hole in the edge of the known world.

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mock up of platform  area , plastic strip as foundation, wet ballast works done so able to use stone paper wrapped strip on top to be the traditional low platform.    Pop up large villa as station building but needs a mod or two - think Georgemas junction.  Down platfrom shelter is a GNSR one but will be thinned to half width and painted as a peeling wreck - in reality it is alovely 3d print prototype gifted to the project.

Well known Scottish mountain  Sink top and bowl dominate rear with cloudscape above of an England engine in Wales - makes this a real UK view !!      

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  • RMweb Gold
2 minutes ago, woodenhead said:

Thanks for the link, I am modelling northwest England but Blair Atholl looks like a lovely structure to use for my terminus.

Lots of crossover architecture so yes with care many of the buildings will give a good basis - Also check out the platform ideas that have shown on web , Andrew at Pop up kindly did some sheets of lazer "embossed"    slates on wood and thinish card. The business ranges is aimed at slot together tourist items and some musical instruments. the model work is a side line and see thread on here for  pop up models by Ben Alder and others shows what can be done .  

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58 minutes ago, Robert Shrives said:

Lots of crossover architecture so yes with care many of the buildings will give a good basis - Also check out the platform ideas that have shown on web , Andrew at Pop up kindly did some sheets of lazer "embossed"    slates on wood and thinish card. The business ranges is aimed at slot together tourist items and some musical instruments. the model work is a side line and see thread on here for  pop up models by Ben Alder and others shows what can be done .  

Thanks, Yes I recognised the goods shed from Ben's thread.

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  • RMweb Gold

 

Hi Robert,

 

Looking good.  Just a thought - if you're planning a shuttle DMU service could you put in one additional siding in the hidden bit at the back for trains going clockwise, accessed by a turnout positioned where the through line curves away from the rear edge?   There looks to be room for a siding that could manage a two or three car unit.

 

That way a DMU leaving the station in a clockwise direction doesn't have to either do another loop, or emerge onto the visible bit briefly before reversing into the two existing sidings.

 

Great little plan though!

 

cheers

 

Ben A.

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  • RMweb Gold

Ben,

Yes I could but not got a turnout to hand!  I had imagined that the bridge went north and the curved cutting was south.  The dmu/156 would shuttle as a turning back service to/from Inverness .  The goods loop has a fuel or perhaps PW train the  mainline through station and the line through the bridge would be home for 26 or 27 on 2 plus BG/CCT . Station yard home for a few VVV and MCV  or OTAs perhaps .

Thinking on it might be possible to build some cassettes that can sit over mainline so train could be run into it and allow some changes.

It could run with two 156s and a 37 freight  plus the obligatory inspection saloon. or perhaps a 158 and 66 version with Safeway containers. I would need to add some sleeping holiday coaches in the yard! or perhaps a tamper.

Road forms now glued in place  next will be to build the back hills and work to front of layout.  In the scenic gloat   box might well be enough stuff to populate and "clutter" station and yard. 

Several have commented on the plan so hope it will work . 

Robert    

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  • RMweb Gold

Road base installed as almost one piece of 2mm thick romark bought at the Model boat show at the Fosse  exhibition centre/ Warwick exhibitions - thus road joins minimise and making vertical curves it all flows a bit better. 

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 Cutouts allow buildings to sink into the roadway avoiding the black joins. Road widening by bridge is to access a cottage and allow passing on a single file road.  Other roads are narrower than standard as befits highland roads of the 1970s.  THe wide section for station carpark will in apart be swallowed up by scenery as it is perhaps a bit big. 

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Shows the vertical flow of road to summit before backscene , I hope to disguise the road ending with a Plantation of conifers. The shamelessly bought in rock sections includes a handful of small outcrops which will be ideal on the hillsides showing the barren nature of the area.  

 

It is possible that in the near future A 3D print model of Plockton station will land from Iain and Barnabas the  style kings of highland model buildings !  If this works out the idea of the Georgemas villa style of building shown earlier could well  end up across the road  from the Crossroads to make a watering hole/ station hotel.  

I have just ordered a York lazer footbridge kit - my efforts with the 2mm version of the  4mm NS version just not good enough the fold up treads are too flimsy for me and I cannot get it square - at least the works plates will be used.      

That is it for a few days as work calls .. "Tis the curse of the modelling  classes!"

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  • 2 weeks later...
  • RMweb Gold

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This is a latest "must have" in the eyecandy market place! From the designers of the pop up buildings  in lazer cut and the 3D print bridge. This 3D print of Plockton  can now take the place of the Villa model that can take the place of a station hotel and important watering  hole for crews and public alike.

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