Helston Revisited

[Andy Keane]

wow - that is not obvious but certainly I will try it. many thanks

andy

[Mulgabill]

1 hour ago, KeithMacdonald said:

 

Hi Tony

 

You're correct to question it :-)

My track-laying in AnyRail might have obscured the detail in the map underneath, and I might have unwittingly "optimised" (or fudged) it to suit the Hornby OO track I'd used in the first version in AnyRail. Here's the map with no track:

 

 

And here's a new version that you might prefer, using mostly Peco points, but a couple more Shinohara as well, and more flextrack.

 

 

Hope that helps.

 

@Andy Keane - I'll email you the new version.

 

 

Thanks Keith, thats clearer.

 

That is the pre 1915 layout, after which the diamond crossing was removed, and

the more familiar layout, as in most pics, was installed.

 

Either is valid, but each has a different station throat, which Andy will need to

choose, before settling on the plan. Although I suspect it may actually be easier

to get a commercial trackwork to fit the earlier layout.

 

Decisions, decisions. One of the joys of starting a layout.

 

TONY

[Andy Keane]

11 hours ago, KeithMacdonald said:

 

It took me a bit of trawling the AnyRail forum to find how it's done.

 

Step 1:

Open AnyRail for a new file, so you have a blank canvas.

 

Step 2:

On the Insert tab, click Add rectangle...

 

 

... then click somewhere on the blank canvas and a grey rectangle/square should appear.

 

 

Step 3:

(This is the tricky bit)

if you click on the main body of the grey rectangle/square, nothing happens. But if you click on the border of it, the border turns green and a grab handle appears (which can be used to rotate it).

 

 

Also: the Tab bar switches to the Tools/Surfaces tab with more controls available.

 

 

See the "Load Image" button, furthest right? Click on that.

 

Step 4

A File Dialog window should appear, so you can choose whatever image you would like to use as a background.

e.g.

 

Choose {whatever} and Open

 

Step 5

You should now be back on the main canvas, with a thumbnail-sized image inside the grey square.

 

 

Which is a bit of an anti-climax, until you click on the border of the square (again), then look at the toolbar again.

 

 

Make sure the [X] Maintain aspect ratio is checked, then change the width to something more suitable like 600, then click Adjust Outline.

The image will magically get much bigger. :-)

 

As for making the image the correct size, by trial and error I've found I get best results by

(a) including the map distance ruler (zoomed to 50 metres),

(b) placing it on a grid of 65cm,

(c) iteratively adjusting the width and clicking "Adjust outline" until the 50m ruler matches the grid width

 

That seems to give me an "OO sized map" that's just about right. Others might have a better / quicker method which I'd gladly learn.

 

 

Hope that helps?

 

Keith - many thanks for this - I will give it a go - I am impressed you have figured this process out - not obvious to a new user like me!

[Andy Keane]

10 hours ago, Mulgabill said:

 

Thanks Keith, thats clearer.

 

That is the pre 1915 layout, after which the diamond crossing was removed, and

the more familiar layout, as in most pics, was installed.

 

Either is valid, but each has a different station throat, which Andy will need to

choose, before settling on the plan. Although I suspect it may actually be easier

to get a commercial trackwork to fit the earlier layout.

 

Decisions, decisions. One of the joys of starting a layout.

 

TONY

I am definitely going for the later layout. I suspect the best compromise between a pure hand built point and one from Peco is to use the kits from finescale and modify the shape during construction - although a curved point should really have a curved frog I think I will see how one of theirs turns out when suitable modified (pun intended).

[Andy Keane]

On 10/04/2021 at 16:14, Andy Keane said:

The work on the CAD of the shed progresses.

I have completed the structure:

The roof trusses are overscale but will not be visible and I want them to be quite strong.

I am now drawing up the stonework so that this can be etched onto the sides by the laser at the same time as cutting.

This is slow work:

Jakub at LCUT creative is going to have a go at cutting this for me in 2.6mm board - it will be great if he can do this.

[Andy Keane]

On 10/04/2021 at 16:14, Andy Keane said:

The work on the CAD of the shed progresses.

I have completed the structure:

The roof trusses are overscale but will not be visible and I want them to be quite strong.

I am now drawing up the stonework so that this can be etched onto the sides by the laser at the same time as cutting.

This is slow work:

Jakub is getting there!

[Andy Keane]

LCUT have now tidied up the arch as well and I have sent through all the parts to make the shed - exciting times.

[Andy Keane]

even better results on ply - LCUT are doing a brilliant job:

[Andy Keane]

This is the spline drawing for the rear wall. It is quite random but has a few more regular courses plus various brick inserts. LCUT will engrave this onto 3mm ply in due course. It is held as a DXF file which many codes read - if anyone would like a copy just let me know.

Edited April 6, 2022 by Andy Keane

[Andy Keane]

Trial parts arrived ready for paint job and edge bevels.

[Andy Keane]

Have base coated the unpainted  trial part with a cream meths based primer - this dries very fast and is less likely to cause the wood to warp. Lefthand side is thinned, while right hand side is not and seams to do a slightly better job of filling in the mortar lines, though when wet it looks the other way around. I will next add some colour for the bricks and stones in acrylic. Meanwhile I will also try bevelling the edges of the other test part.

Edited April 6, 2022 by Andy Keane

[Andy Keane]

Have had a first go at painting up the engine shed front. Not sure what I think as yet but its a start. Sand yellow over the white primer then a mix of grey, burnt umber, orange etc. I think the mortar lines are maybe a bit too prominent so will probably aim to tone them down on the real thing.

Edited April 6, 2022 by Andy Keane

[Andy Keane]

Another attempt at painting a test part with darker mortar lines and toned down yellow brick (though they are very striking on the real buildings). What do people think?

[Andy Keane]

Using a single finescale point as suggested by Keith Macdonald I now have a trackplan that just needs that one point that is not standard Peco streamline code 100:

In reality looking at photos the entrance point is almost a three-way point - two curved points that are almost laid on top of each other - it would be an interesting scratchbuild to acheive that!

My fiddle yard is designed to deal with the typical 1930's trafic which would normally only need a single rake of coaches not more than six long plus 20-30 wagons and two engines at most at Helston and one shunter permanently in the fiddle yard.

Edited April 6, 2022 by Andy Keane

[Andy Keane]

Have now started on the CAD of the goods shed. Does anyone know when the extra flat roofed extension was added to the office? I think I may omit this as a too recent change.

Edited April 6, 2022 by Andy Keane

[Andy Keane]

Dry assembly of the kit of parts from LCUT. Very pleased with how this is going. I need to bevel some edges and then start the painting before assembly.

Edited April 6, 2022 by Andy Keane

[Andy Keane]

assembly underway

 

Edited April 6, 2022 by Andy Keane

[Andy Keane]

 

First coat of paint and also a window tried for size.

Edited April 6, 2022 by Andy Keane

[Mulgabill]

On 11/06/2021 at 14:56, Andy Keane said:

 

First coat of paint and also a window tried for size.

 

That looks better with the coat of primer, Andy.

 

When you were putting it together I was worried it would look a bit too regimented for

a rough stone build. (Being laser cut). But the paint seems to have helped.

 

Just please don't be in too much of a hurry to get the other colours on.

 

All the best

TONY

[Andy Keane]

2 hours ago, Mulgabill said:

 

That looks better with the coat of primer, Andy.

 

When you were putting it together I was worried it would look a bit too regimented for

a rough stone build. (Being laser cut). But the paint seems to have helped.

 

Just please don't be in too much of a hurry to get the other colours on.

 

All the best

TONY

My plan is to give all the bricks a base coat of yellow sand colour and the stones a grey. Then revisit the pointing before the painstaking business of a stone by stone over-paint in mixed colours. I guess patience is the answer. When I get too stressed by the brush I will switch to other things!

Edited June 12, 2021 by Andy Keane

[Andy Keane]

I think I will get Marcway to build the station throat, so I have spent some time trying to get a layout to match the mid 1930's track plan:

Helston_code75+3way_point.pdf

 

I think I will get him to build this whole chunk complete with the two catch points, the main three-way and three adjoining points and then buy their standard points for the three at the other end of the station. They also sell a flexi-track to match with injection moulded sleepers. The alternative is to use the peco code 75 bullhead flexi-track. I will use Peco code 75 flat-bottom in the fiddle yard. Marc wants a paper drawing to work to, so getting my track plan printed to exactly the correct scale is the next task - my little printer would be hopeless for that!

Edited April 6, 2022 by Andy Keane

[Andy Keane]

I have today downloaded the aerial photo of Helston from 1941 held by http://ncap.org.uk as NCAP_NARA_GX_11969_SD_0095 which they have as a high res image.

Its not good enough to see the track but it does show all the buildings there at the time and all of the town as well. I am not allowed to put it up on the web however.

[Andy Keane]

Slow work but I am getting there. I think I may need to darken down the yellow bricks somewhat though:

 

Edited April 6, 2022 by Andy Keane

[Andy Keane]

I have been working on the track plan for the fiddle yard and have decided to put a bit of a gap between it and the entrance bridge. The aim is to be able to accomodate six coache trains in the yard when needed. I would aprreciate any comments on this layout - its all done in peco code 75. The four three way points at the end are to allow engines to run around but also permit longer trains to simply sit over the points if needed. The yard is eight feet overall by 15 inches wide.

Andy

Edited April 6, 2022 by Andy Keane

[Mulgabill]

22 hours ago, Andy Keane said:

I have been working on the track plan for the fiddle yard and have decided to put a bit of a gap between it and the entrance bridge. The aim is to be able to accomodate six coache trains in the yard when needed. I would aprreciate any comments on this layout - its all done in peco code 75. The four three way points at the end are to allow engines to run around but also permit longer trains to simply sit over the points if needed. The yard is eight feet overall by 15 inches wide.

Andy

 

Hi Andy

 

The plan is looking good, and I like both the angle of the station, and the slight curve.

Should look good, and realistic/

 

The fiddle yard looks good, if a little complex. I started with an 8' traverser FY, but found it tended

to get filled with stock, and the length wasn't of any great benefit. It got shortened in the corner

rebuild.

 

You could, perhaps, consider replacing the dead end FY pointwork, with a loco traverser.

It would save points (cost), and give longer stabling.

 

Just a thought.

 

With regard to your question re Helston bridge. Mine has a "hole" 80mm high x 75mm wide.

This gives clearance for everything I have run through it, on a 2 -3' curve. Mostly coaches

app 240-260mm length. But I did "run" a 12 wheel GW Restaurant car through earlier. No

problems laterally, just the normal problems keeping it on the tracks.

 

cheers

TONY