Bishopscombe 2 - a new start

[Unicorn1]

Cracking Pic's Les and I love the little stories behind them.

 

Lovely Layout.

Thanks Andy

 

I do sometimes like to imagine that there are some 1/76 enthusiasts on the layout! In fact the two lads outside the shed are glued to the spot!

 

Les

Edited January 6, 2016 by Unicorn1

[Unicorn1]

Well - I can't believe its been 10 months since a posting in this topic - where does the time go!

 

Bishopscombe saw little use over the last few months due to a combination of other projects, and also the effects of six years continuous operation taking its toll on some of the pointwork and electrics.

 

So I replaced the turnout leading to Bishopscombe Junction shed, which involved much digging out of the surrounding area. I also decided to get the three way point in the shed yard back up and running properly. This is now powered by two Cobalt IP motors, which were easy to fit, and set up with the Multimaus. When funds permit I will definitely get some more of these. I didn't want to move the three way point so couldn't make it DCC friendly - but with the Cobalts and some cleaning all is now well with just the blade contacts. 

 

The up mixed goods passes the now fully operational shed yard - and a somewhat excessive amount of motive power waits to try the improved access.

 

 

 

I have also fitted most of the freight stock and some locos with Kadees. I am using rows of 3mm cube magnets to activate the Kadees, and so far it's been about 70% reliable, I still have to make adjustments to some of the stock - I had problems with the Dapol and Heljan NEM pockets, and even some of the newer Bachmann ones were too low (not too high as most people have noted!). With trial and error each operating session gets more reliable - and therefor more enjoyable. So far I've used No18s and they seem fine.

 

The Kadee's in place. I always fancied a slope sided wagon, not sure if it's prototypical for the branch, I just like the look of them!

 

 

The mixed goods waits in the goods yard - I really like the closer coupling that the Kadees give.

 

 

Finally the minerals arrive to reverse up to Bishopscombe Quarry - this rake and the locos that work it are still coupled with tension locks, but can be shunted hands-free using the staple and magnet method,

 

 

I have finally got round to a workable operating schedule, so I hope to post some shots of this when the room gets some better light in the next few weeks.

 

Les

 

Edited for bad spellin'

Edited March 21, 2016 by Unicorn1

[Andrew P]

Great News above Les, I've just got into a working Timetable, (still working on it) thanks to John Flann for his encouragement. I'm finding it very relaxing and enjoyable.

EDIT = To say great pics as well.

Edited March 21, 2016 by Andrew P

[Unicorn1]

Great News above Les, I've just got into a working Timetable, (still working on it) thanks to John Flann for his encouragement. I'm finding it very relaxing and enjoyable.

 

EDIT = To say great pics as well.

Thank you Andrew.

 

Once I've ironed out the snags in the operating sequence I may well sort out a working timetable - and perhaps introduce some interesting traffic for the intermediate stations?

 

Les

Edited March 27, 2016 by Unicorn1

[Unicorn1]

It's Monday morning at Bishopscombe, and 3736 comes off shed to work the first train of the day, the early up local.

 

 

3736 draws up to the suburbans in the bay platform, this being the platform mostly used for departures.

 

 

Well on its way 3736 crosses the canal bridge.

 

 

Next the daily mineral empties arrive at the station to reverse.

 

 

2810 runs round its train

 

 

and collects the brake van to run round.

 

 

the train approaches Bishopscombe Junction - the junction for the quarry.

 

 

Having arrive 2810 runs into the release siding at the quarry

 

 

The quarry's own loco 'Brian' collects the wagons and takes them to be loaded.

 

 

While the quarry movements are taking place the local is now on it's way back down the branch, complete with the parcels traffic for the morning. Today there is enough traffic to justify a GUV.

 

 

The train pulls into the station, allowing the passengers off before shunting the GUV back along the platform.

 

 

The loco runs round.

 

 

The GUV is uncoupled from the coaches for unloading - the staples on the tension locks can be seen in operation!

 

 

The suburbans are shunted back into the bay as the GUV is unloaded.

 

 

The empty GUV is shunted into the loop spur, it will be used later in the afternoon for any up large parcels traffic that accumulates at the station during the day.

 

 

3736 now returns to the shed for a drink.

 

 

So that's the first three movements in the working timetable - more to follow soon!

 

Les

Edited March 27, 2016 by Unicorn1

[Unicorn1]

The next arrival is the morning down goods. A couple of wagons will have been dropped off on the way so this mornings train is not too long.

 

 

9736 shunts the wagons out of the way in order to deposit the brake van at the end of the departure siding.

 

 

A few moves later and the loaded wagons for the up departure are nearly ready.

 

 

While this is taking place 2810 has arrived light engine at Bishopscombe Junction Shed from the quarry.

 

 

Les

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Richard Mawer]

Wow. This is one of the nicest layouts I have seen for ages. Great photos too. Very impressed.

 

Rich

[DAVE1562]

 Hi Les....good job!... love the black and white pics.....

[Unicorn1]

We left the last visit to the 'Combe with the branch goods being put together, now it's ready to depart, but the up local is the next departure, and it goes ahead of the goods.

 

 

The goods gets the road a little later and departs.

 

 

With the branch occupied by down trains, 4212 takes the opportunity to make its leisurely way up to the quarry.

 

 

Having collected its train 4212 heads back to Bishopscombe to reverse.

 

 

As the mineral workings are made at a fairly gentle pace, the loaded train is held in the run-round, as by now so much time has elapsed the down local has arrived.

 

 

 

Les

 

Edited to get the photos in the right order!

 

Edited April 30, 2016 by Unicorn1

[wigancg]

Hi Les,

 

Well, I must say, I've had such an enjoyable period of time browsing through your thread. I haven't noticed it before on the forum!

Perfect and plenty of lovely details and some smashing weathering too! Belting!

 

Sometimes it's good to have a bit of summertime background noise on, such as summer bird song whilst having a running session or just observing your hard work. That's what I do anyway and it would work wonders with your lovely layout.

 

Keep up the super work and...you have gained an extra follower!

 

Chris

[Unicorn1]

Hi Les,

 

Well, I must say, I've had such an enjoyable period of time browsing through your thread. I haven't noticed it before on the forum!

Perfect and plenty of lovely details and some smashing weathering too! Belting!

 

Sometimes it's good to have a bit of summertime background noise on, such as summer bird song whilst having a running session or just observing your hard work. That's what I do anyway and it would work wonders with your lovely layout.

 

Keep up the super work and...you have gained an extra follower!

 

Chris

Thanks for the kind comments Chris.

 

I have often thought about some background sounds for the layout - birdsong used to be available on digital radio but sadly is no longer. I understand it is available on line, but I don't really want to start importing computers into the railway room! How do you get your sounds?

 

Les

[wigancg]

Thanks for the kind comments Chris.

 

I have often thought about some background sounds for the layout - birdsong used to be available on digital radio but sadly is no longer. I understand it is available on line, but I don't really want to start importing computers into the railway room! How do you get your sounds?

 

Les

 

Hi Les,

 

I use the method of having the PC in the railway room as my work desk is in there also. I often find a birdsong clip on a well known video sharing website to have on in the background when having a running session or when modelling as well. I have considered having some sort of sound device underneath the baseboards with bird song to use instead of the PC sounds which would help when exhibiting. I think Nick, the chap who owns the lovely Much Murkle layout, has a sound device fitted to his layout. I actually forgot to ask him when I spoke to him at Stafford show earlier this year. It was either a sound system or else there were actual birds in the room or, better still, someone was making the sound effects themselves!

 

Anyway, Bishopscombe oozes that GWR BLT countryside atmosphere that lots of us crave for! Keep it up and the photos coming too.

 

Chris

[Unicorn1]

The next train in the sequence is the afternoon mixed goods, as usual in the hands of pannier 9736.

 

The train ambles towards Bishopscombe.

 

 

After shunting the brake van into the departure siding, the wagons for the up train are hauled out from the goods shed road using the whole of the train, as the loco cannot pass through the shed.

 

 

9736 has 'placed' the wagons in the yard.

 

 

Returning to the wagons for the up goods, 9736 waits as 3736 departs with the next up local.

 

 

There is still some weathering to do on some of the newer wagons on Bishopscombe.

 

Les

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[sp1]

I can't believe our illustrious leader Andy Y hasn't been round to this layout with his box brownie to take few snaps for a feature in BRM, which would be much deserved- it's a fantastic layout!

[Unicorn1]

I can hardly believe its been nearly eight months since any updates from Bishopscombe!

 

Since last summer the station has received a new platform - the old Metcalfe one looked very tired - and as it was one of the very first things I built over six years ago, since then I have discovered many new approaches to building structures.

 

Also the ballast was fast disappearing! It was originally glued down with diluted copydex, and this gave very good running, but the glue started to deteriorate leaving big gaps in the ballast.

 

Re-ballasting with the track in situ wasn't easy, and the end result is not as good as I would like, however a few minutes each week tidying up is helping! I have deliberately not weathered the ballast as yet.

 

Also I have experimented with the station engine shed area. Gone is the stone engine shed, replaced with a Prototype card kit. The road behind the old shed was hidden, so moving the shed to this road has created a bit more open space.

I will stick with the Prototype kit for a while, it's been lightly weathered and has received some guttering and bargeboards, but no doors as yet.

 

So a few new pictures;

 

The minerals arrive at Bishopscombe to reverse, the new shed arrangement can be seen.

 

 

The 'new' view across the goods yard.

 

 

The pannier runs round the local

 

 

Having shunted the stock into the bay the pannier moves off to the shed.

 

 

In its 'new' home

 

 

Some new platform details, the new benches are a bit high for some of Bishopscombe's regular travellers!

 

 

The station staff have been busy putting on their usual floral display

 

 

The platform is just mount board sprayed with B&Q's own brand grey primer (it's darker than Halfords), and Peco edging overlaid with wills dressed stone. 

 

 

Later the afternoon goods arrives. The milk tanker has evaded the works painters for a good few years, but the plywood van looks fresh after a repaint! 

 

 

I think the white balance in the camera was set wrong for some of these, I only noticed after they were put on the PC!

 

Will update some more soon.

 

Les

Edited March 15, 2017 by Unicorn1

[Jules]

Nice to see the developments - there's always something to do isn't there?

[Unicorn1]

Thanks Jules

 

Yes. it seems that now the better weather is on the way I spend more time in the railway room. Next jobs are to do something about that old Ratio water tower, and tidy the area around the signal box; among other things!

 

The oil depot may go, it provides different traffic, but it's hardly well placed!

 

Les

[Jules]

Hi Les

 

Your modelling time seems to be the reverse of mine - the summer months generally signal a halt of railway related activities as keeping the garden in check and generally being outdoors more limits the time to spend up in the railway room!

 

I look forward to seeing your continued updates

 

Jules

[Unicorn1]

A few new pictures from the 'Combe.

 

The staff at Bishopscombe Junction Shed have been busy refurbishing some barrows, left out in the yard for the primer to dry, somewhat obscuring this shot of 5660.

 

 

Some extra capacity has been borrowed from the Southern Region in the form of this Austin W.

 

 

"I'm only paid to drive the lorry mate"

Driver looks on as coal is loaded, the non-prototypical coal staithes have gone.

 

 

A 'helicopter' shot showing the new 'horse landing' to help with the busy horse traffic.

 

 

A summer visitor in the form of Dukedog 9015 shunts a horse box into the yard.

 

 

Finally a cruel lose up of the new station platform. The building isn't fixed at the moment as I experiment with different details.

Edited March 18, 2017 by Unicorn1

[Unicorn1]

I've been thinking for awhile now about building 'Bishopscombe II'.

 

At the weekend another point motor failed - no problem I hear you say - but as the station baseboard was built on top of an existing worktop it means I only have a six inch gap to get my arms under the board from the edge. I have done a few over the years but now my patience is waning -  and so are my arms! 

 

The old worktop gave amazing stability to the layout, but as I get older it's shortcomings are preventing my enjoyment of it.

 

So at the moment I'm thinking of removing the worktop and building a traditional baseboard for the station section. Being able to get underneath the baseboard will be so much easier.

 

With this in mind I've produced two tentative track plans. I want to create a more open feel - I now find that Bishopscombe has too much town included.

 

I have allowed space for a road to the right of the station, and the approach track from the scenic area will be on a small embankment. 

 

I intend using Peco bullhead rail, so waiting for the turnouts to arrive should give me plenty of time to build the boards!

 

Both plans use large radius turnouts, but the 'y's may have to be the current code 75 offerings.

 

So before I do any more planning I'll ask the ever wise RM fraternity what they think about it!

 

Plan 1

 

 

Plan 2

 

 

edited to mention turnout size

Edited June 7, 2017 by Unicorn1

[The Stationmaster]

Plan 2 would look better I suspect - a Y as the first point might look a bit unusual.

[Dr Gerbil-Fritters]

I'm always advocating looking at the real railroads for inspiration - your plan 2 is almost dead on for a flipped version of Faringdon...

 

 

 

[Andrew P]

Dr GB's Flipped Farindon would make perfect sense IMHO.

 

Good luck with the rebuild.

[Unicorn1]

I'm always advocating looking at the real railroads for inspiration - your plan 2 is almost dead on for a flipped version of Faringdon...

 

notFaringdontrack.jpg

Well spotted - it is loosely based on Faringdon 'back to front'. I looked at the Faringdon plan, but haven't got enough space; unless I cut the approach curve to 24" radius and then only use small radius points. I really want something to look a little more 'railway' like this time. I suppose I could take the cattle road off of the other sidings, I'll have a play on any rail- thanks.

 

Andrew- the rebuild might be a way off yet, but thanks for the encouragement - I will need it!

 

Mike, thanks for the comment - your'e right the curved point does look better.

 

Cheers, Les

[Unicorn1]

A few more trees have been 'planted' around the'Combe

 

A couple on Canal Lane

 

 

And a third at the farm - perhaps I could now call this 'Three Oaks Farm'?

 

 

Some ground work to do around the bases still, and with each one I'm learning a bit more.

 

 

Hope to make about three or four a week.

 

Les