Upbech St Mary, Upbech Drove and Pott Row a journey through 00 and then into EM and 009.

[NHY 581]

9 hours ago, Alex TM said:

Hi again,

 

I'd like to pick your brains again.  I'm looking at putting an etched chassis under one of my locos (a Hornby Lanky Pug), but I've never built an etched kit before.  As you've put a new chassis under a number of your locos could you offer some advice about where to start, etc?

 

Many thanks for your time, and help.

 

Regards,

 

Alex.

 

Hi Alex

 

MRJ issue 166 is your friend here. Features a build of the High Level Pug chassis. 

 

Rob. 

[hayfield]

4 hours ago, Alex TM said:

Hi again,

 

Thanks for that.  It's 'High Level Kits' that do the one for the pug.  On another thread I had been advised to have a go at etched wagons before attempting a loco chassis so I've asked about that, receiving some very interesting responses.  Then I thought remembered seeing your kit-built chassis in various states of completion so I thought I'd get your take on it.

 

Thankfully I now have some ideas as to what to do next.

 

Again, many thanks for your time and experience.

 

Regards,

 

Alex.

 

 

I bought one second hand, built to P4 gauge and missing a wheel, I have got a new one but not fitted it yet. If its anything like my 57xx chassis its worth getting. May not be the simplest kit to build though owing to its size and complexity, but very well designed

[mullie]

There are now two mineral wagons. The extension is going to mean quite a big programme of developing stock, it is surprising how much this little layout will need meaning I won't build it all from kits, some will have to be modified rtr.

 

[mullie]

Well sod's law has prevailed as usual. I spent some time browsing the web tonight looking for a 1960s period brake either ex LMS or a BR standard. Having spent hours building this, Hornby have now released their version!

 

 

 

 

I think even allowing for the parts I bought this wasn't any more expensive, building it was enjoyable and this was bound to happen.

Edited June 13, 2020 by mullie

[hayfield]

The satisfaction level is just not the same between creating a decent model and just opening the box. Plus yours will be unique and quite likely better

 

I get far more pleasure in making something even when it is less detailed than a RTR item. But then I get my enjoyment in making something rather than using it.

 

As far as locos are concerned the chances are they will work better, will last longer and will be repairable 

[Alex TM]

12 hours ago, mullie said:

Having spent hours building this, Hornby have now released their version!

Sod's law indeed!  A late friend of mine modelled in 'N' gauge when there was very limited British outline stock meaning that there was much conversion and scratch-building required.  If you ever wanted to know what Farish were going to be releasing next you simply asked my friend what he had almost completed; the rtr version would be available within a couple of months.

[mullie]

Because the layout lives in the garage I am very wary of things falling to the floor as they are very unlikely to survive. Before the layout could be properly tested I therefore put an end and partial side on the fiddle yard to avoid stock run offs. In this picture you can also see the mk 2 shunting cassette. It differs to the mk 1 as it is built on ply, is longer and has deeper sides. The cassettes join to the layout using cut down Peco code 75 fish plates, in original from they are too long and were used as I didn't have anymore of my preferred SMP ones.

 

 

At the moment, until I re chip the 08 the type 2 is the only available loco as I am testing in 1960s guise pending construction of further cassettes which will have to wait until I order some more code 75 rail. These photos show a goods train being shunted, this section is not well lit at the moment I'm afraid.

 

 

 

 

[mullie]

First trial runs of steam locos were promising, unusual to see locos pulling goods services!

 

 

 

On this section trains can be three wagons and a brake van so still a micro I suppose.

[mullie]

Bit more progress today. Being essentially a micro every millimetre counts. Today I sized up the possibility for a two coach passenger train using the Claud. The two carriages are in lieu of something else once they can be built. These are Hornby clerestories, an old design, still effective in my opinion, bit like me really1 They have been detailed and flush glazed,

 

 

Fiddle yard cassettes have been cut today. These are loco cassettes, the plan is to have separate loco and stock cassettes to maximise flexibility. Sleepers and rail will be added next week. The longer cassettes are for the J15, J39, Claud and type 2(class 24). Shorter cassettes for trams. 08 cassettes, wagon cuts and carriages still to cut.

 

 

 

[mullie]

Crews hard at work on Upbech, well some of them anyway.

 

Edited June 21, 2020 by mullie

[mullie]

The new section will use a cassette style fiddle yard. Today I have been building loco cassettes. The short ones at the front are for the Trams, the longer ones will hold a J15, D16, J39 and type 2 diesel. I still need to make some for what will be two class 10 shunters.

 

Next stage will be to make some wagon cassettes, one for the DMU and the clerestory coaches. The run round on the new section will hold 3 wagons and a brake van so that fixes the length of the wagon cassettes.

 

 

I've used all the odd bits of rail and PCB I have including some bits of the new style Peco Bullhead track I had spare, seemed a shame to destroy the track base but it is no use to me. They still need sides, not sure if I have anything suitable in stock.

 

On Pott Row I did use Aluminum based cassettes but I struggle to cut them straight and they do seem to get dirty quickly. This system is dead simple as it uses fishplates for electrical contact, this has worked well on Upbech.

[mullie]

More trials on the new board today and things did run well. At the moment the Kadee magnet is fixed and this trial showed it needs to be hinged. The magnet is simply too strong for the S&W stock especially those with Gibson wheels who positively fly towards the magnet.

 

 

 

The cassettes used on Upbech are mounted on 3mm mdf and with a piece of 6mm ply underneath can be used on this board too as seen here. I don't intend to scrap the Upbech fiddle yard in case I need to use Upbech independently at any point.

 

 

 

[mullie]

I want to get to a point where I can take down Upbech and reconfigure it to join to the new board. In order to do so the new fiddle yard needs to be up and running so time has been spent this week building cassettes. These are loco  cassettes, pretty standard stuff although the side panels are card painted with PVA to stiffen them up. I don't have wood to make sides and don't feel inclined to go out and get any at the moment. Once treated the card seems surprisingly strong. A small hole is drilled at each end and a brass peg put in to stop locos overrunning or simply falling out.

 

[mullie]

This week I've been feeling like I'm not really getting anywhere, looking at this lot I know why! I don't like handling stock so decided to build cassettes for sets of stock and this is enough to get the layout going. All based on PCB track, card sides coated in PVA for strength as I didn't want to go to a DIY store during lockdown.

 

 

 

There are various sizes, loco cassettes for 08s, J72, D16, J15, type 2 and J70. Stock cassettes X 4 for 3 wagons plus brake van, Derby Lightweight DMU for which I now have EM wheels to fit and one for the clerestories. Haven't decided how to handle the tramway coach yet so it will stay on an Upbech cassette for now while I work out the best way to handle it.

 

This is enough cassettes for a 1950s and 1960s running session. just need to sort out how to store them all, garage shelf reorganising tomorrow. The card is surprisingly rigid.

[Alex TM]

Hi,

 

Interesting to read your comments about varnished card.  It's an underated approach, yet it has real benefits to it.  It's good to see you, and others on here, working with it.  Previously I have used mounting card sealed with enamel gloss varnish; it worked well, and lasted a very long time.

 

Regards,

 

Alex.

[mullie]

Big day today, Upbech has been moved and the new boards put into place and joined to it. These aren't great photos but show the general layout. The space at the end is just 28 inches and I will put another scene in there. If possible the layout will expand onto a second level, possibly including a rebuild of Pott Row.

 

My inspiration comes from layouts like Osney, the Farthing layouts, the sheep chronicles as well as the work of Alex (Wiggo) as well as Buckingham and Borchester. I want to create a series of different scenes but unlike some of the layouts mentioned I want them linked together as I see this as a sort of last project. given the amount of time it takes me to build a layout I want this layout to last. It is possible we will down size at some point in the future and parts of the layout could go into a smaller room, if I gain space I could expand the layout in various ways, flexibility is the key at this stage. Fiddle yard pictures to follow.

 

 

Next job is to link Upbech to the new boards electrically and check stock can work effectively between the two parts.

 

 

[Alister_G]

That all looks very nice. I like the idea of separate modular sections that can be used on their own or linked to create a larger layout, I'm doing something similar as you know.

 

Look forward to seeing what you do next.

 

Al.

[mullie]

8 minutes ago, Alister_G said:

That all looks very nice. I like the idea of separate modular sections that can be used on their own or linked to create a larger layout, I'm doing something similar as you know.

 

Look forward to seeing what you do next.

 

Al.

Your work is also an inspiration, some great modelling on your threads, I have followed you since the Bakewell days.

[Alister_G]

Thank you, very kind of you to say so.

 

Sadly, the thing I learnt most from doing Bakewell and Grindleford was not to bite off more than you can chew... and Upbech sized layouts are definitely more my style.

 

Cheers mate.

 

Al.

[mullie]

Baseboard connectors were soldered in this afternoon and this is the first successful run from the new fiddle yard, across the new board and onto Upbech. I deliberately made it run through the cross over as part of the test so the J72 actually starts and ends from the loop. Always a nervous moment.

 

 

 

The J72 has been given a good talking to for stalling though as the layout hasn't been used for a few weeks the track may not be as clean as usual. The video quality isn't great as nothing is lit properly and I had to hold the phone as well as drive. This is an important step forward.

 

[Alister_G]

Always a good feeling to get things moving on the layout again.

 

Nice one.

 

Al.

[mullie]

The first passenger train runs into the station. The clerestory coaches run on Hornby wheels, I simply pulled them out on their axles using a worm gear puller, feel a bit of a fraud really as it was so easy. In truth, if this combination is to run I need to tweak the cassettes as this is right on the limit of the length the fiddle yard will take.

 

 

 

The brass rods in the foreground are used to prevent stock sliding out of the cassettes.

[Alex TM]

3 hours ago, mullie said:

In truth, if this combination is to run I need to tweak the cassettes as this is right on the limit of the length the fiddle yard will take.

If the end of the run-rounds at Peak Rail, and Bradford Exchange are anything to go by then a very tight fit would be prototypical (if not necessarily good for the nerves).

[mullie]

A couple of recent birthday presents.

 

EM axles from Branchlines that replace the Bachmann stubb axles. Not used them before but they should make conversion a doddle. Currently they are being toned down ready for fitting.

 

 

 

The wagon book is excellent and will be particularly helpful with the development of open wagons on the layout. When I move onto the vans I will buy other volumes. I already have the 1948 scrapbook, these are nice volumes and picked up for a few pounds on Ebay. They cover a wide geographical area and not much of East Anglia but a good browse.

 

[mullie]

The Lightweight is converted. The non powered axles were a doddle once a short plastic strip was removed from the bogie and all are free running. The powered axles were a bit more of a challenge as without instructions I had to make it up as I went along but all is now running.

 

Photo 1 shows the new axles fitted to the Bachmann muffs and the BoB being checked - took seconds.

 

 

The completed model running on the layout. The model already has driver, passengers, relevant destination blinds, corridor connectors and detailed buffer beam. Now needs to visit the weathering shop.

 

 

Well stocked fiddle yard cassettes. Tests have shown that the wagon cassettes need fishplates at one end and as discussed previously the clerestory cassette needs shortening. I can gain some space with closer coupling of the carriages. Need a second brake van for the 1960s period, I am after a Hornby LMS van with the ballast box era 3 or 4 I'm not fussy though there don't seem to be many about at the moment.