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

[hornbyandbf3fan]

Great layout, I love the area around the turntable and the J70

[mullie]

I really should pay more attention. There have been nearly 1000 views since I last posted on this thread.

 

In truth, work has been incredibly busy and I decided to give some time to my new micro layout which eventually I would like to try exhibiting.

 

However, I have bought HMRS transfers to letter the Ratio carriage and number the remaining wagons. Lighting units are also in stock for passenger stock. As the Hornby Claud has been delayed there isn't quite such a rush.There is also the starter signal to build. The sequence is coming along quote nicely but I still need to make the wagon cards so as to randomise shunting of goods services.

[mullie]

I've mentioned the regular cleaning I give the track approximately every 6 weeks and today I decided to document the process. The layout comes apart for easy maintenance. Cleaning process is as follows:

 

As well a track rubber I always hoover off the track after to ensure no unwanted bits

 

 

Next need an ipod, on shuffle today so everything from Stan Tracey to Jake Bugg to Afro beat!

 

 

Fiddle yard entrance board is placed on the work mate first.

 

 

MPD board is next. Lid is shown here that simply lifts off. The small bolts bottom left connect the layout lighting.

 

 

The lid showing the LEDs

 

 

Lid removed and ready for cleaning. combi works the turntable

 

 

Stock is moved to the right hand fiddle yard which becomes rather messy!

 

 

 

Station board is next to be removed

 

 

Lid lifted, again showing lighting

 

 

Warehouse lifted so as to clean inset track

 

 

Whole board in view

 

 

Fiddle yards are cleaned as tracks and cassettes become available. Whole process takes about an hour and is well worth it. Trains also run over a piece of Jay cloth on exit from the right hand fiddle yard that has a few drops of Rails Zip added to keep wheels clean.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[mullie]

The sequence is coming together and because the layout has adjustable LED lighting the sequence starts in the early morning with the lighting turned down and ends in a similar way. Below are some photos that give a flavour of the effect. I've deliberately left the lighting in the shot so you can see how the LEDS are laid out when in situ.

 

 

 

 

The sequence is still rather short and unbalanced because I do need more stock but don't we all say that!

 

 

[CourthsVeil]

Where's the SUPERB-button ??

Thanks

  Armin

[mullie]

Work on back dating the layout continues. Picked these up whilst spending an enjoyable morning at the Weymouth show last weekend. Research suggests that during the 1948-55 period many wagons retained grouping livery even if they were given a new number, the LMS van is apparently in pre 1936 livery but  some did survive in this livery  so I would imagine quite a severe weathering job id in order. They are already in shops being fitted with S&W couplings.

 

 

I

[mullie]

The new wagons now have couplings enabling the withdrawal of two BR built vans to be used on the new micro layout. The wagons in this photo are all grouping wagons, now need some pre group ones as there were plenty about.

 

 

Interesting contrast between a kit built and RTR wagon, the former can now be lettered at some point as I have the transfers in stock. The kit built version must be at least 12 years old sop I really should have numbered it by now!

 

[mullie]

As I've detailed before, the layout shares the garage with the car so when planning the base boards portability and ease of set up was paramount. My carpentry is terrible but I keep at it until things are straight (ish) and above all work. Below is the set up sequence that takes no more than five minutes:

 

Entry to the garage and no layout!

 

 

One of the left fiddle yard boards under the main station

 

 

Both fiddle yard boards set up and yes it is a tight fit to the garage door, no more than a cigarette paper

 

 

Fiddle yard exit added and view blocking buildings. Multi pin plugs to power the track

 

 

The lighting for the fiddle yard exit, simply two crocodile clips onto another circuit made of brass tube and old rail

 

 

Work mate put out with old bit of work top for the stock tray to sit on.

 

 

Right hand fiddle yard covered in plastic sheeting. Stock tray for left fiddle yard underneath

 

 

Stock tray moved into position

 

 

Hinged arms are used to support the right hand traverser

 

 

Here it is in operation

 

 

Whole layout set up

 

 

Lighting turned on, need to plug in the power cab

 

 

Takes longer to explain than to do. Garage is integral so don't even have to go outside and is bearable even in winter, frost is rare here though the wind can make the garage door rattle. Try to run the layout a couple of times at weekends and I'm working on a micro layout that lives underneath this one.

 

I should add that despite may cack handed workmanship the layout is enjoyable to operate and works well so long as track and wheels are kept clean.

Edited November 30, 2014 by mullie

[Jintyman]

Mullie,

That's certainly not cack handed!!! To me it looks well thought out seeing as your space has multiple uses, and it packs away and sets up in a reasonable time so you can play trains.
My garage is integral with the house/extension, but it's bloody freezing in the winter. Thinking of adding a radiator or two from the house system, have to have a word with my friendly plumber!!!!

A layout with lots of character too.

Jinty ;-)

[CourthsVeil]

Mullie,

"cack handed" ??? Sure not– and very well designed! Let alone the hinged traverser support.

 

Cracking stuff here. Always a pleasure to read what's new.

 

Thanks for sharing

  Armin

[manna]

G'day Gents

 

Think it looks great, but 'How' did you do the weathering on the back of the garage door !!!!.................

 

manna

[mullie]

G'day Gents

 

Think it looks great, but 'How' did you do the weathering on the back of the garage door !!!!.................

 

manna

Aha the garage door, that took years. Careful handling of northerly winds(rarer in this area)' dry brushed with sea air and general detritus from the street. The door has been mechanised via infra red modified with a rubber door seal to counter act the slope in the garage!!

[mullie]

Seems like it could be a bit of a wait for the J15 and D16 so will be pressing on with other things. Today I contacted Bachmann and ordered correct East Anglian bodies for the Derby Lightweight. Like a lot of people I was so keen to get one that I ordered without realising the detail differences. At £50 it is quite a cost but I don't have to maintain a large fleet so don't mind the payment. Whilst the body is off I will populate the inside and I've just taken delivery of some corridor connectors from Modellers Mecca so should make a nice little project. The 1948-55 time frame of the layout allows me to show the contrast between old and new including new steam locos.

 

The coaching stock is coming on slowly but not much to report due to sheer pressure of work, maybe some photos by the end of the week as its too cold to be out in the garage for any length of time so I need some 'inside' jobs.

[mullie]

Finally some progress!

 

The ex LNWR carriage has been assembled and since the photos were taken some work has been undertaken on the roof as well.

 

 

 

Has been very hard to find information on these carriages online. Whatever photos I've found have been of somewhat dubious quality (to be expected) and not clear enough to show a great deal of detail as the carraige wasn't the focus of the photo. Photos of roof detail seem particularly scarce The number is taken from one seen in a post war train on the M&GN but then promptly lost the site where I found the photo! I've built it with electric lighting as that seems most likely but someone on here is bound to know different. Please feel free to correct me.

Edited December 6, 2014 by mullie

[Boco_D1]

The coach is looking good, what colour paint did you use? I've been building a fleet of these kits myself although I'm aiming for an earlier period and will be painting in both teak livery and ex-LMS livery. There is a few photos of the coaches in ex-Midland livery in The Midland & Great Northern Joint Railway and its Locomotives by Bob Essery I don't know if they'll be helpful or not?

 

[mullie]

The coach is looking good, what colour paint did you use? I've been building a fleet of these kits myself although I'm aiming for an earlier period and will be painting in both teak livery and ex-LMS livery. There is a few photos of the coaches in ex-Midland livery in The Midland & Great Northern Joint Railway and its Locomotives by Bob Essery I don't know if they'll be helpful or not?

 

The colour is a Tamiya aerosol can, with the new regulations about shipping aerosols and paints it is very difficult to get railway colours even if a correct shade is available. There seems to be some debate about this colour so I matched it with colour photos of the period. I have black and white photos of the coaches in M&GN livery but found it hard to find them in the late LNER or very early BR period. I'm very much a 'broad brush ' modeller so in the absence of any more detailed photos this will do for me.

[mullie]

Some progress at last! The coach roof is finished and it sat on its bogies for the first time this morning. Now need to get the painting finished, add couplings and add interior lighting then the roof can be fixed on permanently (just sitting there at the moment hence the gap).

 

 

[mullie]

Father Christmas delivered these yesterday, should make a nice little project as I've already taken delivery of some improved corridor connectors, painted some passengers etc. and then a trip to the weathering shop. Like many people I ordered mine as soon as it was announced.not realising the detail differences

 

[mullie]

Finally some progress on the next pair of coaches. Spent the last few days before and after Christmas sorting out the lighting on the Stanier coach. This is an old Airfix coach picked up cheap on Ebay but I don't feel guilty about hacking over £50 worth of carriage, this one cost a fiver! Interior has been painted, passengers added, new buffers are on order and new corridor connections being installed. Today I tested the lights and miraculously they worked! The roof is loose as I wasn't brave enough to fix everything down as that would have guaranteed failure hence the gap between body and roof. Lighting is installed in the LNWR all third but the connections haven't been installed to collect power.

 

 

These kits were from the same supplier but more of a challenge as I had to solder the LEDs to the lighting board. Not for the faint hearted but I was able to put fewer in so hopefully get a more subdued effect.

 

I'll post some shots of the job in progress at a later date.

[mullie]

More details on the coach lighting:

 

The carriage bodies with roofs  and lights fitted. The yellow panels over the LEDS on the top roof are to make the lighting more subdued in colour and hopefully more approrpiate for the period of the layout. They have since been fitted to the second roof panel

 

 

Bogie with contacts made from nickel silver wire waiting for wires to be attached, since completed and tested- see previous post.

 

 

Inside the brake compartment of the Stanier coach is the main circuit board that comes as part of the lighting kit. It is necessary to black out some windows so this can't be seen.

 

 

The lighting bar in the Stanier coach. The LEDs have to be soldered to the strip which is good as you can add as many or as few as you like. The plug simply plugs into the main circuit board as do the wires from the bogie pick ups once soldered. The black wires connect to the second coach.

 

 

The lighting bar in the LNWR coach. Again LEDs have to be soldered to the bar and the lights will be powered via wires and miniature plugs connected to the Stanier coach passed through the corridor connection, fiddly but it does work. This job is still to do and once I know it works the roofs can be fixed down and painted/weathered.

 

 

A well thought out kit, not without its challenges but I feel it will be worth the effort and pushes my modelling skills further.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[mullie]

Happy new year to all those who have taken the trouble to read the ramblings on this thread and thank you for your interest.

Edited December 31, 2014 by mullie

[mullie]

Tested the lighting circuits between the two coaches today and they worked! It was quite scary as I needed to cut out the middle of the Modellers Mecca corridor connections so the plugs can be hidden when the coaches are properly coupled together. As the circuits work I can fix the roof on the LNWR all third and paint the roof and ends, Both coaches need couplings. New buffers arrived for the Stanier coach today so hopefully won't be too long before they enter service on the layout.

 

 

 

 

[mullie]

Bit more work on the coaches this week, Wires shortened on the lights so they can be hidden in the corridor connections, buffers added and the roof has been fixed on the LNWR coach. Couplings to be added and the LNWR coach needs weighting.

 

 

 

Digital photography is cruel, that gap at the left hand end is actually not noticeable under normal viewing conditions and is exaggerated by the dark paint underneath the roof as I didn't want any white showing once the roof is painted and everything weathered..

 

[mullie]

The lighting units are now working and couplings installed and this how things were looking earlier today.

 

 

 

 

I'm not sure about the link between the coaches and may close the gap over the next week, I read that Tony Wright only uses one of the Modellers Mecca connectors between coaches and as the minimum radius is 3ft on the layout I might be able to get away with closer coupling. The coaches will then enter service on the layout for testing and once I'm happy with the running I'll get them painted and weathered.

 

It's too cold in the garage so projects that can be completed in the warm are the order of the day.

 

 

[mullie]

New coaching stock having a trial on the M & GN services today and all went well including successfully shunting across the station crossover. The contacts on the lighting units seem to be more reliable than on the Gresley's so I am now modifying those. If successful in running trials I will finish painting and weathering in a few weeks time. I prefer to be sure things work before lavishing the paint.

 

 

 

 

 

Also plan to start renumbering locos soon, basically anything seen at South Lynn between 1948-55 is fair game for the M&GN services and that includes a J11!