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

[31A]

1 hour ago, mullie said:

Having made some progress with platforms decided to have a go at how the station might look. All structures are scratch built and the factory will be longer once I have joined the two parts together. The back scene is mounting card.

 

 

 

For a mock up it doesn't look too bad, still loads to do.

 

Anyone know where I can get some high quality non working gas lights ( I don't mean real gas, I am thinking of the Mikes models style lamps)?  I can only find LED ones and I don't want really want to fit working lighting though it looks like I might have to.

 

 

Langley Models do some, depending on what pattern you've got in mind.

 

[dhjgreen]

10 hours ago, 31A said:

 

Langley Models do some, depending on what pattern you've got in mind.

 

https://www.langleymodels.co.uk/awd1/index.php?route=product/category&path=199

[mullie]

A couple of recently completed wagons. This layout is very much about using and recycling what I already have. These wagons could have been binned years ago but they have been with me since I started modelling around 43 years ago. Over the years they have been test beds for S&W couplings, weathering techniques and dipping my toe into fitting alternative wagon chassis. They are vintage Mainline and the tops are too thick to pass muster as open wagons so I have added tarpaulins. The wagon on the left is the old Persil open wagon, the one on the right a BR seven plank, tarps are Smiths.

 

 

This is another seven plank this time with a BR tarpaulin for the 1960s period so fitted with Kadees.

 

 

There are sidings where a tarpaulin wagon can go in and out, assuming it has been unloaded and then loaded again. I did think about fitting the ropes but in pretty much all photos I looked at they are next to invisible and I didn't want them to be over scale.

[mullie]

Bit more progress, some ground cover started. A start made on the coal yard using a combination of DAS, Acrylics, chalks, charcoal and talc.

 

 

Seen looking towards the station building, the buildings are temporarily in place, nothing is fixed down.

 

 

The factory area trackwork has been given a similar treatment.. Under normal viewing this won't be seen.

 

 

 

Edited May 28, 2021 by mullie

[mullie]

The layout is designed to be operated as three connected scenes or the plan is that they can be operated separately.  As the new station board is being worked on the quayside board has been propped up next to my desk and the original Upbech fiddle yard joined to the Upbech layout to provide an opportunity to run some trains. I keep thinking of the combined layout as Mock the Week's "Scenes we'd like to see!"

 

A class 10 can be seen worrying some wagons.

 

 

Now temperatures are above artic conditions it is possible to run trains again in the garage. Next winter I will move part of the layout indoors during the coldest spells.

[Alister_G]

That's a great idea Martyn, I hope you gave the layout  a thorough play TEST.

 

Al.

[mullie]

The Trams are back.

 

 

[manna]

1 hour ago, mullie said:

The Trams are back.

 

 

Hooray

[mullie]

It's all gone a bit arty farty!

 

 

Edited June 10, 2021 by mullie

[mullie]

Trackwork now has ballast, running lines have ballast weathered with charcoal, the coal siding is ballasted with DAS.

 

 

The proper backscene boards are also in place and the mounting board temporarily placed in front of it.

 

 

The signal box is Wills and is around 25 years old. For this layout the window frames have ben thinned and a new paint finish applied. You only see the back and one end. The corner in the back scene will be hidden.

 

[mullie]

An overall view of pretty much the whole scenic part of this section of the layout with buildings in place.

 

 

Ran some trains  today. A mixed train arrives from Upbech. Canopy has been removed, it falls over as the buildings are not glued down.

 

 

I have never liked carrying loco cassettes over the garage floor, makes me very nervous, so as the layout uses relatively few locos I have put a shelf on the fiddle yard back board so the loco cassettes can be stored at the back of the fiddle yard.

 

 

[Mikkel]

Very nice. I like the ambience that you're achieving. Down to earth, yet lots of character. I think the subdued colours help a lot to create that effect.

[Alex TM]

Hi,

 

Have you seen the July edition of 'Backtrack'?  There's an article on one of the branches of the MSLR; it's all very Pott Row.

 

My sincere apologies - this should read 'Bylines' - July 2021 - pages 352-359 - Haughley to Laxfield Branch.

 

My apologies to anyone who has been looking for the wrong magazine.

 

Regards,

 

Alex.

Edited June 29, 2021 by Alex TM
Correction and apology.

[mullie]

9 hours ago, Alex TM said:

Hi,

 

Have you seen the July edition of 'Backtrack'?  There's an article on one of the branches of the MSLR; it's all very Pott Row.

 

Regards,

 

Alex.

I like Backtrack so will have to have a look out for it.

 

Many thanks 

[mullie]

This is one of those projects that come along every so often, I have struggled to get going with this project partly due to pressure of work. Having some time today I finally decided to get on with it.

 

The brake van is the Cambrian kit with a challenging design of handrails, lamp irons either etched or made from scrap, a suggestion of the brake gear underneath, mostly as suggested by Geoff Kent but I didn't add the extra height. I wonder if the kit has been revised since Geoff wrote his book as the top of the sides and roof seem to have a different profile.

 

 

Next job is to give it a lick of paint and add weight before fixing the roof on.

 

It is based on one seen at Cromer Beach, I have also have a photo of one seen in the distance at Upwell. It will be added to the 1960s fleet though I don't know any numbers of East Anglian based examples.

 

Martyn

[MrWolf]

I have a few kits that fall into the same category as well as a life that also falls into your category. 

 

I always like to see a proper old brake van and I have a couple in stock. 

 

It's reminding me to get on with what's on the bench first though!

[mullie]

I don't like to leave projects half finished, once I start something I like to finish it, I have an 08 waiting for some Gibson EM wheels and axles, that is next on the hit list.

Edited July 4, 2021 by mullie

[mullie]

The J72 has returned from collecting sugar beet from Upbech and a tarpaulin load from the quayside. The steam stock is getting back into its swing having not been used much since before Christmas. The pick ups on the J72 needed tweaking, it has always been a good runner with its Comet chassis, Mashima motor and High Level gear box.

 

 

Preliminary scenic work has started on this board though nothing so far to photograph..

[mullie]

Started work on scenery yesterday. A new venture, working with foam board, here are the scenic foundations laid using foam board for contours.

 

 

Polyfilla  has been coloured with acrylic paint so if it is ever scraped there is no white plaster. I also mix some Woodland Scenics brown ballast in with the polyfilla to give some texture.  

 

 

 

 

Just after this I started painting the polyfilla on with a paint brush used for emulsion paint which secured a much better finish as seen below. What appears white is actually grey and will become a road surface/ coal ground.

 

More tomorrow

[mullie]

I cut down a Peco buffer stop, as it will be largely hidden I'm sure it will work. 

 

 

Also a small hut, I think it is a lamp hut (?) and an outside privy were found for the signal box.

 

 

The ground has been painted to day, more photos soon.

[mullie]

Peace and quiet. 

 

[mullie]

Last two photos have used editing functions on my phone as an experiment. Latest developments on the station board. 

 

Also available in black and white. 

 

[mullie]

Some details to be added. Some rather nice 3d printed GE benches.

 

 

Some modified Langley gas lamps for the platform walls. The full height lamp will be straightened. 

 

[wiggoforgold]

I like the benches. What was the source of them?

Alex

[mullie]

1 hour ago, wiggoforgold said:

I like the benches. What was the source of them?

Alex

They were bought from a company called Model railway scenes on Ebay. I am currently in Yorkshire as no 2 daughter has moved there.  Will post a link when I get back.  They are currently out of stock.