RMweb Premium Popular Post CF MRC Posted October 3, 2016 Author RMweb Premium Popular Post Share Posted October 3, 2016 (edited) Warming up for Warley. Actually, before that we have the 2mm AGM at Keen House on the 15th October. So, Copenhagen Fields is coming out of its summer hibernation, with the photo below showing some of the new KX Goods Yard trackwork. I have tried very hard to keep the texture of the ballast and the cess very understated using fine ballast (powder almost) and pumice powder for the cess. It's very easy to make goods yard track too pristine, but also to make it too dark. It now needs some more track detail painting and overall weathering with an airbrush, although I think that the variations in colour work quite well to show track in various conditions/newness. The layout will also be on display at the MRC Open Day on 20th November, which might give easier viewing than the NEC! Tim Edited October 3, 2016 by CF MRC 20 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Popular Post CF MRC Posted October 9, 2016 Author RMweb Premium Popular Post Share Posted October 9, 2016 A quiet moment at Belle Isle, on a hot summers day, with no trains in view. Tim 26 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnBS Posted October 27, 2016 Share Posted October 27, 2016 Tim, That's looking wonderful; I wish I could have been there at the AGM but we were at sea, midway between Santorini and Malta - well, someone has to do it. I don't think I could take Warley but, who knows, I might manage Kean House on 20 November. I agree absolutely with your view on the need for subtlety with texture in 2mm scale and I'm very much looking forward to seeing the results of your airbrush skills on the ballast and cesses. Very best wishes, John Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Popular Post CF MRC Posted November 14, 2016 Author RMweb Premium Popular Post Share Posted November 14, 2016 Dear All Quite a lot of recent progress in the KX yard. The ramp to the Cally Goods & Coal Yard is now blocked out and in red oxide primer. It is red brick anyway, but will need detail cladding in our home made brick plastic. In the short-term it will be weathered in its current form to meld it into the scene. Mike Randall has started soldering up the two lattice iron bridges on the ramp that span the sidings below - it is sometimes quicker, perhaps even easier, to make things the old fashioned way without relying on etchings. They certainly look purposefully structural. The Randall's Knob board at the South End is now firmly and stably fixed to the layout, which has allowed us to make a neat job of the joint in the road leading on to the York Road viaduct. Tom's Paget Christian Mission building is now close to being bedded in, whilst Richard's block of buildings is making excellent progress (he may even post some piccys). I have just completed a Chris Higgs chassis to finescale a Farish J39. This was very easy to assemble and should make for a really useful engine - especially as I replaced the tender motor with a Maxon 1016, which makes it much more docile. Tim 24 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium nick_bastable Posted November 14, 2016 RMweb Premium Share Posted November 14, 2016 quality work as always I spent quite some time looking at CF at the recent 2mm AGM nice to see the way it builds up from the wrong side NIck Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Higgs Posted November 15, 2016 Share Posted November 15, 2016 I have just completed a Chris Higgs chassis to finescale a Farish J39. This was very easy to assemble and should make for a really useful engine - especially as I replaced the tender motor with a Maxon 1016, which makes it much more docile. Tim From this I am guessing that you have retained the tender drive and are just using the loco chassis as a rolling one? Chris Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium CF MRC Posted November 15, 2016 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted November 15, 2016 (edited) Yes Chris. It is a jobbing loco for the layout and, quite honestly, not my favourite engine class. I'll post some pictures of it shortly. Tim Edited November 15, 2016 by CF MRC Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southernboy Posted November 15, 2016 Share Posted November 15, 2016 Just looking at those last few pictures - there is so much track and related scenics / lineside work going on - and I wonder how those that work on this layout organise it all. Like is there a masterplan or spreadsheet that clearly lays everything out step-by-step? Or do you just all muddle through with stoic trust that it will all come together at the end of the day? Either way, continued good luck with this wonderful, inspiring layout Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium CF MRC Posted November 16, 2016 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted November 16, 2016 (edited) The only masterplan, Mark, was the original drawings that JBS, myself and Mike Randall worked up in 1983. The original concept was sketched out on a Spaghetti House knapkin. These plans were signed off by the MRC committee in December 1983 and John made this little concept model from them: It is quite impressive, I think, that the outcome in 2016 is pretty much what we intended 30+ years ago. Quite a lot of people could not "see" the idea behind the project (in particular, the late Cyril Freezer) especially in the first ten years when we only had the northern (RH) end of the model complete. We do indeed all "muddle through with stoic trust that it will all come together at the end if the day". We're just not saying which day.... There is a huge amount still to do. The LH end is effectively a new layout scenically and there are dozens of signals to be made, let alone getting the GY fully functional. It will keep us busy for many more years and anyone who wants to help is very welcome. Tim Edited November 16, 2016 by CF MRC 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Kylestrome Posted November 16, 2016 RMweb Premium Share Posted November 16, 2016 (edited) Just looking at those last few pictures - there is so much track and related scenics / lineside work going on - and I wonder how those that work on this layout organise it all. Like is there a masterplan or spreadsheet that clearly lays everything out step-by-step? Or do you just all muddle through with stoic trust that it will all come together at the end of the day? Tim is the man with the master plan and he can be quite persuasive. When I was on the team, many moons ago, it was the first time that I had heard the expression 'benign dictator'. He is far too modest to point it out himself, but It is mostly through his drive and determination, aided and abetted by Mike R., that has progressed the layout this far. Edited November 16, 2016 by Kylestrome 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium CF MRC Posted November 20, 2016 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted November 20, 2016 Prior to our little expedition to the NEC next week, we had CF running at the MRC Open Day today. Gary Fletcher has devised a very elegant shuttle mechanism for the underground and Richard's buildings made major progress as he demonstrated building construction today. The main buildings and roads have been given a more convincing colour wash at the south end (which belies the large amount of work still required) and Mike's eye aching lattice bridges are beginning to look the business on the ramp line. The goods ware house will be lowered to single story for three bays near York Road after the next show - it would be more in keeping with the potato warehouses at this site and make the building 'stack up' better. We have maintained professionalism in the Club on York Way, as can be seen by one of the photos: probably a senior member of the legal profession in the Jaguar (KX is/was a noted professional area). Look forward to meeting up with any interested parties at the NEC next weekend. Make yourself known and come round the back if you wish (but probably best to avoid first thing on Saturday morning). Tim 19 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnBS Posted November 21, 2016 Share Posted November 21, 2016 Prior to our little expedition to the NEC next week, we had CF running at the MRC Open Day today. Gary Fletcher has devised a very elegant shuttle mechanism for the underground and Richard's buildings made major progress as he demonstrated building construction today. The main buildings and roads have been given a more convincing colour wash at the south end (which belies the large amount of work still required) and Mike's eye aching lattice bridges are beginning to look the business on the ramp line. The goods ware house will be lowered to single story for three bays near York Road after the next show - it would be more in keeping with the potato warehouses at this site and make the building 'stack up' better. We have maintained professionalism in the Club on York Way, as can be seen by one of the photos: probably a senior member of the legal profession in the Jaguar (KX is/was a noted professional area). Look forward to meeting up with any interested parties at the NEC next weekend. Make yourself known and come round the back if you wish (but probably best to avoid first thing on Saturday morning). Tim Tim and the CF team,Stunning stuff and very impressive progress. I'm sure that you'll have a marvellous appearance at Warley - enjoy and try to get out of the car park by midnight! Nice to see that you have a girl working on the model. John 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Hartshorne Posted November 21, 2016 Share Posted November 21, 2016 I've wanted to see this layout for years, very much looking forward to seeing it at Warley. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southernboy Posted November 21, 2016 Share Posted November 21, 2016 I'd love to hear more about the underground section if possible. Construction of carriages / track / tunnel / station / etc Any videos of operation ? Many thanks in advance Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Popular Post CF MRC Posted November 21, 2016 Author RMweb Premium Popular Post Share Posted November 21, 2016 Mark, the current mechanism for the tube is shown in post 78 on this thread. The tube station and underground section were made using LT plans. I made the above ground bit and Stewart Hine made the underground bit. The tube train is completely scratchbuilt with the sides filed from Perspex, polished windows and then the paintwork representing the body panelling: they are very fine models. The underground bit bolts onto the main layout and has a hidden dead section at each end. Originally the train went either side of the station, as per prototype, with auto stops and sensing and an all together very advanced set of electronics to back it up. It was written up in MRJ (probably early 90s). Unfortunately, both the mechanism and the bladeless turnouts that Stewart made were just not reliable enough for this sort of operation. It has to be 110% reliable to work under exhibition conditions below the main layout. A couple of years ago I took the bull by the horns and massively simplified the whole ensemble. I think it now works OK, but the train is running on the front track in both directions - it is at least accurate 50% of the time. I will soon be making a new tube station for the south end of the layout - York Way - but the underground will not be extended! We had our last working session before Warley today. Mike has roughed out the Goods & Mineral SB: this is very much the centrepiece of Belle Isle. Making blocks of buildings is a useful way of checking shape / space requirements. There is no question that Goods & Mineral Jcn. box will need a fully detailed interior, because you will be able to see right into it from the front. Would probably benefit from some etches, especially for the ladder banisters. We should have the lattice girder work in time for Warley, assuming Mike's eyesight holds up. Finally, whilst ruffling through one of our storage boxes I found the last of Ced Verdon's clear resin cast buses. These are exquisite works of art and, even if it is completely the wrong type of bus, looks excellent on York Way. Just needs a few bill boards along the parapets to complete the scene. Tim 21 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
autocoupler942 Posted November 22, 2016 Share Posted November 22, 2016 suggest a check is made on 2MM november diary as I can only see this listed at Warley on sunday - no mention of saturday! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Talltim Posted November 22, 2016 Share Posted November 22, 2016 (edited) The article on the original Stuart Hine incarnation of the Underground was in MRJ issue 43 http://www.modelrailwayjournal.com/issue.php?s=43 Edited November 23, 2016 by Talltim Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
D869 Posted November 22, 2016 Share Posted November 22, 2016 suggest a check is made on 2MM november diary as I can only see this listed at Warley on sunday - no mention of saturday! Ah... that was me... For attempt 1 I managed to put the event into my own calendar and then spend ages wondering when it was going appear on the 2mm web site. Then for attempt 2 I shifted it to the 2mm calendar but looks like I somehow managed to delete Saturday. Hopefully fixed now! Third time lucky? Thanks for pointing this out. BTW, any member can be granted access to add events to the Google calendar. It's dead easy to use Regards, Andy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium CF MRC Posted November 28, 2016 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted November 28, 2016 (edited) Weekend at Warley Stowing arrangements were excellent in the van that we hired as it was a fraction longer than hitherto, although also a bit narrower. Setting up was restricted to 4 hrs because of a delay getting into the hall - we need five, to include getting stock on. Needless to say, our running on Saturday morning was a bit of a trial. The major works at the south end give the layout a big improvement in its overall ambience. After a few bits of new track were further fettled, the layout settled down to running OK by Saturday afternoon. I find it very relaxing to sit at the front and shunt Mrs W's yard whilst talking to the public - on Sunday the whole ensemble was purring along (this is why I like three day shows). Taking still pictures of the layout is quite tricky with moving trains, but some videos really show it off better. I have loaded a selection to You tube; it is interesting how the videos show the trains running at a fair clip, but to the eye they seemed quite slow http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J01qizfywrU Could be the opening credits to the Ladykillers, but shot at greater altitude. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bywl6jaxu4 When the operators at each end were 'in sync' we had some good juxtapositions of engines. https://youtu.be/2bywl6jaxu4 https://youtu.be/TmItAlaUxd8 But sometimes it didn't work quite so well: the public still liked it tho'. https://youtu.be/wVVtItEu3J4 Indeed, the comments from viewers were really wonderful. Perhaps the most touching was from someone who was seriously disabled in his wheel chair, who said to his helper, "This is the only layout I am going to stand up for". For Mark's benefit I took some photos of the tube in situ. This worked well after an errant bogie was picked out and sorted on the Saturday morning. https://youtu.be/D3mMXDZLY0g We were packed and loaded in 2.5 hrs and back to London by 1100. Our next outing will be to the CMRA show in Stevenage. Between now and then we will massively reduce the amount of crap that travels with the layout and streamline transport arrangements. Tim Edited November 28, 2016 by CF MRC 11 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Donw Posted November 29, 2016 RMweb Gold Share Posted November 29, 2016 The only masterplan, Mark, was the original drawings that JBS, myself and Mike Randall worked up in 1983. The original concept was sketched out on a Spaghetti House knapkin. These plans were signed off by the MRC committee in December 1983 and John made this little concept model from them: It is quite impressive, I think, that the outcome in 2016 is pretty much what we intended 30+ years ago. Quite a lot of people could not "see" the idea behind the project (in particular, the late Cyril Freezer) especially in the first ten years when we only had the northern (RH) end of the model complete. We do indeed all "muddle through with stoic trust that it will all come together at the end if the day". We're just not saying which day.... There is a huge amount still to do. The LH end is effectively a new layout scenically and there are dozens of signals to be made, let alone getting the GY fully functional. It will keep us busy for many more years and anyone who wants to help is very welcome. Tim I have admired this project from the start. I suspect Cyril just couldn't believe there would be enough dedication to see the project through. It is one of the most impressive models I have seen. The are plenty of places in London where you can see a wide expanse of cityscape only 2mm would give you the opportunity to model it in a sensible amount of space. Don Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
glo41f Posted December 10, 2016 Share Posted December 10, 2016 Tim This layout in my humble opinion, is one of the best around today. You must be very proud having seen it through from card board mock up to what it is today. I wish I had the skills to make an acceptable contribution. As time goes by and the garage gets colder I am very tempted to have a bash at 2mm which I could sneak into the shack in one of the spare rooms! Good to see you at the club the other night too. Martin Long Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Theakerr Posted December 10, 2016 Share Posted December 10, 2016 Last night our over generous satellite provider showed "The Lady Killers". It was the first time i had seen it but it was absolutely fascinating watching it and comparing it to the model. Some amazing period railway shots. Out of curiosity is there really a signal that can be accessed from the over bridge as well as the line side and if there is, is it modelled. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium CF MRC Posted December 11, 2016 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted December 11, 2016 The signal was made specially for the film and bolted to the Copenhagen Tunnel portal. There was a real signal slightly further south that we will be modelling. We have never modelled the house, as the compression of scale on the model makes the topography difficult in this area. There is an excellent video of the film's out-takes available as "Steam on 35mm" available from Video 125. If you are really interested in the area, Irwell have recently re-worked their book on KX, which has a whole chapter on the film. (http://www.irwellpress.com/acatalog/LONDON_NORTH_EASTERN_RAILWAY.html#a804) Tim Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium CF MRC Posted December 24, 2016 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted December 24, 2016 I think I have finally sorted CF's new engine, Papyrus. With 13mm drivers - the N gauge ones were 13.8 - the bogie wheels at the front needed much more vertical clearance and so she did not run at Warley. With a bit of luck we might have a useful engine for the CMRA show at Stevenage. I am now going to get back to working on Lord President. From another thread on RMWeb discussing early N gauge locos I pasted a couple of Youtube videos of early N gauge efforts, forty years ago. Thought they might amuse the finescale modeller of today (note the ML10 in the background). https://youtu.be/rmlq1OitnIg https://youtu.be/bxaRVshbJaw Merry Christmas everyone! Tim 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caley Jim Posted December 24, 2016 Share Posted December 24, 2016 From another thread on RMWeb discussing early N gauge locos I pasted a couple of Youtube videos of early N gauge efforts, forty years ago. Thought they might amuse the finescale modeller of today (note the ML10 in the background). I've never understood why N-gauge has such a massive 6' way. Is it a function of Peco turnout geometry, or to make sure that the overhangs on coaches don't clash on the tight curves? How did these 'mutton chops' go down in Guy's? I don't think they would have been tolerated in GDH! Merry Christmas to all. Jim Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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