TheCromptonParkinson Posted April 12, 2012 Author Share Posted April 12, 2012 Nice idea, but give it the sniff test first- fog machine smoke smells a lot different to the stuff that oozes out of steam locos. I seen to remember spending an hour at Philadelphia waiting for a cab ride on no.45 which was simmering outside the shed on the main running road (effectively meaning nothing else was going to move either!) and the smell was of coal fire and warm oil. All the very best Les Les, smell - hmmmm, never thought of that and thinking about it since the smoking ban in nightclubs the fog always smells a bit eggy, or that could be the clientele. Can you buy 'Eau de steam' - actually can you? I want to do something like this but I'll have to go to Maplins and just burn some liquid to get an idea of what were looking at as a smell - Oh how the Mrs will love that! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheCromptonParkinson Posted June 22, 2012 Author Share Posted June 22, 2012 Finally an update...! Moving house was really quite hard not only on me but on Stoating. Finally settled into her own room; the time finally came (with the confirmation of some pretty amazing invites to model railway exhibitions this year) to give her that all important update. We wanted to look into the shocking running qualities on the bottom level, only to find out that in the rush to built it the handmade curve and points were made to EM gauge + 1 flange width rather than OO as needed. So some serious P-way work was needed, and I'm happy to say this has finally been done. This involved unsoldering the fouling lines and moving them over and then resoldering. In order to get more trains around and out of the lower fiddle yard we moved the embankment wall back by a few milimetres. It all looks the same but it works a hell lot better! Also because of transportation restricts the layout has to fit into the old favourite, the MG ZR, so the fiddle yard has to be detachable. and we're going to make this out of wood and have it a lot better designed than previously (inc a little traverser). Which doesn't matter as during moving it became detached anyway! The bent and awkward foam board lighting rig has been removed so we can work on the layout and replace with a wooden (and much stronger) copy. Here are some photos: Chard's 14 has now arrived Track slightly skewed There is a lot more to do! Once the layout is sorted kit building can finally start! We are aiming for a job a week, so there should be me more updates, at a nicer speed. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
'CHARD Posted June 22, 2012 Share Posted June 22, 2012 Mate, where's the exile's buffers gone? She looks demented. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold adrianmc Posted June 26, 2012 RMweb Gold Share Posted June 26, 2012 Moving house was really quite hard not only on me but on Stoating. Finally settled into her own room; the time finally came (with the confirmation of some pretty amazing invites to model railway exhibitions this year) to give her that all important update. Looking forward to seeing the layout with its slight mods at Uckfield in October. RMweb exhibition thread: http://www.rmweb.co....t-october-2012/ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
'CHARD Posted June 26, 2012 Share Posted June 26, 2012 Is Stoating in storage for July 7th? Or am I going to be afforded some practice ahead of MRL? Before refreshment has been taken, obviously! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheCromptonParkinson Posted June 27, 2012 Author Share Posted June 27, 2012 Looking forward to seeing the layout with its slight mods at Uckfield in October. RMweb exhibition thread: http://www.rmweb.co....t-october-2012/ Thanks Adrian! We're looking forward to it! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheCromptonParkinson Posted June 27, 2012 Author Share Posted June 27, 2012 Is Stoating in storage for July 7th? Or am I going to be afforded some practice ahead of MRL? Before refreshment has been taken, obviously! Brother it'll be push along brio I'm afraid as Stoating under goes her B exam Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
'CHARD Posted June 27, 2012 Share Posted June 27, 2012 Brio eh! Much like the day job then... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheCromptonParkinson Posted June 28, 2012 Author Share Posted June 28, 2012 In round up, Stoating Bank has two confirmed invites for 2012, Model Rail Live at Barrow Hill 22/23 September: http://www.modelraillive.co.uk/page/?title=Layouts&pid=7 and Uckfield Model Railway Exhibtion at Uckfield Civic centre 20/21 October: http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/57103-uckfield-model-railway-exhibition-20th-21st-october-2012/ We'd like to thank both parties for inviting us, and we're looking forward to showing Stoating's changes. Please come see us, bring your industrial models for a slog up the bank, or just come and have a chat! Looking forward to a busy summer on the layout and seeing you later in the year, Updates to follow as we go on... Oly Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheCromptonParkinson Posted July 13, 2012 Author Share Posted July 13, 2012 Just a quick update, shoring up of the realigned embankment has been done with a layer of DAS modelling clay tucked into the trench that had appeared at track level. You can see in the below photo the missing bridge section, this is staying off till the new fiddleyard is built in case of any need to get in there. We made the bridge the first time without thinking about access which is why there is that section of non weathered wall where we missed! You can also see the DAS clay being used to secure the now moved bank against the embankment. This view here shows how much the wall has moved toward the right hand side of the camera, all that clay on the right is filling the gap where the wall once was! Just been playing about today with viewing angles and took these: The trees need some snow, but the canister of it ended up in the attic during the move and to get up there is a two man job! Just doing up some new telegraph poles and then we're going to give EZ Lines a go! It looks hard work! And the fencing still needs replacing, two jobs were not looking forward to! Oly Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
'CHARD Posted August 29, 2012 Share Posted August 29, 2012 Just a shameless bounce to remind casual observers that Stoating is appearing at MRL in September. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheCromptonParkinson Posted September 19, 2012 Author Share Posted September 19, 2012 There's a lot been going on with Stoating, and we hope to see you this weekend or at Uckfield! Here's a bit of a spot the difference for you! Still some touches to do tomorrow... Oly Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisM Posted October 14, 2012 Share Posted October 14, 2012 Thought it about time that this thread was given a bit of an update, what with Stoating Bank making its next exhibition outing next weekend at the Uckfield show. A lot has been happening on the layout over the past couple of months so here are a few photos showing some of the changes. The idea has been to generally improve the overall look of the layout and tidy up any bits that were rushed along to get the layout to Tonbridge in February, whilst keeping the overall appearance the same....... The area around the bothy has been tidied up and a few extra bits of detail added, while still keeping the scene fairly open and empty: At the top of the bank, a new tree has arrived to try and take the viewers eye off the hole in the backscene. A new bridge has also been built to fit the widened cutting - this has been inspired by the 1950's temporary metal structures that could be seen in various places until quite recently: To improve the layouts presentation, there is now a single frame around the scenic section to keep everything nice and uniform: Off scene, there is a new fiddle yard consisting of a 3 road sector plate for the top level and a single track for the bottom. This has replaced the original that was found to be inadequate under exhibition conditions. The lower sector plate has also been strengthened and gained a third track, as well as a more substantial bufferstop than existed before due to a few operating mishaps!!! Top: Bottom: Lastly, but not leastly, we have built a couple of stock boxes, in true Stoating style these are built massively on the cheap using some foamboard offcuts and a couple of old boxes - Total cost about £2.00!! Touch wood these will mean that stock arrives at shows the same way it was loaded and is much easier to pack and unpack, meaning we can get away from the show earlier and in the pub sooner! Loco box: Stock box: If you are coming to Uckfield, please feel free to say hello, we will be in the main hall. If you aren't coming then why not! It looks to be a cracking show! Cheers Chris (Oly is on holiday!) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisM Posted October 14, 2012 Share Posted October 14, 2012 To give an idea of some of the moves that happen on Stoating, it is probably best to step into the boots of a 1970's spotter, traveling the country to search out the last dregs of industrial steam: We arrive at Stoating early one December morning in the 1970's, having received some reliable Gen that a rare shunt will be happening at some point before lunch........ Before long the unmistakable beat of an Austerity in the crisp morning air heralds the arrival of 'Mad Dog' running up from the loco sheds light loco: Steam is soon cut off and the loco coasts to a halt clear of the Lambton style lattice post signal that protects entry to the sidings (off scene): Before long, we see 'Wizard', another Austerity, charge past the signal and up the bank propelling a mixed rake of elderly British Rail wagons: After a quick dash up the embankment to the road serving the pit head, we are just in time to see 'Wizard' drifting back downhill from the BR exchange sidings and negotiating the level crossing: Returning to our previous viewpoint a short while later, the sound of a diesel horn alerts us to the progress of this former British Rail 08 shunter, making hard work of the ascent to bank top with a rake of internal user wagons: Seeing that the 08 has slipped to a stop on the icy rails, we scramble to the top of the nearest telegraph pole, hoping for an impressive restart, but the driver has plenty of sand down and the train is soon back in motion with minimal fuss; Boring! A picture is taken for the album anyway: Soon after, an unusual sound is heard in the distance and the train we have been waiting for appears into view, a rare trip out for the works shunter, a vertical boiler Sentinel that is well past its best. The loco has run down to the pithead in order to collect a mine loco which is being returned to the sheds for overhaul. Also in tow is a former GWR toad brakevan, stripped of its brakes and now in use as a general stores van: Having got the shot we came for, and drained the last remnants from our flask of tea, we are just leaving when another diesel horn alerts us to the arrival of this former British Rail class 14, shunting 'Bonnie', who has clearly been out of steam for some time, into the siding: Packing our bags we now head off back home to warm up in front of the fire. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColinW Posted October 14, 2012 Share Posted October 14, 2012 Thought it about time that this thread was given a bit of an update, what with Stoating Bank making its next exhibition outing next weekend at the Uckfield show. A lot has been happening on the layout over the past couple of months so here are a few photos showing some of the changes. The idea has been to generally improve the overall look of the layout and tidy up any bits that were rushed along to get the layout to Tonbridge in February, whilst keeping the overall appearance the same....... The area around the bothy has been tidied up and a few extra bits of detail added, while still keeping the scene fairly open and empty: At the top of the bank, a new tree has arrived to try and take the viewers eye off the hole in the backscene. A new bridge has also been built to fit the widened cutting - this has been inspired by the 1950's temporary metal structures that could be seen in various places until quite recently: To improve the layouts presentation, there is now a single frame around the scenic section to keep everything nice and uniform: Off scene, there is a new fiddle yard consisting of a 3 road sector plate for the top level and a single track for the bottom. This has replaced the original that was found to be inadequate under exhibition conditions. The lower sector plate has also been strengthened and gained a third track, as well as a more substantial bufferstop than existed before due to a few operating mishaps!!! Top: Bottom: Lastly, but not leastly, we have built a couple of stock boxes, in true Stoating style these are built massively on the cheap using some foamboard offcuts and a couple of old boxes - Total cost about £2.00!! Touch wood these will mean that stock arrives at shows the same way it was loaded and is much easier to pack and unpack, meaning we can get away from the show earlier and in the pub sooner! Loco box: Stock box: If you are coming to Uckfield, please feel free to say hello, we will be in the main hall. If you aren't coming then why not! It looks to be a cracking show! Cheers Chris (Oly is on holiday!) Should be there to heckle (sorry support you) on the Sunday (don't know how awake I will be as working nights as well as going to Chelmsford with Avon Junction!) Don't forget to take some show flyers with you. Colin Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dseagull Posted October 18, 2012 Share Posted October 18, 2012 This really is lovely - not sure if I will make Uckfield (I'm down as a 'Maybe' on Facebook - we have football training for the boychild, a birthday party, Dorking Wanderers at home for the bigger child (me) and Hailsham Bonfire all to accomodate on Saturday, so Sunday might go down as a rest day!. Good luck anyway, it was a great show last year! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
'CHARD Posted October 18, 2012 Share Posted October 18, 2012 Beautiful, man! I can hear the thrash from here... Good to see PANDORA enjoying her sabbatical down at Stoating, she won't want to return to Canobie opencast! But poor old Bonnie, she's clearly exhausted - in need of some TLC. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium 2ManySpams Posted October 20, 2012 RMweb Premium Share Posted October 20, 2012 Nice to see you guys again at uckfield... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisM Posted October 23, 2012 Share Posted October 23, 2012 This really is lovely - not sure if I will make Uckfield (I'm down as a 'Maybe' on Facebook - we have football training for the boychild, a birthday party, Dorking Wanderers at home for the bigger child (me) and Hailsham Bonfire all to accomodate on Saturday, so Sunday might go down as a rest day!. Good luck anyway, it was a great show last year! Thanks a lot! Was indeed a good show. Beautiful, man! I can hear the thrash from here... Good to see PANDORA enjoying her sabbatical down at Stoating, she won't want to return to Canobie opencast! But poor old Bonnie, she's clearly exhausted - in need of some TLC. Pandora was put into service on Sunday, following a stern talking to from Stoating's loco superintendent after some decidedly prototype hydraulic like (read unreliable) performances during Saturday and before the show. The solid chassis of the Heljan model with no vertical movement across quite a long wheelbase was causing issues with the gradients, then she changed her mind and decided to work perfectly! Nice to see you guys again at uckfield... Nice to see you too, and to have a look at your other layout. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevinWalsh Posted October 23, 2012 Share Posted October 23, 2012 "following a stern talking to from Stoating's loco superintendent" Would that be the superintendent who's eyes on sunday resembled proverbial holes in the snow after an intake of adult fizzy on saturday night? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
moto Posted October 24, 2012 Share Posted October 24, 2012 I really must get round to sending you the video of layout plus operators as seen at Barrow Hill Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium 2ManySpams Posted October 24, 2012 RMweb Premium Share Posted October 24, 2012 Loved this... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisM Posted October 25, 2012 Share Posted October 25, 2012 "following a stern talking to from Stoating's loco superintendent" Would that be the superintendent who's eyes on sunday resembled proverbial holes in the snow after an intake of adult fizzy on saturday night? That was the Guv'nor, the superintendent stayed at the loco sheds all night cussing while hitting the engine with a large hammer until it worked! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Oldddudders Posted October 25, 2012 RMweb Gold Share Posted October 25, 2012 That was the Guv'nor, the superintendent stayed at the loco sheds all night cussing while hitting the engine with a large hammer until it worked! I believe the technical term for this is "percussive maintenance". Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold colin penfold Posted December 15, 2012 RMweb Gold Share Posted December 15, 2012 Is that you about to appear in model rail magazine? Just seen a photo on Chris Nevard's facebook page - well deserved accolade! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.