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Park Road Loft Layout


fishytrains
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  • RMweb Gold

I'm using the bubble wrap silver sided stuff from Wickes, because it is light in weight and I didn't want to increase the weight in the loft too much. It comes in rolls and just needs to be tacked in place. You can get rolls of aluminium tape to seal the joins between the separate sheets.

 

Mike

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  • RMweb Gold

After seven years of living and working outside the UK, I am now back home and so hoping I will be able to make some long needed progress on the layout. At the moment the priority has to be relaying the track so that I can get trains running again! At present there are sections of track laid, but nothing is running. Prior to returning to the UK earlier this week, I placed some large orders that will help with that process. As well as some rolling stock. Once I have moved things on a bit, I will post up some photos of progress.

 

Mike

 

 

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  • RMweb Gold

Some steady progress has been made in the possession that is currently taking place on the layout. No pictures, as currently there is nothing to show. Still sorting out the track bed and the lay of the track. I am keen to ensure it is laid correctly for smooth running, not quite managed that yet. Not easy as it is quite warm in the loft as well.

 

Mike

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  • RMweb Gold

So whilst on holiday I have had a further rethink about the layout and have decided to make it a roundy-roundy! This means that the goods yard area on the inside of the one return loop will be reduced in size and also turned into a derelict site.DF45D473-C96F-4405-8704-33BE6BB7E97C.jpeg.a7c42bfe5817ca1eb832ac16c5573f24.jpeg

The retaining wall will have to move forward to allow for the double track mainline. The fiddle yard will be accessible from both directions, meaning the loss of the other return loop, which I wasn’t so happy about.6526998C-133C-4056-B0C4-0B172343955E.jpeg.57db1d5babe37b46b3fb6a4006c79e96.jpeg

The two boards will join together with a double track. This section will be wired as a return loop. On the left of the above picture there is some track, this will be lifted and turned into a disused track bed. 

 

One further change is that I intend modelling the layout in an Autumn time period as this is a season I enjoy, but haven’t experienced for the past seven years. Not sure when progress will start what with weekends away, rugby World Cup and getting used to my new job!

 

Regards

 

Mike

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  • RMweb Gold

Finally made a start on the removal of track and the retaining wall. Slow progress as I don’t want to make a complete mess of it. ``that said, it will be great to reach a point where trains will be running again, just not going to be any time soon.

 

Mike

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  • 3 weeks later...
On ‎21‎/‎09‎/‎2019 at 21:42, fishytrains said:

Finally made a start on the removal of track and the retaining wall. Slow progress as I don’t want to make a complete mess of it. ``that said, it will be great to reach a point where trains will be running again, just not going to be any time soon.

 

Mike

Looking good Mike..

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  • 2 weeks later...
  • RMweb Gold

Further destruction deconstruction of the layout has taken place. The retaining wall around the single return loop has now gone. I have temporarily laid the double track return loop to get an idea of the further ground work that will need to take place in that area. I have also lifted the middle platforms of Lilac Grove station, as this will need repositioning in order to lay the mainline. I have also lifted the branch line tracks through the station, modifying the layout slightly. Having checked the temporary track to make sure it works, I am now in the process of relaying the track. Hopefully, I will soon  have a complete circuit once again in the not too distant future.

 

 

Once the track is down, I hope to take some photos to show the changes.

 

Regards 

 

Mike

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  • 2 months later...
  • RMweb Gold

Progress has been slow, with realigning the track, fitting point motors and rearranging the access to the fiddle yards. The last part is still ongoing, partly due to a few issues with points, which have now been sorted. 

The picture shows the realignment and simplification of the station approach. The station now needs to be rebuilt. The lines to the right are the mainline and will have OHLE installed once the track is relayed with the concrete sleepers. The track to the left is the branchline which will be the main running lines for the time being, or at least they will be once the fiddle yard is sorted out.

IMG_0399.jpeg.9240799432c8a0d598af1bd3d6d8f487.jpeg

The fencing will need to be repaired as well as a general tidy up, after some regular running, I will also be ballasting the track prior to the fixing of the OHLE in the foreground and to the right. Still a very long way to go.

There have been a few new additions to the fleet, but more of that next year.

Happy New Year to all who bother to read my ramblings.

 

Mike

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  • 1 month later...
  • RMweb Gold

Time progresses slowly with the work I have to do on the layout. Maximum of one evening a week at the moment. I have now completed the double track round to the fiddle yard, although the fiddle yard now needs to be relaid.

03941222-839A-4CB7-B452-7CBDD4C3862B.jpeg.f7f1bf262bbba91ca8952640340b1eaa.jpeg

Class 47 approaching the fiddle yard.

F6D13753-BA13-40CE-9614-07FF0E8C129B.jpeg.c677cf6082bdc5876f42a57434db1868.jpeg

Class 85 leaving with its train. Now need to decide whether or not to reinstall the retaining wall in the foreground and hide this section under a hillside. I will probably run trains for a while to make sure that it all works fine first, so that there are no derailments. Half-term at the moment, but can’t get up there as we are having the bathroom replaced!  

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  • RMweb Gold

Further progress has been made. At the moment no photos, I will take those when I get the chance. The fiddle yard tracks have been sorted. A total of 10 tracks, five in each direction. Just need to finish wiring and fixing the tracks. The approach from the opposite direction to the one shown in the photos above also needs to be sorted, which means building the bridges to ensure that the trains can pass over them without any problems. 

 

At the other end of the layout I have been laying  cable trunking to hide the signal cable. There is also a siding at Walnut Grove, which will remain in place, but will be overgrown as well! The track is weathered and ballasted. Now working out the undergrowth and how that will look. I have also painted the back scene a nice grey. As the layout is going to be set in the Autumn i felt a grey sky was more appropriate, there will be patches of blue and cloud variation as well.

 

With the current situation progress has been quicker, but at the same time I am enjoying looking and reflecting before doing each stage. From the end of next week I will officially have retired from teaching. Trying to find another job may prove more challenging than I originally thought however!

 

Keep safe

 

Mike

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9 hours ago, fishytrains said:

Further progress has been made. At the moment no photos, I will take those when I get the chance. The fiddle yard tracks have been sorted. A total of 10 tracks, five in each direction. Just need to finish wiring and fixing the tracks. The approach from the opposite direction to the one shown in the photos above also needs to be sorted, which means building the bridges to ensure that the trains can pass over them without any problems. 

 

At the other end of the layout I have been laying  cable trunking to hide the signal cable. There is also a siding at Walnut Grove, which will remain in place, but will be overgrown as well! The track is weathered and ballasted. Now working out the undergrowth and how that will look. I have also painted the back scene a nice grey. As the layout is going to be set in the Autumn i felt a grey sky was more appropriate, there will be patches of blue and cloud variation as well.

 

With the current situation progress has been quicker, but at the same time I am enjoying looking and reflecting before doing each stage. From the end of next week I will officially have retired from teaching. Trying to find another job may prove more challenging than I originally thought however!

 

Keep safe

 

Mike

Sounds good Mike my frend...

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  • RMweb Gold

Further progress. I have shot a short video following (badly)  a Class 105 round the branch line, from Walnut Grove station, to Digby Fen, then through the fiddle yard, Lilac Grove station and back to Walnut Grove. Apologies for the poor camera stability and the mess around the rest of the layout.

 

 

At some point I will take photos and upload these, whilst also continuing to make further additions to the layout.

 

Keep safe

 

Mike

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On ‎05‎/‎04‎/‎2020 at 18:52, fishytrains said:

Further progress. I have shot a short video following (badly)  a Class 105 round the branch line, from Walnut Grove station, to Digby Fen, then through the fiddle yard, Lilac Grove station and back to Walnut Grove. Apologies for the poor camera stability and the mess around the rest of the layout.

 

 

At some point I will take photos and upload these, whilst also continuing to make further additions to the layout.

 

Keep safe

 

Mike

Nice little video here mike...

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  • RMweb Gold

More work done. Both tracks of the branch line are now running. A lot of testing needs to be done before I will be completely happy. I have been interspersing track laying and wiring with some scenic work. The three photos show a corner of the layout behind Walnut Grove station, with a siding, which will be used to store some wagons - mostly Bachmann collectors club models, which are not appropriate for running on the track, but can be used as a preservation 4A9434AF-2E18-4CF5-8941-1BCFF9BC2996.jpeg.c383ccc6a390fb755868e7233b147d73.jpeg

2A4BF709-4C20-4481-A4EA-F853CC2FDAC0.jpeg.9528f406a14b71fd5afd9db58a35fcc6.jpeg

B79448F8-7D65-4BD7-AA4D-27CF14FFFCA8.jpeg.88c7d1f78cc2c768ba9bb17bb487bae1.jpeg

There is a newly laid base layer of scatter material, which will have longer static grass added to it over the coming days. 

You can also see the cable trunking, which doesn’t look great, but once the track is ballasted, the worst of it will be hidden!

The backscene is an attempt at hand painting the sky, with card covered in different types of scatter material to give the impression of fields. I am only looking at the overall impression, not an artistic masterpiece!

 

Keep safe

 

Mike

 

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4 hours ago, fishytrains said:

More work done. Both tracks of the branch line are now running. A lot of testing needs to be done before I will be completely happy. I have been interspersing track laying and wiring with some scenic work. The three photos show a corner of the layout behind Walnut Grove station, with a siding, which will be used to store some wagons - mostly Bachmann collectors club models, which are not appropriate for running on the track, but can be used as a preservation 4A9434AF-2E18-4CF5-8941-1BCFF9BC2996.jpeg.c383ccc6a390fb755868e7233b147d73.jpeg

2A4BF709-4C20-4481-A4EA-F853CC2FDAC0.jpeg.9528f406a14b71fd5afd9db58a35fcc6.jpeg

B79448F8-7D65-4BD7-AA4D-27CF14FFFCA8.jpeg.88c7d1f78cc2c768ba9bb17bb487bae1.jpeg

There is a newly laid base layer of scatter material, which will have longer static grass added to it over the coming days. 

You can also see the cable trunking, which doesn’t look great, but once the track is ballasted, the worst of it will be hidden!

The backscene is an attempt at hand painting the sky, with card covered in different types of scatter material to give the impression of fields. I am only looking at the overall impression, not an artistic masterpiece!

 

Keep safe

 

Mike

 

Nice updates here again Mike,ive started progress thread on my new depot colmore and flask depot too..

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  • RMweb Gold

Further layers of static grass added. I will leave this area for a while now, just to be sure it feels right!

5B42E425-6B33-414B-8218-B6380D79CB25.jpeg.37ff0ab1473cc188d4b353368d20fd69.jpeg

1BBB44AF-F293-40D6-BE6E-4DE2F113F613.jpeg.e702cbdd142c0444392ae7c8ab71361c.jpeg

17546D42-16BF-4C0A-AAF5-05317EA24FCF.jpeg.3be8301bd44ada8fe8e9dd3d8d6121ae.jpeg

8295D3B9-D724-4133-BE7D-3596397B669A.jpeg.bf1717eba12d4fdf4a4849d665b6e332.jpeg

One final one taken through the bridge arches for the mainline. The only snag is this view would not be possible if the mainline was built as originally intended. Fortunately it is not so making sure there is an arch here is now possible.BD455052-D68D-494B-AA1E-A8E0041E345F.jpeg.1a67a186aeece635123059076dde120a.jpeg

 

Still lots to do, but with time to do it!

 

Mike

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10 hours ago, fishytrains said:

Further layers of static grass added. I will leave this area for a while now, just to be sure it feels right!

5B42E425-6B33-414B-8218-B6380D79CB25.jpeg.37ff0ab1473cc188d4b353368d20fd69.jpeg

1BBB44AF-F293-40D6-BE6E-4DE2F113F613.jpeg.e702cbdd142c0444392ae7c8ab71361c.jpeg

17546D42-16BF-4C0A-AAF5-05317EA24FCF.jpeg.3be8301bd44ada8fe8e9dd3d8d6121ae.jpeg

8295D3B9-D724-4133-BE7D-3596397B669A.jpeg.bf1717eba12d4fdf4a4849d665b6e332.jpeg

One final one taken through the bridge arches for the mainline. The only snag is this view would not be possible if the mainline was built as originally intended. Fortunately it is not so making sure there is an arch here is now possible.BD455052-D68D-494B-AA1E-A8E0041E345F.jpeg.1a67a186aeece635123059076dde120a.jpeg

 

Still lots to do, but with time to do it!

 

Mike

Looks nice again mike:good:

What make of grass you using by the way??

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  • RMweb Gold
13 hours ago, saxokid said:

Looks nice again mike:good:

What make of grass you using by the way??

 Neil,

 

I’m using War World Scenics. I came across them at the Peterborough Show. They work on a base layer, then you build extra layers of 2mm, 4mm and 6mm on top of that. I’m really pleased with the effect.

Latest picture, with the wagons in place.

25C78066-0030-4E31-8D75-3389141B6E93.jpeg.b29e2050523aa351634883c87b7ae717.jpeg

 

Mike

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12 hours ago, fishytrains said:

 Neil,

 

I’m using War World Scenics. I came across them at the Peterborough Show. They work on a base layer, then you build extra layers of 2mm, 4mm and 6mm on top of that. I’m really pleased with the effect.

Latest picture, with the wagons in place.

25C78066-0030-4E31-8D75-3389141B6E93.jpeg.b29e2050523aa351634883c87b7ae717.jpeg

 

Mike

They look great Mike,im using NOCH static grass but its expensive..

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  • RMweb Gold

Niece, their website is well worth a look. I ordered four different lots of 500ml of static grass and it was delivered in a couple of days.

 

No further progress, just had a couple of days running trains. One problem area of track to sort out, possibly some others.

 

Mike

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  • 2 weeks later...
  • RMweb Gold

A bit of track relayed to impoverished the access to Walnut Grove station. The surroundings to the station I am now  working on.

F1E9EC24-22E5-4C94-8969-E70B70406C29.jpeg.f0c814393a5213f3b1447b0074c1c069.jpeg

 

A view under the mainline showing the cottages in place near the station.

 

AA78013D-0F03-4A55-9B25-7FC2BB219D1E.jpeg.84253b6bf75aacd823d6ac1895dcd5ff.jpeg

More of the sky has been painted and the area behind the station car  park developed further.

65069EE0-350A-4F14-B673-7792DF59E3FE.jpeg.17caa36e8d8ba9d39f24991186345f82.jpeg

The view showing the road leaving the station with the cottages in place.

 

Still working on this area. Laying more grass. 

 

The bridges leading into the fiddle yard have also been built and I am starting to bed them, but more work to be done here yet.

 

Mike

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  • RMweb Gold

A little more progress over the last couple of days. The main task yesterday was fixing a Berko platform signal, as well as refitting the Lilac Grove platform 4. This has also had a little scenery added, as shown in the photo below.

EEEE4C49-C7D0-4F5F-8B19-2428A07F5021.jpeg.4d906cac30042a888ef0c7d97043feac.jpeg

 

Mike

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  • 2 weeks later...
  • RMweb Gold

After some time running trains round the layout, i found a section where most trains were derailing. The problem was a point, so I removed the point as it wasn't totally necessary. Modified layout for Walnut Grove shown below.

IMG_0486.jpeg.d759f73d9e4687af2da497c8f7d87933.jpeg

Before the change.

IMG_0510.jpeg.5295c2e0c0f18bbae9455fa3281c990a.jpeg

After the change.

 

I have also been working on the mainline section in the Lilac Grove station, as well as where it meets the branchline at Digby Junction. As well as laying more cable trunking and fitting signals. 

 

I am continuing to work slowly and steadily. So more updates as and when.

 

Mike

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