Paisley St James Spaghetti, new shoots

[Ian Smeeton]

Work paused on the station building before frustration set in and the Carpet Monster got a meal.

 

The signal box is the next building on the horizon.

 

2mm mount board carcase, clear plastic packaging and white labels cut to represent windows, frames & glazing bars.

 

Hipped roof still to do, along with Locking Room windows, and a staircase consisting of 36 steps, 2 landings & a right angled turn.

 

Volunteers for the last bit?

 

The glazing leaves a very open impression of the interior, so I think that I will have to at least do a representation of the frame, stove & block shelf.

 

 

Doesn't look very Caledonian yet, but brackets for the top of the windows are next followed by the hipped roof and lobby/privy

 

Not sure about the brickwork.

 

I may do that again.

 

Regards

 

Ian

[Ian Smeeton]

Jibbed out of the brackets above the windows, for now at least.

Hipped roof now complete, except for finials (if any) and chimney/stovepipe.
 

2006_0101Workshop0015.JPG (108.97 KiB) Not viewed yet

I was not planning to do an interior, but all that visible wide open space in there was crying out for something.
 

2006_0101Workshop0011A.JPG (89.26 KiB) Not viewed yet

A lever frame, at least.

I did a back of the envelope calculation, and reckoned about 42 levers, plus spares, so perhaps 48 levers.

At least that was the plan.
 

2006_0101Workshop0013.JPG (98.87 KiB) Not viewed yet

However materials to hand, steadiness of said hand, and maximum magnification on head meant that I could only squeeze 36 levers in to the space available.
 

2006_0101Workshop0017.JPG (94.67 KiB) Not viewed yet

In my defence, the box will face away from the viewing public, so unless they are wielding dental mirrors, I might get away with it. (Maybe)

Stil to even up the levers, paint the frame, then pick out the levers, themselves in various colours. I should really put the Signalling diagram in the box, too, shouldn't I?

Comments?

Regards

Ian

[CF MRC]

There are two chaps with dental mirrors out there, so beware!

 

Tim

[Caley Jim]

There are two chaps with dental mirrors out there, so beware!

One of whom has had first hand experience of the interior of a CR box! :-)

 

Jim

[PjKing1]

Some nice modelling here Ian

 

Cheers

[Ian Smeeton]

Bullets have been bitten, and the resulting shards of gnashers suitably spat out.
I had planned on waiting for production to re-start on PCB Crossing timbers from the 2mmFS Soc before continuing with track laying, but as time has dragged on, and there is no sign of new stock, I thought that I would crack on with what I've got.
I have started to lay out the plain track sections with PCB sleepers. I did not want to lay all the plain track and then do the points, as I would like to have the flexibility to carry the point rails on towards the plain track sections, but needs must when the Devil drives.
I do have some Easitrack, but the difference in height betweeen the PCB points and plain easitrack has pushed me toweards all PCB on the main board with the majority of the points.
 

stock 1.jpg (69.63 KiB) Not viewed yet

Just posed some (unconverted) stock for effect. Your imagination will have to be in overdrive, here.

The signal box has taken a step or two forward.
 

PSJ Box Frame Locking Rm.JPG (105.23 KiB) Not viewed yet

The roof has been making progress. It is seen here balanced on the main structure.
Similarly, the frame is in the box, but unpainted, as yet. Not sure how much extra detail to add at the moment.
Bricked-up locking room windows have been added, but I think that I will have to have another go at these as I am not happy yet.

(Copied from the original on the CRA Association forum)

Many thanks for all the input.

Regards

Ian

[nick_bastable]

if you use the Versaline plain etches under pcb they match up with the easitrac failing that skim the pcb to height with thin card

 

Nick

[Caley Jim]

One of whom has had first hand experience of the interior of a CR box! :-)

Sorry to perhaps be a little late with this, had to hunt for the photos.

 

This is my take on the interior of a Caley box.  The model is of Haughhead Junction box and the interior is based on my memories of 'working' Greenfoot box as a teenager.  All built instyrene. 

 

 

Sorry for the poor b&w photos, but the model was built some 45 years ago.  It's still extant on Connerburn, but the layout is packed away in the garage and not readily accessible for taking new photos.

 

Jim

[Ian Smeeton]

Signal box currently stalled, awaiting further research on the innards, and the purchase of some paints.

 

Attention turned to the Up station building.

 

I have had two attempts at this, so far, and only had to scrap 1 and a half!

 

The front wall was bothering me, as using 1mm mountboard, the reveals would have been too deep for the windows, and perhaps the doors, too, so I decided on a rebuild.

 

Looking at the photos (sorry, not mine to share) which were sent through to me by the CRA, I had had the impression that the windows were fixed, with perhaps a 3:1 ratio of lower to upper windows.

 

Wrong.

 

LMS Architecture by Anderson & Fox has a rather nice drawing of a typical Caley Southern Area wooden building

 

Examination of the drawing showed that the windows were almost 8' in height, and split vertically 50:50.

 

Not only that, they were carved into a 'Gothic Arch'

 

Back to the drawing board.

 

I had carved up a back brace of mount board, which had to be carved further to accommodate the new window height.

 

The next stage was to take some clear plastic glazing (packaging of some sort), and after cutting to size, covering with my preferred brand of sticky labels.

 

The windows were then marked out in the correct position with a rough guide to the glazing bars.

 

Double magnification, three pints of Marstons Pedigree to steady the hand, and three triple espressos to cure the multiple images, two new scalpel blades (don't ask) and see for yourselves (if still interested)

 

 

Glazing in the raw

 

 

(Very) roughly posed with part of the roof.

 

Regards,

 

Ian

Edit: Copied across to the CRA Forum.

Edited June 11, 2017 by Ian Smeeton

[Ian Smeeton]

pS,

 

Sorry Jim,

 

For some reason I neglected to reply to your last post.

 

Smashing innards to the box.

 

There is no way I will come close to that, and am almost ashamed to be posting my efforts.

 

My hat is off to you.

 

Regards

 

Ian

[Ian Smeeton]

Work progresses in fits & starts.

 

The Diamond at the centre of the formation at St James has been on the workbench.

 

I started with it on the main board, but 1st & 2nd attempts were nbowhere near usable.

 

New Templot template produced, a suitable piece of flat timber, some double sided tape and your Father's sister's husband has been identified.

 

Stick down the copperclad timbers and crack on.

 

 

I did take a couple of progress shots earlier, but for whatever reason, I cannot get them to download.

 

Work ceased for the evening at this stage, check rails still to do, then the earlier attempt will be cut from the main board & the new one slipped in.

 

Reasonable happy with this attempt. Still a littke filing to do and the lkeft hand exit track needs realigning slightly. A 4 wheel wagon was propelled by hand with no derailments, so despite the rough soldering, all seems to be well.

 

In Other News

 

Browsing the NLS website the other day, I found that 1:1250 Maps from the 60's have been scanned. Great for detail, but it has introduced a scissors crossing that did not appear on earlier maps.

 

See here: http://maps.nls.uk/view/130368058

 

Oh dear, or similar sentiments.

 

Now where did I leave the drawing board?

 

Regards

 

Ian

PS Copied across to the CRA forum

[Ian Smeeton]

Paisley St James has been scrapped.

Don't panic yet though, because a new and improved model will rise from the remains.

As noted above in my last post, new maps have come to light, which, as they said about the Universal Remote, changes everything.

I have settled on the 1949 map, as most closely matching my time frame.

That, and the Masochist in me fancies a scissors crossing in 2mm FS. I must be mad.

It does mean a bit more research, as the only signalling diagrams that I have seen, are from 1895 and 1909, so if anyone has any more recent info, it would be much appreciated.

Wood has just arrived, courtesey of Hunt & Swain of Melton Mowbray. Very pleased with the cuts as specified from non-stock items. All completed on time as promised and very good value. If you are within striking distance of Melton, I would recommend them. (no connection except as a VERY satisfied customer.)

 

Construction already started on the three scenic boards and the three Fiddle Yard boards

 

The scenic section will now be 12' by 3', with a 12' x 2' Fiddle yard at the rear forming a roundy-roundy.

 

Curved end boards will be built a little later.

 

Map:

 

New Templot plan done to place the maximum number of points on the central board.

 

PSJ Central Board.box

 

I have managed to get most elements on here, but shortened slightly from scale while still keeping the track plan as per the map.

 

Back to the construction site now.

 

Regards

 

Ian

[nick_bastable]

there is no shocked emoji 

 

I feel sure having done this myself it is the correct move

 

look forward to developments

 

Nick

[£1.38]

I can see a few problems with that plot Ian, including a 12" curve and some track that doesn't line up properly. Suggest you take another look at it before you go much further

[Ian Smeeton]

I found the curve that you mentioned.

 

I had been trying to keep to 1:6 crossings as far as possible, but as that particular point was already on a curve, the inner radius became too tight.

 

I have eased it to a 1:8 crossing which has brought the radius out to 17.1"

 

The scissors is proving diffiult to draw up, I have to admit, and I have still to convert the diamond crossing at the bottom left to a single slip.

[£1.38]

Sorry Ian, I am trying to be helpful, but there are several other problems with the diagram - like the main lines are way too far apart for a prototypical railway and not parallel.

 

To create two parallel tracks, create the first track and then use the tools/ make parallel track (either turnout or main side). You can alter the distance settings for sidings etc. but the standard setting is usually ok for main lines.

[£1.38]

For the scissors crossing, I would start by drawing 2 tracks parallel and the correct distance apart - important to set the correct distance apart first (Tools/adjacent track centres) before you add the second track. Then add a turnout to one of the tracks (template/insert turnout) and adjust the turnout size/position to suit. Then tools/ make ordinary crossover adds a turnout on the opposite track. Repeat that for the other crossover. You can curve the turnouts on the right to better suit the map after you have drawn them.

 

If the tracks aren't at all parallel, you have to do the crossovers manually, but best to start with the 2 running lines and adding turnouts to them. I am guessing you know how to split the track once you have created a turnout, so you can create the next one. I also guess you have sussed how to do a diamond crossing, which you need to finish the scissors off.

 

You then need to tidy things up by shortening or deleting and plain track under the turnouts and the diamond etc.

 

Much easier to do than to explain.

[Caley Jim]

Hi Ian. Sorry to see that you've had to go back to square one, but you'll have learned a lot along the way. I'm on holiday at the moment with only my phone and tablet, so can't view the Templot file, but £1.38 has given you plenty tips. One thing that always jars for me on N-gauge layouts is the over-wide 6ft way.

 

Jim

[Ian Smeeton]

Thanks to both the above for the support and the Templot Tutorial.

 

Baseboards are now under construction, with templot sessions limited only by weather and sobriety.

 

Onwards, ever onwards

 

Regards

 

Ian

[nick_bastable]

Thanks to both the above for the support and the Templot Tutorial.

 

Baseboards are now under construction, with templot sessions limited only by weather and sobriety.

 

Onwards, ever onwards

 

Regards

 

Ian

good priority's drink first everything else secondary

 

Nick

[Ian Smeeton]

Beer in hand, and Templot loading.

 

Lets have another go!

 

Regards

 

Ian

[Ian Smeeton]

Well it has taken a while to post an update.

My (very) basic carpentry skills were tested to destruction witn all that beautiful timber from Hunt & Swain.

None was wasted, however, I have run short for the last board. Time and cash mean that there will be a slight delay, and as the final board is the one with all the points for the station throat on it, work on the main scenic side is at a standstill.

On stead, the fiddle yards have been taking shape. Partially because of the timber shortage, but also so that I can sharpen my track building skills on an area out of public view.

I may well take one of the boards to the 2mm North Mercia area group meeting on Sunday for (helpful) criticism.

In other news, in one of my periodic online searches for photos, I came across this:

http://gpgrailway.livejournal.com/299.html

I wonder how many of the assembled photographers are still around with their caches of unpublished photos?

Regards

Ian

[Ian Smeeton]

Just to prove that I have not been totally idle!

 

 

First steps on one end of the fiddle yard a few weeks ago

 

 

End-on view of 2 of the 3 fiddle yard boards.

 

There is an urge to add a fiddle stick with a hump at the far end to see if hump shunting is possible in 2FS

 

The third board is at about the same stage as the far end board, with most rails laid, but points to be completed with closure rails, and then the curved stock rails to be gauged from the curved closure rails.

 

More legs to be built, too.

 

Onwards & Upwards

 

Regards

 

Ian

[Ian Smeeton]

Now Idle.

 

I have run out of rails and am waiting for a delivery from Shop 1 of the 2mm FS Society.

 

Never mind, research, now.

 

I have found the Transport Treasury website. I have subsequently lost many hours of my life!

 

At least, there are some results to show for the lost hours.

 

https://goo.gl/nPzXUf

 

https://goo.gl/gD9w8j

Lets see if this link works.

 

Regards

 

Ian

Edited to replace links

Edited October 15, 2017 by Ian Smeeton

[Caley Jim]

<a href="http://thetransporttreasury.zenfolio.com/p727104855/e92f6ce14"title="NF28-12"><img src="http://thetransporttreasury.zenfolio.com/img/s12/v183/p2465648148-2.jpg" width="265" height="400" alt="The Transport Treasury: GNSRA (N Forrest & S Murdoch) &emdash; NF28-12" /></a>

 

Lets see if this link works.

Hi Ian,

 

First link worked and took me to the photo plus a slideshow along the bottom of the page.  Second link failed, but if I stripped out the src= bit it took me to the photo, but without the slide show.

 

Jim