Popular Post andy stroud Posted February 17, 2014 Popular Post Share Posted February 17, 2014 (edited) Hello everyone. This thread is about my current model railway project which I am working on. It is an N gauge layout based on a completely fictitious location somewhere on the main line in Devon during the 1970's and early 1980's. The overall size of the layout is going to be 14 feet by about 4.5 feet but the scenic section is ten feet in length by eighteen inches and simply features a double track line passing through, together with one end of an ‘up goods loop’ and an engineers or refuge siding on the ‘down’ line. The only other pointwork on the scenic section is a trailing crossover. The layout is intended as a ‘watch the trains go by’ layout with trains generally running in fixed formations with permanent close couplings. A few magnets have been laid under the track in strategic places to facilitate some very limited shunting in the future. This is my first venture at this scale, having previously modelled in 4mm. I think it’s still an experiment for me, the reason being the desire for longer trains in a spacious environment. Well, that’s the theory!The trackwork is Easitrack from the 2mm Society and the pointwork has been built in copperclad to N gauge. This picture was taken out in the garden last October while I was spraying the track and gives an idea of the kind of feel that I have in mind for the layout. This is a plan of the scenic section of the layout, built on two baseboards of 5feet by 18inches. These next two pictures were taken last week and show the current status of the layout. I have always fancied the idea of trains emerging from a tunnel and passing almost immediately over a fairly large viaduct. The tunnel mouth itself is about six inches in from the end of the scenic section. Looking in the other direction, towards the station area. The platforms will actually be quite short. Probably just dmu's stopping. The main running lines are in the centre of the picture and in the background is the goods loop which passes behind the station but without a platform face. Many thanks for looking. Will post a bit more if people are interested. Edited March 23, 2017 by andy stroud 50 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold PjKing1 Posted February 17, 2014 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 17, 2014 Great looking layout, keep the updates coming! Paul Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Joseph_Pestell Posted February 17, 2014 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 17, 2014 Really good to see another N Gauge layout with decent trackwork. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rods_of_Revolution Posted February 17, 2014 Share Posted February 17, 2014 The trackwork flows nicely! I look forward to updates! Cheers, Jack Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy stroud Posted February 17, 2014 Author Share Posted February 17, 2014 (edited) The trackwork flows nicely! I look forward to updates! Cheers, Jack This picture shows most of the pointwork on the layout, taken while the track was being ballasted. All the points are on the same baseboard. The main running lines are through the middle of the picture while the track on the right is a refuge or engineers siding. The goods loop is along the back. Edited February 17, 2014 by andy stroud 17 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy stroud Posted February 17, 2014 Author Share Posted February 17, 2014 These next two pictures show the two structures being used for the scenic breaks. The first one below is the overbridge used at the station end of the layout. The model is roughly based upon the one that used to exist at Churston, before being replaced by a concrete one. On the real one, the Brixham branch passed through the smaller arch on the right. On my layout, this arch is for the goods loop, which runs behind the station platforms. The other structure at the other end of the scenic section is this tunnel mouth, based upon Somerton Tunnel. I have a book called Western Glory by Chris Chapman which contains a lovely colour picture of a Western emerging from this tunnel. 14 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest bri.s Posted February 17, 2014 Share Posted February 17, 2014 Awesome modelling ,will be watching with interest . Brian Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post andy stroud Posted February 18, 2014 Author Popular Post Share Posted February 18, 2014 (edited) Another structure for the layout. Based on the footbridge at Bodmin Road, although I've added a second staircase to one side of the bridge. I'm quite pleased with this one although maybe the window bars are a little on the thick side. They are 0.3 microstrip and I don't think you can get any smaller. It's an area where I need to investigate other methods, I think. Edited February 18, 2014 by andy stroud 20 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
treggyman Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 Hi Some superb modelling.....especially the footbridge...... Not into N gauge myself but this looks really good & I will be following with interest Cheers Bill Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold TomE Posted February 19, 2014 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 19, 2014 Fantastic stuff Andy! Lovely trackwork, and that foot bridge is brilliant! If you have some plastic sprue laying around you could always stretch some out over a candle to get strip thinner than 0.3mm. It can be tricky to get consistent sizes though if you need large amounts but its worked for me in the past. Tom. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy stroud Posted February 19, 2014 Author Share Posted February 19, 2014 Thanks for that, Tom. I might give that a try when doing windows for some of the buildings I am planning. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southernboy Posted February 20, 2014 Share Posted February 20, 2014 Magnificent: Lovely flowing trackwork / scenic contours - and the viaduct / bridge / tunnel / and particularly the footbridge are exquisite - and all the more impressive for this being your first N gauge adventure. You mentioned investigating further window bars (like on the footbridge) - I believe Microstrip is available as fine as .010 x .025, but may be very fiddly to work with. Adapting N or 00 gauge etched industrial windows may be an option another time? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
-missy- Posted February 20, 2014 Share Posted February 20, 2014 As others have said, this is the makings of a superb N Gauge layout Andy. Top modelling, that foot bridge looks amazing. Missy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Joseph_Pestell Posted February 20, 2014 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 20, 2014 Do hope that you don't get any problems with that chipboard. Might be an idea to seal it before any wet ballasting. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
37114 Posted February 24, 2014 Share Posted February 24, 2014 Lovely modelling Andy, when I first saw the first picture I thought it was 4mm, it looked that good. Will watch with interest. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bridgiesimon Posted March 5, 2014 Share Posted March 5, 2014 This is looking superb, I am looking forward to reading about the development, it is great to see another high quality N gauge project around. best wishes Simon Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shanks522 Posted March 5, 2014 Share Posted March 5, 2014 Very nice flowing trackwork as others have said, and that footbridge, WOW, suberb modelling! Graham. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post andy stroud Posted March 24, 2014 Author Popular Post Share Posted March 24, 2014 Thanks guys for the kind comments above and here are a few more pictures showing latest developments. There has now been some basic landscaping which seems to have completely changed the appearance of the layout. Hopefully soon a nice long rake of clayhoods will be emerging from the tunnel and trundling over the viaduct behind a 37 or a 50 or 25 or a western! Roughly where the reel of packing tape is, I am planning some sort of castle/folly building on the hillside. I have used sheets of expanded polystyrene to form the landscape. Glued with PVA and then when dry it is easily carved roughly to shape simple with a bread knife. What I like about this method is that it is easy to add or remove bits subsequently. Once the basic shape is formed, then the polyfiller goes on. 22 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hymek2 Posted March 24, 2014 Share Posted March 24, 2014 It's amazing the standards and quality being achieved in N/2mm these days. Fantastic progress. I will be watching updates with interest. Could you tell me what you used for window glazing for the footbridge and what adhesive to stick on the glazing bars. Did you get any "clouding" from the glue on the "glass"? Thanks Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy stroud Posted March 24, 2014 Author Share Posted March 24, 2014 (edited) It's amazing the standards and quality being achieved in N/2mm these days. Fantastic progress. I will be watching updates with interest. Could you tell me what you used for window glazing for the footbridge and what adhesive to stick on the glazing bars. Did you get any "clouding" from the glue on the "glass"? Thanks The whole of the main body of the bridge was made of clear plastic sheet. I did it that way to help make the structure stronger. The 'wooden' panelling (below the windows) was glued on over the top. In the past, I have constructed signal boxes using the same method. I only used normal liquid glue that one uses for pasticard. I use 'Contacta' by Revell. sold in little blue bottles with a yellow end. The glazing bars were held in twizers, dipped in a drop of glue and then applied to the window area. No clouding as such although you can see glue marks on close examination of the model. So don't look too closely! Edited March 24, 2014 by andy stroud Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hymek2 Posted March 24, 2014 Share Posted March 24, 2014 The whole of the main body of the bridge was made of clear plastic sheet. I did it that way to help make the structure stronger. The 'wooden' panelling (below the windows) was glued on over the top. In the past, I have constructed signal boxes using the same method. I only used normal liquid glue that one uses for pasticard. I use 'Contacta' by Revell. sold in little blue bottles with a yellow end. The glazing bars were held in twizers, dipped in a drop of glue and then applied to the window area. No clouding as such although you can see glue marks on close examination of the model. So don't look too closely! Hadn't thought of dipping them in glue then putting them on.... Another method to try. Thanks. By the way I did look closely by zooming in on the picture on my ipad. Still looks amazing. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold bcnPete Posted March 25, 2014 RMweb Gold Share Posted March 25, 2014 Was a big fan of Oldshaw so am looking forward to this Andy. Staying tuned... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium maq1988 Posted March 25, 2014 RMweb Premium Share Posted March 25, 2014 (edited) Great stuff. The viaduct is impressive along with the track work. 10ft in N looks huge. Are the china clay wagons the ones from Kernow? Edited March 25, 2014 by maq1988 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy stroud Posted March 26, 2014 Author Share Posted March 26, 2014 (edited) Are the china clay wagons the ones from Kernow? The clayhoods are body kits from Parkwood running on modified Farish16ton mineral underframes. I have done 21 of them and intend to do a few more. This time i might use the Kernow ones for the chassis, but replace the bodies with Parkwood ones as I prefer the plank detail on these. Edited March 26, 2014 by andy stroud Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
citadel12003 Posted March 26, 2014 Share Posted March 26, 2014 Hi Andy, Very nice simple design, quality workmanship, has the potential to be stunning when you get the scenery done. I presume it will be a roundy-roundy... What sort of era are you contemplating? I went back to 4mm a few years ago (got a bigger shed in the garden and was fed up waiting for N Gauge to make progress under "Bachfar"). If ever i was to think about returning to 2mm, it would have to be 2mmFS. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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