shanks522 Posted May 10, 2014 Share Posted May 10, 2014 Hello all, I'm just dipping my toes into the world of DCC in N gauge and fancied a new challenge so i've decided to build a small shunting layout. The plan i have is flexible at the moment and ideally i don't want the baseboard much bigger than 5x1 but if it needs to be larger its not a problem, I've been looking at photos on the web and i'm quite interested by Marcroft engineering at Stoke, What i particularly like is the large repair shed, nice and tall which will be ideal as a scenic break. Horseley fields steel shed is also good inspiration with its operating doors, something which i'd like to incorporate on this. At the back of the layout will be a raised double track mainline, It will run on DC and i will be using a shuttle unit to keep units/locos running back and forth. The lower section will be DCC and all the trackwork will be code 55, At the moment i'm not pinning the layout down to a particular region so i've got plenty of options rolling stock wise. Most of the track and DCC equipment has been ordered so i just need to get on and build the baseboard. This is roughly what i'm aiming for although it may change! Cheers Graham. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hmrspaul Posted May 11, 2014 Share Posted May 11, 2014 As a modeller of a wagon works I think your ideas are good. They are a very useful way of showing lots of individual items, which more normally work in blocks of tens or more. There is no need to go for something as boring as the Stoke sheds, http://paulbartlett.zenfolio.com/marcroftsstoke . The York wagon repair works are in full working order at the moment (for Freightliner) but in a building that well illustrates its NER origins. http://paulbartlett.zenfolio.com/yorkwagonworks I've got quite a lot of photos taken at such works dotted around my site - Bristol Barton - another attractive old building, with two rather different buildings alongside one another. http://paulbartlett.zenfolio.com/bartoncandw Radstock Marcrofts http://paulbartlett.zenfolio.com/marcroftsradstock Swansea Marcrofts http://paulbartlett.zenfolio.com/marcroftlocos Burry Port Marcrofts http://paulbartlett.zenfolio.com/marcroftburry Gloucester http://paulbartlett.zenfolio.com/procorgloucester South Staffs, Tipton http://paulbartlett.zenfolio.com/southstaffsworks Standard Wagon, Reddish http://paulbartlett.zenfolio.com/standardreddish Standard Wagon, Heywood http://paulbartlett.zenfolio.com/standardheywood Ripple Lane http://paulbartlett.zenfolio.com/ripplecw Chas Roberts http://paulbartlett.zenfolio.com/crbombardier Burton http://paulbartlett.zenfolio.com/burtoncw Carlilse http://paulbartlett.zenfolio.com/carlilsecurrock and there are more... Paul Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shreives Posted May 11, 2014 Share Posted May 11, 2014 Another great layout idea there graham will be interesting to see it come together Stuart Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shanks522 Posted May 11, 2014 Author Share Posted May 11, 2014 Hi Paul, Thanks for all the links, all extremely helpful! Hi Stuart, Should be a fun little project to keep me amused. Cheers Graham. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shanks522 Posted May 13, 2014 Author Share Posted May 13, 2014 Hello all, Small update, Most of the track and DCC equipment arrived today and this evening i started on a few idea's i have. The upper level of mainline is just a glorified loop and will use a shuttle system from heathcote electronics, i want the units/loco's to run right direction so need to change the points at opposite ends but i also want to keep things simple, rather than fit two motors plus associated wiring what i have done is remove the centre spring from a setrack point then attach on the board a very small spring next to the point to keep the blades set in one direction, there is just about enough give to allow un-weighted vehicles through without derailment, testing was done with a Farish 66 and Dapol snowploughs, I was going to video it but as usual the camera is dead! hopefully i'l upload some photo's tomorrow. Graham. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steadfast Posted May 13, 2014 Share Posted May 13, 2014 Interest layout plan Graham! Wagon repair sites provide Plenty of inspiration to fans of modern rolling stock but not the space to run block rakes, which was exactly my reasoning behind going for a wagon repair yard with Stuarts Lane. It'll be interesting to see yours progress, as a contrast to the single road tin shack on mine like at Westbury or Tees Yard! jo Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shanks522 Posted May 17, 2014 Author Share Posted May 17, 2014 Hello all, Nice sunny day in kent so i've spent most of it inside my workshop! Heres why, Started off with plain sheet of 9 mm ply. Then turned it into a skateboard ramp. Here she is right way up, i've still got a bit to do like the facia and end panels etc, hopefully i'l get it done tomorrow. Cheers Graham. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobster Posted May 17, 2014 Share Posted May 17, 2014 Nice bit of woodwork there Graham. Cheers, Bob. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Todd Posted May 17, 2014 Share Posted May 17, 2014 Different, to say the least...........neat.......... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
David41283 Posted May 18, 2014 Share Posted May 18, 2014 That's a lot neater than my multi-level effort! Behind the scenes on mine you can see all the packing to get the layers level, and clearances are so tight anything with a pantograph is banned! I have had to ban spirit levels and watch where I park free running wagons!! Lovely woodwork. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shanks522 Posted May 18, 2014 Author Share Posted May 18, 2014 Hello all, Thankyou for the comments. I've had yet another productive day, the baseboard is now complete with front facia and detachable top panel, i even built removable legs for it as well, as is typical my camera battery has died and i've put the charger in such a safe place that even i can't find it! Next job is to spray the hardboard white for the backscene, i'm toying with the idea of a printed backscene which i will investigate further but at the moment i'l stick with white. Off to find the battery charger now! Cheers Graham. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
porkie Posted May 18, 2014 Share Posted May 18, 2014 Looking good grahame, Can't wait to see this build develop. Keep us all updated when you can fella. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MRDBLUE17 Posted May 18, 2014 Share Posted May 18, 2014 Hi Graham, Looks like an interesting idea and a nice bit of baseboard building so far. Will look forward to seeing more. Cheers Mark Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shanks522 Posted May 20, 2014 Author Share Posted May 20, 2014 Hello all, Thanks again for the comments. Just a little teaser, i took a quick snap tonight of the completed baseboard, if the weathers good tomorrow i'l get some better photo's. cheers Graham. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shanks522 Posted May 21, 2014 Author Share Posted May 21, 2014 Hello all, Some better pictures today, First off the layout complete with legs and Bob! Rear view with access panels. Overhead view, there is a top which fits over this and will house the lighting. current state of play, masked up receiving the first coat of paint on the backscene. Cheers Graham. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shreives Posted May 22, 2014 Share Posted May 22, 2014 Looking really good there graham won't be long before the trains are moving ! Stuart Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shanks522 Posted May 28, 2014 Author Share Posted May 28, 2014 Hello all, Today i've been changing the identity of 60011 to 60007. Stripped down to plain DB Red. To this. Hopefully i'l have some more progress/pictures at the weekend, I've had a few items turn up this week and a special one in particular. Cheers Graham. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saddletank Posted May 28, 2014 Share Posted May 28, 2014 I do like the look of this! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Steve Purves Posted May 29, 2014 RMweb Premium Share Posted May 29, 2014 Very nice, shall be following with interest. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shanks522 Posted June 2, 2014 Author Share Posted June 2, 2014 Hello all, Managed a couple of hours work on the layout today, although nothing to exciting the upper line is now roughly tacked in place. The left hand side is all wired and fixed into place with the sprung point working well, the right hand side is attached but not firmly in place yet as i may be changing things a little. 66209 is the latest addition on the stock front so did the honours of the first test train. Graham. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gloucester Road Posted June 3, 2014 Share Posted June 3, 2014 This is coming along nicely. I really like the box/display aspect that will really focus ones attention on the model. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shanks522 Posted June 3, 2014 Author Share Posted June 3, 2014 This is coming along nicely. I really like the box/display aspect that will really focus ones attention on the model. Cheers Stephen, I've seen a few layouts that have the box/theatre style to them and i really like it, like you say it draws all your attention onto the model, the other reason i've done it is i'm going to have a dabble into sound and with the box sealed all the sound will be projected outward. Litte more work on the layout tonight, I had originally planned a siding off the mainline to a future small fiddle yard, in the photo you can see where i have cut the trackbed for this but i've had a re-think and i'm now going to move the right hand point to the other side of the left hand one, In doing this trains will not have to reverse onto the scenic section to be changed. All i need to do is scribe a small piece of trackbed where the right hand point is now. Cheers Graham. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shanks522 Posted June 4, 2014 Author Share Posted June 4, 2014 Hello all, Play time today! I mentioned a few posts back that i had something special coming and although i've had it a week i couldn't film it because i'd lost my camera charger, thankfully new charger arrived and i've made a short video. I'm really pleased so far, needs a little tweaking but it's keeping me amused! Cheers Graham. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Steve Purves Posted June 4, 2014 RMweb Premium Share Posted June 4, 2014 Wheres the jealous button... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shreives Posted June 4, 2014 Share Posted June 4, 2014 Fantastic graham I think I need to bring Bexham upto date for day Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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