SparxD428 Posted May 2, 2016 Author Share Posted May 2, 2016 Been tidying the station overbridge that hides the main scenic break today and when complete will post a pic or two. Also been out and bought some materials such as foamboard and card in order to make a start on the street scene next to the block of flats, which still need finishing. Spent a couple of hours finishing the final set of stairs down to platform 1 this morning and these now just need painting. And to cap it off had a well earned 30 minutes running a couple of trains and shunting some oils into a speedlink train as well as a short parcels. Took a few more pics as well. 50011 on a Plymouth-Padd service 08 with a better looking weathered bufferbeam idling 50020 on parcels, 33004 with the waiting return trip freight, DPU in the bay. Cheers, Stu. 7 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparxD428 Posted May 5, 2016 Author Share Posted May 5, 2016 Been trying to finish the overbridge scenics and I think i am nearly there now. Should have worked out my perspective vanishing point before I put down the pavement on the bridge side but have almost overcome that with a new bridge/wall, print of some further houses and a big tree to split the view where the 2 backscenes meet in the corner. Overall happy enough with the effect. Also have printed images of some ticket barriers inside the tube station though due to the lighting and dullness of the image not very clear but its better than plain grey card staring out of the station. Just need to position another set of railings and then this part will be complete. Completed the painting of the final set of platform stairs and although I made these square its more to disguise the scenic break under the bridge from viewing position as well as not obscuring trains. A couple of pics of these developments, without trains as the focus point. Cheers, Stu. View from ground level of the station area. Need to just straighten the tube station a little as it seems to lean slightly 7 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparxD428 Posted May 7, 2016 Author Share Posted May 7, 2016 Another busy day after a quick trip to Alton Model Centre for some supplies. Did a little rail side painting this morning and ballast snagging. Then almost broke the bank to buy a new Class 47 but decided to wait until I can really afford one (or two !) However, purchased a fair few bits n bobs for the layout including some advertising hoardings, 3 Berko signals and a couple of gaugemaster DCC chips. Signals have been planted but not yet wired, but tested on 12V dc all LEDS ok. I know the down relief is wrong type/position and I may yet change this as I need to purchase 2 more signals and will decide whether to have junction feathers or whether this whilst desirable would just add unnecessary wiring as its not an exhibition layout after all. Tonight I have successfully hard wired my old Lima 47402, although its a bit rough under DCC but will be acceptable to cruise by on passenger trains rather than be used for any shunting manoeuvres. Like the look of the new Bachmann 47576 in NSE and 47001 weathered. Hoping to make one of them a summer "present" to myself. Still got to decide which other DC loco to chip up - maybe one of the other 47s as 47628 was a good runner under DC, though the Lima 117 DMU is an option. Also put a postbox outside the station building with a postie figure I already had, and tidied up the non painted parts of the tube station. As usual a couple of photos. Cheers, Stu. 47402 on the down main, taken from the front of the layout. 47402 on the fuelling point The new postbox and advert hoarding in the background. I am likely to change what is advertised to something more period suited circa 1985-87. 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparxD428 Posted May 9, 2016 Author Share Posted May 9, 2016 Think I may have a rethink on chipping up some of the old Lima items. After a reasonable start 47402 has developed into troublesome child, behaving in such a way as not running, spluttering, stopping, then finally running and refusing to stop, the only time it has run round the layout flawlessly with the controller speed set firmly to 0 !! Even though it ran well under DC, it needs a lot of attention under DCC so might just hold on to the other 8 pin chip in hope of a new arrival with better running gear before I weld it in to something 25+ years old. However have devised a circuit digram for the signals using just 2 way On-On switches to avoid having to jump all through the different combinations unrealistically to get to the correct signal setting, with mirrored LEDs on control panel to make it easier to see. This first circuit design is just for 4 aspect or 2 aspect indication with no junction indicators, and does not include any logic to reset any conflicting signals, which if I do decide not to bother with junction feathers will be sufficient enough for my needs. Will try and draw a decent schematic for the signals if anyone's interested with explanation of the logic behind it. Cheers, Stu. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
vulcan product fan Posted May 9, 2016 Share Posted May 9, 2016 Think I may have a rethink on chipping up some of the old Lima items. After a reasonable start 47402 has developed into troublesome child, behaving in such a way as not running, spluttering, stopping, then finally running and refusing to stop, the only time it has run round the layout flawlessly with the controller speed set firmly to 0 !! Even though it ran well under DC, it needs a lot of attention under DCC so might just hold on to the other 8 pin chip in hope of a new arrival with better running gear before I weld it in to something 25+ years old. However have devised a circuit digram for the signals using just 2 way On-On switches to avoid having to jump all through the different combinations unrealistically to get to the correct signal setting, with mirrored LEDs on control panel to make it easier to see. This first circuit design is just for 4 aspect or 2 aspect indication with no junction indicators, and does not include any logic to reset any conflicting signals, which if I do decide not to bother with junction feathers will be sufficient enough for my needs. Will try and draw a decent schematic for the signals if anyone's interested with explanation of the logic behind it. Cheers, Stu. Have just started to signal my layout trying diffrent ways of doing it with multi aspect signals . Started with 2 aspects with toggle switch , 3 aspects with mutli select switch and , 4 aspect with block signaling inferred detector so would love a diffrent view on someone else layout . 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparxD428 Posted May 11, 2016 Author Share Posted May 11, 2016 (edited) Have just started to signal my layout trying diffrent ways of doing it with multi aspect signals . Started with 2 aspects with toggle switch , 3 aspects with mutli select switch and , 4 aspect with block signaling inferred detector so would love a diffrent view on someone else layout . Thanks. Its very basic but it could help others new to the electronics aspect of signalling, certainly the basics anyway. So my basic circuit for 4-aspect signals is as below. This will be repeated for the 4x 4-aspect signals on the layout, with a simple toggle for the 2 aspect platform starter. I have added colour so you can see easier which LEDs are fed by which branches (ignore the position of them as the signal is Red-Amber-Green-Double Amber but for ease of circuit diagram amber is at the end - you will see why). On the 12V line I will have an On/Off switch so I can turn the signal circuit off without unpowering the transformer if required, but this switch is not a necessity. Switch 1 is my primary switch, which can either be set to RED, or OTHER. Switch 2 comes in to play when the signal is not set to RED, and determines whether the signal will be GREEN or AMBER. Switch 3 comes in to play if the signal is set to AMBER, and allows the Double AMBER to either be set On or Off. It is on this branch of the circuit so it only becomes an option when a single AMBER is already lit. Fairly basic electronics but hopefully will be effective. The LEDs marked display will be on the panel to mirror what has been set, saving me having to keep poking my head around the corner as the panel position is almost perfectly "behind" every signal. The resistors from the signal come pre-wired as I am using Berko signals. The resistors for the panel will be 1.2K ohms as I only want 10mA across my display LEDs. Cheers, Stu. Edited May 11, 2016 by SparxD428 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
vulcan product fan Posted May 11, 2016 Share Posted May 11, 2016 Ta mate nice one helps alot Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparxD428 Posted May 22, 2016 Author Share Posted May 22, 2016 The ballasting gang have been out today as well as the relay box wiring crew after a fortnights rest (well work travels !) Have the bank holiday week off so looking forward to really cracking on and getting a lot more work done on the layout. Will try and get a few pics later of the latest works. Cheers, Stu. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparxD428 Posted May 22, 2016 Author Share Posted May 22, 2016 So have done a bit more of the block of flats in the background which is beginning to develop OK, as well as the relay boxes which will just need a bit of weathering. Ballast still drying as is more baseboard concrete colour. I also recently painted the ladders and the rear of the colour light signals silver as they look more realistic that way. Cheers, Stu 7 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparxD428 Posted May 23, 2016 Author Share Posted May 23, 2016 Yesterday I started construction of a small office to live adjacent to the fuelling point. It is based loosely on part of a structure by the fuelling point at Ipswich circa 1985, so maybe not regionally correct but I just think that this type of office once painted and weathered properly will be a better fit than the current plate layers hut I have marking the space. Here is a pic of the office under construction using card for the structure, plastic for the window frames, and Wills flexi brick cover and doorway. Hopefully by the end of the week this structure will be completed. Yesterdays ballasting must have had slightly over diluted glue as it has not stuck as well as previous, so have gone back over that today ! Cheers, Stu. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ess1uk Posted May 27, 2016 Share Posted May 27, 2016 That building looks good. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparxD428 Posted June 2, 2016 Author Share Posted June 2, 2016 Week off work and in between looking after the girls and various trips have done a bit of modelling. Finished painting all of the rail sides now and done about 85% of the ballasting though one curve lifted after ballasting so I have had to pin and reballast that but it seems to be holding now. Planted 3 platform lights on Platform 4/5 and made small Acton Green signs from photo print for them. Planted 3 yard lights purchased at Brockenhurst over the weekend when helping out on Tidworth. More lights to be done as well. Also I manufactured milepost 4 3/4 for the layout, which puts its location as just past Acton Main Line but not as far as Ealing Broadway. I am imagining Main line wasnt there (but the yard is) and that Ealing is a little further west !! Still lots more to do but a few pics from recently. Cheers, Stu. 50004 St.Vincent idles by the new milepost 4/III 50011 Waits on a parcels train in the bay Acton Green has a few more signs as well 9 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparxD428 Posted June 4, 2016 Author Share Posted June 4, 2016 A busy week off has concluded with the completion of rail side painting and track ballasting. At last !! Just snagging and the infill to do now but feel a sense of achievement this week and its continuing as I am using cork offcuts to build up the bankside scenic on the inner oval. On a separate note it's Derby day today and i decided to have a flutter, and has I havent had a bet for a long time I decided for fun to do a Lucky 15 (4 horse selection) and see if I could find 4 horses whose names contain Class 50 names or related terms. Amazingly I found 3 running today, Montys REVENGE , FEARLESS Fantasy and Regal MONARCH. As I couldn't find a fourth I think "Big Generator" is the closest thing to finish the quadruple., although I think it would have been more apt if it was called Generator Flashover ! So expect these horses to be shot in the paddock or fall off the truck when arriving at the track. If I win any sniff of money I will have to put it into a saving fund for when 50026 is released by Hornby !. Oh, and I backed Ulysses to win the Derby. Back to the layout, will try and get some more pics up tonight. Cheers, Stu. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparxD428 Posted June 4, 2016 Author Share Posted June 4, 2016 So after the debacle of my 50 related betting (only Regal Monarch managed 3rd place) back to the modelling and some pics as promised. I have airbrushed out the "clutter" under the layout using MS-Paint as I took some overview pictures of the layout tonight to give a clearer picture of how it is developing. The 08 shunts a speedlink train This is the start of my road construction feeding the speedlink "platfrom". The main road behind will be run off into the backscene by a trick of perspective and a strategically positioned block of flats or bus depot above the platform as it wouldnt have been realistic enough to have the road become singled and follow the railway. Overviews of the corner of the layout, then the main viewing side And finally one of the station area Hopefully will plough on with more retaining wall construction tomorrow as I have run out of basket liner for the bank for the time being. Cheers, Stu. 7 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob D2 Posted June 4, 2016 Share Posted June 4, 2016 I like the 50 pictures ! Stop encouraging me to return to the dark side ! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparxD428 Posted June 5, 2016 Author Share Posted June 5, 2016 I like the 50 pictures ! Stop encouraging me to return to the dark side ! The dark side gets us all.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparxD428 Posted June 12, 2016 Author Share Posted June 12, 2016 Track weathering has been the order of the day today using the usual acrylic mixes watered down. Also found a lot of loose rather than stuck ballast right under the scenic break bridge so this will need addressing when I deem I have enough time and patience to rectify it, but its no big deal just something that is bugging me. Also been doing some of the last bits of ballasting to the shoulders of the 4 lines as they travel from the road bridge in the centre of the layout to the other scenic break which is yet to be built. Zoom function seems not to be an option on the work phone camera but colours and sharpness are much better so a couple of pics attached showing the weathered track with the obligatory 50 in the background as well as my 08 shunting the yard. Cheers, Stu. 9 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew P Posted June 12, 2016 Share Posted June 12, 2016 Superb Stu, What a superb Layout and some brilliant pics, really nice low level shots which have to be my favourites. The other night I had a running session on my North Road with the Blue's and my next project will be another dedicated Blue Period Layout, love your 50's and 47's. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparxD428 Posted June 15, 2016 Author Share Posted June 15, 2016 Superb Stu, What a superb Layout and some brilliant pics, really nice low level shots which have to be my favourites. The other night I had a running session on my North Road with the Blue's and my next project will be another dedicated Blue Period Layout, love your 50's and 47's. Thanks Andy. Much appreciated. Can never have enough Blue or Large logo in my opinion. Glad your next project will be Blue period. Any thread started yet, or information on what it will be or where it will be based as I will be keen to follow. How many projects do you have on the go now ?? Cheers, Stu. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparxD428 Posted June 15, 2016 Author Share Posted June 15, 2016 Ballasting of the tracks is now complete with the shoulders also completed. Just a few infill bits to do once track ballast is all dried and decision on whether to use buff fine chippings just to break up the monotonous brown I have created. I have also started creating the embankment on the inside part of the layout from the 2nd scenic break but nothing worth picturing yet. Took a couple of pics after running some trains tonight using the older phone camera from more distance and seem to have come out well. Hoping to plough on with more work on Saturday but need a few more materials. Struggling to find decent hanging basket liner at the moment. Cheers, Stu 50031 on a rare stopping commuter on the main line 33004 sits on vans idling in the yard, unusually in the stabling shed road 55991 waits for the road to park in the yard for the night. 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rivercider Posted June 15, 2016 Share Posted June 15, 2016 Top marks, that is looking very nice. The photo angles are good as well, I can just imagine leaning over the bridge parapet to get some of those shots. cheers 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
croydon junction Posted June 16, 2016 Share Posted June 16, 2016 looks great but you need stuff like bubble cars and class 104 conversions. Possibly have 2 bubble cars with a 117 trailer in between, have seen that. Other than that, taking shape really well Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob D2 Posted June 16, 2016 Share Posted June 16, 2016 Nice work Stu, I love that mainline feel ! As you know my plank is 90s EWS freight, but my other love is this period - sadly I don't have space for mainline as yet. im still working on my white stripe class 31 - 31415, As seen at OOC - I'll have to send it over for a run ! 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob D2 Posted June 16, 2016 Share Posted June 16, 2016 Got me thinking, This is how the fiddle would look scenic. Just a few details to set the scene. Mess room, maybe big lighting gantry and urban backdrop. " cesscot yard " ! The dotted line is a possible right angle extension , but it would mean a 19 inch radius Curve era ing the fiddle in one of the bottom two sidings - I think it would look strange ! And I'm not sure what extra it brings. What does anyone think ? Is it worth making the fiddle scenic as I'm loosing a lot of real estate at present. Bachmann also have an ideal mess room on the market at present . 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ess1uk Posted June 16, 2016 Share Posted June 16, 2016 Got me thinking, This is how the fiddle would look scenic. Just a few details to set the scene. Mess room, maybe big lighting gantry and urban backdrop. " cesscot yard " ! The dotted line is a possible right angle extension , but it would mean a 19 inch radius Curve era ing the fiddle in one of the bottom two sidings - I think it would look strange ! And I'm not sure what extra it brings. What does anyone think ? Is it worth making the fiddle scenic as I'm loosing a lot of real estate at present. Bachmann also have an ideal mess room on the market at present .image.jpeg Which mess room where you thinking? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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