Dunoon Sidings. A beginners attempt at P4

[60012 Commonwealth of Australia]

Thanks to Dough (DougN), Peter (P.C.M), Rick (Gwiwer), Jeff (SRman) and everyone else at the BRMA meeting on Saturday! I felt very welcome, and it was very enjoyable. Look forward to the next one!

 

I have now acquired 6 0 scale wagons courtesy of a friend to go with my MR 1F when it's done, and I am saving up to buy an LNER F8 which will be repainted into NER Green as an NER A class. Once I have done this, I will purchase a few coaches to go with the A class.

 

I am currently thinking of scrapping the plans for Dunoon, and instead just building Bonshaw for my P4 layout and having an 0 scale pre-grouping layout in the shed with Peco track and hand-built turnouts. At some stage further on, when I have more time and space to hand-lay the thousands of sleepers and chairs required I may decide to build Dunoon as planned.

 

Caufield was very enjoyable, and I had a lot of fun. For the first part of the day I did kit-building and R-T-R modifications on the BRMA stand. I did some work on the 1F, fitted NEM pockets to a Dapol B set and 45xx in N scale, and built a Brunel Hobbies Servo motor control unit which I purchased at the show. I then spent the rest of the day operating an 0 scale layout Filching Rd Yard, which belongs to Mark (Markeg), running the F8/A class and my new wagons.

 

Peter

[60012 Commonwealth of Australia]

The first Servo arrived today! It's really small, which is convenient.

 

   My new watch also arrived! 

 

The servo is great, as not only is it a lot quieter than the Cobalt's, it's $28 cheaper (20 cheaper once the circuit board and microswitch is included). The other 7 and the 10 microswitches should arrive in the next week or two. Now all that's left to do is buy the 0 scale LNER F8, and then I can save for track!! 

 

Peter

[Gordon A]

Can I suggest that in relation to P4 that you build a test track with at least one point or a crossover, say about 3 feet long.

 

This is very handy for refining your point building skills and testing any loco or stock that you have converted or built a new chassis for.

 

I cannot remember seeing any comment as to what couplings you were thinking of using. If magnetic in operation then by fitting a couple of electro magnets under the track you would be able to test / play with any stock so fitted.

 

Gordon A

[60012 Commonwealth of Australia]

Can I suggest that in relation to P4 that you build a test track with at least one point or a crossover, say about 3 feet long.

 

This is very handy for refining your point building skills and testing any loco or stock that you have converted or built a new chassis for.

 

I cannot remember seeing any comment as to what couplings you were thinking of using. If magnetic in operation then by fitting a couple of electro magnets under the track you would be able to test / play with any stock so fitted.

 

Gordon A

I'm planning on using 3 links and screw links for locos and wagons, but modified kadees between coaches (fixed rakes, and screw-links at the ends of each rake).

 

I have a section of wood ready for a test-plank, not quite 3' long (2') but long enough for a turnout and a bit of track.

 

Peter

[DougN]

Peter I must admit that I forgot to give you some point templates for you P4 layout. The other option is to down load templot, just be aware that it has quite a learning curve.

[dhjgreen]

...just be aware that it has quite a learning curve.

Not if you are 15 years of age!

[60012 Commonwealth of Australia]

Peter I must admit that I forgot to give you some point templates for you P4 layout. The other option is to down load templot, just be aware that it has quite a learning curve.

I do have Templot, but it's taking a while to get used to, and still not sure how to do a lot of things with it other than just basic turnouts.

 

Peter

[DougN]

DHJgreen I think even Peter might struggle! 

 

I find the program is a challenge as it can do so much and is so comprehensive BUT you also have to have prototype knowledge as well! I know a few people who have got along with it but are now finished doing their work and struggle to get back into using it. Martin however is very helpful if you really get stuck. 

[60012 Commonwealth of Australia]

DHJgreen I think even Peter might struggle! 

 

I find the program is a challenge as it can do so much and is so comprehensive BUT you also have to have prototype knowledge as well! I know a few people who have got along with it but are now finished doing their work and struggle to get back into using it. Martin however is very helpful if you really get stuck. 

Alright. As far as prototype info goes... I know the LNER and BR used 3-bolt chairs, bullhead rail, and that's about it!

 

Peter

[DougN]

Peter, Michael Godfrey a local P4 modeller can give you chapter and verse on the various styles and types of track out there. he has written a large number of articles in the Scalefour news on the various types of track and won a couple of Scalefour prizes with his track building! so the information is out there and it can be found here in Melbourne. 

[60012 Commonwealth of Australia]

Well I've just purchased my first bits of O scale track! I won about 1.6m in 4 sections on Ebay (a 60cm bit, an 80cm bit and two shorter bits around 5-10cm long each)!

 

Got them fairly cheaply too, at $10.50 (about 6 pounds), plus $12 post (7 pounds). At about $14 per meter from the "local" hobby shop (the nearest place which sells O scale track is a 45 minute train trip away and there's another about the same but doesn't have as much O scale), it's very good pricing, and considering it would be about $3 for the train trip, it costs me $22.50 overall compared to around $31 for 2m from the local shop.

 

I also found some old N scale Code 55, and a spare shelf (about 60-90cm long) and have done a bit on that, so will have something to show soon! It's just a small layout, only two sets of points - a 3-way and a standard large-radius turnout (the medium radius ones I have aren't in the best condition).

 

The other 7 servos, along with 10 microswitches are due to arrive in the next day or two, so Bonshaw will be starting in a week or so once I decide to put the N scale back on the shelf (literally), and the O scale set (F8 + wagons) will be able to be set up on my mantlepiece once the track arrives, since I have kept them in their boxes/wrapping due to not wanting to damage the flanges.

 

Peter

[60012 Commonwealth of Australia]

Well I measured the shelf today. It's 75cm long and 25cm wide (29.5" x 9.8"), and currently has the following trackplan:

 

 

The platforms will fit an N scale B set, GWR 4 wheel van, and 45xx, so should fit a standard modern 2 car DMU.

 

Not sure about siding capacity yet. The B set, van and 45xx will be sold off, and I will get one or two DMUs, maybe a 2 car unit and two single-car units, along with a 2 car EMU. Locos will probably be a Class 08 and maybe a Class 86/87 for the OHLE which I plan to install to make it a bit different. An 86/87 is a bit overkill, but if I put in OHLE I may as well. 

 

Overall I'd plan to have

 

Class 153 (Repaint)

Class 156 (Repaint)

Class 150 (Repaint

2 car EMU

Class 08 (EWS)

Class 86/87(EWS)

 

I'm currently unsure as to what EMU I should use. It has to be a 2 car, has to have been running in either June 2001 or June 2016, and has to be owned by a company who also run/ran class 150, 153 and 156 units.

 

Later on I may also purchase a 158.

 

Freight stock will most likely be containers and maybe one or two bogie wagons, all in EWS.

 

Later on I may buy a Class 31 to repaint into Network Rail as a 97, and have a rail-maintenance train all in Network Rail yellow. 

 

Later additions would most likely be diesels or one or two EMU/DMUs.

So far I'm thinking (for later additions once Bonshaw and the O scale layout are also running)

Class 20 (maybe two)

Class 37

Class 47

Class 56

Class 57

Class 58

Class 59

Class 60

Class 66

and then an extension! Maybe a nice long mainline to run around my bedroom with liftout sections at the cupboards....

 

Alternatively all the talk of extra locos and an extension are just me dreaming... The O scale and P4 will be enough to go on with once the micro-layout is done! A  suitable thread will be made in the Micro Layouts section once the layout is operational (no more than a week or so away!). I have decided on the name "Shelving North" considering it's built on a shelf.

 

Peter

Edited September 1, 2016 by 60012 Commonwealth of Australia

[60012 Commonwealth of Australia]

I have the day off school today. Went out to get the mail five minutesago, and a couple of things had arrived!

 

The first thing/s being the 10 microswitches I had ordered from Ebay. This means that all I need to wait for now is the remaining 7 Servos, and get some wire for the servos, and I'm good to prepare for tracklaying on Bonshaw.

 

The second is the O scale track I ordered on Tuesday! Interestingly the track appears to be hybrid: chaired sleepers with flat-bottom rail. This is interesting, as it means the original owner took the bulllhead rail out, and put flat-bottom back in, as from what I have seen Peco's O scale flat-bottom track has pandrol clips, rather than chairs. But not to worry. I grabbed a couple of old Tri-Ang rail joiners and soldered them onto the track (to stop them coming loose), however only on one rail, so I can still seperate the track if I want to.

 

Peter

[Zomboid]

"I'm currently unsure as to what EMU I should use. It has to be a 2 car, has to have been running in either June 2001 or June 2016, and has to be owned by a company who also run/ran class 150, 153 and 156 units."

 

If you want a 2 car EMU in recent UK scenarios, you're restricted to 3rd rail, and the only 2 car units which ran during those particular dates are 456s. You'd need a 3 car to achieve what you want, as LM/ Central had your DMUs and 323s, or Northern with their 333s.

[60012 Commonwealth of Australia]

"I'm currently unsure as to what EMU I should use. It has to be a 2 car, has to have been running in either June 2001 or June 2016, and has to be owned by a company who also run/ran class 150, 153 and 156 units."

 

If you want a 2 car EMU in recent UK scenarios, you're restricted to 3rd rail, and the only 2 car units which ran during those particular dates are 456s. You'd need a 3 car to achieve what you want, as LM/ Central had your DMUs and 323s, or Northern with their 333s.

Ah ok. Thanks. Third rail it is then! Should be an interesting experiment!

 

Peter

[Zomboid]

Be aware that Connex/ southern/ SWT never had any 150/153/156 units though.

[60012 Commonwealth of Australia]

Oh and another thing I forgot to mention - I've ordered 2 Peco rail-built bufferstops for O scale from Hattons which should arrive in a week or so. Since I ordered them a few days ago, I've been putting aside most of my money for my exchange trip to Paris, which is only in 20 days!!! After that, it'll be about 75:25 towards the O scale F8 and the N scale layout respectively. Once the N scale's done, it'll be 50:50 for the O scale layout and Bonshaw.

 

I'm planning to get some photos of my O scale train in a few minutes, along with some of the N scale layout.

 

Peter

[Zomboid]

Just realised that I forgot about 466s. That doesn't change anything though.

[60012 Commonwealth of Australia]

Here are some photos I've taken of both the N scale shelf layout and the plan of one station on the O scale layout. The O scale was spread-out on the family-room floor this evening, and the LNER F8 and wagons were put on the O scale track I bought to show roughly how long the platform is. 

 

The N scale layout in position in the bookcase. It's 75cm long and 25cm wide.

 

 

 

 

The O scale layout plan

 

The F8

 

Another of the layout plan.

 

The N scale layout with 4566, B set and the GWR van

 

 

In the first image above, the end of the B set and the 45xx are lined up buffer-to-buffer, and then with the other end lined up to show that it will fit a 3 car B set with a little room to spare.

 

And finally 4566 in N scale next to 483 in O

I need to find out what number 483 had during NER days (EDIT: It had the same number, was built in December 1889 as NER 483, and was withdrawn in April 1934 as LNER 483)

 

 

Peter

Edited September 2, 2016 by 60012 Commonwealth of Australia

[Andrew P]

Morning Peter, That really is a concoction of Scales, I don't know how you do it. I built my N Gauge Glenfinick after completing my O Gauge Trebudoc, and that confused me. hahha

 

All the best with the trip to Paris and your ventures on your return.

[60012 Commonwealth of Australia]

Morning Peter, That really is a concoction of Scales, I don't know how you do it. I built my N Gauge Glenfinick after completing my O Gauge Trebudoc, and that confused me. hahha

 

All the best with the trip to Paris and your ventures on your return.

Thanks! I'm not entirely sure how I do it either haha.

 

At one stage I went full N scale for a while, and when I got back into OO/HO I thought "I swear it wasn't this big before..."

 

As far as scales and layouts go, the plan is to do the N scale to an operational state, then finish and sell the HO scale then re-organise my room to fit the P4 layout while it's being built, and then start building the O scale layout along the walls of the shed.

 

This way, I'll have gotten rid of the HO stuff, making room and money for the N, P4 and O. Later on I may end up selling the N scale but I may not, depends on how much fun I have with it!

 

Paris should be fun, but I should probably do more work on practicing French than I am now... My French is pretty rubbish right now...

 

Look forward to seeing some EWS on North Road! One of the inspirations for doing EWS and modern image for the N scale!

 

Peter

Edited September 2, 2016 by 60012 Commonwealth of Australia

[Markeg]

Hi Peter,

 

Looks like the plans are coming together and looking good.

 

Off to Paris, that sounds great.  Do you need someone to carry the bags?

 

A French friend told us to say, "Je suis australien" and we would be right.  The french like aussies.

 

​Enjoy you trip.

Mark

[60012 Commonwealth of Australia]

Hi Peter,

 

Looks like the plans are coming together and looking good.

 

Off to Paris, that sounds great.  Do you need someone to carry the bags?

 

A French friend told us to say, "Je suis australien" and we would be right.  The french like aussies.

 

​Enjoy you trip.

Mark

Thanks!

 

Yeah haha sadly it's a school trip so can't take anyone extra. My brothers still reckon they could pass as me so they could go!

 

I certainly will, and there'll be plenty of photos of French trains to upload when I get back! In the meantime I'll be running the F8 backwards and forwards on my meter and a half of track, and doing some more work on the N scale!

 

I saw that Filching Rd Yard was at a Bunnings the other evening, how did that go?

 

Peter

[60012 Commonwealth of Australia]

I noticed something very interesting this evening while I was moving the stuff back in my room - the crossover plan I made using two Peco medium-radius point plans is longer than the entire N scale layout by about 4 sleepers!

 

Certainly shows the scale difference!

[60012 Commonwealth of Australia]

Today was spent very productively, however no layout progress on any front! I spent the first half of the day on my 1F kit, photos of which can be seen here: http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/112039-building-a-motive-power-developements-o-scale-johnson-class-1f/?p=2422360

 

The rest of the day was spent tidying, my room, and subsequently ended in all my railway magazines being piled up in the hall waiting for a new set of shelves to put them on. I have around around 500, give or take 100 or so. Mainly Hornby Magazine, Model Rail and Model Railway Journal, but there are a bunch of Model Railroader, BRM, Steam Railways, Heritage Railways, Continental Modeller and so on.

 

 

Here are the piles at the end of today!

 

Peter