Max Legroom Posted February 21, 2017 Share Posted February 21, 2017 Hi all My main interest is US HO set in the 1950s to 1970s (the Milan and Cairo RR) with a sideline in narrow gauge for a bit of escapism. However, I've also been building up a collection of BR OO stock for an Ian Futers inspired Scottish 1970s layout that will probably remain just a dream due to lack of space. I've also collected one or two other diesels over the years. It seems a shame not to display them occasionally so thoughts turned to a micro, and a small fueling point seemed to be the obvious answer. It had to be small with a bit of operating potential and reuse material left over from previous projects. A rummage around found enough 6mm plywood to make the combined baseboard/backscene. It's held together with PVA, Peco trackpins and four pieces of pine in the corners for extra strength. Overall size is about three feet by one foot. I've already drilled out the holes for the isolating sections switches along the front. It really is very basic! Track is recycled Peco code 75 and here is the rough trackplan. The fiddle yard will take up the left-hand third with an overbridge separating the scenic section. I plan to use Peco Loco Lifts to move the stock in the fiddle yard. More to follow. All the best Max 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerry1975 Posted February 21, 2017 Share Posted February 21, 2017 Sounds good, look forward to more. Jerry. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamesg Posted February 23, 2017 Share Posted February 23, 2017 Having followed your narrow gauge layouts, I can't wait to see what you do with standard gauge. Do you have any thoughts on what form the backscene will take yet, as your narrow gauge layouts cleverly did without a typical backscene? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Legroom Posted February 23, 2017 Author Share Posted February 23, 2017 Having followed your narrow gauge layouts, I can't wait to see what you do with standard gauge. Do you have any thoughts on what form the backscene will take yet, as your narrow gauge layouts cleverly did without a typical backscene? I'm thinking of some kind of removable backscene for the right-hand end. Typical Glasgow tenements for the ScR version but maybe a highland alternative to suggest somewhere around Inverness and a Bristol area alternative too. However, I may have to invest in some photo-editing software for this to happen. All just ideas at this stage. One thing I do plan to build is a low-relief front of a maintenance shed for the middle track rather than a buffer stop. I was thinking of a yellow/black striped door and the job of painting those stripes when the thought occurred that I could have an open door and the front of a loco inside. A quick look in the junk box produced an old Lima class 20 in BR blue that would cover the early 70s through to the mid 80s. Just need to chop off the cab! I was pondering a Lima class 37 but that had the cutaway buffer and plated over headcode box and a Bachmann Peak would have been too restricted as well. Actually the Lima 20 wasn't a bad model for it's time - just a shame that the drive only went to one bogie. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamesg Posted February 23, 2017 Share Posted February 23, 2017 The idea of a shed - door open or closed - will create a good illusion of a larger yard outside the layout. Having just the other day painted some wasp stripes, I can understand wanting to model the door open! Two pieces of software that might be useful for creating a backscene are GIMP and Hugin. GIMP is a general purpose image editor along the same lines as Photoshop. Hugin is a panorama stitcher; given a series of photographs taken by rotating the camera after each shot, Hugin stitches them together to make a panorama. Both of these are free, so are worth looking at before shelling out for some commercial software. Having a panorama printed on one sheet isn't very costly either; I had one made for about £5 from an online photo printer. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Legroom Posted February 24, 2017 Author Share Posted February 24, 2017 The idea of a shed - door open or closed - will create a good illusion of a larger yard outside the layout. Having just the other day painted some wasp stripes, I can understand wanting to model the door open! Two pieces of software that might be useful for creating a backscene are GIMP and Hugin. GIMP is a general purpose image editor along the same lines as Photoshop. Hugin is a panorama stitcher; given a series of photographs taken by rotating the camera after each shot, Hugin stitches them together to make a panorama. Both of these are free, so are worth looking at before shelling out for some commercial software. Having a panorama printed on one sheet isn't very costly either; I had one made for about £5 from an online photo printer. Thank you for the info on the software - very useful. I think Photoshop would probably be wasted on my limited abilities! My phone can take a panoramic photo so that could be an option though Glasgow is 400 miles away. The Bristol area might be a better option. My initial thoughts were to stitch together a few images found online and make interchangeable scenic flats to sit in front of a suitably grey sky. Part of the fun of a small project like this is the opportunity to experiment with different ideas. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Russ (mines a pint) Posted February 24, 2017 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 24, 2017 Thank you for the info on the software - very useful. I think Photoshop would probably be wasted on my limited abilities! My phone can take a panoramic photo so that could be an option though Glasgow is 400 miles away. The Bristol area might be a better option. My initial thoughts were to stitch together a few images found online and make interchangeable scenic flats to sit in front of a suitably grey sky. Part of the fun of a small project like this is the opportunity to experiment with different ideas. I dont know if you can use anything from this? Glasgow from Cathkin Braes taken last year (about this time of year) You maybe able to cut out the foreground and use the back ground for a distant skyline, my skills are not great at photo editing but maybe someone else could help? I may still have a higher-res version You are welcome to use the pic if you wish - or if indeed it is of any use at all - if not just bin it Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
1722 Posted February 25, 2017 Share Posted February 25, 2017 Looking very good. Reminds me of Barber's Bridge. Looking forward to seeing this develop. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Legroom Posted February 27, 2017 Author Share Posted February 27, 2017 I dont know if you can use anything from this? Glasgow from Cathkin Braes taken last year (about this time of year) You maybe able to cut out the foreground and use the back ground for a distant skyline, my skills are not great at photo editing but maybe someone else could help? I may still have a higher-res version You are welcome to use the pic if you wish - or if indeed it is of any use at all - if not just bin it skyline.jpg Hi Russ Thanks for posting your photo. Yes, the distant skyline may be just the thing. I'm thinking along the lines of layered background flats at the moment though I really should get on with the track! Best wishes Max Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sb67 Posted March 2, 2017 Share Posted March 2, 2017 I'm looking forward to seeing this grow, looks good so far. Steve. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Signaller69 Posted March 31, 2017 Share Posted March 31, 2017 Looking an interesting project as I'm thinking of something similar in the not too distant future. Has there been any further progress? Martyn. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Legroom Posted March 31, 2017 Author Share Posted March 31, 2017 Looking an interesting project as I'm thinking of something similar in the not too distant future. Has there been any further progress? Martyn. Hi Martyn No further progress because of other commitments (the usual excuse!) but hopefully I'll get a chance to do some work on the project very soon. I know that the diesel depot/fuelling point layout has become something of a cliche but it really is the only way of cramming a few locos onto a small layout as far as I can tell. I did think about a parcels depot or an engineers yard as I've got the rolling stock but I couldn't justify more than one loco (or two at a push) locos with either scheme. All the best Max 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Signaller69 Posted March 31, 2017 Share Posted March 31, 2017 Hi Martyn No further progress because of other commitments (the usual excuse!) but hopefully I'll get a chance to do some work on the project very soon. I know that the diesel depot/fuelling point layout has become something of a cliche but it really is the only way of cramming a few locos onto a small layout as far as I can tell. I did think about a parcels depot or an engineers yard as I've got the rolling stock but I couldn't justify more than one loco (or two at a push) locos with either scheme. All the best Max I suppose most layout types might be considered cliches to a degree but if it fits with your interests thats the important thing. Also, there don't seem to be many Loco depot micro-layouts doing the exhibition rounds, at least not in the North West, nor 1970s themed; my own thinking is based around a 1970 Scottish stabling point using my existing green and blue pre-TOPS diesels, about 5'x 1' in size, but its no more than an idea at the moment due to other projects. I do like the idea of different backscenes for different areas you mentioned for your layout, I would suggest that would set it apart in itself? 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moggs Eye Posted March 31, 2017 Share Posted March 31, 2017 Regarding the black and yellow stripes on depot doors, I used the doors from the downloadable depot kit from Scalescenes on Cottleston. There is lots of useful depot signage, of different companies/sectors you can add your own names to. Have fun, Ben. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Legroom Posted April 3, 2017 Author Share Posted April 3, 2017 I suppose most layout types might be considered cliches to a degree but if it fits with your interests thats the important thing. Also, there don't seem to be many Loco depot micro-layouts doing the exhibition rounds, at least not in the North West, nor 1970s themed; my own thinking is based around a 1970 Scottish stabling point using my existing green and blue pre-TOPS diesels, about 5'x 1' in size, but its no more than an idea at the moment due to other projects. I do like the idea of different backscenes for different areas you mentioned for your layout, I would suggest that would set it apart in itself? If I was starting my collection now then I would probably go for the pre-TOPS 1970s. I can just visualize 27s, 29s and the odd Clayton in a mix of liveries and yellow ends. Maybe when the Dapol 29 finally arrives..... 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Signaller69 Posted April 3, 2017 Share Posted April 3, 2017 If I was starting my collection now then I would probably go for the pre-TOPS 1970s. I can just visualize 27s, 29s and the odd Clayton in a mix of liveries and yellow ends. Maybe when the Dapol 29 finally arrives..... This is exactly the picture I had in mind! ;-) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Legroom Posted April 5, 2017 Author Share Posted April 5, 2017 Regarding the black and yellow stripes on depot doors, I used the doors from the downloadable depot kit from Scalescenes on Cottleston. There is lots of useful depot signage, of different companies/sectors you can add your own names to. Have fun, Ben. Hi Ben The Scalescenes depot looks really good. I think they only do a two-track version but could be wrong. My plan is to build the depot using scrap Wills and Pikestuff material that I have lying around but I'll have another look at the Scalescene depot. I think I'm going to go ahead with the idea of the cab end of a class 20 in the open door. Max Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Legroom Posted April 5, 2017 Author Share Posted April 5, 2017 This is exactly the picture I had in mind! ;-) If it's anywhere near as good as your Crinan layout then I can't wait to see it! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Signaller69 Posted April 5, 2017 Share Posted April 5, 2017 If it's anywhere near as good as your Crinan layout then I can't wait to see it! Thanks Max, yes Crinan is keeping me busy at the moment so may be some time before I can start anything new. Cheers, Martyn. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moggs Eye Posted April 6, 2017 Share Posted April 6, 2017 Hi Ben The Scalescenes depot looks really good. I think they only do a two-track version but could be wrong. My plan is to build the depot using scrap Wills and Pikestuff material that I have lying around but I'll have another look at the Scalescene depot. I think I'm going to go ahead with the idea of the cab end of a class 20 in the open door. Max I used a Pikestuff kit for Emsworth, my other layout, and just used the signs and doors from the Scalescenes depot. It may not be hugely cost effective, but being able to add your own names to the depot signage and use it over and over is really useful.Cheers, Ben. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Legroom Posted May 20, 2017 Author Share Posted May 20, 2017 Progress at last! A coat of black paint and the track is now glued down. The wiring is very basic. I plonked a Heljan 27 down and turned on the power....nothing. I tried a class 26 and still no response. How could I have messed up such simple wiring? Finally I tried a trusty Bachmann 24 and everything worked perfectly! Say what you like about Bachmann locos but they are bulletproof. I'm hoping the Heljan pair just need clean wheels. The left-hand switch routes the power to either running line. Next up is painting the track. Not such a chore on a layout this size so I think I might even paint some of the sleepers. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyram Posted May 21, 2017 Share Posted May 21, 2017 This looks a very interesting micro layout. Will follow with interest. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Legroom Posted May 31, 2017 Author Share Posted May 31, 2017 I've painted and weathered the track. As usual, the photos show up all the areas that the paint missed! The tracks around the fuel point are mainly black, from all the spilt fuel and oil I guess. The rear track is not used as much so I have painted the sleepers and used washes of dirty brown. The idea is to create the impression of old, poorly maintained track. All the sleepers have had a light dry-brush of beige. Another test run with a couple of short wheelbase locos. The Bachmann 04 has a new coat of paint to represent an industrial. It needs a few dirty washes and a bit of dry brushing on those side grills. I always liked this model but it does look quite crude compared to more recent stuff. I was looking at the real DH16 on Monday. Those cab-top vents should be removed but I'm not sure I fancy the task. Next up is ballasting. Mainly black ballast with a bit of grey and brown thrown in. Not my favourite job! All the best Max 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Legroom Posted June 8, 2017 Author Share Posted June 8, 2017 Here are a couple of in progress shots of the bridge, retaining wall and embankment. 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Legroom Posted July 14, 2017 Author Share Posted July 14, 2017 Here a a few photos showing progress to date. I'm still thinking about the back drop! 7 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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