Huckford Road or Harecombe Common (to be decided)

[5BarVT]

Evening Tony,

The Winterbourne diagram on the SRS website shows all the running line points plus three catch points controlled from the box. The (two) points creating the goods shed loop are hand points.

Paul.

[Mulgabill]

Let me start by thanking Paul (5BarVT) and Luke the trainspotter, for the replies to my last post.

 

I'm sorry I've not acknowleded you before, but I had expected to get something posted rather

sooner than this.

 

I'll soon get to a few photos, but to summarise the Peco catch points have always looked

wrong to my eyes. Thats unusual 'cos normally I need things that are wrong pointed out,

being much more accepting of a reasonable overall impression. However the option was considered

but I had an excuse for not going down that route.

 

First pic shows the west end pointwork, without a catch point.

 

 

But the section of track where one could be inserted is short, and I'm not sure a peco one would fit.

I also had doubts as to whether it would appear to throw an errant wagon away from the mainline.

At that time I also didn't know what style of catch was relevant, so I ploughed on and had a go at

knocking up a representation.

 

 

Its non operational, and I did have to do it twice, as inexplicably I managed to form the new parts

from steel rail, then wondered why I couldn't get solder to take.

 

I hope this looks ok, but would be very happy to be advised if it could be improved. I have subsequently

come across a pic of one of the catch points at Winterbourne, which inevitably was a single blade affair.

 

 

Some progress has also been made on the goods shed. There was a bit of a decision to be made as

the drawing, and pics conflicted as to which end the office was on. I was going to decide on the basis of

gave the most open feel to the goods yard, but in the event it was dictated by what side I stuck the brick

plasticard. So it will match the pics.

 

Heres a taster, and I'll do a few more pics in my next post

 

 

Please keep the comments / suggestions coming.

 

All the best

 

 

 

 

 

[AdeMoore]

Goods shed coming along rather well. The corners need fetling on the plastikard joint but that’s on the list no doubt.

Look forward to more.

Cheers

Ade

[Mulgabill]

Thanks for the comments Ade, and well done for keeping on ploughing through the back

catalogue. Its actually been rather useful, as I've dipped in to see where you have got to,

and I've had a series of pleasant reminders of whats been done. Especially when the train

room has effectively been out of bounds.

 

Yes the goods shed has progressed, here are a few more pics of the construction.

 

 

 

And one after an undercoat spray. This was state of play last weekend, there

has been a fair bit of progress since, but I've no pics yet

 

 

So I'll leave you waiting in eager anticipation, and will come up with some more pics soon

I hope. (Now I've charged the camera battery!)

 

 

[Mulgabill]

By way of prevarication, heres  a couple more Pics to bring us up to date.

 

State of play with goods shed now.

 

 

Roof has been made, and tiled,(no ridge yet), but not glued on. I did have

a problem with warping, after applying the tile strips with PVA.

Cured by painting back face with PVA and weighting flat, under clingfilm,

overnight. However its still not a perfect fit, so in this instance the roof may

have to be fixed. So I'll probably fix the loading platform to the base, to enhance

the building location, whilst leaving it removable, if required.

 

Also made probably the most detailed chimney stack, so far. Although this still

needs the cement capping and pot adding.

 

 

Currently fashioning the canopy to mount over the side doorway. As seen here.

 

 

I overlooked the windowledges and window arches (is that the term?) which I made from

drawing paper, pre coloured, before fitting. But I think they will need to be toned down

a bit to match the blue brick colour of the lower wall plinth. All colouring is with artist

acrylics mixed to best guess colour.

 

I made my own windows a while back, when I first started on this, I'm just hoping they will look

ok when I get round to fitting them. But I want to get to a point where I can give the

shed a spray of matt varnish, before gluing them in place.

 

Still a bit to do, but its getting there.

 

Any hints, tips, or comments more than welcome.

 

 

p.s. Report on gardening efforts will appear on Helstonish, shortly.

 

 

[Mulgabill]

So to get you all up to date - work has continued slowly when the odd half hour has been available.

 

Some pics to follow, but to confirm, track has been laid, on all boards, and points made operational.

 

The larger (West) board has been put away at that stage, so work could continue on my grandsons

2 boards. These have been wired, and I feel quite smug that I have managed to have just 1 feed, and

all of these 2 boards operate, with no need for section switches per se.

 

There was then some testing, both by me and the prospective owner. At this stage I found a couple of

rough sections of track. One because I'd laid about 6" of code 75, that I didn't know I had. That was never

going to suit a 40 year old Hornby Pannier. All was relaid and now works fine.

 

The following pics give some idea of where we are today. With some ballast laid, both stone on the

mainlines and ash in the yard. (Although the ash needs some colouring yet). A run of point rodding also

accompanies the main line Westwards. (This is a better representation than on Helstonish, which will get

an upgrade in due course).

 

 

The locos are the selection from which the small controller will make a choice for regular resident.

 

 

 

I still have to source a suitable transformer/ controller for him to use. I have also cut the wood for the scenic shelves,

but need to get some brackets with which to attach them. That will have to wait until after our visit to Glyndyfrwdwy.

 

As ever suggestions, observations always welcomed.

 

 

 

[Mulgabill]

As mentioned on Helstonish, were back from Glyndyfrdwy.

 

Obviously saw many trains, outside our window, and up and down the line.

 

Mostly 5199 Large Prairie, which I found so good to photo

 

 

and time for coffee and biscuits - trains coming.

 

 

Since we returned i have made the scenery shelves for Huckford Road, one can be seen nearside here

 

 

I have also put together some cardboard scenery trays, and these allow the layout to more than double

its potential scenic area.

 

 

The plan is to build most of the scenery in these trays, which can then be added on either, or both sides of

the layout boards. We could also end up with making some narrower ones, for use when this part of the

layout is living in grandsons bedroom.

 

Incidentally we also saw this

 

 

Looked a bit out of place on coaches and the single track Llangollen railway, but more

appropriate to post here on Huckford Road, than on Helstonish, I thought.

 

As ever comments or advice is welcomed.

[Mulgabill]

Is it one step forward, 2 steps back?

 

I got my new printer / scanner working and new it was copying ok. So this weekend thought I'd try to use it to get started

on my F o D Cottage build.

 

First up I checked it was scanning ok, and how to save to the computer. With these photos -

 

 

Reasonably happy with that, so drew out plans of said cottage, working from pics and estimations based on door size.

 

Scanned, and saved to computer. Sensibly I thought, I included a line for scale.

 

Printed from saved doc - and it came out at approx 96% !!!!!

 

A copy works at 100% !!!

 

So I started working from copies, not prints, and by lunchtime yesterday I was working from version 2 and had a rectangular

"building" (with windows/doors cut out) taped together.

 

Thats good I thought, then over lunch googled Upper Soudley Images. Found a pic of said cottage on Ian Popes website,

so looked at that. And found a pic of the side I'd never seen before. It had 3 windows and another lean-to, as opposed to

the 2 plus out building, I'd expected.

 

That lead to a re-drawing - so V3 this fitted neatly on an A4 sheet, copied ok. But wouldn't save as a "whole" page on

the computer. Only way round seems to be save as 2 docs with 1 side and 1 end, centrally positioned.

 

So after a fair bit of wasted time, I intend to cut a new rear end tonight.

 

Don't you love technology?

 

 

[Andrew P]

That's why I don't do Buildings or Technology Tony.

 

Great Holiday pics too. I'll be in Bala in a couple of weeks to meet up with the Welsh contingent of RM W.

[Mulgabill]

Over on Helstonish I said I would put some steam pics up over here. On the basis that Black 5s would

be more at home here, than in a Cornish based thread.

 

I should explain that I recently got a cheap scanner/printer, which allows me to share copies of some prints

from 50 yrs ago, for which the negatives are at best difficult to locate. In some cases known to have been

damaged beyond use.

 

First up Black 5 45001 on engineers work, just North of Bolton Trinity Street station, 1st Jan 1968.

From memory the train consisted of 2 bogie bolsters plus brake. Later pics were spoild by heavy falling snow.

 

 

Manchester Victoria 2 Jan 1968 Black 5 44788 departs with ecs from the Heysham - Victoria boat train.

(I believe the last scheduled steam hauled express running).

 

 

I think the same train passing under the bridge at the East end of Victoria.( Although it is possible

that it could have been on any of 3rd to 5th Jan) I know on the 5th it was hauled by 44818 as we

travelled in from Bolton on it, before continuing back to the barren lands of Bristol.

 

 

The negative for this was ruined by my 4yr old Brother, even before the end of steam in Aug 68.

But try as I might, I couldn't repeat the shot, even ignoring the crowds.

 

Meanwhile on the modelling front a little has been going on, but not enough to share as yet,

will try to pull my finger out!

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Mulgabill]

So progress has been made, in fits and starts

 

2 or 3 weeks ago grandson came over, and we spent an afternoon, working on "his" layout. We constructed

a narrow scenic tray, to add to the front of the layout, when he has it.

 

 

A front profile for the baseboard was also added,

 

 

And both were shaped to the same profile

 

 

The full front scenic tray was then fitted to match.

 

 

I was then, finally able to "win" a guagemaster controller, which will run off the Hornby transformer

(inoperable controller) I had previously "won". That has been duly fitted..... and works.

 

 

 Unfortuneately, whilst today was another good bodging day, disaster struck when matt varnishing

Mrs MBs BRM cottage - looks like it's snowed!

 

 

Meanwile the rear full scenic tray has been progressed, and is now drying from a coat of PVA

intended to straighten and stiffen.

 

 

Hopefully the weekend may see a visit to Thornbury Clubs Show, followed by some real scenics starting

with junior assistance.

 

 

[Mulgabill]

Well doesn't time fly!

 

It feels like there has been bits of progress but not much to show, for quite a while.

 

However I do have a few pics to update you all, and a concerted effort over the past week has seen HR

progress to the point where it may decamp to its new home over Christmas.

 

Back in March when I started on this, I jokingly told my grandson it should be redy by Christmas, and it

turned out to be the deadline!

 

So some pics as the build went

 

 

 

And one nearing the "end"  I should mention that the scenic section behind the cattle dock is not part of

the grandsons layout, and therefore has not been developed beyond basics. (Just enough to give a basis

that I can work up independantly.

 

 

Of course this is not the end. After Xmas pressy day, I'll have to set to rebuilding said grandsons wardrobe

to accomodate these boards. (And pass my daughters inspection).

 

Then there will be more detail to be added (Suggestions please).

Plus the other boards (west end of yard) needs wiring, and scenifying. Which in turn will require some

sort of fiddle yard(s). Should I go for roundy or straight????  Who knows?

 

I am awaiting a visit from my Brother, after which there could well be more pics, in which case I'll try to

give another update.

 

In any case may I wish all my readers Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year I certainly

hope its better than this.

 

 

[treggyman]

Hi Tony

 

Nice to see some progress on this.....

I'm sure the inspection will pass with flying colours & your grandson will have great fun with the layout.....

 

Look forward to seeing it progress in the New Year....

 

Have a great Christmas & New Year.....

 

Cheers Bill

[Mulgabill]

OK a Christmas treat, at least for Andy, 'cos I know he likes pics! (and grass).

 

Here a set of pics of Huckford Road.in the state it will move to the grandson. The idea is that the

scenic tray nearside in the photos goes to him. There is a 2nd (undeveloped) tray which would

replace this, and along with 3 others, would form the scenics of the combined layout. The rear

scenic tray is one of those in early stages.

 

1st the overall layout as going.

 

 

Then a few views

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I hope these give you an idea of the basic layout. \in this form it should work as a shunting puzzle,

and will hopefully develop as described earlier.

 

As always I would welcome any sugestions, comments or queries. But most of all, as I've done most

of this without full updates, I'd appreciate some feedback as to the impression its made. Would you

want to see it? Would you like to try it?  Is it agood way to introduce youngsters to our hobby?

 

So HAPPY CHRISTMAS and look forward to the new year together on RM Web.

 

 

[treggyman]

Hi Tony

 

Looks really good......

 

The test will be how much fun your grandson has with it but so long as he can whizz trains up & down without someone saying "be careful "  "watch out" or " you can't do that"  I'm sure he'll love it...

I certainly would have......

 

Cheers Bill

[Mulgabill]

Good news to finish 2018.  Huckford Road has decamped to the wilds of the Forest of Dean.

 

Although the transfer was not without its trials. Somebody can't measure, and the layout proved

to be a couple of inches deeper than the space allocated! Good job it wasn't the other way, 'cos

that would have needed walls knocking about. As it was, some gentle negotiation was needed

to get authority for a front overhang.

 

In turn this meant the wardrobe rebuild couldn'y be entirely completed (tidily), so more grovelling.

 

However all is installed, and working, as evidenced here.

 

 

 

 

 

The installation was accompanied by much excitement with the new yard master.

 

Whilst there is obviously more that can/will be done with detail, there is also a list for

installation improvements, for early action.

 

1) A facia has been cut from ply, to tidy the visible frontage of the layout. This requires

some form of mounting to attach it to the layout or cupboard framing. This will probably

be formed from heavy ply, to rest on top the lower cupboards, and fixed by screws at

the sector plate end, where it is accessible.

 

2) There is tacit approval to look into some led lighting to be mounted above the layout

possibly behind an uppper facia.

 

3) The wall can be painted blue/white (Sky)

 

Thats all for 2019, but at least we have a fitting conclusion to 2018.

 

With all best wishes for the New Year to all of you.

 

 

[treggyman]

Hi Tony

 

Glad all turned out well in the end & most importantly the Grandson enjoyed the layout....

 

Where would be the fun if everything fitted first time!!!!!

 

Look forward to more progress & in the meantime have a better 2019 than 2018....

 

All the best

 

Bill

[37114]

Coming together well Tony, I like the goods shed.

[Mulgabill]

May I start with thanks to Rob for his response to the last post on here.

 

Not much has progressed on Huckford Road, but on a visit to its new home at the weekend

 a couple of things were achieved.

 

One was a little running for my new green Class 25 which arrived last Thursday. I also "won"

 a Heljan Hymek whilst there.

 

Also managed to tempoarily fit the led lights, so Photos and uncoupling are easier.

 

 

 

Only downside is the 25 also identified a misaligned rail join which will need attention. (Nothing else has

been brave enough to tell me!)

 

Also went with grandson to Monmouth show on Sunday.

 

All the best

 

 

[Mulgabill]

There has been little to report on Huckford Road for a while, since the developed part moved in with

my grandson. And I have not progressed the 2nd part ... yet.

 

Unfortunately I have to report that the good bit got trashed in a visit from the family cat, last week.

 

Thankfully although a mess, there proved to be no serious damage. Anything should be ok, with a bit of glue.

And the squashed fence can be replaced if need be.

 

However Grandson and I hade a good weekend helping with a layout at the Lydney Show

 

 

 

This weekend I look forward to more of this

 

 

Taken from about 20yds up from our (new) caravan. 

 

Also puts me in a good position for SWAG and Minehead shows next year!

 

All the best

 

TONY

[Mulgabill]

On 01/10/2019 at 20:12, Mulgabill said:

There has been little to report on Huckford Road for a while, since the developed part moved in with

my grandson. And I have not progressed the 2nd part ... yet.

 

Unfortunately I have to report that the good bit got trashed in a visit from the family cat, last week.

 

Thankfully although a mess, there proved to be no serious damage. Anything should be ok, with a bit of glue.

And the squashed fence can be replaced if need be.

 

However Grandson and I hade a good weekend helping with a layout at the Lydney Show

 

 

 

This weekend I look forward to more of this

 

 

Taken from about 20yds up from our (new) caravan. 

 

Also puts me in a good position for SWAG and Minehead shows next year!

 

All the best

 

TONY

 

Well none of us had even heard of Tizervirus when I wrote that!

 

But thanks to said virus the clubs closed, Tauntons off and I'm not confident that Minehead will be on either.

 

Perhaps the silver lining is that we won't have to listen to Clive's music, as he won't now

be staying with us for Taunton. (I had been hoping to lure him to "Yes", surely he likes them really).

 

More good news is that Mrs MB and I today dragged the Western extension board in from the shed,

and progress will resume.

 

All the best

 

TONY

[Mulgabill]

Now WSR have cancelled the Spring Gala and deffered this weekends opening - until further notice.

 

Not much point in decamping to the caravan for the duration then.

 

Probably raises the chances off modelling making progress. I may also have to dig the goods shed out of storage

in the loft, I noticed when up there a couple of weeks back that one end wall  has warped alarmingly, so remedial

work will be required.

 

However here's a taste of what \i have been working on lately

 

 

All the best

 

TONY

[Mulgabill]

Yes there has been progress with the Huckford Road extension board.

 

All of the landform for the 2nd scenic tray on the North (goods yard) side of the

line, has been done. The bad news is that PVA appears to have got to one of the

point operating rods. So that needs sorting. (Hope we dont have to dig a trench!

 

We have just started to shape the trays for the south side.

 

A quick couple of pics of state at 30th March (whenever that was), and will post some,

more recent ones, over the next couple of days.

 

 

 

I have lined up

 

1) finish point rodding.

 

2) Start building the high arch bridge for the West End.

 

3) Start building the GW Stable block, for here or Gloucester Road.

 

4) Continue with South Side Scenics.

 

Back with more soon, I hope.

 

TONY

 

[Mulgabill]

Ok so I'm late again, but feeling a bit below par today, however putting this together

stops me from messing up some modelling instead.

 

Firstly of course I inevitably missed something from last time "to do" list,

 

5) Complete control box, and wire to layout.

                     Little progress, box has arrived from them rainforest people. A slot for the

                     main switches has been cut.

                     But that means I have to go back to wiring, so prevarication has kicked in.

 

1)                 Some point rodding produces, but now needs sections joining together, and

                     cranks inserted.

                     However, as you will see in pics, the South scenic trays are in the way at present.

                     (There is also the matter that I can't count). I have 3 rods running the length of

                     this board, and now realise I should have 4! As I have cut about 40 stools to 3

                     then were going to live with 3. No doubt Paul, and probably John, will spot it. I

                     wonder who else would if I hadn't fessed up?

 

2)                  Foamboard formers for the West end bridge have been made, now need to find

                     suitable brick sheets.

 

3)                   No further progress with the stable block - soon I hope.

 

4)                  South side trays have progressed, in that we think we know where stuff is going.

                      And some landform framing has started. (May not be in these pics).

 

 

Thats pretty much it for Huckford Road now, but I will put a couple of more general things on

Helstonish, shortly.

 

All the best

 

TONY

[Mulgabill]

Seems like I'm always apologising for my tardy postings. So I#m sorry, but it's good to

be back.

 

Seems like I've been spending lockdown, doing very little except working on this, and

yet have nothing to show, and/or no time to share it.

 

However I have at last reached a point where I can show something. However there is

(as yet) no evidence of the biggest drain of time, the control box. That has fought every

step of the way. Including having used a bank of pre-wired switches from a previous

layout attempt, some of which then refused to work. A set of new switahes then had to

be put together, and redone when I found the engineering weakness in version1. Then

a spell of solder 3 wires, only for 2 more to disconnect themselves. But the good news is

that is finally working, subject to connecting the final 2 feed wires, and swapping the first

pair round to get loco going the right way. (Oh and I've got to cram the surfit of wires

into the box.

 

As a result there is howevr some pics of the afternoon Cocklebury Yard - Stoke Giffod

pick-up trip, setting back into Huckford Road  yard, to pick up a couple of wagons.

 

 

 

The area of scrubby woodland behind the train, should represent a small quarry from the construction of the line. Now overgrown with scrub, sapplings bushes etc. Mrs MB is, as I type making weeds from seafoam, as the area in the background needs more detail. There are also bits of the North side (as in the pics) which are quite "creative", and which will come into some more pics I'll post soon.

 

We do also need to get on with the South side trays, which will also need some  buildings constructed. Hopefully when lockdown is over, and we feel safe, it may be possible to take this for a trip to connect it up with our grandsons half, then it might be worthwhile.

 

As ever any queries or observations are welcomed, and I will try to share a few more pics over the neext couple

of days.

 

Stay safe

 

TONY