Plank

[MarkAllen]

Afternoon all,

I’ve been working on a little plank for the past couple of weeks, after finally getting a little mojo back. The idea is that at the back of a preserved line (maybe the Watercress as it’s my local) I’ve been fortunate enough to buy some surplus class 50’s from NSE and taken over a derelict building to maintain my fleet.

 

Having started with an off cut of wood I tried some of the new Peco bullhead track and after some slight alterations it is what you see now. The white plasticard will eventually have the depot on it, with maintenance being done on the farthest line with heavy lift cranes and lots of detailing inside and refuelling and washing in the middle.

 

The second road from the scenic break will be wired for programming and DCC, to allow some flexibility.

 

Having then boxed it in, I’ve now got the Lenz to power track and points, albeit the points running through an express lighting power board and working of micro switches. Next on the to do list is to make the short fiddle yard and then try to retrofit some lighting into the inspection pits, before making a start on the main building and road bridge scenic beak.

 

Lots still to do but I’m enjoying this little build.

 

Mark

[The Johnster]

I'm liking the 'cabinet' presentation of this; the control over lighting this will give you will enhance the finished layout considerably.  

[MarkAllen]

Thanks very much, to be honest I’ve not considered lighting too much. I want all the buildings and pits and maybe some street lights to have all have lighting but I guess I really should consider some form of lighting inside the box. I will be putting a very thin layer of wood on the outside of the box to give a finished look, once I’ve finished the majority of the internals, so I can incorporate a lip to hide a set of LEDs or something. I like the idea of adjustable lights so I can do daylight, dawn/dusk and full night mode. Maybe even some orange or red glow for some sunsets..

As it’s so small I’m hoping to add as much detail and realism as possible to showcase my locomotives and also lighting will actually be key.

 

Heads away considering the options!!!!!!

 

Mark

[woodenhead]

Are you planning sound?

 

On such a small layout I think sound will enhance the scene, i'm not usually one for it but it tends to be more with the sounds of engines accelerating with a train rather than idling in a stabling point.

 

Lighting is also going to be important as the top will restrict natural light.

[MarkAllen]

Oh yes sound will be present. I currently have 4 class 50s with sound, all from digitrains. 3 are the older version and one has the latest project which to my ears sounds better than the previous. I’ve experimented with the earth mover speakers and it’s just awesome, However i’ll need to mill the chassis at some point, to fit the speaker in. A friend of mine has a milling machine so at some point I’ll strip some of the 22 chassis down and head over with a batch. Other than that I have a Dapol 73 with biffs sound and a kernow thumper with biffs and an earthmover inside. I did contemplate making the front line a through road just to play with the thumper but thought it can always come on depot, it doesn’t always have to be just 50s.. just most of the time. I will get the 3 older versions reblown and add a few more sound locos as finances allow. I’m thinking the 37 and 33 will be next, but then I’m keen to get my Deltic sounded too. Oh decisions decisions and not enough money.

It does sound good inside the box. Will try and do a short video later maybe.

 

Edit; forgot to mention my railroad tornado with a4 TTS sound. A project for making a Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch engine, maybe Northern Chief or Hurricane.

 

Thanks

Mark.

Edited September 18, 2018 by MarkAllen

[Ralf]

Hi Mark, 

 

Having started with an off cut of wood I tried some of the new Peco bullhead track

 

Impressive start from a off-cut of wood, way beyond my skills for sure woodwork-wise. Which points did you opt for to go with the Peco Bullhead? Guessing not the long radius Peco ones as your space is limited?

 

Thanks

Ralf

[MarkAllen]

Thanks Ralf

 

The points are the long version as they are all I could find, but also they add to the realism that I’m trying for. Although only 4 foot long with longer points has reduced the available track space but looks much more lifelike than cramming every little bit of wood with track. So all in I can just about squeeze 5 class 50s into the shed and sidings and another on the road from under the bridge.

Current state of play is ‘on hold’ due to work and tying to work out how to get a nice clean cut into the side of the pits for some leds. Having managed to prise the pits out, I’m wondering weather a milling machine might do a cleaner job than me a drill and a file.

I’m hopefully borrowing a milling machine soon so will hang fire until then and have a practise on a spare, before committing either way. Once holes are cut I will wire some lighting in and get them fitted back on the board. Once that’s done I can hopefully stat on some buildings or road bridge.

Still enthusiastic but not wanting to rush and bodge it like I have in the past.

 

Mark

[sb67]

Nice project to get you back into things Mark, look forward to seeing it progress.

Steve.

[The Johnster]

Try and get your concealed leds as far to the front of the layout as you can, and consider having them as anglepoises even further outside the box.  Many layouts are spoiled IMHO by having lighting overhead; even a midsummer midday sun is not overhead anywhere in the British Isles, and your models need to be lit from the viewing side.  Diffusing the lighting as much as you can will reduce or hopefully avoid multiple shadows, as we are not watching a floodlit football match.

 

Keep layout lighting low; most layouts have lights which are far too bright.  But the box construction will help exclude ambient light for night running.  I would consider smoke units for your locos; they are far more effective at representing diesel fumes than steam exhaust, and will look amazing in your floodlights!  I don't know much about DCC, but I imagine you will be able to have the locos 'idling' with fumes being emitted.

[MarkAllen]

Thanks guys, yes the lighting will be right at the front behind the final facia when I’ve finished all the big internal stuff. With internal lighting and yard floods I’m hoping it will showcase the locos nicely.

Haven’t thought about smoke but now you’ve said it I may well have to investigate. Especially for old smokey aka GLORIOUS.

 

Mark

[Ralf]

The points are the long version as they are all I could find, but also they add to the realism that I’m trying for. Although only 4 foot long with longer points has reduced the available track space but looks much more lifelike than cramming every little bit of wood with track. So all in I can just about squeeze 5 class 50s into the shed and sidings and another on the road from under the bridge.

 

Ah ok, thanks for letting me know. Certainly looks good so far, like the idea of DCC clag too!

 

Ralf

[MarkAllen]

Evening all

Not much happening on the layout recently but I’ve finally got a milling machine and been experimenting with it. I’ve got the holes in the pits done and now need to work out weather to wire the leds in parallel or series. I’ve got a 6volt dc feed so will be using that as the power source. With 6 in the small pit and 12 in the longer pit I’m thinking parallel which I think will require a resistor for each led lamp.

Further playing with the milling machine has resulted in a 50 being fitted with an EM2 speaker which is just awesome. Almost as good as the real thing last weekend at the Severn valley. I’ve sent 3 older decoder versions back for a reblow with the latest files so will get a few more chassis ready over the next few days. It’s a big learning curve as the first chassis was over milled and has had to have some packing. I also managed to over mill the Deltic which has had to have some remedial work done gluing some aluminium back on to allow the bogie to be attached. Testing times but hopefully lessons learnt and some better results to follow. I’ll also have to work out how big a capacitor I can fit in the 50 and rewire the lights eventually.

Mark

[MarkAllen]

Evening

Still no real progress on the plank, I’m too busy milling chassis and adding EM2 speakers and sound to various models. The pit lighting was a failure so I’ve opted for some led strip hidden away but now I’m just waiting for the power converter to arrive.

The Deltic has had a new chassis provided by Bachmann for £14 inclusive of postage which I thought was excellent value. So I milled it again, far mor carefully and now have a fantastic sounding Deltic.

Four 50’s have come off the production line although I’ll have revisit one to fine tune it. A Bachmann 08 has been fitted with sound but has mechanical stall. Ive posted about it in the motors/drive section looking for some help with it. Today a 37 and a 47 rolled out but no EM2’s for these guys, despite a few attempts. I have vitrains versions of both but so far have nt managed to fit EM2’s in them, just not enough room.

So one more 50 to be fitted and some fettling with one, oh and I’ve got a 33 sound decoder to fit my Heljan 33 too.

Ive got the weekend off, so the plan is to get a small fiddle yard made up and working tomorrow and Sunday.

Ive also got to think about legs and really like the look of some extruded aluminium. Ive just got to work out on fixing it to the plank.

Thanks for now

 

Mark

[MarkAllen]

Evening

Well I’ve managed to get a fiddle yard made up today, although it has been a bit of bother. First I’ve mismeasured somehow despite measuring twice and cutting once, the fiddle yard is about 4mm lower than the main board, however once connected this wont matter.

Having started off with a Tim Horn laser cut mdf board i bought some time ago, due to weight its ended up being strengthened with various plys. Lastly the coach bolts bought for attachment have grown legs and wondered off. Not to worry, tomorrow i need to get out and buy a length of track anyway so will get some more.

Mark

[MarkAllen]

Well not happy with version one, I found another off cut at the back of the wardrobe, so with a bit more cutting, version two has arrived. Considerably more robust and not that much heavier despite the bulkier wood.

Much happier now, just needs attaching, a 9mm ply front and track. Oh and some power...

Mark