Peasevern Yard - 7mm BR Blue shunting layout

[37114]

14 hours ago, Nick G said:

The Hymek's must be the most stylish diesel locos ever built?

They are a nice looking loco Nick, great visibility and clean lines. 

[5BarVT]

On 06/05/2023 at 17:39, Nick G said:

The Hymek's must be the most stylish diesel locos ever built?

Somewhere I think I read they were one of the first that the design panel got their hands on.

Paul.

[muddys-blues]

@37114 Rob, with regards to your Dapol 121, did you get oval buffers for it ? If you did, which manufacturer did you get them from ? 
 

thanks in advance

Craig 

[37114]

21 hours ago, muddys-blues said:

@37114 Rob, with regards to your Dapol 121, did you get oval buffers for it ? If you did, which manufacturer did you get them from ? 
 

thanks in advance

Craig 

Hi Craig, 

 

The oval buffers were off  eBay, unfortunately I can't remember the manufacturer but they are white metal and were pretty old spares for an LMS van from recollection. Thanks

[muddys-blues]

Thank you for that Rob 👍

 

Best regards

Craig

[37114]

Another milestone for Peasevern Yard today as work finally started on the extension board. An early trip to the local B&Q got me all the bits I needed for the board. I spent some time yesterday evening measuring up the layout and reminding myself what size wood I needed. The new board has to match exactly with the old one to ensure the track is at the same height etc.

 

I realised early on that the piece of ply I had been using to doodle the plans on was too thin however I had some ply of the correct thickness in the garage 

The frame is a sandwich of 18mm x 32mm timber between 5mm ply, the outer sheet being the backscene/end panel. This makes the board very lightweight as effectively the layout is a monocoque.

 

At one end I fitted some small castors to help move the layout on and out of the car and also for stacking on top of the main board

 

I intend the extension to be operable with the fiddle yard on its own (giving me 3 different operational setups) so one end borrows a leg from the existing board.

More to follow...

[37114]

I had to make a new leg for the outer end as this will be required whatever the setup. As the new board will need to connect to the fiddle yard as well I temporarily connected it to allow the boards to be aligned and bolt holes drilled.

 

 

With that done, I got on with the backscene etc

 

The board is identical to the main layout in approach with a fold down front cover. 

 

Stacked up ready to go away in the garage 

 

Next is some painting and then aligning to the existing layout so the track can be joined 

[Nick G]

Looking good Rob, before long it will be a big tail chaser!

[37114]

3 hours ago, Nick G said:

Looking good Rob, before long it will be a big tail chaser!

Thanks Nick, Maybe next time I will go the other direction and build Temple Meads! Retirement project maybe...

[37114]

Breakthrough day today; So I could align the new board I needed to cut out the Mousehole for the track to go from the old board to the new board. This was easier said than done as while the end of the layout was designed to be removed for maintenance, I had never done so and multiple coats of paint had glued everything together. The photo's are a bit dark as I didn't plug the lights in but eventually I got it off:

 

Mousehole cut;

I kept the cut out as I still want to  be able to use the layout in its original form so will find a way of making it removable. It will look better when I have painted the cut edges. 

 

[37114]

Further progress today, the track is laid! I had to extend the track on the existing board as I hadn't allowed for the thickness of the end panel when I laid the track. I removed a short section of rail then slid new rail of a longer length in

 

Board in place just after cut through of the new board.

 

Track laid and first train in place on the siding. I am going to have to re jig (again) the orientation of the buildings as the track is closer to the back than I thought so the cement silo will likely come to the front of the layout 

[37114]

Life is a bit hectic at the moment and with being on the road 2 to 3 days a week as well, there hasn't been much modelling done on the extension but I have progressed a few other things.

 

It has it's own thread but I have been making a BR crew bus using Steve Beattie bits. It had progressed quite quickly but the need to make 17 bits of individual glazing meant the latter stages slowed. Other than some weathering it is all finished now and will go on the extension somewhere. Models of these crew vans have appeared on all but one of my layouts so it is nice to continue the tradition in 0 gauge.

 

 

In other progress, I have finished weathering D7017 but managed to put it away before taking a photo. So one for next time. The Hymek was always a "I don't really need it but it would make a nice model and fit on the layout" type of purchase which fits nicely in the theme of my latest buy; a MK1 BSK. I had always managed to resist the Heljan one as the body profile is wrong and the early Dapol ones didn't have the raised window beading which is the more appropriate one for me era.... However the email from Hattons saying the Blue Grey ones with beading had arrived cane through just as I had consumed the second glass of wine that night so in the basket it went.

 

The Dapol coach is a lovely model but the bit that lets it down in my eyes are the gangways which have the internal door too far forward and the gangway drops as it is movable to eliminate daylight between the coaches. It must look fantastic going round the garden at speed but not really what I need bearing in mind the BSK will be parked in the station platform most of the time

 

As the brake end will be the one visible I decided to fit the gangway cover and glue the gangway in its pushed back position. With the rubber cover it looks much better and was easier than replacing it with a gangway from a kit or the Heljan gangway which looks better.

 

[37114]

With the Wiltshire weather continuing to be changeable, I took the opportunity to get the new board up. 

 

I was keen to resolve the issue withe cement silo being overheight so that was the first focus. I had hoped the discrepancy would be 1-2 cm but it was significantly more and in essence I had to remove the conical top to fit it in. It is still tight and basically will be impossible to remove when fully completed.

 

At the other end I decided to make the road way for the Leyland National. I wanted to add some height so decided to slope the road towards the front of the layout, a slight nod to my last 4mm layout. In addition to the National, I will also squeeze in my Sherpa van

 

As the board will bear many similarities with cement terminal on Peafore Yard, I decided to raise the road way area in front of the Presflo sidings.

Next job is to get some paint on the backscene which will brighten things up.

 

[saxokid]

7 minutes ago, 37114 said:

With the Wiltshire weather continuing to be changeable, I took the opportunity to get the new board up. 

 

I was keen to resolve the issue withe cement silo being overheight so that was the first focus. I had hoped the discrepancy would be 1-2 cm but it was significantly more and in essence I had to remove the conical top to fit it in. It is still tight and basically will be impossible to remove when fully completed.

 

At the other end I decided to make the road way for the Leyland National. I wanted to add some height so decided to slope the road towards the front of the layout, a slight nod to my last 4mm layout. In addition to the National, I will also squeeze in my Sherpa van

 

As the board will bear many similarities with cement terminal on Peafore Yard, I decided to raise the road way area in front of the Presflo sidings.

Next job is to get some paint on the backscene which will brighten things up.

 

Great work still👍

wil look in again soon…

[Nick G]

Looking good Rob, that silo looks huge!

[37114]

2 hours ago, Nick G said:

Looking good Rob, that silo looks huge!

It is Nick! Definitely never expected it to be that big when I started making it.

[TT100 Diesels]

Hi 37114,

 

Just had a quick skim through the latest 5 pages...... Have to say, superb modelling through and through. All those observational details in place, everything weathered and all seemed to tie together in a lovely realistic setting. nothing looks out of place. Stunning.

 

The extension looks interesting, a shame about the silo, but I am sure you will make it work.

 

I was knocked out with the burnt out brake van project a few pages back, would never have thought of doing anything like that, and again, exceptional attention to detail. 

 

I am going to have to start at page on and play catch up with this thread.

 

Cheers

 

TT100 Diesels

[37114]

3 hours ago, TT100 Diesels said:

Hi 37114,

 

Just had a quick skim through the latest 5 pages...... Have to say, superb modelling through and through. All those observational details in place, everything weathered and all seemed to tie together in a lovely realistic setting. nothing looks out of place. Stunning.

 

The extension looks interesting, a shame about the silo, but I am sure you will make it work.

 

I was knocked out with the burnt out brake van project a few pages back, would never have thought of doing anything like that, and again, exceptional attention to detail. 

 

I am going to have to start at page on and play catch up with this thread.

 

Cheers

 

TT100 Diesels

Very kind comments, thank you. The Burnt out brake van was a nice project, I do like a nice rolling stock project.

 

Hopefully will make some progress on the extension over the next few weeks, life has been a bit hectic recently.

 

 

[37114]

Small progress today, I put the embankment in place, my favoured method being solid insulation board offcuts to provide a base and then a few layers of mod roc on top.

 

 

I had hoped to make a start on the backscene paint but my paint tin is nearly empty so I don't have enough paint to do the layout. The tin has lasted all of my last 3 layouts but is sadly discontinued (It was a B&Q colours own brand) so I am hoping that the local store can mix up something similar.

 

I have also started to think about the warehouse for the back siding but have so far not decided on the best option. Skytrex produce something of broadly the right shape and size but I have heard mixed reviews while there are a few laser cut options but I haven't found one that is 100% correct configuration for my needs.

 

[TT100 Diesels]

Been playing catch up on the entire thread. Shame about the missing pics earlier on, would have helped the context, but no worries, lots of lovely shots later in the thread of the super modelling and interesting build progress pics.

 

Attention to detail in spades but for me, my absolute favorite aspect is the yard ground cover and integration into the track, truly outstanding. 

 

Its been a pleasure to read through. 

[37114]

1 hour ago, TT100 Diesels said:

Been playing catch up on the entire thread. Shame about the missing pics earlier on, would have helped the context, but no worries, lots of lovely shots later in the thread of the super modelling and interesting build progress pics.

 

Attention to detail in spades but for me, my absolute favorite aspect is the yard ground cover and integration into the track, truly outstanding. 

 

Its been a pleasure to read through. 

Thanks for your comments, glad you enjoyed the read. Agree re the missing photos, I will have to fire up the old computer to see if I have some saved there to update, I managed to get 50 or so back earlier this year and reloaded.

[Nick G]

On 22/08/2023 at 16:24, TT100 Diesels said:

 

 

Just had a quick skim through the latest 5 pages...... Have to say, superb modelling through and through. All those observational details in place, everything weathered and all seemed to tie together in a lovely realistic setting. nothing looks out of place. Stunning.

 

 

Having been lucky enough to see Rob's layout in the flesh so to speak (we were both exhibiting at the same exhibition) it is indeed superb modelling.

[37114]

On 24/08/2023 at 17:23, Nick G said:

 

Having been lucky enough to see Rob's layout in the flesh so to speak (we were both exhibiting at the same exhibition) it is indeed superb modelling.

Thanks Nick v kind of you.

 

[37114]

Some reasonable progress this weekend, most visibly with painting the internal part of the layout. The paint I had used for the main layout was discontinued but thankfully I had some left in the tin so the local B&Q paint mixing desk were able to work some magic and give me a new tin based on a sample from the old paint.

 

A less noticeable addition is a small switch on the front of the layout: I decided that as the extension would be able to be put up as a self contained layout it made sense to include an isolating section at the end of each siding. The switch is a double pole, double throw switch so one switch controls both section, the logic being with the point isolating either of the sidings it doesn't matter if the isolating switch is on or off, anything in that siding is not moving. Underneath the board I have fitted a din plug wired to the track so it can be fed from the controller if operating as a single board or be fed from the track on the main layout.

 

Like all of my previous layouts this one is set in 1977 and in addition to working on the layout I have also been working on a last nut and bolt rebuild of this 305mm to 1ft scale piece of 1977 history. It has been a long journey but nearly there, just a few snags before it hits the road. Adding a model of it to the layout is a medium term aim.

[37114]

There is an expression "You can't un-see what you have already seen" and that was definitely the case with the Wasp stripes on the cab of the Dapol class 08 which are too narrow. While I have done a few resprays over the years I have stayed away from Wasp stripes due to the need to get the angles 100% spot on.

 

On @47606odin s Hither Green thread, Ian had kindly shared how he had fixed this quite effectively, by splitting the job in 2 parts by doing one side at a time and using the existing lines as a guide. Tamiya fine masking tape is the perfect width to leave enough yellow to widen the strip without a full repaint so I plucked up courage and made a start.

 

I decided to remove the cab from the model which to be fair is simpler to do than I had read it to be. I pipped off the bonnet top to disconnect the wires for the lights from the circuit board. Then the 2 screws that secure the body were removed to reveal.2 screws to remove the cab. There are 2 lugs at the bonnet end of the cab that need to be pushed back and up and the cab slides off. I have purposely left the interior in the cab as  the doors and the wires are prone to falling out.

 

With the cab free I then removed the extra detail like lights, lamp irons and wipers to make the masking easier;

Next step is to paint the gaps black, I will brush paint it to save masking the whole cab etc.