Neils WRX Posted July 27, 2021 Author Share Posted July 27, 2021 (edited) Two Bridges One thing I have been considering, is the bridge at the scenic break end of the layout. The original idea was a laser cut girder bridge. But I don’t think this is really suitable for a road over bridge. Plan B is a more conventional precast concrete and girder bridge. You have to use your imagination a bit the the piers will be brick supports, there will be railings up to bridge. There will of course be a bus on the bridge!! You can see it better on option B. Stay safe, Neil Edited July 28, 2021 by Neils WRX Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Gwinnett Posted July 27, 2021 Share Posted July 27, 2021 I have to say that I rather liked option A 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TT-Pete Posted July 27, 2021 Share Posted July 27, 2021 Agreed, but something a bit more delicate perhaps? Those are chunky girders.... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neils WRX Posted July 28, 2021 Author Share Posted July 28, 2021 "A" is winning so far !! I do like the extra height it gives the layout. I deliberately doubled up the thickness as I wanted it to look very chunky. I did find a bridge that looked a little similar in Belgium on the internet. It does obscure the bus a bit to much though.... Stay safe, Neil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dennis HO Posted July 28, 2021 Share Posted July 28, 2021 Making good progress here on this layout ... looking good 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Keith Addenbrooke Posted July 28, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted July 28, 2021 (edited) On 27/07/2021 at 21:11, Neils WRX said: One thing I have been considering, is the bridge at the scenic break end of the layout. The original idea was a laser cut girder bridge. But I don’t think this is really suitable for a road over bridge. Plan B is a more conventional precast concrete and girder bridge. You have to use your imagination a bit the the piers will be brick supports, there will be railings up to bridge. There will of course be a bus on the bridge!! You can see it better on option B. Stay safe, Neil Hi Neil. I’ve not commented here before but I think your Czech layout is great and I really like the way this one is developing. I’m not an expert on Belgian Railways (or European rail in general), but if I may offer an amateur observation on the bridge options based on the photos: Like others, I’m impressed with the girder bridge (A), but I just wonder if that type of bridge might more commonly be seen crossing a wider span, or a deeper valley. If that’s the case, then to make it fit here, I would change the pillars (not the bridge), and have sloping grassed or concrete embankments instead. Just a thought (feel free to ignore). Hope that’s OK, Keith. Edited April 8, 2022 by Keith Addenbrooke (Post edited as I didn’t keep a copy of a sketch previously posted as a photo) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D1023 Posted July 28, 2021 Share Posted July 28, 2021 Yes I like the girder bridge too. I think it helps take your eye away from the scene break. The layout is certainly looking good and getting me thinking about building something portable.... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neils WRX Posted July 28, 2021 Author Share Posted July 28, 2021 Yet another picture of ballast…. This time the start of the fiddle yard. Also made a quick video of 5512 arriving on shed. Will return to the bridge tomorrow. Stay safe, Neil 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luke_stevens Posted July 28, 2021 Share Posted July 28, 2021 On 27/07/2021 at 21:11, Neils WRX said: Two Bridges Plan B is a more conventional precast concrete and girder bridge. Definitely option B! The bridge over the depot tracks would have been built / rebuilt at the same time as the depot so wouldn't be as dramatic as a a large arch bridge. https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.231737,4.4195002,3a,75y,114.38h,94.68t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sHFw1EV9IzKzTSwfKdQUnyA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en-GB (C) Google Earth 2021 The above is the google earth side view of the bridge crossing the tracks (now removed tracks) outside Antwerpen Dam depot. It's low and calm, with typical SNCB concrete structure. Luke 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neils WRX Posted July 29, 2021 Author Share Posted July 29, 2021 16 hours ago, luke_stevens said: Definitely option B! The bridge over the depot tracks would have been built / rebuilt at the same time as the depot so wouldn't be as dramatic as a a large arch bridge. https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.231737,4.4195002,3a,75y,114.38h,94.68t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sHFw1EV9IzKzTSwfKdQUnyA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en-GB (C) Google Earth 2021 The above is the google earth side view of the bridge crossing the tracks (now removed tracks) outside Antwerpen Dam depot. It's low and calm, with typical SNCB concrete structure. Luke Luke, Agree B is a lot more prototypical, the Streetview pictures also have a wealth of detail on the pillars. If you look on the N1 from above I think that bridge has been replaced at some stage as well so the brick work is original but the deck has changed. I think I might work both up in parallel. One other bridge that I had in my head was this one, which is much newer construction. Stay safe, Neil 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luke_stevens Posted July 29, 2021 Share Posted July 29, 2021 56 minutes ago, Neils WRX said: If you look on the N1 from above I think that bridge has been replaced at some stage as well so the brick work is original but the deck has changed. I would have expected to the have been damanged during WW2. Main entrance to Antwerpen Dam Depot: must have been a major target of both sides! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luke_stevens Posted July 29, 2021 Share Posted July 29, 2021 58 minutes ago, Neils WRX said: One other bridge that I had in my head was this one, which is much newer construction. I guess the original bridge / crossing would hav been replaced at electrification. Luke Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neils WRX Posted July 30, 2021 Author Share Posted July 30, 2021 No modelling just playing trains... I only have one sound fitted electric locomotive. Here is 2611 arriving on a ECS uncoupling and running round. The sound file is from ESU website. Please ignore the lack of OHLE it will come in due course. I also got the proper camera out and took a few pictures. Here are 3 Nohab’s on shed. The locos are all by Roco and the 82 shunter is by Piko. Stay safe, Neil 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neils WRX Posted August 13, 2021 Author Share Posted August 13, 2021 Another not much has happened update... Managed a few little jobs but have been playing trains again so here are a couple of videos. First here 6218 starts up and moves off the depot. The loco is by Roco, fitted with a ESU Loksound V5 chip. Next is an enthusiast special arrives, and everybody runs about taking pictures, then the horn blows and it departs again. The locomotive is 5404 by B-Models / Van Biervliet factory fitted with a ESU Loksound chip and the coaches are type K1 by OVB. These vehicles were common on rail tours in the 1990’s. The only issue is my fiddle yard isn’t long enough for a loco and 3 coaches... Hopefully next time I’ll have some actual modelling to show. Thanks, Neil 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neils WRX Posted September 1, 2021 Author Share Posted September 1, 2021 Another slow month as I’ve been busy doing other stuff. I have still been working on the low relief depot building, adding concrete and experimenting with the roof style to get something I’m happy with. Belgian Depots all look quite similar in design, I hope this looks “right”. Here is progress so far, plenty still to do including painting it : I’ve also gained yet another project. Many years ago I purchased a model of a SNCB class 60 (numbered 6041 which is preserved at Kinkempois Depot) by Kleinmodellbahn. Unfortunately the model suffered from the “Zinc Pest” and the chassis split, which inturn split the body shell, rendering the model useless. However a couple of months ago I read on a Belgian forum that someone was producing replacement chassis and circuit boards for easy DCC conversion. So several emails back and forth and I have the necessary bits, just need the time to make it now. Stay safe everyone, Neil 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neils WRX Posted September 12, 2021 Author Share Posted September 12, 2021 Another bits and pieces update. I am planning to add a line of trees at the rear of the layout which will be on the grass/weedy area so to get an idea if it looks right I ripped up a couple of pieces of static grass sheet I just laid them at the back to get an idea how it might look. This is my normal method of construction, put something temporary down then replace in due course. On the Czech layout there is an embankment that has been there for 20 years awaiting replacement…. To create the illusion of depth for trees will probably be no more than 15-20 cm high. I have also carried on working on the shed and added the depot offices on the side this was produced from slaters sheets of brick (Flemish bond of course) and concrete. The windows and doors are from a Kibri Belgian station kit. A view across the shed front. I will confess I do like playing trains so here is the little 0-4-0 shunter 9101 by Van Biervliet departing the fuel point after a top up. Stay safe, Neil 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dennis HO Posted September 14, 2021 Share Posted September 14, 2021 Nice to see this Belgian layout taking shape ... making me really jealous ... Good work mate ... Grts Dennis & Co. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neils WRX Posted September 20, 2021 Author Share Posted September 20, 2021 Despite having a list of jobs as long as my arm to do on the layout I’ve always wanted an “engineers train”. I was tempted to order the Marklin set that came out earlier this year but thought £150 was quite steep especially as I already have the suitable wagons. So I’ve ordered and built a Kibri excavator kit (an Atlas 1604). This is to go on the back of a bogie flat wagon. This will be sprayed with Matt varnish in due course. I also have a portacabin (again Kibri) I’ve added mesh over the windows. Again this will get a coat of Matt varnish. The third wagon is a Roco Kbs with a sand load. All I need now are some pipes and cable drums to complete the look. I just can’t resist playing trains… in the last update the class 91 shunter departed, here it is again this time propelling a single M2 coach and then departing on the depot staff train which works to the nearby station. A similar working used to take place every day at Mons. Another quick sequence here 5931 arrives from the carriage sidings and is stabled on shed, the loco is by Van Biervliet. Next 5183 departs, having been fuelled, this is a Mehano model, with Dloc sounds. I’ve had to remove the Kadee couplers as my mini uncoupling magnets, are a bit to strong for the mountings, so that’s another job for the future.... Stay safe everyone, Neil 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neils WRX Posted October 3, 2021 Author Share Posted October 3, 2021 (edited) I’ve got a steam engine!!! Roco have released a suitable steam engine. The engine in question is 26.101 which is owned by a Belgian preservation group. The locomotive did have authority to run on the mainline and I rode behind it a number of times, including through the Bruxelles Tunnels. Bruxelles Central station smelt of smoke for the rest of the day... The loco in question is a former Polish Ty2, which the preservation group repainted to look like one of the SNCB version. SNCB originally had 100 which were built in 1944-1945, hence the loco being numbered the next in the sequence. The last Belgian ones were withdrawn at the end of steam in 1967. Here is a quick sequence of it running on to the depot avoiding line. https://youtu.be/fVv5HI1voH0 The layout now has a Facebook page, as I was getting fed up with all the ads on this site making the whole experience less enjoyable. Thanks, Neil Edited October 3, 2021 by Neils WRX Images didn’t imbed properly 8 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Hawkins Posted October 5, 2021 Share Posted October 5, 2021 Very nice Neil, i/m very tempted to get one of these myself, keep up the good work. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neils WRX Posted November 9, 2021 Author Share Posted November 9, 2021 Must be honest I’m using this site less due to the pop up video’s which are very annoying on the PC. But luckily are not there on the phone. A few bits and pieces to mention work has carried on, on the depot building and roof. The roof has had its first coat of paint. Might get a spray over with either green to indicate moss, or light grey to indicate a replaced roof. Still not quite sure on the correct colour for the concrete bits. I struggle with this every time!!! I’ve added some Slaters brick sheets to the bridge supports, again these will be painted and weathered. Think I’m going to with a cream colour brick with a dark colour mortar, as per a post further up the thread. They will then get a good load of graffiti as per the”prototype”. The layout has also been moved for the first time since assembly, as I wanted to paint the front and side, so I moved it into the “garden room” as it has more space. Also experimenting with a cobbled area beyond the water tower, just placed for the moment. Couple of “drone” pictures. Stay safe everyone, Neil 5 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neils WRX Posted November 9, 2021 Author Share Posted November 9, 2021 As I occasionally put Danish models on the Czech thread here’s the latest arrival which will see use on the future Train Ferry layout (hopefully). A MT by MCK, ordered from a shop in Denmark. Sorry to wander off topic… Stay safe, Neil 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TT-Pete Posted November 10, 2021 Share Posted November 10, 2021 (edited) 11 hours ago, Neils WRX said: Still not quite sure on the correct colour for the concrete bits. I struggle with this every time!!! Neil, I use an absolutely ancient tinlet of Humbrol HS 202 "Concrete" which has just the right greenish-grey tinge to it and that I am trying to eke out for as long as possible... The "Aces of Iron" conversion chart http://acesofiron.com/conversion.htm says that the modern equivalent is Humbrol 95, but I haven't tried it. Cheers, Peter, Edited November 10, 2021 by TT-Pete 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TT-Pete Posted November 10, 2021 Share Posted November 10, 2021 14 hours ago, Neils WRX said: Also experimenting with a cobbled area beyond the water tower, just placed for the moment. Neil, who makes the cobble surface? Looks like it comes as a roll? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luke_stevens Posted November 10, 2021 Share Posted November 10, 2021 19 hours ago, Neils WRX said: Must be honest I’m using this site less due to the pop up video’s which are very annoying on the PC. But luckily are not there on the phone. Yes, I'm finding the same. Occasional pop-ups I can managed but this lot are getting in the way of using the site... Luke 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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