Briganton - Change of plans...

[The Black Hat]

In order to get to the stage ready to build the roof over the platforms, the details needed on the platform have to be done first. With the station having pay platforms, lights and buffers needed to be added at the right height to then complete the ends of the bays. With the lights taking their power from the track an extension over the track has been built to hide the stand for the lights and add some detail. Railings around the end of the platforms complete the scene and match where the yellow line on the platform finishes. The space behind the railings has all been measured ready to take the barriers, displays and details ready for the roof to go over. 

 

 

 

 

[The Black Hat]

Hello all, 

More of an update over things that have been going on over the last few weeks. Lately there has been quite a lot of superglue used in the masses of roof work that have been done. I was planning for the layout to be ready by autumn but think that date might slip. 

 

Each of the pannels of tiling attached comes in three parts before being then put onto the roof structure. This has one underside of green wood pannelling, then tin foil and finally the grey on top. This is to stop the effect of light bleed from the LEDS that are then slung under the roof or on the columns that are then used to fix the roof in place. It depends where the roof is as to which area the lights are placed. 

 

Given the size of the roof sometimes they can be hard to fix in place. It means I have broken some of the green struts that are at the top but these can be replaced and fixed back in place. The roof then is a lot stronger when these are all done. At the moment there are two sections of the main station board that are being worked on simultaneously so as the build can progress. 

 

The other section of roof that has been done is the end of what will be platforms 1 and 2. Please forgive the industrial quantities of clutter that gets placed around as things get built. 

 

More soon. 

[The Black Hat]

More updates:

 

The roof as worked on starts to get put into place for testing. More panels need fitting to the far side and then the white pannels also above the tiles have been more fitting in this photo.

 

 

Photos of the roof again from another view. This has the positioning being measured so that the columns can be sited as to where they will be. 

 

With the bay platforms being covered first, the seats and platform furniture is being added. Ticket barriers are being fixed down and screens are in place for where passengers will arrive into the station from the smaller station building. 

More soon... 

 

[The Black Hat]

Update 3 from today...



With columns in place into the platform the lights are wrapt around the brackets on the top before then having the wires thread through the columns that have been drilled out earlier. These columns have a bit of plastic tube in the bottom to then guide the wires through the baseboard and anchor the column into the board to provide strength. 



Other lights have the wires wrap around the roof spans so they go through holes that are drilled into the wood and then get threaded through the wooden board that will be the station wall. 
Also seen in the photos are the paperclips which have been used to pin the roof span to the board and then get pressed down to hold it all in place. These have worked quite well. 

 

Finally, also done are the platform number boards using some of the piano wire that has been bent to form a loop and then cut to measure. These have been attached to a truss across the roof and again look quite good when its in place. 

More of an update soon. 

[The Black Hat]

And here is something towards the end result. This will be the view from the camera that is to be mounted in the building and face down the platform. 

 

With columns started to be added and the roof placed above it gives a view similar to the prototype, which is based off Darlington. The stones on the left are actually peco columns with the top cut off and filed down so they can be the stones underneath the metal roof span. 

The roof on the right still has the tiles showing, as its lower down, but will be raised to height in the next few days as work continues. Next to come... the arrival of people!

Comments and feedback on the build are most welcome. 

[The Black Hat]

There has still been some work on the layout going on. Finally, the process of the central span on the station is coming together and last night more of the cross beams were being put into place. The roof has been fastened to the station wall that will form part of the end of the station, given this one extends further on the middle platform. Columns for carrying the roof have been painted and had the wires put through so that they are now into the top of platform 3. There was some cutting done as well due to a gap where the join was for the station roofs to meet over the far side on platform 2, but hopefully this should now sit right. 

More platform items have been added to the area on platform 2 and 3. This has more display screens painted and fixed as well as the arrival of lots of people. With luck having added the last cross beams, the roof should be able to be lowered into place and then fixed to the existing structure. 

Fingers crossed. 

[The Black Hat]

Hello all, 

 

A big step forwards over the the last week, with the central span of the roof being fixed into place for the span next to the station building. Having had to take the roof section on and off several times, to get the roof to match as the tiling needed to be sanded back with the dremel - it was put into place. Another join to plug a gap for where the roof off the other span lined up also needed a bespoke part. 



The heat from the recent hot weather has not helped, especially where I am building the layout in my house. This has seen some minor buckling of the platform but now has had it all fixed down and in place. The raising of the room still allows quite good access, or any faults. Additional platform numbers from the roof have also been done for platform 3 and 4. 

 

In order for the whole roof to be put into place, it was decided that it would be easier to buy more pillars and work on this as a means to attach the roof. This also has been able to line up the pillars so that when they are anchored into the platform and base board, which helps to force over the first span of the canopy against its backboard and thus all fit square. 

There is still some memidial work needed. The lights need to be glued in place and there is one small gap in the roof off the end canopy. 

 

 

On Sunday in the shade it was possible to screw down the board for what the main station building will sit on. This gives the first chance of the building to be test fit as shown above showing where the building will stand in relation to the roof and shows that the measurements of raising the pillars to correct height matches perfectly with the height of the building that will be put alongside. On the right can be seen the roof being measured for testing the final span. Thus has seen the whole side need an additional plank of wood attached so that it can take the full width of the roof but also give space for the wall to be built - and I have plans that will make this interesting if more complex!

[The Black Hat]

With the station getting the central span in place I could not resist getting part of a train into the area for some photographs. Here, half an HST is put into the station to then show how the layout will start to look once some trains occupy the platforms. 

 

43194 is seen in the platform. The white tubes are for the wires which come from the lights that are fixed to the station wall behind the power car and are onto the roof struts. 

 

 

This is seen from the other end, half way down what will end up being platform 4. This photograph really will only be possible once the station is dismantled, but starts to show the detail fitted underneath. The platform numbers for platforms 3, 4 and 2a have been added. 

 

 

This photo at a higher angle shows the other platforms and structure of the station further over to the far side. Also the cross beams for the station can be seen top left. 

Feedback on all this is most welcome. 

[The Black Hat]

Finally, some more photos of the station. This shows the structure being placed on a board that has raised it to platform height. Its length matches the size of the central span overall when the station building and the bay platform roof are added. 

 

 

 

 

More soon with luck! Hope its all of interest. 

[Graham T]

Very impressive BH, a huge amount of work has gone in to that station roof - bravo!

[The Black Hat]

6 hours ago, Graham T said:

Very impressive BH, a huge amount of work has gone in to that station roof - bravo!

Thanks Graham - but thats only half of it... theres another board to add to that!

[DavidMcKenzie]

Just stumbled across this, cracking stuff. The photos from under the station roof are brilliant. 

 

All the best,

Dave

[Vecchio]

Great work. It's a pity that most of the older photos are gone. Would you mind to put again a picture of the track plan on for those (like me) who just found the thread?

Having such a long station roof - will you manage to see what the train position is? 

 

[The Black Hat]

On 21/07/2022 at 08:48, Vecchio said:

Great work. It's a pity that most of the older photos are gone. Would you mind to put again a picture of the track plan on for those (like me) who just found the thread?

Having such a long station roof - will you manage to see what the train position is? 

 

Hello Vecchio,

I've gone back over the thread and tried to reinstall the photographs into the right areas. Most of them should be right, but have the occasional one out of place. 

When viewing from above in the operators position you can look to see where trains are in some areas, but to be honest, like some, wont be able to see a thing. This is where the cameras come in. The plan is for 3 webcams to be placed into the station, that give views of the area under the over roof. One will be at each end of the bays, so you can see arrivals (or more importantly drive to the bufferstops). Another will be across the station where the steam engine will need to uncouple. The cameras will be connected to a laptop and from that the operator can view what they are showing by selecting which one. This display will also be shared on a second screen that is mounted onto the backscene board behind the station so that way people viewing the front can also see whats going on underneath. Part of the station wall will also have some sections that lift out so that you can see through and into the station. 

The screens and webcams should allow people to know where to stop at the station once a bit of practice and methodology is worked in. All that should happen before the layout is then shown to the general public. However, this weekend, sees an attempt to get the layout up and put together with what has been done so far! Here's hoping it all starts to just fit together!

[The Black Hat]

In another quick update: 

The two P2s have been down for testing and renumbering to put them into sequence for when the new Hornby P2/2 is released. This has seen them become 60605 Eleventh Earl of Mar and 60606 Marquis of Londonderry / Fighting Charlie.





While this is going on, work building the station continues: 



Here, yet more of the roof is being held into place. This gives the station the chance to show a full set of spans across the board as this one above is for the area at the start of platforms 5 and 6. Also due to this, wood has been cut and brickwork has been glued to start to do the retaining wall for this section. An attempt to include a cut away section to lift out and allow access to see into the station has also been included. 

More work should be done this week, before a planned 'big test' on Sunday of putting the layout together outdoors! Comments and Feedback are welcome. 

[The Black Hat]

Hello all, 

Feedback from what has been known as 'the big test'. Given the weather and the stage the layout is in: my brother Andrew and I decided to get what was built of the layout out together and get it onto the stands so that it was possible to see how it goes together and some of the work that is still needed. 

 

This was the first time that several of the boards have been put together, with Andrew liking the chance to see what else needs to be built for the boards as he is given the chance to use his power tools that he keeps getting. Dan, was also visiting to help with some of the lifting needed to get the layout out and into position. 

 

What was nice to see was the layout starting to take shape, although most of the buildings were not placed on the layout to save some time. It did give a chance to see what the layout would end up looking like, as all of the scenic sections with the work done had not been placed together up till this point. 



Here the main station approach is seen with the trackwork taking the lines into the various platforms of through line. Its the first time that the junctions have been added with the station having part of the canopy included - which will eventually end up being three spans wide. 

Dan, who works on the real thing was able to make some suggestions for some of the signalling - mainly being from what will be platform 6 into the headshunt where the Black Duke is currently standing. Other areas might have needed more things adding, but given how busy the junctions will be I am thinking of still having engines just shunt to signals on the platform, and need to compromise over the fact that these will not be showing route disks or letters because of the costs and complexities involved. 

Will post more photos over the coming days of the test and how some areas were discussed so that more can be seen on the layout going forwards. 

Comments and feedback are welcome. 

[The Black Hat]

Hello again, 

More photos from the big test. 

 

This angle pretty much shows one of the best areas to view the layout as from here you get the full view of the station approach from 'the south' as well as see the depot area - which is without its buildings in the photo.  Andrew is on the right checking bolt fittings to put the two boards together. 

 

 

During some running testing it was noticed there was a slight rise in the trackwork on the mainline curve where the line has moved when the wires were soldered to the track. The class 66 derailing slightly between its position in the two photos shown above. This photo also gives a great view of most of the junction seen together, showing both the loading area and the branch on the left of the mainline. Dan again was helping with the signalling needed for the area. 



Part of the plan for getting the layout up was also to see how many legs would be needed and where these could go. Andrew and I are planning to see if we can place boards under the layout to mount on the legs that means that they can be more spaced out and allow better useage. The photo shows the less than ideal attempt to measure this given that the garden was not always level. However, the trains were running across boards on the mainline and it was proving that the layout can be but up and taken down with some of the ease expected considering its overall size. 

More soon. 

 

[The Black Hat]

Hello all, 

 

Some more photos from the big test. Here we see the start of the other boards that Andrew and I have been making. It also gave us a start to see how large the layout would become overall, and yes its bigger than planned to start with and bigger than many still realise. Even when put together I think it will still surprise people, including me for a while. ~

 

There are a number of first's when it comes to these photos. This one is the first time that a board has been placed past the river scene board and now shows the entrance for some onto the fiddle yard. Despite the bad light (as this was into the sun) this is the first real time that such a view has been taken of the track in that direction. 

 

As other works were being done more latches have been bought to fix the more boards together. This allows the wood work to continue so that the frames for the boards are done. 

 

 

With the boards for the scenic sections being placed onto legs, other boards were placed onto the ground, waiting for more frames to be cut. This allowed us to work out the spacing and positioning in order for the boards as they have been cut from two separate suppliers over the time to build the layout, so to get things right, boards match up on either side of the layout so that the length on each is correct. 

Another view similar to the first photo in this set. Here you can see the fiddle yard board starting and the rest of the scenic section in front. The board will have a backscene placed on the side the photograph is taken from to that the fiddle yard and its junciton here will be hidden from view. Some people might notice Dan in the photo too, but he was too busy finding all the thrash features on the class 66... 
 

 

Finally, another photo of Andrew taking over another way of getting things done. Hes been really supportive and deep down I think wants the layout to be a success as much as me. Its been great having a few freinds to call on and I have no doubt others will be needed once I start moving in the direction of forming a crew for it. 

More soon. Feedback and comments welcome. 

 

[DavidMcKenzie]

That first shot down the tracks and over the bridge is great 👍. Really shows the benefit of being able to take some photos of the layout in true daylight on a sunny day. I'm enjoying following your progress.

 

All the best,

Dave 

[The Black Hat]

Last photo from the Big test a few weeks ago. 




One here from the station roof that is starting to come together. There has been more work done in the area as the track on platforms 5 and 6 has been ballasted and the roof for this is under construction. The part on the left is the area above where platforms 5 and 6 finish - with this area being put in place to give a view of what the station will start to look like when it is all done. 



The one here shows the junction approach, being shown again for contrast with the next photo below. The photo shows nicely the routes into the station but because of the station approach and so gives an idea of the movements that will be needed. In actual fact, during the test there were some issues with signalling that were discussed as Dan was able to pass on some knowledge on working practices on the network. This was mainly about the need to shunt release engines back from the loading yard into the station area before then heading back. This would be a long shunt and it was wondered whether there would be a need for a ground signal on the line into platforms 1 or 2. Given service patters I think that shunting to the signals in the stations would be easier and so will be adding just the shunt signal into the headshunt off platform 6. 

 

This photo gives one of the best views of the main junction so far, including both the approaches from the main and branch, as well as the loading area, through the main station junction and then towards the station and platforms themselves. Through this all platforms have access to all lines meaning that there should be a great deal of movements and changes that will occupy the viewer of the layout. Andrew and I agree that really, this will probably be the main vantage point of the layout overall, as from here you can see most of the activity that will be happening. Add in the idea of other areas, such as the shed/stabling point and headshunt (where 71001 Duke of Wellington) is seen and the scope is there for a lot of variety. 

More on recent work soon. 

[The Black Hat]

Time for an update, which has become long overdue. 

Work on the layout has been slowly progressing. With the building taking quite some time there have been occasions when I simply have lost 'mo-jo'. Matters where not helped when the local politics returned to the scene. Having been invited to be in a local club, I joined for a while with the hope that they were looking to improve and develop. Sadly, this was not the case and it was being run by a select few with minimal input from others. I have done various things in voluntary organisations, management at work and know things that needed to be done, but with ideas not being taken on, me and several since others have left. This was still some ago, about a year or more. 

 

One comment was received when seeing someone recently that when offering the layout when finished, it was being quickly ruled out by being too large. Given I know that as an organiser you can fit things around the space available, if you want something you can make it fit. I also know that other layouts that have been have been bigger in terms of space overall have been. While Briganton might be deeper than some, I know if it was there it would be well received and the home venue is something all of us look forward to doing this for. I felt very disappointed to think it might not be there but know it would be well received at other shows nearby. Others have said that such reasons are because I and others have left, but overall I hope they can be successful and enjoy their hobby in the way they would like to. Still, it made me step back from having the urgency of having to complete the model and with changes with work also made me spend less time on it. 

 

It's funny how your desire to build and enjoy the hobby shared with others can take a knock to confidence when others don't welcome someone's genuine desire to help out. Having taken a bit of time away and quietly working on it when chance allows speaking to others brought back more confidence and a wider appreciation of others happily wanting to know about it and say they look forward to seeing it at an exhibition.  Thankfully too, others have known that I could help where I can and I have been approached for another build project with another organisation nearby. More on that at another time. 

It also doesn't help when you get focused on another project within the overall build, but this time was stock and the creation of the WCRC rake proper. So a few coaches were bought and a repaint of a set started so that the WCRC engines in the collection - which include 46115 Scots Guardsman, 45699 Galatea, 35018 British India Line and 5972 Olton Hall - will all have a proper rake to go with them. Thats before you add all the engines on the WCRC safety case. 

So, having taken a bit of a while, attention recently has returned to the layout proper. Build work has been continuing on the roof, but finally with much of the tiling, glasswork and columns done, more of the roof is up and the rest should be following soon. Its just leaves one long span over the board for platforms 5 and 6 to fix in place, with the central span over the centre complete now and done so it can be lifted out. 

I shall try to update with more photos soon, but sorry for the break in updates. Thanks to those following the thread and for those browsing with interest. 

Edited January 26, 2023 by The Black Hat

[The Black Hat]

While the station roof remains the main focal point of the station area, the problem with building William Bell's design is that I am very conscious of the fact that when the roof is in place you won't actually see much of the station itself in use. In ways it becomes a pity, as the activity there is the reason for the layout itself - trains coming and using the station, some terminating and standing. 

 

The plan always was to try and build the roof in the central span with areas that lift out. Allowing people to look inside and at least see some parts of the station with the trains moving. Furhter parts in the retaining wall section on the area closest to the viewers also have small parts cut out, but these are rather small as they do have to fit between the spans of the roof and these are just 7cm apart. 
 

Photos below show the various parts of the roof being measured. These are then held together using the tension in the structure when its all fixed and established. I was thinking slots might be needed into it at the top of the columns to have the spans fit in but its holding its own as things stand. 

 

 

Photo above of the roof being fitted out with tiling and measured to suit where the sections will be lifted. If you look carefully you can see where two spans meet so that the whole roof fits together but needs 2 spans next to each other to give the roof its shape and strength. 

Coaches nearby also show some of the work being done on some stock - including yet another fictitious rake, being the New North Eastern Railway Directors set and the WCRC set being worked on.  

 

 

More photos of the roof being put together. WIth the frame of a span in place and the tiles, cross spans under the glass and the glass work all still to add. 

There should be more photos coming soon where the roof on this section is brought up to date! 

 

Thanks. 

Edited January 30, 2023 by The Black Hat

[The Black Hat]

Hello all, 

 

Time for another update with all the progress that has been going on and seeing the results from the roof being put into place for the first time showing all three spans together. 
 

 

Above you can see the roof in place. For the first time its held against the rest of the structure, with clamps holding it to the baseboard while clearances, lining up and wiring is checked. It shows finally, the main roof part of the station coming together. The final span still needs more glasing ordering from Peco spares so that should be getting done soon. Some of the areas of the central span can be seen showing the joins where the roof can be lifted to allow people to see inside. 

 

One of the first views of the station seen from underneath, showing the massive trainshed. Theres still lots to do, such as fixing platform and signals into place, as well as adding more passengers to some areas of the build. The roof on the right is the new part fitted, over what will be platforms 5 and 6. 

 

Views from the centre lines through the station, now showing the span added to the right and seeing the start of the three spans with the glasswork and valance on the end of the roof. While modelled on Darlington, the platform layout is not quite the same, but one of the characters being the end of the roof can clearly be seen here. 

 

 

While mentioning the end of the roof, this shows the first view of the three spans together. There is still a lot of pillars, supporting detail and work done on presenting this end of the roof structure once its down, but this is also clearly showing the classic North Eastern Railway design that I have tried to replicate. 

Hope its all interesting. Comments are most welcome. 

 

[The Black Hat]

At the weekend the station boards with the whole train shed have been pushed together, giving for the first time the view of the combined trainshed over the station. There is still some scenery work to be done on the structure, with glasing needed and the roof centre spans added, but its now finally showing eventually what the whole structure would look like once completed. Some views include the station building and clock tower, again with the latter based off Darlington's iconic structure. 

 

 

 

 

While the whole thing does look impressive it does hide an awful lot of the detail that the station will feature within, but more soon on the ways that this will all be able to be seen. Some of those following the threat and noticing some things in photos might be able to see how some of this is happening. 
 

Will try and update again soon. 

[DavidMcKenzie]

That looks superb👍. Like you say it's a shame that the amazing internal detail isn't directly visible. Is the plywood at the 'front' removable in anyway? Or is this holding up the roof? 

 

All the best,

Dave