saxokid Posted June 11, 2021 Share Posted June 11, 2021 Impressive work throughout your layout room and build Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bickybtrains Posted June 11, 2021 Author Share Posted June 11, 2021 3 hours ago, saxokid said: Impressive work throughout your layout room and build Thanks. Its a fun project, I only spend an hour or two on the layout. The weather is nice outside and my dog loves to go for walks. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allegheny1600 Posted June 12, 2021 Share Posted June 12, 2021 On 04/06/2021 at 08:22, bickybtrains said: I have built many layouts over the years. Each time I have it has has been an evolution of the previous layout. I wanted to jump into DCC and with that goal in mind I discovered that I could build a terminus station and operate it in a prototypical way. I searched the internet and found a good design for a terminus station. With that, I started the design of the rest of the layout. The opportunity to do a double deck layout seemed possible. I built a prototype module and liked what was possible. The helix was going going to be the achiles heal in the design. Looking at other helix designs I noticed a shortcoming. They were too steep and had a very tight radius. the original plan for the helix was four tracks I ended up with another loop soley for the coal mine MGR workings, I drew up a rough plan in the old fashioned way using pen and paper. Then once the design was maturing, I drew up a full sized plan on newsprint. I used peco templates to figure out the station approaches and alignment of the two junctions. With the full sized plan I also figured out the length of trains that I could operate. Once the basement demo was underway, I transfered the plan on the floor to see if it would work. Once satisfied with the plan I proceeded to get all my baseboard materials cut at a cabinet shop. I used good both sides Plywood 1/2 and 3/4 inch. I painted them both sides. I was lucky that I have a workshop to build all the modules. Yes the layout has been designed to be dismantled easily. Most modules are 48 inches x 24 inches . All the modules are bolted to each other, electrical wiring etc has also been sectioned, so it can be disconnected between modules. The layout is DCC and with the help of a good friend I will get my head around the final wiring of the layout and associated bits. When designing the layout I realize it is going to be operated by one person, It will be automatically controlled by computer. My job is really to operate the terminus station, coal mine and lower yard. Anticipated problems are: 1. Getting overwhelmed with the layout and losing interest: My last layout was about half the size, to eliminate losing interest I found it wise to jump to other sections of the layout. For me it was build the station and canopies. When I worked on the helix I would take a couple of days off and lay track elsewhere on the layout . I also found it useful to work on cameos and fully finish them. 2. Financial: Not having the funds to complete the project. Again I sold my previous collection and saved up to finance this project. Still its just a hobby and my build timeline is 3 years. I don't spend much elsewhere so the funds are there. 3. Health, im not getting younger, so the duck under is nearly 50 inches from the floor. I live in a house where its only a few stairs down so access is easy. All the wiring is easily accessible, with either drop down electrical panels. 4. I made the basement very comfortable, finished flooring, excellent lighting, an abundance of electrical outlets, have made working down there pleasant. I also have a TV that is connected to my computer so I listen to some good music down there. Hope this helps Thank you! Yes, that was a very helpful and detailed answer. I’m sorry I didn’t reply before, I don’t know how I missed it but fortunately, I just spotted your topic again. Will continue to follow your progress with interest. Cheers, John 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bickybtrains Posted June 13, 2021 Author Share Posted June 13, 2021 Track laying is progressing very well, I am about half way through laying the main lines. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bickybtrains Posted June 13, 2021 Author Share Posted June 13, 2021 Finished the lower station track. The photo is showing St Andrea Parkway station. To the right is the outer loop main line. St. Andrea Parkway can accommodate some lengthy trains. 8 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nova Scotian Posted June 22, 2021 Share Posted June 22, 2021 On 15/02/2021 at 22:12, bickybtrains said: This is how the layout room looks right now. All the drywall is up, just a day or two of sanding. Then painting and electrical. After that flooring and hanging doors. Then I can get to work building my model railway empire. The whole layout will be modular so that it can be taken down with little damage. My wife hints on us buying a nice bungalow someday. How on earth did you manage to buy drywall in Canada in 2021? I had to buy some recently to patch a wall - more than 80% of places here were sold out, the remaining 20% had purchase limits. That said, contractors seemed to be finding it (but complaining about paying through the nose for it). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bickybtrains Posted June 23, 2021 Author Share Posted June 23, 2021 On 21/06/2021 at 21:04, Nova Scotian said: How on earth did you manage to buy drywall in Canada in 2021? I had to buy some recently to patch a wall - more than 80% of places here were sold out, the remaining 20% had purchase limits. That said, contractors seemed to be finding it (but complaining about paying through the nose for it). Well I did manage to get it, but at a price. It isn't easy, I'm in the reno business and it's funny what stuff suddenly becomes rare. For example; steel doors I have been waiting for three months for them. Vinyl windows are taking 8 weeks till they are delivered. It's crazy. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bickybtrains Posted June 23, 2021 Author Share Posted June 23, 2021 Tonight's project was the new back scene boards and the motive power dept. I have only about 20 feet left to lay in on the main lines and I can get wiring. 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bickybtrains Posted June 26, 2021 Author Share Posted June 26, 2021 So over 600 feet of track, 250 hours I can officially announce that the main lines of the Bickley central have been laid. My fantastic, patient wife did the honours of the last spike. June 25 at 9.41 pm. 9 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
davknigh Posted June 26, 2021 Share Posted June 26, 2021 Bravo! Well done! Now comes the fun part, ballasting … Cheers, David Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bickybtrains Posted June 26, 2021 Author Share Posted June 26, 2021 27 minutes ago, davknigh said: Bravo! Well done! Now comes the fun part, ballasting … Cheers, David I think the fun part is electrical. I still got to hook up everything. David Holmes a fellow Buffer MRC member is helping me on that. Usually I ballast after scenery. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium BR60103 Posted June 27, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted June 27, 2021 Youngs's rule: As soon as you finish ballasting your wife will want to move house. 1 1 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bickybtrains Posted July 17, 2021 Author Share Posted July 17, 2021 I took a break from wiring and finished up both stations. The terminus station platforms are finished, and the lower mainline station has its platforms in place. 13 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Theakerr Posted July 17, 2021 Share Posted July 17, 2021 Not wasting any time then? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bickybtrains Posted July 17, 2021 Author Share Posted July 17, 2021 (edited) I decided a while ago not watch tv and spend the time on something more useful. I find splitting the jobs into intervals of 1 evening wiring another building models etc. makes the task easier. The big task is coming soon and that is getting the whole thing running. Edited July 18, 2021 by bickybtrains Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bickybtrains Posted July 28, 2021 Author Share Posted July 28, 2021 Just a quick shot over half my loco fleet. The other half is being chipped and going through a full service and necessary repairs. 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bickybtrains Posted August 3, 2021 Author Share Posted August 3, 2021 To keep my sanity I have to split up jobs on the layout. Last night I was busy wiring up point t motors. I think I have at least 54 point motors to wire up and install. So far I have 25 installed, so I guess I'm half way there. Today was back scene day. Besides getting glue in my hair i think I'm well on the the way of getting that beast completed. 1 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bickybtrains Posted September 6, 2021 Author Share Posted September 6, 2021 (edited) So I have put a road bridge over the entrance to my Helix. Stiill haven't finished all the wiring, but waiting for the inspiration to spend hours with a soldering gun. Edited September 6, 2021 by bickybtrains 3 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bickybtrains Posted September 6, 2021 Author Share Posted September 6, 2021 On 06/09/2020 at 02:25, bickybtrains said: As with all model railway layouts, the fun is building them. Over the last couple of years I have been renovating my house. I now only have the basement left to renovate. Although I have enjoyed my present layout, it does have some short comings. The opportunity is to build my ultimate layout. Our basement is in need for a refurbishment, the laundry room is dingy and dark. The basement was not fully insulated and has a cold floor. It also only has one window. Being in the renovation business allows me to rectify most of the problems, new windows in concrete and meeting fire code is a specialty that my company does. So with pencil in hand I have drawn up a rough sketch of the project at hand. So here comes The New and improved Bickley Central. So its been a year since I started with pen and paper. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bickybtrains Posted September 6, 2021 Author Share Posted September 6, 2021 More photos of some work. This one is the lower station. This a concrete brutalist style station. Kind of based on Stafford somewhat. I used scalescenes Clasp kit, as the basis of this model. 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bickybtrains Posted September 6, 2021 Author Share Posted September 6, 2021 In one corner,I have a model of manor farm. Manor farm was my grandmothers family home for many years. I always loved the farm, going there as a kid. The view of Ferrybridge power station over the fields, the coal trains rumbling through the town, the smell of industry, it all seemed so long ago. 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bickybtrains Posted September 20, 2021 Author Share Posted September 20, 2021 Another update from The Bickley Central. I have been busy installing retaining walls. One at the main terminus station and the other at the colliery. Now back to wiring. 3 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bickybtrains Posted September 21, 2021 Author Share Posted September 21, 2021 Running some trains on the helix to determine its capacity. My Bachmann class 25 can handle an 8 coach train on the inner loop of the helix, without slipping. So my capacity for passenger trains is 8 coaches I guess. I wasn't planning of running larger trains than that anyway. Pretty chuffed that my wiring on the helix is OK. Now to the arduous task of wiring the whole latout. I have most of the droppers in place, all the fish plates soldered. I still got a pile of tortose motors to install and wire up. All in all this part of the project is going to be a headache. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bickybtrains Posted September 21, 2021 Author Share Posted September 21, 2021 (edited) Very pleased with the helix, just a few minor adjustments and it will be running like clockwork. Edited September 22, 2021 by bickybtrains Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bickybtrains Posted September 21, 2021 Author Share Posted September 21, 2021 I did a test train with my class 40 it can handle a 10 coach train on the helix. 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now