Chuffnell Regis

[Fishplate]

3 hours ago, Graham T said:

Or I may try making my own using this technique.

 

I used this technique. Worked well for me. I just took a cutting plan to a local DIY store and created my own kit. I didn't watch the entire video, but I joined my boards with coach bolts. Adjustable legs were attached similarly.

 

The layout was always planned to be moved for domestic reasons. The boards were made to fit snugly into the original room, with some room to separate. In its new location it will be semi self supporting, so may require some diagonals now. So worth considering/planning some flexibility for the future.

[Graham T]

That's what I had in mind - get someone else to do all the cutting for me.

 

Separately, on a first quick look I think it will be more economical to use Peco bullhead flexitrack rather than trying to recycle my existing rail and buying C&L sleeper panels.

[BWsTrains]

6 hours ago, Graham T said:

I'll take a look at that for sure Andy.  Or I may try making my own using this technique.

 

A lot depends on if you need it portable, to attend shows etc. For a fixed setting it's hard to go past the L-Girder method which provides lots of rigidity yet flexibility regarding managing different levels. "Mid-Cornwall lines -..." by @St Enodoc being one outstanding example.

 

Colin

Edited February 3 by BWsTrains
typos

[Neal Ball]

Tip for removing track - wet the ballast and generally the PVA will give and you can free the track from the baseboard. 
 

Some track might only be suitable for the fiddle yard, other sections you will be able to use again.

[Gopher]

16 hours ago, Graham T said:

 

I'll take a look at that for sure Andy.  Or I may try making my own using this technique.

 

Meanwhile, in the "not news at all category", I can confirm that it's a tad quicker to destroy a layout than it is to build one...

 

Also, I don't think I will be able to salvage much, if any of the track and points.  It's ballasted of course, and pretty solidly attached to terra firma.

Graham  -  sad to see CR disappearing before our eyes.  I actually found it very difficult to scrap Dewchurch 2.  I tried not to think about the hours and money I had invested in the layout.  

 

I salvaged buildings and the easy to remove scenic items and kept telling myself I could easily put them all back.   Once I started track lifting and severing my electrical mess (otherwise known as layout wiring), there was no going back.  I managed to salvage all but two of my Marcway points/crossings. Took ages of gently prising the points up from the cork underlay, and wetting the ballast if necessary.  I found that where I had used Ballast Bond (as opposed to diluted PVA,/washing up liquid), it was very difficult to lift the points.  The stuff had set like concrete.  I had to repair a couple of points when retrieved, and check all were still lying flat (on our kitchen work top) so not bent/warped in any way and in gauge.  I did not bother trying to salvage the SMP track, just bought all new for Dewchurch 3.   I was nervous about using salvaged points on the new layout - given that they were about 15 years old.  However once I had salvaged them, checked them and made necessary repairs, I knew they would be O.K.     

 

When I built Dewchurch 3,  I invested in very good quality baseboards (so agree with Andy's comment above).  I took ages laying and testing the track. (I re-laid some sections a few times until I was happy).  I used Tracksetta templates to regulate the curves.  I was also far more disciplined with my wiring, colour coded, and wiring notes.   

 

Anyway taking my time with the basics has paid off.  So far so good,  the new layout has proved reliable.  Sorry if I am waffling on and stating the bloody obvious.  I find the basics a bit of a chore and am always keen to move onto the scenic modelling.   

 

CR Mk II will be an excellent layout with all you have learned on CR, plus you already have some excellent buildings, rolling stock etc from CR.  So lots to look forward to. 

 

If you do end up living close to/or in Herefordshire, you already know you will have access to some excellent model shops, including  my favourite Hereford Model Centre.  Derails and Cheltenham Model Centre are also excellent.  I popped into Footplate Models in Kidderminster a few months ago, nice range of items.   If you have a day out in Cardiff - head for Lord & Butler.  My go to railway model shop when I lived there, and still pop in if I am in Cardiff.     

 

Best of luck  

 

Clive

Edited February 4 by Gopher

[Andy Keane]

20 minutes ago, Gopher said:

I invested in very good quality baseboards

For info I went with Grange and Hodder - there was a bit of a wait and they were not cheap but compared to a RTR loco with a YouChoos sound and stay-alive setup not that expensive either. I built these top surface down on my rather patient wife's solid granite kitchen work top (with a large sheet of PTFE underneath) using two pack epoxy.

[Graham T]

11 hours ago, BWsTrains said:

 

A lot depends on if you need it portable, to attend shows etc. For a fixed setting it's hard to go past the L-Girder method which provides lots of rigidity yet flexibility regarding managing different levels. "Mid-Cornwall lines -..." by @St Enodoc being one outstanding example.

 

Colin

 

Thanks Colin.  It will be a permanent structure (hopefully) so that's another option to look at.

[Graham T]

5 hours ago, Neal Ball said:

Tip for removing track - wet the ballast and generally the PVA will give and you can free the track from the baseboard. 
 

Some track might only be suitable for the fiddle yard, other sections you will be able to use again.

 

Thanks for the tip Neal - the track is marinating as I type!

 

[Graham T]

1 hour ago, Gopher said:

Graham  -  sad to see CR disappearing before our eyes.  I actually found it very difficult to scrap Dewchurch 2.  I tried not to think about the hours and money I had invested in the layout.  

 

Same here Clive - hard to make a start on scrapping it, but I'm committed now (or perhaps I should be...)

 

1 hour ago, Gopher said:

 

I salvaged buildings and the easy to remove scenic items and kept telling myself I could easily put them all back.   Once I started track lifting and severing my electrical mess (otherwise known as layout wiring), there was no going back.  I managed to salvage all but two of my Marcway points/crossings. Took ages of gently prising the points up from the cork underlay, and wetting the ballast if necessary.  I found that where I had used Ballast Bond (as opposed to diluted PVA,/washing up liquid), it was very difficult to lift the points.  The stuff had set like concrete.  I had to repair a couple of points when retrieved, and check all were still lying flat (on our kitchen work top) so not bent/warped in any way and in gauge.  I did not bother trying to salvage the SMP track, just bought all new for Dewchurch 3.   I was nervous about using salvaged points on the new layout - given that they were about 15 years old.  However once I had salvaged them, checked them and made necessary repairs, I knew they would be O.K.     

 

I've managed to lift all the buildings and trees.  It's only the cattle dock that, so far, refuses to budge.  Doesn't look very much when they're all put together like this.

 

 

1 hour ago, Gopher said:

 

When I built Dewchurch 3,  I invested in very good quality baseboards (so agree with Andy's comment above).  I took ages laying and testing the track. (I re-laid some sections a few times until I was happy).  I used Tracksetta templates to regulate the curves.  I was also far more disciplined with my wiring, colour coded, and wiring notes.   

 

All excellent lessons that I will try to follow Clive!  I may get bespoke baseboards made, or build my own (carefully).  It will depend on finances I suppose.  And I will actually use a couple of buses for the wiring next time, rather than have a repeat of the snakes' wedding that is currently dangling underneath the remains of CR Mk I.

 

1 hour ago, Gopher said:

 

Anyway taking my time with the basics has paid off.  So far so good,  the new layout has proved reliable.  Sorry if I am waffling on and stating the bloody obvious.  I find the basics a bit of a chore and am always keen to move onto the scenic modelling.   

 

CR Mk II will be an excellent layout with all you have learned on CR, plus you already have some excellent buildings, rolling stock etc from CR.  So lots to look forward to. 

 

If you do end up living close to/or in Herefordshire, you already know you will have access to some excellent model shops, including  my favourite Hereford Model Centre.  Derails and Cheltenham Model Centre are also excellent.  I popped into Footplate Models in Kidderminster a few months ago, nice range of items.   If you have a day out in Cardiff - head for Lord & Butler.  My go to railway model shop when I lived there, and still pop in if I am in Cardiff.     

 

One of the things I'm looking forward to is browsing some model shops in the real world again.  I tried to visit the Hereford Model Centre last time I was in England, but it was closed unfortunately.

 

 

[Gopher]

Those buildings are great Graham, lovely modelling 

[Andy Keane]

6 minutes ago, Gopher said:

Those buildings are great Graham, lovely modelling 

They would fetch a pretty penny if you ever sold them on eBay. They are beautiful.

[longchap]

27 minutes ago, Gopher said:

Those buildings are great Graham, lovely modelling 

 

The station building in particular is beautifully modelled with skill and attention to detail and would do credit to any Great Western branchline.

 

[Graham T]

3 hours ago, Gopher said:

Those buildings are great Graham, lovely modelling 

 

3 hours ago, Andy Keane said:

They would fetch a pretty penny if you ever sold them on eBay. They are beautiful.

 

3 hours ago, longchap said:

 

The station building in particular is beautifully modelled with skill and attention to detail and would do credit to any Great Western branchline.

 

 

Thanks very much for the kind words chaps.  You have given me an idea (uh-oh).  Seeing as I'm still one of the great unemployed, do you think I might be able to sell bespoke buildings?

 

[MrWolf]

Like everyone else I am sad to see you having to dismantle the layout, but having followed the build it's been like a degree course in practical modelling for you and covered just about every aspect of the hobby, so it's been time well spent.

 

Good to see just how much you're salvaging for MK2, it will come together scenically very quickly, so you can concentrate on the baseboards and track, making a first class job of it from what you've learnt.

 

As we're living in rented accommodation, I built Aston as though it was going to be an exhibition layout, but installed storage beneath it, (subsequently annexed by Miss Riding Hood, perhaps IKEA can make some chests of drawers called Czechoslovakia?) but ultimately capable of being relocated if and when necessary.

 

Bespoke boards either bought in or self built will certainly help there.

 

I'll second the comments on the quality of your buildings.

[Andy Keane]

1 hour ago, Graham T said:

 

 

 

Thanks very much for the kind words chaps.  You have given me an idea (uh-oh).  Seeing as I'm still one of the great unemployed, do you think I might be able to sell bespoke buildings?

 

Graham, yes I do think you could build and sell models. Not sure the hourly rate would be great but given the quality of what you make you could surely try.

[Fair Oak Junction]

1 hour ago, Graham T said:

Thanks very much for the kind words chaps.  You have given me an idea (uh-oh).  Seeing as I'm still one of the great unemployed, do you think I might be able to sell bespoke buildings?

 

I definitely think that could be something for you to consider. There are people out there looking for quality model building makers, and your buildings are without a doubt high quality!

[Gopher]

1 hour ago, Graham T said:

Thanks very much for the kind words chaps.  You have given me an idea (uh-oh).  Seeing as I'm still one of the great unemployed, do you think I might be able to sell bespoke buildings?

I echo the comments above Graham.  Your buildings are definitely good enough to sell commercially.  No idea how you price them though, given how much time and effort you put in. 

 

Would you also consider taking commissions, (or is that what you mean by bespoke buildings ?)   

[Graham T]

1 hour ago, Andy Keane said:

Graham, yes I do think you could build and sell models. Not sure the hourly rate would be great but given the quality of what you make you could surely try.

 

1 hour ago, Fair Oak Junction said:

 

I definitely think that could be something for you to consider. There are people out there looking for quality model building makers, and your buildings are without a doubt high quality!

 

43 minutes ago, Gopher said:

I echo the comments above Graham.  Your buildings are definitely good enough to sell commercially.  No idea how you price them though, given how much time and effort you put in. 

 

Would you also consider taking commissions, (or is that what you mean by bespoke buildings ?)   

 

Thank you all for the vote of confidence!  I shall have to give it some more thought.  Clive, yes I think commissions would probably be the way ahead.  Did you have something in mind?

[Gopher]

3 minutes ago, Graham T said:

Thank you all for the vote of confidence!  I shall have to give it some more thought.  Clive, yes I think commissions would probably be the way ahead.  Did you have something in mind?

Graham - I may be (and probably am) totally wrong, but think there is a bit of a gap in the 00 market for quality station buildings (of all sizes), so branchline, branchline terminus, town etc.  Of course huge variety of styles (even just GWR, and absorbed companies)

 

    

 

        

[russell price]

If you were interested then, im sure i would be able to give you a couple of commissions, Welshpool Goods Shed for starters? That is a serious question. 

[Mikkel]

Sad to see the layout go, Graham. But as others have said I'm sure something new and excellent will rise from the ashes. Did you save the large oak? A bit of a signature piece for Chuffnell Regis, in my mind.

[Graham T]

1 minute ago, Mikkel said:

Sad to see the layout go, Graham. But as others have said I'm sure something new and excellent will rise from the ashes. Did you save the large oak? A bit of a signature piece for Chuffnell Regis, in my mind.

 

I did manage to save all the main trees, yes.

[Graham T]

20 minutes ago, russell price said:

If you were interested then, im sure i would be able to give you a couple of commissions, Welshpool Goods Shed for starters? That is a serious question. 

 

Hi Russell.  Yes I'd be very interested in having a crack at that for you.

[russell price]

51 minutes ago, Graham T said:

 

Hi Russell.  Yes I'd be very interested in having a crack at that for you.

Will message you direct, you probably have enough else on your plate at the moment, like others have said its a shame to break up Chuffnell Regis, but things move onwards. No doubt once youre settled CR MK 2 will  rise and using lessons learnt from CR 1 you will soon have a layout to be proud of. 

[Graham T]

So, I've managed to save nine points from the layout.  One or two of them might need some repairs, but I think they'll be ok for using in a fiddle yard.  One other point didn't survive being lifted, and I haven't even bothered with the single slip...

 

This evening I got all the point motors removed as well.  A useful reminder of the joys to be had working underneath a baseboard.  When I build CR Mk II I'd like, if at all possible, to arrange things so that I can do at least the lion's share of the wiring before I actually fit the boards in position, so that I can flip them over onto a workbench and deal with them more comfortably.  I need to give that some thought too!

 

Tomorrow I'll make a start of dismantling the baseboards, which promises to be all sorts of fun as I appear, for some reason, to have made them strong enough to withstand a low-yield nuclear explosion 🙁