Ingleford Wharf: 1870s canalside inglenook on the "M&WJR" in 00, and Victoria Quay: a 1900s WIP in 0

[Schooner]

Tiny steps are slowly adding up:

 

Three weeks laid up with a trashed back, which has been frustrating, but for the last few days I've been able to hack 10-minute stints working on the layout. This makes for a hectic job of grassing but at least it's progress. I wouldn't call it a success, but I'm getting into the iterative rhythm of re-doing everything a thousand times over! Likewise, the pic was just thrown together, please excuse the general state of things.

 

For comparison, Hungerford wharf on the Kennet and Avon:

 

The bit I do quite like is the use of 1mm grass for the little tufts growing through the stonework along the Old Wharf:

 

Next steps are to re-do a lot of the grass (!), start adding some wear marks with weathering powder (paint being too stark) to show where wagon and foot traffic regularly moves, face the layout in ply (aesthetic rather than structural reasons - explanatory post to follow in the near future)...and field any suggestions that come from the floor, which would be welcomed as ever :)

 

Might even get to play trains at some point, it's been a while!

[Graham T]

Those grass tufts are a very nice touch.

 

[Lacathedrale]

This is the first time I've seen this layout and I'm in love with it - thank you for sharing your progress, I look forward to each as it progresses. I'm a huge fan of the muted and light palette you've utilised, it's distinctive and lends an airiness to the layout which (though aided by the relatively uncluttered spaciousness) is just delightful.

[Mikkel]

I agree, it looks very good.

 

Also interesting to see how the grass doesn't look too stark with the sandy earth colour. That's one reason I've been sparing with grass on my own layouts, but you prove that it doesn't have to be a problem.

 

[2996 Victor]

On 05/11/2022 at 14:45, Schooner said:

 

 

Hope you're well on the way to full recovery?

 

The ground work and grass is extremely convincing, and the tufts are a splendid touch of realism that I'm going to unashamedly emulate when the time comes!

 

Cheers,

Mark

[Schooner]

On 05/11/2022 at 15:06, Graham T said:

Those grass tufts are a very nice touch.

Glad you think so. They 'grew' to try to isolate the issues I was having with the larger areas but have turned out okay and do add a little something. Barely perceptible, but the slight colour and texture variation does help sell the illusion.

 

On 05/11/2022 at 15:23, Lacathedrale said:

I'm in love with it - thank you for sharing your progress

You're far far too generous, thank you for the kind words! It goes without saying that it's mutual, and I've followed your (various!) design threads with interest and your build threads with awe. Oh for those skills...!

 

On 05/11/2022 at 15:23, Lacathedrale said:

...the muted and light palette...

It's so...beige! More variation is on the cards, once I've worked out the best way to use it as a story-telling device. Predominantly Petite Properties paints, as one of the early buildings I put together was from their range and the colours felt about right. Working with three or so base colours has helped consistency across the layout.

 

On 06/11/2022 at 06:52, Mikkel said:

Also interesting to see how the grass doesn't look too stark with the sandy earth colour.

Hmmm I think the photo might slightly flatter the layout in this regard. It's okay, as the transition could be improved. Shy of other suggestions, Plan B is to start small (1mm) and light (WWS 'Spring' - a green unusably vibrant otherwise) before breaking into darker 2mm for the bulk of the grassy areas (4mm and 6mm for denser patches), and then dusting with the excellent Treemendus Earth Powder to take some of the shine off the grass and tone down the earth colour. I'll report back when I get round to it...

 

7 hours ago, 2996 Victor said:

Hope you're well on the way to full recovery?

Cheers Mark, every day a little better and there's nothing like comparatively minor discomfort to highlight how fortunate we are the rest of the time. And I get a dose of motivation to work on the layout, gratis!

 

Thanks all for the feedback, morale +1 :)

 

The good:

A bitty but productive afternoon chipping away at some shopping (1870s stock set from 5&9 ordered, some bits from Eileens, an accidental win on Ebay to keep the GWR roster ticking over); some painting (livestock, warehouse details) and some investigative train-playing:

 

Wot...no tension locks?! Even the scale coupling/long buffer combo on the left makes it around all the layout curves with ease, and they're not impossibly fiddly to use....so...

 

...I'm going to give 3-links a go! They (and buffers) are just loose fitted in the pic, the 2-plank has different hooks at either end and so on...but on the back of some shunting about, checking reach, likely un/coupling locations etc I think it's worth persuing. Advice please: Reading around RMWeb, it seems the over-scale but practical Smiths couplings are the preferred gear, with wagons handed to have one magnetic link at one end to make capturing the links as simple as possible; and that a lightly magnetised and slightly hooked 'shunting pole' is the tool of choice. Other options are available, of course, and I'd be keen to hear opinions.

 

The bad:

The layout is no longer running as smoothly as it once did.

 

This is partly down to locos (original Peckett is, to all intents and purposes, now longer fit for purpose and has been retired pending TLC; 'new' Peckett - to become a Manning Wardle H -has been unboxed and run in...but she doesn't seem anything like as sweet as her twin), and I'm still learning how to get the best out of the Neilson. The temperature and their dormant spell are mitigating factors, but consistent, reliable slow speed running is essential to enjoying the layout...

 

It's partly due to mistakes made in construction (e.g. poor soldering of power feed to the points distorted the sleepers and narrowed the gauge slightly) and development (flangeways need cleared out in a couple of places).

 

It's partly due to some annoying movement in the trackwork - things which were level are now not. Mostly this is fine, but one set of point blades have inexplicably crept above the height of their corresponding rails, causing unsightly lurches as stock passes, and raising the threat of derailments and loss of power.

 

All in all, it's fine...but I miss it being good!

 

The ugly:

It's also partly because while I've been looking at the middle of the layout, the ends have been having a party:

...which I think has been caused by a combo of insufficent bracing (and glueing!); weight of the ground cover and the numerous and very wet washes applied to the layout at various times drenching the foam underlay. I'm now scared of flattening out the layout for fear of damaging the surface and track so it'll just be fingers x'd that the line of the canal surface doesn't look too ridiculous! Ply facing should help stablise and hide the ends :) 

 

Cheers for stopping by, constructive criticism invited!

[Annie]

On 06/11/2022 at 03:45, Schooner said:

Three weeks laid up with a trashed back, which has been frustrating, but for the last few days I've been able to hack 10-minute stints working on the layout.

Back injuries are the worst and I hope I never suffer one again.  Best wishes for a good recovery Schooner.

What you did with those tiny clumps of grass is just so perfect.

[Compound2632]

I'd been failing to follow this, which was bad of me. Just been catching up - some top-notch modelling here!

[MrWolf]

6 hours ago, Annie said:

Back injuries are the worst and I hope I never suffer one again.  Best wishes for a good recovery Schooner.

What you did with those tiny clumps of grass is just so perfect.

 

Agreed, I trapped a nerve once and every now and then it was like someone had cut all my wires below the waist and my legs would give out. It lasted about two weeks and I simply woke up one morning and it had freed itself. I've had some truly life threatening moments in my time, but that was one of the few times I was genuinely frightened.

Hope you're soon back to normal (or better than).

[Barclay]

For 3 links, I mostly use the Slaters version on wagons as they are closer to scale, but I usually cheat and put a Smiths hook on loco's as they are much easier to use!

[MrWolf]

Likewise, I generally use Slater's 4151 couplings, not only closer to scale, but the springs are much lighter and actually work.

[Schooner]

Not at all @Compound2632, your evangelism knowledge of and support for the Midland was a major factor in this whole scheme coming together in the first place, for which I'm grateful. As for modelling...it's very definitely my first rodeo, 'valuable learning opportunities' abound!

 

@Barclay and @MrWolf thanks both, that's ideal. Packs of each on their way for a bit of a play.

 

Looking at some inspiration from Brimscombe for weathering the mills/warehouses, the louvred roof vents stood out:

which might be a nice option to break up the rooflines at the back of the layout. If I was @Mikkel there'd be no issue:

But trapped as I am in the realm of the possible, I assumed one of the 3D-print suppliers would have something useable. The closest I've found to date is

from Scale Model Scenery. Not really the thing. It's hardly a show-stopper but if anyone's come across something suitable, I'd be interested to hear about it.

[Mikkel]

I came across this, it is H0 and I think in the US, but at least shows that it can be 3D printed: 

 

https://www.rail-scale-models.com/3D-Printed-Cupola-Roof-Vent-~-HO-Scale

 

Maybe someone closer to these shores could be coaxed into doing them?

 

There are also the ones on the old Hornby goods shed, but even if you find some cheap secondhand kits you'd need several and the shape is not quite what you are after.

[simonmcp]

Wills kit SS66 of a Public Toilet has a similar top to it but it is also more oblong. I don't know if Peco would supply just that sprue?

 

https://peco-uk.com/products/public-toilets

 

If not, it is something you could commission from one of the 3d suppliers, some of them will give you one item free in return for supplying them with a full set of drawings that allows them to produce the item.

 

 

 

[Schooner]

2 hours ago, simonmcp said:

...some of them will give you one item free in return for supplying them with a full set of drawings that allows them to produce the item.

 

Well, that's useful information to have! Certainly better than

...that!

 

What with having a bit more time than usual, I recently downloaded Fusion 360, found a Youtube tutorial series and have some hopes of getting to grips with the wild and wonderful world of CAD and 3D printing. Whilst my plank-on-frame ship modelling could use the practice, why not learn a new skill? No immediate plans to buy a printer, but a cupola might make a good first project, and by the time I get around to it @Din's 3D printing marketplace might be up and running!

[longchap]

Wow, that's a tad steepish. I also need a similar pair for my stables and having found nothing suitable on-line was resigned to scratch building them, time being not a big issue. However, it may be useful to ask some questions, so I'll drop Justin a line at SMS.

[simonmcp]

Hi Schooner, I would offer to do the CAD for you  this week but I am still completely wiped out by Long Covid combined with 2 Herniated (slipped) discs and 1 where it is pressing on my Spinal cord. I am doing a very convincing impression of Quasimodo at the moment.🙄

 

The shape is quite boxy so is feasible in TinkerCad which is an online 3d work space (used by school children so I can just about manage it, I'm 59🙄) I did a church bell tower which incorporated the same style of Louvres , but that was octagonal.

 

If I can I will try and see if I can adapt it, but I don't know when I will be able to do it. Even sitting at a computer tires me out at the moment.

 

Simon 

[Din]

3 hours ago, Schooner said:

 

Well, that's useful information to have! Certainly better than

...that!

 

What with having a bit more time than usual, I recently downloaded Fusion 360, found a Youtube tutorial series and have some hopes of getting to grips with the wild and wonderful world of CAD and 3D printing. Whilst my plank-on-frame ship modelling could use the practice, why not learn a new skill? No immediate plans to buy a printer, but a cupola might make a good first project, and by the time I get around to it @Din's 3D printing marketplace might be up and running!

 

'OW MUCH? The shipping alone makes me laugh!

 

Yes, hoping to have it up and running sooner than later. Unfortunately my partner in crime informs me that something has gone slightly wrong in the coding and considering there's around 300k lines of code in the whole shebang, it's going to take him a little bit to find exactly where its going wrong. He should get a chance in the next couple of weeks, but usual caveat of new dad, dayjob etc.

 

Edit: and for some context? I'd do them probably for a fiver... postage included as a pair like that can go into a padded envelope and be fine.

Edited November 8, 2022 by Din

[Graham T]

The prices some of these chancers think they can get away with never cease to amaze me...

 

[Din]

43 minutes ago, Graham T said:

The prices some of these chancers think they can get away with never cease to amaze me...

 

Sadly seems to be the case with shapeways.

 

The shipping is the biggrest insult.

[Graham T]

43 minutes ago, Din said:

Sadly seems to be the case with shapeways.

 

The shipping is the biggrest insult.

 

I'm sure it's only because they're so heavy 🥸

 

[AlfaZagato]

The pound is screwing you over, too.   I show $38 to the USA

[Schooner]

Hell, @simonmcp that's quite the combo! Fingers x'd for a smooth road from here to recovery for you. As for CAD, that's incredibly kind of you but please don't feel the need to on my account - there's no rush for them at all, and I could do with the incentive to get to grips with Fusion :)

 

@Din no dramas at all mate, just thought I'd give a gentle reminder that we haven't forgotten about your project whilst things have been quiet. Sounds like a great idea, but if it were easy we'd all be doing it!

 

No progress yesterday, but some thinking time. The middle of the layout is currently pretty bare:

(as per, very WIP etc etc etc)

 

With apologies to those who've been following for a while, and have seen all this before, at the front is planned a coaling scene inspired by this photo from Frank Gegg's coal concern at Cirencester, 1904:

Lots to take from this, but note the office and weighbridge in the background - what looks a lot like a ground van body between the bloke with the pole in the bow of the boat and the background billboards.

 

When we think of weighbridges, it's normally this sort of thing which springs to mind

which is all well and good, but not appropriate for the modeled bit of Ingleford on any level. Something like this, however,

might be. A hut barely tall enough to stand up in (could it in fact be a grounded van body?) , and with a plate barely large enough for a cart...that fits the tone more, and there might be room for it. Joey was, apparently, Frank's favourite horse.

 

'Cos it's a brilliant pic, and for cart detail:

 

And a little bit on the man himself, for interest:

Every canal wharf had to have its haulier; otherwise cargoes could not be shifted to and from their final destinations. Frank Gegg of Cirencester was no doubt typical. The Gegg family had various interests in Cirencester, and in 1889 Frank started a coal merchant's business on the canal wharf. While at first he probably relied on water-borne coal, he soon had to find alternatives, and much of it must of come by rail instead. He continued in business until 1921 and then probably sold out to a rival. It was under his initiative that the narrow boat Staunch brought coal into Cirencester in 1904.

 

So that's one option to add a little more interest away from the canal edge. Looking at some other local traders along the Stroudwater and Thames and Severn Canal, eg

 

from 1867 and 1894 respectively, suggests another. 

 

The little old Cambrian 2-plank seen above is to have a load of slates fitted at some point; the trow will probably be unloading roadstone from Chepstow way*. This means a small stacking ground for slates and stone towards the rear of the wharf would be appropriate, coherent, and quite controllable in terms of visual impact.

 

As yet undecided, and no idea how to model any of the above, but those are my thoughts at the moment. Yours?

 

*Trows predominantly carried coal, but stone was a notable second in terms of quantity shifted. Coal being taken care of by the longboat, this seemed a sensible load to give her. Coal, stone, corn and Baltic/Canadian softwoods were the main inbound cargos to the region - by canal, and subsequently rail - with local timber being the sole regular outbound cargo.

 

Edited November 9, 2022 by Schooner

[WFPettigrew]

If the challenge with that cupola is the louvres, what about borrowing admittedly more modern?

 

https://www.westhillwagonworks.co.uk/workshop-depot-c-24/detailed-workshop-wall-vents-pack-of-8-p-250

 

(With a price that is an order of magnitude less than Shapeways!!)

[Din]

14 hours ago, AlfaZagato said:

The pound is screwing you over, too.   I show $38 to the USA

 

Shapeways also has a US based production facility in New York State. 

2 hours ago, Schooner said:

 

 

@Din no dramas at all mate, just thought I'd give a gentle reminder that we haven't forgotten about your project whilst things have been quiet. Sounds like a great idea, but if it were easy we'd all be doing it!

 

Yegods, don't I know it! :P