BobM Posted April 14, 2022 Author Share Posted April 14, 2022 (edited) Evening guys.... Happy to announce that the three sections of the main layout are now 'one'.....the 'North'/ 'Station' and 'Southern' having been hoisted onto the metal trestles, held in position with 'G' clamps each being held together with joiners on the sides....the next stage will be to insert reinforcing batons beneath to prevent any further warping and then I can assess what needs to be done to make a decision on its 'operational' or 'cosmetic only' future, either partially or fully in all aspects? Will post further news soon... Regards always Bob Edited April 14, 2022 by BobM 7 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobM Posted April 14, 2022 Author Share Posted April 14, 2022 A poor quality (due to the bad lighting ) video of the layout as it stands united this evening.... Regards always Bob 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobM Posted April 15, 2022 Author Share Posted April 15, 2022 Hi Just to say that the intention next is to strengthen the chipboard edges which are not currently supported to prevent future warping.....I think we may have caught the layout just at the right point in its life, as I am discovering discovering just how much some of the glue holding some of the structures together has degraded the sides of the road bridge in particular requiring strengthening.....but that is part of its charm.... Regards always Bob 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobM Posted April 16, 2022 Author Share Posted April 16, 2022 Evening my friends, and a Very Happy Easter to all, Have started to make a scan of what we have....and potentially to do cosmetically at least....? Starting at the 'northern (Highley) end....... There appears to be water damage to the landscaping with the polystyrene packing beneath breaking up and perishing........ The rail joints across where the boards join are completely shot and the sections of track will have to be replaced, possibly as a removable pieces to insert to allow for future transportation? The station section requires much cosmetic work.....the station house is exceptionally fragile, I have had to repair sections that have become detached and weakened......I wonder whether painting the whole structure painted with pva glue will bond everything together for its benefit? The chimneys are missing on the station house and bedroom extension and the station canopy is not attached to the building....... The platform also requires cosmetic work, and the road bridge is in a sorry state, the bodywork very fragile indeed, the again missing pieces of 'stonework' from the base and top, I have undertaken immediate repair and inserting (available) missing pieces back into place, and using epoxy glue to strengthen the bond where possible? The Bewdley facing section of the roadbridge, was extremely weak indeed. pieces falling away at the slightest touch, the glue bond degraded to be rendered useless? Have rejoined the available pieces to the bridge where possible and practical and used emergency filler to close the gaps. The southern Bewdley Section requires cosmetic work....and beneath I have some electrical connections, terminal blocks and point motors, the viability of which I am uncertain? There's a great deal to assess, think about and consider, so this will undoubtedly take time, much thought on how to go forwards, what we want to do with the layout and where it'll be stored and potentially operated? Regards always.... Bob 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold ChrisN Posted April 16, 2022 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 16, 2022 I note beneath the frame is a 'Relco' box. You probably know what this is, but if not, it is an electrical track cleaner and means that any loco you use has to have a capacitor of the right value across the motor to filter its signal out. I am not sure if it is worth keeping. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobM Posted April 16, 2022 Author Share Posted April 16, 2022 11 minutes ago, ChrisN said: I note beneath the frame is a 'Relco' box. You probably know what this is, but if not, it is an electrical track cleaner and means that any loco you use has to have a capacitor of the right value across the motor to filter its signal out. I am not sure if it is worth keeping. Thanks Chris, No I wasn't aware of its function and I therefore believe that it will be superfluous to requirements? Regards always and much appreciated, Bob 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobM Posted April 17, 2022 Author Share Posted April 17, 2022 Evening all...Hope everyone's had a Happy Easter Sunday...? The wood for the reinforcing batons has been sourced and cut to length, if after a tiring days volunteering at Arley today I wasn't so bushed, I would have screwed these into position this evening, but as it is will probably do this tomorrow evening..... Have a Good Bank Holiday Monday. If you're working like myself then equally have a good Monday! Regards always Bob 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobM Posted April 18, 2022 Author Share Posted April 18, 2022 (edited) Hi Hope all are well? The strengthening batons have been screwed into place along the edge of the boards which where just 'open' chipboard so some anti-warping protection is now available..... Looking at some of the scenic bits, the polystyrene supports have degraded to the point of brittle and disintegrates to the touch! This layout may mean greater attention and work than first envisaged ? Regards always Bob Edited April 18, 2022 by BobM 1 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobM Posted April 20, 2022 Author Share Posted April 20, 2022 (edited) Hi Taking advantage of the glorious weather and lovely light have taken the chance not only to get some steps in across the local common land but also whilst the leaves are still off, to photograph various trees for future armature wire modelling! Regards always Bob Edited April 20, 2022 by BobM 9 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobM Posted April 21, 2022 Author Share Posted April 21, 2022 (edited) Hi Just a very quick update, some colour is returning to the ‘southern cutting’ with addition of fresh ‘foliage’, the base having been covered in pva glue, which had scattered over it the pulverised remains of the old ‘brown and crumbly’ lichen. The old grass remains as the structure but was cut and peeled back to have pva soaked newspaper pushed underneath to set hard for a hardened structure. Will update further when able. Regards always Bob Edited April 23, 2022 by BobM 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobM Posted April 22, 2022 Author Share Posted April 22, 2022 Evening all...... I am only adding back foliage and scatter bit by bit, each or every other evening to ensure things aren't overcooked...? Hopefully bringing the southern embankment back to life? Regards always Bob 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobM Posted April 22, 2022 Author Share Posted April 22, 2022 (edited) Hi All Before ‘close of service’ for this evening (anyone old enough to appreciate when TV shutdown overnight and played the Nation Anthem, will understand that phrase) have added some height by installing the replacement trees, making the ‘native’ varieties rather than the original mixed trees in John’s scheme ? Regards always Bob Edited April 23, 2022 by BobM 11 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobM Posted April 23, 2022 Author Share Posted April 23, 2022 Good Evening...... Finding a spare sheet of Sundela Board, temporary back screens and a scenic break / screen for the planned southern cassette area have been cut to shape, these strangely believe have enhanced the overall look at least of this section of the layout, making it seemingly solid looking? Regards always Bob 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobM Posted April 23, 2022 Author Share Posted April 23, 2022 Just for fun...🙂 Regards always Bob 7 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobM Posted April 25, 2022 Author Share Posted April 25, 2022 (edited) Evening guys..... Only a slight step forwards this evening as I am taking a break from thinking of two layouts...... However, turning attentions to the 'northern cutting', the field grass have been torn very badly, to the point where it was irreparable, so having removed it back to the 'railway boundary fence' / cutting. I decided that the space created by its removal would best serve as somewhere to house a controller position and where the required switches in the future could be operated from perhaps? A scenic screen has been made to fit the area. Regards always Bob Edited April 25, 2022 by BobM 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobM Posted April 27, 2022 Author Share Posted April 27, 2022 Hi Attempting to establish ‘arboreal’ decoration? Regards always Bob 8 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobM Posted May 2, 2022 Author Share Posted May 2, 2022 Evening all..... Hope all are okay and if you were off work today, your Bank Holiday went well...? Using Sundela board I have completed the back scenic screens, these can be removed as required to allow everything to move on to 'meat' of the repairs to the layout, which is the scenery and buildings. Regards always Bob 9 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobM Posted May 8, 2022 Author Share Posted May 8, 2022 Hi A few of John's original 'Airfix' wagons will form part of what will probably be a scenic (static) display within the sidings of Arley Station? Regards always Bob 8 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post BobM Posted July 3, 2022 Author Popular Post Share Posted July 3, 2022 Hi Guys Sorry for the silence on both forums.......here and Cambrian Street layout I have only just been discharged from hospital, after having a heart attack and undergoing treatment.... Will post further when able.... Regards always Bob 22 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Blandford1969 Posted July 3, 2022 RMweb Premium Share Posted July 3, 2022 Hope your on the mend, take it easy. 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
billywhizz Posted July 3, 2022 Share Posted July 3, 2022 Hi Bob. I did wonder why the Arley thread had gone quiet. Glad to hear you are OK and out of hospital. Take it easy and make sure you rest. Kind regards. Bill. 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators AY Mod Posted July 3, 2022 Moderators Share Posted July 3, 2022 Wishing you all the best Bob. 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold ChrisN Posted July 3, 2022 RMweb Gold Share Posted July 3, 2022 Take it easy Bob, and do not overdo it. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris M Posted July 4, 2022 Share Posted July 4, 2022 Sorry to hear that. I wish you a good recovery. 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
didcot Posted July 4, 2022 Share Posted July 4, 2022 Hoping you have a speedy recovery. 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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