Cambrian Shed (nearly Aberystwyth shed). Now with Cambrian Mainline diorama

[RJS1977]

Three ordered (skips, not Manors!).

 

Now trying to work out if there's a way of fitting a servo under one of them to tip it at the required moment!

[SteamingWales]

Not much to report in layout progress. I'm waiting on windows for the boiler house so that can be completed and painted before the whole south side receives a mortar wash.

 

Some nice product news from ModelU as well. I'll take 2 please. One straight, one cranked

 

[RJS1977]

On 14/11/2022 at 19:16, RJS1977 said:

Three ordered (skips, not Manors!).

 

Now trying to work out if there's a way of fitting a servo under one of them to tip it at the required moment!

 

Arrived safely yesterday - many thanks!

[SteamingWales]

4 hours ago, RJS1977 said:

 

Arrived safely yesterday - many thanks!

 

Glad you like them 😀

 

A shameless plug from me really. I'll add that if anyone spots anything else generic that has been 3D printed please shout and I will see what I can do

[SteamingWales]

Proper modelling hat on again. Finally pulled out the boiler house which I have kept banging on about which I need to get the a certain stage. Looking back through the thread this was started 2 months ago 👀

 

On 16/09/2022 at 21:51, SteamingWales said:

Little bit more done on the new boiler house tonight. The internal brick work is complete, external brick work is a WIP, as I don't actually have the window frames yet to fully finish the brick work ATM 😅 

 

 

 

 

Anyway. I finally ordered the windows which have arrived, cut the windows in the grey board to the correct size, added window sills and cut the brick facing to size and primed

 

 

Next job is assembling the building and some filler

[SteamingWales]

And that's the boiler house complete. Time for brick highlights and then mortar wash for all building parts

 

[SteamingWales]

I have threatened it for far too long now but the south side of the shed has finally received the mortar wash!

 

It wasn't without problems as I realised I needed another panel, so quickly painted the highlights before the wash.

 

 

Now to let it all dry and out with the cotton buds and acrylic thinner

[57xx]

On 31/08/2022 at 13:10, SteamingWales said:

 

Generally I have been very happy with the paints that Vallejo offer and they are my go to for anything I want to use in the airbrush so I thought I would try the primer as I thought it would be of similar quality. Not the case unfortunately 

 

On 31/08/2022 at 09:29, Penlowry said:

Glad I'm not the only one to have this problem. I bought some primer from Vallejo some time back and it was terrible and I had to strip it all back off the coach I was building. The primer's been under my desk ever since while I bring myself to throw it in the bin - the Yorkshireman in me keeps coming out when it gets close to the bin!

You've done a great job. Well done for persevering. 

 

Out of interest, which specific Vallejo primer did you use? I have recently (ish e.g. earlier this year) got hold of some Vallejo paints to do some armour models. I bought this primer:

 

I was actually amazed at how well it went on considering the bad experience I have had with acrylics in the past.

 

 

 

[57xx]

This is the Coopercraft oil tanker that I undercoated with the above primer a few weeks ago.

[SteamingWales]

Time to clean off the excess mortar wash. Although a bit tedious I quite enjoy doing this as you slowly get to expose the brickwork in all its glory.

 

All that individual brick painting IS worth it 😄

[SteamingWales]

On 21/11/2022 at 18:11, 57xx said:

 

 

Out of interest, which specific Vallejo primer did you use? I have recently (ish e.g. earlier this year) got hold of some Vallejo paints to do some armour models. I bought this primer:

 

I was actually amazed at how well it went on considering the bad experience I have had with acrylics in the past.

 

 

 

 

I bought basically the same as this but in grey. Based on the oil tanker photo I might give the black a try

[57xx]

That's very strange, I wouldn't have expected the colour to affect it. Did you thin it at all? If so with what?

I *think* I recall thinning only very slightly using a homebrew thinner (IPA, water, flow improver and retarder). Here's the M3A1 I also did to show it was no fluke.

[SteamingWales]

All the mortar wash has been cleaned off the brick facing to reveal the beneath in all its glory 

 

I also took the time to set up all the sections just to see what it will all look like when finished 

 

Next thing I think the to do the internals of the workshop and boiler house 

[RJS1977]

It's big!

[SteamingWales]

34 minutes ago, RJS1977 said:

It's big!

 

It is rather big at just over 3ft in length

 

Looking in CC Green The Coast Lines of the Cambrian Railway the length is cited to be 210ft so my rendition is a little on the longer side. Like I have said before, it is not a perfect scale model so I think I can get away with the model being a few scale feet longer. 

 

It still looks like Aberystwyth right? So no harm done there I think 😅

[RJS1977]

No, nothing wrong with it at all.

It's just that because all the various incarnations of my Aberystwyth layout have been severely compressed, I'd forgotten how big the shed really is!

[SteamingWales]

So the first side of the shed is "complete" so what next?

 

As previously stated I have set the aim of having a layout, or at least permanent track before the A/S Manors arrive. Random deadline yes, but at least it keeps being pushed back, which is weirdly good for me!

 

So the next job to think about is inspection pits. Unless I have missed it there is not a ready to plonk bullhead pit like is available with the code 75 and 100 flat bottom track.

 

I found some laser cut kits from KS Laser so ordered a couple of kits to cover the pits outside the shed and the ash/coal road.

 

The shed pits are relatively small, based on photos and measurements from CC Green's track plan, at about 40 feet. This meant the kits needed cutting down to the correct length

 

 

Assembly was pretty easily even when hacked down and no joint at one end

 

 

I ummed and ahhed over the next step of whether to put a thin layer of plastic round the sides with the "step" near the base as per the prototype or whether to be lazy and just fill the gaps in the kit and paint it.

 

I chose the lazy option, but handling the kit whilst sanding cracked the filler and slightly chewed up the MDF 😑 should have chosen the prototype option, so onto that instead.

 

 

The sides are just .5mm plasticard and a 1/4 round strip left over from the coal stage tank. Some sanding is required to have the strip flush, but they already look good after having a dry fit in the pit

 

 

Some thought is needed about fixing the rails. On the prototype pits the rails are fixed with pins though I am leaning towards chairs as I have some from CL Finescale. I think chairs will be more secure and look better Vs fixing the rails directly to the pit?

 

Anyone able to offer on this please?

[SteamingWales]

A short little update. The pits have had their first base coat. Another is needed then time for weathering

 

 

I have also started thinking about the skylights 

 

 

This is an initial test print to see how the window frames and louvres come out, plus how fitment into the rest of the structure would work.

 

A few tweaks need but that's what prototypes are for!

[The Stationmaster]

On 17/05/2022 at 14:29, russell price said:

I’m modelling Welshpool,  one loco type noticeably absent on Cambrian metals were the majority of pannier tank classes, I can justify a 2021 and 64/7400 classes but not much else, tender locos being preferred due to their coal and water capacities 

Don't forget that 57XX/8750 weren't permitted on the Cambrian 'mainline' network until they were re-classified to Yellow RA in 1950.   They were however always permitted between Carmarthen and Aberystwyth.

Edited January 5, 2023 by The Stationmaster

[SteamingWales]

A very belated happy Christmas and New year all. Hopefully father Christmas brought you all some nice new trains 🚂

 

It's been a while since I sat down to do any modelling (almost a month) having mean jumping around a Doncaster peatland and Christmas

 

Over that period an order from ModelU turned up (not from the big man in red). Most of this was the gutter system parts for the main shed but I also ordered a few work benches and a blacksmith forge for the workshop so set to tonight painting these.

 

 

The two workbenches will sit in the corner of the shop so some butchering was required so they joined flush at a right angle

 

 

I'll admit the painting is a bit slapdash but for a bit of internal detail I think I can forgive myself. The most important thing will be placing the forge chimney over the forge when I get to that point

 

Probably the stupidest modelling decision by me in 2022, apart from starting the layout project*, was gluing the workshop roof in place WAY WAY too early. So this has now been prized off and the internal white paint touched up. I do question my logic sometimes 🤪

 

 

Until next time, happy modelling

 

 

*only joking, I'm still enjoying modelling and it is nice break from the stresses of life

 

[SteamingWales]

A little more work today on the workshop interior with the workbench assembled and vices fitted and the internal steelwork given its first coat of black paint. The painting of the steelwork black is as per C.C. Green book as opposed to a full over white

 

 

 

Another quick job was assembling the other pit I had ordered which will be used on the ash road (next to the coal stage). I need to acquire some more .5mm plasticard but with Eileens Emporium closed (a massive loss to the hobby😭) I need to find another reliable source for all thing plastic

 

 

Whilst the glue/paint was drying I set about making a very early design for the smoke troughs in the shed. I'm not sure how I'm going to go about building these at the moment though and needing 10 in total. At the moment my preference I think is maybe getting them laser cut as I'm not that good to build them accurately from card and plastic and it is a really big job for my little 3D printer.

 

Any thought/recommendations would be appreciated

 

[Neal Ball]

On 07/01/2023 at 21:50, SteamingWales said:

A little more work today on the workshop interior with the workbench assembled and vices fitted and the internal steelwork given its first coat of black paint. The painting of the steelwork black is as per C.C. Green book as opposed to a full over white

 

 

 

Another quick job was assembling the other pit I had ordered which will be used on the ash road (next to the coal stage). I need to acquire some more .5mm plasticard but with Eileens Emporium closed (a massive loss to the hobby😭) I need to find another reliable source for all thing plastic

 

 

Whilst the glue/paint was drying I set about making a very early design for the smoke troughs in the shed. I'm not sure how I'm going to go about building these at the moment though and needing 10 in total. At the moment my preference I think is maybe getting them laser cut as I'm not that good to build them accurately from card and plastic and it is a really big job for my little 3D printer.

 

Any thought/recommendations would be appreciated

 

I have just stumbled across your thread and had an enjoyable read from the start. It’s interesting to see it coming along from scratch.

 

You are certainly making a very good job of it. We were at Aber last Summer and the remaining bits of the shed are huge. Unfortunately, it was during the few baking hot days and we were due to move onto Tywyn so had no time to check out the shed and station further.

 

I am also interested in the various bits of 3D printing you have done…. Particularly for the water tower. How has that come on? It’s another half finished job I need to finish for Henley-on-Thames and 3D printing might be the answer.

 

As for the smoke troughs, I think H-o-T has 3 x2 and another 3 in the loco shed…. They were all made from plastic, to varying degrees of success, once painted black they are not noticeable…. Although I currently have cable runs arranged to add lights, so that might change!

 

I look forward to seeing the depot develop further. 

[SteamingWales]

12 hours ago, Neal Ball said:

I have just stumbled across your thread and had an enjoyable read from the start. It’s interesting to see it coming along from scratch.

 

You are certainly making a very good job of it. We were at Aber last Summer and the remaining bits of the shed are huge. Unfortunately, it was during the few baking hot days and we were due to move onto Tywyn so had no time to check out the shed and station further.

 

I am also interested in the various bits of 3D printing you have done…. Particularly for the water tower. How has that come on? It’s another half finished job I need to finish for Henley-on-Thames and 3D printing might be the answer.

 

As for the smoke troughs, I think H-o-T has 3 x2 and another 3 in the loco shed…. They were all made from plastic, to varying degrees of success, once painted black they are not noticeable…. Although I currently have cable runs arranged to add lights, so that might change!

 

I look forward to seeing the depot develop further. 

 

Thanks for the kind comments and glad you like the project

 

The coal stage/water tank is very much like your at the moment and is on the back burner/not a priority for myself with the current direction of the build.

 

I do have some changes in mind for those parts though as I have some brass wheels to make part of the gauge set up look a little finer. Best thing to do is watch this space really 

 

 

[SteamingWales]

Picking up from last weekends work on the workshop I have made a bit more progress.

 

This has involved:

 

Fitting the floors and internal wall

Fitting workbench

Giving the white walls a 'dirty' wash

Painting the window sills, lintels and foundations

Painting corrugated roof

Adding glazing and window frames

 

 

 

Whilst I had the stone paint out I have painted the windowsills on the boiler house too. Although it's not a massive job, just adding a little bit of paint detail has really made the buildings pop 😍

 

 

I've also been thinking about the minor details, mostly lamps, and have been doing some shopping around. Unfortunately I can't find a wall lamp that exactly matches that on the workshop and boiler house that can be seen in the below photo from DJ Lowe so I'll have to compromise a bit unfortunately

 

 

 

[MrWolf]

That looks like a Coughtrie lamp, used for everything from factories to schools and houses.

Lots of Google images out there (As there's lots of minor variations) if you fancy scratch building one.

They always remind me of the lamps supplied with the original Airfix engine shed kit.

 

 

 

Edited January 15, 2023 by MrWolf
Picture