London Bridge (at the end of the 20thC)

[grahame]

Having been to Wickes yesterday I've now got sufficient ply for the viaduct and station track deck, and I've made a start on cutting the viaduct track bed. This area (not the far curved section that leads off-scene to the right) will effectively be the station throat with the point-work so it will be a removeable section for any maintenance or point motor replacement required. To the left it will slope down gradually just a little to the lower level terminus part of the station. The through station section decking is already cut and ready to fix.

 

In mid June it will be a year since the shed was completed and I was able to occupy it. The main baseboard and off-scene return loops baseboard construction is complete and hopefully by then (end of June this year) the viaduct track bed will also be complete and I can concentrate on track laying and electrics. 

 

[grahame]

A little more wood mangling today and the run through lines track bed is nearly complete. I need to cut another west end section (where the points are at the other end of the through platforms) as I'm a little out by about three sixteenths and to arrange its supports and side locators to hold it in place but also to allow it to be removed.

 

Unfortunately I'm out tomorrow, working on another layout. Therefore, the next update won't be for a few days yet

 

 

[grahame]

The layout is looking a bit like a messy building site - well, I guess it is ATM. And I need to go out for some more timber for the lower station track-bed supports. Here's a shot taken through the end window down the length of the entire scenic section of the layout.

 

[Jamiel]

Just discovered your thread, this look a lovely project.

As someone who commuted through London Bridge Station and worked in the Corn Exchange on Southwark Street (probably just outside your area covered I suspect) many years ago this is must to follow, plus I love urban layouts and your buildings look really good.

Thank you for posting.

Jamie

[grahame]

I've managed to get the necessary timber today, ready for some more wood mangling. However, I'm out again tomorrow working on the other layout I'm involved with - undertaking a load of wiring including lots of soldering (odd as I thought that DCC was supposed to simplify and reduce the wiring); not my favourite thing. Consequently this layout will be DC.

 

So here's a pic showing the recently made layout edge buildings in place in front of the viaduct. Note the partial viaduct wall three arched sections just resting in place on the left which are cast resin from a mould I made a while back (see pic of master and mould below). I obviously need to cast more of them and paint them. Also the top part of viaduct (with the parapet wall) needs to be made as a master and a mould made to cast them. I ordered the necessary chemicals to make the mould and castings which has recently been delivered. Plenty to be getting on with.

 

 

 

 

[St Enodoc]

11 hours ago, grahame said:

I thought that DCC was supposed to simplify and reduce the wiring

In my experience, it simplifies the wiring considerably but won't necessarily reduce it - in fact, if you don't follow the same methods with DC as are recommended for DCC, then DCC may increase the amount of wiring).

[Ian Morgan]

12 hours ago, grahame said:

 

I thought that DCC was supposed to simplify and reduce the wiring

 

 

It may not reduce the number of wires, but should reduce the number of long wires, and the number of wires linking baseboards and control panels.

 

[Siberian Snooper]

13 hours ago, grahame said:

I've managed to get the necessary timber today, ready for some more wood mangling. However, I'm out again tomorrow working on the other layout I'm involved with - undertaking a load of wiring including lots of soldering (odd as I thought that DCC was supposed to simplify and reduce the wiring); not my favourite thing. Consequently this layout will be DC.

 

So here's a pic showing the recently made layout edge buildings in place in front of the viaduct. Note the partial viaduct wall three arched sections just resting in place on the left which are cast resin from a mould I made a while back (see pic of master and mould below). I obviously need to cast more of them and paint them. Also the top part of viaduct (with the parapet wall) needs to be made as a master and a mould made to cast them. I ordered the necessary chemicals to make the mould and castings which has recently been delivered. Plenty to be getting on with.

 

 

 

 

 

It's looking the part with the progress so far!

 

 

[grahame]

I'd have thought that it doesn't really matter how long the wires are; long or short, you've still got to make a connection (probably soldered) at each end of them. 

 

 

 

Edited April 12 by grahame

[AndyB]

11 minutes ago, grahame said:

I'd have thought that it doesn't really matter how long the wires are; you've still got to make a connection (probably soldered) at each end. 

 

I'm thinking back to my DC days.

When I needed to isolate a section of track e.g. aoco shed, platform end etc. that meant two wires coming back to a switch on the control panel. With DCC that's two wires and a number of soldering joints not needed. 

 

But I think this may be drawing us away from the main thrust of your layout topic. 

Which is looking really great...just as we all expected it would. 🙂

[dj_crisp]

Layouts looking great!

 

From my electrical numptys viewpoint I've found wiring my layout for DCC easier than DC. I couldn't tell you if I have less or more wires though!

 

I've gone for the approach of wiring each section of rail which I'd have done for both DC or DCC. 

 

Where things are easier for me to understand is things like lights,  accessories or controlling points. I just wire up the input wires to the DCC device and wire up the corresponding output wires to the item. There's no control panel to wire up as I can get a PC to do that or atm as things are simple I'm just using my phone. Although I intend getting a cheapo tablet to replace that soon. And it's nice driving trains up to others.... messing about with lights etc which is easier on DCC.

[grahame]

I've got the slope section (down to the lower level terminus station) temporarily in place and tested that a train can run up it. I used a small loco as it's not long enough for even a four car train. The NGS hunslet ran up and down okay, so fingers crossed for a complete train otherwise some drastic re-think and track bed surgery will be required. The slope section is effectively the station throat and will need to be removable as it will contain the points.

 

Next is to get the terminus station board cut and in place and all the track bed boards will effectively be done. They'll just need some final fettling, positioning and securing to be ready for track laying. Snag is that it is currently raining so I can't do any sawing (as I like to do it outside to prevent huge amounts of sawdust in the shed).

 

 

 

Edited April 15 by grahame

[grahame]

It's stopped raining and the sun has come out but it's phenomenally windy so I've spent a little time jiggling buildings and structures in to place to check on positioning and space, and to be able to cut the station board to fit. The room available for the terminus platforms is quite restricted and will need quite severe compression - but then I knew that compromise and compression would be necessary and the layout is only a representation. Here's a couple of snaps:

 

 

 

 

[grahame]

Before clearing away the unfixed buildings and model structures, so that I can get on with some more sawing, gluing and screwing, I took a few quick snaps that might be of interest:

 

 

 

 

 

 

[grahame]

All this low pressure weather (which has been causing the wind and rain we've recently been having) has been playing havoc with my arthritis. I'm finding it painful to grip anything and even lifting the tea pot to pour a cuppa is difficult and requires both hands. Consequently I'm going to have a rest from modelling until things improve a bit (both weather and joints). Perhaps I'll wander down the local later this afternoon.

 

[St Enodoc]

13 minutes ago, grahame said:

All this low pressure weather (which has been causing the wind and rain we've recently been having) has been playing havoc with my arthritis. I'm finding it painful to grip anything and even lifting the tea pot to pour a cuppa is difficult and requires both hands. Consequently I'm going to have a rest from modelling until things improve a bit (both weather and joints). Perhaps I'll wander down the local later this afternoon.

 

In that case, I hope you'll be able to pick up a pint pot! Good luck.

[grahame]

A little progress on the viaduct wall:

 

[grahame]

A couple of snaps this evening after getting back from the pub showing how things are progressing with some of the buildings plonked in place:

 

 

 

[tjf4375]

Looking terrific Grahame. That first shot has the makings of an stunning 1980s eye level street scene :)

[Southwich]

An absolute masterpiece Grahame! The buildings and depth is next level - love it!

 

Kind regards,

 

Will

[nick_bastable]

are you modellings the Richer Sounds shop on the ramp,  only time I travelled London bridge was to buy a 6 changer CD platery from them

[acg5324]

3 hours ago, nick_bastable said:

are you modellings the Richer Sounds shop on the ramp,  only time I travelled London bridge was to buy a 6 changer CD platery from them

IIRC the shop was in the Guinness  book of records for the most sales in value per sq foot of any shop.

[grahame]

10 minutes ago, acg5324 said:

IIRC the shop was in the Guinness  book of records for the most sales in value per sq foot of any shop.

 

That's right, for when it was in the walkway under Colechurch House. However, it's now moved to new premises in Tooley Street.

[St Enodoc]

13 minutes ago, acg5324 said:

IIRC the shop was in the Guinness  book of records for the most sales in value per sq foot of any shop.

Wot, more than Monk Bar Model Shop?????

Edited May 10 by St Enodoc

[roundhouse]

1 hour ago, acg5324 said:

IIRC the shop was in the Guinness  book of records for the most sales in value per sq foot of any shop.

That would also have been me helping them achieve that as it was on my walk to and from the office. I dont recall going in their Tooley St shop.