br2975 Posted October 5, 2010 Share Posted October 5, 2010 The current trend toward the modelling of steelworks and their associated railway systems continues, unabated. . My brother enjoys building layouts 'to prove a point' and his previous challenge was to build ranelagh Bridge stabling point on a 6'6" x 2'6" flush door for under 100 pounds - fine, until he installed a Heljan turntable. Well Paul has been beavering away (sic) and his latest creation is shown below. . The layout is some 48" in diameter, and is built upon a circular piece of 50mm thick 'Celotex' cavity wall insulation block. . The 'Celotex' was then faced with 4mm ply, and edged with similar material. Unfortunately it is difficult to secure the ends of the ply to the 'Celotex' and this was overcome by running a strip of uPVC window trim around the top edge of the layout, just below the scenic ground level. . The trackplan is a flat 'looped eight' with one loop inside the other, and crossing using a diamond. All trackwork is Peco, using 'Setrack' in places and flexible elsewhere. There is one switch/point which is again a Peco 'Setrack' curved right hand. . The layout is wired as one section. . This is unashamedly a 'watching the train go by' layout, and as such, almost half of the 'looped eight' trackwork is located inside the large steelworks building. The train disappears through one entrance, to re-appear shortly after from the other doorway and then run around the rear of the building - you'll get the idea from the photos. As a result, the whole train is rarely in full view, wherever the observer stands. The (rather large) steelworks building is constructed from a foamboard carcass, clad with a variety of styrene sheets from different sources. . Here are a few shots to give an idea of the progress so far - there's much detailing still being undertaken. The layout's creator is included in order to give an impression of the actual size of both the layout, and the one piece steelworks building (I must apologise for the quality of the photos, poor lighting, not the best camera and even worse photographer !). Brian R . on behalf of . Paul R. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
br2975 Posted October 5, 2010 Author Share Posted October 5, 2010 A few more shots, for those who have found this interesting. BTW - there are no prizes for those who shout out "I know where he got the idea from !" Brian R . on behalf of . Paul R. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Kris Posted October 5, 2010 RMweb Premium Share Posted October 5, 2010 That looks like a very effect layout for such a simple track design. I like the way that the building is used to give so many different viewpoints. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colinw62 Posted October 5, 2010 Share Posted October 5, 2010 A few more shots, for those who have found this interesting. BTW - there are no prizes for those who shout out "I know where he got the idea from !" Brian R . on behalf of . Paul R. I won't say then. I do think it looks less cluttered with a smaller English loco like the 08 than a US Switcher Good stuff!! ColinW Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
halfwit Posted October 5, 2010 Share Posted October 5, 2010 Great stuff. What scale/gauge please? (Apologies if I've missed it). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Dave.C Posted October 5, 2010 Share Posted October 5, 2010 Very interesting Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
br2975 Posted October 5, 2010 Author Share Posted October 5, 2010 What scale/gauge please? (Apologies if I've missed it). The layout is built to 4mm scale, using 'OO' gauge Peco trackwork - which had to be Code 100, as that was to tie in with the available 'Setrack' right hand point that was lurking in my scrapbox. So some cheapo 'Setrack' curves were also used in places, to avoid possible 'dog legs' in the flexible track joints, due to the extreme curvature - something we wouldn't normally use ! The Cl.08 is Bachmann product, in faded blue. At the moment the layout is mounted on a couple of 'Screwfix' trestles and is at a height suitable for working; when displayed, the layout will be set much higher - with viewers looking "into" rather than "onto" the layout. This, combined with a goodly dose of undergrwoth inside the pallisade and chain link fencing will serve to disguise the severe curvature of a large proportion of the trackwork, but will still allow the trains to be seen. Brian R on behalf of Paul R. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grimleygrid Posted October 5, 2010 Share Posted October 5, 2010 That certainly is a different concept for a model Steel works, and I have to say it is very impressive. Great modelling! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
birdseyecircus Posted October 5, 2010 Share Posted October 5, 2010 Very nice. I liked the US version and this is just as good. It was on my 'to do' list eventually! Just for me - get a class 20 and a couple of BDA's:D More pics please!! Paul Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danemouth Posted October 5, 2010 Share Posted October 5, 2010 Nice one Paul :D Dave Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest jim s-w Posted October 5, 2010 Share Posted October 5, 2010 Is it operated from the ermmm..... ...front? Cheers Jim Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 40-something Posted October 5, 2010 Share Posted October 5, 2010 Fantastic! I think this is a great idea and possibly a way forward from end to end layouts Looking forward to more updates! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pacer lover Posted October 5, 2010 Share Posted October 5, 2010 hey brain looking great there remind me of the work on cardiff lol tho last time i went pass they put up a green cavas behide the fence so could see much what wagons u going to run on it ? rob Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlackRat Posted October 5, 2010 Share Posted October 5, 2010 Very clever! trying to work out what kits and bits have been used on the building. Nice one! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
br2975 Posted October 6, 2010 Author Share Posted October 6, 2010 Thanks for the interest folks, here are two more shots for you . . As the detailing continues, and once stock is added and trains (or rather THE train) run, then I'll add a few more photos with any updates. . Brian R. on behalf of Paul R. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
45157 Posted October 6, 2010 Share Posted October 6, 2010 That is a very clever idea that is being constructed with considerable skill. I look forward to seeing a few trains. regards Stewart Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leon Posted October 6, 2010 Share Posted October 6, 2010 Very good, can I have it? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Posted October 6, 2010 Share Posted October 6, 2010 I rather like that - nice concept. It's rather clean though - from experience steel works are filthy places! They're horrible places really, but fascinating all at the same time so it's nice to see them modelled Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
7APT7 Posted October 6, 2010 Share Posted October 6, 2010 To Brian & Paul R's Excellent work my brother, Keep the photos coming on the updates...! Great Work Jamie Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mirlees Pioneer Posted October 6, 2010 Share Posted October 6, 2010 What a lovely little layout very good idea, I also like the track plan very simple and have amde the most of the space in front of you Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
marc smith Posted October 8, 2010 Share Posted October 8, 2010 Yes Brian, I know where the idea came from - cos you showed it to me! It seems like only a few weeks ago that we were talking about this idea in the pub Please pass on my congratulations to Paul - I think he's done a great job in such a short space of time! As an earlier poster said - it's a little clean at the moment, but having seen yours + Pauls previous handiwork, I'm sure it will be suitably "dirtied" at a later date. Nice looking buildings and plenty of other detail in such a small space Nothing wrong with the "looking at trains going by" type of modelling either! Nice work Marc Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
St. Simon Posted October 8, 2010 Share Posted October 8, 2010 Hi, A very interesting concept and a very good representation of a steelworks! Only one proble, which side do you view it from? You must be able to get a lot of realistic flange squeal from this layout! Simon Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shedmaster Posted October 8, 2010 Share Posted October 8, 2010 Hiya, I too am loving this project.......it just fascinates me as to what all the miles of pipes are for in places like Sheerness steelworks and print complexes such as Aylesford, Kent.......who designs all that stuff ? I wonder if it wouldn't be possible to set the layout on a rotating stage type gadget so that it constantly rotates/revolves(?) in front of the viewer ? I reckon this would be really different, possibly amusing, but would also enable you to show off the whole layout....erm....at the same time ? Anyways, Best Wishes with your layout, Kindest Regards, Dave Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
br2975 Posted October 9, 2010 Author Share Posted October 9, 2010 I wonder if it wouldn't be possible to set the layout on a rotating stage type gadget so that it constantly rotates/revolves(?) in front of the viewer ? Dave, That's exactly what my brother has been working on. Initially he planned to mount the layout on a 'lazy susan' and turn it with a rechargeable electric drill dunning/driving a rubber wheel which made contact with the underside of the board. Currently he's investigating power to the layout as it revoloves, using a jack plug, as only two wires are needed with all tracks being live at any time. Watch this space. Brian R on behalf of Paul R Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold mudmagnet Posted October 9, 2010 RMweb Gold Share Posted October 9, 2010 Many years ago there was a small 7mm narrow gauge layout (can't recall the name for the moment), that was set up to rotate, with the train running in such a way that the train was 'stationary' in front iof the viewer and the scenery went past! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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