Jump to content
 

Recommended Posts

Hope there's no major damage to the layout.

 

I remember I had my layout on the table with a fair amount overhanging the edge. The cat jumped up onto it and the whole layout started to tip. Luckily i was there to stop it sliding off the table.

Link to post
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Not much been going on, due to work commitments.

 

Had my brother down for the weekend who created this video for me.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpEffEUbCW0&feature=player_profilepage

 

I popped into the local model shop today and picked up some more ballast, a pair of Bachmann Samskip intermodal wagons, and some N gauge track - I was thinking of doing a mini layout for the 2011 challenge (in my spare time).

  • Like 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

Well, I'm now back into the swing of it after is probably about a month of being busy with other things.

 

As I've finally made the decision to go fully DCC, I've been sorting through all the loco's and working out what to put up for sale. I can't quite part with my old Grids just yet, although I don't think I'll ever convert them. They can just sit in an un-connected siding for now. I've then been searching for boxes, photographing etc. ready for their sale.

 

Oh and I've done some modelling - adding the door detailing to the Samskip containers:

 

post-10336-0-68175900-1306265600_thumb.jpg

 

I'm sure you're all saying that they look a bit clean, so I'll have to dirty them up a bit.

 

Back to Beresford Junction - next task is to drill the holes for the point motors and fit the two to the bit I want to ballast.

 

I'm sure no-one is interested, but without a bit of pressure I wouldn't get round to doing it, so announcing it here seems to drive me forwards.

  • Like 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

I've got several containers that are all spotless, but weathering is way down my list of priorities at the moment! lol

I know what you mean about posting on here sometimes gives you motivation. Sometimes I will post the slightest update and the responses spur me on to get things done.

Good luck with ballasting around point motors mate. Not tried any ballasting myself yet, I keep putting it off.

 

Dave

Link to post
Share on other sites

In preparation for the work this evening, over lunchtime (I have an office at home), I popped down to do some measuring, and guess what - one of the two point motors is directly above a batten.

Given the amount of wood that holds it all together, I'm sure I can just saw through it. I can always add another one 6" to one side if needs be.

 

A 5 min job to drill two holes has turned into a 30 min job.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Ok, not quite a 30 min job - I couldn't resist doing it now, but have you ever tried to saw upside down - it's quite hard !

 

I know you can't get too many baseboard pictures, so here we go...

 

Before

post-10336-0-13170900-1306330657_thumb.jpg

 

During

post-10336-0-29437400-1306330661_thumb.jpg

 

After

post-10336-0-55652300-1306330668_thumb.jpg

 

Cheers - now back to work....

 

Phil

  • Like 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

Holes drilled for the point motors

 

post-10336-0-54806200-1306357372_thumb.jpg

 

and the track glued in place. I found when I did the ballasting last time that the grit kept getting under the track so I'll see if this improves things.

 

It's been weighted down overnight to dry, ready for the ballasting tomorrow evening.

 

This is the original layout:

post-10336-0-26390500-1306357378_thumb.jpg

post-10336-0-80893500-1306357381_thumb.jpg

 

but on further investigation four points laid directly above a batten, so I've had a bit of a bit of a re-think:

 

post-10336-0-66089300-1306357390_thumb.jpg

post-10336-0-47323300-1306357395_thumb.jpg

 

The station now has room for a second building:

post-10336-0-09345000-1306357400_thumb.jpg

 

I'll sleep on it overnight..............

 

Cheers

 

Phil

  • Like 2
Link to post
Share on other sites

but have you ever tried to saw upside down

 

No, but last week I tried using a hot melt glue gun upside downunsure.gif

I definitely won't be doing that again!

 

 

I'll sleep on it overnight..............

 

That should hold it down Phil! laugh1.gif

  • Like 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

Well I did it - fitted the point motors and did the ballasting.

 

Here is is laid before fixing - I'd learned my lessons from last times sample that time taken before wetting is well worth it, but I bet I spent about an hour messing about with it before I was happy.

post-10336-0-79483900-1306447382_thumb.jpg

 

Tools for the job

post-10336-0-77294200-1306447386_thumb.jpg

 

After the application of shower cleaner

post-10336-0-87494500-1306447392_thumb.jpg

There were a couple of bits that I must have missed with the shower spray, and what a difference - the glue just sat there.

 

Glue applied - not sure if I put too much on?

post-10336-0-90144600-1306447397_thumb.jpg

post-10336-0-28796200-1306447402_thumb.jpg

 

The keen eyed amongst you will notice that I haven't painted the rails rusty yet.

Not sure if I will bother, and might see if it's easier afterwards, or perhaps just spray some dirt/grime on instead?

post-10336-0-20226400-1306447408_thumb.jpg

 

Here is the point motor badly fitted -

post-10336-0-51002700-1306447411_thumb.jpg

 

Memo to self - next time fit all the electrics before you put the boards in place - a lot easier!

 

Now I have to wait for it all to dry.

Cheers

 

Phil

  • Like 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

Hope this photo shows you what I achieved using a very dilute PVA and water mix. It took about three days to dry out but you can still see individual stones in the ballast even though they are all glued down hard. Theoretically i can turn the diorama upside down and only the tree will fall off.

 

Cider Sidings on The Steamy Pudding - an English Gentleman's Whimsy.

post-6702-0-14567900-1306457061_thumb.jpg

  • Like 3
Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi Phil

Your really cracking on now, nice one. One thing I would do is keep on flicking the points over before the ballast fully dries, just incase there is a bit of glue on them. I did it with mine and managed to release them before they stuck fast!

 

Guy

  • Like 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

Hope this photo shows you what I achieved using a very dilute PVA and water mix. It took about three days to dry out but you can still see individual stones in the ballast even though they are all glued down hard. Theoretically i can turn the diorama upside down and only the tree will fall off.

 

Cider Sidings on The Steamy Pudding - an English Gentleman's Whimsy.

 

Hi Ian

 

Thanks and great picture - is that 'The Stig' in the background?

Link to post
Share on other sites

One thing I would do is keep on flicking the points over before the ballast fully dries, just incase there is a bit of glue on them. I did it with mine and managed to release them before they stuck fast!

 

Good tip Guy. I must admit, I wasn't over liberal with the glue round the points as I was worried about them getting stuck. I suspect I'll have to do a bit of patching when it's all dry in a few days.

 

As you can see I also missed quite a lot round the back of the embankment

 

post-10336-0-15151100-1306483511_thumb.jpg

 

but hopefully this will sort it out.

post-10336-0-73203200-1306483515_thumb.jpg

 

I'm actually quite liking the look now, although obviously it need a bit of dirt, foliage, detritus etc. adding to make it more realistic.

post-10336-0-31371300-1306483522_thumb.jpg

 

Cheers

 

Phil

  • Like 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

Yes - it's The Stig. Courtesy of the BBC and Stig in a Soap. Bought three for myself at Christmas. (Well, no-one else in my family would think to do that, would they?) Because I work in 1:24 and Gn15, the track is really Peco SL100 and The Stig is actually correct scale for my layout! yes.gif

  • Like 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

Regular followers of this thread will be fully aware of my frequent change of plan. Well as I was waiting for the ballast to dry, I got to thinking......

 

If I moved the station across by 6 inches, it wouldn't be on top of the baseboard join, and so I could have whatever points / motors I wanted

post-10336-0-78373500-1306535887_thumb.jpg

post-10336-0-63136500-1306535892_thumb.jpg

 

Platforms will need a bit of re-jigging, but I'd be left with the original two main platforms, plus a third backing onto #2, plus a siding at the edge of the board (I'd put a raised embankment to stop the cats knocking things off, obviously).

 

Off to Brockenhurst tomorrow to see Leaford, failing any disasters.

 

Cheers

 

Phil

  • Like 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...