shortliner Posted May 15, 2011 Share Posted May 15, 2011 West Booley really didn't do what I wanted - just too simple - and it would be thoroughly boring at a two day exhibition, so I'm now working on a variation of one of Jack Hills ideas - in 103" x 10.5" - Overpass Bridge at right hand end, line behind trees at left hand end, no fiddleyards - just lots of switching around. - front (viewing side) is where photos are taken from - operations will (probably) be from rear Please excuse the mess - we've had to empty the loft so man could come and add extra insulation to reduce Carbon Footprint - never refuse kind offers from government - they rarely give you something, instead of taking it!!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest jonte Posted May 15, 2011 Share Posted May 15, 2011 Jack Sorry to hear of West Booley's early demise but glad you've discovered something more appealing and challenging. I look forward to seeing it come to fruition. Incidentally, may I ask about your method of basesboard construction, in particular, the cross bearers beneath; is this for fixing to the trestles? Also like the look of the little switcher; what make is it and how does it perform? Best wishes, Jonte Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shortliner Posted May 15, 2011 Author Share Posted May 15, 2011 Yes - basically the original chipboard surface of the Bond Knitting Machine tables warped, and anything placed on them rocked alarmingly, so I stripped them down and made two quick frames for the "149th Street" layout to rest on last year. This baseboard is simply a pair of boards, with an MDF piece set into the centre, then glued and clamped until set, and then bolted together and placed on top of them, (not attached though it may well be clamped to them for exhibition )- leg height is adjustable so the whole thing can be levelled. The boards were rescued from an earlier project that crashed! The loco is a Lifelike SW1200 in Florida East Coast livery that I found cheap on Ebay, and runs fine - bought it because it was something different Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest jonte Posted May 15, 2011 Share Posted May 15, 2011 Yes - basically the original chipboard surface of the Bond Knitting Machine tables warped, and anything placed on them rocked alarmingly, so I stripped them down and made two quick frames for the "149th Street" layout to rest on last year. This baseboard is simply a pair of boards, with an MDF piece set into the centre, then glued and clamped until set, and then bolted together and placed on top of them, (not attached though it may well be clamped to them for exhibition )- leg height is adjustable so the whole thing can be levelled. The boards were rescued from an earlier project that crashed! The loco is a Lifelike SW1200 in Florida East Coast livery that I found cheap on Ebay, and runs fine - bought it because it was something different Glad to see nothing's wasted, Jack. As with all recycling, it requires a tad of ingenuity to make it all work again, but looks like you were well and truly up to the challenge!! Sounds like you picked up a bargain as well in the little loco; I'll look them up on the 'net. Thanks again for the photo of the CF7 - really like the look of them. Jonte Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alcanman Posted May 15, 2011 Share Posted May 15, 2011 Hi Jack, I really like the look of this, and no doubt there will be plenty of Mitsubishi Fuso Canters too As for recycling, I'm still using the same timber frames a friend built for me over 10 years ago! I simply lift off the MDF tops and start again. Looking forward to seeing your progress. regards, Mal Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shortliner Posted May 15, 2011 Author Share Posted May 15, 2011 Jonte - you have a PM re CF7 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Longers Posted May 15, 2011 Share Posted May 15, 2011 Looks great Jack, escpecially the way the headshunt curves. Apart from pleasing appearance I imagine it probably gains a vital extra inch or 2 of length...? As I mentioned in another topic a few days ago I love Jack Hill's approach of having the exit at the spur end because it keeps the loco in full view while it's switching rather than it disappearing into a fiddle yard area. If I could extend by another 4ft board I think I'd also haved followed Mr Hill, but in his preferred O Scale... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest jonte Posted May 15, 2011 Share Posted May 15, 2011 Jonte - you have a PM re CF7 Thanks, Jack, and apologies for the delay in responding. Jonte Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
trisonic Posted May 15, 2011 Share Posted May 15, 2011 Bloody heck, Jack! It's enormous! What is the "Dean of Density" going to do with the rest of all that real estate? Best, Pete. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shortliner Posted May 16, 2011 Author Share Posted May 16, 2011 I know, Pete, it's scary having so much space - but sometimes you have to step outside your comfort zone, and explore new possibilities and ideas - otherwise you can stagnate! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shortliner Posted May 17, 2011 Author Share Posted May 17, 2011 Rigged the wiring after lunch, and did a try-out with a bog standard Bachmann DC controller and the FEC loco which hasn't yet been run in - on the slowest setting it took 3:06 to go from one end to the other without stalling on the dead frogs - that'll do for me!. Then spent an enjoyable half hour re-spotting some cars around the layout Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shortliner Posted May 20, 2011 Author Share Posted May 20, 2011 Decided to replace the dead-frogs with live-frog turnouts - they came today - took about 20 minutes to replace, and then spent some fun-time switching cars around - happy to report that all works very nicely with no "lurch and hop" through the turnouts, or stuttering - still using the Bachmann controller Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shortliner Posted June 2, 2011 Author Share Posted June 2, 2011 First building (naked and in the raw) - scratched from things like correx sign - from Scottish elections 4 years ago!, Plastruct angle, Evergreen sheet offcuts, and B&Q plastic extrusion, with starch tank from an old pill bottle ( as an aside should it have a pipe going into the top??). Painting will wait till the other buildings are completed. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest jonte Posted June 2, 2011 Share Posted June 2, 2011 First building (naked and in the raw) - scratched from things like correx sign - from Scottish elections 4 years ago!, Plastruct angle, Evergreen sheet offcuts, and B&Q plastic extrusion, with starch tank from an old pill bottle ( as an aside should it have a pipe going into the top??). Painting will wait till the other buildings are completed. Bags of character from so few parts; the correx is certainly effective, Jack. I think you could probably get away with just a tad of weathering. No paint required Best wishes, Jonte Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shortliner Posted June 3, 2011 Author Share Posted June 3, 2011 Thanks, Jonte. Here are the two latest trucks - which have had new sides added to go with the packaging plant - they are from a HongKong firm called "We Honest" (They are- and service is excellent! I have bought from them previously and can recommend them) via Ebay. Yes wheels need changing - I await arrival of those! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
F-UnitMad Posted June 10, 2011 Share Posted June 10, 2011 ... they are from a HongKong firm called "We Honest" (They are- and service is excellent! I have bought from them previously and can recommend them) via Ebay. I've seen them on Ebay... I did wonder if they are trying to overcome certain stereotypes!!... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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