MarkNewZealand Posted December 8, 2012 Share Posted December 8, 2012 Awesome layout which provides inspiration to us all. Cheers Mark Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BernardTPM Posted December 8, 2012 Share Posted December 8, 2012 you can almost hear the NSE clock ticking away in some of those photos. Now there's something that should have a sound file - in theory you could tell the seconds by the pattern of sounds as differing numbers of slats flicked over. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Dagworth Posted December 8, 2012 RMweb Gold Share Posted December 8, 2012 Beautiful layout, I'm really impressed. I'm another that used to drive trains to the real Bromley North. Andi Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BR(S) Posted December 8, 2012 Author Share Posted December 8, 2012 Hello all - firstly, many thanks for all your kind comments about my layout To answer a few queries: Hi BR(S), Dare we ask to see photos of what is going on beyond the over bridge? It woud be interesting to see how all the lines link up in the non-scenic area. All the best, Colin A couple of pictures attached showing the very basic fiddleyard area. I initially wanted to connect both sides of the layout together, but with the small size there just wasn't the room without sacrificing a large chunk of scenery. So a bit of cheating goes on in the fiddleyard if I want to shunt from one siding or platform to another and the "hand of God" gets involved. This was the first time I have used a three way point and wiring it to the switches took a while to figure out, with lots of short circuits before I got there. Actually Colin, yours was one of the layouts I would look at when I was building mine and looking for some inspiration. I have purchased some of the C&L Finescale kickboards; what paint colour did you use for your scratchbuilt ones please? Shame I can't run a 4 car EMU on Bromley North, but that would be pushing it too far for both realism and room! Will we be seeing it on the exhibition circuit at some point. Paul Afraid not, but thank you. The layout was only built with a home base in mind. The more I look at this layout, the more I think, "Why am I wasting my time?". I only started the hobby with a piece of 8ft x 4ft chipboard with a circle of track on it! Three more pictures of a couple of details: The first two show some of the Sankey Scenics fly posters I have used and I think the product deserves a mention (usual disclaimer). Not a detailing product you see on layouts very often: And always handy when you model a real location and someone produces exactly the right bus: And finally, in terms of future updates, I have placed an order tonight for my first two sound chips, one for my Class 47 and the other for my 108. After they're installed, I want to take some movies with my digital camera and upload them to here. Photo-wise, it's very difficult to take shots of something new on such a small layout, but I would like to play around with a few pictures to try and get better looking shots. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ess1uk Posted December 9, 2012 Share Posted December 9, 2012 Superb layout. A lot of time must have gone into this. Great work. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueeighties Posted December 9, 2012 Share Posted December 9, 2012 A very detailed and well balanced layout. Yet another reason to make me desire a smaller layout. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkNewZealand Posted December 9, 2012 Share Posted December 9, 2012 Hi There Are the yellow barriers scratch built or are they a kit you can purchase? I'm looking to use something like that on my layout and they look just the thing i need. Cheers Mark Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BR(S) Posted December 9, 2012 Author Share Posted December 9, 2012 Are the yellow barriers scratch built or are they a kit you can purchase? Cheers Mark These are made by Pikestuff and are called Highway Guard Rails. I bought them from Modern Structures in Miniature (http://www.m-s-i-m.co.uk/scenic_accessories.htm). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BR(S) Posted December 10, 2012 Author Share Posted December 10, 2012 "Before and after" photographs of the real Bromley North station: The before picture. According to the caption with the photo, the goods facilities closed 20/5/68. The two tall lights I have on the layout are supposed to be relics from the old goods facility. I wasn't sure whether to include them on the layout, but that was my reason to do so. Photo from: http://www.geograph....k/photo/1919893 © Copyright Ben Brooksbank and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence The after picture. The goods yard is now a car park; one of the depot buildings is visible in the background and the telegraph poles are still there. Photo from http://www.flickr.co...in/photostream/ by johnmightycat1 A history of the station appears at http://www.kentrail....omley North.htm Why did I choose to model a representation of Bromley North? I have always been a fan of the Southern Region and have always built layouts in that area. In particular, I like to model railways in that area of London as there is so much history and interest from the density of railways in the capital. Network SouthEast is my chosen modelling era as that's what I grew up with. Bromley North itself holds no special interest for me, but I like the idea of modelling a small, unregarded, work-a-day station in London and a small terminus has appeal as it adds extra things to do, such as shunting and stabling, when operating the layout (very useful when you have sound-equipped locos and units). The now-demolished Addiscombe, with its lovely SR carriage shed, was another contender. As the pictures above show, Bromley North did offer me an opportunity to model the rationalised railway; I've always enjoyed doing that, with its hints of what was once there and the ghosts from the past. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kintbury jon Posted December 10, 2012 Share Posted December 10, 2012 I really like this. The idea of the two coach diesel hauled train reminds me of the Kenny Belle which at times was loco hauled. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Oldddudders Posted December 10, 2012 RMweb Gold Share Posted December 10, 2012 You've certainly done your research, and it shows in the final model. The second b&w pic was taken by johnmightycat1, who was a colleague at Grove Park in the mid-70s. Certainly by the time I arrived in Dec '75, the car park was occupying the goods yard. The modern pics on Kentrail seem to show a great deal of vegetation to have grown up alongside the fence. As you say, just like Addiscombe, Bromley North was and is a rather sleepy sort of place that comes to life a bit more in the peaks. Morning coffee and a cheese roll while I was checking accountancy was a rather pleasant interlude in the early turn! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Linthorpe Posted December 10, 2012 Share Posted December 10, 2012 What a cracking little layout Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BR(S) Posted December 10, 2012 Author Share Posted December 10, 2012 I really like this. The idea of the two coach diesel hauled train reminds me of the Kenny Belle which at times was loco hauled. That's exactly what they are, now running from south-east to north-west London as Network SouthEast tries to rejuvinate the inner suburban railways of London. As you say, just like Addiscombe, Bromley North was and is a rather sleepy sort of place that comes to life a bit more in the peaks. Morning coffee and a cheese roll while I was checking accountancy was a rather pleasant interlude in the early turn! That's just the sort of atmosphere I like to portray. The hustle and bustle of peak time . . . a couple of trains arrive within minutes due to a minor fault that held up the first arrival . . . staff are focussed while the loco hauled Willesden service has a loco change and the commuters are packed into the 2-EPB for Cannon Street, doors banging, whistles hurrying them along . . . departures begin, both trains a few minutes late of course . . . the loco on the stops is stabled, ready for the next arrival from Willesden in an hour. And then peace reigns again . . . a few pigeons flutter around, the signaller checks his arrivals sheet and then returns to his newspaper, a couple of staff members can be heard chatting over a well-deserved cup of tea and the coffee pot boils in the Travellers Fare. Of course, the TCS at Old Oak had a tense early morning as he was only told what traction was being used for the Bromley North to Willesden service an hour before it was due in service and he had to try and find a willing train crew who signed the traction . . . Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin parks Posted December 10, 2012 Share Posted December 10, 2012 Hi BR(S), Thanks for showing us the fiddle yard. So it is actually four fiddle yards in one -very cunning! As for your question on the side-protection boards, the paint used was Precision Paints 'Sleepr Grime'. I must confess that my plastic boards have not stood up to the test of time and have bowed in many places, so I am glad you are not copying that idea of mine. It could be that as I painted the outside of the boards and used a black permanent marker pen to colour the inside faces for better adhesion of the glue, this has caused the warping. I would suggest that proir to painting, you chemically blacken the brass to avoid shiny spots where the paint is rubbed off. (It is quite a fiddle to clean the track next to third rails and even hardes if boards are fitted -the track rubber or whatever method you use will touch the boards as you clean.) You really should consider taking this layout on the exhibtion circuit. All the best, Colin Edit: Eileens do a blackening solution for aluminium which gives a nice grimy effect when used on brass. Sorry I can't recall the product's name. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
1977joey Posted December 10, 2012 Share Posted December 10, 2012 How have I missed this thread! What a cracking layout, love your buildings & detail & also your collection of rolling stock. I'll be watching this one with interest All the best, Mark Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BR(S) Posted December 10, 2012 Author Share Posted December 10, 2012 As for your question on the side-protection boards, the paint used was Precision Paints 'Sleepr Grime'. I must confess that my plastic boards have not stood up to the test of time and have bowed in many places, so I am glad you are not copying that idea of mine. It could be that as I painted the outside of the boards and used a black permanent marker pen to colour the inside faces for better adhesion of the glue, this has caused the warping. I would suggest that proir to painting, you chemically blacken the brass to avoid shiny spots where the paint is rubbed off. (It is quite a fiddle to clean the track next to third rails and even hardes if boards are fitted -the track rubber or whatever method you use will touch the boards as you clean.) Edit: Eileens do a blackening solution for aluminium which gives a nice grimy effect when used on brass. Sorry I can't recall the product's name. Many thanks for the info. The kickboards certainly add to the look of the third rail system; it's a shame yours have bowed, but I hope you'll either repair or replace them. As for cleaning the track, it will be so much easier to do it on this layout than the large layout I had previously. I use either a dishcloth dipped in lighter fluid or a track cleaning wagon from Nairnshire Modelling Supplies (this one here, but they don't seem to stock it any more: http://nigelburkin.w...ible-20t-brake/). I always end up knocking bits of the scenery and since my ballast and greenery isn't glued down, there is a certain amount of carnage there! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin parks Posted December 10, 2012 Share Posted December 10, 2012 Hi BR(S), The track cleaning wagon sounds a safe bet. Do I understand that the ballast is not glued down? That does kind of rule out exhibiting the layout! All the best, Colin Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BR(S) Posted December 10, 2012 Author Share Posted December 10, 2012 RMWeb layouts that have inspired me At times when I have lost my modelling motivation or I am looking for new ideas, a number of RMWeb layout threads have inspired me (as well as YouTube videos from the 1980s and early 90s). So, a list of those who have done so, in no particular order (and I don't think there'll be any surprises!). There are many others, but these are the ones that fit my era, region or both: St Mary Hoo: as well as superb detail, it has really captured a sense of bleakness: http://www.rmweb.co....25-st-mary-hoo/ Outon Road: http://www.rmweb.co....434-outon-road/ Llanbourne: http://www.rmweb.co....les-in-the-80s/ Exford Park: http://www.rmweb.co....75-exford-park/ Brighton East: http://www.rmweb.co....-em-third-rail/ Birmingham New Street (of course - makes my layout look like a starter set!): http://www.rmweb.co....ham-new-street/ Leaford: http://www.rmweb.co....ford-1990s-nse/ Newhaven Harbour: http://www.rmweb.co....harbour-c-1974/ Waverley West: http://www.rmweb.co....-waverley-west/ Aberdeen Kirkhill: http://www.rmweb.co....-kirkhill-trsd/ The £100 Project: http://www.rmweb.co....ibed-in-9-days/ For those who like 1980s and early 90s footage, I can recommend this YouTube user's videos from the period: http://www.youtube.c...2/videos?view=0 In particular, take a look at the Class 87 stopping at the beginning of this video, brakes screaming: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4cxcWtK8wA Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin parks Posted December 10, 2012 Share Posted December 10, 2012 Goodness me BR(S), That's a pretty illustrious list that I have been included in! Colin Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ess1uk Posted December 10, 2012 Share Posted December 10, 2012 some great layouts in that list, some of my favourites too. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Temeraire Posted December 10, 2012 RMweb Premium Share Posted December 10, 2012 Goodness me BR(S), That's a pretty illustrious list that I have been included in! Colin Took the words out of my mouth Colin! Thanks BR(S). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BR(S) Posted December 12, 2012 Author Share Posted December 12, 2012 Just a quick update from me. My sound decoders have arrived for my Class 47 and 108 and have been successfully fitted. I went with the Legomanbiffo (Ian Bishop) ETH Class 47 sounds (bought through DC Kits) and the Howes Class 108. I'm just waiting for a bass reflex speaker for the 108; the one provided sounds OK, but I have heard this DMU with the bass reflex speaker and it is a massive improvement. I can highly recommend both providers. In particular, Ian Bishop has sent me lots of useful info via e-mail and has been happy to answer technical queries. He has produced a resin sound chamber for the 20x40mm speaker, which fits much better into the space on the 21 pin Class 47 chassis. I was hoping to upload some video of the sounds tonight but my camera batteries have gone flat. Once I've got some more, I'll put together some (hopefully) protoypical footage of a couple of Bromley North to Willesden services and put the YouTube link here. One question about sound speakers: all the information I have seen talks about wiring the two brown speaker wires to the printed circuit board (PCB). The speakers come soldered to the decoder for both 21 and 8 pin types and I have just left it like this and everything seems OK. Is there any problem in doing this or advantage to wiring it to the PCB (I'm assuming it makes positioning of the speaker easier if there's no dedicated space)? While sitting here typing this, I can hear my 108 burbling away in the other room, awaiting two on the buzzer . . . Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
birdseyecircus Posted December 12, 2012 Share Posted December 12, 2012 Loved that youtube link to Warrington. Fantasic! Paul Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BR(S) Posted December 12, 2012 Author Share Posted December 12, 2012 One question about sound speakers: all the information I have seen talks about wiring the two brown speaker wires to the printed circuit board (PCB). The speakers come soldered to the decoder for both 21 and 8 pin types and I have just left it like this and everything seems OK. Is there any problem in doing this or advantage to wiring it to the PCB (I'm assuming it makes positioning of the speaker easier if there's no dedicated space)? Ive just found the answer to part of my own question; it is perfectly fine to leave the speaker connected to the decoder. I'd still like to know the reason(s) for having the speaker terminals on the PCB though if anyone knows. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Red Fox Posted December 12, 2012 RMweb Gold Share Posted December 12, 2012 Ive just found the answer to part of my own question; it is perfectly fine to leave the speaker connected to the decoder. I'd still like to know the reason(s) for having the speaker terminals on the PCB though if anyone knows. Bachmann DCC sound fitted locos have their speakers wired up through the PCB, fitted and non-fitted have the same PCB unlike Hornby sound locos which have different PCB's (21pin) to DCC ready loco's (8pin). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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