daniel8910 Posted February 12, 2014 Share Posted February 12, 2014 Hello After lurking around for some time now, i have finally decided to start a topic on a layout I am currently planning, Oswestry Station in 2mmFS, from 1955-65. It will feature the entire station, works and goods yard, which together take up a vast area. I am going to try to make the layout portable, as for now I have nowhere to store it, which means that I will definitely have to make it modular. The layout will incorporate features such as working signals, automatic magnet coupling (A system which i to pioneer myself, as I have found no realistic, cheap and high quality system as of yet) I have had two layouts before, neither of which were completed, and neither were anywhere near as large as this. However to combat this, I have decided to work slowly and patiently, so as to not make awful mistakes which will deter me permanently. I will also be taking a step into the unknown, in making my own trackwork- I have recently made a test point using some materials i was given as a present. Due to the sizeof the project, updates may be infrequent, but i hope we can stick with it. Attached are some images of my semi-completed templot plan, the background for which was provided by Alanbuttler, of this forum. Unfortunately I had trouble when trying to attach an image of my test point, which is the first piece of trackwork i have ever built.The layout will also hopefully have fully weathered models and buildings, which will be a first for me. Any replies are welcome, and any knowledge, images, plans, or drawings of Oswestry station that fellow RMwebbers could provide would be gratefully accepted. Thanks for reading! 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Douglas G Posted February 12, 2014 Share Posted February 12, 2014 This sounds interesting - I do like 2mm/N models based on a real location. I look forward to seeing further report of your progress. Are you planning to use commercial N gauge stock rewheeled to run on 2mm FS Track? While it is quite easy to convert diesels by drop in replacement wheels or machining the existing wheels, there can be issues with converting steam locos. You will need a lot of locos, I think. Douglas Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
daniel8910 Posted February 12, 2014 Author Share Posted February 12, 2014 Thanks Douglas!- that is exactly what I am planning to do, as I, like many 2mm scale modellers started out in N gauge, my entire loco collection (a measly five) have n gauge wheelsets. However, I am heading through to Glasgow for model rail scotland soon, where I hope to invest in some 2mm components. The huge number of locomotives present at oswestry in the 1950s means that I may have to use some 'unpowered' models to keep costs low. May I also express my great admiration of your scenic skills, as shown on dulverton! Daniel8910 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
daniel8910 Posted February 13, 2014 Author Share Posted February 13, 2014 Just a few pictures, to give a feel of what I am trying to model; Left- South throat looking towards Middleton road bridge, also showing south signal box, which is still there. Top Right- View looking south from the 'works bridge' that connected Oswald road to the vast loco works at Oswestry. This image shows the extensive goods yard, station, and the corner of the Cambrian loco works. Bottom Right- Oswestry station front, again, another large structure. 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tricky-CRS Posted February 13, 2014 Share Posted February 13, 2014 (edited) Sounds interesting been to the museum and drove a shunter their at the Dapol open day last year. Edited February 13, 2014 by Tricky-CRS 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
daniel8910 Posted February 13, 2014 Author Share Posted February 13, 2014 Thanks! I have never been to Oswestry itself, but found the trackplan on the S-R-S website, which intrigued me further. The CHR movement is an absolutely fantastic group, and have a very dedicated member base, as shown by their active forum. Progress on the templot plan has been limited recently, due to problems with gaining access to my PC, however i hope to finish off the works area, and to make a start on planning the goods yard by the start of next week. A link to the CHR website, which has many interesting articles concerning Oswestry, and selected other Cambrian Railways topics: http://www.cambrianrailways.com/ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
daniel8910 Posted February 15, 2014 Author Share Posted February 15, 2014 Haven't managed to make any progress recently, had some unexpected visitors. Provisional supplies of pcb sleepers, code 40 rail and solder should arrive tomorrow, hopefully I can make a start on some plain trackwork! Daniel8910 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quarryscapes Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 Now this is a truly epic project! I watch with great interest. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hector Lawn Posted February 19, 2014 Share Posted February 19, 2014 Looks like an interesting project Daniel. If your layout accurately resembles the photo's it should make for a very interesting layout. Not sure I'd fancy building all that 2mm finescale trackwork myself though! I too like layouts based on prototype locations and so will be following your progress with interest. Best of luck with it. Regards Hector Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
81A Oldoak Posted February 20, 2014 Share Posted February 20, 2014 Very ambitious, but I shall watch this forum as I love Welsh railways, especially the Cambrian. And yes, I do know that Oswestry is in England. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
daniel8910 Posted February 20, 2014 Author Share Posted February 20, 2014 Hey everyone Having managed to eek out a tiny bit of time this week, i have almost managed to finish the templot plan for the scenic section of Oswestry, which you can find attached. All that remains is to complete the northern goods yard ( an ex-GWR station that was transformed into a goods yard) and also the main northern approach to the station, which I have not been able to find plans for so far. I really like this part of prototype modelling, when one has to search deep for information on a given subject! I have started studying various baseboard construction techniques too, as this is my first time building a project of this magnitude. I have however found that marine quality plywood, preferably 9-11mm thickness, is the best material to use. However, if anyone knows otherwise, it would be great to hear their thoughts on the matter? Thanks, Daniel8910 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
daniel8910 Posted February 20, 2014 Author Share Posted February 20, 2014 Looks like an interesting project Daniel. If your layout accurately resembles the photo's it should make for a very interesting layout. Not sure I'd fancy building all that 2mm finescale trackwork myself though! I too like layouts based on prototype locations and so will be following your progress with interest. Best of luck with it. Regards Hector Looks like an interesting project Daniel. If your layout accurately resembles the photo's it should make for a very interesting layout. Not sure I'd fancy building all that 2mm finescale trackwork myself though! I too like layouts based on prototype locations and so will be following your progress with interest. Best of luck with it. Regards Hector Thanks!! It was the trackwork that convinced me to take this project up! Its my first time building my own track, but having tested my skills by making a point, and some plain track, I have managed to suitably impress myself. Luckily there is no deadline for the layout, so I can take as long as I need to build the track ! With any luck I will put up some images of my test point tonight. Thanks, Daniel8910 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanbuttler Posted February 21, 2014 Share Posted February 21, 2014 Hi Daniel, this really looks set to be an epic layout! I'm glad the trackplans proved useful. There is so much variation of locomotive power during thar period, I think at the peak there would have been 12 or 13 different class of loco shedded there, not to mention all the varied visitors to the works! Looking at the plan, are you going to model the line to Gobowen which ran north of the shed complex? If I can help out with anything else just let me know, I've been building up quite a large collection of photos and details for my Works model. I'm off to Kew again soon also to the National Archives, there are works registers in there which I want to dig out. If you need anything looking at just shout. Best of luck with it! Looking forward to seeing your progress, Alan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
daniel8910 Posted February 21, 2014 Author Share Posted February 21, 2014 Hi Daniel, this really looks set to be an epic layout! I'm glad the trackplans proved useful. There is so much variation of locomotive power during thar period, I think at the peak there would have been 12 or 13 different class of loco shedded there, not to mention all the varied visitors to the works! Looking at the plan, are you going to model the line to Gobowen which ran north of the shed complex? If I can help out with anything else just let me know, I've been building up quite a large collection of photos and details for my Works model. I'm off to Kew again soon also to the National Archives, there are works registers in there which I want to dig out. If you need anything looking at just shout. Best of luck with it! Looking forward to seeing your progress, Alan Cheers Alan! The vast number of locos is something that I will have to work at slowly, as funds will definitely be stretched by the huge variations. I am going to model the branch to Gobowen for a very short distance, and then have it enter the fiddle yard behind a scenic break- This will require some modellers license, but I'm sure i can rustle up something! It would be absolutely brilliant if you found any plans, diagrams or rare images of the 'Ex GWR station' goods yard, as that is all that remains to do on the templot plan for the scenic section Thanks again, and best of luck to you too! Daniel Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanbuttler Posted February 23, 2014 Share Posted February 23, 2014 Hi Daniel, there are is a great 7 page spread of photos of Oswestry in this months Steam World (March). Nothing of the former GWR station however but a great variation of motive power. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
daniel8910 Posted February 23, 2014 Author Share Posted February 23, 2014 (edited) Not managed to get a huge amount done recently, but enough to merit a 'mini' progress report First off, I went to the Model Rail Scotland exhibition at the SECC on Saturday, and thoroughly enjoyed it too. There were many jaw-dropping layouts on show, but my favourite was Melton Mowbray in N gauge,absolutely stunning work. Another that I highly commended was the vast layout Fence Houses, again in N gauge. There seemed to be a lot more N gauge on show this year compared to last, which suited me down to a 'T' ! Some pictures of the exhibition: While at the exhibition I decided to join the 2mm SA, for the very modest price of £16. I also purchased a book on trackwork, and a small starter kit which comprised a section of easitrac and an etched wagon kit. I have attached some images of my progress on the wagon; which I must admit, has been quite quick given my standards. The last picture showing where i have got to now- I have also completed the plastic body, which is not shown. Thanks, Daniel Edited February 23, 2014 by daniel8910 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanbuttler Posted February 23, 2014 Share Posted February 23, 2014 Hi Daniel, I've never tried any etched kits before, would you recommend starting out with a wagon kit for a beginner? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
daniel8910 Posted February 23, 2014 Author Share Posted February 23, 2014 (edited) Absolutely Alan!! This kit was only £6, and it came with a section of easitrac too. It is my first wagon kit, and, apart from accidentally removing the buffers and having to solder them back on, all went well. Is it the 2mm version you are interested in? Edited February 23, 2014 by daniel8910 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
daniel8910 Posted February 27, 2014 Author Share Posted February 27, 2014 Not managed to get much done this week, been bogged down with all sorts! I have had a little 'thought-debate' on the construction of the trackwork for Oswestry (aided by my newly acquired 2mm Society 'Track' book) there are several variations and methods, and when reading Steve Bedding's 'Smokey Bacon' thread i was enlightened with a few more. The idea of soldered pcb, with easitrac ABS sleepers mixed in to 'keeps costs down' (actually, I'm not sure whether they would?) does attract me. I am still at a loose end as to use chairplates or chairs, however i doubt this will be used, as the sheer magnitude of the track layout at Oswestry means that soldering all those tiny little components would probably send me loopy! Please comment with your thoughts, as I really would like some opinions on the matter! Apologies for lack of images, Daniel Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Kris Posted February 27, 2014 RMweb Premium Share Posted February 27, 2014 Hi Daniel, I've never tried any etched kits before, would you recommend starting out with a wagon kit for a beginner? The 2mm wagon kits, especially open wagons are a great starting point. Creating the axle boxes is a little fiddly (the rest is a easy) but when you take your time the results are well worth it. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanbuttler Posted February 28, 2014 Share Posted February 28, 2014 I know its early days, but if you need any help with the works, at some point I'll be cutting a 2mm version of the works model I'm making as a trial run. You're welcome to it once I've finished with it Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
daniel8910 Posted February 28, 2014 Author Share Posted February 28, 2014 Would be great Alan, cheers! What materials will you be using, purely out of curiosity?? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanbuttler Posted February 28, 2014 Share Posted February 28, 2014 It's 1.5mm MDF, here's a test cut I did of the works entrance: 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
daniel8910 Posted February 28, 2014 Author Share Posted February 28, 2014 Goodness me Alan, That looks incredible! Have managed to squeeze in a bit of time today, which was used on laying down 'selected' strengthening sleepers (PCB) on one of the crossovers that form the south throat of the station- progress is slow, however I should get up to speed once I have managed a bit of practice. Will post some pics later, hopefully! Daniel 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tricky-CRS Posted March 1, 2014 Share Posted March 1, 2014 It's 1.5mm MDF, here's a test cut I did of the works entrance: Glad to see your laser cut brick work comes out looking like mine, bit of an odd pattern fortunately it looks better painted. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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