Two Sister's Farm

[maunsel]

Peter, you have a lot to answer for.

 

Not only have I been forced (much against my will...................   ) to convert an old Bachmann 40ft US tank car chassis into  a 1/32 scale bogie flat wagon (which is just right to carry a few of Britains loaded pallets), but the body is off the Piko Kof1 awaiting a new superstructure based on a small Battery Electric loco (think Greenbat, Wingrove & Roberts etc).

 

I've also been sizing up a 1/35 scale Shipping Container from Italeri for use as an engine shed................

 

But I'll not hijack your thread.................

 

......Except to say it's all YOUR fault!

 

 

Keep up the good work! 

 

 

Eric

Edited December 24, 2014 by maunsel

[Broadoak]

All I can say is I'm sorry Eric, but I think in the long run you will enjoy the project you have started.

 

Good Luck.

 

Regards Peter M

[Broadoak]

A few pictures taken at the Beds and Bucks open day last Sunday.

 

I always enjoy specialist shows like this they have a relaxed atmosphere and a more knowledgeable selection of visitors.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Peter M

Edited April 23, 2018 by Broadoak

[ThePurplePrimer]

Happy Christmas Peter

 

Love the new pictures - especially the last one with all the gubbins to look at ( and for )

 

I got a book today that has a picture of a 'loco' that is crying out to be made in 1/35th

 

I don't think I can resist it

[Broadoak]

Happy Christmas Rob and Eric.

 

I wish you both luck with your projects. You will not regret taking this path I'm sure. If you need any help just ask.

 

Oh and you will never have any one say " I think you'll find the mark two had a bracket that was bolted on."

 

 

Regards Peter M

Edited December 25, 2014 by Broadoak

[maunsel]

Happy Christmas Rob and Eric.

 

I wish you both luck with your projects. You will not regret taking this path I'm sure. If you need any help just ask.

 

Oh and you will never have any one say " I think you'll find the mark two had a bracket that was bolted on."

 

 

Regards Peter M

 

Thanks for the encouragement. 

 

I've been down the narrow gauge route before in the smaller scales. But I like the industrial 2ft and less stuff from makers like Hudson, Decauville etc and in my idiosyncratic eye it never quite worked in those lesser scales.

 

I also tried a Binnie Skip wagon in 16mm and was almost seduced by IP Engineering's Lister Rail Truck - which are lovely. But I don't have space for something like Fen End Pit.

 

However having this industrial stuff in 1/35 to 1/32 scale just seems natural. It also has the advantage of having similar dimensions to OO. For instance I mocked up a industrial shed with 8ft high walls and it's about the same height as a two storey house in 4mm. The Kof1 now has a chassis base plate of plasticard and is going to end up a little less than the size of Class 3 shunter. I already have some of Steve Bennett's Gn15 wagons which look acceptable in 1/32 and are similar in dimensions to a 10 ton wagon in 4mm.

 

In other words this 1/32 to 1/35 scale gives me big toys in a small space without going down the Gn15 path - which I was never really fully satisfied by.

 

My next decision is about couplers. I've fitted Bachmann EZ mate to the stuff so far, but I'm really wondering if I should go for link & pin instead. Just for the fidelity.

 

Peter, I think you mentioned in an earlier post that you have both? Bearing in mind I plan for a small (sub 4'x1') layout, without exhibiting, and just for bumbling around with is link and pin worth the extra fiddly fuss & botheration?

 

 

Eric

 

ps. A belated Happy Christmas to you all.

Edited December 26, 2014 by maunsel

[Broadoak]

One of the most enjoyable exhibitions I did last year was at Stow on the Wold which was a most pleasant experience. My wife helped me setting the layout up, but a gentleman with a layout next door ran Two Sisters while I had a walk round outside in the sun.

It is a fabulous venue in a charming Cotswold town. The show was very well attended by a record crowd, who came in to view the models despite the glorious weather outside.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Peter M

Edited April 23, 2018 by Broadoak

[Broadoak]

Exhibiting a layout on ones own is not easy sometimes as I explained to my wife you have to suffer to create.

 

A few years ago I did Watford Fine Scale show on my own, one of the members of the Watford club helped me carrying in the layout but I was able to set it up on my own.

The club said they would provide me with an operator so I could take a break. I expected a gentleman like myself of more mature years to help but instead I got Demmi, who I must say quickly got the hang of things and operated more than I did. She helped on both days of the show so as you can see exhibiting a layout can be tough at times.

 

Lost photos I'm afraid.

 

 

Peter M

Edited April 22, 2018 by Broadoak

[Broadoak]

Eric, with regard to couplings I fitted KD's because I had a few no 5's in stock. I use them on my American switching layout Benson.
Really though the wagons are too light to use them as intended with the delay facility. I uncouple using a very sophisticated tool, a long brush handle with a straight piece of wire araldited into the ferule.
The link is merely a piece of U shaped paper clip, with this you pull kd fitted stock. Pushing the wire rests against the closed KD inside the jaws, avoid sharp curves when pushing if you can. Alternatively you can use an L shaped wire with a couple of links of heavy chain.
It is probably best to experiment with a central buffer with a hole for the pin, mine are all rather crude.

 

Photos lost when PC crashed.

 

I hope the rather poor photographs illustrate what I mean with the coupling using a link and KD for pulling, pushing is easy. Note in the photo the pin could stand being a bit longer. You can push a large link of chain in one of the slots and hold it with the pin.
The centre buffer/coupler is several layers of plasticard.
If you are only running trains from home go with what you find easiest, you can always experiment with more realistic looking couplings later.
The important thing is to get something running as soon as you can it will give impetus to the project.

 

Peter M
 

Edited April 22, 2018 by Broadoak

[maunsel]

Thanks for the advice Peter. You're right about maintaining impetus. I think I'll go for a mixture and see what happens. Then if it's not successful I can always brush on a heavy coat of hindsight to sort it all out....................

 

The one thing I want are loads that go somewhere and come from somewhere. So I plan to use pallet loads which can be loaded/unloaded inside sheds. But all that will be for a new topic once I've got something to show.

 

All this is evidence that Two Sisters Farm is certainly inspirational. There can't be much higher praise than that! 

 

Thank you

 

 

Eric

[Broadoak]

I did the Hemel Hempsted club show at Leverstock green recently and thoroughly enjoyed it, the weather was good with a steady flow of visitors all day. There was a selection of different layouts in various scales so there was something for everyone to enjoy.

I didn't take my camera but I took a few pictures of the layout on the Friday before the show while checking it all worked, before loading it in the car.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Peter M

Edited April 22, 2018 by Broadoak

[ThePurplePrimer]

Hi Peter

 

That last contraption ( I use the word affectionately ) looks interesting. Is the cylinder at the front ( where a bumper would be ) some kind of coal gas conversion ?

[Broadoak]

Hi Rob,
 

Yes it is an Opel Blitz fitted with a gas converter, the black vertical cylinder behind the cab.

Coal or wood chips were heated to produce a gas which was fed through a radiator at the front of the truck to cool it then into a storage tank and finally into the engine via the carb.

It only produced about 40% of the power petrol would. It was introduced by the German Army at the end of the war due to a shortage of petrol.

 

 

 

Peter M

Edited April 22, 2018 by Broadoak

[Broadoak]

A further selection of photos taken while checking the layout over prior to an exhibition. They were taken in our conservatory which is ideal as it gives a bright all round light. With a small layout like this now that I have a decent camera taking pictures adds another dimension to modelling.

 

 

 

Whilst checking the layout over I was ably assisted by one of the two sisters the layout is named after. This is Amy who quickly got bored and went to sleep on the black bin liner that covers the fiddle yard and under the layout cover itself.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Peter M

Edited April 24, 2018 by Broadoak

[maunsel]

Inch perfect or not this Ruston looks spot on! 

 

 

 

Eric

[ThePurplePrimer]

Love that Ruston - want one !

 

Looking at my pile of platicard - hmmmmm 

Edited December 28, 2014 by ThePurplePrimer

[Broadoak]

Thanks chaps, the Ruston is a bodge that has turned out OK. I can't remember where I saw it, but it was a drawing showing the engine, gearbox and final drive, but no body work. I used photographs for reference and made the body out of plasticard, if I'm honest the fuel tank could be a bit fatter. Despite the body being filled with lead it doesn't run brilliantly, it is OK but needs care over dead frog points. I keep thinking the motor is about to expire, it is from an HO scale GE 44ton bo-bo switcher that has two motors. I found they work best in short bursts as they tend to overheat.

When it does finally stop working I will fit a Tenshodo under the body. The driver is due for renewal as well as he is Siku tractor driver and I thing a bit too big really.

 

This is the thing about freelancing it is a bodgers charter really, because you can always say,

“Ah yes we modified that in our own workshops” and who can argue with that.

 

Regards Peter M

[Broadoak]

I have over the years when I build a model especially if it is a fictitious scenario I have found it helpful to invent a back story. I don't give names to the characters seen on the model or anything like that but have a general idea of the atmosphere and setting I'm trying to portray.

I reproduce the wording seen on the end of the layout.

 

The layout depicts a fictitious two foot narrow gauge light railway serving a large agricultural estate in the Lincolnshire fens in the late 1950's. It is very loosely based on a similar railway that actually existed from the 1920's until the late 1960's and was some 22 miles long in total with about 10 miles of sidings as well. It was originally powered by horses but in later years steam, petrol and diesel locomotives were employed. The light railway was used to transport the crops (mainly potatoes, both early and main crop) but also wheat and sugar beet from the fields to either a standard gauge railhead interchange or to be loaded onto lorries for transport to market.
The model features the small terminus at Two Sister's Farm, the largest of several farms that make up the estate. There is a small engine shed with minimal facilities for coaling watering and servicing the small but varied fleet of locomotives and rail trucks. There is also a workshop where tractors and implements are serviced and repaired.
The main crop grown on the estate is potatoes but the need for crop rotation and the varying soils mean that a variety of other crops are also grown. In addition to arable farming cattle, sheep and pigs are also reared to give diversity. There is a small area of woodland which provides the estate with all its timber needs and allows the breeding game birds for the occasional shooting party. To the rear of the woodland is a quarry which provides road stone for both the estate and the local council.
Wagons are pushed in to the yard from the out-laying fields and trains are then made up for sending to the standard gauge connection nearby. Rail trucks are used to deliver fuel, seeds and fertiliser to the fields.

 

Peter M

Edited December 30, 2014 by Broadoak

[Broadoak]

 

 

 

 

 

An assortment of pictures of the Fordson railtruck working in the yard on different occasions. With its three forward speeds and one reverse gear it would be of limited use really. In our model world though we don't have to worry about practicalities like that. The driver is an ex German tank crew member who is relaxing and caught playing cards. I have modified the pose slightly.

 

 

Peter M
 

Edited April 24, 2018 by Broadoak

[ThePurplePrimer]

Hi Peter

 

Love the Fordson and the figure looks just perfect

 

I am surprised that this scale isn't more popular or am I just Googling in the wrong places

 

I think this scale has something to offer that GN15 doesn't

Edited December 29, 2014 by ThePurplePrimer

[Broadoak]

I don't think you are googling in the wrong places Rob, not many people seem to model in this scale. That said there are some superb modellers who work in this scale but take it very seriously.
The thing is I don't, and rubber gauge a little between 1/32 and 1/35 after all it is supposed to be fun. With figures of course you can get away with it as we are all different sizes. The average viewer at a show doesn't notice the slight variations in scale, or if they do no one has ever said anything to me.

I like 1/32ish scale because the narrow gauge locomotives seem to have a bit more presence if that is the right term.
Gn 15 models always look to my eye as if they might topple over. This does not apply to miniature railways like RHDR, they look fine.
Also there are far more prototypes of around two foot to give you some ideas.

Tractors of course while desirable are not essential.

 

Peter M

[ThePurplePrimer]

Hi Peter

 

I know nothing about tractors but like the older Massey Fergusons and those like it 40s 50s I assume - do you be any experience of the Universal Hobbies tractors ?

 

Also I have had a quick look at some of the Britains buildings and they look like pretty good starting points - do you know if the plastic is of the glueable type - or is it something polythene based ?

[Broadoak]

Hi Rod,

I have Two Universal Hobbies models in this scale and they are excellent and a reasonable price. They are the lighter blue Fordson Major E1A and the Fergie 35, both date from the early fifties and can still be seen working.

The Britains's barn is made of a plastic that can be glued using a liquid glue.
I use Humbrol Liquid Poly. You can also use self tapping screws that come in the kit, they even provide a screw driver. The barn is very much like the Atcost asbestos buildings. We have some on a farm near to where I live.

Peter M

Edited December 30, 2014 by Broadoak

[Broadoak]

Hi Rob,

These are both 1/32 scale Universal Hobbies models that have just been made to look as if they work for a living. The Fordson Major is on the left and the Massey Ferguson 35x on the right.
The building the tractors are in is the Britain's Barn kit, suitably modified and painted.

 

 

Peter M

Edited April 24, 2018 by Broadoak

[Broadoak]

 

A view looking down the yard towards the engine shed.

 

IMG_1359 by 

 

The Opel receiving some attention in the engine shed while the GMC truck starts up in readiness for a days work.

 

 

The Simplex towing a small Sidelines four wheeled wagon. This model is not dissimilar to some of the wagons used on the Nocton estate railway.

 

 

On the Nocton Estate for instance on its 7800 acres there was almost 23 miles of single track. There was also track used for a large number of sidings and temporary track that brought the total to around 35 miles.

 

Peter M

Edited April 25, 2018 by Broadoak