Tottenham East

[letterspider]

In the meantime I have been able to locate a pipe with a diameter very close to the arches (i would like to say I drew the plans for the laser cutting with the pipe in mind but I didn't!)

 

This is 120mm diameter conduit for air vents.

The idea is to use it to form the inner lining of the arch which should then be a lot easier to decorate with embossed brick plasticard etc

 

Before I cut it in half and hot glue it into place, I am running a copper strip power bus along the entire viaduct to give me the option of lighting the workshops under the arches and another power bus for the track

 

 

 

Edited February 24, 2023 by letterspider

[letterspider]

After several mistakes...

 

the LED lights are 24V adhesive strips with integral resistors which are sold very affordably on 10metre rolls - available from Alibaba (if you don't mind a 2 week+ wait).

Unfortunately the roll can only be cut every 6 LEDS - so I have sprayed these to dim them down a bit.

 

 

Edited February 24, 2023 by letterspider

[Harlequin]

Hi,

You seem to be well past the stage of layout design so would you consider moving this thread to Layout Topics, please?

Thanks.

 

[letterspider]

Yes - how do you move the thread?

[Harlequin]

51 minutes ago, letterspider said:

Yes - how do you move the thread?

Report the first post to the moderators (click on ... and then click Report) and Andy will move it for you.

Thanks.

[njee20]

I’ve reported it. No reason it has to be the OP who does it. 
 

Looks an interesting project. I fear combining my layout and my office space would massively destructive to my working efficiency!

[Harlequin]

It just seemed more polite.

 

[letterspider]

There will be workshops and business premises under the arches. 

 

 

 

 

The storage shelves and clutter are a mixture of kits and offcuts.

This can then be placed under the arches after weathering the floor. 

 

These will be a high end used car showroom

Edited February 24, 2023 by letterspider

[letterspider]

Some more on the viaduct. Reference pictures for ideas

 

 

 

 

 

Edited February 24, 2023 by letterspider

[letterspider]

Tidying up the girder bridge..

 

Slaters brickwork, drying before I apply a plastic strip to represent the reinforced concrete bridge. support.

Edited February 24, 2023 by letterspider

[letterspider]

Progress has been made on ballasting and the viaduct

 

Point motors are controlled by an ESU Switchpilot and this requires a separate power supply when using PECO point motors. I have to use surface mounts as there is no room under the baseboard. Does anyone have any idea how to disguise sufrace mount point motors?

Both signals are Traintech DCC - very simple to use - can be powered and programmed from the track.

 

 

It's great to finally have the track laid so that I can have running sessions :)

Control is by an eLink using the 4 amp power supply - sufficient as I will have no more than 4 locos running simultaneously

Scenery is powered from a very old 14VAC PSU from a Scalextric set - nothing goes to waste!

 

 

Edited February 24, 2023 by letterspider

[letterspider]

I have decided to use one corner as idle sidings.

 

Some kind of barrier is needed between the mainline and sidings.

I have been saving track offcuts to scratch build a track built barrier.

This is definetly not a job for superglue.

 

[letterspider]

Barrier painted and installed 

[letterspider]

The Hornby Class 86 was my first model train of any kind so it had been really nice to run the Heljan model. 

I am planning to eventually put catenary on the upper viaduct, until then my AC electrics will have to be dragged.

 

 

 

 

Edited June 10, 2021 by letterspider

[letterspider]

Continuing in the corner of the layout,  the sidings will have a concrete hardstanding.

I used Wilkos premixed filler which is easy to work with and pliable for hours but dries very hard; after 2 days can be easily sanded smooth 

Plastikote Suede used for the concrete colour.

 

[letterspider]

Bit more adjusting..

[letterspider]

What the scene may look like before I start the ballast 

[letterspider]

Playtime and time for some simple modelling

The Knightwing portakbain is a simple kit to assemble. 

I have added some interior detailing and lighting.

The lighting is powered by a coin battery controlled by a reed switch.

Unfortunately I could only source reed switches on Aliexpress which are closed when in a magnetic field

 

 

 

Neodymium magnet glued to the underside of a pallet

 

Lighting on and off just by moving pallet above the reed switch

 

 

Also had time to fettle a locomotive inspection platform from West Hill wagon works - still needs final painting

The 3D print is incredibly fine but very flexible and robust

 

 

 

Edited December 7, 2022 by letterspider

[letterspider]

A running session to check the rails after spraying them; as it seems to be all good the next step will be ballasting the viaduct.

[letterspider]

First ever HST Running session - although BR executive Blue and Grey is my favoured time period - there are so many excellent models from the privatisation era!

 

 

Edited December 31, 2021 by letterspider

[letterspider]

First running session with the Accurascale Class 92 - what a great model!

[letterspider]

More time to play with the Class 92, I have made a first pass of weathering with several light washes of matt black and it definitely makes an improvement

Edited February 24, 2023 by letterspider

[letterspider]

Weathering of my Accurascale Class 92. There have been some niggles with bodyside grilles repeatedly falling off. The pantograph heads detach quite easily but can be replaced the same.