Hills and Meadows - N-gauge

[topsy11]

Any updates  Maurits? 

[Maurits71]

well sort off. I have finished the last Helix and need to get myself motivated to start with a rather complex set of points. think around Saturday

[Maurits71]

Evening,

 

After a couple of really busy days ( yes sometimes I need to work ) finally today some time in my mans cave.

 

Already finished the last helix a week ago, but needed still some droppers

 

Main job for today was part of the ' parade strecke '   as one part is suited underneath the main station I needed to finish this part first

 

Part of the mainline are 2 junctions coming together, which creates an interesting set of points.

 

although I still need to do the point motors and droppers I have started with a few things which are on my ' to improve ' list. like this part of the helix. this is current situation

 

and this will be final situation, reason for doing this is I want to copy Linslade tunnel ( sort of a copy then because on my track it's situated in a bend

 

So hopefully when it's finished it will give a bit of recognition

Edited February 6, 2016 by Maurits71

[Maurits71]

just be patient, layout isn't finished yet, will be enough straight pieces of track later.

 

A few people know that I have made a calculation error which is going top cause me an issue with part of the station and the 4 track mainline. Have thought about all sorts of solutions from rebuilding up to what ever.

 

Having a sort of brain storm session with my buddies Only me and BenA we came up with an idea about a station which is build over the tracks. That was one solution but still needed to solve the space issue. As there are many stations build in all sorts of forms and shapes I decided that an S shape was the solution number 2.

 

this is an idea what I have in mind.

 

 

what you see from left to right. 2 sidings for HST. goods line, 4 passengers lines and another goods line. close to the tunnel is also a small DMU siding. this plan means I have to saw some more pieces of wood in shape but that's not an issue have still enough in the shed.

[Maurits71]

Station is getting shape

 

 

[Maurits71]

Happy Sunday.

 

Although I haven't posted much I have done quit a lot over the last weeks.

 

The upline is completely connected both points and track,. Since yesterday I am able again to run trains on part of the layout, great to see that it's getting there as I have in mind.

 

Have made a small teaser for my youtube channel.

 

 

see you later

 

M.

[Maurits71]

Chris Nevard paid us a visit today for a photoshoot of Horseley fields and afterwards I took him to the dark side   ;) and he had a nice shoot for me as a present

 

[Maurits71]

That's a Kate Bush number

 

Afternoon

 

as mentioned today's target was to do 1000 model kilometres which was achieved in just under 2 hours, this shows the potential of the layout as I am only part of it.

 

in between testing I have made the track elevations in one of the visible parts and station area

 

 

 

and a picture of the 1k

 

 

During the test run I was waiting for the moment that I had 2 trains up and 2 trains down at the same time. It's captured on video

click for video

 

As I know that everything works now I can start with the main line, rails is ordered

 

best regards

 

M.

[Maurits71]

Happy chappy, made by fellow Dutchman and forum member Raymond ( Uk ) 

 

 

will be painted once I paint the rest of the layout

[Maurits71]

Evening all.

 

before I can start with the 4 track mainline I need to ballast part of the helix because of limited access. To hide the helix I am thinking about a tunnel mouth which I have seen in real only can't remember where  :-[ :-[. 

 

 

any suggestions and or pictures are more then welcome

 

best regards

 

Maurits

[Maurits71]

Evening.

 

Have been to the St-Neots show this weekend and have seen some cracking layouts. So lots of inspiration and motivation to start doing a bit more myself.

 

One of the last big projects ( the real last project is H@M TMD) is the 4 track main line which runs on the back of the station area.

 

 

 

 

Will be a similar set up as the ECML. so slow traffic on the outside lanes, HST's on the inside. 

 

Last picture shows the construction from the Helix to the mainline, this will be a nice s-curve with a speed restriction. although passengers has just survived the helix to another left right curve can't be that bad  

 

Also still playing with the mock up from the tunnel mouth, it's getting there I guess. Although I have decided just now that I am going to change it a bit , will show later what I have in mind

 

 

best regards

 

M.

[Maurits71]

afternoon.

 

Have been able to spend a few good hours in my room. firstly made a mistake with the mainline. The ECML isn't 2+2 but 1, 2+3 and 4, so thats fixedand relaid now

 

 

Also nice weather so good moment to saw the traject which connects helix 4 and 5 and 6 with the mainline. This will also the location for an arched viaduct which I will scratch build.

 

[grob1234]

This all looks exceptionally complicated! No doubt you're using n gauge to its full potential. Nice work indeed

[Maurits71]

Afternoon, had a superb Easter weekend. managed to finish track laying of the last 2 loops 

 

 

new section between station and helix 2

 

 

 

4 track main line on the right hand side, remember people also me beeing I know better, never ever make your layout too deep, what a nightmare to finish this part, look already forward to ballasting

 

part on the left, same story too deep isn't funny.

 

 

I have planned a nice long viaduct here with a small blink in the eye to the Glenfinnan viaduct

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glenfinnan_Viaduct

 

 

and finally last piece  

 

that was the easy part done, the big job was to get everything programmed, this was a well spend Saturday and Sunday. did a test run with only 8 trains yesterday and all looked good finally. offcourse my bucket list with improvements is getting bigger and bigger but that's why we test isn't it

 

Today as I am writing this I have set the program to unlimited, currently 25 trains simultaneous. it's a bit busy. The next couple of weeks will mainly be testing and testing. I also need to finish the TMD/ terminus but this is such a big job down to all the points that I am postponing this till I am back in the mood for track laying and soldering

[jpendle]

Hi Maurits,

 

Just read through the whole thread and this is awesome.

 

Regards,

 

John P

[Maurits71]

Afternoon.

 

Started the day with adjusting the 2 cross overs,apparently they caused a short cut. after I altered the contra rail it seems to be solved. have also done a few sessions to improve the software settings.

 

It's basicly finding out how quick to release another train from the fiddle yard. At the moment am I not completely happy as the middle fiddle yard seems to be a small bottle neck but will find a solution for this.

 

Have done at one point an average of 20-25 trains with averages of 750 - 1000 kilometres per hour. Think totals totals will be over 5000 kilometres.

 

To give everybody an impression I have done a cab ride. you will see a full run on the first halve of the layout. the return run isn't filmed completely as the battery was empty. enjoy 24 minutes

 

 

 

Best regards

 

Maurits

[Colin_McLeod]

Hi Maurits I have just come across this thread and am seriously impressed by the fast progress you have made on a very complex multi level layout.

 

Congratulations and I look forward to seeing more. You have also spurred me to get more active on my own comparatively simple layout.

 

Regards Colin

[Maurits71]

Hi all

 

Back on regular updates, have tried to reduce my things to do list mostly stuff like calibrating loco's , some extra droppers on a few black spots and fine tuning the software.

 

Have done a second' endurance ' race. 5.000 software kilometres in one stint, layout technical no issues, only a few GF coaches which are having a habit of derailing in random places but seems that a back to back wheel check has done the trick.

 

And finally the real fun part ;)

 

First the complicated one, complicated because I cant' reach the end ( yes, yes  know never make your layout to deep ). couple of layers with paper machee to try to blend it in with the back ground.

 

 

This takes a week to dry ( and I am soooo un patient ) , once dry random some colours, simple easy cheap pound land paint

 

 

Straight away with the flock it a first layer of grass, any colour will do because this is the base for the second layer which is a similar colour as the back ground.

 

 

This needs drying first , later tonigh I will use a few different tints as a finish.

 

The old shed on the back ground was screaming for and old cottage. All scratch build from Slaters plastic card and Evergreen strips.

 

 

 

 

On purpose I haven't been overly neatly to give an impression of an old not maintained cottage. the guttering ans Sky dish has finished this little beauty

 

 

another project is the viaduct over the main line, I will use xps plate as an under ground which will be painted in a greyish colour.

 

 

 

for the  moment the bridge is only placed to distances and how it looks, will start once I have finished the rest of the corner.

Edited April 26, 2016 by Maurits71

[Maurits71]

Morning all,

 

it's all dried up nicely, really pleased sofar, few minor things to do today

 

 

M.

[grob1234]

The back scene blends in really nicely.

[Maurits71]

Hi all,

 

small HaM update. Have started with the hills to cover Helix number 2. Part is a rural road with quit a steep incline with terraced houses. I have made a mock up to check dimensions, looks ok to me , the big building left is going to be some old scrappy shops

 

 

 

Today no building work, but a few hours of just sit and watch trains going round

[Maurits71]

Afternoon.

 

Have finally managed to more or less finish my little tunnel project. I have used the card board mock up as a mould ( or is it mold google translate gives 2 options ) to cut out Slaters brick. which I have finished with some evergreen strips.

 

Once happy with the result I have sprayed the whole lot with Halfords primer before Air brushing, below a few pictuires from the different steps I use. so first one layer with a lighter brick colour, then a second layer with a slightly darker one.

 

 

I normally finish this off with a greyish/ black wash, as it must look old I am not really carefull, just what I feel what looks right.

 

 

The end finish is a wash with heavily diluted white paint, some which I remove slightly, other places I just let it dry completely.

 

This is the end finish on the layout, on the picture it looks like that the tunnel mouths are not straight but this is down to me rushing with some pictures.

 

 

Hopefully this weekend a bit of time to get some more scenery done, grass, weed, relay cabinets, signs etc, but sofar already really pleased with the result, scratch build with a twinkle towards Linslade tunnel

 

[Maurits71]

Morning all.

 

Not much to report, have done some re wiring to one of the boosters sections. 

 

I also decided to purchase a Silhouette Portrait printer to give me a bit of help with all the houses I want to scratch build. Although it's not a solution for mass productions it's definitely a help to produce something different.

 

 

 

 

Off course still in the trial an error phase but pleased with the outcome of just an ' easy ' quick play around.

 

In the mean time I need to wait till the paper mache has dried so that I can start with the scenery bit around the helix.

 

[Maurits71]

Happy Sunday.

 

After a lovely day in the garden enjoying the sunshine I was able to spend tonight a few hours on the layout. So a nice running session and in between watching trains a bit more work done on the terraced houses. Have found a few images from some lovely ones somewhere in Lincolnshire which I have used to design mine in Silhouette.

 

After a few hours plotting, think all the brick was a bit too much in the end the first results. Quite pleased already.

 

 

 

 

best regards

 

M.

[Maurits71]

Happy Sunday all.

 

During a few running sessions the last couple of weeks more and more I came to the conclusion that I didn't like the ' rough ' terrain hill.

 

 

Too rough and not really in the same style as the back ground. so a restart was the only option. the new bit is made of ' chicken' wire covered with news papers soaked in wall paper glue.

 

 

Liked it straight away so also started on the road and one of the bridges.

 

 

 

This needs drying a couple of days so today I will spend time ballasting   ;)