Severnside Recycling

[vierundvierssig]

I wanted to start planning my own layout, having completed Brighton East with my father. This was conveniently started ten years ago whilst I was living in Brighton and the layout built in Portsmouth, a short drive away and I could frequently go home to work on the layout (and get my washing done - university days). Now living in Bristol and having negotiated permission from the wife and the ever-present grip of work, I felt it was time to start planning my own layout. I am sure Kipford will provide more than enough expertise, influence and access to CAD/laser cutting/3D printing however!

 

I wanted to make something featuring pretty and elegant locomotives (GWR), with Brighton East based on the trains I grew up travelling on to see friends etc. but hardly handsome beasts. My first fully independent layout needed to be small however, and I realised my ultimate plan of Fowey Harbour/Carne point - the china clay jetties and the passenger station set in the 1930's/40's - would require about 15-20 foot to do it justice - space I just wouldn't get permission for, and time I just wouldn't have.

 

Inspiration and lurked just around the corner, and realised perhaps to stick to the era I currently know. Within the vast docks and distribution park that sits to the West of Bristol in the shadow the Second Severn Crossing sits a fair amount of sidings and interesting freight activities, as well as the highly subsidised passenger service to Severn Beach. A new interesting addition is a vast waste to energy incinerator complex served by some seemingly restored sidings that lay previously derelict. Having driven past a number of times, this energy efficient beast seems to be fed by a steady stream of Binliner refuse containers delivered by rail.

 

Me and my father have always been fascinated by the Binliner, ever since a scratch build your own article in a Model Rail issue circa 2001 - the almost comical noxiousness and self depreciation of a train full of dirty nappies seemed tempting, however Brighton East despite its wagon storage sidings never gained a Binliner. Bristol has had a waste transfer service for some time, exporting its waste, but now processes waste from countrywide arriving by rail.

 

Now a chance to build a layout devoted to such wagon royalty, and an interesting little shunting plank.

 

Severnside Recycling will be based on the inspiration of the waste to energy complex at Avonmouth. Featuring only Binliners, a local 08 shunter and class 66's delivering fresh waste and disposing of empties, the plan is to set up a working container crane, likely based on one of the Faller kits heavily modified. There has even been some talk of a faller road wire and the design of a container tractor and trailer to whisk offloaded containers into the incinerator complex. The general atmosphere hopefully will be evocative of the barren industrial flatlands aside the Bristol Channel. The M49 motorway should hopefully act as an interesting scenic break, and the incinerator itself a chance to model some very up-to-date and different architecture. There is also the irresistible opportunity to model a wind-turbine, the damned air raid siren towers that are tested every month when I am trying to sleep during the day for night-shifts, and some form of the Second Severn Crossing hopefully featuring in the back-scene to help place the layout. Generally the area has a lot of brownfield sites and will have a fair amount of high hedges and overgrowth.

 

The plan below was made with Any-Rail, and is based on PECO code 75 track. I have decided to avoid making my own track for my first solo effort! It is based on two Tim Horn laser cut baseboard modules of 3 foot each, and a scratch built fiddle yard. With the neatness, very reasonable price and low weight of baseboard kits available, I feel this is the way to go given challenging time constraints, and the layout will be planned around one of these. There are two versions, with the second the most likely using the 18 inch deep board rather than the 12 inch deep board - this allows greater length of track without lengthening the layout and a more pleasing (and less compromising) appearance of the empty wagon siding etc. I wonder whether there is wasted space on the wider layout plan, however with two offloading lanes under a gantry crane and a loop to allow a loco to detach and depart, as well as two potential wagon storage sidings, I don't know if that much more is needed for interest, or whether it would be realistic to add more (and would appreciate any thoughts!). I am very keen to model the surrounding area as well as just the rail aspects. Hopefully if I can get the container crane working and even containers disappearing "off stage" then it could remain interesting at an exhibition with only a simple track plan.

 

​Some good pictures on the incinerator complex being built are here: https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=S%2b9nmMbX&id=8D3234C453387F70710AD4B774EADE7BB556E797&thid=OIP.S-9nmMbXj-6o8lpcrZPL2AEsCI&q=bristol+waste+energy&simid=608004673015713446&selectedIndex=1&ajaxhist=0

 

 

 

​Please let me know what you think before I end up committing any track to board!

[37038]

I like the wider baseboards personally - the 12" wide plan makes it look like something is missing.

[mudmagnet]

An interesting project.

 

I did a little bit of work there for the company that I work for. The main building is enormous as you've probably realised. I'll find a few photos.

[deltic9014]

Go on! Build it! It's something a bit different, rather than the typical containers/steel/coal/whatever else that typically features on modern image freight layouts. I agree with 37038 that the wider boards are better, the narrower version is just too cramped.

BTW have you thought about doing the late 90s period, as the trains were hauled by some interesting class 47s (I believe from the Immingham Infrastructure pool?) in various heritage liveries including BR green and Network SouthEast; modelling those could make an interesting project and add variety to your fleet. There was other interesting traction used then as well, including class 37s and 58s - try searching 'avon binliner train' on Google Images and see what turns up.

[kipford]

A chip off the old bock eh! As we discussed last night the wider baseboards make all the difference. The container crane is not an 'if' it will be made to work!  

[vierundvierssig]

The 18 inch wide boards are definitely better. Ive now fiddled around with the track plan and added a 3rd storage siding, the majority of which should be overgrown. It looked a bit bare without it, but I am firm believer in less is more visually (and avoiding cramping!) but will add a bit more operational interest as can have stabling locos as well as empty container flats in the other lane.

 

I personally like the early 90's more and particularly the NSE colour scheme! However the building I want to base the incinerator on I think is a little too modern for the period.

 

Ultimately would like to have one of these working the yard:

but will need some careful consideration as to scenic breaks it could emerge and disappear into (possibly with an "underground roadway" to deliver containers back to the fiddle year)

[vierundvierssig]

Further changes to plan! It appears the baseboards are two foot longer than I realised in the 45cm wide category. Essentially they would still fit in the back of an estate car as two 4 foot scenic boards so 2 foot extra to play with. Some further playing has refined the plan into this:

 

1) slightly longer sidings designed to offload 3x KFA container flats, with more of a run up to them

 

2) three overgrown sidings which can store empty KFAs, or stable idle locomotives, or visiting permanent way equipment (?tamper)

 

3) the wind turbine (most of which would sit above the lighting gantry) has been replaced with a pylon wired to a substation, especially on discovering this beautiful model (from an ironically named manufacturer!)

 

4) It has been resigned with C and L finescale points, and am sorely tempted to use their kits, if they can still be sourced

 

5) the whole layout has been flipped...simply so the motorway scenic break models the left hand lane (cant fit a whole width motorway) so the viewer can see the writing on the overhead sign on the bridge! Fickle indeed. 

 

 

 

The 122x45 cm cameo box modules have been ordered now! Awaited eagerly.

[JonKing]

Great idea for a layout, I particularly like the backscene which gives no doubt of the layout location.

 

I would echo previous comments around basing the layout in the late 90s when a wide range of locos appeared on the bins (I remember 37s 47s and 58s).

 

You mentioned possibly stabling a tamper on the layout, as you are probably aware there was until very recently a tamper training depot at nearby Westerleigh adjacent to the fuel depot sidings which could be relocated with a bit of modellers licence.

[vierundvierssig]

JonKing, the "overgrown" sidings were kind of based on round there (as viewed from the M4 for a few brief seconds), with the empty sidings with permenant way vehicles beside the oil terminal. Infact the old waste transfer sidings with the Binliners was also there too!

 

 

The base boards have arrived and so far I am very impressed. The first board of two has been built in 45 minutes and is setting to dry. I know it is cheating.... but time is very difficult for me, and the instant gratification is undeniable! So far if anyone was thinking of laser cut base board kits I would thoroughly recommend them.

 

 

Below is the first board through stages of construction, firstly the basement its all going to live in, the baseboards as they came in the pack, then the right hand board pieces spread out and assembled.

 

 

[vierundvierssig]

And board number two complete.

 

The supplied metal dowels work perfectly and the joint between the two boards is very neat!

 

The first stock is now on the board.... I might put the lighting in along the top sections, next to illuminate the next steps.

Edited June 23, 2017 by vierundvierssig

[vierundvierssig]

The layout now stands on its own three feet! A weekend alone (except for a certain helper trying not to get burnt by my poor soldering) has been very productive.

 

The legs were shamelessly ripped off from Brighton East, with the left and right legs mounted on hinges and folding under the layout for transport, whilst the centre leg is a removal joist that embraces the abutting surfaces of the boards at the baseboard joint. Side bars keep everything rigid.

 

 

 

The lighting rig has also been installed. This comprised of two sets of 5m LED strip light reels - one "cool white" and one "warm white". Both run in parallel together in double strips of each colour, providing a nice approximation of daylight, and are mounted on a panel at 45 degrees to the layout. With these so successful (and easy to install!) and playing around with the effects of in the individual colours, I couldn't resist adding a third strip, a red/green/blue LED strip from Maplins with a remote control! Its subtle but the tone can quite nicely be changed. In particular turning off the cool white lamps and leaving on warm white, with the RGB strip set to red gives a but more of a sunset feel, while setting RGB to blue then feels like dusk. Currently the three sets are just plugged into the wall, but if my soldering gets a bit better, I might make a lighting control panel housing the remote control, but also with a rheostat dial for the white LEDs to further play with effects (tone down for sunset etc.) Unfortunately I tried taking pictures of my only wagon under then different effects, but without playing around too long with the SLR settings even this seemed to look the same in each picture!

 

 

Attached to the upper baseboard, before I decided to add the RGB LED strip

 

 

Ready for final fitting. Double strips of warm white on one side, cool white on the other side and a single RGB strip down the middle. The intensity of the RGB strip isn't as high as the white lamps on a strip by strip basis

[kipford]

You have to admit those boards are quick to make. As an aside, I am going to stick the track plan in Templot this evening to see what it looks like. I think it should look a bit more free flowing and make better use of the available space.  

[MattBlack33]

Looking forward to seeing this develop, nice idea!

[kipford]

Quick Templot version. had to move the track slightly to clear the baseboard. Matt needs to print it now and check it for size on the boards. Points are B6 which is reasonable compromise for size and modern image stock eats them for breakfast.

 

Edited June 27, 2017 by kipford

[d winpenny]

Coming along nicely that pylon was a good find looks 100% than the Hornby offering

 

David

[MattBlack33]

Hi Dave, any progress to report, was enjoying watching this come together

[rob D2]

Looks good, love the simplicity.

 

Of course you could run 90s stuff too, but this thing didn't start taking trains till couple of years back at the longest.

 

Anyway you could have a red shed, a pink shed and er...

[deltic9014]

Good to see some progress. Keep it up.

[kipford]

Matt has been busy changing jobs and is now doctoring at UHW in Cardiff. So the layout has had to take a back step. He took home a full size Templot plan I ran off and a new test track the other weekend. He also has the fiddle yard board kit from Tim Horn. While he settles into commuting twixt Bristol and Cardiff things will be a bit slow.

[vierundvierssig]

So it has been 18 months and very little has been done on the layout. Until this week.. This hiatus has been due to the rather unhealthy habit of working for the NHS and the birth of a now 9 month old new railway modeller. However over this time I have managed to do some more research and decision making about the layout, and have been in receipt of some very kind presents...

 

Firstly I was given a set of hand built turn outs for my birthday by my father (now a grandfather) which are superb. I decided eventually to build in OO gauge rather than EM as time is of a great premium and re-wheeling stock is one less thing to do. I was tempted by the new Peco bullhead points that have realistic sleeper spacing (prototypically unrealistic as a whole though), but Kipford intervened. - I will hand build track one day, but not quite yet..

 

The Fiddle yard board is now up and attached and the aperture created from the scenic area. The templot track plan is also laid over the layout to give a feel of the track plan.

 

The scenic break is now taking shape - The motorway embankment with the M49 has been synthesised and will be glued into place and then the hills fillered once the track has been laid below. The bridge section of the motorway is going to be supported by a horizontal I-beam, and just before the back scene is going to be a half length motorway gantry sign (I have modelled one half of the motorway) for which I have designed the signage- official HM gov fonts and all.

 

I couldn't resist the police speed camera van which can sit in the hard shoulder making revenue, and I have ordered an ambulance for the obligatory medical cameo - this is going to be someone being stretchered away to A&E after a faint at work in the incinerator plant.

 

 

Next up is to lay the track - the electrics are going to comprise of the MERG CBUS system for DCC bus and point servo control.

 

Here's to the next 18 months will be more productive (in layout terms) than the last!

 

 

 

 

[d winpenny]

Wow that pointwork is superb 

 

david

[kipford]

David 

The points were built using P4 track company chairs and nickel silver code 75 bullhead rail. The sleepers were laser cut as combe with each sleeper to its correct length and in its correct order. These were done by Great Shefford for me. The points were built to mix of 16.5mm and 16.2mm gauge. 16.2mm through the common crossing and 16.5 though the remainder. As I did not have any OO track gauges, Great Shefford laser cut some 3 point gauges in both 16.2 mm and 16.5mm and I bought some check rail gauges. I also machined my own mint gauge for 16.5mm. The photos give a flavour of the build.

Templot templates and the laser cut sleepers

Common crossing vee

Putting in the stock rail, using the laser cut 3 point gauges.

[vierundvierssig]

Work very, slowly, continues - but have a bit more routine to fit in working on the layout.

 

Track is now all down , laid with PVA. Just need to finalise the cassette interface in the fiddle yard through the scenic break. 

 

I realised that only a single uncoupler would be needed for layout operation - one at the end of the unloading siding (that is the nearest line in the loop), allowing the locomotive to uncouple and go into the headshunt before going round the loop. This is going to be a Kadee compatible electromagnet and a gap was cut into the layout and a specialised jig (from Brighton East) for the magnet blades put in the gap. Operationally moves to put empty stock and permanent way stock in the front sidings could be started already uncoupled from the fiddle yard - simplifying things.

 

I have also further worked on the scenic break to make this permanent - now having plasticard panelling, and the whole thing assembled and removable to assist in ballasting etc in this area for now. 

 

Making things more interesting - trying to get the feel of Avonmouth one of the characteristic drainage channels is starting to take form. 

 

Next is to install point motors (servo operated), and add the wiring to get things running. For this I have gone with the MERG CBUS system as well as their DCC controller - particularly for affordability and ease of installation/maintenance.

 

The choice of and installation of back scene should probably have some consideration next- potentially sweeping views towards wales and the newly renamed/free "Prince of Wales Bridge". A

 

I don't actually own a loco for the layout yet - I am trying to negotiate a new 66 in Biffa bins livery from Hattons when out soon however... 

[vierundvierssig]

Funny how the addition of a few (currently misaligned) props can make all the difference

[Captain Kernow]

I was involved with the early stages of the development of the rail aspect of this project, from a Network Rail perspective, until I retired. It will be very interesting to see this take on model form!