92220 Posted February 19, 2012 Share Posted February 19, 2012 (edited) A quick bit of background by way of preamble: I wanted to build a proper layout as a young teenager, but cricket, golf and girls won the battle for my attention, probably in that order at the time if I'm honest. I didn't look much at model railways for some time. I built a 6x4 Thomas layout for our older son in about 2000, and it was about then that I first thought about building a steam shed. Again, that idea went firmly to the background and only when a shoulder injury prevented me from playing golf in late 2009 did I find myself at enough of a loose end to rediscover. I had 2 attempts to build a design of my own in the loft. Steam MPD so I could have an excuse to have, detail, convert and weather plenty of locos, plus a mainline because I like big trains. The second of those attempts is pictured: Peco code 75 on the scenic side, which was only 8'x3'. Scenic is a misnomer really as it never got that far. Code 100 for the 20' runs down each side and the 11 road storage yard. 11 roads? Don't ask..... Storage yard showing how dark it is up there (apologies for the photo quality) 2 separate and far too small control panels. At least they worked. I learnt a lot: Wiring and control panels Electrofrog points Laying track in alignment Soldering But mainly That if I was going to do it at all, I would (try to) do it properly That I didn't want to do so in an unconverted loft, with the storage yard the other side of the water tank, and all the other loft-related problems. So here we are..... It's going to be a big project but I'm expecting that. It's called Camden Shed as it's in a shed, and based on Camden. "Based on", rather than a truly representative model. I wanted it to be recognisable, so I hope I'll manage that. I will use a bit of modeller's licence to run a few locos and services that won't have been prototypical. The shed layout is simplified and about 40% smaller, even than the cramped site that Camden sat on. It has a curved 4 track mainline running past it, although the curve is, unusually, perhaps somewhat straighter on the model than the prototype. The massive expanse of Camden goods yard on the opposite side of the running lines has to go, and I don't see a way to represent it so the plan is to pretend that the retaining wall, which is present further down on the east side of Camden Bank, extended past the loco shed all the way to what I think is the Regents Park Road Bridge (which is the one on the left, now pedestrian only ). Here is the plan as it stands after some help from various people. I still can't quite get the crossings right on Templot, and there are no trap points as they would be off scene. I spent as much as I could afford or justify to get a high quality 20' x10' shed on a purpose-built reinforced concrete base. It was insulated throughout with 50mm Celotex and lined with plywood. It has decent security features added too. The electrics were done by a highly reputable professional, so hopefully it will be a decent place to build and run the layout. It has certainly been fine in the recent cold weather. Layout Baseboards are 12mm ply, using one of the many familiar methods. Almost all of the track is/will be C&L. Flexi track and chaired pointwork on the scenic side (now 12' x 3'6" at its widest), and copperclad pointwork elsewhere. I'll use Peco code 75 plain track in the storage sidings. I'm building the track in modules using templot printouts. More to follow as and when I can. Many thanks to all who have helped so far, and hopefully in the future. Iain Edited to remove all the ridiculous conversions of ' and " to €@TM etc........ Edited January 26, 2014 by 92220 15 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnT Posted April 9, 2012 Share Posted April 9, 2012 Hi Iain Just found this thread and I will certainly be following your progress as I also model WCML in the 50's although further north. That shed really looks the business! John 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Alder Posted April 9, 2012 Share Posted April 9, 2012 Passed me by as well- one of the perils of the size of the site, I'm afraid. I'll certainly be following progress though- please keep posting upgrades; The purpose built shed sounds great and will give a far greater modelling window than an attic does although I found I was sharing my old space with far too much insect life for comfort, but yours looks a lot better sealed than my old lean-to was. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium 2ManySpams Posted April 9, 2012 RMweb Premium Share Posted April 9, 2012 Gosh, Camden Shed. That takes me back to when I was in my late teams and bought the LMS sheds books. Camden (and Holyhead) were always firm favourites and got drawn up loads of times. 20+ years later and I recognise the track plan straight away. Love the shed and the concept. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Oldddudders Posted April 10, 2012 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 10, 2012 Camden was the first shed I ever went round, in 1961, I think, on a skool MRS visit. If I'm honest, I can't remember jack about it, but know it took place! The MRS was headed up by a chap who became a barrister and railway author. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
45568 Posted April 10, 2012 Share Posted April 10, 2012 Camden was the first shed I ever went round, in 1961, I think, on a skool MRS visit. If I'm honest, I can't remember jack about it, but know it took place! The MRS was headed up by a chap who became a barrister and railway author. David Fereday-Glenn ?? Cheers, Peter C. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Oldddudders Posted April 10, 2012 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 10, 2012 David Fereday-Glenn ?? Cheers, Peter C. No, Chris Heaps. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold The Stationmaster Posted April 10, 2012 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 10, 2012 Camden was the first shed I ever went round, in 1961, I think, on a skool MRS visit. If I'm honest, I can't remember jack about it, but know it took place! The MRS was headed up by a chap who became a barrister and railway author. Smashing shed Camden but reputedly one of the most difficult in London to 'bunk' although I managed it several times and was only chucked out once. I think they must have reckoned that as it was so difficult to get in - unless the street level door in the wall was open - if you were seen you must be legit! I caught it just at the end of its life as a steam shed and on later visits it was almost wall-to-wall EE Type 4s and a few Type 2 Sulzers - but when the 'Duchesses' were still about it was a tremendous place. 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
92220 Posted April 10, 2012 Author Share Posted April 10, 2012 Thanks for the interest, encouragement and information everyone. I took a few photos of progress today and will upload them tomorrow. Iain Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post 92220 Posted April 11, 2012 Author Popular Post Share Posted April 11, 2012 Hi everyone, Progress so far: Hopefully you can see in the background the fact that the shed is fully lined and powered. I have had to adjust the templot plan very slightly for various reasons (primarily that I miscalculated the location of a baseboard join and so the switch blades of two turnouts would have been right across the join). Of course, the knock-on effect of that is that most of the turnouts that I've built thus far are now not quite right. I think that is secretly a blessing in disguise. Hopefully the experience gained will have been helpful in building better replacements. I have laid the majority of the 12 feet of 4 track mainline onto 2 pieces of primed and sealed 6mm ply. It's been wired, painted and partly ballasted. The two modules are temporarily in position on the pictures. The two halves of the plan for the shed area have been printed out. The eagle eyed amongst you will see that the printer cartridges began to fade halfway through, The south end has been glued to its section of 6mm ply Gordon S showed me how his tracklaying for ET was progressing, and the idea of laying onto balsa so that it could be easier to manhandle for wiring, painting and ballasting really appealed to me. Spray painting and airbrushing outside seemed a distinct bonus too. I doubted how delicate I could be with balsa though, and so had the idea of using ply. I'm not concerned with noise or portability, so fixing the ply to the baseboards with screw and glue should give a very solid base. I hope..... Detail of the trackwork: Outside in dull light: Inside without flash Inside with flash: Inside with evening sun streaming through the windows: I think/know it needs further weathering. I'm after that urban mainline rust/brake dust/filth look..... I'm expecting dilute and judicious airbushing or washes. I've searched on RMWeb using various search criteria but haven't got the information I'm after. Any guidance much appreciated! I need to complete these modules and the scenic sections/backscene behind them before I go onto the main shed areas. Iain . 20 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gordon s Posted April 11, 2012 Share Posted April 11, 2012 Iain, wow, that looks terrific. The ballasting is first rate and the track looks really good. I'll certainly look forward to seeing something running soon. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Alder Posted April 11, 2012 Share Posted April 11, 2012 Trackwork is looking good so far- and I'm pleased to see you belong to that trusty band of modellers that cannot build anything without a H&M Duette taking part 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
the penguin of doom Posted April 11, 2012 Share Posted April 11, 2012 I like how this is developing and in all honesty, the only layout I'm ever likely to build in my small house is a shed diorama tyoe, so two excuses to keep watching developments. Looking good so far. Cheers. Sean. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
92220 Posted April 11, 2012 Author Share Posted April 11, 2012 Gordon - thanks, praise indeed from the maestro. I hope you're right: you should be present to witness the momentous first powered movement of a loco... Ben - thanks. Duette makes a great testing controller. I've almost decided to go DCC in fact. Struck me that wiring it conventionally would have about 40 separate sections. Sean - likewise, hope you enjoy what is likely to be a slow journey with many obstacles caused by poor planning and epic incompetence. Iain 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post 92220 Posted May 3, 2012 Author Popular Post Share Posted May 3, 2012 A busy couple of weeks at work and some family and golf commitments have pruned the time I have spent on this to nearly zero since the last update. The ballasting has progressed continuing to use a slight variation on Captain Kernow's method, also used by gordon s. I have nearly finished all 12' of 4 track mainline. This can then be weathered and both 6' sections laid. With Sunday looking as it did, I decided to spend a couple of hours attempting to build a representation of Regents Park Road bridge, which sits at the north end of the shed and is a very recognisable shape. Here, from and copyright Google Street View. It isn't a perfect scale model by any means, as it needed scaling down to fit and still to retain the right shape. I also don't think I will manage the 20,000 rivets very easily.... Inspired by Ron Heggs I set to work with a pile of plastic and some drawings. A 12 mm ply former was made: I beam in the oven at 100 deg for 10 minutes: Then cool and the I beam retains its shape. I designed it so the lower half could be detached and reversed, giving a template in which to build the rest: Bottom straight and uprights are box section I beam has 10 thou overlay (not easy to see) I'm reasonably pleased with it - a fair likeness? Only took about an hour and a half but now I need to build the other side, the base and the brick supports. Plus paint and weather. Iain 46 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gordon s Posted May 3, 2012 Share Posted May 3, 2012 You're a man of many talents, Iain. That really is first class.... Cracking job on the wooden template. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jol Wilkinson Posted May 3, 2012 Share Posted May 3, 2012 Vincent Worthingtons Camden Bank appears in MRJs 154 and 172. Another layout featuring part of the LNWRs mainline out of London 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
92220 Posted May 3, 2012 Author Share Posted May 3, 2012 Thanks Gordon, you're too kind. I was pleased with how the jig worked out as I had pondered for a long time how best to make the right shape and without leaving it under stress. LNWR modeller - thank you, my copy of MRJ 172 is very well thumbed now. Mr W has created an epic and I can only begin to approach his standards, and then only on a small portion of it. I've wondered whether I've bitten off more than I can chew on a number of occasions, but hopefully I will get somewhere with it. It would be great to know how things have gone since issue 172 - does anyone know? I have 2 questions that members might be able to help with: The bridge is painted a blue grey colour now, and all pics of it in the early 60's are filthy. Does anyone know what colour it would have been under the grime? Or should I just paint it as filthy?! I need to weather the mainline. The ballast is too clean and grey really, and since I didn't dye/colour it beforehand, I need to now. Any suggestions for that urban mainline look? Thanks Iain 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jol Wilkinson Posted May 5, 2012 Share Posted May 5, 2012 LNWR modeller - thank you, my copy of MRJ 172 is very well thumbed now. Mr W has created an epic and I can only begin to approach his standards, and then only on a small portion of it. I've wondered whether I've bitten off more than I can chew on a number of occasions, but hopefully I will get somewhere with it. It would be great to know how things have gone since issue 172 - does anyone know? I have 2 questions that members might be able to help with: The bridge is painted a blue grey colour now, and all pics of it in the early 60's are filthy. Does anyone know what colour it would have been under the grime? Or should I just paint it as filthy?! I need to weather the mainline. The ballast is too clean and grey really, and since I didn't dye/colour it beforehand, I need to now. Any suggestions for that urban mainline look? Thanks Iain quote name='92220' timestamp='1336066375' post='680974'] Hi Iain, I last visited Vincent's layout about 18 months ago when he had just converted the wiring to DCC, a fairly major task as the layout is in his attic and working on it isn't always too easy. I hope to get another visit in later this year. I thought the layout was pretty well advanced and it's delightful to see a long rake of carriages behind a large loco in such evocative surroundings. It would be even better if he had modelled it in the LNWR period. Nice work on the bridge, in LNWR days it would probably have been dark grey (and smoke blackened underneath). I would think it would only be repainted very occasionally, so would go for the filthy look. I don't know about the ballast, the only colour photos I have are in A History of the London and BirminghamRailway Vol. 1 which don't show a lot of track detail, although there is a fair amount of red/brown in a couple of pictures, probably from brake dust. I expect that the lines into a large terminus in the late steam hauled period would be pretty much the same, so a colour photo of any one of them would give some idea. Jol 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
92220 Posted May 5, 2012 Author Share Posted May 5, 2012 Hi Jol, That's very helpful, many thanks indeed. I have several colour pictures with the bridge in the background and it seems so filthy that whatever it was underneath is close to irrelevant..... Glad that Vincent has continued to make progress. Mind you, he sounds like the sort who would persevere! Although I have only seen pictures, it remains a source of inspiration to me - despite what some say about this being wrong. Do pass on my thanks for that. All the best, Iain 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rammy Posted May 5, 2012 Share Posted May 5, 2012 Only just found your layout thread Iain and, although it really is not my era at all, it has been an interesting read. I love your big shed. That's given me ideas for future years! Your track building looks great and your ballasting is spot on. Then to top it off you scratch build that girder bridge in just an hour and a half? That would take me a year and a half! Great work and I am looking forward to your updates. Dave 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
treggyman Posted May 6, 2012 Share Posted May 6, 2012 Hi As Rammy above only just found this thread ,but I looked as my daughter used to live in Camden. That BRIDGE .......All I can say is.....CRUMBS......Superb Will watch with interest even though not my region or time. Keep up the good work Cheers Bill 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
92220 Posted May 6, 2012 Author Share Posted May 6, 2012 Thanks Dave. To be fair, it's an hour and a half to build one side of it. The other side, the road bed, pavements, cross beams underneath and brick piers either end plus painting and so on....might take me a bit longer! Especially as I need to wait to get hold of some more plastruct truss section. I also had a brainwave and consulted the first photo I saw that sparked the idea of basing a model on Camden, in Stanier Pacifics by Derek Huntriss. In the background of a photo of City of Carlisle on the turntable in 1962, is Regents Park Road bridge with what looks like a reasonably recent coat of dark grey paint. Unless the LM region failed to put a coat of matt varnish on after they weathered the bridge... So that at least answers that one. A bit more ballasting today.... the last bits seem to take forever Iain 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffP Posted May 7, 2012 Share Posted May 7, 2012 Watching this with interest, I loved the bridge. But wasnt Camden a roundhouse? 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bike2steam Posted May 7, 2012 Share Posted May 7, 2012 Yes, Camden originally 2 sheds, roundhouse to the north of the main line, straight shed to the south (modified a few times over the years), the roundhouse went out of use in the 1870's. '92220' planned track layout as in post #10 is a very good representation of a shed I got thrown out of many times in the early 1960's. 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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