RMweb Gold Barry Ten Posted May 18, 2012 RMweb Gold Share Posted May 18, 2012 Some readers may remember Cogirep, my small French industrial module built for the 2007 RMweb "6 square foot" challenge. I built a layout using an old baseboard which was 4 ft long, but wider at one end than the other. The layout was served by a small fiddle yard (just a length of track on a bit of old wood) which has now been replaced by a posher, 4-road yard which takes the total footprint beyond that of the original challenge. However, the layout is still less than 7 foot long including the yard. The layout had a bit more of a career than I expected, with two or three exhibitions each year since since I finished it. However, it was never particularly user-friendly to transport and set up, and the nature of the original design meant that scenic items such as yard lamps were always very likely to get bent and damaged in transit. In 2010 the layout did two shows and then went up into my attic. However, with two outings likely in 2012, I recently brought it down from the attic and decided to see what I could do to make it more transportable. Over the last week I have removed the heavy chipboard sides which formed the original layout enclosure, and replaced them with lighter and taller sides from 6mm MDF. These make the layout bulkier, but importantly it now allows for the front proscenium arch to be fitted in place permanently, meaning there are fewer bits to transport and the scenic items are better protected. However, even with the extra height, the entire thing is noticeably lighter. It also still squeezes on the back seat of my car. The original layout concept was for a simple diorama set somewhere on the outskirts of Paris. In this scheme, there was no run-round facility. As construction got underway, I added an additional pair of points and a run-round loop. The final track and scenic layout was roughly this: The layout has had three frontages since I built it - each of which is a bit more widescreen than the last, allowing more of the module to be viewed. Some of these shots simply weren't possible before, so for me it's a bit like getting a new layout, or at least a larger one. I have also continued to add and tweak some of the details with each outing so there is quite a bit more to it than when it was first exhibited. I took a few new photos tonight, without the benefit of the layout's integral lighting (need a new fluorescent tube - just discovered that the spare I've been diligently taking with me to exhibitions for the last six years is the wrong fitting!). At the moment I've only taken this 66000 diesel out of its box; normally it would be shoving some wagons around. For a small layout, Cogirep has provided a suprising amount of enjoyment and I continue to find things to alter/improve - perhaps more so than if it was a rural scene, I suspect. It's in the nature of factories that they are always ripping things down, adding things etc, so it seems to make sense to keep doing this with the module, at least until it gets too cramped and overloaded with detail. I am currently working on a major overhaul of the left hand side of the layout. I'll be showing Cogirep at the StowRail exhibition in Stow on the Wold this coming sunday - see link in exhibitions. Say hello if you come along, and I'll be happy to let anyone have a shunt. Cheers! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Ramblin Rich Posted May 18, 2012 RMweb Gold Share Posted May 18, 2012 Good to see this back on view (as the original thread is in the archive & invisible at present). It was one of my favourites amongst the "6 sq ft Challenge" layouts - certainly a different take on the Continental theme which set it apart from others in my mind (I was going to say "breath of fresh air" but probably doesn't apply to the factory setting!) Having seen it for real at one of the Taunton RMweb meetings, it surprised me how small the layout is - there's a great deal going on without appearing over crowed. I'm glad it's got a further lease of life. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest oldlugger Posted May 18, 2012 Share Posted May 18, 2012 This is excellent and a very unusual layout; hope to see more! Cheers Simon Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pacific231G Posted May 18, 2012 Share Posted May 18, 2012 Good to see this layout back again Barry. I thought it captured the atmosphere of the (very) grotty northern Paris rust belt really well in the days when SNCF thought wagonload traffic still worth having. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
trisonic Posted May 18, 2012 Share Posted May 18, 2012 Very nice, Al. I have a sneaking love for the SNCF of the early sixties. It's so good to see something different like this. Best, Pete. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Gwinnett Posted May 19, 2012 Share Posted May 19, 2012 Joining the chorus of pleasure at seeing this return. As I have said before, Cogirep is my all time favourite layout backscene, an what's in front ain't half bad either! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gronk the shunter Posted May 19, 2012 Share Posted May 19, 2012 As good as the others were in that competition, I always thought you should have won, the factory/warehouses give it a unique and very authentic feel. Great to see it back online. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold The Stationmaster Posted May 19, 2012 RMweb Gold Share Posted May 19, 2012 Alas after Knowl Hill today and Railex next weekend plus the demands of the garden (and particularly the 'garden manager') I simply can't get to Stow to see Cogirep again - much that i would like to as it's a great little layout and in the company of some others I like. So hope you have a good show and i'm sure those who get there will like the layout as much as I did. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Barry Ten Posted May 19, 2012 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted May 19, 2012 Thank you all! I've just completed some last minute tests and then loaded the layout into the car ready for tomorrow's very early start. There is a strong likelihood that Cogirep will be at this year's Cardiff show, in October, for anyone coming along to that. In terms of the scenery I have not achieved as much this week as I would have liked, but changing and painting the surround turned out to be a big job (and it's still not had a varnish coat - I dislike flat matt finishes but ran out of time). On the plus side I am half way through building a new industrial building which will straddle the entrance tracks on the left hand side, and that should be in place by the next time Cogirep goes out. Also the new surround allows for the top of the layout to be covered, which should allow for some proper night-time operation - in the past, exhibition hall lighting has always leaked in and killed the night effect. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Gilbert Posted May 19, 2012 RMweb Gold Share Posted May 19, 2012 Barry I hope to see to see Cogirep tomorrow. I think I'm helping with another layout but I'm never sure with the 0n30 mob! Chris Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Barry Ten Posted May 19, 2012 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted May 19, 2012 Hope to see you tomorrow Chris! Should be an enjoyable day. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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