Cwm Bach - A South Wales Branch Line

[Budgie]

Finally, at the back on the Mac keyboard are four specimens of the new Peco push bikes. There are two sprues of four in a pack. They are nice, but the absence of spokes is quite plain in 7mm scale. However, I'm not going to attempt to make spokes from strands of fair or other fine filaments; I'll leave that to the Scale 7 masochists.

You'd think that on each sprue of four, one would be a ladies' bike.

[81A Oldoak]

I have been working on the end of the line at Cwm Bach and here the results so far. The last photo is a Brian Monaghan style ariel view to show how it pulls togther. As always seems to be the case, it takes me much longer to complete a job than I at first anticipate and there is probably some law of relativity to explain it.

 

More detailing needs to be done between the tracks and I have a great photo of some PW stuff at Malmesbury station that will fill the space nicely. I shall also probably install a lamp standard behind the gate to the left of the poster board. I will also build a loading dock next to the the left of the end-loading ramp and add sleeper-built loading platforms to the rail and yard side of the goods shed. After that I think I will make a start on the colliery branch motive power depot, which will probably be a wriggly-tin shed. I am still procrastinating the main backscene.

[steve fay]

I spent a pleasant couple of hours last night knocking up some poster boards for Cwm Bach. Sheet plasticard and Evergreen strip are the main materials. They should be installed in their designated positions over the weekend. The posters were scanned from postcards and then reduced in size in a MS Word document. The poster enticing the residents of Cwm Bach to Bristol had to be included as it's my home city. Send me a PM If you want a copy of the posters.

I'd like a copy of the posters for Halcyon Days please

Edited March 30, 2015 by steve fay

[Barnaby]

Looking Great Chris an inspiration to all.

 

Ref your lack of bicycle spokes, you could try printing some onto acetate, cut them out and give them a spray of matt varnish to hide any reflections.  I've not tried it on spokes but have done it for window bars.

Your poster skills look good so acetate should also be a doddle, hopefully you'll see spokes and not just a black splodge. .

[hartleymartin]

Don't bother wirh bicycle spokes. The prototype ones are 2mm rod and prior to the 1940s, British made bicycles had 40 spoke rear wheels and 32 spoke front wheels. If you're going to model the spokes you must also model the sturmey-archer toggle chain.

 

I know a bit about old bicycles. I have a retromod 1976 Raleigh Twenty and a 1982 Raleigh Royale tourer with a Reynolds 531 tubeset. Thankfully the stoxk frame is qithin mere millimeters of being an exacr fit that would have otherwise been a very costly custom job.

Don't bother wirh bicycle spokes. The prototype ones are 2mm rod and prior to the 1940s, British made bicycles had 40 spoke rear wheels and 32 spoke front wheels. If you're going to model the spokes you must also model the sturmey-archer toggle chain.

 

I know a bit about old bicycles. I have a retromod 1976 Raleigh Twenty and a 1982 Raleigh Royale tourer with a Reynolds 531 tubeset. Thankfully the stoxk frame is qithin mere millimeters of being an exacr fit that would have otherwise been a very costly custom job.

... and if you can't see I from 3 feet away, dont bother modelling it.

[81A Oldoak]

Don't bother wirh bicycle spokes. The prototype ones are 2mm rod and prior to the 1940s, British made bicycles had 40 spoke rear wheels and 32 spoke front wheels. If you're going to model the spokes you must also model the sturmey-archer toggle chain.

 

I know a bit about old bicycles. I have a retromod 1976 Raleigh Twenty and a 1982 Raleigh Royale tourer with a Reynolds 531 tubeset. Thankfully the stoxk frame is qithin mere millimeters of being an exacr fit that would have otherwise been a very costly custom job.

Don't bother wirh bicycle spokes. The prototype ones are 2mm rod and prior to the 1940s, British made bicycles had 40 spoke rear wheels and 32 spoke front wheels. If you're going to model the spokes you must also model the sturmey-archer toggle chain.

 

I know a bit about old bicycles. I have a retromod 1976 Raleigh Twenty and a 1982 Raleigh Royale tourer with a Reynolds 531 tubeset. Thankfully the stoxk frame is qithin mere millimeters of being an exacr fit that would have otherwise been a very costly custom job.

... and if you can't see I from 3 feet away, dont bother modelling it.

I'm not going to bother with spokes. Other efforts I have seen are unconvincing.

[Donw]

I think it one of those things where the eye tends to imagine those things it knows should be there, whereas if modelled out of scale the eye has problems with it.

 

Don

[raymw]

 

I think it one of those things where the eye tends to imagine those things it knows should be there, whereas if modelled out of scale the eye has problems with it.

Well, you can always do the faking that takes place in many magazines for smoke and steam, and photoshop in some spokes when going to print.

[81A Oldoak]

Well, you can always do the faking that takes place in many magazines for smoke and steam, and photoshop in some spokes when going to print.

Not doing that either.

[CME and Bottlewasher]

I'm not going to bother with spokes. Other efforts I have seen are unconvincing.

Except for Dave Rowe's in 4mm - amazing!  

[keefr2]

Not wishing to put a spoke in the thread (sorry...), there are now some very fine photo etched bicycles, complete with spokes, available to us aircraft modellers for use as airfield accessories. I know the scale is slightly out, but these are in 1/48;

 

http://www.hannants.co.uk/product/FHP4801B

 

And to show just how fine p.e. spokes can look, these are in 1/72 scale (I have a set, but not yet the courage to make them!);

 

http://www.hannants.co.uk/product/BRL72004

 

If it were me, I know that the lack of spokes on the bikes would eventually become somewhat of an irritant. Judging from the detail you show in your photo's Chris you are a much better modeller than I, so may well end up feeling the same eventually?

 

Keith

 

(edit as I managed to spell my name incorrectly. Oh dear...!!)

Edited April 2, 2015 by keefr2

[Barnaby]

Wow thanks Keith, that 1/72 photo is just magnificent and shows what can be done.  Looks very realistic, better than no spokes.  Do the 1/48 make up into something like that too.  To me those photos say spokes in 0 gauge can and should be modelled.  I think I'll do a little more investigating for myself.

Link noted.

[keefr2]

I don't know to be honest Barnaby, as I'm mainly a 1/72nd modeller I don't have the 48th set. All subjective I know, but looking at the photo of the 1/48th set & my actual 72nd scale set, I would say they would be much the same in appearance (to each scale, if you get what I'm trying to say?!)

 

keith

[br2975]

I have followed this thread with interest - the location, South Wales valleys being close to my heart.

.

Even better - located at the buffer stops stands a building which can be found at the end of my street - literally.

.

Keep it up Chris.

.

Brian R

[Derbys65]

http://www.sportgoodies.fr/shop/en/accessories/460-1-43-bike-etched-metal.html

 

 

what about these chris, they 1:43 scale sure could be made normal bike or just use the spokes?

[MrRodrigez]

Just spent all morning reading through this project from page 1 to the most recent post. Fantastic project here, keep up the great work. Finding it extremely inspiring!

 

Dave

[81A Oldoak]

I have followed this thread with interest - the location, South Wales valleys being close to my heart.

.

Even better - located at the buffer stops stands a building which can be found at the end of my street - literally.

.

Keep it up Chris.

.

Brian R

 

Thanks Brian. South Wales has great potential, especially for those with limited space. Steep sided valleys with multipkle lines on ledges at different levels, tank engines, steep gradients and lots of industrials.

 

http://www.sportgoodies.fr/shop/en/accessories/460-1-43-bike-etched-metal.html

 

 

what about these chris, they 1:43 scale sure could be made normal bike or just use the spokes?

 

That looks very promising. I shall order some. Anyone for some spokeless Peco bikes?

 

Just spent all morning reading through this project from page 1 to the most recent post. Fantastic project here, keep up the great work. Finding it extremely inspiring!

 

Dave

 

Thanks Dave. Stay tuned.  

[CME and Bottlewasher]

Not wishing to put a spoke in the thread (sorry...), there are now some very fine photo etched bicycles, complete with spokes, available to us aircraft modellers for use as airfield accessories. I know the scale is slightly out, but these are in 1/48;

 

http://www.hannants.co.uk/product/FHP4801B

 

And to show just how fine p.e. spokes can look, these are in 1/72 scale (I have a set, but not yet the courage to make them!);

 

http://www.hannants.co.uk/product/BRL72004

 

If it were me, I know that the lack of spokes on the bikes would eventually become somewhat of an irritant. Judging from the detail you show in your photo's Chris you are a much better modeller than I, so may well end up feeling the same eventually?

 

Keith

 

(edit as I managed to spell my name incorrectly. Oh dear...!!)

 

 

 

My slant on things such as bicycle spokes is if they arnt modelled (or I cant model them successfully) then I would rather leave the model well alone, rather than have something which I know will irritate me. I like using some of the military modelling items in 1:48 but only those where scale isnt easily identifiable when used in a 7mm situation.

[chaz]

Wow thanks Keith, that 1/72 photo is just magnificent and shows what can be done.  Looks very realistic, better than no spokes.  Do the 1/48 make up into something like that too.  To me those photos say spokes in 0 gauge can and should be modelled.  I think I'll do a little more investigating for myself.

Link noted.

 

I have made up three etched bicycles in 7mm which can be seen on Dock Green and which are entirely innocent of spokes.

 

 

 

 

I have some experience of working with etched brass and looking at the picture of the etched fret from the link above I must say I think these etches might well be beyond my skills. Better than no spokes? Maybe.....I just wonder how good they will look when painted. So, I'm with Chris on this one. Still if anybody does make a nice job of these cycles either in 7mm or 4mm I'd like to see some pictures on the forum. Nicely done they would be superb....but putting them together will be quite a challenge.....

 

Chaz

[CME and Bottlewasher]

 

I have made up three etched bicycles in 7mm which can be seen on Dock Green and which are entirely innocent of spokes.

 

 

 

 

I have some experience of working with etched brass and looking at the picture of the etched fret from the link above I must say I think these etches might well be beyond my skills. Better than no spokes? Maybe.....I just wonder how good they will look when painted. So, I'm with Chris on this one. Still if anybody does make a nice job of these cycles either in 7mm or 4mm I'd like to see some pictures on the forum. Nicely done they would be superb....but putting them together will be quite a challenge.....

 

Chaz

Very nice work Chaz, very nice indeed, all I would say is each to their own, no value judgements made - of course it all depends on viewing distances as well, in terms of things such as bicycle spokes

[Donw]

I am trying to remember the diameter of spokes less than 1/8th inch google found me 2mm for plain gauge. 2mm=80though at 1:43.5 2thou diameter?. Yes well any spoke I could possible fix would need to be bigger than that so its back to my earleir comment. I think I will imagine them.

The bicylcles look very nice Chaz with you and Chris being pals you seem to be spurring each other on to better things. Two good layouts full of good ideas.

Don

[81A Oldoak]

The past couple of days have seen activity in the goods yard. A layer of ash was laid on sticky grey paint to form a base for the yard.

 

I also built loading platforms for the goods lock-up. The effect I was aiming for was platforms built from redundant sleepers. I was particularly keen to try to replicate the impressions left in old sleepers by the rail mounting chairs. To achieve this I used balsa wood for the structure scoring the gaps between the sleepers with a cocktail stick. The indentations left by the chairs were simulated with a jig constructed from a modified C&L bullhead 2-bolt chair. I filled the gap hole on the base of the chair with Squadron Green Stuff putty, which was allowed to set and sanded flush. The bolts were drilled out and short lengths of pointed 0.9mm brass wire were super-glued in place to represent the bolt holes in the sleeper. It was then a simple matter of pressing the jig into the soft balsa wood until a suitable impression was made. The whole ensemble was then painted with a diluted mix of Humbrol track colour and matt black. Tne photos show the goods shed temporarily positioned. Much remains to be done to bed in the shed, build and position other small buildings and sheds and detail and weather the surface of the yard.

[muddys-blues]

Hi Chris, I am loving the loading platform, wonderful attention to detail there with the chair bolt holes.

 

Fantastic

 

Craig

[81A Oldoak]

And God said, Let there be light: and behold a box of Peco LK-795 station platform lamps descended from AC Models upon Cwm Bach and there was light.

And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.

And God called the light the GWR, and the darkness he called the exchange siding at the back of Dock Green.

 

I recently bought a couple of packs of the new Peco station lamps. There are 4 lamps to a box and each box cost  £7.95 from AC Models in Eastleigh. The kit is moulded in the usual Peco Southern green. The hexagonal columns are hollow to allow the easy fitting of lighting if required. The parts were free of flash, sharply moulded and fitted well. After basic assembly the parts were given a quick burst with a matt white paint aerosol. Faded BR(W) chocolate and cream and livery was applied before final assembly. The totem signs were made on my computer and printed onto glossy photographic paper before being cut out and glued in position on the lamps. The lamps are a tight push fit into 4mm diameter holes in the platform. A little weathering will be applied in the due course. I recommend highly the Peco lamps.

[steve fay]

They look very nice, I might use them on Traethcombe bay