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  • SouthernRegionSteam

    Coastguard Creek - 15 months of planning!

    By SouthernRegionSteam

    Hold on to your socks - this is going to be a lengthy one! (In fact it's so long, I've now split it into 2 separate posts - the next will be up soon...)   I think it's fair to say that you are all long overdue an update on Coastguard Creek. Due to other commitments, no real progress has been made since the last post way back in March 2021; almost 15 months ago! If anything, things went backwards for quite a while, as I kept finding more and more inspiring locations that I really wanted
    • 8 comments
    • 3,328 views
Netherport and Basuto Quay - GWR 1908 7mm

GWR covered goods wagon V12

My plans for Basuto Quay are still developing, and I am working on the track plan in Templot. In the meantime, I am also doing a bit of wagon construction - the latest being a diagram V12 covered goods wagon.   The starting point is the Peco (ex Webster) kit, which is for the V18 type. I have backdated it to the earlier diagram V12 as the V18 is too late for my period - and in any case I couldn't resist those end louvres. The conversion makes use of cast resin replacement ends by Inver
magmouse

magmouse in Wagons

1
Kelvinbank, a Caledonian Railway project.

A CR Dia 26 coach

I fancied a bit of brasswork. This is a diagram 26 45’ composite. These were a Drummond design but continued to be built in various lots into the 1900s. Very much the standard for suburban passenger services.   The basis for this is a Worsley works etch. Bogies are modified comet, other parts from 51L or the scrap etch pile.           Magnetic sides. I think this is now my preferred coach building method. Gas tanks are on a styrene base to be f
Dave John

Dave John in General

6
Fen End Pit's Blog

Eimco Rock Shovel

After spending much of my modelling time recently on J17s it has been fun to return to an old 16mm scale project, an Eimco Rock Shovel. I took a bunch of photos of the prototype at the Threlkeld quarry museum a few years back. There is some nice video of one in action on the Lea Bailey light rail.     I still have to model up all the controls and detail on the side but I wanted to test print one to see if I'd got the basic shape right.   The scoop doesn't hav
Fen End Pit

Fen End Pit in 3D print projects

1
Go2

(6) Fiddleopolis

I don't remember exactly when, but many years ago I built a tiny fiddle yard. Possibly because it was so small, it remained hidden away from sight whilst more ambitious, but ultimately flawed successors came and went. It's had a few minor modifications over time, but the basic design remains.     As a temporary fiddle yard for the new layout, it's just fine. Gives me time to think about the best design for the long term. The yellow pins are an easy way of making removable 'b
Burghmirer

Burghmirer in Ancilliaries

0
MikeOxon's Broad Gauge Blog

10ft (3m) Driving Wheels

In my previous post about the tender I modelled for ‘Viper’, I ended with the comment that “The outside frames and, especially, those solid-plate wheels look far more like the wheels of the engine ‘Ajax’, built by Mather, Dixon & co. - but that leads to another story …”   Now I can take up this story by looking at the design of ‘Ajax’, sometimes referred to as a ‘super freak’ amongst the motley collection of locomotives that Brunel ordered for the nascent GWR. As originally deliver
MikeOxon

MikeOxon in General

6
Go2

(5) The Fitting Room

Final checks on the design included seeing how well everything fits together. I produced this overlay showing the track plan and the 1937 map of Wantage as it really was, complete with all the relevant buildings.     Given the exaggerated loop on my new design etc. everything fits surprisingly well. The platform line and train shed (marked with an asterisk) were always going to be straightened a bit to allow for an extended platform for longer trains and bigger locomotives.
Burghmirer

Burghmirer in Progress

0
Rospeath Lane - BR(WR) Engine Shed

Post Scaleforum 2024

I was very concerned about taking Rospeath Lane to a Scaleforum at such an early stage in its construction. I shouldn't have worried, it was a great experience. I suffer from what; I have discovered, is called an imposter syndrome, especially when attending Scalefour events, either as a paying customer or exhibitor. I still feel like a newcomer to the society, what I am producing being fairly basic to the standards other members are achieving. So it was comforting receiving positive comments and
Yan

Yan in Exhibitions

5
Go2

(4) Evolution

Version one of the layout wasn't the answer, as described in previous entries. What to do?    Wantage is a good prototype to base my imaginary world on; a perfect stage for an eclectic range of locos and other stock. A few tweaks might be all that was needed. No longer being tied by the rules of the 2mm Scale Association's Diamond Jubilee Layout Competition was another thing to consider. I didn't want a layout any larger than it had to be, but a slight increase in dimensions might have
Burghmirer

Burghmirer in Progress

0
Netherport and Basuto Quay - GWR 1908 7mm

Netherport and Basuto Quay Chronology

I have started thinking about trackwork for Basuto Quay (getting ahead of myself, as I haven't stated the baseboards yet, but there are reasons...). This has led me to think about how old the track would be at my 1908 modelled date, since it makes a difference to some construction details. That led me to think about the chronology of Netherport and Basuto Quay's development, and I thought I would share it here to see what people think.   The notes below are in three themes, colour code
magmouse

magmouse in Basuto Quay

6
Atherington Victoria & East Yard.

61. Dr Beeching calls; Rail-replacement 'bus while more work is done.

Monday, 23d September.   Following two years' procrastination after 'points failures' in the goods yard, I am restless to get on with the task of tearing up and relaying a fan of sidings.  The passenger station also needs finishing.   The first step, of course, is to make a list...       The first item took a day, just clearing and boxing the layout's scenery and stock.  I tried to capture the resulting atmosphere of a post-Beeching railway, but the
Random jottings on my modelling.

Unexpected freebies from today’s shopping run.

A bonus from the weekly shop today.   By random chance there were two boxes of polystyrene sheet bits going for scrap as they were unpacking new stuff for stacking the shelves with Halloween items. Liberated for future scenic work.   Also liberated were three matching cardboard fruit trays - the original Plum Hollow/Reindeer Landing projects failed as the bases were badly stored, something fell on them and they twisted. These trays may well end up as a replacement.  
Awreville O Gauge Diesel Depot

Extension Wiring

I use automation for the layout using the iTrain software, this allows me to run the layout manually or if I want automatically. I have added a touchscreen which allows you to set points, routes or switch lighting by just pressing on the screen which allows for very easy use of the layout and acts as a switchboard. The downside is the amount of wiring, each section of track has presence detection, each point also has presence detection, each point has switch feedback, there are servos to switch
Tommyp81

Tommyp81 in Build

0
Awreville O Gauge Diesel Depot

Extension Build

Whilst the layout is in my workshop I had a small section which ran from the depot across my work bench to three short sidings, this enabled me to run the layout at home but I knew I would need to add something that would provide more interest if the layout went to a show or exhibition. The current non scenic section curved off the depot and reduced to one line then fanned out into three sidings, this created a bottle neck when running the layout in automatic routes waiting for locos to clear th
Tommyp81

Tommyp81 in Build

0
Awreville O Gauge Diesel Depot

Buffer Stops

At the back of the yard I had fitted some Peco buffer stops, these have lamps on the top as part of the moulding so I thought I would try fit LED's to these. I purchased some 0402 SMD red LED's for them and set about trying to work out how to fit them. I decided to drill a small hole through the lamp to take the wiring back down under the baseboard but on the front of the lamp open it up slightly larger so that the LED would sit in the recess, as the LED's came pre-wired with enamelled copper wi
MikeOxon's Broad Gauge Blog

A Tender for Viper

Amongst E.T. Lane’s many sketches and drawings, there are some of various tenders that were used with the early broad gauge engines. These sketches provide a window into a world that would otherwise have been completely lost.       These Tenders do make a rather weird collection of styles – some being adaptations of standard-gauge bodies, with the wheels mounted outside.   I have previously modelled the tender ascribed to Aeolus and adapted one of the designs
MikeOxon

MikeOxon in General

10
Go2

(3) And Then, No More

Continuing from the two previous entries...   The layout was full operational within a few months of starting work. Track had been built using copper clad sleepers and bullhead rail from the 2mm Scale Association, built to 9.42mm gauge. Here is a closeup of the fiddle yard board from the operating side. It was a combination of a sector plate with 5 tracks and 5 fixed sidings, plus two running lines onto the scenic area.     Here is a closeup of the scenic board, do
Burghmirer

Burghmirer in Introduction

0
Kit-built stock for Henley-on-Thames

C60 and E151 carriages build - the cut and shut project

Two cut and shut carriages – using Bachmann sunshine carriages as the donor vehicle.   C60 all Third: This carriage is a bit different as it has recessed grab and door handles. The build follows my usual routine of cutting out a lot of the plastic wall of the donor carriage.     In addition I removed the end to get the correct length and added the cast bow ends onto the carriage:     The door handles recess was backed with strips of plasti
Kit-built stock for Henley-on-Thames

Autocoach upgrade

The Autocarriage rebuild. Starting with an Airfix model from the 70’s and the Dart castings kit, I plan to make a few upgrades to this carriage.     I have always been happy with the Autocoach, but latterly as my skills have improved, I have thought it was due for an overhaul. Seen here with the DJH / Hattons 48xx.   Back in the day – my hand painting skills left a bit to be desired! Here is the kit and the donor carriage:     The Air
Go2

(2) Getting Board

I described the decision to use Wantage as a basis for my imaginary location in the first instalment. Following this, I developed plans for the scenic section and fiddle yard baseboards. This included a hidden siding beyond the platform on a small additional board, to add a bit of operating flexibility.      Construction proceeded well to begin with. I quickly built the main baseboard, a small and basic rectangle. This shot was taken after the track was laid.  
Burghmirer

Burghmirer in Introduction

1
kyle of lochalsh

Kyle - an update...and a visit at last...

Afternoon all,   Just an update on the last month and coming months for Kyle.   The layout appeared at the one day Cambridge 31A show last weekend alongside the 2mmFS Roadshow and received some nice comments. Generally behaved itself but a few locos started to stick on the main turnout and my friend Andy found a voltage drop across the frog so I need to look at that before the next show. Speaking of the next shows....Kyle will be appearing at Taunton Railex in October and the
bcnPete

bcnPete in General

4
Go2

(1) Sunrise

The sun set on my last model railway project a couple of years ago. Nice idea, but seriously flawed in a few, very critical ways.   Lots of thought has gone into what went wrong. Overall, it seems to be the best way forward for me. Alternative ideas for a layout never gelled properly; always too big, too complicated, too much like everyone else's layouts. How could I turn a croc into something I was happy with?   Here's the original idea...   It was based on W
Burghmirer

Burghmirer in Introduction

1
DBC90024's Blog

Making Tracks Four - A Johnson Street Retrospective

After an interesting exhibition this year, where I put two intermodal rakes together for the event, Malcolm, well, yes, obviously lol ... and having built on this, the Tesco train, but a Rails of Sheffield Class 88 didnt turn up as had hoped for, after KWML24's brief appearance     a number of DB electrics had a run out this year   Honegger (92042) - with Malcolm (90024) passing in the opposite direction     Bill (90028)  

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