Ron Heggs

Thanks Mike

It is never too late, even after 15 years of modelling this project. The real aim is to try and capture some of the atmosphere and continual decay of these structures

Ron

3 minutes ago, Enterprisingwestern said:

 

Good weather for testing for warpage at the moment!

 

Mike.

I think that should be melting not just warping 

A friend has managed to get some close-up pictures of the bracing and cross-bracing details, which have been elusive for quite a few years as access to the viaducts is not normally possible. However, with some telephoto equipment and a lot of patience, success has been achieved

What all this means that the previous guessing game can be replaced by a more accurate representation of the real structural build, and should ease the overall model design and build process

The second span which is under construction has been modified with three new types of bracing, replacing the single type used previously. When I have removed the old type bracings from the build, the latest designs of bracing will be added

Pictures of the revised part build will be posted tonight, after the heatwave cools slightly 

On 07/06/2019 at 21:18, Enterprisingwestern said:

 

Have you considered Rowmark for the outside structures Ron?, whilst not indeterminately colour fast it has a higher UV resistance than Plasticard and might be more suitable for use in our climate.

 

Mike.

Hi, Mike

Certainly has a higher UV resistance, but the cost is rather prohibitive, and would require a complete change in construction methods

Ron

Pictures held over from last night -

Bit of a dash in construction to complete before the truss machine cutting was finished 

The angled end for the attachment to the third span deck 

A closer look at the deck structure

The first 28 of 80 truss cut pieces. 72 required for the second span beam

Looking for more progress this weekend

2 hours ago, runs as required said:

I'm a bit further away perhaps - I regularly cycle over the prototype of your Hagg Bank, Wylam bridge, upon which I always think of you Ron.

I'd like to ask you whether the Manchester Central styrene engineering structures are still in good shape? You must have had them in store since the Sri Lankan project took over your time.

And are you confident the structures will withstand the Spanish diurnal temperature range when sited outside ?

 

With Best wishes

dh

The bridge model is still on display in the railway room and regularly receives a few 'oow aahs' from visitors

The route of the railway tracks out of the railway room over the length of the viaduct spans and bridges is always in shade. Under non-operationing conditions and during those times the trackwork, viaducts and bridges will be completely covered by a removable weatherproof & insulated structure. With summer coming up rapidly (24-26 deg C today) now will be the time to carry out temperature checks prior to placing the viaducts and bridges in position. The real death dealer is UV radiation which can destroy styrene within a couple of weeks

I do have sample structures both painted & unpainted which could also be used as 'guinea pigs' during the testing period

Ron

PS. All the structures within the railway remain stable and show no signs of degradation, weakening or warping. Some of the structures are now approaching 15 years old

On 30/05/2019 at 13:58, Phil Howe said:

This is more like it! I've missed my regular drool over your beautiful plastic engineering.

 

Hope you're keeping well Ron; it's really good to see you once again making progress on your own project.

 

Cheers

 

Phil

Thanks Phil. I'm as healthy as can be expected, although I do suffer a little from Osteoarthritis in both hands (nobbly and painful finger joints). This is not causing me any problems modelling, other than slightly shorter working hours

Ron

Have inspected the outdoor 'trench' in which the viaducts will pass through on leaving the basement, and after a little thought decided that the length of the viaduct will be extended to almost 3 metres (2.995m to be exact) beyond the exit point. This will make the transition from the viaduct to the concrete track base supporting structure easier to make

The curvature of the trackwork will need four viaduct spans all of differing lengths - 770mm, 765mm, 815mm and 645mm. Unfortunately none of these match the length of brass etched viaduct span, and the modifications needed would be fairly onerous. So, unfortunately this has been abandoned, and a start made on the first viaduct span of 770mm using STYRENE (Now who would have guessed?) 

The required 27 deck beams have just been cut, and now in the process of being partly wrapped with the flange strips to allow them to be fixed to the deck plating. At present there are 9 beams still to be wrapped and fixed

Pictures later this evening

Ron

I was considering that to get some trains working sometime this year that the outdoor sections of trackwork could be more easily put in place. This would mean completing the viaducts both indoors and outdoors

Have also decided that the remaining sections of the viaducts, approx. 1200mm in length will be built in styrene. The cost of brass etchings would be over £1200, against a cost of approx. £40 for styrene. To combat the problem of UV and heat degradation, and lizards, snakes and cats, the whole length of the outdoor section of the viaduct (circa 2 metres) will be protected by lift-off weatherproof covers. The covers will be left in place except when trains are in operation across the viaducts

The uncompleted brass 600mm section of the Castlefield Viaduct will be finished, with the remaining two 600mm spans of the viaduct being built in styrene. The already built second span of the Cornbrook Viaduct can then be put in place, alongside the Castlefield Viaduct through the access door into the garden, where the concrete base for the viaducts and trackwork has already been in place for some four years

So to this end I have restarted work on the brass etched Castlefield Viaduct deck with the aim to complete the deck this coming week, and also setting up the workspace for the jigs, etc. to commence the styrene builds

All these builds involve a great deal of tedious work, so it does help to be able to switch from one build to another

Will post pictures, as progress warrants

Ron

PS. Progress will not be as quick as previously achieved, as I am now more deeply involved with charity work 6 half-days a week

Hi, All

Have been very busy since September last year on the design and refurbishment (fully hands on) of a handbag factory to a shop for a local charity, as well as completing work for the first stage of the Sri Lankan project

The Shop was officially opened yesterday by the British Consul from Madrid, with the Vice Consul also in attendance. I received a surprise Special Recognition Award for my work

I intend to have week off to recover and change my focus towards the layout, and decide on the next area/s to progress. So I should be back to the worktable (Dining table) very soon. Although, the charity is already looking at the refurbishment of one of their older shops. Hppefully, it will turn out to be just a re-decoration and new shelving and clothing rail units

Be back very soon

Cheers

Ron

Years ago I bought some white metal Brussells sprout plants in 4mm. The layout they were planted on is long gone, but I would like some more. Noch and Busch do many garden veg, but not sprouts. I have trawled the net and come up blank. Any idea where they might have come from?

Found this link which may be ofv some use to you - https://picclick.co.uk/Vintage-Britains-Floral-Garden-Flowers-Beds-Greenhouse-113229616750.html

and https://www.toyhunteruk.co.uk/product/britains-floral-garden-brussel-sprouts-no-2552/

Ron

Ron

 

How are you and the plastic structures bearing up in the heatwave that you're currently having in Spain?

 

SS

Hi,

The railway structures are just fine down in the railway room

- Over this weekend Outside Shade Temp 38/39 deg C & Rel Humidity 72%

- In Railway Room Temp. High @ 28 deg C & Rel Humidity 50% (Dehumidifier Running on Auto)

Whilst we are perspiring excessively, and in and out of the pool - Garden is suffering and Cars are filthy, as we are in an official drought and non-essential water usage ban. No rain since mid May

About to put the finishing touches to the five buses for the Sri Lanka project, then there is a pause for 5/6 months

Ron

Dichloromethane (Methylene Chloride) is illegal for use in the UK unless a special licence and certificate is granted

Butanone or MEK can be bought quite legally throughout the EU for plumbing, etc.

Hi,

I use Butanone or MEK to fix uPVC drainage pipework, and which I also use for all my styrene scratchbuilding, as it is the only easily available solvent here in Spain for modelling

Ron

I will be visiting Sri-Lanka in March 2019 - will it be available to visit - even as a 'layout in construction'?

I understand the layout will be open to the public in the next two weeks. Kirala Island is on Bodoga Lake south of Colombo which should be open year round

Their Facebook page is 'Kirala Island'

Ron

Will Ella station be painted umber?!!

 

Mike.

 Hi, Mike

As of March this year, it was still a pink tinted cream with doors and window frames in umber

The car parking area has been increased and paved with brick paviours with white picket fencing to the station boundary

Ron

Have completed another eight lattice style semaphore signals

Now have a few Tuk Tuks (three wheel taxis) and Single decker buses on the worktable. These were drawn up on CAD and 3D printed as the scale detail was beyond even my skills for scratchbuilding. Will post pictures/details later in the finishing processes

Other items are looking to be produced which will add further local colour