Ron Heggs

Hi, Thanks for your information - it is very interesting to hear so much is being discussed about my modelling I hope I can continue to hold everyones' attention for at least the immediate future Cheers Ron

Cut the pipe for the next two piers, but decided to have a diversion from piers and start the cross-brace trusses for the span beams - mustn't get repetitive tedium syndrome So here starts the cross-braced truss build - This template is different from the Cornbrook cross-brace truss template, as the truss is wider by 1mm, and the prototype braces are not fixed in pairs at the same point, instead they are fixed separately This template produces 25 trusses at a time This assembly is removed from the template, turned over, replaced on the template and the bracing strips added to complete the matrix The matrix is cut up into single cross-braced trusses Using the strip cutter a number of 20thou x 2mm and 4mm wide strips are cut Two trusses are fitted with the outer lattice strips One with 4mm strips, where the truss is fixed centrally on the strips, and one with 2mm strips, where the truss is fixed to the edge of the strips as per the prototype The prototype uses a T section for the wide lattices, and angle section for the narrow lattices Each span beam, with the exception of N2, has 5 wide lattices at each end with the remainder being narrow N2 has all narrow lattices ... to be continued >>>>>

HI, Ian Sorry about the DEEP move. It was suggested that my topics would be better grouped/categorised here in 'Modelling real locations', there are others such as 'Railways in the North West 1950-1960s', 'Big Layouts', etc. Glad you have decided which way to follow this topic at least Have you sorted your FLASH yet Have cut the pipe for the next two piers, but as usual have moved to something different. I have started the cross-braced trusses for the first two span beams N1 & S1. Have to break the tedium from building the same items day after day, so will hop about a bit between item builds on this viaduct, as it is a long repetitive process Will post a few pics tonight Cheers Ron

My model layout will comprise Manchester Central Station, CLC Goods Warehouse/Yard, GN Deansgate Goods Warehouse/Yard and the Castlefield/Cornbrook Viaducts in the period 1950 thro to closure in 1969, all in 4mm scale After 6 years I have managed to build 50% of the station, goods warehouses, bridges, some of the viaducts, and some of the trackwork. 18 months ago, I moved to Spain, and now in the process of converting the villa underbuild into a railway room approx. 8 metres x 6 metres, which will just accommodate the model structures and approach/station/yard tracks The trackwork beyond the viaducts will run through the garden in a loop returning to the railway room on two levels. The up lines will return as the down lines A & B, and the middle line M will return to the carriage sidings (Cornbrook) and locomotive depot (Trafford Park) on separate baseboards in the railway room My present modelling is the construction of the Castlefield Viaduct some 4.5 metres long

Hi, Ian The very best with your move Hope to see your new layout as it takes shape Cheers Ron

... along with the 19ft (76mm) foundations you can't see I left myself wide open with the comment about not seeing most of the pier Ron

Tried paper, but didn't work out as expected. So tried 5thou plasticard, which worked fine - Before painting - This is the face hiding the pipe print After application of primer - This is the face hiding the pipe print Definitely needs weathering, etc., but not yet ... to be continued >>>>>

Hi, Anything for a quiet life, and a good model Cheers Ron

Hi, G...t minds think alike Half way thro' that exact suggestion Cheers Ron

Was sent this photo by a friend in Manchester © Author The actual pier - see how close it is to the Cornbrook Viaduct The Viaduct on the left is the Salford branch off the MSJ&AR Viaduct Ron PS. Model needs a bit of weathering

Had a problem with lighting - Too bright outdoors - a bit iffy indoors The Pipe Data is showing through the primer - will have to find a way of removing/covering it If you want a close-up of any particular area, just ask and I will post it Cheers Ron

Just finished spraying the pier with Halfords Grey Primer - nothing special Should be dry in about 15minutes - Its warm again today - Shade temp here is just over 30 deg C - Workshop is about 24 deg C Will post photos then Cheers Ron

HI, I cut corners but not so as they are obvious or visible Just one example - The original cross bracing The production cross bracing Because the production process constructed 25-30 at a time on a template the ends of the individual braces were not cut as individuals The casual observer will not notice such a small difference, but it is there (shortcut or not ?) Cheers Ron

Hi, Andi I forgot - however, there are two saving graces 1. The holes will vent the enclosed box and reduce any warping from the solvent 2. Unfortunately this face of the pier is almost completely obscured by the adjacent Cornbrook Viaduct I bet your now wondering why I went to all that trouble to model something which wont be seen - it was the best way to sort out any future build problems on the remaining 14 which will be seen or maybe I just wanted to see how the build looks Ron

The pier build is complete - Top castellations capped The completed pier Just the two crosses to drill & cut into the plain surface Primer painting it tomorrow just to check for imperfections, etc. ... then two more piers AA and the bracing connecting beam ... to be continued >>>>>

Hi, Colin Absolutely nothing to apologise for I was being as frivolous as you. Sometimes existing events intervene Cheers Ron

Hi, Thanks for that, wasn't sure which issue the photos would be in Waiting on my copy to be delivered, probably another week or two yet Cheers Ron

Top Castellations here we come - Assembly fixed on top Then the decorative cappings - Decided to make a strip assembly similar to an extrusion, so that pieces can be cut off to required length Cappings 'extrusion' Cut pieces loose fitted Lower level fixed Close-up Note the open ends of the cappings are filled with moulding clay - and now for the top level ... to be continued >>>>>

Hi, Phil I know that all rail deaths were recorded and can found in archives, but not so sure about the construction. Will try and find out for you Thanks for your comments by the way Cheers Ron

Hi, Colin Thanks for your much appreciated comments, although the one about earthquakes is a little near home, well about 200 km (125 miles) away Cheers Ron

Hi, I think you have hit the nail on the head. Inspection and testing were a big part of the contract specification Those were contract rates to the contractor including the supply of tools, etc. not wages. The worker probably got less than 2p-3p an hour. Living then was all about day to day survival for workmen Ron

I forgot to mention that all the plasticard for this build was delivered on Saturday morning My modelling area now looks like a plasticard warehouse Still waiting delivery of a dozen bottles of Plastic Weld, but I have two as backup, so that wont stop the show for now Will be posting again tonight Ron

Hi, I think you may be interested in this - I received the original contract details for the Castlefield Viaduct from the National Archives at Kew on Saturday Drawing numbers are detailed, unfortunately there are no drawings in the archive The contract sum was £119,411 sterling, with a contract date of 12th June 1890, and a contract completion date of 31st March 1892 The specification gives an interesting insight into how the piers were built - An excavation for each pier foundation was made 19'-0" deep, and Concrete laid in 2'-0" lifts The pier cylinder was constructed from semi-circular Cast Iron segments flanged internally, and lined internally with Brindle brick The pier parapets were made of Wrought Iron The bridge girders were of Mild Steel The bridge girders had bed plates of Cast Iron fixed to their undersides with planed channels fitted with Gunmetal strips acting as bearing surfaces, and these ran on slip bearings of 3" wide Lead strips, and similar Lead strips on Shap Granite blocks at the bridge abutments The bridge deck was made up from Rivetted Wrought Iron plates, Rivets were 3/4" dia x 2" long and joints were made through Canvas steeped in Red Lead Other details of steel/iron protection were also specified All parts were painted before assembly, and received three coats of paint thereafter, each coat of a different colour (you guess why) The final coat to be to an approved colour (not specified) Labour rates incl tools, tackle, plant etc. Labourers 1s-0d per hour Erectors, Fitters and Blacksmiths 1s-6d per hour .. Well I thought it was interesting Cheers Ron

Hi, Andy Thanks for your comments The Greek God definitely wont be me I prefer night time photo, because of the plain white plasticard requires extra shadow and contrast to show it reasonably well The desktop modelling lamp provides direct backlighting, and the camera's flash adds the frontal lighting The biggest problem is trying get sufficient depth of field, so instead of macro close-up, I use max magnification and stand right back. Sometimes the pics come out a little fuzzy and shaky, so I select the best for the thread posts, and hope all of you are not too disappointed Cheers Ron

The following photos illustrate the continuing steps in the pier build - The processes have all been detailed previously, and are repeated in a similar fashion in this build Stepped cornice in 20 thou plasticard added to top of the upper part of the pier Second cornice box in 20thou plasticard ready for concave moulding Cornice moulding completed Vertical flutes marked and cut Stepped ledge piece in 20thou plasticard added with corresponding cuts for flutes Cornice assembly added to top of pier .. .. Upper part of flute assembly in 20thou plasticard cut & fixed and moulding added Upper flute assembly added to top of pier Upper castellated assembly is next part of build ... to be continued >>>>>