Ron Heggs

Thanks for your comments which as ever are much appreciated The overall layout of the major buildings and structures was accomplished relatively easily, as all the viaducts still exist and site measurements, google maps, pictures, etc. have all been used to achieve a reasonably accurate dimensional positioning If all the structures were rectangular and at right angles to one another then the task would be much easier. However, the whole area was developed with the structures at odd angles to match the then existing road layouts very few of which now exist on the same alignments This particular problem has only just raised its head because some of the buildings/structures no longer exist. Therefore dependent on OS maps and aerial photos, all of which give distorted views. The only way to achieve any sort of reasonable dimensions is by counting bricks from the few pictures available. Of course where there are large areas of steel structures that method is not available. In some cases no photos have been found, and a few cannot be used with any sort of confidence This is where juggling the structures around in CAD is helpful in highlighting some angular and dimensional inconsistencies. The smaller and non-rectangular the structure the more the inconsistencies appear. It is in deciding on which is the least inconsistent and has the least knock-on effect that is slowing the project build at present. It is inevitable that some small rebuilds will be necessary - which is no problem in itself. As the number of these minor structures still outstanding are reducing rapidly, I cannot foresee any further problems Of course 'modifying' existing buildings which were constructed over 10 years ago is a delicate task, ensuring that the least invasive method is employed and a good match can be achieved. The desire to upgrade the finish of the earlier builds has to be suppressed somewhat Ron

The last few days have been filled with a rebuild of the canopy and the adjacent CLC warehouse along Windmill Street. This is due to relying on two different dated OS maps causing dimensional and angular differences of the site before and after the items were buildings constructed. Not knowing which was the nearest to the more likely correct, I was eventually able to find a direct overhead aerial photograph of the area dated 1947. Comparing the scaled dimensions between the three have now confirmed an acceptable set of dimensions and angular arrangements The warehouse needed extending at the south east corner, and the angle of eastern end increasing to 46 deg from the previous 38 deg In a similar way the angle of the eastern ends of the canopies require changing Another couple of days should see the changes completed. Will then post pictures of the structures in place Have noted your comments and will post as work proceeds Thanks Ron

Have to fabricate the L & T sections for the next two bays, so will attempt a picture The glazing is cut on the Silhouette from 17.5 thou clear overhead sheets (chinese bazaar special pack 50 sheets for €2.75). The pane size of 7.75mm x 19mm means 418 panes per sheet. Using the cutter ensures every pane is identical in size, and no accidents with the steel rule and craft knife slipping Changed methodology for fixing the panes. Now fixing them in lines of four i.e. three overlapped joints of 0.75mm each, flat and inline against a steel rule. Then fixing each line of four panes between the glazing bars. All in batches of 10 to reduce tedium

Sorry, for your pain, but appreciate your comment The 1200 panes refers to the present two canopy bays and the two to which they abut (dimensioned drawing almost complete) - it is more time efficient to cut the panes in one session whilst completing the drawing. The two canopies being glazed will use around 500 panes, and the other two approx 700 panes After these four bays are completed. The remaining nine bays - all of identical span but differing lengths - comprising the covered goods area will consume an estimated 3500 panes, but that is a build for later in the year Will post drawings for information Ron PS. The numbers are only mentioned so as to give a scale of the work involved between the various stages of each separate construction Pictures of metre upon metre of 10 thou & 20 thou fabricated styrene L sections and T sections wouldn't be appreciated, nor the piles of the cut lengths, but this is work that has to be done before actual construction takes place, and pictures of the build are posted

Canopies painted and glazing underway - Close-ups of glazing - The first couple of vertical rows were fixed starting at the lowest point and placing successive glazing pieces overlapping the previous one - this doesn't work properly as the last piece has to fit in the remaining top space, which can cause uneven overlaps The following rows were started at the top with successive pieces slipped under the previous one and fixed with a consistent overlap - this works much better, and appears to be a faster method. With over 1200 pieces to place an efficient method is imperative

Small canopy glazing bar assemblies completed and fixed, along with the canopy valances - Temporary support under the small canopy valley beam is necessary to prevent distorting the structure, as this beam is 9.5mm deep compared to the 16mm deep valley beams of the larger canopy Painting and glazing next

Hi, Gary Yes, the glazing bars are all fabricated from 20 thou strip. The top ridge strip is a 20 thou x 40 thou strip fixed on edge with 40 thou x 40 thou x 8mm long spacers between the bars. At the lower edge a further 20 thou strip has been added to which the bars are fixed after individually spacing at 8mm apart. The gutters are built up from 20 thou x 80 thou strip into a U shaped channel. The bottom strip of the glazing bar assembly clips over the edge of the gutter and spot glued. This increases the structure's ridgidity The ridge plate is a made from a folded strip of 20 thou card The weather this morning was cold and windy with a likelyhood of a little rain this afternoon. So refrained from gardening, and managed to draw up the valances and about to cut them on the Silhouette cutter Will post pictures later Cheers Ron

Anyone who is over in Spain and within striking distance of Jalon/Xalo (about 30 minutes drive from Benidorm) is welcome to visit. Just PM me Cheers Ron

Almost every evening is modelling time after 8.30pm through to about 2.00am. Very little time during the day can be allowed for modelling due to charity work duties, gardening and chaufering SWMBO to her charity, singing and dancing activities Good job the weather is a little warmer and sunnier than the UK. It makes everything so much more pleasant. Sorry Cheers Ron

Last night's progress - Second glazing bar assembly completed and fixed along with the ridge plating The centre and wallside gutters fixed The end of bay valances need cutting and fixing next, before moving on to the small canopy glazing bars

Thanks - Just need to build another couple of bays before a platform can be placed across to carry the amber nectar Ron

Progress on the goods yard canopies - The first glazing bar assembly Assembly fitted to the canopy trusses - Views through the structure - Sorry about the kitchen background. There's not enough light and contrast elsewhere Three more assemblies to build prior to painting and glazing

Thanks for your kind comments The Midland Hotel was always a possibility. The problem is not in the construction or its size, but placing it in the correct position opposite the station forecourt - there is only enough room for me to squeeze through between the forecourt walls and the railway room wall. Maybe a separate modelling project in a few years time As the layout as it exists at present is entirely within the villa underbuild, there is no natural light and the temperature is fairly stable with a range of 19 deg to 23 deg winter to summer. When the railway eventually extends into the garden there will be no styrene usage. Temperatures vary from 2 deg on a couple of days each winter through to 41 deg (shade) in summer. Practical test a couple of years ago showed a complete breakdown of a styrene structure within two weeks The model of Points Bridge, Hagg Bank, Wylam is kept in the railway room, and is completely unaffected by the outside extremes Cheers Ron

Forgot to mention the 1Gb memory card arrived by courier at 17.00 hrs today. Placed in camera and formatted, took a couple of pictures. Everything working OK Future posted pictures should be a little better in focus, and a few more close-ups Ron P.S. Thanks Martin for your much appreciated help

Hi, Gary As always it is as close to scale as I can make it, and still be a stable structure The truss members are made from 10 thou x 40 thou styrene glued to form angle. That represents a scale 3" x 33/4" RSA with a thickness of 3/4", whereas the actual angle was 3" x 4" with a thickness of 3/8", which would mean using 5 thou styrene to be true to scale - definitely not practical to achieve a stable structure For the glazing I am attempting to construct it from T bar using 20 thou strip, and individual overlapping clear acetate panels approx. 8mm wide x 19mm long, to give it an authentic look - a test build shows it is possible and practical, if not a little tedious Cheers Ron

A little more progress on the Goods offices and the connecting canopy - Await delivery of 2mm & 3mm styrene rod for the canopy supports. Construction of the roof glazing and guttering has been started The west edge of the canopy was carried on steel tube supports which were also used for carrying the roof drainage downpipes. At ground level the water was dispersed across the cobblestone surface from under large concrete safety bases. The eastern edge of the canopy was carried on stone blocks built into the office building at high level The canopy's odd shape occurs due to it abutting what was the original timber built temporary Central Station, and later used as a goods station. To the east it abuts the Train Shed and Station Office Block at 90 deg. To the north another 120mm (30ft) canopy bay is required to meet the corner of the CLC Goods warehouse, and to the South another 10 - 120mm (30ft) canopy bays are required. But they will have to wait for now

Hi, Martin Camera is a Minolta Dimage 7i, and 13 years old. The manual doesn't mention a memory card size limit. The old card that is affected is an IBM 1Gb drive, so the problem could be with the actual drive crashing. The new card is 8Gb I will try your suggestion and purchase a 1GB card, and see what happens Cheers Ron

Memory card for camera arrived, but the camera can't access it. Appears as though the camera control is defunct, and a new camera is required, as repair is likely to be more expensive than buying new Progress on the CLC Goods Offices #2 - Roof, door, gutters and down pipes need adding .. and the connecting canopy structure between the two offices has been started - Looks a little fragile as it is made from 10 thou x 40 thou and 20 thou x 40 thou microstrip. The structure is 120mm x 410mm so far. Additional bays are to be added when time allows

The only other colour for the clock was pink. Not that it matters as I only want the innards

Whilst the Silhouette Cutter was out on the table, took the opportunity to cut the remaining windows on the CLC Goods Office - All the multiple window sets assembled Close-up of the triple windows in a stone surround - The Phone camera doesn't focus any closer - Compact Flash memory for the Camera due this Thursday, so pictures should be better by then There are five single windows and a door to assemble Daytime - work continues on the forecourt and undercroft access Evening - work on the CLC Goods Office continues

Pictures of the CLC Goods Office on the layout - The side facing the goods yard prior to fixing The public side of the goods offices - and a picture of the spare clock mechanism for the station clocks, in all its finery Not bad for €2

Produced a DXF cutting file in AutoCAD, and used a Silhouette Cameo cutting machine to produce the finished card pieces. The card is approx. 20 thou thick with the thinnest sections 0.35mm. When glued together with cyanoacrylate the whole assembly is almost solid Ron

The Compact Flash memory card in my camera packed up on Friday, luckily there were only a few images that can be re-taken . As there are no camera/photographic shops anywhere near here will have to order a new one online, and await delivery sometime in the next couple of weeks In the meantime will have to resort to using my phone camera, and transfer images to the laptop via a cable borrowed from one of my daughters. Don't expect the best pictures Cheers Ron

Could be possible to make them work, but open windows in goods yard offices was not a normal occurrence as far as I am aware

In the first picture of the last post, the building on the left is another CLC Goods Office building. There are a few pictures of various aspects of this building, and have started CAD drawing work on the various facades, and the interconnecting canopy Front facade with brickwork ready for printing A trial cut of the upper eight window frames in five card laminations Couple of close up pictures of the five laminations glued up - Worked out ok - needs additional details adding, then painting and glazing The lower six window frames will be constructed in a similar fashion