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Argos

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  1. Argos

    Dating

    By Argos,

    No not that kind.........
     
    Whilst wading through my kit pile for Three Shire's Head, I became aware of the conflicts imposed by my chosen dateline of 1890-1900.
    Like any 10 year period this decade saw large changes in the appearance of the railway, loco classes vanishing and new ones appearing. Existing classes rebuilt with new features etc.
     
    I was finally prompted into action by a comment by Tony Koester in the editorial for this years Model Railroad Planning annual (I have been know to venture into the dark side of North American Railways). The comment was "modelling 1950-1960 means you are really modelling 1960 but doing a lousy job of it".
     
    But which year to select?
     
    Opening up a trusty spread sheet I began dumping dates and information from researching in my library, the output is shown below. Not all the sources concur so I have tried to cross reference where possible. The date of 1892 stands out as most of the loco classes I want to model (shaded light grey) were existent at date. The only one I miss out is the NSR 2-2-2T operating on local passenger trains in the Uttoxeter area but withdrawn in 1891. If I set the date at 1891 I miss out on the Webb rebuilds of the 4-4-0t Metro tanks (Similar to the Metropolitan Railway A & B class, at least until Webb got his mitts on them). I rather like these and never seen them modelled. Of course I could always instigate rule 1.....
     
    Anyway, list below, hopefully other may find this useful.
    Please highlight any errors.
  2. Argos

    The Milk Train

    By Argos,

    The Milk train
     
    When we think of milk traffic we tend to think of the West Country. I suppose this is down to the fact that this area clung in to rail borne milk traffic when other areas had migrated across to the road. Branches like the Culm Valley remained open almost exclusively for this traffic into the 70s and short diesel hauled formations are burnt on the imagination.
     
    This wasn’t always the case, a quick look through every pre-grouping company’s wagon diagram book will reveal specialist wagons and NPC stock purely for the purpose of transporting milk. Milk rapidly became a valuable revenue source for many early branch lines. Some branches even had small loading platforms adjacent to the tracks in remote locations for loading milk. An example of this was at Apesford on the Leek to Waterhouse line.
     
    The High Peak lines were no different. References in The LNWR Recalled (Edward Talbot) reveals in a chapter by Michael Bentley entitled “Buxton Engines & Man”:-
     
    “Milk traffic had become quite important, and after a direct connection to the Cromford & High Peak Railway (CHPR) was opened, Buxton men used to go with empty vans to Longcliffe at 4am each morning and return with loaded vans working direct to Manchester. CHPR men were only allowed to work in daylight hours which is why Buxton men were used for this job. Later as an economy the vans were attached to the 9.20 a.m. passenger to Manchester”.
     
    The question is what form did this train take? The early start doesn’t make photographic evidence likely. There are however a couple of clues.
    An elderly Crewe Goods tank (a tank conversion of the Crewe Goods type) was fitted with a vacuum brake for this traffic. The engine was built in 1856 and not scrapped until 1907, some great photo’s exist of this engine (3054) posed with a new Whale Precursor tank.
     
    Passenger brakes operated the line in seeming contravention of the ban on the carriage of passengers. Many early photos show a passenger brake attached to the back of goods train with an unusual number of non-railway staff around. So it is possible that an old 4 wheeled coach was used.
    More information is given in LNWR Wagons Volume 2 “In 1891 seven refrigerator vans built on the West Coast Joint Stock (WCJS) account were added to the LNW stock. It is likely these were diagram 46. Two were allocated to the Buxton and High Peak line labelled “Ladmanlow Branch”.
     
    This is interesting as in “A Register of West Coast Joint Stock” it is stated that D46 Refrigerator vans weren’t built for the WCJS until a batch of 50 in 1893.
    At present for Three Shire’s Head I am proposing to run a D46 and 4w North Staffs Milk wagon. Both now built and just waiting minor detailing.
     
     

     
     
    The North Staffs wagon is Meteor kit. The steps were supposed to be mounted on brass wire but I decided to try and drill some brass strip for added security. I also formed the rivet plate for the solebars that wasn’t represented. All that remains is to finish the brakes, these are only basic in the kit but a hour or so with some brass strip should make something more representative.
     
     

     
    The D46 van is a Gladiator kit. It was enjoyable to build and took a surprising amount of time with detailed overlays and half round trim to add. I’ve built it as per the instructions but only added the hand brake to one side (as per photos in the era modelled). I still need to make up some new vacuum hoses as those provided with the kit mounted on the 4th plank up, not the third plank shown in photos. This is odd as the rest of the kit is spot on.
     
    The kit was a Christmas present 3 years ago, I took one look and put it in a cupboard until I had enough skill to meet the demands of the kit. I’m pleased I did as I would have loused it up three years ago. It has turned out pretty well now. It’s very satisfying to see evidence of your skills developing.
     
     

     
     
    I have fitted the LNWR number plates. If these we built on the WCJS accounts it probably should have WCJS oval plates instead. I am also unsure of the wording to apply. All photographs show these D46 vans labelled “to be returned to Liverpool” however the LNWR Wagon’s entry implies this should be changed to Ladmanlow or maybe Buxton. Presumably they would have been re-iced in Manchester.
  3. Argos
    Imagineering a fictitious history for your layout used to be quite common, however it seems to have fallen out of favour of late. None the less I've always liked the concept and develop the history below for the creation of Three Shire's Head.
     
    The Buxton, Leek & Macclesfield Railway
     
    Railways came early to Buxton in the form of the Cromford and High Peak Railway, originally a horse drawn waggonway built to link the Cromford and Peak Forest Canals. Bizarrely the promoters of this waggonway didn’t seek to encourage traffic on route and actively sought to avoid towns and habitation on the route, thus the line bypassed Buxton at high level the nearest point being Ladmanlow yard. Over the next 50 years the line developed being re-laid for steam locomotives. The line’s remote location offered the opportunity for quarries to be opened up along the route and considerable tonnage of stone started to be moved over the line. Eventually the line came under the auspices of the LNWR.
    Meanwhile Buxton got its mainline passenger and freight links with the rest of the country in 1864 when both the Midland Railway and LNWR arrived. The LNWR offered a route to Manchester and Midland East to Derby.
     
    The good business men of Buxton however were not satisfied as they felt cut off from routes south. It was against this backdrop the Buxton, Leek and Macclesfield Railway was proposed.
     
    The distance between the three towns is short, but as anyone knows who has travelled between the towns via the Cat and Fiddle pass and Axe Edge it is not Railway friendly geography. Initially the Railway sought to ally with the North Staffordshire railway. The North Staffordshire Railway was never the most adventurous of Railways and thus didn’t want to contribute to such an obvious white elephant, it was however tempted by the thought of accessing Buxton and potential freight revenues and so offered encouragement without commitment. The LNWR quickly made it’s feeling known, Restricting the traffic onto the North Staffordshire’s lines in order to warn the North Staffs off and preserve the freight coming off the Cromford and High Peak for itself (It must have been galling for the LNWR to watch most of the stone traffic flow off the line eastwards onto the Midland, probably one of the drivers behind the opening of the Ashbourne line in 1894).
     
    Various moves to get the Buxton, Leek and Macclesfield line under way failed with the Acts of Parliament becoming time barred due to inactivity. Meanwhile the Midland became a player, eyeing East - West traffic potential from the West Coast Mainline to their own Midland Mainline at Derby. Unfortunately for the promoters they were already over committed through this period with the construction of the Settle and Carlisle Line so no ready cash came. Encouraged by the positive noises being made by the North Staffs and the Midland the promoters raised and new Bill which was heavily opposed by the LNWR. The bill was granted with the caveat that should the company go into receivership the LNWR would be granted first refusal at purchase.
     

    The Blue lines represent the Lines built by the BL&M the Red lines showing the intended links into Leek and Macclesfield that bankrupted the company. The line to Ashbourne is shown but at the beginning of the period modelled this did not exist. Ashbourne being a terminus on the North Staffordshire Railway.
     
    In 1881 the first sod was cut on the hillside above Buxton and the line quick progressed with a small terminus in Buxton steeply graded up to the junction with the High Peak Line at Ladmanlow (and its adjacent quarry and coal mine) and on to the edge of the Staffordshire moorlands at an area known as Three Shire Heads. Here the line was to split with a leg of the Y going on to Macclesfield and Leek. The line was steeply graded at 1 in 40 and contained two massive tunnels of 3 miles and 4 miles in length. The cost of these tunnels proved prohibitive for the small company and when problems occurred during the digging of the second tunnel the finances finally ran out. The Company soldiered on generating little revenue, the terminus at Three Shire Heads provide a station for the hamlets of Flash and Wildboreclough but these generated little traffic. With little receipts and no chance of investing in stock to work the line (a contractors locomotive was purchased to provide initial motive power) the railway closed in 1884.
     
    The LNWR stepped in and purchased the line outright. It had no intention of developing the line through to its original terminals but in its purchase prevented any other party from doing so. The original terminus in Buxton was removed and the line extended into the LNWR’s station in Buxton. The original BL&M station being little more than a shack. Traffic at Three Shire Heads did increase though. Fluorspar deposits were discovered and mined in limited quantities, being brought to the rail head in horse and cart and a limestone quarry developed, burning lime for slacked lime thus coal imports grew (from the Mine at Ladmanlow and further afield) and limestone and lime products exported. The quarry exchanged wagons with the LNWR via and exchange siding at Three Shire Heads. Some additional passenger traffic was generated for Edwardian touring parties using the line from Buxton to visit the Staffordshire Moorlands and nearby Roaches.
  4. Argos
    No pre-grouping layout would be complete without a P.O fleet.
     

     
    These three wagons represent the current status of the fleet. More wagons will be required to reflect the loads carried, crushed stone, lime, coal, coke and fluorspar. Given that limestone and fluorspar are ingredients in the steel industry I'm planning to add a few steel work wagons to the fleet.
    Coal was mined locally at Ladmanlow but of poor quality and used only at lime works nearby (Grin quarry). This coal was transported in old, life expired wagons provided by the LNWR, reportedly painted red, which would offer some relief from the greys so prevalent at that period.
     
     
    No real surprises as these are all Slater's kits. The two wagons left open have been fitted with Poppy's Woodtech ( www.poppyswoodtech.co.uk ) wagon interiors which, in my opinion, really lift the wagon. They still need a bit of weathering to tone them down.
    Unfortunately Poppy's don't do an interior for the 5plk wagon yet so I've used a 6plk and cut it down, it fits nicely but the end stations are out of line.
    It is only noticeable if you look closely, and given the overall improvement I am happy to put up with the error.
     

     
    One issue I have with modelling the 19th century is that information on P.O wagons seems scant. It is easy to back date later wagons but the turn of the century saw wide scale consolidation in the coal and steel industry as smaller pits fell by the wayside and investment was concentrated on large sites.
    But then having to dig out the information is something I find interesting. All the same if anyone can recommend an information source for 19th century P.O wagons I would be grateful.
    There are plenty of partial in various books but no colour information, for some reason I have been unable to locate a colour image........
    One thing I do need to do is build some dumb buffered wagons. The introduction of the 1887 RCH specification spelled the end for these wagons, however in the timeframe modelled a significant quantity of wagons with dumb buffers would still be in use.
    I have one of the HMRS resin bodies in the kit pile awaiting an undercarriage to help address the balance.
     
    The final wagon was the first 0 gauge model I built around 20 years ago.
    At the time I didn't even possess a file so was built with virtually no equipment. At the some point the wagon spent a period sat on a window ledge in the sun (we do get some occasionally!) and has warped slightly.
    I am hoping these sins will be adequately hidden by the sheeting.
    This sheeting simply newspaper cut to size and folded then painted with dilute PVA. The wagon is first covered with Clingfilm so the paper and PVA doesn't stick to the wagon. It can then be removed for painting. The process is described by Gordon Gravett in MRJ 227.
    Once the PVA had set the paper was sprayed black allowed to dry and talc brushed into the surface with a paint brush.
    The wagon still needs tie ropes on the sheeting, lettering and weathering to match.
     

     
    I am assuming the wagon is transporting slacked lime form the kilns. This lime reacts with water producing a large quantity of heat so had to be kept dry. There are tales of wagons bursting in to flames mid-journey as the load had got wet. In later times wagons with sheeting rails were used to help shed the water and in modern times tank wagons and covered hoppers are used still transporting lime from the region.
     
    One job that does require doing on all the wagons is the removal of the awful plastic brake guide and replacing with a finer, drilled etched version.
  5. Argos
    I’ll present the current status of the rolling stock in groups of three, as for some bizarre reason, this just seems to work.
     
    First the LNWR, as this is their line the plan is to have the Premier line (would a modern company get away with such conceit? Probably……) most numerically represented. All these wagons are in the process of having the paintwork finished and being weathered.

     
     
    So, from Left to right, we have a D1 9” sided 1 plank open wagon constructed from a Gladiator kit, a D43 Gunpowder van from a Furness Railway Wagon co kit and a D17a brake van from an unknown kit (the box is unlabelled) purchased at the O Gauge Guild's Telford exhibition about 17 years ago.
     
    “Hang on a minute………..didn’t you say this layout was based in the 1890 – 1900 time frame?”
     
    “Err, yes.”
     
    “And you’ve modelled a D17A Brake van that wasn’t introduced until 1910?”
     
    “Well, I err, got confused when I bought the kit as information on LNWR wagons was scant in 1998 and the internet wasn’t as informative. It wasn’t until I had built most of the kit I realised I should have bought a D16 van.”
     
     
    This poses a conundrum.
     
    - Should I finish the van in pre-1908 livery (no LNWR lettering and diamonds only) which the van would never have carried, but fits the time frame of the layout (would you have known it was wrong if I hadn’t told you?).
     
    or
     
    - Should I keep the integrity of the model and represent a livery it would have carried but would be out of the time frame of the rest of the layout?
    I am leaning toward the latter, any thoughts out there?
     

     
     
     
    The kit was my first resin kit and finished long after the instructions had been lost….so is best viewed from a distance.
     
    Also I've just noticed I've got the chimney in the wrong place, I've drilled it central to the whole van, rather than central on the compartment.
     

     
     
     
    The D1 was the most numerous of LNWR wagons, with 20,000 being built from 1859 to 1889 (almost 1 per route mile of railway) some surviving into LMS ownership. In the timeframe modelled the majority of the Railway companies were still building low side small capacity wagons.
    The Gladiator kit goes together well with good quality castings, I just wish I could persuade them to sell the axle boxes separately.
    I’ve used Haywood wheels which have the advantage of being supplied black, they are also appear slightly finer than the Slater’s alternative.
     
    One of the buffers is slightly off as I didn’t drill the shank straight so I’ll probably have to replace these at a later date with sprung ones from the Heywood range.
    I’ll wait until it annoys me sufficiently though.

     
     
     
     
    I love these little vans, they are tiny. There is some debate about the colour but there seems to be common consensus that in the 1890 – 1900 period they would be painted vermillion. I’m not too sure the shade I’ve got here is correct, a bit orangey perhaps? I need to work out the way to do the lettering as this is quite small, and a lot of it. I sense an experiment with some decal paper in the future…..
     
    The kit itself is a Furness Railway Wagon Company kit. It goes together quite well but to enable the embossing of the rivets the sides are very thin and require reinforcing with some struts of scrap brass. The punching out of the rivets by hand final drove me to buy a GW rivet punch. Believe me there are a lot of rivets on this wagon. Any offers to count……..?
     
    Unfortunately I’ve been a bit heavy handed with the paint and this detail has been swamped a bit. I am hoping that once weathered the relief will become highlighted and the detail visible again.
     
    If not it’ll be stripped back and repainted.
     
    Anyway I’m still not sure about that red…………
  6. Argos
    The 5’ 6” Precursor tank may seem an odd choice for a goods layout, but it fits into longer term plans. I originally went out to but a coal tank kit but found this on offer £60 cheaper. What can I say? I’m half Scottish, half Yorkshire…….
     
    These useful locomotives were introduced in 1890, the starting date for the layout. They were tank versions of the earlier Precursors and thus perpetuated the annoying habit of the LNWR of giving the same name to more than one class of locos as the 1907 4-4-2 tanks share the same name.
     
    Fortuitously the first builds appear to have been allocated to Longsite and found their way onto the Buxton trains taking over from the ill-fated compound tanks and underpowered chopper tanks. Until the Board of Trade made automatic brake a requirement for passenger trains in 1883 all manner of motive power drove the Manchester Buxton service, Coal Tanks, DX goods, probably even the Crewe Goods tank and tender locos.
     
    The introduction of these engines must have been god send for the crews in the area, good performance, and a first, decent brakes. All the other locos allocated had woeful wooden brakes, if any at all. In the early 1890, most of the LNWR goods tender engines still had no brakes on the engines relying on tender brakes only. This was not just restricted to older Crewe Goods types but the more modern DX (only the re-built Special DXs had engines brakes) and Coal engines also.
     
    http://www.lnwrs.zenfolio.com/p690424168
    I am struggling to find an example picture to publish. The link above to the LNWR society's on line gallery, the first picture shows a locomotive in the same as-built condition I am modelling, no coal rails, centrally mounted tool boxes, no centre lamp sockets and plain coupling rods.
     
    I am modelling the first of the class number 910, there are several good photos of this engine including a works photograph still bearing the build plate number 1384. Some of the photos show the engine at Manchester London Road in the early 1890’s so she definitely operated in the area.
     
    The Buxton depot, like much of the LNWR I expect, would not have let a useful loco sit idly on shed. The branch up to Ladmanlow had a ruling grade of 1 in 41. The trip up on 5’ 8” wheels (including tyres) might not have been great, but at least coming down the crew would be able to stop! I am assuming the appearance at Three Shires Head is due to the engine being on a fill in turn between passenger duties. There is provenance for this. In the early 1900’s a brace of 2-4-0 Whitworth tender engines were allocated to Buxton to work the through London service via the newly opened Ashbourne branch. The spare engine was reportedly used on the Friden shunt, its power and short wheel base being ideally suited to the grades and sharp curves on the line.
     
    The kit is a Mercian models product although I think it is quite old it has been updated with supplementary etches. The kit is designed to produce a later version of the engine with coal rails, tool boxes accessible from the cab and rear window bars which requires some work to remove. Some of the detail is a bit basic which I have attempted to improve, I’ll detail these changes in a later blog.
     

     
    As you can see the build is mostly complete, details need adding and the chassis needs to be made operational. The motor-less chassis rolls nicely on tilted track so all should be well………
     

    On aspect I am unhappy about is the radial trucks. The kit make no attempt to represent these, the front and rear axles just rattle along freely in holes in the chassis. I’ve found a back issue of Model Rail Journal (Issue 135) in which Laurie Griffin describes making radial trucks. Looks daunting but do-able!
     

  7. Argos
    Next up we have representation from the North Staffordshire Railway.
     
    The North Staffordshire has always intrigued me. It came into existence due to the railway politics of the 1830's. The planned Grand Junction Railway route through the potteries was diverted via Crewe by agreement with the Manchester & Birmingham Railway in preparation for the creation of the LNWR in 1846. In order to fill the void, funds were raised, significant funds, as the Trent and Mersey canal was bought with a view to filling it in to create the track bed (and conveniently remove the competition). This was never done and the canal can still be seen in use from the train between Stoke and Stafford. The price paid for the canal was in excess of £1 million in 1845!
     
    It is also my local line. The trackbed of the Macclesfield - Leek line runs a few hundred metres from my door. Thankfully it still reverberates to the sound of steam thanks to the 10.25 inch gauge Rudyard Lake Steam Railway. www.rlsr.org
     
    The main route north-south route from North Rode to Norton Bridge was only about 35 miles but links directly to the LNWR, GWR, GNR, MS&L (GCR if you must...) and the Midland, made the NSR what the Americans would call a bridge line. The Knotty, as the NSR was known (due to its use of the Staffordshire knot symbol) played its role well and remained independent until the 1923 grouping maintaining a constant level of profitability that would make many of its larger rivals jealous.
     
    The NSR rolling stock was built by a mixture of external contractors and in-house in its own Stoke works. In many ways it was ahead of its rivals, its wagon designs being larger and higher tonnage from an early time.

     
    The wagons here are two 3plk opens of differing side height and a 4 wheeled milk van. All very much a work in progress, the milk van requiring the most. All are built form kits from Meteor models. The open wagons are brass, with white metal castings that require some fettling, some of the castings being a bit rough.

     
    The milk van is obviously a resin kit, nicely cast. This will form the milk train into Three Shire's in conjunction with a D46 LNWR refrigerated van that is sat in the kit pile. I need to sort the chassis components and I've lined up the W irons to the sole bar but the axles do not align to the axleboxes, ho hum....

     
    I'll post up an update once the wagons are painted and finished.
     
    I'd love to give the Staffy running rights into Three Shires Head, but NSR loco kits are hard to come by. Dragon models do an M class, but that is out of time frame being built in 1907 and would not be used on menial freight tasks. Other NSR kits have been produced but don't appear to be available at present. So if I want some Knotty motive power I'll be scratch building, which is a way off yet as I'm still getting confidence and experience kit building. One of the chief engineers shared a name with me so I'd love to do an type 9 outside cylinder 2-4-0t. I'll stick it on the to build list.........
  8. Argos

    Argos' bigger blog

    By Argos,

    It's been a while since I posted anything on my 2mm blog, over a year in fact.
     
    Progress stalled due to the fiddle yard board warping and requiring a rebuild. I was also struggling to get the loco build operational.
    The project still exists and I've no doubt it will be resurrected when enthusiasm bites again.
     
    In the time since my last 2mm post I've been focusing on my 7mm layout, spurred on my 8 year old's "when am I going to get to play with this......" comment (more importantly when is daddy going to get to play with this! ).
    The layout could exist in several areas of the forum, Pre-grouping, 7mm, layouts, kit & scratch building, even boxfile, micro layouts and dioramas (at a push) but I have chosen to stay with the blog format as I can include whatever takes my fancy without worrying unduly about relevance.
     
    The scenic part of the layout is 4' 8" by 21" and represents a small yard at the end of a branch from Ladmanlow yard near Buxton off the Cromford and High Peak Line. The timeframe is 1890-1900. There is a small interchange yard with a quarry line generating crushed stone, dressed stone and slaked lime, in exchange for coal, coke and gunpowder. The LNWR operates a couple of sidings alongside.
     
    I have developed a full mythical history which I may bore you with in the future. I currently have several wagon builds on going and a couple of locos which will also appear in posts alongside the development of the layout.
     
    Thus far the layout has been under construction for around 4 years, the 4' 8" length (plus 26" fiddle yard) was based on what was available in the back room of a cottage we lived in three years ago. The layout now resides in the garage of our new house and was extended to take advantage of the increased space available. That was before I discovered the leaking roof, which was located over the extension . This resulted in the extension being chopped out and scrapped and the layout was reincarnated in its original form. Needless to say the leak is now fixed.
     
    Given the timescales to get to this point please don't expect rapid progress, but I hope the discipline of blogging a couple of times a month will help with progress.
     
    Anyway enough words, attached are a couple of photos which I hope give a flavour of what I am try to achieve and what has been done to date.
     
    All comment, words of encouragement and criticism welcome, although I reserve the right to ignore the latter!
  9. Argos
    The 439 tank has progressed nicely, if slowly, but then a holiday in Fort William did intrude.
     
    Although not in the Killin area the holiday provided plenty of opportunity to sample the C&O, whilst the family lazed on the beach at Benderloch (in glorious sunshine! ) I cycled up the coast toward Ballacullish; some of the route follows the old Ballacullish line. I was pleased to discover the old station building (and water tower) at Creagan was in the process of being refurbished by the Holiday Park it now resides in http://www.appinholidayhomes.com/. I’ve always felt this station and the adjacent Creran Viaduct would make a great model.
     
    A visit to Ballacullish gave the opportunity to photo the solitary CR distant signal (I had passed it on numerous occasions just never took the chance to stop). Given that a couple of MSE etches are sitting the gloat box ready for construction it seemed sensible to do some research!
     

     
    Apologies for the odd view, I took plenty of detailed photos but only general shot……from the back.
     
    No trip to Fort William would be complete without a photo of the class 67 fresh from the Sleeper service on the “other” West Highland Railway .
     

     
    Finally a view of the Ben from just round the corner from where we are staying. I’m quite proud of this shot given it was on a camera phone.
     

     
    Anyway, interlude over on with the plot……
     
    The body is progressing nicely although a couple of compromises in the etch are evident, the smoke box front plate doesn’t cover the front wheel splashers as per the prototype, I'm not sure how to deal with this, an easy way would be solder two small lengths of brass either side of the smoke box plate to make up the true width and try to fill in the gaps. I suspect though in the long run this will be as much hassle as trying to fabricate a new plate .
     
    There are also some bits not provided for on the etch. It is a “Scratch Aid” so I’m not being critical here.
    Firstly the Valve Cover needs to be fabricated:-
     

     
    Additionally there is no subsidiary wheel splasher for the front drive wheel. Given the complex shape of these two items I think shaping them out of plasticard will be best option.
     
    A few other bits need to be made, Cab doors, boiler back plate and the replacement buffer beams.
     
    The Chassis has been opened out to accept the bushes; a large amount of brass had to be taken out to accommodate these.
     

     
    Once the Wheels were mounted it was obvious that they were forced too far apart, the back to back measured over 10mm . Given the Chassis spine is 7mm the bushes where clearly the culprits. A pleasant evening’s filing to reduce the height of the bushes back to nearly to frame followed at which point the wheels were mounted in a temporary muff.
     

     
    The next job will be to chop out the top brass sections of the etched chassis and solder the sides to a copperclad board to enable the two sides to be isolated as per the split pick up system.
     
    Anyway progress to date:-
     

     
    Apologies for posting an uncleaned up photo, I ran out of Fibreglass brush refills (why can you never find the spares brushes when you need them?). The picture flatters to deceive as the Boiler is resting on the wheels not the chassis so some fettling is clearly required .
  10. Argos
    Not much modelling has been achieved in the past few months as I’ve been using all my spare time to train for an Ironman distance triathlon on the 1st June. However a bad calf strain has all but put pay to that ambition. The silver lining is that I now have a more time for modelling.
     
    Fearnan is at one of those stages where any advancement is being resisted. The fiddle board has warped, well it would wouldn’t it? It’s the one I skimped on the bracing; I figured the small size meant it wouldn’t matter, ho hum. I am also considering replacement of the points with fully copperclad constructed ones. This seems to follow in true 2mm tradition, it seems obligatory to rip out and replace some trackwork otherwise it doesn't qualify as a 2mm layout.
     
    A change in direction was required to get some modelling enthusiasm, so I decided to stop procrastinating and get on building the Worsley Works etch of a 439 tank I bought before Christmas. The engine being modelled is 55222 as there are some superb shots of the engine in late 50’s on the Killin branch in Backtrak Magazine vol 14 number 11, the loco is in fact the cover star! http://britishrailwaybooks.co.uk/magazine/backtrack/2000novemberv14n11.html
    First job tackled was to assemble the bogie. This appeared innocuous enough. 2mm association bearings would not fit the side frames so I’ve ignore them with axles bearing directly on the frames.
     

     
    I’m not sure how this will perform in the long term but then the mileage is hardly likely to be great on a boxfile layout. Next issue to address is that the etch is not designed for split frame pick up and is too narrow to fit the 2mm Association axle muff between the frame faces. The frame was duly cut into 2 and soldered to a small piece of (gapped) copperclad board. The axle holes we then opened out until the wheels ran smoothly on a glass surface. This seemed to take an age to sort but I got there eventually.
     

     
    Next up is the body. This is the first scratch aid kit I’ve tried so quite a bit of head scratching was required to sort out the order of construction, I soldered the first buffer beam in position only to discover it is way undersize, I would guess this is the result of the kit being a shot down etch? This is easy enough to resolve with a fresh piece of brass, I really should add some rivet detail visible on the prototype in the later years anyway.
     

     
    The rest of the body went together fine (other than some dodgy soldering on my part that required correction). It’s starting to look the part with the boiler dropped in (the boiler is not soldered in yet).
     

     

     
    I am puzzling how to do the rivets around the smokebox door. They appeared later in life on these engines are similar in size to those on the Smokebox wrapper which comes nicely etched in the kit. The problem is my riveting tool doesn’t generate a fine enough pimple, I’m wondering whether Archers rivet decals might be the answer, but I am unsure if they are a) fine enough for 2mm or b) easy enough to apply in the curved regular pattern, I suspect no rivets would look better than irregular ones.
     
    What's a really daunting prospect is the Chassis. I've reached an impass here as my broach set to open up the axle hole only goes up to 2mm and my tapered reamer starts at 3mm, a virtual trip to Eileen's Emporium is called for......
  11. Argos
    One of the Signature elements of the Killin line I want to replicate is the track laid between the Junction and Killin. This had been re-laid in concrete sleepers in the period modelled. Whilst the line beyond Killin was left with wooden sleepers this section of the line was only used to access the loco shed at Loch Tay (although there is plenty of evidence to suggest an unregulated passenger service existing between Loch Tay and Killin). Had the line been extended to Fearnan it’s reasonable to assume the concrete track would have extended all the way down the line.
     
    At first glance creating concrete track should not be too difficult as the 2mm Society Shop 1 sells easitrac concrete sleepers. However, this is to replicate modern flat bottom rail track, the track at Killin was standard chaired bullhead rail with concrete sleepers:-
     

     
    So a bit of extra work is required:-
    Take the concrete easitrac
     

    Remove the moulded chairs
     

     
    Positioned on the template using double sided sticky tape
     

     
    Thread the chairs from the chair sprue onto the rail, standard easitrac panels are used to help hold the track in gauge and provide the correct height for soldering the copper-clad sleepers on.

     
    Finished section, all 8 sleepers! By the time this is painted up it’ll probably not be noticeable, but then at least I know it correct.
     

  12. Argos

    Gordon and the Spider

    By Argos,

    Fearnan is progressing nicely despite the festivities and a seasonal cold brought home from school by my son.
     
    The track laying has begun in earnest and I’ve been connecting up the electrics as I go, which lead to an unfortunate diversion as I forgot to check the gapping on the PCB sleepers prior to connecting everything up! The inevitable short took around three frustrating hours to find (longer than connecting the electrics!) and explains why the gaps in the PCB sleepers are not as neat as they should be, still, once filled and painted I dare say this won’t be noticeable.
     
    One advantage of track laying pre-festivities is that the bottles of booze are still full and make excellent weights to keep the track level will the glue sets (Wilko’s finest contact adhesives £1 a tube!).
     

     
    The spider is the wires sticking out of the underside of the point work for board 2 prior to laying.
    So current state of affairs:-
     

     
    Only the loop track to build out and the switch rails to inset into the point work on board 2. The fiddle turntable is now complete, just needs a lick of paint to finish.
     
    To demonstrate everything is working the first engine has taken a trip up the line. I’m pretty safe in saying UP yard power never made it to the Killin branch, I use this engines as my DCC test engine as it took a 4ft dive on to the floor a few years ago and one of the bogies is damaged and creaps forward as the power is applied. even though it's N scale (1:160 9mm gauge) it bumped through the point ok.
     

     
    The underside is all set up awaiting the final three point motors. I think the photo below should finally put to bed the lie that DCC only needs two connections!
     

     
    The Accessory switch on board two has been tested and one of the outputs will switch two SEEP point motors so will fire the crossing that is the loop release.
     
    I’ve used copper tape to provide connectivity to the turntable, hopefully the attached photos explain.
     

     

     
    So next jobs:- finish the track, cut the backscene card to replace the 4mm MDF, I can then start on some stock.
     
    Santa brought along one of Mr Pixels’ Thompson brake third coach kits which looks like it will go together rather nicely ……
  13. Argos
    Modelling has been slow of late as work and life intrude into modelling time. In order to get some stock ready for the final track laying (and to have something to play with! ) a start has been made on the etched pixels Thompson brake third kit received for Christmas.
     
    Kit contents:-
     

     
    As can be seen the kit is a combination of etched sides and 3d printed body which should make for an easy build.
     
    Progress after a couple of hours of modelling:-
     

     

     
    Having carefully soldered and cleaned the door vents I now realise these should flat fronted, so a dose of filler is in order prior to paint.
    The rainstrip looks a little heavy, although these appear surprisingly thick in photographs, whilst pondering whether to redo these I came across this photo (http://www.flickr.com/photos/irishswissernie/5742932663/in/set-72157626647363095/) and realised I had the profile wrong anyway, this made the decision easy so off they came! A trip to Eileen’s Emporium at Stafford last weekend sourced some smaller profile styrene section which should do the trick.
     
    I’ve also taken delivery of the replacement wheels, the original Dapol units supplied are surprisingly undersize, the photo below shows the comparison. I was contemplating sending the originals off for re-profiling as Dapol use a split axle to transfer track power to the bogie to enable coach lighting, given the discrepancy in wheel size though I’ve decided to use the replacement wheels.
     

     

     
    Unfortunately after two attempt I keep getting sent the wrong axle lengths so cannot assemble the bogies with the 2mm wheels yet
     
    Handrail caused an initial problem as I couldn’t find a fine enough wire. Stripped and unbraided layout wire was trialled on the guards compartment:-
     

     
    But this is too flexible; Eileen’s Emporium again provided the solution in the form of 0.3mm wire.
     
    Finally the paying public have been purchased are ready to be painted and installed, I am still looking for details of the interior décor of these coaches any information would be gratefully received.
     
    The first locomotive has also made and appearance :-
     

     
    The photo was taken during its running in turn so it’s off with the wheels for re-profiling (via the 2mm society, I don’t possess a lathe, or the skill to use one). I still have to decide her final identity and look at what detailing to add, that said, the Dapol original looks pretty good already. Headcode will need changing, most of the photos of these engines on the Oban line have a single digit, usually "9" showing.
     
    and pulling a couple of wagons, both part completed conversions using TPM kits not intended for this layout.
     

     
    One head scratcher for the future is the difference in coupling heights between the Micro-trains couplers and the Dapol couplers (which are too long anyway):-
     

     
    Another mad week awaits so the modelling table will have to wait awile....
  14. Argos
    Bit of a cheat blog as the build-up to the Christmas festivities have limited modelling time, the first track is laid though, hopefully I can provide photos later in the week.
     
    We are fortunate to be able to get a weekly dose of live steam as a few hundred meters from out house is Rudyard Lake which has a 1.5 mile 10½ inch gauge railway running along it http://www.rlsr.org/ They are currently running there Santa Trains which sounded like a great excuse for a family day out.
     
    The Railway brings out all its carriages for these specials so Double heading is required up the grade (1in168) out of the station:-
     

     
    The railway has some great little engines (apologies for the quality of the pictures, these were taken on my camera phone).
     


     
    And of course the reason why we were all there
     

     
    Having spent the past few years running and cycling (as well as the occasional train ride) alongside the tracks, I wouldn’t be able to call myself a railway modeller if thoughts had not strayed to the creation of a model!
     
    Obvious all the stock would require scratch building but 6.5mm track in 7mm scale or 9mm track in 10mm scale should work. I guess that’s another one for the future projects pile!
     
    As an example of how it can be done, and very well at that! I can thoroughly recommend Colin Peake’s blog:- http://o9modeller.blogspot.co.uk/
     
    Anyway, I am supposed to be dealing with a 2mm boxfile layout so on with the plot!
     
    The thorny question of stock has been investigated, as with virtually all scales there are limited Scottish Prototypes available RTR, this creates the challenge of modelling, however 2mm is not as badly off as it might at first appear.
     
    Whilst in my eyes many lines get less interesting through time from the pre-grouping age, the Killin branch does the opposite.
     
    Initially the line was operated by two Killin Pug locomotives. These were built by the CR specifically for the line, essentially a standard CR pug, made famous by Hornby (unfortunately not a scale model,) with a trailing axle to support extended coal provision. These were quickly shown to be inadequate for the line’s steep grades (1 in 50) and were replaced by Caley 171 0-4-4 tanks which ran the line through to the transfer of 15103 (the last of her class) to the Highland lines in 1932. She was withdrawn in 1944. From this point on 439 0-4-4 tanks and 0-6-0 Jumbos ran the line before being replaced by 2-6-4t standard 4s in the early 60s. It is the later that captured my imagination pulling their single 52ft coach up and down the 1 in 50 grade. The model will be set in the later change- over period 1958-1964.

     
    So intended locos for the layout:-
     
    · Macintosh 439 0-4-4t 55222, the cover shot for Backtrack magazine November 2000 (http://andibradley.c...roducts_id/4194) shows this loco in colour under the signal at Killin, this is the inspiration. etches available from Worsley Works http://www.worsleywo...m_Loco_Kits.htm
     
    · Drummond 294 Jumbo 0-6-0 57246 etches also available from the Worsley works

     
    · Standard 4 tank 2-6-4t 80126 allocated to the line 1962 until closure in 1965, not sure how to do this one as I don’t want to merely re-wheel N gauge products. That said if I’ve got the skill to build the chassis and valve gear in fine scale the body should be a doddle! The older bodies are available from BR Lines and the Worsley Works has a 3mm chassis designed for 12mm gauge which might be worth investigating if it could be made to work in 2mm once short down (The gauge wouldn’t matter as it would be rebuilt on a split chassis principle.)
     
    Coaches (accurate coaching stock seems to be often overlooked)
     
    · Thompson non-corridor brake 3rd 5 comp D361 (SC87309E) used in 1962 -64 a similar 4 comp was used in 1965.
     
    · LMS P3 Steel sided brake 3rd 6 comp D1964 (SC20156M?) used upto 1962 (I think it’s a P3, it could be a P2 equivalent).
     
    Both these coaches are available from the Worsley works and Etched Pixels http://www.ultima-mo...index-lner.html the Thompson is listed as a future product from Masterclass models http://www.mastercla...an_diagrams.pdf
     
    Prior to this I believe a WCJS 45ft brake composite was used though I cannot find the reference to this again and I don’t know when it was replaced. In the previous entry Julian passed comment that Thompson Brake Composites were used on the line, these are similarly available from the sources above but I’ve yet to find a clear photo of one in action so remain to be convinced. Also through the period an older (LMS period 1?) 6 compartment brake was used for the school train to Callander (presumably increased capacity was required). I need to do a bit more research on this (LMS carriages are not my strong point!)
     
    During the period modelled parcel traffic was quite busy :-
     
    · Mk1 CCT available from the 2mm shop http://www.2mm.org.u....php?shop_num=3
     
    · M1 BG (In blood and custard livery) available from the 2mm shop
     
    Space restriction will probably dictate only the CCTs will be modelled.
     
    The line was also visited by DMUs on the Six Loch’s tour, this was formed of two 3 car sets so will not fit; the six coaches would be nearly as long as the layout! That said a single DMU unit was photographed in the Killin yard, so it could be a “might have been”.
     
    I am also reliably informed that a Class 20 and 27 visited with an excursion train prior to closure.
     
    As “might have been” I may also include a Class 27 (re-wheeled Dapol when it’s released) to get me up and running and act as a reserve once the 2mm stock is constructed and a Class 21 from the Worsley Works (a personal favourite).
     
    Possible alternate steam locos which were recorded in the locality, if not on the branch would include:-
     
    4F available from the 2mm society shop
    Black 5 2mm Society kit also from the 2mm Society shop
    Fairburn tank Worsley Works etch and N Brass Castings.
     
    All in all the line is well catered for in 2mm.
     
    I’ll deal with wagon types in a later blog in the meantime I’d better break out the soldering iron!
  15. Argos

    Boarded up and Boxed in

    By Argos,

    This is one of those days where a lot of effort doesn't seem to show much.
     
    The boards are at last finished and ready for track, barring a few adjustments (e.g. the hole through the backscene to the fiddle yard is slightly too small and needs opening up).
     
    Photos of the layout set up:-
     

     

     

     
    I decided to use some small rubber feet as sold by Station Baseboards (http://www.stationro...k/cart_feet.htm) to raise the main boards slightly and align the fiddle yard board on the correct level, my original intention was to achieve this via fold down sides, but the more I thought about this the more faff it seemed and I doubt I would have ever got it right! Three feet are used for each board to ensure stability
     
    These feet can be seen, along with the various methods of joining the boards below:-
     

     
    The dowels between the main boards proved a bit of a headache as the male ends could not be left insitu as this made the board too long to fit in the box. The holes were sanded out slightly large and the male ends mounted on a small insert board. This is then bolted into position. The board can be seen in the next photo, a small cut out had to be made on one side to avoid the leg bolt. The fiddle yard board is in place in its storage position inside the first board.
     

     
    The backscene can also be seen in its folded up position. The backscene itself is currently cut from 4mm MDF. When folded the up the three layers take up nearly a 5th of the depth of the boxfile. I may replace the MDF with some 1mm card. This will probably be strong enough and take up less space. I intend to get a photo backscene produced which will attach to the MDF or Card, this will hide the joints and the corners. After some thought on how to hinge the backscene I opted for the simple solution of duct taping the lot together, although the roll of tape I've used is rather old and already starting to lift so I expect it will need replacing with newer tape; this only a few minutes job so nothing lost.
     
    Final shot shows everything packed in the boxfile (it does fit!); the boards will be stored the other way up once the track is laid and the spring clip will be removed.
     

     
    All that is required now is a lick of black gloss paint to tidy up and I'm ready to lay the track. This will force the decision on the backscene though I will need to allow a sufficient rail overhang to bridge through to the fiddle board.
  16. Argos

    Cut and Shut Station

    By Argos,

    I appreciate I am jumping around a bit in this blog, but then that reflects my modelling. I find the initial stages of any layout build a bit dull; yes, the excitement of the first stages of creation is there but previous layouts have got bogged down in the board building process. If I wanted to shape and join bit of wood as a hobby, I’d have taken up carpentry!
    To get around this problem I try and mix in bits of modelling, that is after all what the hobby is! The danger is that this creates many started sections but nothing finished. Hopefully the discipline of producing a blog will help keep focus on a finished article.
     
    The original intention was to model the station building at Loch Tay. This was the terminus of the branch so it would be entirely appropriate if this was replicated once the line was extended to Fearnan. The building did fit on the original plans although the goods shed could not be in line as at Killin, which detracted from the “signature” look of the line.
     
    http://www.railbrit....te.php?id=23822
     
    Once the final templates where drawn up I was more uncomfortable using this structure as the Loch Tay building was too dominant, so, what to do?
     
    Looking at the plans of Killin it became obvious that by deleting two of the offices I could have a functional building (Ticket office, waiting room and Ladies and Gents Toilets) in a slightly smaller space than Loch Tay, as Killin was the Headquarters of the line upto the 1923 grouping these office would not be required. The added advantage was that the goods shed could now be brought back into line with the station building as at Killin.
     


     
     
     
    The plans are copied form Modellers Backtrack Aug/Sep 1994 (volume 4 number 3)
     
    So setting about with the oxy-acetylene torch (or scissors and sticky tape) the building was duly shortened
     

     
    This plan was then photocopied onto card and the cutting commenced.
     
    After a few hours’ work good progress had been made:-
     

     

     
    To get the correct “texture” the sides layers have been cut out of thin card, these will then be laminated together on some mount board backing to provide strength (bear in mind the building needs to be demountable also).
     
    I’m still contemplating how to replicate the planking, I don’t feel confident that scoring the lines will give a consistent plank, also looking at the photos the planking is quite subtle:-

     
    I quite like BCN Pete’s (LDN Pete?) work around which provides a neat solution (http://www.rmweb.co....ard-all-aboard/ ) but the printed planking is still a bit harsh for my prototype. I am contemplating a watercolour wash of the correct colour, hopefully this will be translucent enough to show the printed planking but will also tone it down whilst providing the correct colour. I will do some trials and post the results (good or otherwise) in a future blog.
  17. Argos

    Boarding Out

    By Argos,

    After last week’s disasters it’s great to be making progress again.
     
    The main board sub-frames are now complete.
    The pic below shows the jigsaw puzzle against the “one I finished earlier” (Blue peter style).

     
    Also Board One is now topped out,
    The pic below shows the finished article and how the fiddle board fits in.


    Finally an overall shot of the length of the boards.
     

     
    And of course to prove the concept, packed away in the box file.


    A packet of goodies has now arrived from shop 1 so it’s on with the track…….
  18. Argos

    Progress?....or lack of?

    By Argos,

    There has been limited time this week for modelling due to a trip abroad with work (didn't get back until 6pm on Saturday). Next week doesn't look good either as I am away all week.
     
    The point construction for board 2 has stalled pending receipt of supplies from shop 1.
     
    I was hoping to post a picture of the first finished board, however, after assembling the laminated sides and leaving to dry (not long enough, I was rushing to get the board finished for this post) I knocked it of the workmate as I was shaping one of the insert top boards .
     
    Of course it split apart at the corners, I tried to recover the situation with No More Nails (rushing again!) but the tube was rather old and the garage where I was working very cold. As a result this just left solid white gunge on the boards without appearing to offer any adhesive quality, to compound matters the glue didn't compress properly so left the joints open and out of line even when clamped hard.
     
    After a calming cup of tea the offending joints were split apart and cleaned up, then assembled again with PVA and clamped neatly. I'll leave the board to dry properly this time!
     
    I then decided to make the cut outs in the top boards for the point motor on board one. This progressed nicely and the cut outs neatly made, however my smugness was short lived when I noticed I had two templates stored in the boxfile, for some reason I had kept hold of one the earlier trial template and placed this in the box with the final version, guess which one I'd used to mark out the point location and corresponding cut outs?
     
    I guess it's one of those weeks......
  19. Argos
    Today I really should have been finishing the carpentry for the boards and starting to laminate the sides together.
     
    That was before I discovered my box of rail components from shop 1 .
     
    I decided to try a combination of the easitrac construction and copperclad sleepers. I figured the copperclad would make the construction more robust.
     
    The layout of the sleepers can be seen below:-
     
     

     
     
    This time around I found the Easitrac chairs much easier to thread, the Slide chairs were still a pain though and need filing back as they prevent the switch rail from closing properly.
     
    After a couple of hours the point is nearly finished (below) , just a couple of detail half chairs to add, and no doubt some filing to smooth the alignment once placed in its final position.
     

     
    So trackwork started with no boards to lay it on!
  20. Argos
    After a few frustrated days playing around with Templot I have managed to produce the various outputs below.
     
    fearnan_early.pdf
     
    This was the original plan based on A5.5 as a standard, the entry to the goods yard being slightly sharper at A5. The loop will be trapped in the normal position. However, advice in the last blog entry, from those who know better than me is to go with B6 as a minimum, I just couldn’t get these to fit; even A6 was too much of a squeeze, so another solution is required. Thankfully the advice in the previous blog included that of Martin Wynne, who recommended using a GWR 10 foot curved switch at 1 in 6.
     
    After a couple of experiment it was found that this combination was the same length as an A5.5. So Templot was broken out again and the plan below developed.
     
     
    fearnan_final.pdf
     
    Earlier versions of this showed the loop to have insufficient length to accommodate the train length planned so the Loop entry point was moved further down the platform. This has the unfortunate effect of shortening the plain track prior to the starter signal so the starter will have be passed during a run around manoeuvre. The LNWR accommodated such moves via a shunt arm, I presume the same would be in place on the Caley but I know little of Caley signalling practice, more research required!
     
    Another short coming of the plan was the gap between the goods siding and the mainline was insufficient to house the goods shed. This was overcome by extending the curvature of the point through the goods siding slightly before straightening.
     
    Hopefully this planning effort has been worthwhile and the bugs have been iron out now. Bet I’ve still overlooked something though!
     
    In addition to the track a home starter will protect the mainline past the footbridge and a ground signal will indicate the route at the end of the loop. Hopefully all correct in line with operating practice.
     
    Although operated as one engine in steam for most of its life the line was fully signalled. The signals were in situ until the late 50’s/early 60’s, modellers licence will have them existing on the layout.
     
    The footbridge disguising the entry to the fiddle yard will be based on the one at Achern and the station building will be a slightly short version of the loch Tay building (both still existent). The goods shed will be that at Killin. The signal will be a CR lower quadrant lattice post as at Killin (Thankfully available from Model Signal Engineering! www.modelsignals.com/2&3mm_scale_frame.htm), the ground frame will be based on Loch Tay. A small coal stage and water crane will be provided. It is assumed the loco shed at Loch Tay will be retained there to avoid the expense of moving it.
     
    The fiddle yard will be a three road turntable, around 12 inches long. Killin branch trains were thankfully short!
     
    Anyway that's enough planning, I have just found my stock of rail and PCB sleepers from shop 1 and the boards are nearly all cut out, so on with the modelling......
  21. Argos

    Boxed In

    By Argos,

    A trip to Smith's on the high street found a box file on special offer (£2.99, bargain layout storage!) and the plan has been roughed out in pencil (below).
     

     
    This has been generated using A4 point templates from C&L Finescale:-http://www.finescale.org.uk/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=67#2mmtemplates
     
    I am a little concerned these switches are too sharp for larger locomotives (a standard 4MT tank was in use during the timescale modelled)and will look a little too much like a train set. When I develop the track plan in Templot I’ll ease out these crossings.
     
    The two boards will separate at the blue line and sit side by side in the file.The Fiddle yard will fold under the station board as the drawing below. I am currently looking at using SEEP point motors as these seem to be the shallowest depth, an accessory decode will drive them from the DCC controller to save having another control panel taking space. I normally prefer to have the point and signal control separate from the drive as per prototype, but in this instance space dictates all! The point motor should clear the fiddle board, if my checks of placing the SEEP onto the 1:1 scale drawings are correct.

     
    As indicated in the drawing above the intention is to build the boards out of a double layer of 4mm MDF, cutting has already commenced and I’ll post a picture of the jig saw of parts prior to assembly. The trick will be keeping all the components identically sized.
  22. Argos

    Life in 2mm so far...

    By Argos,

    Having dabbled in 2mm scale on and off for a couple of years I have decide to take the plunge and publish a blog of a layout creation in the hope of providing momentum to a small 2mm project.
     
    My experience in 2mm is limited to re-wheeling a couple of Bachman wagons (purely to test the track built), producing some easitrac plain track and building an A6 point using copper clad sleepers (tried an easitrac point and gave up, couldn’t get it too work, sorry!). At that time my soldering skills were limited and an attempt a loco body failed abysmally.
     
    This project will run alongside a larger 7mm project already underway through which my soldering skills have improved to the point of having constructed a couple of etched kits. I still hope to show weekly progress in 2mm though.
     
    The inspiration comes from the Box file layouts of BCN Pete, the neatness and compactness triggered a desire to build my own version. I hope to keep the entire layout including fiddle yard to a single box file. A second boxfile may be required for stock; hopefully this won’t be seen as too much of a cheat.
     
    So, basic rules I’ve set myself:-

    Layout, scenery, buildings, back scene and Fiddleyard to fit in a foolscap boxfile.


    Easitrac plain track with copper clad points


    DCC control.


    As much of the stock as practicle is to be built to 2mm scale re-wheeled N guage will only be used as a temporary stand in.


    Weekly progress ( I have a great job, but it is demanding and requires a lot of travel, I also compete in triathlons for which training sucks time, then of course there’s the family…..)


    Oh! and to actually finish it, I have a habit of dabbling in something and moving on!

     
    All help, advice, support and constructive criticism gratefully received.
  23. Argos

    Looking for Inspiration

    By Argos,

    A couple of weeks ago I visited the Stafford show looking for inspiration.
     
    I always find the Stafford show a good source. It's big enough to attract some quality layouts, but small enough not to be over-facing. You can leisurely meander, taking time to view the layouts.
     
    When I first got there, around noon on the Saturday, the show was rammed, so I took the opportunity to visit the trade stands, stocking up with my favourite Heywood's buffers and wheels from Invertrains, thus the saving on postage paid for the entry.
     
    The crowds thinned a bit in the early afternoon so I wandered around looking for those eye catching features.
    I was disappointed by the lack of anything pre-grouping, in fact there were only 2 standard gauge layouts portraying pre-nationalisation. That said Merthyr Riverside displayed a considerable stock of pre-grouping wagons, enough to keep me entertained for quite a while. The owner is intending to model a wagon from every pre-grouping company in Wales, and by the looks of his stock is already most of the way there! I might try this for Three Shire's but model at least one wagon from every LMS constituent company.
     
    What attracted my attention even more was the back scene.
     

     
    I've been pondering a while what to do at Three Shire's Head. The current trend for full length photo scenes leaves me a bit cold. They look good in photos, but all to often look odd in the flesh, the colour render clashes with the scenery or the point of view looks odd from different viewing angles.
     
    I was contemplating just a pale grey, an all to regular sky colour in that part of the Peaks, but that feels like a cop out.
     
    The back scene on Merthyr Riverside seemed to fall perfectly in between, the rain effect nicely toning down the resolution.
     
    The other item that caught my was David Wright's demonstration stand. I've seen Dovedale models at a few shows but never really spent anytime watching. Looking closely at the models on display the pub was astonishing.
     

     
    Everything looked vey natural and toned to perfection. Needless to say I am now the owner of one of his books and bought the local craft store out of foamboard last weekend.........
     
    Finally, with a filled goody bag I head off home.
     
    Current status of various models shown below
     

     
    The white metal cart, horse and wagon were picked up at Stafford. I am still using epoxy to glue these together, I must pluck up the courage and try out the low melt solder. Maybe next time.
     
    The wagon does fill a hole though, in the timescale modelled (1890-1900) a significant proportion of the wagon fleet would still have dumb buffers, sadly these are quite hard to find in kit form. The Duncan models white metal wagon, now just awaiting couplings is joined by an HMRS resin body P.O wagon equipped with Bill Bedford W irons. These incorporate working springs in an easy to use ingenious design. I'll be using more of these!
     
    The tip cart has been on the list to buy for a while, a lot of mines in the Peaks hauled their ore to the railhead in these carts. Three Shires Head will be no different. The Fluorspar loading dock will be used in this manner. A prototype for this operation existed in Monsal Dale in the Peaks. I used to regularly bike down the old mine track on my mountain bike.
     
    Finally, hanging around at the back is the first piece of coaching stock, a Bore era 4w centre brake third. By the period modelled these would have been retro fitted with vacuum brakes which is leading to some head scratching as I can't find any details, but then I guess it will be difficult to argue with however I model this!
  24. Argos
    Now for a few words now about the location of the layout. This I find one of the most interesting bits as I enjoy the background research.
     
    Whilst at school I discovered in the library some dusty, unloved, old railway books, among them was an early edition of John Thomas’ Callander and Oban Railway. This quickly became a favourite line; the Killin Railway in particular always drew my attention. So for this model I will be turning my back on my turn of the century LNWR fetish for something different; the Killin Railway.
     
    Over the years I have amassed a collection of magazine articles and books on the line, the tinterweb provides a few more images (www.railbrit.co.uk type in Killin) and holidays in the locality have resulted in a few trips along the line, sadly on foot and bike.
    I have a plan drawn up, whilst on business in Berlin of all places, for the whole line in 2mmscale in a 6ft x 4ft space (a future project? see below), so, to avoid repetition I am delving into the rich world of “might have been”.
     

     
    I have re-done the whole lot in Templot so I know it does work!
     
    The Killin Railway existed in independence until grouping and was in fact one of the last lines to be absorbed as they held out against the might of the LMS for a better settlement for shareholders. This was quite remarkable for a line which never declared a dividend and relied on the good will of the Caledonian Railway to support it and provide Locomotives and stock for operation (for which it kept the majority of the receipts).
     
    It did however dream of expansion along the banks of loch Tay. My layout imagines such expansion has taken place and resulted in a small terminus a mile short of the village of Fearnan on the East end of Loch Tay with an additional intermediate station at Lawers. (Peter Fletcher modelled such an extension in the 80’s with an imagined terminus at Lawers. The layout appeared in the September 1982 railway modeller). The layout will be quite basic, a loop and two sidings (drawings to follow in a future post).
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