Physicsman

Not a major event, but the first time a loco has been into the bunker... Bachmann 9F on a length of SMP (supplied by Schubert). Note the realistic ballasting, backscene and surrounding scenery. The landscape in this region of the S&C is notably "wooden"!! Come on folks, at least you've seen a LOCO after 3 months of posting! Lol. Jeff

Thanks Al. No spanners at all...just LOTS more ideas which should help improve things. Great to have an experienced sounding-board to bounce ideas off and someone I can rely on to give me answers based on experience. I will definitely need your input as things move on... if I can pull off half of the ideas that I have and that you have generated, I'll be very pleased. Did we discuss curved viaducts?? Lol!! Btw, look out for the 9F on SMP...coming to a Forum near you very soon! Jeff

Hi Andy, I noticed you hadn't been around - your comments and humour are much appreciated. I've just spent 3 hours with my mate "Schubert" (he that is posting on this page) - and we discussed all manner of stuff, including curved backscenes and curved viaducts. Both will happen, and I will just do my best! Glad I've had a corrupting effect re. the S&C. It's a great line with plenty of operating potential and - from my point of view - the most important asset - scenery. I'll find a place for a few rock faces and the river area should be fun. Great to hear from you Andy. I will keep the pics coming as I make "progress"!! Best wishes, Jeff

More useful information...good stuff. I note the copious quantities of cocktail sticks (tooth-picks!!) in the background. Indicative of the amount of scratchbuilding you do (you said they were useful glue-applicators) or the number of parties you have? Cheers, Jeff ps Thanks for convincing me to change the second of my viaducts to a curved format. You were right!

Here you are Jason. One modified branchline with curved viaduct... approx 120cm radius. Apologies to readers for the boredom-factor of yet more plans! Jeff

Don't tempt me!! But, as they say..."In for a penny, in for a pound". So a second, smaller curved structure should be easy - shouldn't it!!!!???? Oh, dear! Jeff

OK... as suggested by Will, Al, 'CHARD and the increasingly numerous Mongol hordes... here's the modification with a curved viaduct around a track of nominal radius 135cm (4ft 6ins in old money). Just gives the general idea - and I like it very much. A lot better than the previous plan. Thanks lads!! Jeff

That's excellent, many thanks. I'm buiding up a knowledge-base from yourself and one or two others, which is really helpful. Better than any book you could buy! I'm quite happy with the joinery, boards and electrics, but I've usually used RTP buidings. I've already got an inkling of an idea for a small layout to be built at a parallel time with Kirkby Luneside that'll let me have a play with constructing buildings. So your input is great. Cheers, Jeff

Jason, this may seem a really simple question, but to a "building non-scratchbuider" (soon to be initiated!!), how do you make the windows... is it thin strips of Plasticard onto clear acetate? Your last set of buildings is very effective and the brick colour is spot-on. Jeff

Thanks Alan, your words and encouragement are much appreciated. I'll try to answer all the points you've raised... I've definitely decided to give the curved viaduct the thumbs up. My only concern was with the facings. I think I'll try DAS and have a go at scribing it. Great things is, if I muck up the brickwork, I can repeat the process and try again. I think it might become 6 arches with an overall length of about 90cm. Haven't planned in detail yet. And yes, plenty of S&C prototypes to look at! Baseboards are cut to shape, but I need to acquire the track, sit it in place, mark it out, work out where the baseboard risers need to go and ... Limiting factor here is when I order the track - probably in about 5 weeks time. Then the real fun will start! I've a trip planned right at the start of August - drive and park at Kirkby Stephen West, up to Carlisle, down to Leeds, and maybe beyond. Should be good. I have posted a comment on your own thread. Your layout is looking very nice indeed! Best wishes, Jeff

Come on Jason, I bet all you did in Malaga was dream of all the ballasting that awaited you when you got back to Blighty! Seriously, the time you are putting in is reaping dividends. Good stuff! Best wishes, Jeff

On second thoughts, I might just widen the "stream" into a miniature "river" and increase the straight (branchline) viaduct a bit - AS WELL... Oh dear, visions of grandeur! Jeff

Hi Al - plug all you like! The Stockton viaduct is an impressive bit of work and, since you've clearly got insider knowledge, I will "pick your brains" and discuss what's needed. I think I've now convinced myself that curved is the way to go - so the trackplan can be modified. Can't be too big a viaduct though, as it bridges the same "stream" as the 3-arch branchline. Hi Chard - I will PM you about your efforts... Cheers, Jeff

I once tried buiding a structure (no, not the cork one you've seen!) using polyfilla on an MDF frame. It didn't look very good when I scribed it. However, as for Dave Shakespeare (he of Tetley's Mills fame), I would consider using DAS - if I can get a decent supply. I'm not worried about building the curved structure - will be tricky - but it's the covering - plasticard, clay etc etc that worries me. Jeff

Thanks 'CHARD. The more I think about it, the more I want to do it, though I know it'll be a bit tricky. But - who cares!! Jeff

I'd considered a curved viaduct a few times - and rejected the idea every time. Must admit it would look impressive - and I fancy yet another challenge. So - watch this space!!!! Jeff

Jam, thanks. I've got a lot of backscene to produce and the corners could be interesting. I will have to come up with a workable scheme in the near future. Part of the fun though, isn't it - always challenges to consider. Jeff

Hi Al, Interesting you asked that, as that's what Iain Rice always suggests. I may try and bend 2mm or 3mm MDF onto a framework fixed on the wall. Never tried it before, but worth a go. Jeff

Evening Jam, I build my hillsides using MDF/ply and wood formers that I construct (since I like playing with wood) to carry the hillside and leave space behind (in this case, for the fiddle yard). The frame is then covered with plaster bandage/modroc and the usual scenics added... Here are a couple of pics from my existing layout (its days are numbered...the skip awaits!). Jeff

Thanks for the info Mike. My woodworking is adequate for the job, but I'm sure my photographs conceal a lot of not-quite-so-good-joinery!! I've been clambering around on top of the frame today, and it felt rigid, so as long as it works......!!! Cheers, Jeff

Thanks very much Will. No problems - I would rather people discuss ideas on this thread because I'm no expert and I'm certainly likely to miss things. The straight bit on the extreme left is hardly visible in reality as it leads into the hillside. And there is a staight viaduct planned - at the moment...don't tempt me, I'm fighting the urge to build a curved one (the urge has been winning for a month or so!!). I've attached a pic showing the approximate position of the hill... Please keep commenting. MUCH APPRECIATED!! Jeff

Baseboard tops cut. Baseboards to sit on risers and a fair amount of the boards will be cut away to allow "open board" advantage. Here's a few more more photos... Jeff

Hi Al, Would love to see you to discuss progress - and you can have a tour of the "bunker". I'm busy 'til the end of next week with school-related stuff, but after 6th July I will be clear! So choose a date and text it through - and we can progress. Btw, if you want to demo your Templot skills... Jeff

Cheers 'Chard! I think I'll be frothing at the mouth...and getting frustrated that I have to wait a while longer before I order the bulk of the track. Jeff

I've been asked what was the rationale behind the seemingly odd collection of baseboard shapes on the previous diagram... I could say it was because I enjoy using my new jigsaw to cut the plywood - but that's not true. In fact, I've tried to ensure that all the major turnout "connurbations" are in the middle of a board section. The fiddle yard in particular! Of course, positions of the main section may be displaced a little when I fit the SMP rather than the Peco, though the fiddle yard (still Peco) should be ok. Hope that clarifies things. Jeff