Physicsman

Hi Jon, Does your mum live near the S&C? My dad lives in Barrow-in-Furness, and I go over to see him 6-8 times a year. My path takes me past Kirkby Stephen station, so it's like an old friend to me. A mate and I plan to have a good few days on the S&C this summer, driving to KS, parking and away we go! Ian Macdonald sent me a dvd with all his KSW research, photos, past articles, magazine photos, layout development etc. All from a simple remark I made re. the Huddersfield MRS and whether it had any info on "their" KSW layout - which is actually Ian's. Hope I'm making sense! The generosity of people on this Forum has to be seen to be believed, including your very kind offer. If you hadn't already worked it out, I'm retiring soon. I worked in research, and have been teaching Physics for nearly 30 years. Time to get out, so I have. Hopefully this will free-up plenty of time to do lots of modelling, visit interesting places and chat to all you guys on RMW. Best wishes, Jeff

Interesting! My last layout - where I used a 44mm x 44mm half-lap frame - had an 18mm (should we say 3/4 " in old money?) chipboard top and that weighed a ton. I added various bits using 6mm MDF - great material - but for the present layout I'm trying 12mm ply. I got to like the stuff when building the walls for the garage conversion. And I'm convinced I'm going to make a "horlicks" of the next stage too. However, (a) I will do a bit of experimenting first, and ( b ) if I cock it up, do you think I'll put it in the thread? Well, actually, I will!! Cheers, Jeff

That's another new thing I've learned today. I want to be careful about how far I go down the prototypical route, otherwise I'll stop myself and triple-question every decision I make. So I'm going for the "spirit of the S&C" which means homage to a typical S&C style station and the all-important landscape. I've always enjoyed the design and actual build of the project more than the precise detail. But, as your post and Jason's above show, it's very easy - if we choose - to get very close to the real thing. With all the photographic evidence you've provided - and I must single out Ian Macdonald here (his excellent Kirkby Stephen West layout may be familiar to you) for sending me megabytes of photos and research - I have no excuses for not attempting scratchbuilds of S&C structures. But I think I'll be happy with the SMP - and hope my trains are too! Cheers Jon, Jeff

I knew you'd spot the tell-tale glue smears. I don't doubt the efficacy of my joinery, but just to add even MORE strength I added PVA to all the joints I could easily get at - which came to 48 out of 60... not bad! Over a litre of PVA, in addition to 3" screws...I think the garage will collapse before the subframe!! As for the ply...Mike, you've done this thing before. Exactly right! Cheers, Jeff

Don't tempt me Jason! Even a few years ago I wouldn't have dreamed of doing some of the stuff I now take for granted. And it's the expertise on Forums like this that encourages us all. Only 6 months ago I was still thinking of sticking with Peco code 100, now it's SMP. Hell, Andy P has almost got me thinking about weathering. And yourself, Ben Alder (Richard) and Jam (Southern Region Steam) have got my fire up for scratchbuilding. Add to that the S&C group - hell, where will I find the time? I know - I'll retire... Which is exactly what I'm doing in 6 weeks time! Hey, hey!! Oh well, turnouts...umm... Best wishes, Jeff

OK you slave driver. My god, man, I've slaved and sweated over a hot jigsaw and drill all week, commended you on your rusty 4F and what do you give me????? Ha ha ha ha... I just love the camaraderie in this Forum. Quite superb! Anyway Andy, how about showing us some of your other weathered creations? And get some sleep - too many late nights and you'll be mixing up your airbrush and your weathering powders!! All the best, Jeff

Cheers Andy. I've spent the last 3 hours looking at my trackplan, subframe plan and working out where to fit the risers and how to cut the ply baseboard. But thinking just drives me mad - I think I'll just get on AND DO!! Probably try a few things in the coming week. Jeff

OK, the big moment...after 5 days cutting, drilling, screwing and fixing, the subframe is completed. Now I'll have a rest and save my pennies so I can order the track next month! On the other hand, there's the risers and the ply baseboard to start on...umm, no-brainer really!! Attached 2 pics showing completed subframe, along with 3 more added legs. And I wonder if eagle-eyed Mike (The Stationmaster) notices anything? Jeff

Yes, she looks a real treat, Andy! Not too over the top, but suitably grotty. Very good piece of work. Jeff

Thanks for the info. Jason. I'm pretty sure someone will have done extensive research on ballast size - I seem to recall the Woodland Scenics catalogue used to have some info on this. Quite agree about the N gauge stuff - 00 grade looks like mini-boulders, though I have to admit I used the latter on my last layout! You learn by experience! Your last photo looks good - nice and neat. Re. your song comment on your blog, surely Englebert Humperdinck's Eurovision entry has to be the song of the year! Lol. Jeff

Quite right, Jon. A crawl - and it's a sign of increasing age that crawling under the layout starts to become an issue. Nevermind - in a few years time I'll maybe modify the door-fiddle yard access. Btw, as I said on your other thread, many thanks for the S&C photos. I've assembled a collection, but you can never have too many. And congrats on your imminent 1000 posts!! Jeff

Jason, I think the answer's simple...Either, axelcounter couldn't stand the tedium of ballasting any longer and just had to bang his head on the wall, or he is a paid-up member of the Britannia Coconut Dancers and suffered head damage during an energetic performance! Apologies, no offence intended and very poor (!!) humour, just couldn't resist! Btw, your ballasting looks good. I must admit, I've never strayed from the tried-and-trusted PVA method. What ballast are you using - type and grade? Though I model 00, I've concluded N gauge ballast is best for me. Woodland Scenics Grey Blend. I'll be interested in your comments. Best wishes, Jeff

Hi Jon, If you have a look at post 34 you'll see a plan of the layout. I've left access areas in the corners of the room. There will be a couple of small hatches, but I've learnt from experience to avoid these where possible. Access to the fiddle yard will be from the door-side: the fiddle yard will be underneath a rising hillside. I'm sure I'm going to make a lot of botches as things progress. Not least of which is the location and fitting of the risers on which the baseboard will sit. The board itself will be 25ish cm above the subframe - I'm trying to avoid problems that beset my last layout where I had poor access to fitting stuff like point motors under the baseboard. But I love problem-solving, and this project is like one giant jigsaw puzzle. At the moment it's gone exactly to plan, but I can't see that continuing...! Cheers, Jeff

Yes, I'm staggered - look at the time! 3 in the morning! I often find my brain gets hyperactive and doesn't want to shut down at night - normally, as you said, when something new and exciting is in the offing. Have you still got all your previous layouts, and, if so, where do you store them! The frame is just about done and I'm very pleased with it. It is only a base for what goes above and things will now grind to a halt as I've got to buy all the track...and that's budgeted for the end of July. So you'll have to be patient for further progress! All the best, Jeff

Evening all. Just one more photo to add to previous, though it's been a very busy afternoon - sorting out 3.6m planks of wood and marking-up for some of the risers. Fitted the opposite "angle piece" - only 3 more short sections to fit now. Enclosed photo for continuity... Jeff

Hi Andy, Whats this? Posting at 05.46? Lol!! Anyway, to the point... the 4F looks good, but you could possibly get away with even more "grot" - though weathering is a matter of personal taste. I suppose one problem is that if the loco is filthy, the rolling stock should be too, and that makes for a lot of work. Your 4F is a beauty and, though I prefer her weathered, she'd look good whatever you do to her! Cheers, Jeff

Afternoon Mike, I've never glued the joints - though they are screwed together. Ironic really, but the reason for this has been in case I want to dis-assemble the structure - which in this case, I don't! Anyway, each to his own. If any problems arise I will have to take remedial action! Cheers, Jeff

This morning's update... Nearly built the subframe now! Another day, then I can think about the "riser" positions for the baseboard itself. The top of the subframe corresponds to the "water level" datum at the foot of the viaduct (see plan). So the baseboard top will be about 23cm higher than the subframe, putting it 103cm from the floor. For a little fellow like me (168cm or 5'6" in old-fashioned currency) that's ok. Attached pictures of more wood. No wonder I'm dreaming about the stuff! Jeff

Hi Larry, You may be right about the joints, but I find it much easier to securely interlock all the sections this way. All interconnections are screwed together and the structure has tremendous rigidity. So much so that when I built my old layout - using 2" x 2" - I climbed on top of the baseboard and jumped up and down. Aside from normal flexure, no problems. The present structure is considerably more heavy-duty than the last. Totally over the top, but - what the hell - you only build it once and then it just does its job. By the way, many thanks for your input on the circuit plan earlier in the year. Best wishes, Jeff

I see what you mean! I usually close the side door to the "bunker" (not a garage any more!), but on that occasion I'd left it open. Had it closed this morning, mind, as it's absolutely p*****g down here. 05.46 ... umm ... I'm an insomniac. Only problem is I want to start drilling and cutting at that time, but I think the neighbours might complain! Cheers, Jeff

Morning Jam, You are quite right about the perception of layout size. When the room was empty it didn't look too big. Now I've put some framing in place, the layout area looks huge!! Not that I'm complaining! As for bending and calculations - I get enough of them in my job, so I've taken a typical engineering approach to my structural work. "Think of what is adequate, double it, add another 50% and that should be ok!!" Hope your "pub studies" are going well. Lol! Jeff

OK Andy, specially for you...the current state of play. It might make sense if you compare it to the plan in post 79, above. No sign of any trains yet (lol) but we'll get there in the end! Jeff

Hi Andy, I've got no windows either, but the room is quite large at 16' x 12' and there is 800 Watts of lighting available - though I don't have it all on for very long as it gets too warm. Glad you like the photos - I sometimes wonder whether I'm boring everyone to death!! I will post another couple of pics shortly - I have to take them first! Cheers, Jeff

Blimey! Well, they say you learn something new every day... I'm old enough to remember the B&W minstrels. They were rather good at the time. Bacup must be quite a cosmopolitan place if you have such interesting characters as those!! Langley seem to have almost anything you like. Maybe you could get some of their country yokels and "paint them suitably". They'd look good waiting for a train on one of your platforms!! Cheers, Jeff

Hey, hey...we have legs (following the KISS principle!)...