Physicsman

Cheers Jeff, You are right so I will have a word with the cleaning crew and get them to forget this loco for a week or two, keep looking for new pics.

Will do, Andy. Pay the cleaning crew "bu***r all" and they are sure to let the 4F revert to being a rust-bucket. Lol!

Have you any other O gauge steamers in the pipeline? I'm 00 through and through, but if I had a lot of money, and space, I'd love to build a substantial O gauge layout. Cracking model you have there!

Cheers,

Jeff

Hi Andy,

As an "impartial observer" it's interesting to compare your photos of the 4F posted on May 30 and today.

The majority of my locos are pristine or lightly weathered. I'm reluctant to "muck up" my own stock, but I have to agree with you that there is no contest as to which version of your 4F looks best - the weathered one.

Maybe it can "rain" a lot on Trebudoc over the next few weeks and the 4F can be restored to its rusty and decrepit glory!

Great stuff!

Jeff

Morning update...

2 hours of cutting have added a few more spans. Coffee, then more fun!

Jeff

Mike,

Enclosed diagram showing proposed positions of "legs" under the subframe...

Don't worry Will - Jeff is clearly doing a very solid job but I was wondering how he was going to do the joints as those two timbers were apparently 'in final position' so I wondered if he wasn't going to half lap them but had some other idea in mind. Certainly a strong job with timber that size and with his scientific background I bet Jeff has very carefully calculated timber size to avoid any mid-span sag in the future.

Evening Mike,.

Nothing is actually fixed in place as yet. The timbers you've seen are a small part of the network (you've seen the subframe plan earlier in the thread). Junction points will be screwed together (I don't like using glue) and there will be a number of supports (see the post after this - I'll upload a "support plan"!!).

And yes, I've calculated the relevant modulus of elasticity to check for the sag of extended cantilevers (like bloody hell I have - I'm a nuclear man, not a materials physicist. Lol).

Isn't modelling fun? I've basically built a miniature house by the time I get to buy the track!!

Cheers,

Jeff

If only I could prevent my own personal 'mid-span sag'...

 

(apologies, someone had to say it)

Hello Will,

I'm hoping that my "construction", aka the "nuclear bunker" aka Ground Zero Tower foundations UK, will be rigid enough to avoid too much sag. Plenty more timber to go in and, so far so good as far as alignment is concerned.

Depending on the type of personal sag you refer to, I recommend exercise or you could go and see your GP for one of those little blue pills. I've heard they restore rigidity in quick time!!

Good to hear from you! Best wishes,

Jeff

Hi 'CHARD - great to hear from you. And I especially appreciate YOUR comments as I value your opinions as much as those of anyone else. I've been delighted with the people I've interacted with since I joined the Forum - it was only last November, but it seems longer. The input from all these guys has been fantastic - genuine expertise and genuine interest.

Please feel free to offer any comments as you see fit.

Re. my layout... I've been developing the plan for over 2 years, and can hopefully use the experiences I've gained (and LOTS of mistakes!!!) from my last layout to produce something worthy of note. I have it all pictured in my head - it's just a case of execution! (And if it doesn't work out right, maybe I should be shot!).

Best of luck with whatever you are upto. Did I hear a rumour you were modelling Fell-class diesels on the Waverley Route?

All the best,

Jeff

Maybe this photo - taken 20 mins ago - will show what I mean. There will be many more cross joints, as you will see later.

The technique worked well with 44 x 44mm softwood in my last layout, so I'm hoping the bigger joists will do even better...

Jeff

Are you going to make those 'L' or 'T' girders Jeff - or does the rest of the site built frame ensure they don't twist?

Afternoon Mike,

Just come in from the garage and saw your post.

The interlocking nature of the subframe structure, with plenty of "half lap" joints (I think thats what they are called!) stops any noticable twist. I should be able to post some photos of this kind of thing tomorrow. I'm making ridiculously quick progress, but there is a lot to be done. And I don't want to finish too soon as I enjoy the construction/joinery so much!

Cheers,

Jeff

Another woodwork update. I've finished for the day, but the frame is starting to develop. It's ok to yawn... once you've seen one piece of wood....

Jeff

Hmm - ever fancied a few days in the Thames Valley Jeff? (alas almost all of my dad's chisels had worm in the handles as did the rest of his wooden handled tools including all the planes - alrge quantity regrettably had to go although I've still got a few oddments including his adze)

Afternoon, Mike,

I've just spent a couple of days with my dad - he's a retired joiner. I managed to "borrow" a few items - my existing chisels needed a good sharpen, so dad obliged. Out with the oilstone and away he went!

I got home a few hours ago and went and bought myself a new jigsaw. The old one was knackered. So the "wood massacre" has begun!

I do wonder whether anybody is the least bit interested in my joinery. Then again, if even one person gets an idea it's been worth it.

I've set myself a target of 2-3 years for this project. But I can already feel the excitement building...so I keep telling myself "slow down, you old fool!!"

Best wishes,

Jeff

Construction of the subframe commenced shortly after 2pm today. An hour later I have the first support on the wall. Thank goodness for sharp chisels (cheers, dad!!) and power tools!!

Attached photos are nothing in themselves, but the start of the next stage of the project! Apologies to true woodworkers who may wince at the pain inflicted on my 4x2 all in the name of railway modelling!!

Jeff

Hi Jeff,

 

Having seen the scenery on your other layout 'in the flesh' I am looking forward to seeing this one as it develops. The room is looking rather impressive. You've managed to build a layout, and convert a garage in the time it has taken me to sort of come up with an idea for a track plan. I really do need to 'get my finger out' and do something constructive !

 

Al

Hi Al, thanks for the comments. Glad you've seen the thread. I will no doubt be requesting your expertise to weather my track - when we get to that point! The scenery should be crazy - I've got about 4 times as much to do as the last time - so it will be wonderful (yes, I'm bonkers!!).

Cheers,

Jeff

I sometimes think that reading this Forum is a danger to my wealth. I have a couple of Jubilees but wasn't aware that Drake was being sold for £56.

My Visa card is in my hand and flexing itself right at the moment.

Irrespective of the "age" of the model, it is superb.

Jeff

One of the "problems" up here is the number of Kirkby - somethings! I used to drive through Kirkby Lonsdale on the road from Cumbria to Skipton. Now it's Kirkby Stephen - I'll be going through there at 5am tomorrow morning as I head over to see my dad. I guess the name "Kirkby" rang some bells with me and the new project virtually named itself!

Thanks for the point motor info. I will keep you posted when I get there...

Jeff

Just come across this thread, a great looking project.

Dave.

Cheers Dave.

I'm hoping the project will keep me going for a couple of years - at least! Should be fun, especially as I enjoy building work of all kinds. Thank goodness for power tools!!

Jeff

I'd be slightly wary of Cobalts Jeff, they have a tendency to click (due to a manufacturing issue) if you get a bad one. Basically, the cogs on the internals don't align properly at times and they keep on 'going'. They still work, but it's like having a cricket in your ear! I have three of them on my layout where space wouldn't allow me to use a Tortoise without using linkages. You may be lucky and they will replace any faulty ones, but just thought I'd best let you know.

 

Cheers,

 

Jason

Thanks Jason,

That's the value of the Forum. I've heard some good things about Cobalts, and your objective assessment is valued. I've just started woodwork on the subframe so I'd imagine it'll be a good few months before I try any point motors. I may have to get a Tortoise and compare it to a Cobalt. Any further comments/experiences you have would be appreciated!

Btw, I'm very impressed with the amount of work you've put into "Bacup". It's splendid!!

Cheers,

Jeff

Mike, I'm going to use Cobalts on the scenic side of the layout, wired to a central control panel. I'm not using DCC decoders for this.

Initially, I'm not fitting control in the fiddle yard, though I'll get round to it before the main hillside goes in.

Pound signs continue to flash!

Jeff

Attached jpeg of subframe plan...

Jeff,

 

There is at least one layout over here that I know of where the builder used metal 2x4's as the frame. After all the fun I have had with reasonably good quality plywood changing shape, and the 1x4's which bowed up to 1/2" on a 6' span, I was sorely tempted towards Aluminum framework, but ended up back with plywood. (it's a little easier to work). I've had to replace some of the table work that supports the staging yard (not fiddle- it's not intended to be fiddled in, just to store/stage) with 1x4 sided versions, as the original ones were 1x2's that went bendy on me.

 

(the layout using metal frames is Mike Walton's, if you want his email, drop me a PM. He sends out a report about monthly after the operating session, the layout is in the Toronto area, and would fit well in the "large layouts" section on here, as well as having a bit of S&C flavor to it)

 

James Powell

Morning James.

Your comments about the wood frames are spot on. Hence my reasons for going for 4 x 2. I've used 44mm x 44mm softwood on a previous project, with 3/4 inch chipboard tops. It worked ok, but, as with the new layout, it's a permanent feature (well, it's being removed from a spare bedroom at this moment!).

I initially thought that people would criticise my use of 4 x 2, but given that some of the spans are 12' it seemed appropriate.

The recent interest prompts me to post up the subframe plan in my next post.

Cheers James,

Jeff

Morning Alan,

Just read your post. It will be fun to actually start doing some building work. I think I must be unusual in that I enjoy the basic woodwork in putting the baseboards together! The subframe is my variation on "L girders" - once the frame is built I will fit the boards (ply tops) 25cm above it, using risers.

I will post pics as progress goes ahead.

I'm really looking forward to some journeys on the S&C this summer - photos from that will also be forthcoming!

Glad to hear you've started on your L&Y railway project. I will keep an eye out for your thread.

Best wishes,

Jeff

Hi Jeff, I have just caught up with this and I am very envious of the room you have, My farther was a carpenter but all I can produce is SAWDUST by the ton. I cant even get two lenghts of timber the same size, so well done so far. I like the track plan and look forward to seeing the next stage. All the best Andy.

Hi Andy,

Thanks for the kind comments. My dad was a joiner - I chose to be a nuclear physicist!! But the "building gene" got through...I'm adequate at woodwork, I have a go. It's ok for rough work but I'd be stuck making anything half-decent! The garage is converted and the layout can (hopefully) begin!

I think you do yourself an injustice. Both Loch Leven and Trebudoc are excellent layouts. I only hope my efforts look as good!

All the best,

Jeff

I've ordered from them both when they were in Wales and now they are located in Scotland and have found them to be very good in both communication (when stockouts occured) and very efficient in despatching orders.

 

Regards

 

Philip

I'm glad to hear that as they stock a good range of stuff that's hard to find elsewhere. I must have a check of their website as it's been a while since I used them.

Jeff

Btw, the viaduct in your second picture looks like Dent?

Jeff

Splendid stuff Jam - don't mind at all. Ribblehead - could have been any of the S&Cs...very characteristic stations. I'm looking forward to a journey or two up to Carlisle this summer. Maybe add the Keighley and Worth Valley at the same time.

Happy times ahead! People who aren't "into" this hobby have no idea!!

Best wishes,

Jeff