Anthony Ashley

Dear Simon,

Thanks for the second reply. I shall have to see what I can find by way of etching. I think the wire I use for the vertical supports will be very thin. I have worked out that there needs to be one every 10 ml. That is a lot of rods!!! The whole bridge is going to be difficult. The tubular bridge was relatively easy, but I should add a little more detail to it.

Thanks again for your comments they are greatly appreciated.

Regards,

Anthony Ashley

Dear Simon,

Thanks very much for your reply. The bridge in the photo above on the left will be about 900ml long. I think the base will probably be a bar of aluminium or steel. Given the length it will need to be quite strong. I thought the rails and diamond shape mesh should be a brass etch. The vertical cables will be very thin wire which I can solder to the etched hand rails. Simon I am not sure which part are cross girders you mentioned above. Can you please explain which piece you are talking about.It looks as if the vertical cables go through the drooping top supports. I am not sure what to make those long drooping supports at the top of the bridge from. Can any one advise. If possible I should get a material that can be drilled through to poke the vertical supports through. The supports at the very bottom of the bridge will probably be made from thin wood, as I think the cables go all the way through the bottom supports.

Any further ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Regards,

Anthony Ashley

WELSH DRAGON RAIL - LAYOUT DEVELOPMENTS

I have to build 3 bridges over the river Conwy. One down but 2 to go. Does anyone have any ideas how I should construct the pedestrian bridge shown below.

Regards,

Anthony Ashley

TOOTINBEC MOTOR POWER DEPOT LAYOUT DEVELOPMENTS

Further photos on the Sydney OO gauge layout I am assisting with. Welsh Dragon Rail is taking an extended break. I am back to Brisbane at the end of Jul. The photos were taken with my better camera.

All of the photos are on the back scene area.

An unidentified loco on the right and a DMU on the left

A Fowler 2-8-0 with mermaids containing ballast.

TOOTINBEC MOTOR POWER DEPOT LAYOUT DEVELOPMENTS

I have done some  more work on the OO layout in Sydney. Please be aware this is not my Welsh Dragon Rail layout set in the north Welsh coast.

Photos are below taken with my new I Phone 6. It does a much better job then the small camera I have been using in Sydney.

The engine shed with ash piles in evidence.

Crane and refuelling area

Locos at the entrance to the engine shed

Diesel power depot

Other end of the engine shed

DMU Shed with concrete base

Storage Area

Regards,

Anthony Ashley

WELSH DRAGON RAIL

I have spent the day sorting elevations for the bottom of the layout. My plan with heights marked are shown with a photo of the area to show you the area to be modelled. All comments are appreciated. All of the elevations have now been calculated. The maximum height is approx 1.1 metres above the base board height the furthest distance from the viaduct.

Photos are below.

I am after another 90 MK1 maroon BR coaches including SK, BSK, CK and BG. If anyone knows of a good second hand supply I am interested in knowing.

Regards,

Anthony Ashley

TOOTINBEC MOTOR POWER DEPOT LAYOUT DEVELOPMENTS

PLEASE NOTE THE PHOTOS BELOW ARE NOT OF MY N GAUGE LAYOUT BUT OF TOOTINBEC, A OO GAUGE LAYOUT I AM HELPING TO BUILD WHILE RESIDIING IN SYDNEY

We worked on the Tootinbec layout last night completing a range of scenic tasks. The mayor development was adding flok to the mound against the back scene and the concreted section in the depot area. Photos are below.

I am not happy with the quality of the photos and will get my better camera from Brisbane for future efforts.

Rgards,

Anthony Ashley

Dear Stu,

Thanks for the above video. It is very informative and I shall use it when I start profiling my locos.

I have been helping with the OO gauge layout Tootinbec last week end. We completed shaping and painting some mounds at the back of the layout against the back scene. We also painted a concreted area after using card as the base. We then weathered the sides of rails. next rip will be much more exciting with considerable progress on visible scenic.

Regards,

Anthony Ashley

TOOTINBEC MOTOR POWER DEPOT LAYOUT DEVELOPMENTS

Dear All,

A busy weekend at Tootinbec with Mark. This is a OO gauge layout and provides a different aspect of the hobby from the N gauge layot I have in Brisbane. We focussed on finishing the ballasting at the back of the layout. We also finished creating a texture for the engine shed area using a powder called filth. This was attached using PVA and then sprayed with an air gun to change the colour from a green to a dark grey. Photos are below.

Various views of the engine shed

Regards,

anthony

Dear Simon,

Thanks for the positive comment. I am happier that I Have managed to workout my second camera and take some in focus photos. I am working on the Tootinbec layout again this weekend and should have lots of great photos showing the development of that layout. Probably more ballasting and hopefully an area requiring some earth colours from woodland scenic overlaid with more engine filth!!

Regards,

Anthony Ashley

The lifting section above looks very neat and a lot simpler than what I created. Very nice piece of engineering. I also really enjoyed the most recent photos of the DMU (I think). Looks fantastic and progressing very nicely. Keep up the good work.

Regards,

Anthony Ashley

WELSH DRAGON RAIL - LAYOUT DEVELOPMENTS

Dear All,

Finally finished the George and dragon Pub minus the sign which I have designed but not yet printed. It is the pub in Conwy in Castle. The actual pub is in the photo below. OI apologise for the quality of the photos but my good camera is in Brisbane.

Regards,

Anthony Ashley

Dear John,

Thanks for the comments. I shall have about 50 locos to profile once I get organised so that may take quite a while.. Progress is unfortunately very slow in Sydney.

I have been assisting with another layout by the name of Tootinbec Motive Power Depot. It is fictitious and set in the UK. Era is dependent of the locos running. It will also have an engine shed,

a station and a quay. It is basically an oval comprising a main line. A branch Line off it. On the right of the layout on an approximately 12 foot board, joining into the right end of the layout is the main station. Joining onto the left side of the oval on another board yet to be constructed (about 12 feet long) will be a quay. There is branch line station and a motor depot. Some photos below on our attempts to add scenery at the loco shed.

We spent the last 2 days adding scenic effects in front of the engine shed and tried to ballast some lines at the rear of the layout. 

Regards,

Anthony Ashley

Dear John,

I have identified the appropriate profiling area. It comprises the bottom of the hidden loop level with most of the scenic track but hidden by hills and mountains. The plan below is the section which I have rotated clockwise.

This area of track should be little used. The stretch of track is flexi track with no points or junctions consisting of 3 blocks with a minimum of 6 feet in length. This should fit the bill. Thanks for the tips.

Regards,

Anthony Ashley

Profiling track.docx

Profiling track.pdf

Dear John,

You are correct. I had identified the programming track. Given your advice which is always spot on I shall hunt around the layout wiring track and identify an area for the profiling track. I shall add the relevant section of the plan to a reply once identified. Thanks again for the assistance as I may need to adjust my blocks.

Regards,

Anthony Ashley

Dear John,

Thank you for your comments and interest. I thought the profiling track could be the lowest section of the Conwy goods area as shown on the diagram below. The piece of track is marked CG 37.

Regards,

Anthony Ashley

Dear 37038,

Thanks for the reply. At 1 stage I was not sure if I was battling a river or not, as the water kept coming in until I had clear sufficient of the drains. 

Regards,

Anthony Ashley

WELSH DRAGON LAYOUT DEVELOPMENT

Dear All,

Some progress with my trip home. I have completed one of the two base boards at the bottom of the layout and nearly completed the other bottom base board. Merely need to fit the legs and cross bracing with most pieces cut. It may take some time until this is done as I won't be returning for some time. I have saved the shed and layout from water inundation after receiving 300 mls in about 1 hour the weekend before last. It was a lot of water!!!

Photos are below.

View from bottom right corner of the layout. In the immediate foreground is the last completed board. This end will feature the mountain to the west of Penmaenmawr. I have reached the other end of the shed!!!!! 

View from bottom left corner of the layout. The length up the boards is about 36 feet.

View from the Conwy end of the layout

Shot showing the nearly completed layout on top of the most recently completed section. Only 1 to go!! 

Once the base boards are completed I need to finish the remaining vertical supports. I shall need at least 2 sheets of 12ml ply 24oooX1200 mls.  

Regards,

Anthony Ashley

Dear Stu and Andrew,

Thanks for your comments. I have been busy with a tour around Australia and a conference before that so I have had little time to focus on RM Web.

Stu I shall have a look at your videos tonight and hope to learn a great deal form them. I have only created the switchboards to date but have not tested them with running anything. I intend to buy the full TC Gold program eventually, but given sojourn in Sydney intended to leave it until I get back. I have colour coded all of the tracks on my scenic diagrams according to function ie up/down/goods yard. I agree with your suggestions. In fact the wiring diagram is colour coded by isolated sub districts.

Andrew your comments are appreciated as all positive encouragement drives me on to continue with the task. With such a large task the end seems a long way off, and so the completion of intermediate steps provide additional encouragement. Planning is the key and the concentration to focus on the next stage of the plan. I have nearly finished the final 2 base boards out of the total of 14 required, and will produce photos when finished. I hope I can finish them this week before I leave for Sydney again.

Thanks again for the encouraging comments.

Regards,

Anthony Ashley

Dear Joseph, Dave and Stu,

Thanks for your comments they are much appreciated.

Stu I can respond to a couple of your points.

Below is part of the layout diagram pertaining to Conwy. The rest of the layout is similarly recorded in a wiring diagram. Each piece of track is numbered with the corresponding numbers recorded against the terminal strips under the layout. I have a summary of all the points with the servos recorded in a spread sheet listed against the relevant numbering system. 

I think you this covers what you are suggesting but if not, and I am not sure, could you suggest any alterations I should make to the recording system, as I have not done this before.

All lines are continuous, except those for the goods lines.

Haven't gone into scheduling yet but will follow your advice.

I have the demo version of TC gold. My electronic track diagrams are at page 19 item 468 of this blog if you would like to have a look and provide any comments.

Thanks for the rest of the advice.

Regards,

Anthony Ashley

WELSH DRAGON RAIL LAYOUT DEVELOPMENTS

Dear All,

I shall explain my technique for drafting the plan and then cutting the vertical ply formers for the layout. These formers are used to support the horizontal surfaces and to align with the geographic elevations in the area being modelled. 

First step is to go to Google earth and find your area being modelled. I shall use Penmaenmawr as an example. Below is the Google view of part of Penmaenmawr.

Next is to match your plan with the specific area of the map required. My plan is below. I generally make sure the satellite map and the plan are aligned in exactly the same directions as this make the process of following the line of the ply former much easier.

You should be able to work out the location of the ply former on the satellite map. I then determine exactly the line of the ply former, where there are gradual slopes or steep drops. Gradual slopes only need the ends of the slope to be marked. Steep slopes are marked by a series of brown circles. Where there is a steep slope over a small horizontal distance the two heights need to be measured. The Google maps application will provide specific elevations for every point on the map. I determined the scale of a metre change on the map in mls on the layout. I have found that for some smaller elevation changes which are significant in terms of scenery some vertical exaggeration will highlight the difference for the layout (given the 1:148 scale small elevation changes may not be noticeable on the layout). I mark the elevation changes on my Anyrail scenic map as shown above.

I then draft a rough paper plan for each former, with all vertical and horizontal measurements marked on the paper plan from the . The total of the horizontal measurements must add up to the length of the former, or you need to remeasure the distances.    

I then use Any Rail, using a plan of 24 boxes by 12 boxes to transfer the paper plan onto a computer plan. Each interval represents 100mls and therefore approx the size of a sheet of ply. I then draw each individual ply former to scale. These can then be rotated or flopped on the 24X12 plan. Once all are drawn it is a matter of best fitting the formers onto the computer plan. This is a little like completing a jig saw. The waste is minimised and is clearly an economic way of planning the formers. 

The plan for the formers for Penmaenmawr is below. The numbering for the formers is consistent between the scenic plan and the former plan. 

I have managed to fit 10 formers out of 1 sheet of ply with some left over for the next area.

Hope this was of interest. All replies are appreciated.

Regards,

Anthony Ashley

Let me know next time you are in Brisbane. I have a small gift for your airport.

I shall be back in Brisbane on the week end of 2 May. Will see you then.

Regards,

Anthony

WELSH DRAGON RAIL LAYOUT DEVELOPMENTS

Dear All,

I have now been in Sydney for nearly 3 months. Over easter I had a trip home for about 10 days. I managed to  take a day here and there for more modelling. I have decided that to progress the scenic area for Penmaenmawr I need to complete the hidden track on the level immediately underneath, as the scenic horizontal board will restrict access to the hidden track underneath in terms of laying and wiring. I therefore did the hidden track boards and cork work. The area is now free to insert the track and wiring. I have a few photos below of the area under development. I have nearly completed the first level of the hidden loop on the other side of the layout under Bangor. I have managed to run a loco from the Conwy station area over the river to the inter change points just north of Bangor, onto the hidden track which goes under Bangor on the other end of the layout and then back up the layout to the north of Bangor. That is a run of about 80 feet, a fair way in n gauge.

Photos are below

I have also completed another 8 foot by 6 foot base board as a part of the Penmaenmawr area. There are only 3 base boards left for completion. A 2 foot by 4 foot board and two 8 foot by 4 foot boards. The development on the boards are below.

All comments are welcome.

Regards,

Anthony Ashley

John,

I have just read through your whole thread. It is interesting how you are incorporating aspects of your modelling over 30 or so years (perhaps more). I shall follow the thread with interest and look forward to many more photos. Your method of base board construction looks great and will obviously do the job.

I am also interested in your research for the project and the application of the area within Cornwall to provide the "strategic" feel of the layout. I think a larger layout offer an opportunity to recreate a strategic element of a line, while still modelling at an operational and tactical level (ie shunting within a good yard).  

I have also utilised Bunnings for timber supplies, nearly going through the whole rack of timber to find 10 or so planks that can be used in the layout. My children always query why the search for the best timber. 

I am looking forward to seeing your stock of locos, carriages and goods wagons., It sounds like you have a very extensive collection.  

Looking forward to further entries.

Regards,

Anthony Ashley

WELAH DRAGON RAIL LAYOUT DEVLOPMENTS

Dear All,

I have some news for those following this thread. My job has meant a move interstate probably for 3 years. I shall get nearly monthly trips home but it will limit work on the actual layout, although there will clearly be some progress on the return trips. What I will be able to achieve is building nearly all of the buildings on the layouts. I have taken all of the material required to do this. After this posting I intend to go on long service leave and then retire so progress will then be radically accelerated. I shall complete nearly all buildings if I build one every 3 days!!!

Regards,

Anthony Ashley