RJdeVries

Thanks for the encouraging reply's. I've actually build the layout over the last fortnight and it has been a blast getting the new layout underway and getting the creative engines working. Due to the lack of parts (these are currently in the mail) I've been concentrating on the coalbunker and the loading of wagons as such, I'm actually going to load wagons on the scenic side of the layout prior to transporting them behind the scenes for emptying. I've made a test version out of a funnel and a styrene (plasticcard) slide valve and 45 degree distributor, this to evenly load a wagon. Coal Shute by Robbert Jan., on Flickr Coal Shute by Robbert Jan., on Flickr This seems to work fine with the material I'm using to immitate coal, a sort of hard plastic pellets. The Coal loading facility will have 4 seperate filling stations and these will be mounted on a single sheet of styrene, like the examples below. Coal Bunker by Robbert Jan., on Flickr Coal Bunker by Robbert Jan., on Flickr Well, styrene didn't perform as i would have liked and flexes to much under load, especcialy with a servomotor attached to it, it was really pointless to continue. That made me rebuild all of the slide valves in brass with styrene parts where possible. Brass discharge valves by Robbert Jan., on Flickr Coal Bunker by Robbert Jan., on Flickr The valve body is made of brass, the ring that will be attached to the funnel is made of styrene. This all results in a solid structure that will work as intended, to bad the servo decoder is still in the mail. Bunker workings by Robbert Jan., on Flickr The arm of the servo will protrude trough the styrene from above and will power the slide valve via a connecting rod. Well, thats all for today! I'm up to date with the progress so far and from here on the progress will be 1:1. Greetings, Robbert Jan.

Hello Everyone, I've just started building a new small layout that's only 130 x 45 cm. The scene is set in a Coal mine yard where 2 small locomotives still have a lot of work for themselves in shunting empty wagons and picking up full wagons at the loading station. The plan is to make this a portable layout that is easily transported in the back of the car. (that is in the boot with the rear seating down) The plan; The R & J Colliery Ltd. Rev2 by Robbert Jan., on Flickr The visual part is 130 x 45 cm with a shelf hinged on the back to create an additional 130 x 45 cm in order to make it a small loop, just because it fits. Both locomotives are Andrew Barclay 0-4-0 type engines with a slight difference in appearance between them, they will recieve a couple of nice etched name plates. The build; Model Railway Viewing Case by Robbert Jan., on Flickr A few hours of work yields a nice start to the project, a case is build and this will contain the scenery etcetera. The R & J Colliery Ltd. by Robbert Jan., on Flickr The case is then completed with a roof and trimpieces, this will give it the look of a moving painting, lights will be fitted to the roof and where ever necessary. The R & J Colliery Ltd. by Robbert Jan., on Flickr The points and rail have already made there way over here from the UK, Code 75. The R & J Colliery Ltd. by Robbert Jan., on Flickr Layed out it should look a bit like this, small but fun, thats the plan. Extra's; The R & J Colliery Ltd. by Robbert Jan., on Flickr I've made the descision to add a Magnorail track to the mix (www.magnorail.com) to give the layout that much more life, I've always wanted moving verhicles and this system gives me that oppurtunity without having to rebuild verhicles to the Faller system. Beginnings of MagnoRail track by Robbert Jan., on Flickr The track runs around, it partially runs behind the backscene and makes a 180 degree loop behind the coal loading bunker on the right hand side of the layout. It has to have a solid base to mount the track to so I've made a completely wooden track that will be fitted underneith the baseboard at a certain depth, this willl allow the road to sit level with the baseboard. That's all for now, I do hope you will enjoy my build. Greetings from the Netherlands; Robbert Jan.

I would be worried that the whole walkway could come lose and leave you with more work than antisipated for, therefore I would agree with the posting above, chopping the downpipe. Non the less, I do really like the look of the signalbox. Greetings, Robbert Jan.