Jump to content
 

Steam_Julie

Members
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    465

  • Joined

  • Last visited

 Content Type 

Blog Entries posted by Steam_Julie

  1. Steam_Julie
    Hi
     
    I have brought, my highly transportable layout with me, when I travelled to Scotland to stay with family at Christmas.
     
    Look up into the sky, and you see wide open spaces. The plywood backscene support has corners, something the sky does not have. I have use a layer of 2mm thick card to remove the corners from the front surface of the backscene support.
     

     

     
    The actual backscene will be a think sheet of card, thin enough to be rolled up and held in a tube to protect it for transport. This will also allow the backscene to be higher than the backscene support. The height of the latter is determined because the layout has to fit into the case for ease of transport.
     

     

     
    There will therefore be a small gap between the backscene support and the scenery. The backscene support will be painted to seal it, against ingress of moisture and thus make it more able to withstand wear. The colour will be light blue.
     
    Julie
     
    For a full description of the building of Pack Lane follow the http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/85857-pack-lane/page-2&do=findComment&comment=1710003 link.
  2. Steam_Julie
    Hi
     
    I said to my friend Lisa, 2mm Lisa that is, a few days ago.
     
    There's a hole in my backscene, dear Lisa, dear Lisa …...
     

     

     

     

     

     
    Well there are two holes really but you get the idea. These holes are vital, because if there were not, trains would not be able to be run.
     
    Julie
     
    There is a link to the find out more info about Pack Lane at http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/85857-pack-lane/page-2
  3. Steam_Julie
    I am currently very unpopular with my sister! I was doing some modelling at her house recently. I was painting a culvert which I constructed from a Peco Bridge kit. I was using model paints and therefore needed to use a brush cleaner.
     

     
    I was working at a table, with a plastic table cloth, and then I spilt the brush cleaner. When I went to wipe it, I found that the pattern also wiped off. Oops! The bottle was not designed for pouring and the cleaner had run down the front and onto the bottom and had splashed onto the table cloth too.
     
    I though that I was going to be eaten alive, for my mistake, but luckely not.
  4. Steam_Julie
    Hi
     
    The reason that there has recently no progress on Trefeglwvs Road is that they layout was designed to fit into a wheeled case for easy transporting, e.g. to shows.
     
    The problem is that is doesn’t fit. I need to find a way to reduce the strait side dimension by 7mm. I think I have now decided how I am going to achieve it.
     
    Hopefully there will be a posting soon.
     
    Julie
  5. Steam_Julie
    Hi
    This project is intended to enable the control of 2 points using solenoid point motors and another accessory using a standard Hornby 3 function DCC loco decoder.
     
    The main layout controller for the layout is a Bachmann Easy Controller.
     
    To achieve the above functionality, I have decided to use address 9. A standard loco decoder is programmed to address 9. This has 3 function outputs F0, F1 and F2. These are standard digital 0 – 5v with a driving capacity of 20 mA, either ON or OFF.
     
    We require a transition from 0 to 1 to give a short pulse 0 – 12v with about 0.5A output. Similarly a transition from 1 to 0 to give a short pulse 0 -12v with about 0.5A output. See diagram below.
     
    My intention is to use a PIC P16C71 microcontroller as the basis of my design. This has 18 pins and has 2 ports which can be configured as either input or output. The following listing in pseudo code defines the functionality.
     


     
    The listing of the points control program can be seen, by clicking on the link below. This is a word document and is fully formatted.
     
    Points_Project.doc
     
    With Functions 1 and 2 off, both of the points in the goods yard are set to normal, this means that the main line is set to straight, i.e. straight through. The second point is also set strait too.
     
    To select the road into siding no, 1 you are required to select function 1 ON and function 2 OFF and for road 2 selection function 1 ON and function 2 ON.
     
    To aid the points going over correctly, capacitance discharge circuits are added. The resistor in this circuit is to limit the charging current.
     
    The discharge current is only limited by the emitter collector resistance, and since the transistor is switched fully on, this is negligible!
     
    I now need to convert the pseudo code, into assembly language, then assemble it and then download it to the PIC P16C71 and then test it. I could have used wire and tube, but where is the FUN in that!
     
    Julie
  6. Steam_Julie
    Hi
     
    Since the last posting I’ve been working on both scenery and other areas connected with making the layout easier to store and move around.
     
    I've added a handle on the fold side of the layout, when folded up for storage to make it easier to lift and carry it. It's surprising difficult to grab hold of a circular layout.


     
    I have also added rubber feet onto the fiddleyard area, to allow the layout to be placed on a table top without damaging either the layout or the table top.
     


    I've started to work on improving the bridge and its approach embankments. Initially the sides of which were much too steep. I also added a small extension of the fascia, in the area of the embankment.
     
    Finally I have made the supports to make the cover unit also function to provide a proscenium arch, to frame the viewer’s view of the layout. It will also support the layout lighting eventually and the backscene extension.
     

    Adding the above, took much longer than expected, then things usually do, because of unexpected problems. But for me I very much like the problem solving part of the hobby. Simply putting kits together, does not have the same attraction.
     
    Once I have finished the presentation works, I will be able to move the layout upstairs from the workshop area, and get struck into the scenics.
     
    Julie
  8. Steam_Julie
    Hi
     
    Since the last blog post I have made a cover to protect the scenic section, both in transit and when work is being carried out on the electrics etc. on the underside of the layout.

     
    I have also installed a over-centre catch to keep the two half’s in position when the layout is being carried and being packed ready for transport.


    I have also built some stubby feet, this is to allow the layout, in operation mode to be placed on a table, say the kitchen table, which allows the layout to be worked on, without needing the full legs to be installed. These legs have felt pads on the legs to prevent damage to the table top.

     
    These feet also means that the layout parts sit, in them same relationship to each other as when on the floor mounted feet. Where the layout board was cut into two, they don't sit properly when directly placed on a flat surface of a table or my workmate. This allows the track to be properly fettled!
    The ability to fold the layout also has made storage, at home, much easier as it can now fit onto the available shelves.
     
    I will really be progressing the scenery soon!
     
    Julie
  9. Steam_Julie
    Hi New photograph of DCC wiring added 26-11-13
     
    Since the last blog entry I have wired the scenic board, in similar fashion to the fiddleyard board. I have also wired both boards together at both track crossing points. Some people may say that this is over the top!
     

     
    But I remember from electronics at college, that if you have 2 resistors of value R and you connect them in series then the total resistance is 2R. However if you connect them in parallel the total resistance is 1/2R instead.
     
    The main power bus is single core wire, whilst the links are multi-core cable. This allows the cable in the links to bend without damaging it. But the cable has slightly higher resistance than the solid core cable.
     

    The programming switch is arranged so that when the switch points towards the programming track, the programming track is selected, and therefore when it points away from it, the main is selected.
     



     
    Now after the track over the joints has been fettled, I can turn my mind back to the task of doing the scenery again.
     
    Julie
     
    PS An animation of running around a passenger train in the fiddleyard can be found at :-
     
    http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/blog/1429-steam-julies-general-blog/
  10. Steam_Julie
    Hi
     
    Click on the image below to run the animation.
     

     
    This entry was prompted by a comment made about my blog entry below, the person said it look like a film! It was Job's Modelling and his exact words were 'Almost like picture movie. Nicely done.'
     
    http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/blog/1428-steam-julies-blog/
     
    The first part is now a film!
    Julie
  11. Steam_Julie
    Hi
     
    The following sequence of drawings show a sequence of fiddleyard operations on Trefeglwvs Road
     
    The first part of the sequence allows the engine to run around it's train, keeping both the locomotive and it's train, in this case two coaches the same way around. This is more Prototypical
    than turning the whole train around!
     
    A similar process will be used when running around the pick up goods train, but it will be slightly more complex because of the requirement to change the brake van over too.
     







    Or change trains by












     
    All trains will be stored in the fiddleyard is the correct direction for their next duty.
     
    Julie
  12. Steam_Julie
    Hi
     
    I haven’t done much in the last few days, too much work to be done! Still I've finished of the wiring of the fiddleyard area. The NEC Autoswitch won't work with my controller, so I'm in the throws of returning it.
     

     
    Below are the three versions of the power bus cable clamps. The first design was difficult to replicate, the second design was easier to make in quantities, the third is basically the same as the second, turned over, with one less part, using the baseboard to replace it. This has the added advantage of making the wires run along in contact with the baseboard.
     

     

    It is my intention to connect the two baseboards together, electrically that is, with loops of flexible wire. The photograph below is the slot for one of the loops, this prevents the cable becoming damaged if the layout is placed upon a table.
     

     
    I have also had to rectify, on of the hinges, the screws had worked loose, because of the several attempts to get them in the correct position. The wood screws have been replaced with machine screws and nuts, with washers under both the screw head and the nut, to ensure strong and stable location of the hinge.
     
    Julie
     
    PS next task is to wire the scenic board. I've made a start by drilling the holes for the fixing screws and making the cable clamps.
  13. Steam_Julie
    Hi
     
    I've now reconnected both sides of the circle, following the cutting of the baseboard into two. This was a more lengthy process than expected, because of the very small radius curves used on the layout.
     
    I have also started the proper DCC wiring of the fiddleyard board, since red and black wire are difficult to buy, in the correct gauge, for the power bus, I have substituted brown for red and Blue for black. The DCC standards are set in the US, where power cable use red and black coloured wires.
     

    The dropper to the track are the correct colours, of Red and Black. The electronic board adjacent to the DCC input plug is an NEC Auto Switch. This switches between the main and the Programming Track automatically, my controller does not have a separate Programming Track output.
     
    The cable clips were made from styrene sheet, because none of the standard one meet my needs, there are two types on for securing the ends of the run and one used for the rest.
     
    When I turned the layout over to work on the electrics I accidentally damaged the stove chimney on the station building, not a disaster because the repair was easy, and it is now at a jaunty angle, more in keeping with a light railway structure. This has prompted me to add a protector board to prevent any further damage to the scenery whilst working on the underside.
     

     
    In now need to add the droppers to the fiddleyard sidings and then install the Power bus on the scenery board, and the links between the two boards. I will need to be very careful not to damage the track when fixing the power bus in place.
     
    Julie
  14. Steam_Julie
    Hi
     
    Now I am back home, I have made a first stab at composing the backscene, using the photographs I took on location at Trefeglwvs near Caresws in Mid Wales. the image below is much lower resolution than the one that will used on the layout, but should give an impression of what it might look like.
     

     
    I must be born in mind that the foreground will be mostly hidden by the hedges trees and buildings on the modelled area of the layout.
     
    I took all of the photographs at the highest resolution that my camera is capable of. I will require to play around with the colours, because the photographs were taken on a dull day in October, and the layout will be modelled in high summer. BUT with photoshop this transformation is possible.
     
    Julie
  15. Steam_Julie
    Hi
     
    I've been working hard since the last post, and the pictures below will show you the fruits of my labours. I have cut the baseboard into two parts, on with the scenic area and the other the fiddleyard.
     

     

     
    This makes the area of the layout for transport smaller, but of course makes the depth larger. Another advantage in transit the electrical wiring is now inside and not exposed. This means that when I am transporting it on a train, I am not breaking National Carriage Conditions. See previous posting about this problem.
     
    See the following link for details http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/blog/1394/entry-12678-trefeglwvs-road-cambrian-railways-16/
     
    The blocks you can see on the bottom picture are there because it is very difficult to cut a straight line through an existing baseboard, particularly a circular one. They mean that when the over centre catches are engaged the whole baseboard is rigid.
     


     
    The rebates are for the hinges to be located, then the two boards are not kept apart by the width of the hinges.
     
    There is a cover which goes over the scenic section to protect it in transit of course.
     
    Julie
     
    PS I must now get on a restore the track into the fiddleyard, across the new baseboard join. and complete the proper wiring, the layout still has only a few connections, the minimum to allow trains to run.
  16. Steam_Julie
    Hi
     
    I've had some problems with my computer recently, thanks once again to Andy Y and others for your help.
     
    I am very happy with the basic design of the layout. I can run trains in Roundy Roundy mode, for test purposes and to run in new items of rolling stock and locomotives. I can run it as a end to end using a sequence. With a few modifications I will be able to transport it to club nights and exhibition etc. I can even use it to test my blue diesel fleet!
     
    Although I have also had problems, when I took my partly completed layout on the train. I was informed by a manager that it breached National Carriage Conditions, not because of size, but because the wiring on the underside was not properly fixed down.
     

     
    The track side of the baseboard was fully covered, but not the bottom. I did however have some fun, running trains whilst travelling on the train, before a killjoy stop me!
     
    As a result I am considering some redesign of the baseboards, this does not include changing the track plan, that works, but changing the packaging so not to cause problems when transporting the layout on the train.
     
    In the next few weeks you will see the developments in the layout.
     
    Julie
  17. Steam_Julie
    Hi
     
    The images below was printed off using a cheap inkjet printer, and thus has virticle lines, which are caused because of the multi pass nature of the printing process. This is a sample area of the proposed backscene.
     

     
    I think I have got the colours not quites right, I think the image is slightly too yellow. What do you think?
     
    When I am happy with the colours, I will have it printed by a professional print company. They will print the whole images which measures about 1000 mm by 120 mm on a single sheet, and the image will not have the virticle print lines.
     
    Julie
  18. Steam_Julie
    Hi
     
    I recently been hacked, and for a short while, untill I had removed the virus I was getting unorthorised adverts when viewing RMWeb. One of these was for brest enlargegments at a clinic in Bulgaria.
     
    I don't think the infection passed to RMWeb or anyone else, but it might be a good idea to check! I had a unauthorised plug-in installed on my web browser.
     
    The infection came from a software download server of a large software company, which has a footsy 100 listing in London.
     
    Julie
  19. Steam_Julie

    My Welsh Adventure

    By Steam_Julie,

    Hi
     
    Whilst I was in Shrewsbury on Thursday, I made a short divertion the Caresws to take some pictures around the staion area, including the light railway buildings and structures still standing.
     
    Firstly the light Railway locomotive shed, from many viewpoints.
     


     
    And then the light railway staion, still complete with most of it's platform.
     

     
    Next the cottages, built for the staff of the light railway, now much moderised.
     

     
    The culvert which carried the light railway over a stream, still exists.
     

     
    Next some photographs of the main line station? These days it has been reduced to light railway status.
     

     
    then some details from the main line goods yard.
     

    Provender_2.jpg[/size]]
     
    Then I took some photographs arond the village, firstly the River Severn at Caersws.
     

     
    then one of the sign showing the distance to Trefeglwvs and then finally an interesting sign, did I fall asleep during History lesions?

     
    Finally the only reference, that I have found to the light railway from Caersws to Van on a modern map, is the poster on the station entitled Continuing Your Journey.
     

     
    For the english amonst you Caersws is pronounced Carezoos.
     
    Julie
  20. Steam_Julie
    Hi
     
    Since the last blog post, I have been researching how to model the water rushing over the weir. The basic water techniques I have used to model the stream were learned by watching Right Track 6, Modelling Landscape Part 2, by Barry Norman. This involves giving the stream some actual depth, modelling the surface with perspex sheet, and roughing and painting the stream base a dark brown colour.
     
    Next I went out using the digital camera on my phone to take pictures of weirs on local water courses. This was very instructive and gave me a target to aim for in my modelling activities.
     
    .jpg] [/font]


     
    The water I found was coloured a deep green/brown colour and followed an arc. Where the water coming over the weir met, the surface there was disturbance and white colouration. From Barry's video, I learned that surface effects can be simulated using PVA glues, because it dries clear.
     
    I then watched a video, on Youtube made by Woodland Scenics. The presenter made a great deal of always using Woodland products. They may be very good, but they are expensive for such a small project as mine. And he didn't just use one, I counted at least three different products. I decided that I could adapt their techniques using PVA instead.
     
    I decided that I would paint the PVA onto the front of a suitable strip of clear styrene sheet and the paint the reverse with the green/brown colour to simulate the water colour. I always make components longer, as it is easier to remove material, than add it. I also added some white PVA based paint to the PVA that I dabbed on with a cocktail stick to simulate the disturbance to the lower stream surface, where the water lands.
     
    The weir existed on the prototype, but as previously stated I have moved it nearer to the railway bridge, this is partly because it is a interesting feature, but the change in water level reduced the amount of the frame that required to be cut away, and therefore makes the layout structure much stronger.
     
    I placed the screw that holds the support block, for the upper water surface, under where the walkway over the weir will occur. This is necessary so that the gates can be adjusted.
     

    I have also completed the occupation over bridge at the other end of the scene. I need to get on creating the water effect on the weir now!
     
    Julie
  21. Steam_Julie
    Hi
     
    I had a frustrating weekend, attempting to paint a rectangle of MDF sky blue. In the last 6 months the two local art shops have gone bust, leaving us with no other option than buying paints from an internet supplier. The company sells a range of art products aimed at children, poster paints etc.
     
    I purchased a bottle of white poster paint and mixed in a small quantity of blue artists acrylic paint, the colour in the pallet was good, it had the correct consistency, BUT when applied to the MDF it didn't stick!
     
    Using a range of art techniques including adding PVA to the paint didn't help either. A friend came to see me yesterday, and he subsequently lent me some acrylic paint from a well know art supplier and that worked as I expected, and thus this posting has finally happened.
     

    Besides my fight with the paint, I have also pained the wooden baulks of the stream bridge, added the stone to the bridge supports, and clad the Mill Farm barn and finally added the stream surface in the area upstream of the weir.
     

     
    Have you also noticed how it happens, you have your trains operating smoothly over your layout, and as soon as a camera is pointed toward them they come off all the time. Well that happened too when I was taking these pictures. I believe this is an application of Murphy's Law, if it can go wrong, then it will.
     

     
    Below is a short movie of a train from Van entering the scenic section. This video was taken from the normal viewing position of the layout. The join between the main backscene and the fiddleyard one is designed not visible from the this position, but due to the need to place train cassettes in position to access the number 1 fiddleyard track, it is visible from positions to the right of it.
     

     
    Sorry for the repeating of the video, this is a function of RMWeb and GIF animations.
     
    With a little more attention to the colours and lighting used the join between the backscene and the become near invisible.
     
    Julie
     
    PS Previous entries in this blog can be found at
    http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/blog/1394-steam-julies-layout-blog/
  22. Steam_Julie
    Hi
     
    Since the last posting, I have continued working on the scenery. I built the basic station buildings, using a Peco kit, which has been modified to suit the location.
     

     
    The bridge that carries the farm track, still needs much work. The slope of the embankment which will carry the road is still impossibly steep, and there is no road surface yet. The front of the bridge structure exists, but not the back yet!
     
    The light railway, didn't go in for fancy fencing to enclose it platforms, they used simple farm type fences, as the local knew how to construct and maintain these.
     
    I have enlarged the train exit and entry, opening at the Van end of the station to allow the back wall of the Mill Farm barn to continue through the backscene. This is an attempt to make the transition work better, I leave you to judge how successful it is.
     

     
    After completion of opening out the stream where it breaks through the fascia, I then built the baulk bridge, complete with it's abutments. Mill farm barn of course needs to be covered in stone cladding, and the roof in tiles.
     
    Julie
     
    Previous entries in the blog cane be found, by clicking this link.
     
    http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/blog/1394-steam-julies-layout-blog/
  23. Steam_Julie
    Hi
     
    Today I've been working on removing the excess ballast from the track, and then cleaning it to enable the running of trains. I also adjusted the platform, there was need to taper the ramp and reduce the platform slightly where the platform near the station building.
     
    The photographs below shows a mixed train stopped at the platform. Note that the clearance between the train and the bridge is about 2mm all around the train.
     

     

     
    I have installed a checkrail in the middle of the platform, this was there on the prototype, and on the model is keeps the train away from the platform. This is required because OO gauge wheels allow the significant slop, allowing the wheels to move about 2mm from side to side. I want to get the gap, between the plaform and the train to look correct and at the same time keeping the train for hitting the platform.
     

    I have also painted the Modrock the correct earth colour, and this makes the look more realistic.
     
    I have also started to work on the bridge which carries the railway over the stream. The stream flows East, towards the upper river Severn. At the point it joins the Severn, is up stream of Welshpool and less that 7 miles from the start of the Severn proper, at Llanidldes where the Clywedog joins the Tylweh rivers.
     
    The layout is modelled as it was in the Summer of 1947. The stream then had a depth of 18", in the spring and autumn it often had a depth of 48", and the water level was only 9" from the bottom of the timber baulks. On one occasion, the stream depth was 60", only the rails were not under water.
     

     
    Julie
  24. Steam_Julie
    Hi
     
    Firstly the picture below, which shows the scenic work that I have been doing today, does not do my work justice. However it is the only one I have taken so I have used it.
     

     
    I have installed a landform of polystyrene, which is covered in PECO Modrock and then painted earth colour, and is now awaiting the addition of grass etc.
     
    I know that the bridge needs work doing to it, currently the bridge supports looks drunk!
     
    I have laid the ballast, but this requires much tiding up, before the desired result is achieved.
     
    If you havn't yet seen my improved legs, they are really worth look at, click on the link below!
     
    http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/blog/1394/entry-12477-trefeglwvs-road-cambrian-railways-8/
     
    Julie
  25. Steam_Julie
    Hi
     
    Whilst working on the scenics, it was discovered, that althought the legs carried the weight, they were not as stable as desired. An extra brace was added going in the opposite diaginal to the original one.
     

     
    Now what do you think about my improved legs?
     
    Just as an aside, I have included a picture of an early sage of the scenic works, the support for the passenger platform.
     

     
    Julie
×
×
  • Create New...