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Steam_Julie

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  1. Steam_Julie
    Hi
     
    Since the last posting, I have given the underside of the layout a first coat of paint, See photograph below. PS I have missed a few small patches.
     

     
    I have taken earlier comments to heart, and I have reduced the height of the fixed backscene. This will be increased by using net curtain, which will be dyed sky blue.
     
    I have also reduced the height of the frame, as I have decided that it was originally over engineered. Both of the above will make the layout lighter to carry, and easier to stow when travelling on trains. I don't have a car, or access to one.
     

     
    I have also listened to what MikeOxon said about putting the controller on a shelf, being a bad idea. I have take Lisa's idea and I am building a pocket which will clip on the fiddleyard facia. I need to be able to operate the controller single handed, and since the layout is so small there is no other space for the controller.
     
    Next I will start on the scenery, honest gov!
     
    Julie
  2. Steam_Julie
    Hi
     
    I have been thinking about the height of the backscene, and also about the possibility of a removable part, since the comment of MikeOxon, as a comment to posting 3.
     
    Thanks Mike, I have now recalled seeing a layout at a show, with sky coloured net curtains as backscene, very good is was too, the backscene was about 600mm high, from near track level to the proscenium arch.
     
    With the scenic section well lit, and the fiddleyard in relative darkness, the viewing public were unable to see through the net curtain, but the operator could see the layout, well enough to do some very impressive shunt moves.
     
    The photograph below shows the progress I have made today. Adding the fascia to the fiddleyard to prevent accidental loco and rolling stock falling from the layout.
     

     
    I have also added a shelf to place the controller when I am not or can not holding it due to the other tasks that require to be done. Such as holing the train cassette in position to run a train onto of off a fiddleyard road.
     
    As an aside I slightly lengthened the front siding in the goods yard. Any extra siding length is a real bonus.
     
    Julie
     
    PS to access all the entries in this blog click on the link below.
     
     
    http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/blog/1394-steam-julies-layout-blog/
  3. Steam_Julie
    Hi
     
    New photograph added 15:50 21-09-13
     
    Since the last post I have been working on the fiddleyard. The photograph below shows a birds eye view, with a train in the back siding.
     

     
    The back siding is designed to hold the passanger train and the general freight train, both without thier engines. The middle siding is designed for a loaded mineral train and the guards van between trains. The front siding is designed for the empty mineral train.
     

    The train arrives from Van and drives onto the cassette. The working cassette will be longer, by 80mm, this will allow the full train to be accommodates.
     

     
    The cassette is then moved onto the track, where the train is to be stored and then the is driven off.
     

     
    I am unable to join the two compounents of the cassette, because currently don't have a working soldering iron, following dropping it.
     
    To access the earlier blog entries you can click on blog name at the top right of the blog entry, or the link below.
     
    When I finish track laying last night, the thought occurred to me that if the fiddleyard tracks were slightly nearer, then I could fit another in.
     
    A journey into town, on the bus, another yard of track purchased from the model shop, and another hours work and we now have four fiddleyard roads, as shown below.
     

     
    http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/blog/1394/entry-12410-trefeglwvs-road-cambrian-railways-4/
     
     
    Julie
  4. Steam_Julie
    Hi
     
    Since I last posted I have continued to work on the layout. I added the facia, the shape will need to be trimmed when the overbridge, platform and the bridge over the stream are fitted.
     

     
    What do you think of my legs? It now looks more like a model railway layout now the legs are fitted. They are placed into pockets on the bottom of the layout, and are held in by simply friction and gravity.
     

     
    Julie
  5. Steam_Julie
    Hi
     
    Today I have been working on the backscene. I decided, some time ago that I did not want a flat backscene. The first stage, of building backscene was to built a sporting structure onto which I could fix the curved backscene.
     

     
    I decided that I wanted the backscene to extend into the bridge box and hence the it was not to be a simple rectangle.
     

     
    The structure of the backscene is made from 4mm MDF, which was wet and then bent to shape, then allowed to dry for more than 24 hours.
     

     
    The strap across the top was to hold it in shape, before it was wet, and then when it is drying. If the strap was not there, the force exerted, which would tend to make the board flatten itself, may have broken the end supports. Once it has dried it then holds the curve.
     
    Once this was done I put a framework in place to prevent the backscene tearing or becoming damaged, whilst the train entry/exit holes were cut. This also makes the backscene stronger.
     
    I still have to counter sink the screw heads and fit a card surface to the backscene, and then paint it sky blue. The card will give me an unblemished surface, because the MDF is not thick enough to allow both the screw beneath the surface and then apply filler to hide them!
     

    This done I ran a train to check that then holes were big enough. This done I relayed the number 2 siding, because as laid originally the 0-6-0 locomotive derailed nearly every time.
     
    Julie
  6. Steam_Julie
    Hi
     
    I live in a small bedsit, with the use of shared bathroom, toilet and kitchen and also a common room, with a television. My room is about 2m by 4.5m. In that space there are two large fitted cupboards for general storage, a wardrobe, bed, hand basin, desk and chest of draws.
     

     
    If I am going to have a layout, it has to be able to be put up in my room. They layout has to be very small. It also has to be able to be stored under the bed, when not in use. My desk can easily double as a bench. I have a piece of 9mm ply which has a edge around it to catch small pieces which tend to fly, and a small model maker vice. I also have a desk lamp to provide extra illumination when required.
     
    I wanted to be able to run in locomotives, so I needed a continuous run for this. With the size constrains I then did the basic design of the layout. I worked out that small 0-6-0, 10' wagons and 4 wheeled coaches would go round 2nd radius, without looking too unrealistic.
     
    I am building a model of an intermediate station, on the light railway between Van and Cearsws, a station still served by Arriva Trains Wales, on the line between Shrewsbury and Machynlleth.
     
    The station I am going to model is Trefeglwvs Road, which as the names suggests was a long way from Trefeglwvs itself. The track and buildings at the end of the lines existence, in June 1949, in many way resembled it more famous neighbour the Bishop's Castle Railway.
     
    The station has a short platform, with wooden building which provided goods storage, and an office for the station agent and two short goods sidings, including a grounded covered wagon for a coal merchants accommodation.
     
    There are very few photographs of the railway, so most of my modelling inspiration will come from the numerous articles and books published about the Bishop's Castle Railway.
     
    Julie
  7. Steam_Julie
    Eastgate backscene design challenge
     
    We require a backscene for the modern image layout ‘Eastgate’ and your task is to design One.
     
    You don’t need to consider the depth of the buildings, just their outline dimensions and what building you envisage would be in the centre of a Northern industrial town in the 1980’s or 90’s.
     
    You should be able to find plenty of images on the Internet, for inspiration!
     
    Eastgate station board is 60” by 15”, that's 1520 mm by 380 mm approx. You are required to draw you plan to scale. The height of the proposed backscene is 10”or 254 mm.
     
    Your design can range from a simple outline drawing to a fully coloured in design. You must provide such notes as required to enable the reader to understand your design.
     
    You can if you wish draw your outline to 3mm to the foot. This is called foreced perspective and has the effect pf making the building appear further way and thus make the baseboard, modelled area, appear larger.
     
    This task is not limited to member of the Eastgate group, but any member of the RMWeb is encouraged to submit a design.
     
    PS you don’t need to include a car park, as one will be modelled at the end of the station platforms on the baseboard 2.
     

     
    We look forward to seeing your proposed designs.
  8. Steam_Julie
    @ the Canterbury Exhibition, there was an interesting N Gauge micro Layout. The link below displays a short video.
     
    http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/blog/2136/entry-18885-horseblock-lane/
     
    Julie
  9. Steam_Julie
    I visited the Warley Model Railway exhibition a few days ago, at the NEC in Birmngham. I saw some impressive layouts and some interesting new products too. There were some layouts, of course that were less than impressive, but we won't talk anout those, one must not speak ill of the ....., well you know the rest!
     
    I purchased a few items, as one does, my star purchase was a reel of real solder. I've been using the lead free variety for several years, with excellent results, but oh the Paradisal Pleasure, of using the real thing!
     

     
    I'm now positivly looking forward to building the pointwork for Holloway Goods.
     
    Julie
  10. Steam_Julie
    From the last time I made a blog posting about the layout progress, it might not be seen as major progress. I've painted the baseboard top, to cover up the felt tip drawings of the track locations.
     

     
    This is not for beautification purposes, but to allow the track planning to progress, so that I can decide the exact location of the canal.
     
    This will allow it's construction and when that is complete, not including the ground cover, the completion of the baseboard. This will include the backscene etc.
     
    I've also been drawing the point templates for the construction of the paintwork. I'll be using PCB sleepering and solder construction, but more about that in later posts. I have taken delivery the sleeper, a few days ago.
     

     
    I use trax, version 3 to design and print the templates, below is a photograph of the computer screen showing 4 points, 2 left and 2 right. You will notice they are slightly curved on the main road. Points on the real railway are rarely have a strait main road.
     

     

     
    The points are effectively fine scale setract points. This is because of the site constraints of the model and that the prototype would have used small radius points for similar reasons. It was constructed as a horse drawn tramway, linking two canals and was only connected to the main line network, as an after thought!
     
    Julie
  11. Steam_Julie
    After looking around for toolboxes, I have bought one very similar to the one used in the Toolbox Layout blog, it might even be the same design? A link to which is shown below.
     
    http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/111658-a-model-railway-in-a-toolbox/
     
    I need to take the layout, to the model railway club, using public transport, and hence the toolbox format being so useful.The available layout space is 520mm (Length) x 220mm (Height) x 180mm (Width). As show from my planning this should be large enough for an interesting layout, scenic section. The fiddleyard, i.e. the hidden sidings will be extra and will be constructed as a folding unit, to be carried in some sort of bag.
     

     
    The photo below shows the boxes, in the bottom of the toolbox. The space above is the space available for the scenic section of the Holloway Goods layout.
     

     
    The intention is to use these sandwich boxes to hold some stock, small modelling tools, current models and modelling materials, to know where they are and so that they don't get damaged in transit. I'm in two minds whether or not to provide some form of fixing to stop them moving about in transit? That a question for future consideration.
     

     
    Julie
  12. Steam_Julie
    Instead of the complicated pointwork in the fiddleyard, this could be replaced wih the arrangement shown below.This would require a Peco Loco Lift to be regauged to N Gauge.
     

     
    The format of a fiddleyard is very much driven by the personal prefences of the builder, there is no right or wrong design.
     
    The scenic section will be built on a box, which will be built to fit into the toolbox.
     

     
    The background is a simply blue painted on.
     

     
    View blockers have been added at both side of the scene, on the left is a building. This existed in the real location, it was a workshop to repair wagons, the right blocker is a group of tree. These tress don't block the view completly, like the building, but they will help desguise the train entry hole inn the backscene.
     
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    The final one shows the blue background being replaced with a photographic one taken in the Peak District.
     

     
    The simulation show a train of empties entering the scene, from the junction wih the main line.
     
    Julie
  13. Steam_Julie
    Since the last entry I have proceeded with the simuation of the layouts operation.
     
    looking at the sequence of the incline opeeration, in the first posting, I have noticed that there is a slight error, in that the operation from the yard loop to the hidden loop should have a brake van at the back of the train. This sequence will be modified to rectify this.
     
    The simulation has now been split into two parts so it can be downloaded! Click on the link below to see the shunting simulation.
     

     
    To start the simulation of the shunting operations, click on the link below.
     

     
    Click on the above image to view part 1 of the Goods Train Simulation.
     

     
    Click on the above image to view part 2 of the Goods Train Simulation.
     
    I could not upload the goods train and shunting sequence to rmweb, because the file is too large. I will have to examine it and re-edit it before it cn be uploaded.
     
    I have also had he thought that, the siding at the back and the loop, could be replaced with a cassette and two disconnected sidings.
     

     
    The spare stock siding is to allow for changes to be made in the incline operation. Explosives for quarrying operations were conveyed in covered wagons and water was moved up the incline, to supply the stationary engines, locomotives and houses associated with the railway. At the highest part of the railway, water supplies were very limited, especially in the height of summer.
     
    The DMU or Push Pull reversal sidings will have to be extended, as currently they are too short, to allow the train to go completely off scene.
     
    Julie
  14. Steam_Julie
    In the previous post, I used a micro baseboard to test the use of a hand held magnet to activate a Peco Elsie coupling with a Coupler Lift Arms. The baseboard was originally built to prove that it's possible to operate N Gauge points, using Peco surface mounted point motors. In the catalogue they are only shown being used with OO gauge points.
     

     
    The secondary objective was to prove whether or not analogue points could be powered from a DCC bus signal, without interrupting digital operation. The circuit consists of several components, these are a rectification circuit, complete with a capacitor. This does not operate as a capacitance discharge unit, but prevents current surges when a point motor is operated. The capacitor is under the baseboard.
     
    The DC is feed via a centre off double throw switch, to the left to select the branch, the non straight road and left for the main. The points are of course held in position using the over centre spring, installed on the point.
     
    The third component is a circuit which is driven via a micro switch operated by the no driven end of the point tiebar. This shows a red illumination of an led for the branch and green for the main. The led is a two input red green led, connected round one way it glows red and the other way glows green.
     
    I have also increased the size of the pip on the point tiebar, because having a larger on, with a smaller gap between it and the activator on the point motor, this reduces wear and also increases point motor life.
     
    Julie
  16. Steam_Julie
    In model railways we need to put the railway in context. This is done by using scenery and a backscene. Clovelly Road is designed to fit into a small case for transport. Therefor there will be a permenent backscene & in front of this a flexible backscene which is higher.
     
    This initial part of the backscene behind the road bridge is glued in position using wood glue. The gap between the bridge and the support is to allow for the thickness of the flexible backscene.
     

     

     

     

     
    Julie
  17. Steam_Julie
    My computer has been hacked. Please treat all messages from me as suspect until further notice.
     
    I have now secured my smart phone, so am now able to communicate in a secure manor! Hooray!
     
    Julie
     
    PS The proof is that I can now change fonts
  18. Steam_Julie
    Back from exotic holiday location, Alderney, and rearing to go again, with my modelling projects.
     
    Looking at the layout with fresh eyes, having not seen it for about 2 weeks, I noticed that there was a problem with sleeper spacing on the first section of track I layed.

    The bottom of the track, with the glue scaped off.
     
    There is rarely an unsolvable problems with models, they can be overcome by applying some ingenuity and a little skill. I carefully lifted the track using a scalpel scrapped off the contact adhesive residue. Then I re glued the track into position carefully making sure that the spacing was correct. I added two extra sleepers to make the spacing even.
     
    Incidentally whilst on Alderney, I travelled on a train formed of 2 1938 ex Bakerloo coaches pulled and then pushed by an 0-6-0 diesel locomotive from Mornington Cresent station, which is located in Bryne on the North of the island.
     
    Julie
  20. Steam_Julie
    Hiding the transition from the visual to the hidden part, usually called the fiddleyard is traditional done using a bridge or tunnel. The is what is going to be done at the end of the halt platform.

    It was necessary to cut out a rectangle, of the track foam, to allow the bridge to be correctly placed. It will be held in position with two small screws, allowing it to be removed if required.

    The bridge is constructed using a modified Peco single track bridge kit. The bridge opening has been reduced it both height and width. The longest piece of rolling stock was pushed under the it to check that it cleared.

    The width of the bridge i.e. the width of the road accross it has been reduced too. This has two effects it takes up less of the valuable space on the baseboard and it looks further away to the viewer.

    I now added 3 temporary blocks, so I can proceed to the wiring task without damaging the track and the sheep creep.
     
    Julie.
  21. Steam_Julie
    I then glued foam onto the baseboard surface and then glued the track in place. The foam was then cut to approx size.
     
    I then checked to see if two wagons, one a long wheelbase guards van, when coupled together would pass over the bridge without hitting the sides. They do, so I can continue with the track laying.
     
    The photographs below, were taken indoors on my desk in the study. Therefor I was forced to use the flash.
     

    The test wagon on the bridge.

    The fiddle yard area.

    Looking towards Clovelly Road halt.
     
    See also Clovelly Road - Tracklaying 1.
     
    Julie
  22. Steam_Julie
    The next task is to start the track laying. I am going to use a technique which I learned from a short video by Bob Felphs, Peco's track designer. It has unfortunately been removed recently from the website. He advocated the technique for the last 100 mm of track before a point or a track joint only. I have found that when building micro layouts, such as Clovelly Road it is advisable to pre-curve all of the track.
     
    Essentially you cut the sleepers on the section to be pre-curved into sections of approx 100mm length. The end section is then removed and the other moved towards the end. The rails can then be bent to the required radius, carefully using a pair of pliers, without the risk of damaging the sleepers.

    Photograph of the pre-curved track layed on top of the baseboard.
     
    When you are happy with the radius, a sleeper section can then be slid back into position. The process is then repeated until the whole section of track is pre-curved. Leave some extra length on the track section to allow final adjustments to be made during track laying. The end section is the most difficult to get correct.

    Photograph of track layed over the bridge.
     
    What you end up with is essentially a custom piece of settrack, minus the regular track joints including the joiners. The track can now be used as a template the cut out the foam base for the track.

    Birds eye view of the track layed on the baseboard.
     
    Julie
     
    PS Lisa you will have to wait to find out.
  23. Steam_Julie
    It's so long since I had a whole day to myself! That I have forgotten how much modelling can be done in one. I have now cut out the areas of the bottom layer of the plywood, not required for strength. This reduces the weight, important if the layout is carried as hand luggage on public transport and allows space for the electrics.
     
    The bottom layer has not been glued into position, this cannot happen until the sheep creep construction is complete.

    Photograph showing the blocks that keep the two plywood layers at the correct distance apart.

    Photograph of both layers in position. Having this gap increases the strength because the strength of the construction is determined by the distance from the top layout to the bottom face of the support framework.
     
    This is the 2nd blog post I have made today, look back at Clovelly Road – Bridge Box too.
     
    Julie
  24. Steam_Julie
    Construction of Clovelly Road continues. I decided that I wished to have a bridge, or sheep creep to use it's correct name, passing under the track. The baseboard is only 22mm deep from the top surface to the botton, thus between the two pieces od ply there is only 15mm to play with.

    Shows the position of the sheep creep.

    Shows the detail of how the bridge box is constructed.

    Shows the extra block installed to make the layout surface firmer, i.e. flatter and less lickley to move.
     
    Julie
     
    PS Edit to correct spelling error
  25. Steam_Julie

    Puting Back's Up

    By Steam_Julie,

    The back's in question are the supports which will hold the backscene in position!
     
    I could build a layout without a backscene, like the Pizza by Mark Fielder, but I have decided I want to have a backscene on my micro layout to complete the layout. Because the layout has to fit into a case for transport, it will have a fixed one, and an extension, mainly sky to set the scene. What I have been working on today is the support, for the backscene. This is made of 3mm plywood, it's height is 95mm.
     
    Within this I will, using card insert the backscene itself, this will mean that there will be no corners in my sky.
     

     
    The existing board ends had to be removed in order to allow the end extensions to be fitted. It was necessary to thin the bottoms of these pieces in order to allow the extensions to mate up and then track to line up correctly.
     

     
    The components of the fixed backscene are made of 3mm plywood, and are held together with wood glue. To make sure they are correctly held in place whilst the glue sets, pins are used, They play no part in providing strength of the final joint. Traditionally panel pins are used for this. Because of the thin material and the micro nature of the layout, I have used lille pins instead. This reduces splitting and they are easier to insert, providing you use a pair of pliers to hold them whilst they are being hammered in.
     

     
    Whilst the flaps are in the up position, to allow trains to operate, the washer and wing nut are stored under the layout, by being screwed onto the bolts.
     
    Julie
     
    For a full history of the Pack Lane layout, click on the link below.
     
    http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/85857-pack-lane/page-2
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