CoombeTown

Thanks Graham, a little more to do on that front still. Adding a pile of Ten Commandments crates with a microled embedded for good measure. I'm also tempted to get a couple of Modelu figures but I feel like Coombe Town might end up with too many staff!

Yesterday afternoon I managed to complete the Goods Shed. I started the design in October 2020 and then construction in March 2021. However, apart from weathering, this is the largest building on the layout complete. Firstly, a shot of the 14xx shunting the yard. Below are some shots of the Goods Shed. Unfortunately the 16xx suddenly stopped working running into a cassette so some diagnostic work will have to go on this week...

Hi Andy, this sounds great. Could you tell me what speaker you used, presumably in the bunker? I'd quite like to replicate it on my example when I get around to it. Thanks

Thanks Graham, good to know. I did experiment with other glue for the base layer but it didn't have the same effect unfortunately. I needed to order some more grass anyway so it wasn't too much of hit thankfully!

This week has been pretty busy in modelling terms, progress on a number of fronts including the Goods Shed. The embankment got a covering of Woodland Scenics Blended Turf, which was later followed by the first coat of grass. Unfortunately I ran out of basing glue so further progress is waiting for the post. The largest development was the arrival of the lighting rig. It gives a satisfying presentable look to the layout, which spurred a couple of hours of running this afternoon. You'll have to excuse the mess though, the layout frequently gets used as a storage bench!

It's been a pretty non-stop weekend, but I found some time this morning and evening to get some more done. Firstly, I finished the levers for the signal box and installed them, along with the wire tensioners. Secondly, spurred on by the desire to get some actual scenics on the layout after nearly 2.5 years, I put the sculptamold down on the rear embankment. Hopefully, before the end of the month Coombe Town will see its first blades of grass and give me a bit more motivation to run some trains again.

It's actually very straightforward, and produces reasonable results. I've tried it before on my test plank so will share some pictures when I remember to take some.

It still looks Graham. Is that the ratio stuff? Mine's rapidly approaching the top of my list of things to do...

I will admit to a slight cheat. The windows are actually pane-less. The glazing will be the deluxe materials Glue 'n' Glaze. It makes life a lot easier without having to try so hard on the glazing bars as you say.

The 3D print has arrived! Unfortunately the manufacturer has printed it at an angle that has made a number of the parts unusable due to stepping. The plan now is to use these parts as a fit check, saving as much as possible. Then make the necessary adjustments before ordering a new set of windows from a different manufacturer. With instructions to ensure they are printed flat! On the plus side, the troughs for the cattle dock and the Goods Shed office desk have printed well.

It is ridiculous really... I plan on getting the Modelu Signal Box details for the instruments and will make shelf and track plan Attach to the roof. In terms of lighting, I have a cunning plan which involves the central pillar of the front window being hollow.

At the end of last week, a small parcel arrived from Wizard Models. One of the things inside was the Springside Signal Box interior. Having been away for the weekend I've now made some progress painting it all up. I've also updated the CAD for the windows based on the "as built" dimensions. Hopefully, the 3D print will be with me before the end of the week.

The only thing I would suggest is maybe being careful of the sharp bend immediately after slip in the middle siding. Maybe a more gentle curve, bringing the buffer stop closer to its current position would help this?

I apologise if it wasn't clear. I should have said separate tools rather than slides. The point I was trying to make was the different top feed arrangements should be different tools, not separate parts. I am aware of the different Bachmann cabs, and was suggesting that it should continue in order to create a commercially viable toolset. The installation guides I had seen were those provided by Youchoos, where the stay-alive has been fitted in the cab area. This suggested that to fit one in the tank area, weight would have to be removed. I had not seen the Albion Yard conversion so thank you for bringing to my attention. However, I would still suggest that for any project to be viable, it should cater for both DCC Sound modellers as well as DC modellers.

Thanks Rob, I found a picture of 7814 during her time at Newton Abbot. Unfortunately for my wallet she still carried the unlined early black in July 1957. It's therefore conceivable that she ran up towards Norton Fitzwarren & Taunton in this guise. I guess that's me pretty much sold!

I agree, it's about time the 57xx/8750 tool set got an upgrade. Different slides to model top feed/ top feed less locos and the different cabs. The current option for sound/stay-alive fitting is to remove the weight from the inside of the water tank, reducing the traction. For me a die-cast body and footplate like the 16xx is a must to produce a locomotive worthy of the 21st Century.

They look great! I'm really trying hard to resist one. Which shedplate is on Fringford Manor? I'd be looking to model her in 1957/8 condition whilst she was at Newton Abbot.

Plus Sunshine coaches & a 57xx obviously…

Speaking of Signal Boxes, has anyone used the light railway stores custom plates? https://www.lightrailwaystores.co.uk/products/npp-114?variant=11141952193 I'm thinking of getting one for Coombe Town but interested to hear of other's experience.

Sounds like a good plan Rob. I've used the laserglaze and dart castings detailing kit on mine and it makes a decent model at the end. I confused my other today as I returned from the Frome show without any purchases. Only because I'm having to mail order it instead...

With the household bores, as Rob so elegantly put, now sorted. I've painted the chocolate band on the walls and an initial coat of paint on the floor. Amazingly with my cutting by sight against a ruler it all lines up well.

Bit more progress on the signal box to improve my mood before facing the household chores... The picture shows the 4/5 subassemblies for the main box. The locking room just needs the brickwork on the back wall adding. Front upper walls are missing the last bit of framing as I ran out 1.5mm x .5mm plasticard, but hopefully will pick some up at Frome tomorrow. The upper walls are all primed internally so I get some paint on them during the week. Then I can assemble the entire upper box to paint the exterior. The 5th subassembly will be the locking room stairs, as these will be easier to paint separately.

This afternoon I built another cassette, which means the Peckett finally has a place to rest off the layout rather than blocking the Goods Yard. I also got out my Small Prairie and gave it run around before coupling it to a short parcels train. I really like these engines so am thinking I may get another in BR Early Black to use as a freight loco. The parcels train is made up of 2 recent eBay purchases, an LNER CCT & an LMS full brake which has been quite nicely Weathered. These are part of a larger plan for a club layout parcels rake spurred by the recent Accurascale announcement.

Thanks @Lacathedrale , the layout is slowly starting to approach the idea that was in my head 2 and a half years ago which is pleasing. Regarding the use of components in CAD. I find it easier to generate the structure of a building as I would build it, using parts for each subassembly. In this case, the main plasticard structure, the outside landing + all the 3D printed components. This allows me to produce drawings for the plasticard structures that I know will fit the 3D print when it arrives, such as that below. In this case I haven't ordered the 3d print as I wasn't confident of the thickness of the walls. Good thing to as the print will need an extra .5mm here and there to match. As good as 3D is for visualisation, nothing beats the real thing.

Definitely so! I got a bit disillusioned with the Goods Shed. Fortunately I have ordered metal for another 5 casettes, hopefully arriving this week. This will allow another 4 trains to be assembled + 1 for a passenger train hauled by a Sound fitted Large Prairie when it arrives. I shall have a good playing session once they’re together, as well as a trip to the Frome show on Saturday. Speaking of, is anyone else planning on attending Frome?