TechnicArrow

Thank you both! @Clover - it's not all that easy unfortunately, the original two boxes have three tracks crossing the join, all at different angles. It is possible to wriggle them into place, but it's such a pain that it doesn't happen too often. The plan was to leave it out assembled, but as you'll see later that fell through. @johnsmithuk - thanks! I've had the idea knocking around my head for ages. I think it would be a great feature to see on a proper exhibition layout, and it prompts more realistic operation - the wagons stop being fixed and become merely empty vessels to move your cargo around, as in real life. And, of course, it's great fun to play with. As for the new shoebox - It seems my plan for small, regular updates has failed, as it's finished. Oops! There was a rush to get it done in time for coming back to Uni, but it got done and survived the 150 mile car journey, so all's well. The build process then. First, the slewed girder bridge was roughed out: Then the warehouse and arched bridge were built. I carefully used the remaining parts from the kit I built the main workshed out of, to give some continuity (and to save printer ink!). Next, the track was glued, the platform built under the warehouse, and a little wedge-shaped "tower" added. This fills an awkward corner, and provides an entrance to the warehouse from road level - an idea I entirely stole from Booking Hall's Brierly Canal Road (a very inspiring layout btw, I don't think I've said)! Then the embankment was made up, and little bits of stonework added around. That bufferstop is the gravel bin I made earlier, it fits rather well with a little adjustment. Finally the various ground cover was added; soil for the ballast, sand and green flock on the arched bridge for a farm track, black paint for the main road. (I'm not a fan of using soil, and the stuff I had left was pretty coarse, but it had to match the other boxes so I stuck with it.) This morning I brought it to uni, set it on the dresser in the alcove I planned it to fit, and... Oops! I was expecting a tight fit, but it actually doesn't go by about 10mm. I'll have to see if I can take that off somewhere, but I think it will be tricky. In the mean time, it's going to have to be operated on my bed: It still works though, and although the lighting's not great I took a handful of "finished" photos. The workmen on the bridge are rebuilding the wall by the looks of it. They add interest to the otherwise flat road, and look better to me than cars oddly static, going nowhere. The farm track works especially well I think, and the loose foliage hides the join between the boxes. The electrical cabinets against the wing wall are from Wordsworth online, and excuse the power cables running to the track. Overall I'm pretty happy, despite the mis-measurement. This box looks far better than the original plain lid, I'm sure I'll get it to fit eventually, and even if not then at least I've got something pretty to look at now and then. In the mean time, thanks for reading!

Indeed, all it needs now is some life! The pictures of your amazing scenic work are stunning, with that rocky "blue lagoon" and old working along the back using up the space perfectly. I've loved watching the layout's "journey" from barely anything to it's current state, so thanks for bringing us along!

Your building is taking shape beautifully, I'm looking forward to seeing it complete and set in the scene. My suggestion for free (!) download-and-print boxes is Wordsworth Models: http://www.wordsworthmodelrailway.co.uk/railside.html. Someone on here pointed them out to me, and they're really quite good.

And I'm back! Actually, I've been back for two weeks now, and I've never stopped reading these boards, but anyway. There has been small progress on Green Lane Wagon Works. Mainly, I've re-purposed a Wills yard crane from the main layout. However, as you can see this isn't just a static model. Whilst I was at Uni, I came up with an ingenious plan to use some meccano bits to control it. To implement this, the main upright support was replaced by a tube of rolled-up paper. This tube passes through the platform surface to a large gear beneath, whilst at the same time allowing the thread to run down onto to a spindle. I originally planned to operate the large gear from a worm gear, but it was easier to engage it with a smaller gear operated by the oil drum on top. The platform's slightly odd shape is to allow it to be used on the main layout as well; the thread spindle needs to be slid through as the track is on the other side, but otherwise it simply drops into place on both. Regarding the freight; the oil drum is made from the glossy black paper, often found in advert borders on railway magazines. I also cut a lot of spare sleepers from their webbing, glued them into blocks and painted them; they've turned out rather well. Other loads are proprietary items with threads attached. The other main news is that I've started work on a new box. Clearly I like to challenge myself, as there's just one week before I go back to University! The intention is to replace the "fiddle-lid" headshunt with another full scenic box, as the trains are hardly visible otherwise. I hope to frame it with the arch bridge mirrored on the left, and a skewed girder bridge (with the tracks stopping underneath) on the right. There will be a dummy siding in the foreground to store stock not being used in the shunting puzzle, and a factory-building with canopied loading dock (a lá Metcalfe PO283, but in stone) at the back. So far it's exactly the look I want, so let's see if I can get it done!

Two more excellent models! I like the amount of realistic-looking trackwork you've fitted into them, it looks full but not cramped. I can't wait to see more of your stunning pictures. You've got quite a series of these box-layouts now; I think my next layout will have to be in one too!

It's that time of year for deadlines, isn't it? They're not fun, but I'm sure you've got the beasts under control. I really like what you've done with the loco; simple yet effective, and that name plate looks perfect. I think I've got a dead one knocking around somewhere; I should see if I can get it running, and make it look as good as yours! Yet another Christmas project, I suspect. Your whole layout is looking fantastic, and I'm itching to see the shunter pootling about on it. Keep up the great work.

Your mirrors are excellent. I especially love the ones under the brick arches, that's simply genius - you hardly realise they're there. It's tricky to tell what's real and what's reflection! What material are you using for the mirrors? I've had trouble finding something suitable; currently I'm using a piece of polished sheet metal (I think) which blurs and warps a little, but yours look crisp and clean. I'm looking forward to seeing this layout with some scenery and stock on it, it should look fantastic.

Your layout is coming along nicely, I think that the brick walls disguising the fact it's in a box are perfect. How about a mirror along your blank face, to increase the apparent space within the box? Given the constrained viewing angles of the box I think it would work quite well. You could then build a half-relief yard office against it, pile stuff in front of it, etc. Either way, I'm enjoying watching this micro layout develop!

Thank you; I'm not sure I'll be building another layout soon though, as this one was only to use up some spare parts really. I might post the story and photos of my main permanent, round-the-room layout or the other nearly-complete side project over the weekend. Thanks very much, those words were lovely to read. Although, I'm not sure it would stand out, be easy to display, or interesting enough to operate at length at an exhibition. The space I was referring to was the very back corner, between the shed and side (curved-top) wall. It's difficult to fill as it needs to be open to allow the side wall to slide into it when the front folds up. I think a loose chimney, pipe, or other tall/thin structure is needed, but I'm not sure exactly what. Anyway, it's not going to happen soon; I've moved back to Swansea for the term, and I decided not to bring this with me. I could have done (There's a suitable space in my room, it seems), but the risk of damage during transport or by being in a student house made me leave it. I'm slightly regretting that, but I suspect once lectures resume I won't have a great deal of spare time anyway. Until Christmas, little one!

Thank you all three. @johnsmithuk; I didn't use it in the end, as the pre-corrugated card I found was much less work. I finished the roof by laying strips, scored vertically to represent individual sheets. I painted it with poster paint and added some green flock for moss. I also cut out 6 skylights, which allow light inside as well as helping the operator to be able to see the wagons. Other work in the past 10 days was pretty much just fine detailing the layout. It includes: > Completing ground cover, including some sections of the "fiddle yard" that can be seen through the bridge > Installing "point control" - a length of stiff wire from each point to the front > Adding a (static) banner repeater signal > Printing signage and remaining sections of wall > Adding more general foliage and weeds > Fixing some sleepers to the front siding as a makeshift buffer > Testing and adding clear plastic uncouplers to the shed roads > Adding a brick water butt in front of the shed; notably no gutters or drainpipes yet though! > Extending the headshunt a couple of inches to accommodate a loco and 3 wagons better > Painting; fence, scenic point levers, sky, visible sections of box, me... > Building a crude stock tray that fits in the main shed to restrain rolling stock during transport > Buying a forklift and a wheeled excavator at the local railway exhibition The consequence is that I am pretty willing to consider the layout "finished". I tested packing everything into the two boxes, and carried it into the living room. I discovered the track entrance/exits to the main box make excellent handholds, and even with everything inside they're pretty light. Then I unpacked it: The layout can now be operated! It works as a 3-3-5 Inglenook shunting puzzle, hence the space to lay out 5 wagon cards along the front. I often run a CCT or lowmac as part of the fleet, both of which are counted as two wagons. I took the following photos as "layout completed"; enjoy the show! The entrance sign reads "H&DR GREEN LANE WAGON WORKS". H&DR is the name of my fictional preserved railway my main layout depicts, and Green Lane is the name of a road that runs alongside the course of the local disused branch line. I suppose that's the name of the layout now! When I came to build the signal, I discovered I didn't have a whole spare post as I thought. All that was left was a lot of left-over components, so I created this non-functioning wall-mounted banner repeater instead. You can also see into the fiddle yard from this angle, so I continued the ballast, wall and grass slightly so it didn't look too odd. This photo shows the one "unfinished" corner of the layout. I'm not quite sure what to do with it; it's got to be left pretty empty so the front can still fold up. I like the excavator though; it looks good, it adds a purpose to the front siding and also firmly sets the date in the present. This is the best shot I could get of the uncouplers. I think they're a bit too tall as it can be difficult to draw stock out the shed without uncoupling, but they work reliably and are quite hidden. So that's probably it for now. I've certainly found this a very enjoyable project. I would state here roughly how much it cost me to build, but it's not really fair; a lot of materials are leftovers from the main layout, or simply printed. The only things bought specifically were the point and the excavator, a total of £15 I think! I'm going back to Swansea University on Sunday. Either I take this with me and set it up as a shelf layout, or I leave it at home and come back to it at Christmas. Either way there won't be any work until next summer, so this topic will rest at the buffers for now. Any comments, criticisms or questions are welcome, and finally thank you all for following me along!

Interesting, I like the idea! A couple of suggestions; for the "exit", either another warehouse wall with an archway under it (like in this Metcalfe kit), or a plate girder foot/road bridge might work well. I also wonder if buying a short-chain battery-powered white christmas light set might work (e.g. this), as it gives you many more lamps and saves effort. You might have to wait until November to find them in shops though! I look forward to watching this develop.

I haven't neglected this layout, honest! Well OK, I have, what with a short holiday and my hobby-time attention being elsewhere. But I have returned! I hope I can "finished" the works in about 2 weeks, so I can take it with me when I return to University. @Mrgoodspeed - I had almost completely forgotten about uncoupling. My early plan was to hold the plastic in place by gluing to the underside of the sleepers, but all the track is laid and ballasted now so that's not happening. I'm not sure whether I'll stick with this plan or not. RE thickness, I was experimenting with a pile of pieces I've collected over the years as spares from kits and bits of packaging, so I have no idea what meausrement works best. @lukethetrainspotter - I've seen that idea before, but I've read mixed reviews. I think the magnets might be too obtrusive. But then so is anything else I can do, so we'll see. Since I last posted the main progress has been finishing the ground cover, except around the long siding. The plain card represents concrete hard standing and needs painting. I've also installed a road crossing from carefully cut used matchsticks (possible my favourite thing for representing wood), sanded to be flush with rail height. The tree is not fixed yet, but I like framing different scenes with foreground "obstacles" so it's staying. This time, the photos are with the ubiquitous Hornby Holden Dock tank and GWR stock. Finally, I've been thinking about the main shed roof. My early plan was to print off some roof slates, but I decided that would be quite flat and uninteresting (not to mention expensive on ink). Instead, I came up with a plan to model corrugated sheets with crinkled card, made using a LEGO-built crinkler. I tried it on scraps of paper, thin card and cereal box card: The cereal box was too stiff and the paper a bit flimsy, so I raided the cupboard for a full sheet of thin card to use. I found some that might be suitable, but then I came across this: It's corrugated card glued to a piece of flat card, intended for greetings card making I think. I reckon that cut into small sections and carefully overlapped it will work well, and is quite easier and sturdier than my card. Now I need to cut, glue and paint it!

Excellent modelling! The fence looks great as it is, in a dilapidated state. Perhaps you could add some extra posts at angles, "supporting" the main ones, to represent attempted repairs. The trackwork is good too, but I think the ballast/grass border needs a little blending. RE school - I was in your place 2 years ago, except I wasn't working on such a good model! A-Levels are certainly harder, but with good organisation you should be alright; I found them the most enjoyable part of my compulsory education. You can still come back to modelling as a relaxation between working. So however you go, good luck!

Significant progress has occurred, although it doesn't look very different in the photos! Mainly, all the track has been cut and glued down with PVA. The curve in the shed is Setrack, whereas the front siding is flexible track. It didn't form as nice a curve as I had hoped, but the gaps aren't too huge! Said front siding received a base layer of soil whilst there was PVA around, whilst the shed has had a card floor built up outside the rails. I think I'll just use clean ballast in the "4 foot" rather than card, to maintain good running. Other activities included nailing a piece of dowel for a pipe bridge along the left end, to keep the front corner rigid. It's secured to the warehouse at the back, which has been glued in. The front corner will be clad in more printed stone. I've also raided the scrap-box for fencing along the front; I couldn't find a gate, so I've used a chain to block the road entrance to the yard. The signal I've placed was stolen from the main layout. I'm not sure about it; I've got an unbuilt spare one to hand, but I don't think there'd be one there IRL. I might put a banner repeater or a ground/shunting signal instead, to add something to that corner. Finally, the front of the box was cut and folded down, to allow eye-level viewing. I love the view of the 04 over the fence and chain-gate, it's one of the scenes I wanted to achieve. Overall, it's exactly as I was hoping for; a layout that hides how it can put away into 2 neat boxes. Since these photos, I've painted the pipe, the front of the box and the embankment, and added foliage to the latter. Across the bridge I think I'm going for an overgrown track or something, there's not much depth to it so it doesn't matter too much. Next up is adding ground cover to the lot of it; for the track, I haven't decided whether to continue with the soil, or use some recovered mixed ballast instead. Any preferences? Either way, thanks for following.

Thanks! It's just a shame I've used PVA then! I spread a thin layer on the base, placed the track down and sprinkled some dried garden soil as a base layer for the ballast. I forgot to leave out the area around the tiebars so some salvage was required, but I left it under weight for the night and it's held quite well without warping the base. I'll do the same tonight with the plain track, once I've cut it to size. Other work has included printing and building the walls either side of the bridge, and adding a small papier-mache embankment. I've also "whitewahsed" (poster paint) the interior of the main shed, and given it a roof. It's floor will be card, built up to just below the rail height. Here's how it looks with some rolling stock and extra items. I've decided that at the front there will be a segment of fence and a gate for road access, which will cross the tracks by gravel piled up between the point check rails. I'll cut the front of the box so it can fold down for eye-level viewing. This means that I will need a block at the front-left for reinforcement, but the whole thing still fits into 2 neat, protected boxes. Now, this is going to be a shunting layout, so I need uncoupling. As I'm using tension locks I think I'll go with a bowed ramp of clear, thin transparent plastic, unless anyone has a better system. Anyway, thanks for looking!

Excellent work, it's coming on nicely. I noticed it a while back, but I love the row of empty sleepers; are they supposed to represent lifted track, or just a spares pile? They're very effective either way. I would suggest adding some greenery to the gap between the sections, although it depends on how much of the wall is going to be hidden behind the warehouse. You might have been about to do that anyway, I think it's the oldest trick in the book! Good work so far.

Saltburn, thanks again! Thank you! It's definitely an idea, one I've heard/seen people use frequently. As you say, buildings are a problem; I think the easiest way would be to make them removable, but then it's harder to blend their bases into the layout. I'll likely use one for a future project, but this one was intended to "see if I can", and also to use up some spares left from the main layout without buying too much new. This morning I stole Dad's hacksaw and soldering iron. The aim was to only modify the already-damaged LH point (see first post), keeping the new RH one pristine. I did have to shorten the rail joiners and nick a corner off a sleeper, but all the hacking was done to the older one; I took off as much rail as I could from the toe, as it was missing it's sleepers anyway, and the remainder I trimmed off the straight line above the frog. I also soldered (very badly) a joining wire across the two lines, as one switchblade doesn't reliably make contact. I can still isolate a loco on the front siding, or in the shed by using the second point. Not that there's room to run two locos at once! Now I can trim the plain track to fit around them, and glue it all down. Any recommendations for suitable glue?

Thanks Saltburn, I'm quite surprised how well it turned out. Yesterday, I worked on the Scalescenes free low-relief warehouse. I replaced the brickwork for stone, printed the sheets and built it as per the instructions. I had a brief experiment with making the doors movable along the rail, but it proved too difficult and unwieldy so I've glued them lightly in place for now. This morning I turned my attention to the main workshed, creating an inner layer for the long wall and gluing the far gable end in place. Then I switched ends, and fixed the bridge in position, with a very narrow roadway and the beginnings of a retaining wing wall to the front. This, and another yet-to-be-built section of wall, need covering with printed stonework and capping. However, our printer is complaining it's out of yellow ink despite having plenty left... After lunch, I went out to purchase the replacement RH point; I found a used one for a fiver, but still in good condition and certainly alright for this project. I took a few posed photos this evening, with some suitable stock and other bits nicked off the main layout, including a road-rail landie and a scratchbuilt skip. The Hornby Lowmac was an "accidental" purchase from the shop; it needs the couplings modified, they're too rigid for the long wheelbase and cause derailments. The backhoe loader being carried is the excellent Kibri kit. So this is where it stands. Next I need to shorten the LH point at the mouth of the yard by 33mm, to keep it all within the box. Then track gluing and ballasting can commence, both interesting given the cardboard base. At least the bases are flat again, after being kept under weight whenever I'm not working on it. I've also got plans for a pipe crossing front-to-back in front of the workshed, to keep the front-left corner of the box rigid when I fold the front down for eye-level viewing. Anyway, thanks for following along so far!

I can indeed! The whole layout looks excellent, the rock work especially. I already can't wait to see trains pootling around the track. Good job.

That's a neat job for such an evil-looking contraption! How easy was the conversion? I might have to try one myself in the future, but I'm looking forward to seeing your results.

Nice work! I like watching this layout come together. The ballast scree is an excellent idea and looks very effective to me. I also think that from low angles the cliffs make for a good backdrop on their own, without anything behind them. But what happened to the rail-to-road drops? Did you... "drop" them?

Thanks! I hadn't seen that site before and it's incredibly useful. I liked the look of the "Modular Retaining Wall" kit as a bridge, and decided to use it to replace my appallingly built Scalescenes one. However, when I mocked it up it was a too large. After a longer than expected morning on my computer, I had ended up using it as a template to create my own stone-based bridge, along with inspiration from other kits. I printed and built it this afternoon. (As I'm from the midlands, I have no idea whether the construction is realistic or not! I simply substituted the brickwork for stone, except for the hardly-visible roof of the arch) 04 for scale: I think it matches the workshed rather well, although the stone is less yellow and a lot less shiny. Of course, this is only one side of it. The other isn't great, but it'll be against the wall of the box and has yet to have the low-relief road deck added. The top capping stones ended up a bit small as well, but I could reprint those if I think they're really bad. Further, un-photographed progress includes cutting out the doors to the workshed, and discovering to my annoyance that despite being left under weights, the reinforcing layer I glued to the base of the boxes has caused them to warp up. I've put them back under weights for tonight, and I'll investigate further in the morning.

Thanks both. @Luke - Thanks for the tip. I think I'm going to replace the RH point, but wire up and cut down the LH one so they both fit. Then I don't spend too much, and I can still reuse the new point in the future. I don't consider this layout to be very permanent, so I'd like to be able to salvage some parts. @Marly - I had forgotten to do that! As they're compete boxes they're pretty strong already, but I've PVA'ed a layer of cereal box card and left it under weight to set over night. Jim's topic is very interesting. I might try a traverser (or at least a sector plate) fiddle yard one day, when the main layout is "done". But onto today's progress. In deciding what buildings to place around the layout, I remembered the Scalescenes download-and-print range. Their free Low Relief Warehouse looks perfect for the back, so I've built a mock-up until I can print and build it. I also found my appallingly built free-with-Hornby Magazine copy of the arched bridge to cover the exit. That left the main work shed, which posed a problem. No manufacturer's kit I could find fitted the size I needed, and I didn't fancy scratchbuilding the structure. Then I remembered one tucked away in a cupboard, from Model Rail from who-knows-when (I used to be given old magazines by a friend, hence the large collection of back-issues). It's not an excellent model, but it fits the space perfectly. I cut the main 2 faces out and stuck them onto cereal box card, and put them in the layout. Then I cut the boxes around them, and this is the scene so far. Nothing is fixed in place yet. The clearances on the front siding are a bit tight, the shed kit notably lacks a roof, and it's entrance needs to be wider to cover both tracks. The bridge also needs to be made low-relief to fit past the warehouse, but again I'm not sure whether to try to salvage this or buy a new one. Believe it or not, the whole thing still folds up into 2 neat boxes! The long shed wall will be glued to the LH box, with the end slightly protruding. The gabled shed wall is fixed to the inside of the RH box, to keep the boxes strong. The front siding in the LH box will fold up against the outside of the shed. At the moment, if the bridge is removed and placed inside the LH box, the boxes still nest, even with the warehouse mock-up in place! I might try to keep this "function", where it all fits into one box, but it means that all the yard detail has to be flat or removable. We'll see how that one goes. Continuing with the shed; instead of filling the windows with the supplied printed ones, I've used strips of white card and some clear plastic. There's a few less frame elements to each window than the original, but because mine are thicker I decided not to add too many. It also made my job easier! It just needs a couple of doors for now. Further details will be added when it's fixed to the layout. And that concludes today. I've decided that the layout will be the works of a modern preserved railway, as that allows for discrepancies in my mix of stock and I can use more modern figures, vehicles and signs. It also excuses the shed windows. Anyway, thanks again for reading. -TA

Promising! Interesting to build on a square board. I also like the possibility of adding further, similar boards to have a "modular", rearrangeable layout. I look forward to seeing more.

A neat, simple and beautifully detailed little layout. The photography shows your excellent miniature work to good effect. Well done!