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bcnPete

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Blog Entries posted by bcnPete

  1. bcnPete
    Update - Still awaiting my package of tools/equipment from the UK to get cracking again, so thoughts again turned to the backscene. After reviewing a number of other terrific layouts on the forum here, it occurred to me that perhaps it might be better to intoduce a 'proscenium arch' type enclosure to view the layout. This would align with Moorswater viaduct, with the lines passing through as a cut out. The resulting top of the frame could be used to run some small discrete strip lights along the front edge. To get a feel for it I have added it to the 1:10 scale model, which can be seen in the attached photos. I now have to ponder materials suitable for its construction.
     
    I am still in two minds as now the concept of the layout is changing. Originally it was supposed to be a layout constructed on 3 Ikea shelves which, due to the absence of a dedicated railway room, would allow the shelves to be removed, the layout worked on and then the shelves returned back on the wall. The construction of the shelves as bought, whilst are not ideally suited for baseboards, are lightweight, cheap and pretty solid. My concern is that with the introduction of a Ply or MDF front and backscene will make them too heavy. Foamboard as an alternative may be prone to damage due to removal and reinstatement of the shelves on the wall <img src='http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/icon_confused.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':icon_confused:' />
     
    Comments on the proposals would be very welcome <img src='http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/icon_biggrin.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':icon_biggrin:' />
     

    A notch is cut to allow the mainline to pass through...

    The fiddleyard screen height datum is set by the viaduct...
  2. bcnPete

    More progress…

    By bcnPete,


    General
    Evening all,
     
    As the deadline approaches to the DJ 2mmFS weekend, I took the opportunity this weekend, aside from chores to make some more progress. First up the base was given a good coat of burnt umber acrylic paint to cover the white.


     

     
    This was followed by a first coat of ballast to the track which had been first sprayed brown in the model shop spray booth. Also the balustrade etch was given a coat of Matt black spray.
     

     
    After much deliberation on how to do the ballast I opted for the neat pva applied with a small paint brush and then ballast sprinkled as I worked in small sections. Am not sure why I moved away from my usual method of dry lay and soaking as I will need to go back and infill in quite a few places. For this I might dry lay and use some Kleer liquid I have.
     
    I then tackled the static grass. First coat used pva applied with a brush and 2mm fibres. It’s been a while since I did this as most of my layouts are urban grot so I had a quick refresher of a Woodland Scenics video. I had previously purchased a can of layering spray so this was then applied and then various mixes added including some burnt grass. I then followed up with 4.5mm and 6mm fibres, flattening some areas with the fingers as suggested on the video.
     

     

     
    In between this I also started to try to assemble the balustrade etch. This proved more tricky than first thought and it may need to be redone in the future with more emphasis on doubling up where the folds need to be.
     
    Also in tandem, thoughts on the lighting and acrylic case. The acrylic was drawn in CAD and the pieces cut ready for assembly tomorrow at work. The base will have a thin timber veneer applied as well as at the top which will screen the led lighting. Various options are being considered for this too. A few sketches of the thinking undertaken onthe train to work.
     

     

     
    Here’s the current state of play with some stock posed…
     

     
    Still lots to do including planting the trees which I previously removed and stored for reuse one day…wasn’t anticipating it would be on this diorama!
     
    As always, comments welcomed.
     
    Pete
     
     
     
  3. bcnPete

    Back on track…

    By bcnPete,


    General
    Evening all,
     
    4 years on from my first post on this, the project got delayed due to various family issues however having got Wenford Dries to where I wanted it to be (bar tweaking and some minor additions) it was time to resurrect this project. After all, we all need a new project now those Winter nights are coming to us.
     
    The mock up model from the first post had since been binned and the 2mmFS 60th show been and gone however I always liked this project and had even made the first turnout for it some time ago. 
     
    Rather than two clip on Fiddleyards I decided it should fit on my preferred IKEA Lack shelves namely the 1100mm x 260mm ones. Trains can be relatively short however due to limited storage I made the decision to use some Fiddle stick type cassettes which can protrude from the baseboards when the layout is in use. 
     
    The relative drawing was made in CAD and the 3mm ply carcass was laser cut at the studio incorporating two slots at each end as long as my now usual viewing slot to the Fiddleyards which prove to be popular at shows. Also, space has been allocated for an iPad to show prototypical photos as this was also well received at the Uckfield show last weekend. Important when you are trying to capture an extract of something as my usual layout approach is.
     
    This weekend saw a big push on the track work. Most of it will be inset in a concrete apron so this has been made in copper sleepers and rail from the Association with the front track in Easitrac.
     
    To build the track I printed out a crude Google Earth type image onto which I scaled to fit the scenic section and my baseboard (driven by the size set out by the Association for the challenge layouts) This print out was attached to a sheet of 3mm ply and then a sheet of Perspex from the model shop overlaid so I could follow the track plan. 
     
    Sleepers were glued in place with Pritt stick and the track laid using the gauges. Have never made a curved turnout or a ‘Y’ turnout before so new challenges! At close of play today, a wagon runs through ok in all directions but no doubt there will be some tweaks which is one of the nice things use copper sleepers and an iron.
     
    The 3mm fascia’s were assembled in the evenings last week and I left a 5mm slot at the back so I could slide the track base in and out until am happy with it. I may even spray and ballast it before final positioning of it. Need to think about droppers and sparks before I do that…plenty to ponder and sketch on my way to work.
     
    Lighting will be in the concealed fascia and all being well the layout can fit on the same sub base and trestles as Kyle…meaning it should fit in my car.
     
    Here’s a few progress pics and I dropped on a 37 and a few CDA’s to help give it some scale.
     
    Starting with the original card mock up to test the idea…have narrowed the proscenium arch since.
     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     
    From 2mmFS to 7mm to 2mmFS - certainly testing my eyesight and patience again 🙃
     
    As always, comments welcome,
     
    Pete
     
     
  4. bcnPete
    Update - First a simple equation.
     
    89 / 7 x 2 = 25.14 [Days left until exhibition divided by days per week multiplied by amount of modelling time spent at present]
     
    Which equates to about 25 modelling sessions [averaging 3 or 4 hours] to get this layout exhibitable :icon_eek: :icon_eek:
    Granted, it's not a small layout but each session is critical and after a good start last night installing two point blades and droppers to a 'Heath Robinson' type arrangement beneath which worked...it then all started going wrong. I couldn't get the rolling stock to run smoothly through the crossing, which to be honest is the bit I struggle with most. I have only ever built one point prior to this so am severely lacking in the experience department when it comes to track making
     
    Following a good nights sleep, and a read up of fellow colleagues 2FS blogs, I have decided that I need to redo the turnouts but perhaps incorporate some PCB sleepers in the mix to strengthen the area I am having trouble with.
     
    Not as I hoped things would go, and the clock is ticking, but if I can't get the trains to run smoothly, then it will be a road to disaster. Step back, rethink and prep new plan.
     
    One good bit of news though...the swear box [at 1 Euro per word] now has enough money to buy another class 24 or 37
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