bcnPete

Kenton - Your absolutely right, the more usual method is to have this sort of arrangement next to the tracks, normally soldered to PCB sleeper strip however for this layout I wanted something a little different and also more minimal and discreet in appearance. The scenic break will be the road bridge and as people will be able to see beneath it and straight into the fiddleyard I wanted to try and avoid large brass fittings/bulldog clips etc between the tracks...if that sort of makes sense - Pete

Kenton - thanks. Not a daft question - The idea is that the 4 brass rods that connect the two cassettes are kept seperately in the same box and when the two cassettes are set out flat on the table [right way up with the rolling stock inside] the rods are inserted into the brass tubes, one side then the other and the cassettes simply slid together. It sounds a little fiddly but it actually takes longer to explain it than it does to do it! Hope that clarifies a little further? Pete

Update - The last two nights have seen progress on the fiddle yard area. Due to the number of boards/joints on the layout, cassettes were decided as has been depicted in a number of previous sketches. After much consideration and options I decided that two single and two double cassettes [which can be joined together] were required. Why double? Because when a loco is running around its train, due to the small length of the layout, the rolling stock will need to be pushed back partly in the fiddleyard to clear the turnout and then the resulting loco needs a road to run on to. Two singles in this situation would not have fit. For other situations, the single cassettes can be used on their own acting as loco lifts if need be. The construction of the cassetes is from grey card [to keep down weight] and the idea is that they double up as rolling stock storage in the 'upside down' fiddle yard boards. These will fit into removeable trays [thanks Donw ] so these can be set aside whilst the boards are joined together. For the joints between the cassettes I have used brass tube and rodding to allow alignment, electrical continuity and structural strength, which means you can pick up two cassettes together without them collapsing in the middle. The tube is 100mm in length on each side of the join and the connecting rod which will be inserted upon set up is 200mm in length.There will be a small wire soldered to the EASITRAC brass sleepers located 100mm from the ends and this will be soldered to the brass tube on the corresponding underside. For alignment and power to the two scenic boards I am thinking of using a similar system.The last job was to cut down the size of the two fiddleyard support boards to allow for the depth of the cassettes. I still need to complete the two single cassettes and the associated sparks but I have included a few shots of the work to date. Cassettes stored in upside down fiddleyard boards... Two twin road and two single road cassettes... Once removed give this...removable tray to be made still... The top and the underside showing brass tubes for strength, alignment and power... Joined together using the brass rod... Giving this... Alignment and power to scenic boards will probably be similiar... Dapol sprinter...which is just slightly longer than the cassettes :icon_mutter: Pete

Good post Tom and thanks for sharing - very informative - never knew about the Johnson's Kleer but for sure it will be hard to source that here in Spain and am already looking forward to justifying with customs why I am flying one of those back in my hand luggage next UK visit the last photo is a cracker - Pete

Tom - Two more great photos - the combination of using Easitrac and losing the rapido couplings really makes a significant difference - Perhaps a few notes on your DoF settings used to create these shots would also be of interest - Pete

Tom, Hi I echo what Missy said above - now you have started with the track...there is no going back... BTW, Interesting idea for a layout - watching with interest. Pete

Thanks Mikkel - I take that as a big compliment having always enjoyed reading of your minimum space layouts - I particularly like 'The Depot' concept. The 5/20/5 idea is trying to overcome that situation of when you want to just run a few trains, and shunt a little, but you can't be bothered to set up the layout, set out the rolling stock etc etc. I am hoping that a simple DC wired layout, mechanical turnout + uncoupler systems and rolling stock pre-held in the cassettes will allow this...stay tuned

Nice work Andy - am watching with great interest...

Thanks Bryn...I can live with that!

Hey Mark - Thanks for your kind comments. One of the ideas is to try and make a small layout which can be set up in 5 mins, operated for 20 and then stowed away in 5 again...a potential better use of 30 minutes than watching some tosh on tv Pete

Donw - Thanks - yes, good idea. The rolling stock will probably be stored in the cassettes between some loose foam inserts however I agree that some sort of lift out tray would allow easier removal and replacement. Next job is to make the cassettes so I can test this idea at that time.

Hey Missy - Thanks for this. I was hoping to store all 4 boards in the one boxfile as per the previous mock up however this will compromise the size of an already small layout! The two scenic boards, bridge, backscenes, station building and infamous 'wall' at the station will be stored in the boxfile with a second one for rolling stock, cassettes, tools, controller, paracetamol etc... Even better, both boxfiles will fit in my IKEA hand luggage which just fits inside Easyjet 'walk on' allowances! Pete

Neil - Thank you - I enjoyed watching your boxfile layout evolve and am now keeping a close eye on that new layout of yours! Pete

Update - Following withdrawal of CJ from the GJLC it is now time to put the foot to the pedal with Kyle, which at least is easier to transport and is making its debut in 108 days. I still need to complete the turnouts and am pondering means of operation following all the fellow informative posts of recent however it is likely that they will remain low tech in order to reduce weight, simplify the sparks and balance costs. Most probably wire in tube using a dpdt switch for the two turnouts and manual moveable magnets for the DG's...still sketching that one. From the 2 previous mock ups I have now decided upon a backscene height which seems to be in proportion to the layout. For these I am thinking to use an existing photo of the station and using one of those panoramic photo packages see what can be produced using a bit of cut and paste. The two main viewing boards have been made from foamboard and although a tad scrappy at present will receive a thin veneer of either card or modelling ply. The two boards which form the fiddleyard have also been made from foamboard and the idea now is that these are stored 'upside down' in the other boxfile and contain the cassettes and rolling stock inside. A few pics attached of progress with 'out of the box' Dapol sprinter posing whilst it awaits rewheeling... Quick check to see that the two boards still fit... Other two boards will act as rolling stock storage... Overall shot of layout - 1200mm x 120mm... Backscene in place... It's only a small layout but I hope it will convey and capture a sense of the Scottish prototype...

Thanks Nick - I am coming to the EXPO as a visitor so am hoping to see your layout. I was thinking that if I still lived in London, then I could have chucked my layout in the back of a car and driven to Oxford...but then again....when I was living in London I had no room for a layout Pete

Mark - Thanks also - As above, it never set out to be an exhibitable layout and by luck the overall size of the 3 shelves just squeezed themselves into the rules set out by the GJLC but due to the kind comments received on this forum since I started it, I would like to try and get it to exhibition standards. Without the forum, it would probably today still be 3 boards with a track plan drawn out on them! Pete

Ian, Thanks also for your kind comments. The idea of simple transportation began to change as originally it was just a layout built on 3 Ikea shelves stored out of the way in our spare room but once the high backscene was introduced (as per the 1:10 scale model) the 'flat pack' packaging for transportation became redundant - Pete

Michael, Thank you. Yes, CJ will still continue and the comments received by the forum maintains my motivation - Pete

It is with regret, that last week I contacted the 2mm Association to formally withdraw Coombe Junction from the Golden Jubilee Layout Challenge at the 2FS EXPO this coming July, in the main, due to the logistical/financial complications of getting the layout from Barcelona to Oxford for a 48 hour period. I would welcome an opportunity one day to exhibit it in the UK and it will keep progressing but I should just like to thank everyone for their interest in the layout to date. Pete

Well done for turning it around Missy - I rather like this version more as the building has more character with a base. As ever, beautifully detailed.

Alan - thanks - as you say, difficult to compete with the new Bachfar 47 - it does look More 47 then the old Farish ones did. Missy - thanks also, a big expenditure but I am sure there is no going back afterwards.

Hi Alan, What's the history with the CP 47 bodyshell and how does it compare with the latest Bachfar 47? Missy, Any recommendations for a suitable airbrush as need to get one myself? TIA

Hey Missy - good post - I admire your perseverence. Better to have realised it yourself now...then to have a 'Mr know it all' point it out at an exhibition... Hang in there...

Me too...I was always slightly cautious of them but until Farish or Dapol knock out a decent extensive range of coaching stock [i.e. covering more than just an open and a brake ] then Adam's range offers a solution to the problem of flexibility. I will have a go at the green and cream Mk II rake + 101 observation car soon and report back. In terms of the underframe I need to do a bit more homework. I think Ian Stoate offers some underframe components for Mk II's and perhaps the Association shop has some suitable goodies too

Update - Work on the track was not a great success last night so tonight saw a bit of experimentation with the rolling stock. The bodywork of 37420 has received some filler to allow the remaining two grill etches to be placed however I realised tonight that Farish and 'Boots' nail varnish removal pads are not happy bed fellows.....whilst cleaning up some of the body, the pads reacted with the paintwork - will have to assess further when dry :icon_mutter: Meanwhile, I thought I would have a first go at one of the MK I TSO's using Adam of 'Electrarailwaygraphics' overlays as shown in one of my previous posts. I managed to get a few Mk I's from Hattons prior to Christmas to use as doner coaches. I would have preferred blue/grey as a base but considering you completely remove the paintwork it seemed irrelevant which livery so I took the cheapest MK I and MK II's on offer. First step was to remove the paint from the sides using Brasso and Elbow grease....Must admit, this took quite a time, but it is crucial to the process. The vinyls were then removed from the sheet and laid on in place before smoothing down. The finish should receive a coat of matt varnish. The coach will still need some alterations to the roof and perhaps the underframe[?] as well as DG's etc. 2FS replacement coach wheels have been added though. I attach a few photos of the 'in progress' MK I TSO in Blue/grey Scotrail livery. I think perhaps the overlay edges could do with a coat of something to try and lose the white line [Adam is currently advising on this] I have include a comparison shot against a Farish MK I BSK, bought some 20 years ago. There is a difference in colour between the two, but in theory, the Mk I TSO's [and the MK II rake] will be run as fixed rakes so is not really an issue. Comments as ever are welcome. Bachfar doner coach prior to removal of paint from sides... Overlays - top one has been removed for use... Coach with overlay in place...roof seems to bow up in the middle and needs a drop of glue... Scotrail MK I TSO on the left and 20 year old Faish on the right...