bcnPete

Mikkel, Thanks - You can imagine it in 4mm and Moorswater viaduct would be 2 feet high! Thanks for the comment about the sketches - my modelling time is limited at present so I have to try and plan what I am going to do in advance and think it / draw it through - It does help me a lot and if I don't have time to model it then drawing it is the next best thing!

Bryn - Hi, and thanks. I was thinking of having the DG at only one end as I haven't really seen a close up of a 2mmFS Diesel with a mix of DG and pipes etc to see how much detail can be included. If I can find a way to not remove the loco and spin it, then that would be my preference. One thing that always seems to bother me though, is why a lot of the time, the DG's are left as an etch and not chemically blackened. Seems strange to me, as they tend to be more visually intrusive that way...unless I am missing something?

Update - Since mocking up Moorswater viaduct and finding a solution for a backscene, it has helped respark enthusiasm for the project. I have now started to look a Board 3, the final one in more detail. I had always hoped to complete boards 1 + 2 to slightly more detail before embarking on this, however it will help me view the layout contextually with all 3 on the go in various states. Obviously, there has had to be some compromises to include elements, however for me, the viaduct was fundamental for this project and although it will be closer to the dries buildings than in reality, I feel it is better to include it than omit it. The viaduct will be located on the beginning of the board, as seen in previous photos, and Moorswater Dries will be modelled to give a sense of the large industrial buildings, but they will not be completed in entirety due to the width of the shelves. I am not too concerned about that as I am going to include the two sidings, with locos disappearing beneath the buildings, as in the prototype, to allow run-a-round and I think this will capture the essence of Moorswater Dries. Having studied some drawings and my catalogue of reference photos last night, I may also be able to include a hint of the clay settling tanks in the far left corner. Originally, I was looking at a small hidden traverser at the end of the sidings to allow them to run-a-round the clay trains, but now, as I am thinking of fully detailing one end of my motive power and fitting a DG to the other, I will need to turn them. So, a small removable loco lift will be used which can be accessed via a small sliding panel at the end of the layout. I attach a photo and a sketch of the latter to help put it in context. Comments welcome, Pete

Hi Missy, Thank you - I agree and in fact along with all the other comments received, I am now 100% convinced that a] I should have a backscene and b] It will continue to meet the top of the parapet of the viaduct. Thank you all for your comments. Although the height will give unusual proportions of width to height of the layout, it will hopefully help in taking realistic photos as my pet hate is to see beautifully crafted models...and then see coke cans, mugs of tea, flower pots etc in the background :icon_eek: I think also the height of the backscene will help with Board 3 as the china clay dries buildings at Moorswater are quite high...in fact, with the new backscene proposal now sorted, I am tempted to start mapping out Board 3... Pete

Andy, Thanks for this - I see what you mean. I guess I will model the older version, but if I run into trouble with the windows I suppose I could cut out the small openings off the vinyls. BTW, great links, which should help nicely with detailing. :icon_thumbsup2: Pete

Looks good Bryn - A very neat solution using the pins/brass sleepers. Nice touch to see that Farish 24 making a discrete appearance in the background

Claude - thanks too. The HST is just one of a number of ideas I have for rolling stock crossing the viaduct. The idea was always that a quiet times during an exhibition, I could swap around and display some alternatives...so more will be getting spliced with the razor saw I now need to think on what my be a suitable material for the backscene...and whether it is permanent or attached seperately...

Thanks also SB - I will keep the front one at 90?

SRS - Thanks - I will curve the backscene internally in the two corners but keep the panels themselves at 90 degrees to the boards. Good idea for the info panel - I haven't given that much thought other than to have a series of panels running the length of the layout below the boards - I will ponder that some more...

Andy - Looking good - I see that you have included the infamous red telephone box too! :icon_thumbsup2: Pete

Missy :icon_thumbsup2: :icon_thumbsup2: :icon_thumbsup2: :icon_thumbsup2: :icon_thumbsup2: Pete

Very nice work Jo - together with the seacows, this really looks the part. With the end detailing and omission of coupling, the scale is not apparent :icon_thumbsup2:

Update - The question of a backscene was raised in the previous post and although I originally never intended to have one, I am now coming around to the idea. The idea has been tested further... You may recall this 1:10 scale model previously made to test the compactness of the layout for transportation to and from its home in BCN... This morning, I have added a backscene, to a height which I would feel comfortable with. I think any lower than the viaduct and it will look strange, so the idea is that the viaduct passes through it and I won't need to photoshop the continuation of the tracks etc. Most of it will be light grey with a hint of some rolling valleys which will be obscured by the lengths of trees which will run in front of it... The last shot shows the 1:10 scale model in comparison with Moorswater viaduct... I think I am now more convinced to have a backscene and of course I welcome any comments in support or otherwise... TIA Pete

For those unfamiliar with the location I attach a link to a website which I hope helps put the model in context. http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.reallygoodtrains.co.uk/images/680.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.reallygoodtrains.co.uk/reallycoombejunc.html&usg=__Yi7uSbWhZmfBHmEOtx5GHr3i3nY=&h=331&w=500&sz=70&hl=fr&start=6&um=1&tbnid=JiTBD5IVQk82cM:&tbnh=86&tbnw=130&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dcoombe%2Bjunction%26hl%3Dfr%26rls%3Dcom.microsoft:*:IE-SearchBox%26rlz%3D1I7GGLL_en%26sa%3DN%26um%3D1 The third photo shows that scale thing between the 37 passing beneath Lamellion bridge and the HST crossing Moorswater. Although the track had been simplified to only one line at the time these photos were taken, I think they convey the spirit of the prototype. I just need to source about 100 trees now...

Jon - many thanks for this. Yes I had planned to model one [or perhaps if I can squeeze in two] of the old Brunel piers adjacent - they are half covered with foilage so should contrast well with those of Moorswater. The Jury is still out on the backscene but thanks for the suggestion of the loop to the mainline - can't see that one passing the internal domestic planning laws :icon_lol: Pete

Thanks - Hmmm....the backscene...been putting the one off for quite a while and although I had never envisaged the layout would have one, I am now coming around to thinking that it should have one. I suppose it was always the thought of how I would deal with the viaduct [for me it rarely convinces when things are painted as a continuation of the perspective] but I guess I could make the backscene to the height of the parapet of the viaduct and most of it would be whiteish sky with an abundance of trees, as per the prototype, running along the length. The trains could be conceived of as disappearing through the gap in the backscene...if that makes sense. I feel a few sketches coming on...thanks for the prod

Update - Whilst I should be cracking on with Coombe Junction, I keep getting distracted to the Boxfile Kyle layout, however today, I decided to re-engage with Coombe and begin to think about the final board, number 3. This will feature an extract of the much photographed 150ft high Moorswater viaduct and also Moorswater china clay dries. One thing that has always entrigued me about this branch is the scale comparison between Lamellion Bridge and Moorswater viaduct soaring behind in the distance and this is something I really wanted to create on this project - the ability to run the china clay trains on the branch, but contrast it with the mainline running over depicting a flavour of rolling stock which would never get to frequent the branch. Before I get cracking on the viaduct, I decided a small mock up [not another one you shout...just get on with it ]was in order to help map out board 3. I spent a few hours this morning producing a basic scale drawing of the viaduct in CAD and this afternoon, built it with foamboard and card. As per the prototype and to make it slightly more interesting I have skewed the alignment of the viaduct so it is not 90 degrees to the board which will give a nice section cut on the viaduct. I also took a razor saw to one of my old farish MKIII coaches to complement the HST power car - a trial run before I slice one of those beautiful Dapol ones <img src='http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/icon_eek.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':icon_eek:' /> Overall I am very happy as I think it gives the scale comparison I was after, as well as forming a kind of scenic break between Coombe Junction and Moorswater Dries. The final model with need much further detail to pick out the stone, piers, handrail etc etc but I attach a few pics to demonstrate the mock up photographed insitu with board 2. As always, feel free to add any comments. Pete

Andy - Yep, I guess its the early version of the 101...I didn't know about the windows, so thanks for that. In terms of their completion, note I said early 2010 ...in reality, it goes to its first exhibition in the second week of May...so a liitle time to modify the underframes and roof details etc...

Update - Received this week from Adam at Electra, a series of overlays, to enable the various different rakes of coaching stock for the layout. From my research and photos of the prototype to date, I am preparing the following: - MKI TSO, BG, MKI TSO in Blue grey Scotrail. - MkII TSO, BG, MKII TSO in Blue grey Scotrail. - MKI TSO, BG, MKII TSO in Blue grey Scotrail. - 101 Observation car, MKIIa TSO, MKIIa BSO in Green + Cream Hebridean Heritage livery. Probably too much for the size of the layout, however due to the limitations of operations, I am aiming to represent a few differing eras [each will have their set sequence of moves] to make it more interesting - the motive power will start with a BR Blue Class 24, moving through to a large logo Class 37, then on to a 156 in RR livery. I attach a few photos of the vinyls, and today I snapped up some bargain priced MK I and II's from Hattons, which will be getting a facelift in early 2010...

Please do...if only I could take credit for the original idea...it is a tried and tested technique and many a modeller in us 'takes reference from it'!...

Jo - I guess I only used them as I had bought some of the Dapol spares and at the time of fitting, I had not got around to folding up Bernards etches. I think they look fine but I will remove them to spray them yellow and attach them a little higher next time as they look a tad low compared with the prototype. I think I am inclined to agree that the 'super detailed one end + as much on the coupling end' approach is a good one. On both Coombe and Kyle I will need to lift and turn the locos offscene, so I guess it makes sense to go with this approach - agreed, that one end with all the trimmings does look better and begins to blur the 'which scale is it' first impressions...

Agreed - nice work Jo. Look forward to see the updated version after the inclement weather

Martin, Hi For sure, the plain track is much quicker and EASIER. In terms of the turnouts, I am not the best to advise as I have only ever built one turnout to date using PCB + code 40 plain rail ( all my layouts tend to have few points!!) but so far I am very impressed by the components and the process. My problem is my soldering skills are severely embarassing and if I can improve on that then I will be happier. But in answer to your question posed, I think the turnout bases and sleeper bases are really a great step forward. Try and tune it to the 2mm VAG emails as there is a lot of discussion about the turnouts at present. Pete

Tea and biscuits well deserved! That looks absolutely superb :icon_thumbsup2: