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bcnPete

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Blog Entries posted by bcnPete

  1. bcnPete
    Good evening,
     
    An update on how the layout faired and some initial thoughts on my future modelling plans...
     
    Yesterday, PWBIAB was launched at the BHMRC exhibition 2013, a one day exhibition which I exhibited KIAB at in 2010.
     
    Time had run out on me last week, a mixture of work commitments, the untimely demise of the office laser cutter and a general over optimistic approach from me on how much I could get built between bcn and london. That said, I had committed to ChrisR (the exhibition manager) and I was determined to have something presentable for the show.
     
    I set myself a number of targets which included a few compromises which would have to include the following:
     
    - a canopy structure which would need further work/replacing afterwards
    - a picture of the location modelled in lieu of the digital photo frame
    - lack of dg couplings to the running stock
    - mostly out of the box rtr rolling stock without detailing and unweathered
    - restricted movements with the sidings
     
    At 1:00am on the morning of the exhibition, I decided to call it a day as I still had to set up the morning the layout in its entirety for the first time
     
    At 10:00am, the first punters were in and I was still unwrapping rolling stock etc...not my preferred choice but at least a few bits of stock were running. As time went on I was able to introduce some further rolling stock but unfortunately I even hadn't had time to run in any of the new locomotives
     
    Overall, the layout performed ok for its first outing with all the main electrics working fine and just the fiddleyard cassette alignments causing the main problems as I had to change last minute the brass rod sleeved connections as this was snagging the bogies of some of the N gauge rolling stock.
     
    The signals were terrific and these were plugged in and bedded in as per Matt's advice using bluetac around the base and a sprinkle of loose ballast.
     
    Nice to meet a few RM web faces, Jon020 of course who was opposite with his Deltic beast Nimbus and also his new super detailed fab duff and Chris (Eastwestdivide) whose photo and original idea for the layout visited from Yorkshire coming via Paddock Wood in the process Cornish Trains Jez got behind the controls for a short stint and also present was David Walley of the 2mm Association. There may have been others but they perhaps didn't introduce themselves.
     
    The three main things learnt from exhibiting KIAB were all addressed namely: viewing height increased from a table to 1200mm from FFL, internal integral layout lighting and a letterbox style viewing window and I was pleased with all three of these. This time I didn't bother to show sketches or in fact the boxfiles as no-one really commented on that 3 years ago.
     
    The 4CEP ran like a dream from the fiddleyard to the bay platform all day without issue and the Dapol 56 performed effortlessly hauling seacows on the main line with a 73 on the vans and a large logo 73 on the VSOE pullmans. And I got through the day mostly running this sort of arrangement. Running qualities also due I think to the excellent PIC controller, a great tip off from Jerry.
     
    I did make it clear to peeps that I had run out of time so the detailing and weathering were a product of that, but I thought better to have a mixed fleet than one detailed weathered bit of stock and nowt else.
     
    Thanks to my brother (also exhibiting his collection of vintage BIG BIG TRAIN) for making the support frame structure for me to position the layout on and also the black sheet as I managed to fly mine back from bcn and then leave it in my digs in London My two children were helping my brother all day so it was nice to look up on occasion and see a small cheery recognisable face in front of my layout.
     
    At 3pm, Jon020 and I had a well deserved Gin Tonic to get us through to the end on what was a thoroughly enjoyable day and good exhibition, noted from a few sprints around the other exhibits. Hopefully someone will post some layout shots on the BHMRC exhibition thread as ChrisR was a perfect host.
     
    So here's a few shots how it all turned out and I will finish on a shot taken by my eldest son Zach with the iPhone 5, which I think captures the look I was after from the layout from the outset...a sort of gritty end of line snapshot extract of everyday life...
     

    Overall from left end...
     

    Overall from right end...
     

    Looking through the letterbox...
     

    And front on...
     

    From the operator side...
     

    End of platform and colour light signals...
     

    Cornish trains Jez at the controls...
     

    That T-shirt got worn...
     

    Souvenir ticket from Chris from his trip...
     

    Fiddleyard and cassettes reboxed (there were two of these)
     

    Scenic section reboxed..
     

    The shelf for the controls and...ahem...the 3pm revivers...
     

    The shot which sums up the layout for me...
     
    I now need to think on my modelling future as we will relocate in August to the UK and in downsizing I will have to thin out big time the layouts and general railway stuff I have accumulated. Some tough decisions may need to be made and I may ponder some more and do a separate blog entry on this some time.
     
    Thanks all for your support during the build of this layout and for all the comments received to date.
     
    Pete
  2. bcnPete
    Update - I thought I would give the hoods a break tonight
     
    What follows is an idea that started brewing around the Expo weekend. I am not sure if it was influenced by discussions with Bryn on future layout plans, Kris's decision to adapt Avonwick into a roundy roundy or seeing the long trains running on Fencehouses.
     
    I had been thinking for a while now, how to resolve the problem of running in my new locos. Both Coombe and Kyle are not suitable so for now I have been using a loop of old Peco N set track...code 80 even, I hear you shudder.
     
    I am not a big fan of the 'scenic test track/plank' expression (sorry if that offends anyone) so I began to think of how a double track diorama could work as a mechanism for running in new locos, photographing them as well as watching a few trains go by.
     
    I chose a location that I grew up near, Clayton Tunnel on the London - Brighton line, with its famous Grade II listed tunnel mouth portal, which has the advantage of a road bridge crossing in front of it, which could effectively act as scenic breaks each end. The thought of running a 4 cig, or a 47 on the Brighton - Manchester Picadilly was quite compelling from my old spotting days.
     
    The main idea being for a double track loop of Easitrac, with 2 identical minimum curved end sections and a long straight run at the back. Black boxes would be integrated into the diorama ends to ensure that the sense of tunnel darkness is captured.
     
    And then it got me thinking...the other location that I remember from family holidays was a strip of beach near Parsons tunnel in Dawlish where the trains suddenly appeared between the tunnels as you were swimming. This too would make a great diorama...all those HST's, Peaks, 50's etc also stirred a few nice memories.
     
    So...this was further developed, and with a bit of careful planning, I think it would be possible to make a continuous non scenic circuit, for running in new locos, with different 'plug in' dioramas to make it more interesting. The dioramas could be stand alone pieces in their own right even.
     
    I am not sure if and when this will be built...but I just wanted to table it...and put the hoods on the backburner before I destroy another one
     
    I attach a small 1:10 model made this evening which I hope, with a few sketches, outlines the idea.
     
    Pete
     

    The components - Diorama, 2 curved sections and one long straight...

    Components come together as thus...

    Remove this section...

    And add Clayton Tunnel diorama...

    Or add Dawlish diorama...

    Components and both dioramas...even add a fiddleyard!...

    Sketch 1...

    Sketch 2...

    Sketch 3...
  3. bcnPete
    Afternoon all - 6 months since the last update
     
    Work has been relentless and it will continue as that well into the new year...but I have since committed myself to take Kyle to the Burgess Hill MRC one day show in May 2015 as it made its original debut there as a boxfile layout in 2010 flown in as part of my handluggage from BCN and its had a couple of makeovers since then.
     
    Nothing like a deadline to get you focussed Here's the crack - Get new FY and tidy up scenics by 1 Jan 2015 leaving me a few months to try and get some rolling stock together including weathering, DG's, rewheeling etc...especially all those new purchases likely I also have a few Stephen Harris 2mmFS kits to build but will try not to take on too much and get nothing finished
     
    The last update in May saw me make a foamboard mock up for the FY to allow an understanding of the overall presentation. I have managed to do a bit on the laser cutter at work in between deadlines so yesterday I formed the FY enclosure...including a few extra tweaks.
     
    Firstly, the traverser is laser cut from 4mm clear perspex as I wanted something suitably rigid and I also hinted last time I wanted some of the FY to be visible from the punters side. It runs on some small draw runners bought in BCN and I haven't seen any as small as these since being in the UK. A small upstand enclosure completes this to prevent stock falling off.
     
    I have decided to build the track on a separate 2mm sheet of perspective which will be dropped into place once complete - this should make construction a lot easier. I first need to get the small infill piece built to set the road alignments. I am including a short spur to allow a loco to be stored off the FY traverser plate.
     
    In the interests of simplicity I am assuming only 4 tracks on the traverser. Taking Gary's (Glenuig) principle of only 3 trains this allows me a spare road. The tracks need to align on every separate slide as the length of the layout uses the traverser as run-a-round. This also ensures that I can try and have a passenger train, a parcels train and a freight train and I can mix n match with this to suit. I have mapped out the likely track positions by removing the white protective backing to the perspex to get an idea of layout/proximity.
     
    The fascia enclosure is all built in 3mm grey card and includes the 'vision slot' which also allows the traverser to slide out to reveal itself when using the innermost road. I also included 5 small inset windows which will allow removable inserts of images - these may be original pics of the first cardboard mock up, the build process, sketches and prototype reference to help describe the layout. I can then change these images to suit. The card will all be painted grey to match the scenics enclosure in due course.
     
    Another thing I am thinking about is the power to the traverser. I will probably use sleeved brass tube to also double as alignment but lessons learnt from PWIAB mean it will be square section to avoid the handles tilting and fouling the bogies or causing a short.
     
    I have also been thinking about the rolling stock and the three eras I will primarily concentrate on will be class 24 and 24/1's, class 26's and class 37/4's...the new Farish large logo 37/4 is due hopefully this side of Christmas which will hopefully keep me focused. Careful selection of coaching stock, parcels and freight vehicles should allow some of these to cover all periods.
     
    A few pics attached:
     

    Mock up from last update...
     

    Overall...
     

    From FY end...
     

    Slot allows traverser to slide out and reveal some stock...
     

    The transition between FY and scenics is expressed with shadow gaps and incorporates 2mm badges...
     

    Sliding tray from inside...
     

    Additional spur for loco...
     
    That's about all for now.
     
    Any comments welcome as always
     
    Pete
  4. bcnPete
    Update - Modelling work is continuing tonight on the dries with first attempts at cladding the rotary dries building - am hoping to continue tomorrow evening and will post some pics on progress. Meanwhile...
    I made brief mention last week that I had finally managed to track down author and railway photographer John Vaughan, whose knowledge and photographic record of cornish branch lines is vast and enviable. Having compiled a numer of books by John for reference purposes, particularly china clay, I was anxious to see what he thought of my project as it was his photograph of a class 25 on clay hoods at Coombe Junction in Modern Railways Pictorial, circa 1980, was, and still is the main inspiration for this layout.
    Having finally made this connection, I sent John a small storyboard of photos of the layout as well as a few questions that I had been making assumptions on to date. Thankfully, he was pleased to see my project, and he answered a few queries I had, but he did hint that it was a shame that I had not included the steep incline of the branch where it splits for Looe and Liskeard, which is quite a feature of the branch. Naturally, I explained how I had to compromise on the layout and after many sketches decided to omit this in favour of incorporating Moorswater dries on my total of 3 boards.
    However...his comments obviously resonated...and he got me thinking again...and sketching...whilst on the plane back to the UK this weekend.
    You may recall that I recently sketched a plan showing a potential 4th board to the layout which would incorporate the loop under Moorswater viaduct to allow run-a-round and reversal of trains back into the dries. Whilst I had thought this would be the only extension possible, I set about reworking the first board to remove the fiddleyard and with the addition of a fifth and FINAL board would allow me to incorporate the split of lines to Liskeard and Looe. The line to Looe would have to disappear into a clump of trees (it would only be a DMU so would sit there until required to reappear) whilst the incline to Liskeard would climb and pass beneath a small road bridge (that does exist as this) acting as a scenic break to the fiddleyard.
    I still would like to incorporate a few elements in the layout, such as the digital screen, but this can be still achieved without diluting the idea. I have sketched it out and I would like to keep it as a long term plan, and possibly integrate it as the same time as Board 4. After all, I know what I am like, as I have a surplus of IKEA shelves and plenty of easitrac, so it would be easy to map them out and get them up and running, but I would really like to try and progress the original 3 boards to an exhibitable standard and keep this as a future project.
    I attach a few sketches done under the influence of a Gin Tonic and a little inbound turbulence (hence the unsteady hand ) which show the additional 2 boards and a few ideas on how to store the cassettes. It will take the final length of the layout from 3.3 to 5.5 metres...but I do think it could capture the whole of the branch and would keep the project alive for a few years after the initial 3 boards are complete. I am treading carefully as my wife is already accepting that coombe junction is making a big intrusion into our family...enough said
    I do however hope this blog is not becoming too boring for people . I do like to treat it as a diary to record events as and when they happen and I am hoping to get in another evening of modelling tomorrow evening and post progress on the dries building...but until then...tootle pip...
     

    Addition of final two boards to complete the layout...thanks to John Vaughan for the inspiration...its always good to keep questioning what you are doing...

    In a little more detail showing how with the fiddle yard removed, the split in the lines can be represented...

    Some initial ideas on how to incorporate some hidden storage for cassettes by making use of the rise in levels of the land...
  5. bcnPete
    Update
     
    Good evening - The electrics are continually slowly...but I am trying not to rush it and make a complete dogs breakfast as usual.
     
    One thing that had been troubling me for a while was how to deal with the turnout control for the layout.
     
    Normally, I use good old fashioned wire in tube as namely my sparks skills are pretty basic, I am still on DC operation and the folding track section at the rear of the layout looked as it it would not be suitable due to the need to be folded 90 degrees.
     
    Obviously depth is a big problem here...and a tortoise looked like it wasn't going to fit So I began to look at Seep...and then Peco and then I began to ask myself do I need a CDU for just one turnout? This continued for a number of weeks over numerous espresso's and then I wondered why couldn't I save myself the problem by trying to get the wire-in-tube to work.
     
    After a few sketches and head scratching sessions, I realised that the w-i-t method could probably be made to work, using the usual dpdt switch to do both throw and polarity change, as long as it was installed early on before the wiring to enable a simple routing of said tubing. Using a 2mm Association turnout operation unit (which unfortunately would have been too deep overall) I took the right angled extrusion bit and set about trying to incorporate this beneath the turnout - the thinking being that the w-i-t could always be disconnected from this element prior to dismantling the layout.
     
    Here's the sketch of what I was thinking....
     

     
    This afternoon, I drilled a hole near the side of the turnout and fixed a small length of brass tube with cyno to protude benath the surface. The right angle extrusion piece (name escapes me) was then slipped over this brass tube (an almost snug fit to the chosen brass tube) having been spaced off the underside of the board by a small section of the brass thread that comes as part of the turnout operation unit. Then a small slotted hole was made in the position beneath the tiebar to aloow sufficient movement. The vertical link to the tie bar is through a map pin which is secured with cyno and then soldered into the PCB tiebar (the top needs clipping and filing down flush still) This is then connected back to the dpdt switch by a length of wire in tube which has been held down in place by a gluegun.
     
    The switch will be replaced after I collect a small package of electrical goodies from my folks later next week and this will be set into the right rear fascia ensuring that the switch does not protude wider than the recess to allow it all to pack away in the boxfile.
     
    There is some messy work to be cleaned up around the turnout sleepers etc prior to paint and ballasting but it seems to work okay and now I can hopefully complete the wiring and run a few tests before the PW team arrive.
     
    A few pics to explain...anyone of a nervous disposition, should avert their eyes as there is a 'work in progress' shot beneath the baseboards of my wiring
     

     
    Turnout tiebar in place and brass tube inserted...still needs lots of tidying up around it...
     

     
    Overall shot beneath showing my simplistic electrics...
     

     
    And zoomed in...
     

     
    Here we see the mechanism acting as a pivot...
     

     
    Plan shot...wires have been glue gunned to keep clear of mechansim...
     
     
    That's all for now...hope to get another update in next week having got the wiring out of the way...
  6. bcnPete

    i'll third that...

    By bcnPete,

    Update
     
    Me again
     
    With the rolling stock on one side awaiting chassis etches from Shop 2, thoughts turned this week to the trackwork...namely how I was going to tackle the third rail. Firstly, I would like to thank Nick Bastable for all his help to date on this (note to self: add Nick's name to the list of beers now owed to UK citizens)
     
    I think conventional ways to construct the juice rail have normally revolved around soldering a length of rail to evenly spaced pins drilled in the sleepers...and this was how I was originally going to proceed. But before I parted company with some cash for some seemingly quite expensive minute pins I thought I would try something else out.
     
    For me, the two things that I recall seeing during partial growing up in Sussex were a few of the supports lying around besides the trackbed...and these had curved white bases with a clasp on top for the rail. I wondered if it was possible to try and recreate this by using a hacked rail chair on top of a small support. I raided the rummage box for small plastic rodding but alas its all been used so as an interim I have made a small white pad from white plasticard and using butanone (which is kept in the fridge, hidden behind the Dijon mustard and ignored tolerated by my wife) mounted the hacked chair on top.
     
    I then fixed these on every 6th sleeper (need to double check the spacing on the prototype) and threaded the rail. The rail has been turned down at the end to create the slope found at the start and end of typical runs. I then took out the Bachfar 4 CEP and to my horror, the pick up shoe seemed to stick out dramatically wider than the juice rail. Infact, one of them fell off and it was fiddly trying to get the small two lugs to clip back in...so I decided to hack the lugs off and superglue it back in place...result...it now sits a lot tighter to the bogies.
     
    There is still the issue of the height of it though...I believe that the juice rail should be set 0.5mm above the running lines and so I made a little jig to check this with my small pads. The juice rail sits at the right height but there is still a large gap between it and the pick up shoe...not sure how to solve this...or whether I will either. Whilst I don't want it to physically touch I can only imagine that dropping the shoe will not be possible and If I raise the juice rail higher than it should be, it might look ridic'. One other thing to mention is that I haven't changed the Bachfar wheels yet for 2mmFS ones and I am not sure I even will yet as this unit will only be running on Easitrac plain track with no turnouts. I guess the wheels won't make much difference as they must be a similar diameter.
     
    So, the plan is to try and have another crack, with some small plastic rod to replace the square pads and potentially raise the support a tad whilst in the process. Who knows, once it's all painted brown, it may not be so obvious. Also, some parts of the rail will have those protective timber sides covering it...all needs to be taken into consideration.
     
    The other thing I have been doing this week is prepping some sleeper bases. I have decided to lay the plain track as I did for the 2011 MV comp entry...that is, paint the sleepers first, lay them, then ballast, then thread the rails. I tip I learnt from David (Kylestrome) I believe.
     
    So, first up was to make a panel of sleeper bases and prime them as a batch as I find the sleepers take acrylic paint better when primed than applied straight. This was then giving a good brushing of Railmatch 'sleeper grime'. I then painted the chairs last night with Railmatch 'rust'...took me a few hours and my wife thought I had lost it completely...but there was a cheesy 70's film with Roger Moore on in the background (cue left eyebrow twitch) to help me through it
     
    Having seen earlier this week, Andy Y's great little vid on weathering sleepers using acrylic paints, I might try and work a little dry brushing in on the sleeper grime. The track on each baseboard will have a brass sleeper at each end and I have now drilled small holes for the droppers.
     
    I hope to start the track laying next week and in the meantime here's a few pics...including the 4 CEP cos it's a luvvvverly model...
     

     
    First crack at juice rail...
     

     
    And with 4 CEP...
     

     
    And again...showing gap between rail and pick up shoe...
     

     
    Low level view...
     

     
    Plan view showing relationship to running line...its tricky to keep it straight...
     

     
    Batch of sleeper bases prepped and primed...
     

     
    Then painted with sleeper grime...
     

     
    Rail chairs picked out in rust...
     

     
    Close up prior to removing and laying next week...
     
     
    Any comments on the colour of the 4 CEP Nick and I might just have to revoke those beers mentioned above...
     
    Comments welcome as usual. Mojo levels seem quite good at the moment...and I need to make some progress on this now as there may be some changes in my professional life soon...
  7. bcnPete
    Good evening,
     
    I must admit, having participated in and been following the thread on 'Blog quality' I was wondering whether to continue with my blog(s)...however, I do try to post something regularly and I accept that it may interest some...but not others.
     
    After two weeks of Christmas parties, its time to rest the liver and slot in some modelling...tonight being one such night.
     
    The first layer I am referring to is the glazing layer which was applied a few nights ago and has helped give strength to the base structure. One thing I realised half way through, is that its not necessary to scribe the windows...as they are formed with an overlay sheet...
     
    The second layer, the window layer has now been marked out and added and onto this I will add a further sheet which will give further relief to the window frames. The horizontal planking has been the subject of experiments by printing pre drawn horizontals 'greyed out' but I think I will try and scribe these instead. The windows and door frames will be added again as a separate layer.
     
    Its slow progress, but am much happier with it than the plasticard version. I had hoped to complete the 3 month revamp before crimble but I will now use January to try and complete it as the layout will be featuring in the 2mm Association Mag so I need to get a wiggle on to meet the deadline for printing.
     
    A few pics attached...
     
    I hope this of interest to some of you and I should just like to say thanks for all your support and encouragement throughout 2011 and best wishes for Christmas and the New Year.
     
    Pete
     

     
    Overall showing window layer in place on perspective layer...
     

     
    Plan view with partial of next layer to be applied...
     

     
    And the customary cruel close up shot...using that 'not so popular' currency for scale...
     

     
    EDIT: A quick pic taken this morning in natural light insitu in the context...I think the station is looking a bit more substantial now and has a bit of presence...
  8. bcnPete
    Update - Good afternoon,
     
    With the 'Outlaws' safely dispatched during the middle of the week (after almost 2 weeks here ) it was time to do some modelling....a sort of reward for my tolerance if you will
     
    The first task was to apply the first coat of Sculptamold to the ground contours. Lovely stuff to work with (as ever, thanks Julia for the tip ) and surprisingly not that messy either...the only downer is when I step back and look at it, I have a sudden craving to eat a bowl of porridge
     
    This was carefully applied so that the viaduct and both dries buildings are still removable to allow offsite work on them. Soon I need to bite the bullet and bed them in so scenics can progress. The sculptamold may have a smoother coat applied in places to form the road surfaces but I will try a little sanding first to see how it looks. This will then get painted brown and before the static grass is applied, I will first throw on a base of old scatter from my collection of twenty years ago...lessons learnt previously meant that the static grass does not need several passes to cover the ground earth.
     

     
    Contours now smoother since Sculptamold applied...
     

     
    Plan shot...the 3 structures remain removable but will be bedded in soon...
     
    Then it was time to move on trees. As fantastic as Tom E's (amongst others on here) tree making is, I decided some time ago I would buy trees for layouts now on. For one, I don't find it theraputic...my fingers are stripped to shreds from twisting wire...and I probably need between 50 and 100 to do the layout justice...in brief, for me, life's too short.
     
    The trees used on my diorama comp were from the 4D model shop...a bit pricey, but I think with careful selection, a few budget trees at the rear and a little foliage on the base of the backscene, then results can work quite nicely. I have about 10 trees which were recovered from the recent robbery salvaged from the diorama and these will be used where appropriate.
     
    Before launching in and overspending on trees, I decided to plan them out using a method I use for my architectural models at work. The idea is, that although diagrammatic, it helps get a sense of place and help with scale and vistas etc. Together with the trees from our office, I visited Abacus (our local stationery chain here) and a local art shop and bought various sizes/shapes of polystyrene / paper white balls such as these:
     

     
    The balls are a mixture of paper and polystyrene...
     
    Using various plans of Moorswater and Google Earth I mapped out the tree positions. Obviously, its a lot more overgrown now than the period I am modelling, so a little license has been exercised to pitch it between ordered and overgrown. The trees look fairly young from the early eighties photos I have of Moorswater and have expanded in the last 30 years or so.The balls themselves are speared onto cocktail sticks using finger pressure and then holes drilled through the Sculptamold to locate them. When you look at the pictures you have to exercise a little imagination and envisage 'leafy green open' trees rather than solid masses, however I am happy with the results so far. The balls range up to 45mm in diameter, and there are a few which reminded me of Cadbury's creme eggs...which unfortunately, I can't find here
     
    It may be possible that I might swap a few for bigger trees but the overall impression starts to give what I am aiming for from this layout...which is the train in the landscape sort of stuff...and sometimes the trains disappear behind a few trees and foliage along the front edge.
     

     
    Side on view of trees mapped out...
     

     
    The 3/4 view...weather not so great in BCN today...
     

     
    Looking down on in to the dries...
     

     
    Class 37 backs into dries to collect CDA's...
     

     
    Glimpsed through the trees awaiting to depart...
     

     
    Caught below the viaduct...
     

     
    Winding the clock forward a little...
     

     
    A quick dash to the crossing area...
     
     
    That's it for the moment. Next job is to try and redo the sliding traverser to release locos in the dries and then its the infill track MK II...
  9. bcnPete
    Update - A number of activities have been taking part of recent, and so to blend against those new FC Barca RMWeb colours I thought I would try a few black and white photos.
     
    Firstly, I recognise that I do need to improve on my photographic skills. The neat Canon A590 digital camera bit the dust recently so I have been using our 'entry level' Nikon D3100 and am still struggling to get good light/depth of field despite using a tripod, manual settings and selftimer simultaneously...
     
    Back to in front of the lens, rather than behind it and work has now almost finished on converting the Bachfar 24 to 24113.
     
    Front end detailed to include pipes, plated over door, headcode discs and the front edge of the buffer beam painted blue on 24113 as opposed to yellow as on the Bachfar 24035 model. Although what remains now...and I keep putting it off...but can't for much longer...is much needed weathering. I aim to have a go at this and the 26 sometime this week...oh well, there's always modelstrip if it goes 'orribly wrong
     
    The station building has been finally glued in place after finishing the flashings to the roof and a first dusting of weathering powders applied to the roof. It certainly looks a lot better now toned down but perhaps still needs some further work on it. A Langley cast whitemetal telephone box is a placeholder for a brass etched kit...if such a thing exists in 2mm?
     
    The hardstand area adjacent to the quayside (which was never really very convincing as painted plasticard) has been overlaid with some scalescenes concrete 'scaled down' from one of the 4mm diesel depot kits waiting to be built for my sons roundy roundy. The quayside has had a little white paint (inspired by Gary's Glenuig) to represent a little froth gathering around the boat and the water lapping against the wall. I would like to work further on the quayside, perhaps using some colour pencils to try and give it some green/algae type textures.
     
    The ballast has been infilled and patched in places especially across the middle of the layout (from when it used to be in two pieces) and has bugged me for ages.
     
    I still need to add some lengths of 60ft rusty rail, a little more clutter and keep applying the MIG weathering powders to provide the necessary grime from the diesel era.
     
    A few pics to demonstrate a little of the above waffle...
     

     
    24113 collects some vans to add them to the parcels forming one of those typical Kyle mixed trains...
     

     
    Renumbered using Precision decals...and this time some Klear...
     

     
    Front ended was filled to represent plated over version...
     

     
    One of those 'just arriving by boat' views I hope to improve upon....
     
    EDIT: Here's a better image which I took earlier today - I think it looks better when you click on it to enlarge it...
     

  10. bcnPete
    Update - Progress on the third board scenics has been delayed whilst I await for a package of wiring to arrive from the UK and all those fantastic shots from the excursion last weekend got me thinking about another train to model, as short of passenger workings tripping to and from CJ to the fiddleyard and clay hoods to Moorswater, there is little additional rolling stock required for the layout in the era chosen.
     
    So...the idea is to create an 'enthusiasts special' but sort of backdate it to the 80's period I am modelling. The train will be short (due to my 500mm length cassettes) and will be formed of:
     
    Bachfar 94xx + 2 Bachfar Mk I's in Chocolate / Cream and a new split headcode Bachfar 37 in BR Green.
     
    I have substituted the Mk II coaches with the new soon to be released Bachfar Mk I's as Mk II's in Chocolate and cream seem a bit strange to me (Did Mk II's ever appear in that livery?) and also the 37 will be in BR Green livery, particularly as if the train is of the 80's, then perhaps enthusiasts may well have been happy to see the BR Green livery again in place of the BR Blue.
     
    In terms of running, following brief exchanges with Kris on this (thanks ) rather than try and convert the Pannier tank to 2FS, it will probably be easier to swap the wheels with 2FS spoked type and make it a dummy, leaving the 37 to do all the work (not like last weekend of course )
     
    I attach a crude image of the train cut and pasted from 'soon to be released' items, just to give a flavour of it.
     
    Over to you Bachfar...
     

  11. bcnPete

    Wagon(s) roll...

    By bcnPete,

    Update
     
    A very good evening,
     
    Almost six weeks into my new job now, my weekends of commuting and re-adjusting to colder climes, I finally found time to do some modelling this evening. I must confess, although I had snuck a small basic kit of tools in my luggage when I first arrived, it took another few weeks to work out what to tackle here. Its going to be pretty limited too, as soldering irons and nasty smelling glues or paints will probably upset my landlady...so, with her gone for Christmas yesterday, I saw a small window of opportunity.
     
    My original intention, having bought a truck load of mathiesons couplings was to begin to gather rolling stock for PWIAB and close couple together in rakes of 4 with a DG coupling at each end. First up being 8 Bachfar PGA's in Amey Roadstone Company livery - a nice model, if a little plasticy in colour.
     
    I thought this would be a nice straightforward task to ease me back in after a 6 week or so break, but then I forgot I had bought 8 packets of PGA conversion/detailing kits from Bernard of TPM - so I thought I would tackle that before close coupling them together
     
    First up, the wagon itself, straight out of the box - apologies for pics am relying on an iPhone/iPad combo
     

     

     
    Being a TPM kit, not only does it come with comprehensive instructions but a neat little etch and some white metal castings too...all nicely packaged up too I might add:
     

     
    The existing wagon is firstly deconstructed and excess bits stripped away, namely the underframe detail and the end walkways and ladders. This took quite a bit of time and rather than tackle all 8 stage by stage I am glad I can use the first one as a learning curve. The other thing to note is that due to the need to fit DG's and the Mathieson 3-link couplings, I also cut away the ugly rapido box whilst I was at it, which cannot be denied does help give a little strength to the chassis.
     
    Then, the etches are folded and glued together with a neat little assembly but care has to be taken as they are rather delicate. A small fold from the end etch became loose which I will have to reattach or use a slither of plasticard. The ends are formed and then the walkway and ladder structure is added. These were then attached with cyno and the discharge base was added beneath the chassis. Next up was the brake equipment which was added at the requisite end attached with cyno. The final touch was to strip off the old brake wheel, cut back the moulding and fix new etches.
     
    Before you say it, I know I know I should have painted all the components before attaching them...but I know what I am like and they will never get done...especially in my temporary digs.
     
    I attach a few pics of the completed wagon showing the mods undertaken but ironically, no couplings have been fitted yet until I complete the other three for the rake (should probably paint them before that but you know what I am like )
     

     

     

     
    And finally a couple of comparison pics:
     

     

     
    So in summary, its definately worth doing as the fineness of the etches are apparent when viewed against the Farish ones, but I need to incorporate the lessons learnt from tonight and also remember that they are very delicate to handle from now on...as most things 2mmFS are I guess.
     
    They may get another blog entry update once they are close coupled and/or painted but in the meantime, its good to be back modelling and posting again.
     
    Pete
  12. bcnPete
    Update - I am of course referring to weathering. I couldn't put it off any longer so I have had a first bash with a tractor. I also seem to have got a better understanding of my camera so hopefully the latest photos are an improvement...and most importantly are more in focus...
     
    Back to the weathering - Before I tackle the 24 and 26, I thought I would warm up on a class 37. My gradual conversion of a new Farish 37 to 37175 is taking far too long and I will probably strip the aerosoled paint and start again when I get my airbrush up and running this summer and so not wishing to rush that, I have used my old Farish 37417, which was bought off eBay two years ago for use when Kyle was exhibited in the UK. It's in the rather attractive large logo livery which for me always looked mighty fine on Scottish 37's.
     
    The 37 is the older Farish model, which means the body is wrong in terms of length and it also sits very high on the bogies. I set about trying to lower it as per the newer ones, but the design of the chassis block prevents it sitting much lower as the chassis clashes with the cab glazing. From that moment, I saw little reason to waste spend time detailing the front ends with pipes etc so I decided to just add some ploughs and treat it as a test bed.
     
    Firstly, I have dry brushed some railmatch frame dirt on the bogies and the snow ploughs. I would like to return to these and work in a little black powder to try and bring out some shadows etc. I have then dry brushed a fair amount of MIG black powder onto the roof (which used to get so dirty you would mistake them for black painted) and work it in around the grilles and nose ends. The front yellow cab ends still look a little 'plasticy' for my liking but as noted, not worth spending time respraying this one at present. I also need to work a little brown powder/dirt on the lower bodysides too and perhaps a few streaks.
     
    In short, I didn't want to 'overcook it'....nor 'undercook' it...but I know it needs some more work before I tackle the 24 and 26. Just how far I take it remains to be seen but at least I have got my hands tractor dirty now in the process. And it was rather fun...albeit in a nervous kind of way.
     
    In other news I have experimented with some coloured pencils (Pixie's tip I recall?) on the quayside wall and again, it needs more work but I think the effect is starting to get better. A few rusty rails have been added to the yard, ballasting touched up, sleepers and chairs picked out where it was lacking and a new sign for the station (still can't crack that Scottish blue colour on my printer - with the Scalescenes one being a little to garish for me)
     
    Here's a few pics and I also include a 'Google Earth' type overhead and a front view as Mike (Paternoster Row) was requesting a few overall's of the layout...
     

     
    Farish old 37...with first attempts at weathering...
     

     
    On the quayside...basking in the gloom...
     

     
    And again...See how high she sits on the bogies still...
     

     
    Google Earth...both my layouts only have 2 turnouts...and the next (Paddock Wood) only has 1
     

     
    Front on view...is that a few bubbles I see appearing in the backscene?
  13. bcnPete

    all aboard all aboard...

    By bcnPete,

    Update - After almost 2 years, KoL finally has a station building....but not a finished one...
     
    Have been a bit quiet of late as I wanted to make some significant progress with the building before posting...and here it is...
     

     
    Firstly, I know the roof needs toning down...but it does tend to take your eye off the backscene at present...
     
    I will just give a concise history of how the station building was developed. You may recall this was Mk II as the plasticard version was too crude so I decided to revert to card and use a series of layers to build up the carcass. A clear plastic body was followed by a postcard thickness layer with the white window frames cut out...that was my last post on it I think. Then followed a series of disasters experiments to apply the wooden cladding. The postcard was scribed with a scalpel to represents the horizontal timbers but the overall look was not so great...as pictured here...
     

     
    I tried unsuccessfully to buy some coloured A4 card sheets here in Spain, but gave up as I couldn't match the right shade. So I decided to make my own series of sheets using CAD starting with the white cladding (I have gone for the late 70's period white and grey paint scheme) This was developed and drawn as a 'grey tone' to try and play down the horizontals. This sheet was then spraymounted to white postcard and cut and applied to the facade trimming around the openings as this...
     

     
    The next was the lower grey cladding and this needed a few experiments until a grey was settled upon. Bear in mind this 70's paint scheme had three shades of grey, one for the lower cladding, one for the window/door frames and another for the sill detail. I was comfortable with the whole grey thing having spent almost 11 years working with Lord Norman Foster before coming to Spain.
     
    The scribed planking developed above was then reused and various grey backgrounds applied to it and printed but the printer couldn't cope with the greyness and close spacing of the planks, merging everything into a dark grey mess.
     
    So finally I printed out some various A4 plain grey tones and then this was taped to the sheet of scribed planks and using a 0.3 propelling pencil, was scribed to represent the planks as this...
     

     
    This was then spraymounted to postcard, cut out and trimmed to suit the lower level.
     
    The next phase was the door and window frames, doors and window sill and for this I again selected upon some colour shades and printed them, mounted on postcard and cut and trimmed them to suit.
     

     
    Finally, the roof was developed using the excellent product by Ian (scanman) as seen on the forum here recently by John Brenchley's excellent Tavistock project. These have been cut out and applied using the 1/3 overlap and I really think the time invested is well spent. It does of course look a little too light at present but I will weather it as per Ian's suggestion of using powder form crayons or weathering powders. I have started to add the lead flashings around one of the chimneys as well as some roof detailing. Scalescenes signs have been added where appropriate but its difficult to find pics from that era...without a train stuck in the way... Here is a front on view of the station...
     

     
    I nabbed 37135 and a couple of Bachmann MK I's to help give it a bit of context and try and give a feel for the progress which I am aiming to try and complete by the end of this month.
     

     

     

     

     
    It really needs a large logo tractor to set it off, but in the meantime I have the 24 and 26's to detail and perhaps the 37 can follow.
     
    Pete
  14. bcnPete
    Good morning,
     
    Many thanks all for your interest and enthusiasm for this new project.
     
    Whilst it was originally timetabled for May 2014, Chris, the BHMRC exhibition manager read my proposal, liked it and floated the question whether it could even be ready for May 2013... Let's just say (I know you might be dropping into this Chris) that it could be a distinct possibility...as I have been working on Kyle again and prepping CJM for its next phase...
     
    This week, in between trying to award Practical Completion (something the Client, Contractor and Architect all have different ideas of) I have been sketching to try and develop the project and start to think in more detail in terms of operations and logistics. The sketches below, which I hope you find of interest, track my thinking process and ask questions about the design and its suitability, with a focus on trying to improve on previous work be it success or failure.
     
    The first one shows something of the original idea to try and make a boxfile layout with through running as opposed to small termini. I was quite keen on the 1/2 station idea and was trying to find suitable prototypes for a while, but I eventually went off this idea as I was worried that operation would be a little dull...both for punter and exhibitor!
     

     
    Sketch 1: It was during this phase that Chris (EastwestDivide) suggested Paddock Wood...hence the drift to listing rolling stock ideas...
     
    The second one looks at two options for Paddock Wood. The first being the redevelopment of the bay idea but to include the through running line. The second option forgets the through line but instead squeezes in another siding at the front.
     

     
    Sketch 2: The second option was dropped as I felt the through running would add an extra twist to the layout...
     
    The third sketch looks at the through line in more detail and how the line of the hinge could correlate with the 'hidden face' of the platform. At present I am unsure how I will support it and maintain alignment perfectly.
     

     
    Sketch 3: This is illustrates that the 'highest' element on here will be the platform canopy so if I need to increase the depth of the boards I can perhaps make the canopy removable...
     
    The fourth sketch looks at logistics of operation. What is clear is that 'through trains' will run from left to right and so would be best arranged as a series of block trains on cassettes that can then be lifted back again once a sequence has completed. The freight sidings need to allow for a 'run-a-round' (g..g..g..g..g..g...go..!) facility to enable wagons to be arranged, removed etc.
     

     
    A list of potential block trains is starting to emerge, with thanks to Chris (EWD) for sending a collection of fotos from that period...
     
    The final sketch is looking at the logistics of exhibiting. One big thing that I felt about Kyle was that it was too low and 2mmFS looks better (IMHO) with rail height at about 1200mm from FFL. So rather than sit it on a table, I was considering the layout sits on a simple plank (that I make in the UK in my father's garage) and perhaps that can sit on some of those DIY adjustable leg supports...the name escapes me as you can't find that in Spanish DIY shops. A black cloth of course will cover the front below the layout...and provide the necessary screening to the exhibitors carrott cake and kit kat stashes...
     

     
    I think I will make a small 1:10 model of this as previously for CJM to help visualise this better...
     
     
    I hope you find this of interest. Please note that no alcohol (only espressos) was consumed during the time these sketches were done. I wouldn't want people to get the wrong impression of me...
  15. bcnPete
    Update
     
    The Prisoner has ESCAPED
     
    By popular request...or perhaps the last dose of comments I decided to remove the white balls. They have served their purpose but its fair to say they were stunting progress a tad.
     
    So to help move things forward I have started the scenics. Beginning with sloshing around a bit of grey paint to see where the road is. Not the final surface or colour but it does help focus the mind and flush out the nasties. The next move was to slosh on some brown paint to cover the sculptamould and seal the ground surface.
     
    Then, whilst you may have been enjoying the Jubilee celebrations, I was ballasting the remaining section of the line aided and betted with a large glass of rose.
     
    And finally, the first layer of grass. This uses up my 25 year old mix of (Carrs burnt leaves I think) scatter which has no real purpose other than to cover the brown and wait for the static grass applications. Lessons learnt previously using static grass on the brown paint meant several applications were required.
     
    To cap off, the whole lot has been given a coat of the cheapest, sickliest smelling Spanish hair spray...to add much needed 'volume and bounce'...because it's worth it...
     
    A few pics and will return when the static grass goes in...its starting to get somewhere now...I think...
     

     
    Brown paint, grey paint and ballast...
     

     
    First layer of grass added...
     

     
    Covers up the brown and provides a base...
     

     
    View into the dries...
     

     
    37135 awaiting loading of the CDA's...
  16. bcnPete

    you've been framed...

    By bcnPete,

    Update
     
    Good afternoon - some more progress this week in terms of trackwork and fascia.
     
    Firstly, the start of the sole turnout on this layout and remainder of the siding(s) has been started. More easitrac sleepers were prepped and prepainted as previously described and individual sleepers were then cut, trimmed and stuck onto a B8 turnout template on the layout. It was only when I dug out all my turnouts jigs and bits I realised that I only had vee crossing jigs for B7 type turnouts ... so that all got ripped up and redone using a B7 turnout template.
     
    Due to my previous failings with removing the crossing from the jig I decided to construct the turnout as I would a PCB one, so only the vee has been constructed and laid in position. The adjoining rails of the crossing will be added separately...well, that's the plan anyway The straight rail and curved rail are in place and I hope to try and complete the turnout later this week.
     
    A little warping was noticed in the boards so some strengtheners have been added beneath to try and curb this...seems to be working ok.
     
    Before I get too far with the fiddleyards I wanted to work a little on the fascia boards. The idea is that these fold up into the boxfiles too, but with the amount of space taken by the two layout boards and also the other with the two fiddleyard boards, it looks like I might need a third boxfile for this layout The idea this time...which I wish I had done with Kyle was to frame the view of the scenic area...not only to concentrate the viewpoint but also provide somewhere to install some layout lighting (again this was lacking on Kyle) The height of the fascia is 230mm which fits within the boxfile, gives about a 120mm viewing slot and allows for the inclusion (if I decide to continue with it) of incorporating a digital window frame at one end of the fiddleyard.
     
    Once again, I have chosen my favourite medium for the fascia, cardboard and in particular 2mm grey artists card which is pretty strong. Bit of a pain to cut, but with a sharp 10A scalpel blade it does the job. The sides were cut, the opening formed and the two were hinged together using araldite and some wilko hinges. These panels will be painted dark grey and be bolted through the front of the layout at the base. Using holes already formed to lock the layout together in the box, additional holes have been formed along this lower edge. The fascia has been clipped short at the base to reveal the hinge which folds the layout in half...a nod perhaps to its 'boxfile credentials'.
     
    For lighting, I am again using the IKEA type used on my 2011 RMweb comp entry, mainly as it is small and neat and relatively inexpensive. This clips together in small lengths so the idea is to have two long runs of it over the scenic area extending to partially cover the fiddleyards. Its sold in a three pack mainly for lighting under kitchen units...but I might try and plug two packs together and see if it still works.
     
    I am quite pleased with the letterbox view so far. I have had to introduce a vertical at the back centre to support the front edge but this will also help support the lighting too and without it, I can't quite see how a fold up pack away layout can work.
     
    Here's a few pics...sorry that some are not best quality...they were taken work in progress with the iPad as it was a bit gusty today in the garden...
     

     
    Front fascia panel folds away in boxfile...
     

     
    Unfolds to give this...
     

     
    The IKEA lighting...from their best customer
     

     
    Mock up showing fascia in place and trackwork...
     

     
    And from the other side...
     

     
    Fascia bolts into lower base of scenic boards...
     

     
    The IKEA lighting crudely placed on top at present to check light levels...
     

     
    Lower viewpoint trying to hide lighting...
     
     
    After the turnout is completed I will do an initial wiring session and begin the control panel. The brass strips should have arrived from Eillens so then the fiddleyards can be started and maybe...just maybe, scenics started before Christmas...leaving a decent time to work on the rolling stock...
  17. bcnPete
    Good evening,
     
    With only 9 days to go, I seem to have found myself in a worse position than in 2010 when I exhibited KIAB
     
    A dose of bad luck in that the laser cutter at work broke (and has just been reinstated today) has meant that a few things won't be done in quite the way I had envisaged them, however am trying my best to get a reasonable display on show.
     
    This weekend when I fly back there to BCN there is still loads to do including finalising the wiring, finishing the fiddleyards and connecting boards, fascia panels, lighting, installing the signals, painting the third rail...I could go on...
     
    Some progress this week on the canopy though. It started in BCN last Saturday with the soldering of a brass structure onto which I would attach the more cosmetic elements. The legs have been made in piano wire and these have been then covered in small plastic I beams (so the wire runs between the web of the beam on the non viewing side) to give some stability to it.
     
    A simple jig has been formed at work and the idea is (was) to transport this structure back this weekend and install on the platform. The most challenging bit which I was dreading was forming the curved structure of the canopy. A couple of trials ended in disaster so this evening after work I laser cut a base in 1mm perspex and some roof profiles which were fided at 10mm centres so I could wrap the corrugated sheet around it. All was fine until I tried to get the curve to hold and my initial fears of it not retaining its shape were upon me.
     
    This has since been scrapped but talking with my colleague who runs our model shop in the office, he suggested I try and form my own roof from 0.2mm perspex which we will laser cut tomorrow morning first thing and I will try and reattach it at lunchtime. Then there is the fascia which as been drawn and is awaiting cutting.
     
    So I left work a bit low this evening as it wasn't where I wanted it to be at this time.
     
    I attach a few pics of the canopy structure (excuse my still shocking soldering but it won't be seen) and I realise that this will be the last long distance/boxfile layout I produce as despite the size there are too many complications.
     
    More worrying is that my eyesight (already shocking) is just not up to small stuff anymore...
     

     

     

     

     

  18. bcnPete
    Update - Following the setbacks from last time, and slight loss of mojo, I retreated from the layout and immersed myself in a string of christmas parties and the final season of 24, which provided about 10 evenings of time to reflect on my way forward taking into account the helpful comments and suggestions received and the conclusions to date.
     
    Last night, I returned, determined not to send any euros winging to the swear box (tis the season of goodwill after all) and started by cutting out postcard templates to fit the elevations, to allow more work to be done on the flat. I also received by post, a scriber (thanks for the tip and link jim s-w ) although I will tackle this a bit later.
    Thus the elevations started something like this....

    This enabled me to mark out the lines of the cladding and help with alignment (Bernard...this time the joints line through ) and at the corners. I used a 2mm strip of doublesided tape to act as the spacer between the sheets to help express the horizontal joints giving this...

    The elevations have been temporarily attached to the card carcus with doublesided tape as this...

    The corner joint is in theory a cladding capping piece so I will add this on after and then perhaps add a further cover strip in paper to overlap the cladding slightly. The photos are a bit crude in that the shadow between the joints appears to be larger than it is, but it is barely noticeable from some angles and I think will provide a basis for the painting and weathering. I need to think about scribing the joints now and also adding the roof panels.
    That's all for now though...hoping to get another night in on it later in the week when my wife disappears for another christmas knees up...
  19. bcnPete
    Update - Answers on a postcard which Bond movie Roger Moore uttered that line (where's the smilie, with one eyebrow raised when you need it ) Tonight saw a little bit of progress on the moorswater board namely as the title implies to do with the automated uncoupling. As I am no electrician I decided to continue with the use of permanent magnets which seemed to work without problem on my boxfile layout of Kyle. The only difference this time is that I have buried them beneath the track whereas previously on Kyle I had them on retractable sticks, slid in and out from the baseboard edge as and when required.
    I have placed one magnet on each track just before the covered area of the shed will be, to allow the loco to stop, set back a tad and release before slipping beneath the shed onto the manual sliding tray which will allow running around of the loco. The magnets are quite small but very powerful and will be beneath the concrete apron area so although its looking a bit crude at the moment, it will all get covered up! The only thing that went wrong tonight was that after burying the magnets sideways to save on space, I realised that they only work in one direction (Doh ) and so they had to be dug out and reburied with some minor repairs to the track end alignments.
    I have tested it with two wagons off Kyle which have DG's fitted and it works a treat. Also pictured is the first batch of CDA's purchased. I have removed the couplings and replaced with 2FS disc wheels borrowed from my old china clay opens and I await to collect the next 5 CDA's when I visit the UK in a couple of weeks. Tomorrow night I start the sparks for this board. A few pics attached...Buenos noches...
     

    Magnets are small but very powerful...
     

    The magnets are located beneath the white card...bit crude but will all be covered up...
     

     
    The first of a batch of Peco CDA's which await the fitting of DG's...
  20. bcnPete
    Evening all and hope you had a good Easter,
     
    My 2mmFS mojo seems to have dried up at the moment so the good thing about having a 7mm layout means I can switch focus  I also have this week off work so I hope to do some more on this layout.
     
    This entry concerns one of the pieces of rolling stock acquired some years ago as part of the fleet - A Slaters 7mm BR Brake Van. I haven’t made any kits for some years and it seemed a good project to begin this weekend, ahead of the week. 
     

     

     

     
    Following a read of the instructions...and several re-reads...I began work on the underframe. I have to say I found the instructions a bit lacking in detail in places and it seems where parts of the kit have been updated...the instructions haven’t  
     
    Following a few forum threads and prototype photos I have got to a position where it is just requiring the handrails and painting/transfers etc. to finish...this from spending a few hours a day on it. Mainly assembled with Mek Pak and superglue it has had some liquid weight applied underneath and I may put some more before I fix the roof on permanently.
     
    I hope to give it a test run in the next couple of days whilst progressing the layout - more on this later in the week.
     
    Here’s a few pics of where it stands at the moment...
     

     

     

     
    As always, comments welcome,
     
    Pete
  21. bcnPete

    moving forward again...

    By bcnPete,

    Many thanks for all the continued comments regarding the layout, in particular the recent 'backscene crisis'. I decided to reprint option 1 as that seemed to get the most votes and I think the differences are quite subtle but worth it. Although I realise it may not be to everyone's taste, I am grateful to Mike to raise the issue, which prompted debate and actually got me to rethink it and change it albeit in a subtle way. Thanks Mike. I confess I was starting to lose a little interest again with the layout and the enthusiasm was starting to drop off, so I felt I had to take a decision and keep moving. I am also mindful that both Gary and Glen both gave their time freely on this element to help and that is not something you turn your back on. Many thanks again fellas' if you are reading this.
     
    In terms of attaching it I used a mixture of spraymount and photomount...only a mixture because both were on their last legs and apart from a heart stopping moment where they both coughed and spat....we got through it. The wall and bridge have now been glued in position too.
     
    So with that done, it was time to turn my attention back on the station building. I have acquired some of Ian's (scanman's) self adhesive slates for the roof so last night I have prepared the roof profile (the gaps will be adjusted once the glue has set) and I will now start the cladding on the walls using, I think prescribed thin card, painted before application. Then the door and window frames will be added separately, again pre-painted. A different approach this for me as I am quite an impatient modeller so I need to try and relax and let things dry before moving on.
     
    I attach a couple more photos. I think the scale of the building seems okay relative to the size of the layout...and if I can manage some nice detail it may help lose that backscene to fulfil its roll as backdrop...
     

    From the roadbridge end...am playing around with my camera settings still trying to improve shots...
     

     
    An overall view...
  22. bcnPete
    Update
     
    Good evening - following on from last time, it was time to progress the inlaid track area. Not really something I was looking forward to again, as last time it became obvious that it was a two part process, however, the base coat to the remaining area of the dries had to be done, so best get on with it.
     
    A few changes from last time to note.
     
    Firstly I wanted to try and get a reasonably clean edge, especially to the front edge as looking at the prototype, the concrete has been cast pretty straight with the grass/weeds abutting it. So I prepared strips of cardboard which were pinned to match the profile line of the buildings. At one point I was considering to make these strips the same height as the rail so I could just run a piece of card across the tops to strike off level, not unlike how how they level screed on site with a batten of wood...then I felt I was taking my work home with me...so I resisted.
     
    Secondly, I gave a precoat of PVA to all the track areas due to receive their first coat of clay. Perhaps it will help - lets see.
     
    Then the clay was applied using the fingers and also occasionally brushed with a weak mix of PVA/water with a paint brush to aid the smoothing process. I also added another level of clay on top of the area undertaken last time, with a little PVA coating thrown in, but I must confess by the time I had reached in between the turnout and frog areas, I was losing the will to live...
     
    A attach a few pics...lets see how it looks tomorrow morning...when it has no doubt all cracked again
     

    Retainers made from card are pinned in place...
     

    Coating of PVA...looks a right mess at this point...
     

    Plan shot of clay applied...a lot of cleaning up required with a screwdriver no doubt...
     

    Once again, a little more encouraging from a lower level...
     
    Tootle pip
     
    Edit: The Morning after...
     

    Some more cracking...but nothing I can't work with...now,...where's that wet and dry paper?...
  23. bcnPete

    terence...the tractor...

    By bcnPete,

    Good evening,
     
    I was having a trawl through the KoL images earlier for Chris Higgs and I happened upon a pic that I always liked but it never made it into the final cut.
     
    It was taken on my iPhone, with me balancing dangerously on the edge of our desk in our spare room late one night with only the small directional ceiling mounted spots directed at the layout as it is stored out of use about 2m high on the wall.
     
    I always liked this pic as the light coming in from the right threw some nice rays across the quay and all I have done is drop the image into first 'Irfanview' and then 'Paint' to rotate it square and add in a little colour between the body and the bogies to mask out the pick ups and small steel rods which stuck out.
     
    It's the old Farish body too so I am awaiting Bachmann's 2mm release of 37407 in Large Logo livery so I can reshoot some pics of Kyle to depict the tractor period, however in the meantime I thought I would share this for any tractor fans out there...
     

  24. bcnPete
    Good evening,
     
    Further to Smokey Bacon Steve's request for more info on how I lowered the Bachfar 37, I have put together a quick step by step. There is another option that Ian of Mercig is undertaking which involves cutting the bogie sideframes off and relocating closer to the body as seen here
     
    Before I start this method, I should just like to say that it was Steve Nicholls (Pixie) who first lowered his 37 last year, and he kindly shared his method with me so all credit is due to him for that
     
    Step One
     

     
    Separate body and remove cab seats - These were glued so I just eased them gently back and they parted from the lugg - it will need to be trimmed and replaced at a later date...
     
    Step Two
     

     
    Remove the 4 No windows to the internal sides - These just came away with a lever from the scalpel - 5 though plasticard or similiar will replace them at some point...On my first 37, I also removed the 4 vertical ribs on the body to locate it on the chassis, but I am not sure that is necessary...
     
    Step Three
     

     
    Remove the PCB and cut a 2mm slot in the bottom corners, which will allow it to sit lower in the nose and thus let the body sit lower...
     
    Step Four (optional)
     

     
    I removed the Rapido and NEM socket and replaced with a small rectangle of plasticard painted black...
     
    Step Five
     

     
    The battery box/underslung equipment needs the small locating ribs removed and then small pieces of plasticard were added inside it and it was doublesided taped on the underside of the chassis to retain it.
     
    That was about it really. Cab seats and internal windows need replacing sometime but it does allow the body to sit lower and you can determine the height that suits you by the amount of plasticard you insert in the battery box/underslung equipment. There still seems to be enough play to swivel the bogies without fouling the body but I guess it comes down to individuals layouts and tightness of curves.
     
    I attach a couple of comparisons with the out of the box 37 and the lowered option.
     

     

     
    I hope this is of some help...I now need to try and apply it to one of the 47's that first came out with the large gap between the bogies and body.
     
    Pete
  25. bcnPete
    Update
     
    Good evening - As mentioned in the last update, work has been progressing on the cladding for the dries building. The roof and walls have had their basic covering using the method of preparing each elevation on a card backing sheet (so as to work on the flat) and then each applied to the building. The conveyor has also been clad and I have now applied trims to the corners to replicate the corner cladding capping pieces as well as disguise the thickness of the evergreen sheet.
     
    This evening, I have formed the rooftop vent and also the large sliding doors, which I have left slightly open to hopefully make it a little more interesting even though I am not planning to do the interior decs of the dries building.
     
    The slight yellow staining is from my almost finished bottle of MEK and I now need to give it a wash of grey car primer to see how it fairs. I would like to press on with the cladding for the other building before I begin any trial painting of weathering of this one.
     
    I attach a few pics - sorry about the quality - perhaps should have waited for natural light tomorrow instead of relying on camera flash
     

    Plan shot showing conveyor and roof vent...

    Overall scope of building captured...

    From the end which appears to be the most photographed on the prototype...

    Sliding doors have been modelled slightly open...
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