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bcnPete

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  1. bcnPete

    presentation...

    By bcnPete,

    Good morning,
     
    In between working on Kyle, I have been doing a little further work on this project, sometimes sketching with an espresso and in this case a small model to test ideas.
     
    I think I have said before that I am very interested how layouts present their public face at exhibitions, as a pet hate of mine is to see a fantastic layout...and beneath it, a fairly scruffy base or a piece of cloth tacked along like a washing line...
     
    Firstly, lighting. The first outing for KIAB, I did not introduce lighting and relied on the venues lights, but I think the more we can provide ourselves it means there are less surprises when we turn up to exhibit, as a ceiling at 2.5m high with downlights is very different to a Sports Hall of say 8m high with florescent tubes in cages.
     
    I am considering using the small strip lights from IKEA (I had to get a bit of IKEA in this model ) which I hacked around for use on my diorama comp entry. It needs some more thought but I will try and incorporate plug in strips above the front fascia. I am also toying with the idea of a 'floating sky' above the through line and this will enable views through or access to problematic rolling stock...sketch as below...
     

     
    The IKEA lights would be mounted as a continuous strip this time...
     
    Secondly, as another development from CJM I would like to incorporate a screen into the front display to show some photos of the context, the build, the boxfiles and perhaps even the display the F.A.Cup scores as BHMRC always seems to have its exhibition on Cup Final day...not normally a problem for me as I support Stoke City but they actually made it to the Final last year so I am glad I wasn't exhibiting then...Man City beat them of course...
     
    I have one of those photo frame thingys bought for CJM, but this time I was wondering whether to use an iPad instead...
     

     
    I think the screen could provide an interesting balance to the layout...
     
    Lastly, I have been thinking on how I mount the layout and also viewing heights. I think the easiest option will be to use some adjustable saw horses (which my brother can store in the UK for me) and then he will also construct a piece of timber for me which will act as a base but also will be where the black cloth is attached to. The layout will then sit on top of this. One problem with Kyle was being small and light, when you pushed the turnout dpdt switch, the whole layout wanted to move too...so perhaps this time I will use ply construction and something to hold it in place on the base board. Sketch as below...
     

     
    This shows the assembly sequence. In essence...Land in UK,arrive with IKEA hand luggage (I kid you not!) unpack, assemble, operate, pack up, fly out...
     
    From this I decided to make a quick 1:10 model as I wanted to see how the 1200mm above FFL looked. I mentioned previously that for me, 2mmFS layouts look better at this height as when looked down upon on a table it loses something. Being an Architect I am also aware of the DDA legislation and so it is important to try and strike a balance between able bodied, less able bodied, children etc when considering sight lines...
     
    The following photos show the assembly sequence of said layout and I have made a few 1:10 scale peeps to see how it all looks...
     

     
    The components...
     

     
    First, spread the legs...
     

     
    Then, position the baseboard...a piece of hardboard or ply with some cross bracing beneath...kindly constructed by my brother...
     

     
    Next, attach the black cloth to suit...
     

     
    Finally, position the layout...
     

     
    Behind the scenes...
     

     
    Add peeps...an operator and a couple of punters!...
     

     
    This is most likely one of my two sons..."are we nearly finished Daddy?"
     

     
    1200mm above FFL means that less able bodied wheelchair users should also be able to see the sight lines...
     

     
    And finally, unlikely the layout will ever get that popular!...unless I invite all my family at once (my mother uses a wheelchair sometimes)
     
     
    That's about all for now. The next entry will start to talk about some of the rolling stock that I am gradually accumulating for this project.
     
    Pete
  2. bcnPete
    Good evening,
     
    The good news is...it's not the track...as this has been somewhat fashionable in 2mmFS circles of recent...
     
    I am referring to the quayside which has seen some work the last few days.
     
    First up, after repainting the water with a touch of black (thanks Will) I started the PVA layers. The first coat was applied thinly and after leaving to dry overnight, the second was applied. No problems with misting...but it didn't really start to take on the water effect. I guess it will take a number of passes at it.
     
    However...the thing that was bugging me, was even though I had redone the water and cut around the verticals of the quayside, there was still a slight gap between the wall and the water ...and it bugged me... :angry: more so, each time I looked at it... :angry:
     
    I knew that once the water was redone, when I got the camera in for a few close up shots...the gap would appear and I would regret it...so it had to be addressed.
     
    Cue quayside...which I was never really happy with. So, rather than try and fill in the gap with filler, repaint etc and reapply PVA I decided to strip off the verticals and reattach a new vertical face which will be worked with dry brushed paints and gunge...before tyres and new ladders are added.
     
    Whilst doing this, I did happen to cut into the PVA layers so I had to remove these...but this was straightforward and dare I say it...akin to the same pleasure of removing a long slither of sunburnt skin in one move
     
    So, new retaining wall in place, water retouched and then the base painting and PVA layers can start.
     
    A few pics to put the above in context...
     

     
    First coating of PVA...slightly scary...will it go cloudy or dry clear?...
     

     
    New wall in place from plasticard...
     

     
    And from the other side...need to tidy that near corner junction....
  3. bcnPete
    Good evening,
     
    Work has been progressing as and when I can mid week and weekends but with not long to go I start to wonder what compromises may need to be made to get things done...
     
    With the laser cutter at work still out of action until some time next week (projected) I have trying to progress other bits and pieces. Last weekend I started to lay the pcb sleepers to make the connecting lines for the fiddleyard boards - slow progress and I will need to crack on with this the coming weekend...in between putting in enough hours with my family...
     
    I order some brass square section, rod and plasticard I sections from 4D modelshop and this weekend I will start the Plan B construction of the station canopy with a view of trying to complete it next week.
     
    A Ratio relay box has been added to the end of the platform as of the prototype and I have a small 25 speed restriction sign to add when it gets painted.
     
    The buffer stops received a red line applied with a fine red permanent marker...not the easiest thing to do with the layout stood on its end and also some painting of the rails was undertaken although this will need to be examined in natural light this weekend as working in the evening in my room digs is not the greatest environment. Excess paint needs to be removed from the running surface visible in some shots below.
     
    I have also managed to install the third rail now too. Following my trial previously I have threaded easitrac chairs to rail and then trimmed them as tight as possible to just leave the rail clasp. The sleepers were then marked with a permanent marker (I used a spacing of 6 sleepers) and small splices of a white plasticard rod were added attached with cyno. The rail was then attached with cyno to these and awaits painting. I might keep the white appearance of the mount and weather it as I recall living in Sussex seeing the third rail supports with the large white bases lying besides the track.
     
    A few photos to demonstrate...
     

     

     

     

     

     

     
    That's about it for the moment...14 days to go...
  4. bcnPete
    Afternoon,
     
    2nd attempt as I lost the last upload just as I was spellchecking
     
    7 weeks since my last blog update - work has been full on of late but at least I get to travel to Oxford once or twice a week so I get to see a bit of 'real' railway action to compensate...class 66's on long freights are growing on me somewhat
     
    On the last entry I had just been redoing the backscene giving something like this:
     

    New backscene and fascia...
     
    However, when I placed the layout up at proposed display level (1200mm above FFL) I felt the top frame was a tad low and clipped the sky over the mountains. Once of things learnt whilst working in Norman Foster's studio was to also keep questioning what we are doing...and not be frightened to redo something if felt not quite right. So it was redrawn in CAD increasing the opening by 20mm and then re laser cut.
     
    The extra gap does allow some breathing space to the mountains and that all important storm cloud above too All this was done about a month ago and waiting repainting and finally I managed to visit the shop and get some grey paint mixed for the fascia as the previous tin is somewhere hidden in our garage.
     
    Overall, I am pleased that I made the effort to redo it, even though I momentarily felt I was taking a step back in my reduced modelling progress but long term it was the right decision.
     
    Here's some quick iPhone pics with the first coat of grey paint on (gap between new and old fascia needs filling) with and without lighting:
     

    Revised fascia without Ikea lights in place...
     

    View from RHS with lights...
     

    View from LHS with lights...
     

    View from RHS but slightly lower...
     
    Next job is to locate the lights as one strip has been positioned temporarily (hence the slight shadow) to get a few pics. Also on order is some small self adhesive white letters to redo the layout name.
     
    Any comments always welcome...
     
    Pete
  5. bcnPete

    Oxted debrief...

    By bcnPete,

    Evening peeps,
     
    Back from the one day show at Oxted School today. Nice little show with a mix of layouts although as my youngest son couldn't attend today I didn't get to see much. Nice Spanish HO/009 layout San Maria Gandia.
     
    Overall the layout behaved itself and as always a couple of little things for the 'to do' list prior to the next show (DG couplings and tweaking one of the turnouts)
     
    The layout was primarily run with the 24/0 and 37/4 sound chipped locos and a 26 and 27. The 24/1 appeared to have a short but I am due to send it to Kevin at Coastal DCC to sound chip it, so thought best to leave it for its strip down. I receieved some nice comments with people intruiged by the sound and the coupling mechanism. I also received a couple of informal invites for shows next year which will be followed up.
     
    Nice to talk to a few RMWebbers. Hope Mark (Portchullin) enjoys the U2 concert tonight (not jealous )
    and thanks to Nigel Ashton who held the fort allowing me to grab some lunch and have a quick nose around. Nigel grasped KoL operations within about 3 minutes flat
     
    Show finished at 4:30pm and 25 minutes later I was packed and on the road, getting home by 6pm to a cold beer - Job done
     
    A couple of pics of the layout as didn't manage to grab any of the other exhibits.
     

     

     

     

     

     
    Back on Thurso track next week
     
    Pete
  6. bcnPete
    Evening all,
     
    The trip to Wycrail yesterday allowed me to make a few purchases and undertake some further work today on the new track insert(s) - A set of Xuron track cutters, new soldering iron 2mm chisel bit and a soldering iron cleaner were ticked off the shopping list.
     
    First thing today I finished the tie bar started with Mark the other week. This was first drilled to allow for the wire in tube mechanism. Once installed it allowed me to trim the frog ends of the turnout to match the existing trackwork diverging roads. The new track cutters are perfect for this. Then the toe end was trimmed to suit.
     
    To pack up the height a tad, I cut up a few of my spare business cards - a good stout piece of card and a little free advertising before I cover with paint and ballast I could then drop in the turnout and check fit and look at connection to the existing wire in tube which protrudes from the platform face. A slot was also cut as the tie bar is a sleeper turned 90 degrees.
     
    This has been modified by inserting a new fresh piece of wire and I need to do further work to get the throw right with the switch - previously had an omega loop but have cut open the back of the fascia incase I need to reroute it.
     
    I then soldered some feed wires to the turnout namely outer rails and frog and holes were drilled through baseboards accordingly. Gapping the turnout was completed once I had run a through bits of stock through it and so far it seems to have taken to its setting quite well. Next weekend I will look to hook up the wires and check running ideally before glueing it in place. The last exercise was to wash and scrub the turnout with Vim using a toothbrush - must remember to stash it in my tool box than let it find it’s way back into the bathroom...although my teeth could do with whitening
     
    Here’s a few pics from today and as always comments welcome.
     
    Pete
     

     

     

     

     

  7. bcnPete

    RAILEX…virtually…

    By bcnPete,


    General
    Hi all,
     
    As we ease ourself into a BH weekend just to let you know that Kyle will be attending the RAILEX virtual show tomorrow Saturday 29th May 2021.
     
    The layout was lined up to attend the original show but will appear at a date to be confirmed when some sense of normality returns. Meantime, I was honoured to be asked to be part of the virtual show and details can be found here:  
     
    http://www.railex.org.uk/index.php
     
     

     
    On my layout page there will be a selection of Chris Nevard photos in addition to a short video that I shot especially for the show.
     
    Look forwards to see you (virtually) there 
     
    Pete
     
  8. bcnPete
    Good evening,
     
    A bit of a quick entry this having arrived late from my evening's commute - when the train journey from Gatwick to Victoria takes longer than the 1hr 55 flight, then that really says it all
     
    Haven't posted for a month or so but work has been progressing on the cassettes during the week days as this can be done relatively low key in my rented digs...no need for soldering, painting or foul smelling adhesives More on the cassettes in another separate entry soon I hope.
     
    A few days back in BCN for a long weekend meant I could try and wrap up the work required on the PW so the scenics can commence...scenics mainly being ballasting and crud etc. Firstly, I had to re-do the ends of the trackwork I was not happy with, where I had used lost wax sleepers split in two to try and manage a neat wiring solution. This backfired as the sleepers started to twist at the ends if the baseboard joints so I had to strip them all out and replace with PCB ones. Not a huge task of course, but only having weekends on it now meant a fine tune of my time between the layout and my wife and children.
     
    So one week I stripped it all away, the following week I added back the PCB and this weekend I was able to replace and renew all the wires back to the underside and retest that it was all working still. Following this was to then splash a bit of grey primer around and then a splash of rail match sleeper grime to these areas ready to start ballasting.
     
    Whilst going backwards, I also decided to rip up the base card platforms as I will redo these in plasticard using scalescenes material sheets. I would quite like to try the method used by (Missy and Tony Simms I think) of applying Liquid Poly/Mek-pak onto the paper and soaking it until it bonds with the plasticard.
     
    I have also managed to figure out how to mount the PCB signal bases to the underside of the boards so the folded section doesn't interfere with it too much.
     
    A couple of crude pics attached - the track needs a clean up but will tackle this next week.
     

     

     
    So a bit of going backwards to go forwards, but I think it was for the best and I hope it will now start to gather some momentum both from works in BCN and LDN.
     
    82 days to exhibiting...
  9. bcnPete

    cassettes...revisited...

    By bcnPete,

    Good evening,
     
    Two blog updates within a week
     
    Whilst trackwork mods and sparx has been ambling along in BCN, whilst in LDN I have been working on the replacement cassettes needed. To recap briefly, a simple folding affair was made using a wilko hinge, some thin timber sheet and some brass strips, as per this:
     

     
    Whilst the concept worked, they were too short as the 4 Cep needs a 600mm length cassette and to be honest, longer ones would mean other more interesting train formations. First job was to source some brass strips from 4D model shop and these had been machined at 305mm long - perfect!
     
    Secondly, having struggled with cutting out the 3mm timber before with a 10A blade, I wondered if I could make use of the laser cutter at my new place of work. Following induction, and a quick model for the current project I am working on, I prepared a drawing using Microstation Software. This was then set out to meet the retraints of the cutting bed and then this was sent to the laser. Paul the office model maker kindly let me have some offcuts of 3mm ply from the recycle bin. A quick screen grab using the phone to indicate how it looked.
     

     
    I then watched in awe as it cut out the pieces beautifully...and with a great smell of burnt 3mm plywood lingering afterwards! The small set of rectangles are for packing underneath the strips to give clearance to the folded hinges.
     

     

     

     
    These were then taken home and assembled over the last few nights. Its slow work as I need to leave the sides to set with PVA overnight before tackling the brass but am trying not to rush it. This evening I glued the brass strip using yellow Zap adhesive as an alternative to araldite which seems to take ages to set.
     
    Finally, a few pics of it completed. It now needs a bolt through the ends as before to keep it together once folded and the electrical connection between the middle. Am thinking this time to just hard wire that rather than my insect like rail thingys from last time. Apologies for the picture colour at the end...the Landladys floor is a bit highly varnished in places
     

     

     

     

     
    1 down...5 to go...
     
    That's all for this week I think...tootle pip.
  10. bcnPete

    bubble-icious...

    By bcnPete,

    Good afternoon,
     
    me again...back to back posting
     
    This posting is twofold really...
     
    Firstly, my Dapol BR Blue bubble finally arrived today from Hattons...well 2 of them actually, due to a mix up between Hattons and myself. It will go straight back as I prefer to keep the money for the Blue Grey version...when you are ready DD..
     
    I have been awaiting this model for some years now so I guess my part built worsley works 121 etch...will remain par built. It really is the one bit of rolling stock the line needs so forgive me for plonking it straight OOTB on the layout to see if it feels at home.
     
    Secondly, I have been meaning to set up the layout along its length in our external terrace as we now have a bit of extra space and I wanted to 'slot in' my 2011 diorama effort to see how it looked, afterall my entry was a testbed for scenery, lighting, fascias and of course building the viaduct.
     
    You have to try and imagine stretching the diorama the 11" along the 3.3 metres length as that's really the feel I would like the layout to have. A hell of a lot of trees, with a small branch/freight line running between them.
     
    I am hoping to restart this in January 2012 and give the layout a good crack next year and see what I can get done before 21 December 2012...or whatever that doomsday date is.
     
    Until then, a few pics and I am heading back to the far North of Scotland...
     

     
    Dapol Bubble at Coombe Junction halt...
     

     
    And a closer view...
     

     
    Overall of layout 3.3 metres in length...
     

     
    And with 2011 diorama 'slotted in'...
     

     
    And a little closer...I know that the branch line doesn't align!...
     

     
    And from the other side...just to give a feel for what I am aiming at...
     
    EDIT...Forgot to add this one yesterday...this is a front end on view showing 'implied proscenium arch' using the lighting beam...
     

     
    The beam is just enough to let the viaduct breathe a little...
  11. bcnPete
    Evening all,
     
    Another heavy week at work lead me to want to get some modelling done this weekend. This followed a lightning 90 minute visit last weekend to the St Albans show to keep the mojo topped up.
     
    Progress has been in the form of fixing the 4 roads to the fiddleyard in place, which has once again put my basic soldering skills to the limit. To aid this process, I have used both Solder paint and red flux from C+L so was feeling a bit light headed after breathing in fumes the last two afternoons
     
    I also managed to modify the base beneath the sliding deck as it became apparent it was a tad higher once the feeder roads had been set. Much scraping of foamboard and mess gave me a new deck to work from which was built up in card layers to the desired height - a coat of grey paint on top has reinstated the base before I attach the perspex fiddleyard.
     
    Whilst the perspex is quite fun in its appearance, I am not sure that it works so well with hand built trackwork...especially my soldering, which I will go back and clean up when I come to check gaps/test run etc. Fibre glass sticks, flux, solder paints and solder all seem to leave a residue so the overall deck is not as clean as I would have liked...but at least it seems strong and stable. Next step after cleaning up and checking is to sort the alignment and power issues and finalise the lighting to the scenic boards.
     
    Lesson learnt from today was that, even after making a workbench with compartments to prevent liquids being knocked over, is to not remove them from their designated place closer to the work in hand Right at the last minute I managed to completely knock over my red flux on the workbench over the cutting mat and surrounding areas...thankfully not to much damage done just a strange red glow to a part of it
     
    A few pics of progress...the deadline has been adjusted to 10:00am in line with Andy's sharp observation
     

    google earth shot...
     

    arrival and departure roads...
     

    from outside...soldered joints will be refined a litte now the lines are in place...
     

    grubby first signs of evidence of work being undertaken...
     

    clocks ticking...
     
    As always, comments welcome.
     
    Pete
  12. bcnPete
    Morning all,
     
    A quick further update to report that I completed the ply fascia to the second Lack shelf this weekend.
     
    Same process as last time and when the boards were aligned together the two middle ends meet up quite nicely with only a mil or two difference in the top cantilevered fascia. Once its all painted in my standard grey paint finish hopefully it will look the part.
     
    The other good news is despite it being a bit of a 7mm beast in the Matcham household I have found a way to store it so it does not take up a lot more room than when it was just two Lack shelves with some track on. So far, no complaints have been lodged
     
    Next up is the layout lighting and I might return to using the extendable Ikea LED strip lights as I bought a shed load in BCN. Priority after that is to tidy the electrics and secure the wire in tube point/switches in place as the temporary nature of that may be causing sone of the shorts I occasionally get.
     
    A few pics attached.
     
    Whilst I am enjoying this 7mm excursion I do now have a plan in place to replace the two turnouts on Kyle so work on that will make a reappearance towards the last quarter of the year.
     
    As always, comments welcome...
     
    Pete
     

     

     

     

  13. bcnPete

    Kyle - Further update...

    By bcnPete,

    Evening all,
     
    Following on from the last entry I have since managed to simplify the wiring and the new turnout is in place and trains run through it - a couple of locos need a check on their Back to Backs before I start tweaking the frogs...which was a downfall of the previous ones I think.
     
    With this in mind I decided to build the second replacement turnout under the road bridge as the layout has quite a few shows over 2019/2020. I started this yesterday afternoon before bad light stopped play and continued fresh this morning. A test wagon and coach appear to run through smoothly so next week it will be gapped, primed and then a few key wires added as before.
     
    This will be an interesting fit as just overlaying it with the two diverging roads means the tiebar will sit right at the edge of the scenic baseboard so I will need to rip out the existing wire in tube under the platform and reroute a new one.
     
    I will try to get the old turnout cut out and the new one installed this side of Christmas to leave redoing the fascia and scenics in January.
     
    Overall, progress is on programme I think
     
    A few pics...
     

    Old School on the turnouts using the 2mm Association jigs...
     

    A few easitrac sleepers on the ends to keep alignment...
     

    Dropped in place for test fit...
     
    Comments welcome as always...
     
    Pete
  14. bcnPete
    Update
     
    Firstly, a big thanks to all the helpful comments and the PM received regarding my inlaid disaster in my last blog.
     
    I had already made my mind up before I posted it, that it had to go...the questions were, when and how and what to replace it with?
     
    Earlier today, armed with a screwdriver I began to scrape the clay away at the edges of the track. Despite all those cracks it had actually set rock solid and was difficult to remove. Enter the Hammer to the equation...and the scraping became more forceful...however it was starting to damage the track in places
     
    My initial plan of removing the clay and leaving the track to allow a new surface of plasticard/clay/filler etc was falling apart...if the replacement apron looked good, but the trains ran badly, then what was the point of the exercise?
     
    So, I decided to remove the track up to the turnout and redo it to ensure that trains would run satisfactorily again. This was all going well until I started the final chipping away at the turnout...and you guessed it...more damage...so the turnout had to go too
     
    Here's a photo of the current state of play tonight...
     

     
    I have reinstated the buildings as the board looked a bit lost without them!...
     
    So now I need to reconstruct a new turnout and the associated track in the sidings, but hey, its very fashionable to rip up 2mmFS track at the moment...Missy was doing it recently on Highclere....and then Kris too on Avonwick......so now me....Get in
     
    Blood cleaned, sweat mopped....and now ready for those beers
     
    Pete
  15. 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...
     

  16. bcnPete
    Update - The countdown refers to the 3 boards as earlier today I managed to erect the layout in its entire length on the dining room table and 'brassed off' refers to my wifes reaction as the layout momentarily took over our apartment
     
    In order to break myself back into modelling since vacation I decided to prepare the backscenes, which need to be detachable if I am to be able to transport the layout back to the UK one day. The height had been determined as 300mm above track level from previous mock up models, and mainly to allow it to meet the extract of Moorswater viaduct which is 150ft high.
     
    The backscenes are formed from two layers of grey artists card laminated together with PVA and are screw mounted to the IKEA shelf. A few small squares have been cut to allow me to slide the shelves back on the protruding wall supports and a few others will be cut to allow access to the turnout wire in tubes (only 2!), isolation switches (am still DC control!) and to access the run-a-round loco release at Moorswater.
     
    The backscenes will be painted a pale grey/white colour as my previous experiences with a blue sky on Kyle left it looking like the front of a Club Med holiday brochure, so this time I will be going for something more subtle.
     
    There is some tidying up along the front edge still, where I need to cut a layer of card to follow the profile of the landscape and the dries buildings at Moorswater and the front edge will then be finished in gunmetal grey paint.
     
    I attach a few pics to show progress and to hopefully give an idea of the overall view of the layout.
     
    Pete
     

    Mock up model...
     

    Overall view from Moorswater dries...
     

    Moorswater viaduct to Coombe Junction...
     

    From beneath the 150ft high Moorswater viaduct...
     

    View back to Moorswater...
  17. bcnPete

    hat thrown into the ring...

    By bcnPete,

    I think I can thank...or blame Ian (Scanman) for this as his recent blog entry got me thinking.
     
    Am currently building Thurso and entering it into the MRJ Cameo layout competition so when the 2mm Association recently announced their 60 years Jubilee layout competition I had decided not to enter. Then Ian's blog made me realise that the MRJ competition would be submitted April 2019 which would give circa a year to make something for the 2mmFS competition.
     
    The rules are fairly simple which states a scenic layout of 600 x 240mm (excludes FY's etc.) and includes one turnout. I have always liked the following picture of Meeth in North Devon and have considered this as a project before in both 2mmFS and 7mm.
     
    http://www.derbysulzers.com/25080meeth80.jpg
     
    So Ian's post got me pondering, sketching and researching and during a two day work trip this week to Germany and Austria to inspect some cladding, a plan was hatched
     
    The first thing was to actually mark out the measurements physically and to be honest it's pretty tight however I decided to use today to make a full size mock up. This is my chosen method of working, informed through my day job as an Architect and a good way to understand constraints and flush out any problems prior to build.
     
    The track plan was laid out on a 1mm piece of card and it became clear the single turnout would need to be at one end in order to accommodate the siding. Next I built the enclosure in 5mm foamboard, using black for the fascia and white for the hidden elements. This is all bonded together with double sided tape and PVA glue. The more observant of you will see from the pics that I have made the 1mm base slightly inboard so it is removable. This could be to allow tweaking or even a different idea should this one falter!
     
    Using the minimum information I have at present I built the shed from guesstimating from photographs although I will try to see if I can obtain some books on the line which show some old maps. 5mm foamboard represents contours and as a reappearance from an earlier CJM blog post I have used polystyrene balls/eggs to represent trees (cue jokes about The Prisoner again ) I looked briefly at rotating the layout 180 degrees however I prefer this way with the view into the shed and it's acting as a partial view blocker.
     
    The Fiddleyard(s) will be either plug on cassettes or I looked at an option to make concealed Fiddleyards - that one needs more thought. In terms of running I understand it was class 25's or 31's on china clay until about 1982 when the line closed - this fits in with my beloved BR blue era
     
    Whilst the layout will be fairly limited in operation I see this project as an exercise in restraint and trying to improve my rural scenic abilities. Attention will be paid to the track, lineside fencing, landscape etc. whilst lighting will be concealed in the top of the fascia - I have used the same dimensions for this as my KoL and Thurso layouts for consistency.
     
    What follows is some photos of my quick n dirty mock up produced today with a little bit of old N gauge stock included for scale and scene setting. I will need to purchase both the new Farish 25 and 31 with my old Peco 5 plank clay hoodies replaced by a set of Parkside kits and 2mmFS chassis's from my Gloat box, initially bought for my Coombe Junction Moorswater layout (sorry Jeremy!) Am still trying to work out if passenger stock was used on this line but if not I can always try and recreate the photo of the 25 in the link on the rail tour.
     

    the stage set awaiting the main act...
     

    the proposal...
     

    face on view...
     

    google earth type shot...
     

    with some old stock to set the scene...
     

    full frontal with stock...
     

    cassette type option...
     

    concealed fiddleyards option...
     
    That's about it. It will be a slow burn this one as I want to concentrate on Thurso and not get distracted however some stock may be purchased and research will be continued.
     
    As always, comments welcome and thanks again Ian
     
    Pete
  18. bcnPete
    Update - a little progress last night with board 3 as I have now laid the cork sheet below the trackbed. Unfortunately I cannot lay the track as am awaiting delivery of a new soldering iron and solder from the UK - giving myself the benefit of the doubt, I am guessing my soldering started to deteriorate from poor to absolutely shocking, possibly due to the only solder that I can find here was probably meant for joining water pipes together <img src='http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/icon_eek.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':icon_eek:' /> So I would rather not progress the buildings further at Moorswater until the EASITRAC turnout and the alignment of sidings has been completed.
     
    Also began to get a feel for the backscene, which you may recall will meet with the parapet of Moorswater viaduct. It will need a rethink of how the turnouts [there are only 2!] and isolating sections will work as without the backscene, they would have been screened by trees. I have made card formers around the Fiddle yard cassettes area and as per one of the comments received the other day, this will be the layout nameboard. For sure, its going to be tall as a backscene, but once it runs along the length of the layout I think it will work well and hopefully give the layout some depth.
     
    A few pics and a sketch attached...
     

    Overall view of Fiddleyard enclosure...

    Bachfar 37 emerges...will need to rethink those switches...

    Close up - Coombe Junction Signal Cabin has been mocked up in paper to get a feel for the size...

    Sketch showing layout with nameboard panel...
  19. bcnPete

    design development...

    By bcnPete,

    Good evening,
     
    Unfortunately work has been busy and mojo zapped since the flurry of activity on my week off which got the project up and running.
     
    That said, sketches still prevail in my sketchbook during journeys to work or en route to meetings.
     
    A number of comments were received which questioned the small letterbox to the train shed...my youngest son was the first to express doubts...and he seems to be developing a critical eye for this sort of stuff. The idea being to complete the 50mm border to the fascia as per Kyle and then reveal the station building with a glass wall prioviding the view into the shed supplemented by the roof light which is on this side too. The other side of the roof can be made removable in case of any problems/track cleaning.
     
    A couple of sketches were undertaken to test the idea and then this was modified on the mock up - one of the benefits of not being too precious with a mock up is allowing mods to happen...a lot easier than hacking the final product. Sketch here:
     

     
    Another thought was how to produce the back scene as Richard (Ben Alder) advised me that the view has changed somewhat over the years so not as straightforward as the mountains of Skye for Kyle - perhaps the use of a conventional backscene with a row of vans photographed and used in the foreground as Richard had done...this got me thinking on how that might work...stretching my photoshop skills somewhat sketch here:
     

     
    Another modification was cutting back the platform a tad as it felt too long and would give rise to a little more greenery/foliage to this end...another counterpoint to Kyle if they get joined together.
     
    Next up, use of the mock up to gauge where uncoupling magnets will be positioned. Using the 'if it ain't broke, don't try and fix it' analogy I will probably use the same system of slide in/out permanent bar magnets to keep things simple. These have been indicated by red self adhesive dots so I can co-ordinate with wiring etc. beneath.
     
    The end of the Fiddleyard board will eventually require modification to allow through running so a quick thought on how this might happen and the need to get power to the strip lights concealed in the fascias. Sketch here:
     

     

     

     

     

     
    As always, comments welcome...
     
    Pete
  20. bcnPete

    ballast...

    By bcnPete,

    Good evening,
     
    The target this weekend was to undertake the ballasting - as usual, a tedious exercise, despite given the relatively small size of the layout.
     
    As usual, I use the Woodland Scenics fine grey chips and these were applied onto pre spread PVA using a mixture of paint brushes and cocktail sticks.
     
    I had pre painted the sleepers and chairs with a view to pre painting the rail and threading it but due to lack of progress I ended up cracking on with finishing the track so I will have to hand paint the rail(s) later.
     
    I also managed to apply the first coat of paint to the buffer stops and checking the prototype was surprised to see they were black with white - just got to do the red stripe now.
     
    A few pics:
     

     

     

     

     
    Next job is to make the station canopy...
     
    That's it really - small progress, short blog entry but at least moving in the right direction...which it needs to with only 39 days remaining...
  21. bcnPete

    progress...

    By bcnPete,

    Good afternoon,
     
    This week has seen much thinking, sketching and deciding on the fate of the layout.
     
    It ranged from chucking it in the dustbin...to expanding the layout in width and increasing the amount of water at the edge...
     
    I then realised that it was starting to expand as a project...not really what I wanted for a 3 month filler project.
     
    If I go back to the origins of why I built the layout it was something like this:
     
    Visited the 2009 BHMRC exhibition and joked to the organiser that I would bring a small layout to the 2010 packaged in a boxfile - Then agreed more seriously by email to produce it and committed myself - Commenced build prior to crimble (but most got done in the last 3 months) - Flew said project into the UK in my easJet hand luggage - Did the show - Flew it back to Spain - Boxfile sat on shelf unopened for 16 months
     
    The layout had sort of done what I wanted it to, but it became too fiddly and set up time was longer than I had hoped for. So rather than start trying to convert it into something it was never supposed to be, I have decided to Keep It Simple Stupid and mount it on the shelf so it still retains some of the 'boxfile' spirit due to its sole 120mm width.
     
    It also means that the previous 'other' idea to extend it and produce a model of Thurso to sit the otherside of the fiddleyard could still happen...one day
     

    Kyle and Thurso...end to end...
     

    The new plan...much needed space for cassette storage and walkabout controller...
     

    The layout has already been hacked and backscenes trashed...
     

    And once the rewire has finished, recladding the sides to hide the shelf will commence...
     
    I feel a whole lot better now that I can concentrate on a simple refurb and although some of the joints (the track) will still be visible, it will hopefully retain a sense of the spirit in which it was constructed.
     
    EDIT: I forgot to mention...if anyone is wondering why the platform has various chunks taken out of it, it is because that's where the slide switches are that operate the points and isolating sections...they actually get covered when the backscenes were applied as the half relief station and wall cover them up....
     

    extremely low tech behind the scenes!...
  22. bcnPete

    coombe junction - 4mm

    By bcnPete,

    Happy Christmas to all! The title is not a misprint, early April fool, nor the result of too much red wine but an exercise that has been flying around in my head for a while and I just wanted to see how feasible it would be.
     
    On the last RMWeb3, there were comments that it would be interesting to build Coombe Junction in 4mm - Seeing as how I have started to build up an appropriate amount of BR blue rolling stock for the layout I am building my sons [i will set that blog up next year] it occurred to me that again using one of my preferred IKEA shelves , then a reasonable model of Coombe Junction could be made - Size a mere 1900mm x 260mm.
     
    Using some left over Hornby set track, some Peco flexible, a Hornby hut and a cardboard platform knocked up last Christmas day for my sons I mapped it out earlier today on the shelf, if nothing else, just to get it out of my system. The layout would use Coombe Junction crossing and Lamellion bridges as scenery breaks at either end, with simple trains loaded on Cassettes. Although it is represented with proprietary track, it would be nice to handbuild the trackwork, to Finescale standards and also detail a small fleet of rolling stock.
     
    I attach a sketch done a few months ago and a couple of pics from today which if nothing else, demonstrate that a small extract from the branch could make for an interesting layout.
     
    Am I going to build it??? Well, never say never but with 3 layouts currently under construction in our household, that's just say that I don't really want to start 2010 with my wife divorcing me
     
    Thanks for all your support and comments throughout the year on both RMWeb 3 and this forum which have been informative, inspirational and motivating. Very best wishes to you all for 2010 <img src='http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/icon_biggrin.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':icon_biggrin:' />
     

    Original sketch...1900mm top and tailed with cassettes...

    Overall...Coombe crossing at lower end and Lamellion Bridge at the upper end as scenic breaks...

    37 on clay hoods passing 121 Bubble at Coombe...

    Looking towards Coombe Station...
  23. bcnPete
    Update - Further to Mikkel's observations about visibility in the dries area, this evening I decided to pursue an idea that I had sketched out last year, as it had also been on my mind in the early planning stages of this board. I always wanted to model a snapshot of the dries area but was conscious that a lot of it would be hidden, as opposed to the excellent Wheal Elizabeth where the dries building faces the audience. With this in mind I set about creating a small 'letterbox' in the front fascia to give small vistas as a train arrived, especially for small (and big ) children. Its all been crafted in grey card at present but will be clad more neatly in stone sheet etc in the coming few weeks.
    Here is my initial sketch from last year...

    And although the dries has now been mapped out in a bit more detail, here is the solution...

    which gives this...

    It's not intended to show everything but I thought it might be an interesting snapshot from a differing viewpoint...
     
    On the subject of openings, I also cut out the one at the rear of the dries to allow access to the mini traverser and turning of locos as I will DG one end and detail the other. The openings are concealed beneath the buildings and there is space to hold a loco, but actually the ergonomics have been based upon the size of a stash of jelly babies courtesy of Mark and Steve's recommendations on operating procedures when exhibiting
    It looks something like this from behind the scenes...

    and poking the camera in a bit closer will give a few other hidden photo opportunities I hope...

     
    The last opening cut this evening, was an idea that I saw Hugh Flynn had used on one of his recent layouts, namely the incorporation of a photo display screen. Most of the ones I have seen have horrible chunky frames, curves and bevels etc so I managed to sell the idea to my wife, that if I found a slick black minimal design, it would be a welcome addition to our apartment...and something I could borrow occasionally when exhibiting the layout This could then display a running slideshow of sketches, research of the prototype, construction and other reference material for the layout rather than string a 'washing line' of information along the front....which can sometimes detract from a layout.
    The idea was to incorporate it in my blank front fascia panel screening the fiddleyard something along these lines...

    and this was the model found...a bargain a €90 I thought...

    where the frame justs drops in behind the fiddleyard fascia on a series of card/foamboard runners and can be easily removed...

    with a nice sharp edge to the screen
     
    That's all folks...
  24. bcnPete
    Update - Work started this evening on converting the Bachfar 37238 into 37142. This will have a black headcode as relevant to my era and 37207 will have the yellow headcode.
     
    The decision has been made to omit couplings completely one end on in favour of buffer beam detailing, with a DG on the other end and as much detail as can be worked around it without compromising operations.
     
    To begin with the NEM(?)pocket was removed and a small rectangle of plasticard was laid over the end to allow the bogies to continue to be removable. The jumper socket has been added together with a few hoses. One from Bachfar as supplied and the other from the Dapol accessory pack, after some plastic had been removed and a new hole formed. A Dapol screw coupling has also been added. I may need to remove some of these to pick out the relevant bits in red, yellow and orange etc, so not all have been glued in place.
     
    Next up will be renumbering (any suggestions on how to remove the existing graphics numbers would be welcome)and the additions of the handrails to the front end noses.
     
    I really need to get an airbrush as I cannot buy or indeed get any Railmatch paints here in Spain...nor do the car shops seem to have good colour match aerosols for BR Blue and also the warning yellow looks too plastic like.
     
    Weathering etc will also await the arrival of an airbrush.
     
    Anyway...it's my first attempt at detailing a loco, a few pics are attached of the first phase of the work.
     
    Pete
     

     

     

  25. bcnPete
    Evening all,
     
    I have decided to set up a blog of my 7mm efforts mainly as I prefer the blog format to the layout threads...too much scrolling backwards to find stuff!
     
    This project was started back in BCN when I was having a 2mmFS lowpoint and I confess there is something nice about jumping between the two different scales. Rather than repeat, I will do a short summary intro here but if anyone would like to read in more detail the thread can be found here:
     
    http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/12616-wenford-dries-7mm-1983/
     
    Having always been drawn to China clay and my preference these days for building extracts from prototypes to try and capture the atmosphere, Wenford came in to being probably from an image seen in Maurice Darts superb book ‘Cornish china clay trains in colour’. This seemed the ideal chance to build a small 7mm toe dipping exercise in the senior scale.
     
    A Bachmann Brassworks 08 was purchased secondhand and at that time I think the Dapol 08 was not known about. This was followed with 4 Skytrex clay hoods, a Skytrex vent van and a Slaters Brake van kit to recreate the photo from the book. Could this be the first layout where I had bought all the stock prior to layout construction and not end up with an inversely disproportionate stock box to the size of the layout? Well...it could have been if Dapol hadn’t have brought out that 08 at bargain prices!
     
    It started with a sketch as most of my layout ideas do...and the use of Ikea Lack shelves as boards...
     

     
    This was developed into a small scale model in white card...
     

     
    Mock ups were produced using crude track templates...this took some time to get right...
     

     
    This was then mocked up with boxes to give a sense of the dries building...
     

     
    Track building commenced in UK using C+L turnout in a bag kits...and Deb’s 31.5mm gauges
     

     
    Track was completed and wired a couple of years ago...
     

     
    And then that Dapol 08 appeared which just had to be purchased...
     

     
    Following some running sessions it all went quiet again until now as I am having another 2mmFS low point! Time to refocus and good to zoom out a little.
     
    This brings us almost up to date as the next step is to laser cut the fascias at work from 3mm plywood. I have drawn the CAD plans but decided to mock up the proscenium arch before I cut out 10 or so sheets of ply Armed with foamboard last weekend and a couple of hours I mocked up one end and some of the building at the rear. This led me to reduce the viewable part of the layout to 250mm high which given the width is ok I think proportionately (the initial 300mm height looked too much when first made)
     
    It’s crude but has allowed me to tweak the CAD plans accordingly so well worth the effort. Infact I have just brought home some more foamboard to review and build the opposite end and I may try to undertake that this weekend. Here’s some images of the mock up...
     

     

     

     

     
    The main idea of this layout is to try and demonstrate that it’s possible to have a bit of fun in a small space even with 7mm scale. Although quite limited in its scope, it does allow you to shuffle and rearrange the wagons around and the Dapol 08 is soundchipped with the Paul Chetter DCC sound chip which sounds terrific. Another board could be added to the right hand end to make the passing loop but for the moment the aim is to try and complete this as a way of gradually easing into the scale due to more and more frustrations with eyesight and patience as I grow older
     
    As always, comments welcome,
     
    Pete
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