makeitminiature

Hi John, It's all looking pretty good. Maybe this video will be of some help. :) Speak soon, James Creating Chair Rafts from Templot

Here's a link to the video mentioned by @Nick C. There may be something of interest within it.

I'm on to it John...I've another laser review which I am working on at the moment. Then it'll be chair printing. Then, I think a comparison of 3d printed and laser cut brickwork. I wish I didn't have a day job. 😀

I've just seen this. Thank you for sharing the link. My review wasn't biased by the fact they sent it to me as a freeby. It genuinely is excellent, and so much nicer to use than my CO2 setup. I'm being sent an Atomstack machine to review soon as well. It'll be nice to do a comparison between the two. I suspect both will prove to be excellent. A laser cutter is certainly a big investment, but very very useful. Best wishes, James

@GWR57xx, that's right. I will be covering laser cut bases very soon. My next video will be a review of the Creality Falcon 2, which I have been testing out over the past few days, then I'll show how easy it is to cut the files from Templot. All the best, James

Hi Keith, I've just seen this topic, I had no idea you were working on Thumpers, and I'm really impressed with what you've achieved. Really well done. :) It's been on my list to draw up a Hastings unit. I have the Bachmann version in the box with a set of P4 wheels to convert it, but somehow I just can't muster the enthusiasm. I'd much rather scratch build. My problem has been finding a decent reference drawing. Can you recommend a source? Hastings Diesels' shed is just down the beach from me, so maybe at some point I'll pop along and ask if I can measure theirs up. :)

HI Keith, There isn't really such a thing as a standard Plug Track chair. Each is programmatically generated to suit a particular application. So for example, chairs for a B8 straight turnout, wont necessarily fit a B8 on a radius. Some chairs are common, but check chairs and crossing chairs for example will be 'computed' to suit the specific turnout and how the timbers have been placed. Additionally, Templot includes controls to make fine adjustments to compensate for factors such as shrinkage and sleeper depth, enabling chairs to be tailored to offer a perfect-fit in every application. Just something to consider. The Loose Outer Jaw chairs are really brilliant to use, such a clever idea.

Have you tried printing Plug Track files? I've had no problems, excepting occasions whereby I've done something wrong myself. The support raft and chair supports directly exported from Templot should produce excellent results. My preference is for standard ABS+ resin, although others are achieving great results with the new water washable ABS resin. A failure rate of 50% or worse suggests there may be something wrong with your set-up. If you can post further details, I'll do my best to suggest possible solutions. Best wishes, James

Of course it's not just the layouts which will provide inspiration at Scaleforum. There are fantastic lectures too, a master class in Painting & Lining with Geoff Haynes, and 3d printing with David Burnett. Plus interesting demonstrations and trade support - the very best in finescale modelling! And, as if that wasn't enough, there will be a public outing of the innovative Templot Plug Track system, with the opportunity to learn what it is all about. Hope to see you there. 😀

Thank you Buhar and Ian_H for your kind comments about my videos. I really enjoyed putting the Finetrax kit together. It was so easy, and the finished turnout looks great. The timber effect on the timbers is very nice too. I will have it with me at Scaleforum and the Uckfield show should anyone wish to take a closer look. James

Advance tickets for Scaleforum are now available. Link below. Scaleforum Advance Tickets

Any time is a good time. I'll obviously be there all day (both days), do drop by and have a chat. If you're able to make it and would like to kick the conversation off before-hand, feel free to email me at makeitminiature [at] outlook.com. It may be that you might inspire me to bring along something which I might otherwise forget. The venue will be spacious and I doubt there will be crowds as is often the case at some of the mainstream shows, so there would be plenty of time to discuss things with layout operators and demonstrators. I thought last years show was more of a social club than an exhibition. And was all the better for it. Hope to see you there. James

I'm really looking forward to this event. There are some great layouts this year. I will be demonstrating 'Starting in P4', so if you are looking to get into finescale railway modelling and would like to pop along and chat with a non-expert to get a feel for what is involved do pop along and say hi. I've quite a bit of stuff which might interest the potential finescale modeller on my YouTube channel @BexhillWest. So, if you've seen anything on there specifically which is of interest and you'd like to discuss, let me know and I can bring it along for critique. :) All the best, James

Hi RCP, I've not got much to add to the great advice you've already received, but would suggest a Scalefour Society membership as being a really great starting point. Like you I returned to the hobby, and set about building my magnum opus in OO. It wasn't long before I realised that I wouldn't be able to achieve my ambitions without going down a finescale route. That's not to knock OO at all, it just wasn't for me. I considered EM and P4, before settling on P4 as my preferred approach. It's certainly not for everyone. My choice was settled by the fact I enjoy learning about how things work and designing solutions to problems as I see them. P4 track standards open a whole new world of engineering challenges, none of which need be beyond the capabilities of a novice to solve. I found the Scalefour Society to be friendly, welcoming, and as you note their forum is full of all sorts of useful advice to the railway modeller regardless of which scale or gauge you work in. Naturally there are examples of those who enjoy micro engineering and who produce exquisite models which seem beyond the capabilities of mere mortal like me, but there are also plenty of pragmatic modellers who use simple solutions to achieve reliable running from converted RTR stock. The society also has a network of active area groups, which are hives of likeminded individuals all of whom would in my experience gladly help you along the way. My local group has members who model in OO and O gauge and we co-exist very happily. :) Mention has been made of the Scalefour Society's Scaleforum exhibition in September (23rd & 24th). I will be there as a demonstrator, demonstrating 'Starting in P4'. If you can make it, pop along and have a chat. I'll gladly run through some of the pitfalls and opportunities which exist in finescale modelling generally and P4 in particular, and I'll have some examples of 3d printed track produced using Martin's excellent Templot software. Should you not be able to make Scaleforum, I have a selection of videos on my YouTube channel which you might find interesting. Search @BexhillWest My best wishes, and good luck with your project, James

Sorry if this reply is late to the party, but as my vacuum ballasting gadget has been referred to in the YouTube link posted above by GWR_NZ, I would like to offer you one to try out Ian. If you send me an email or PM on here, I'll happily pop one in the post for you to try out. My best wishes, James

It was you John, and how wonderful it is too, although I’m nervous to lay it in case I spoil it. I’m still summoning the courage to attempt the 3 way turnout. Might you have a build slot available in the near future? Best, James

HI Bob, I'd recommend looking at the planning records for Rother District Council. There are lots of architects plans available which show a lot of the detail you'd be after. Given that they are to scale they'd be helpful with scaling other aspects of the station. I attach a file as an example of what can be found. I hope you find this useful. By the way I'm building a model of Bexhill West. Best wishes, James Bexhill Central.pdf

Thank you Lash.

Hi all, here is my light-hearted attempt to bring some tier 4 joy. it is just for fun, and I do hope all are keeping safe. Merry Christmas, James

These are brilliant. Well done Sir! I had been thinking about doing something similar for my Bexhill West project. I’ve been constructing the buildings quite closely to scale and it’s nearly time to think about trackwork. I’ve been using my project to introduce others to CAD work through my YouTube channel ‘Bexhill West’ and am always trying to think of aspects of the project I can apply to CAD to. I wonder if you might be able to let me know where you found the drawings for the rail chairs please? I’m very happy to draw my own in CAD, but have no idea where to find a drawing of the original. My best wishes, James

This is amazing work. Your ability to achieve outstanding results on whatever project you are working on is extraordinary. ive only recently joined RMweb, but find myself being regularly drawn back to your content. I don’t really comment on things, but must let you know how much I enjoy your updates. Thank you for sharing your expertise. My best wishes, James