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10800

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Blog Entries posted by 10800

  1. 10800

    Eridge to go DCC

    By 10800,

    This may or may not have been significantly influenced by reaction to Mark's DCC sound demonstration on the layout (see videos in previous entry) but a decision has now been made to make the new Eridge exclusively DCC controlled.
     
    This is not a conversion of the layout as such, because layout wiring has barely started. It will of course reduce the complexity of the board wiring (or at least the power distribution to the boards) significantly because we won't need to incorporate all the separate cab-control section leads. This offsets the work done on the panel to date, much of which will now be redundant. In fact the only panel function now will be point and signal control and uncoupling, which will make operation more authentic as it separates the signalling and driving functions.
  2. 10800

    First field visit 20/11/09

    By 10800,

    Re6/6 and I, accompanied by Captain Kernow who knows a good grice when he sees one, visited Sussex yesterday to have a look at Balcombe station for the first time. Initial reactions were good, and the following photos give an indication of what it is like now - only a double track main line now, all the yard and refuge sidings have gone, but many of the buildings and other features of interest survive.
     

     

     

     

     

     

     
    Train services are very frequent (usual Brighton main line interval services) but with only some of the First Capital Connect trains (319s) stopping at Balcombe. The trains were otherwise exclusively Southern 377s.
     

     

     
    (Self-portrait with 319!)
     

     
    We then visited Balcombe (Ouse Valley) Viaduct after doing a quick return trip to Haywards Heath to cross it, and to say we were gobsmacked is a bit of an understatement! (see gallery at http://www.rmweb.co....album&album=407 . The character and beauty of the structure, especially the oval cutouts in the piers, is inspiring us to represent it a bit more faithfully than the model viaduct we already have does - how best to do this is now being thought about, whether or not it includes substantial parts of Nigel Hunt's magnificent freelance model.
     
    A quick look at Copyhold Junction north of Haywards Heath couldn't be resisted! Excellent views in both directions and instant recognition of the viewpoint shared by many well known photos of the past. The line coming in from the east now only serves an aggregates quarry at Ardingly, but the fantasy of heritage electrics one day travelling the line to Horsted Keynes on the Bluebell Railway as they did until 1963 was something John and I were very aware of! For now it was just more 377s to look at.
     

     

     

     

  3. 10800
    Last Monday night we had the outer P4 circuit complete and (temporarily) wired so we could test a few trains - a moment for some celebration!
     
    The honour of providing a debutante was given to John Farmer after all his hard work on the boards recently, and went to a Vitrains 37 (all these videos were done on a Flip video camera - the sound goes all phasy when uploaded to YouTube although the originals are fine )
     
    http://www.youtube.c...h?v=mPnWvgfzED0
     
    This evolved into a 3 loco lash up
     

     
    And CK provided a proper train - 33 with a parcels
     

     
    Meanwhile, back on the 00 track the Devon Belle was running
     

     
    With a prototype Deltic providing alternative motive power and showing the size of the test track (apologies for the antics of one member here - he's been given a slap )
     

     
     
    Captain Kernow update on Saturday 27/02/10
     
    We had another enjoyable running session last Monday, there are some photos here: http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php/topic/10529-the-drag-mark-2-test-track/
  4. 10800
    The first part-finished section of the viaduct made its inaugural public appearance at the RMWeb Taunton bash yesterday, including some powered running across it for the first time.
     
    Many thanks to John for all his hard work in getting it to this stage, not without its trials and tribulations, and to Pete for his help yesterday. It was gratifying to receive some positive feedback and encouragement based on what we had done so far, but also a reminder on how much more there was still to do!
     
    Here are some pics though - it isn't finally glued up, so there is a little misalignment highlighted by the last photo, and a slight droop at one end which will be fixed by packing at the base before final and permanent assembly.
     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  5. 10800
    This is a very preliminary and loose-fitting mockup of the carcasses of two of the piers and a section of arches - less than 1/12th of the whole thing. This was built entirely of 2mm MDF (apart from the spacer blocks!) to try one or two construction methods out. It's also convinced me more than ever to outsource as much of the repetitive cutting as possible for consistency, and not just the arch and decorative details.
     
    The piers are in two sections, a lower rectangular section plinth and an upper very slightly tapered (in both dimensions) pier, whose lowest section is slightly inset from the plinth. The junction between the two on the real thing is at a constant elevation, so because of the topography the amount of plinth exposed varies - at the ends there is none showing at all. These two piers are the tallest, with an additional couple of inches to bury in the scenery.
     
    The oval apertures always start at the same point at the top, but finish about 2m above the ground at the base, so they too vary with the topography, and extend into the plinths where they are exposed. These were done by drilling holes at each end with a Forstner bit and cutting between them with a jigsaw.
     

     

     

     
    And finally a convenient piece of foamboard with a Maunsell on for scale.
     

     
    Next job is to prepare drawings for getting quotes for laser cutting, and think of suitable jig designs for building the 36 piers precisely!
  6. 10800
    John has been busy stitching together a 10th scale 'moquette' of the whole ensemble so that we can get a better overall picture in 3D and experiment with different configurations. Usually you would do this at quarter scale but the house isn't big enough
     
    Meanwhile we've also decided to go straight for the full scale version of the Ouse Viaduct rather than spend time on an interim version, so I've been deriving dimensions from photographs to go with our measurements of the bases of the piers and published general information, with a view to now producing some scale drawings and coming up with a couple of prototype piers. It is a beautiful and iconic structure, and deserves to be done well. We can deal with the cutting of the main arches and the pier apertures, but the balustrades at the top (which are like miniature versions of the main viaduct) will likely be farmed out to laser cutting people - it makes no sense to do by hand something that is replicated 74 times (there is a section of balustrade for each arch between the regularly-spaced refuges along the structure).
  7. 10800
    After the 'great lift' it was time to start fixing some of the balustrades, refuges and pavilions back onto the viaduct deck.
     
    Here are some shots from today of the two boards that we will be showing, about 40% of the total. Lengths of 7mm wide stripwood were temporarily glued with Copydex along the edge of the deck to allow the balustrades to be set at the right distance in from the edge; a simple jig was then used to set them in the right place with respect to the refuge outriggers. The refuges were then added after the alignment strip was removed.
     
    The end balustrades and pavilions are just Copydexed for the time being because the pavilions may need to be removed for final painting.
     
    The buttresses supporting the pavilions have also been extended outwards from their original too shallow construction.
     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     
    Quite a bit needs to be done in the next three weeks on further detailing and scenics - we should then be back to near where we were at Scaleforum but in a more finalised condition.
  8. 10800

    Good to be making progress

    By 10800,

    The latest planning session and John's progress on cutting some of the pier apertures certainly makes for some positive vibes on this project. Apart from starting to 'look' right and give encouragement that the final product will match our ambitions for it, getting down with the actual pieces and doing 'trial fits' is a good catalyst for brainstorming and coming up with solutions for the more 'macro' construction issues.
     
    We know from the derived table of dimensions for each pier where the apertures are, and how much of each pier/plinth is exposed above ground level. This is enabling decisions on how far the scale plinths continue below ground on the model, and design concepts for the 'base' of the viaduct - probably stepped in a series of benches just under the scenery rather than a continuous floor with many 'piers' being, like icebergs, largely hidden from view.
     
    The whole thing including approaches is 7m long. We discussed for a while how many sections to divide it into for transport, this being a compromise between minimising joins and getting it into a car. Eventually we settled on five sections of 1.4m each, which is three essentially identical 10-arch sections in the middle and two more of 3/4 arches plus approaches at each end.
     
    Then, where to make the join? At a pier or half way across an arch? Initially we favoured the latter, with detachable balustrades and bricked sections that could be placed to cover most of the joins. But this left little cross section left for 'purchase' at the top for joining, so we are currently planning to make the joins between the arches and have detachable piers between the upper and lower joiners. Joining below the scenery will be straightforward with dowels, bolts and pronged-Ts, but joining at the top is a bit trickier because of accessibility to attach bolts (assuming both sides are potentially on show). At the moment we are thinking along the lines of dowels and high-strength magnets to do the job.
     
    In theory construction now could be quite rapid, although there is no particular hurry and we certainly don't want to rush it. Apart from the main construction there is then also a lot of laminating of parts to do (to make 2mm thick laser cut details into the 4mm thickness we want). So that will undoubtedly mean more jigs to make sure the parts all register properly, and lots of PVAing.
     
    Most of the basic brickwork will use Slaters English bond, but the arch sections (top and bottom of the pier apertures as well) are being etched in brass. Then there's the bracket supports for the refuges - not essential for the structure, but important nonetheless, and probably a casting job, either resin or whitemetal.
     
    There is also a bit of detailed brickwork - 'beading' for want of a better term - which is still causing a bit of head-scratching. I'd like to think there would be something suitable from the world of dolls houses but we haven't found anything yet. Could be down to plastruct angle section filled in with Miliput or similar.
  9. 10800

    Inspiration

    By 10800,

    00 roundy-roundy - Tawbridge
     
    by 10800
     
    original page on Old RMweb
    __________________________________________
     
    ??? posted on Wed Mar 12, 2008 3:09 pm
     
    It's all Hornby's fault , coupled with an approaching birthday (making me more time conscious, not because of presents potential), where I live, and my attraction to all things of the green tendency. And maybe the Hull boys' recent layout project. I'm giving consideration - serious consideration - to building a relatively small roundy-roundy layout in 00 based somewhere in North Devon around 1960, using exclusively RTR stock.
     
    The scenic bit would be just a double track secondary line - no station, no points - passing through the countryside, or perhaps over a river bridge. All I want really is to be able to watch trains go by in the minimum of time and with the minimum of effort. Having only plain track on view, and at a high eye-level, minimises the trauma to the P4 side of my brain . Peco points will do for the fiddle yard at the back.
     
    Stocking it is (or will be) so easy - M7, N, T9, unrebuilt Bulleid Pacific, Ivatt 2-6-2T, Standard 4 2-6-4T, Standard 4 Mogul, Class 22, Bubblecar maybe, Maunsell coaches etc etc.
     
    I'm already hunting on Ebay ...
     
    Have I gone completely barmy?
    __________________________________________
    Comment posted by noddycab on Wed Mar 12, 2008 3:16 pm
     
    Sounds like a nice little idea, i like the idea of just plain track and countryside... The river bridge would set it off nicely.
    When u going to get the kettle on and get the biscuits out to make a start on it?
     
    Andy
    __________________________________________
    Comment posted by shortliner on Wed Mar 12, 2008 3:57 pm
     
    looks like the fiddle yard will be bigger than the layout, with that stock-list!
    __________________________________________
     
    ??? posted on Wed Mar 12, 2008 4:26 pm
     
    Considerably, Jack! But at least the trains are short!
    __________________________________________
    Comment posted by sunshine coast on Wed Mar 12, 2008 4:32 pm
     
    And why not ... There are ,after all only so many hours in a day ...
     
    Rod .............Ebay ......and ....Model shops ......!
    __________________________________________
    Comment posted by Gordon S on S</STRONG> on Wed Mar 12, 2008 4:36 pm
     
    Sounds good Rod, but you don't need a fiddle yard....A decent traverser will easily do the job..
    __________________________________________
    Comment posted by johnteal on Wed Mar 12, 2008 4:38 pm
     
    How small is "relatively small" ???
     
    John
    RJR
    __________________________________________
     
    ??? posted on Wed Mar 12, 2008 5:12 pm
     
    I'm thinking in the order of 10ft x 6ft, but without having sat down and planned anything yet on paper. Really governed by retaining a reasonable scenic length and not having excruciatingly small radii on the ends. It won't be permanently erected at home whatever size it is, but it could be put up in the dining room occasionally (subject to approval from the authorities and locking the cats away), or at DRAG if they will accept a non-P4 layout, or hopefully at exhibition.
    __________________________________________
     
    ??? posted on Wed Mar 12, 2008 5:18 pm
     


    sunshine coast wrote:
    and ....Model shops ......!
    Gotcha Trevor! Next time I'm in the area, or even not ...
    __________________________________________
    Comment posted by westrerner on Wed Mar 12, 2008 5:38 pm
     
    If you can get hold of it have a look at Iain Rice's 'Mainlines in Small Spaces' . It contains layout in 10ft x 7ft based on Port Issac Road, Whilst it is a station he has some interesting ideas on a fiddle yard. Basically Two long sidings facing opposite ways (for the ACE) two shorter sidings as cassettes (also facing opposite ways) with a continuous run between them, Going from cassette to cassette or long siding to long siding gives end to end running. The whole unscenic part of the layout is about 9ft and the scenic section is about 14ft. The main part of the visible bit of the layout is a long transition curve with the tightest radius being 30inches into the fiddle area.
    I hope all that makes sense. You could leave the station out I suppose, but on his layout it is used as a passing station on what was a predominantly single track line.
    __________________________________________
    Comment posted by John B on Wed Mar 12, 2008 5:50 pm
     
    It has massive appeal, Rod.....
     
    I keep having similar thoughts of building something OO, just to "run in" things before the inevitable gauge conversion, of course...

     
    Plus there's the excuse for all the stuff you want that's just too Sou-Western to run on Eridge or Camberhurst!
    __________________________________________
    Comment posted by Re6/6 on Wed Mar 12, 2008 6:03 pm
     


    10800 wrote:
    or at DRAG if they will accept a non-P4 layout, or hopefully at exhibition.
    Anything goes at DRAG!
    __________________________________________
     
    ??? posted on Wed Mar 12, 2008 6:08 pm
     


    John B wrote:
    just to "run in" things before the inevitable gauge conversion, of course...

    That will be the answer I give when the P4 detector van comes calling ...
     


    Plus there's the excuse for all the stuff you want that's just too Sou-Western to run on Eridge or Camberhurst!
    Dead right, I'm wondering if it was that damned Class 22 that tipped the scales - even the T9 is OK for Eridge (well there was one once).
    __________________________________________
    Comment posted by davidpk212 on Wed Mar 12, 2008 8:46 pm
     
    Another person willing to "take the plunge" and build an MLRT! Yipee! At this rate we'll have caught up with SLT building by Christmas...
    __________________________________________
    Comment posted by jongwinnett on Wed Mar 12, 2008 9:37 pm
     


    John B wrote:
    It has massive appeal, Rod.....
     
    I keep having similar thoughts of building something OO, just to "run in" things before the inevitable gauge conversion, of course...

     
    Plus there's the excuse for all the stuff you want that's just too Sou-Western to run on Eridge or Camberhurst!
    hear hear...
    __________________________________________
    Comment posted by Captain Kernow on Thu Mar 13, 2008 8:55 am
     


    10800 wrote:
    John B wrote:
    just to "run in" things before the inevitable gauge conversion, of course...


    That will be the answer I give when the P4 detector van comes calling ...
     

    Plus there's the excuse for all the stuff you want that's just too Sou-Western to run on Eridge or Camberhurst!

    Dead right, I'm wondering if it was that damned Class 22 that tipped the scales - even the T9 is OK for Eridge (well there was one once). I see that you haven't taken Dr Kernow's psycological advice and locked yourself away in a small room with all the back numbers of the Scalefour News for at least 10 years......
     
    Well, as they say on First Great Western local services.....'Welcome aboard'....

     
    Shall I build that B7 crossover in OO after all, then?!
    __________________________________________
     
    ??? posted on Thu Mar 13, 2008 9:23 am
     


    davidpk212 wrote:
    Another person willing to "take the plunge" and build an MLRT! Yipee! At this rate we'll have caught up with SLT building by Christmas...
    MLRT?
     
    Main line run through?
    __________________________________________
    Comment posted by Barry Ten on Thu Mar 13, 2008 12:14 pm
     
    It's a really nice idea, Rod - chimes with similar thoughts I've been having recently. I've often thought I could be just as happy with a well-modelled diorama - just a single or double track running through, no sidings or anything - as with a more orthodox layout, provided there was lots of storage space for a variety of trains. And I've been thinking about some kind of Southern or S&D themed layout to go on the second level above my current project. Its just madness not to model the Southern right now, isn't it?
    __________________________________________
     
    ??? posted on Tue Mar 18, 2008 12:31 pm
     
    This project is starting to build up a bit of momentum now. It will probably be 12ft x 7ft, with a scenic section at the front of around 8-9ft. I started trying to be really complicated in the fiddleyard, with loops, sidings, crossovers, a double slip etc but concluded this was unnecessary. There will now just be a long loop for each of the two running lines, and all four roads can be subdivided into three sections (it will be DC) for holding short/medium trains, or one long and one short, or one very long; a trailing crossover between the up and down (in the FY!); and possibly a couple of stub sidings for loco storage.
     
    Baseboard construction will be conventional ply/softwood block sandwich type. The low-level river crossing, which is the main focal point, need only be a couple of inches above the water. I'm looking at three 4ft x 2ft boards front and back, and interestingly the side curve boards could be little more than 3ft x 15in drop-ins connecting the front and back runs.
     
    The scenic section will be framed by a continuous thin plywood/MDF backscene, curved at each end to come to the front of the boards about 12 in from the ends. I will need to determine by trial and error where it crosses the tracks to avoid the 'sharp curve just inside the tunnel' routine, but there should be around 9 ft of scenic travel.
     
    Now, because there is just rural scenery - no station, no signals, no buildings to speak of - this could be sufficiently generic to be almost anywhere in the wilder parts of the country, and at any time in the last century. So I'm thinking it could be the answer to my fantasies of having layouts based on prototypes I like away from the Southern, and for which I will just never have the time to convert stock to P4 - Eridge and Camberhurst will be all I need for that thankyou!. In 'Withered Arm' mode (or Devon diesel hydraulic mode) the backscene could have suggestions of Dartmoor tors on the horizon, but it could be made to have interchangeable slide in backscenes to change it quickly to (say) somewhere on the lower levels of the Waverley route - and change the stock to a V2, A1 and a couple of Claytons, some maroon Mk1s and off you go!
     
    As it says on the TV recycling ad, 'the possibilities are endless'.
     
    For those coming to the RMWeb day in Taunton at the end of April, I expect to have plans and mockups of the layout on display.
    __________________________________________
    Comment posted by Captain Kernow on Tue Mar 18, 2008 1:21 pm
     
    We DRAGgers had better hope that the Provisional Wing don't catch up with us - they'll string us up by our Romfords if they do!!
    __________________________________________
     
    ??? posted on Tue Mar 18, 2008 2:10 pm
     
    I'm temporarily without a scanner, so I've had to just photograph it, but this is the sort of thing being considered:
     

     
    __________________________________________
    Comment posted by ian on Tue Mar 18, 2008 2:14 pm
     
    You could take it a stage further Rod and build two or more sets of front boards with different scenes on - urban approaches on a viaduct, tunnel approach in a cutting.....
     
    Sorry - I'll stop - you've got quitre enough on your plate!
    __________________________________________
    Comment posted by sunshine coast on Tue Mar 18, 2008 2:27 pm
     
    Nice and simple .......set the trains running open a beer and watch .......excellent ....
     
    look forward to seeing you at the meet ....
     
    Regards Trevor....
    __________________________________________
     
    ??? posted on Tue Mar 18, 2008 2:51 pm
     


    sunshine coast wrote:
    set the trains running open a beer and watch .......
    Cheers Trevor - actually, there's space for a couple of handpumps on the fiddle yard boards ...
    __________________________________________
    Comment posted by westrerner on Tue Mar 18, 2008 5:07 pm
     
    It's a nice idea. I like the idea of a changeable backscene and the idea of coming into the room and just switching and letting the tarins trundle round great. But just as a point of interest are you going to have automatic train control in the fidle yard. ie as one train leaves the fiddle yard the next one moves forward etc. and after the trains in that loop have completed their crcuit the points change and the next loop does it showpiece, That really would be good to watch with a G&T in hand(or a good pint of real ale).
    __________________________________________
  10. 10800

    Introduction

    By 10800,

    This blog will document the planning, deliberations, prevarications, and hopefully construction and operation of a 00 roundy roundy layout for me to play with (occasionally) at home - when the kitchen/dining room is available for me to put it up. The fact that we have had the kitchen recently rebuilt so it is now the largest room in the house is of course entirely coincidental .
     
    First off is to import the pages from the old RMWeb using Martin Wynne's brilliant little device (see elsewhere on forum).
  11. 10800
    Well, yes and no. It's great to see it again, but there is a real risk of seeing things you have done a bit wrong in the planning. Some you can do something about, others you can't.
     
    Anyway, we've just been up to Sussex for another reccy and check on a few details, especially concerning the piers. But first, here's a picture of the whole thing - there are pics like this on the internet, but this is the first time we've been up the public footpath far enough to get to this vantage point.
     

     
    Down below, this is the last pier (nearest) where the plinth is still visible just above ground level. We call this Pier 31 (out of 36), numbered from the Brighton end.
     

     
    On Pier 31, the inverted arched brick courses at the base of the aperture just touch the top of the plinth
     

     
    On Pier 30, the arched courses are beginning to extend into the plinth, but the 'up' and 'down' sides are different! This is the 'up' side
     

     
    and this the 'down'
     

     
    By Pier 29, the arched courses are nearly all in the plinth
     

     
    And by Pier 28 they all are. This is one of the tallest piers down near the river (Pier 18). The river is between Piers 16 and 17.
     

     
    The inset around the plinths means that the etched arches in these piers will need to be cut-and-shut to accommodate. Something we missed before, but which can be modified because they haven't been fixed yet.
     
    Something definitely wrong in the plans and cut MDF is the distance the refuge 'outsteps' protrude. I had estimated 2ft (8mm) but it's probably more like 1ft 6 or even a bit less. Not going to change this now though.
     

     
    I'm not 100% that we've got the degree of taper right on the piers - may have got it too slight - but it's not far out and again we're not going to change things at this stage
     

     
    I think we've got the decorative brick section at the top of the piers about right though (Mark Leigh / Ark Royal has done some trial mouldings of these, and we are going to go that route rather than the plastic strip construction, mainly to save time.
     

     
    Being able to get a bit higher meant we could see a bit more detail on the pavilion roofs, and these are going to have to change on the model. Fortunately I had only done one so far!
     

     

  12. 10800

    Jigs and batches

    By 10800,

    Nice to see that we have passed the 10000 views mark - we appreciate the interest.
     
    Here are the two prototype 3d-printed corbels loosely in place on one of the viaduct sections. Just the job, although I can see we may have to face the edge of the track base with plasticard strip to disguise the lamination join - or fill it with something prior to painting.
     

     
    Yesterday John made up a jig from some bits of brass in his scrap box which enables the accurate trimming of the pier apertures for cladding. Inevitably on a build like this improvements are being made all the time as we progress, to the point where probably no two piers have been built exactly the same way!. Hopefully this won't detract from the overall appearance at the end.
     

     

     

     
    Meanwhile I got on with batchbuilding the remaining seven pavilions.
     

     

     
    Here are four of them in various stages of completion loosely plonked on the appropriate track bed board.
     

  13. 10800
    We think we've cracked the issue of how best to join sections together. The following photos show (using a couple of demonstration end sections and a 'real' pier) how it will work.
     
    Rather than have a separate detachable pier for the joins, which creates additional problems regarding planting in the scenery and so on, the pier will be 'half' attached to one end of the two sections to be joined.
     

     
    The dowel and the square-section pins provide for alignment. The pins have holes drilled into them so that when mated they can be locked with round pins pushed in from the top.
     

     

     
    The pins will be disguised by covering with cable ducting on the trackbed. A detachable refuge will be placed over the gap between the balustrades. A detachable 'batwing' shaped piece of brickwork will go over the join and extend to the crests of the adjacent arches to minimise visible joins.
  14. 10800
    Not a bit of it - now that Scaleforum with Matford is out of the way, and having received some more laser cut goodies from York Model Making, John (Re6/6) and I had a productive day today towards turning all the bits into more of a kit of parts prior to assembly.
     
    I got on with marking up the pier sections for the characteristic apertures of the Ouse Viaduct, which involved topographic profiles, Excel spreadsheets and some occasional reality checks. The apertures all start at the same top elevation but the bottom elevation is dependent on ground level and in the centre of the viaduct they extend into the plinth sections as well as the tapered upper piers.
     

     
    Here you can see the centre lines marked on some of the piers, together with top and bottom of the apertures and drill centre locations for the (41mm diameter) circular sections at the ends of the apertures.
     

     
    Meanwhile John was making jigs for batch assembly of the tapered piers
     

     
    And by the end of the day a trial cut for Pier 30 had been made
     

     
    This was our first real chance also to check on some of the latest pieces for the pavilions and refuges. Here you can see the two layers of 2mm MDF and some Rowmark 'frames' in order to represent the panelling relief on these concrete structures
     

     

     
    Finally we were able to lay the whole trackbed length out with the arches and some of the detailed bits, and to put a train down on it - which was somewhat dwarfed!
     

     

     
    But apart from the 'play' factor, this exercise was useful in spawning various ideas on construction, length of each section, joining, transportation, and so on.
     
    And what about the rest of the project? Well, just to prevent too much inertia setting in, the bits and pieces for 'Lewes Phase 1' were purchased at Scaleforum, which covers most of this section of the station - the main junctions - and which is planned to occupy some of the oncoming winter evenings productively. Better than 'X Factor' or 'Strictly' any day! This by the way is a section of the whole Templot layout printed (rails only) on A3 sheets and loosely assembled.
     

  15. 10800

    KAG meeting 1st October

    By 10800,

    I managed to organise my work schedule around another visit to my 'other' area group last week to catch up on progress and do a bit more myself.
     
    Here is Mark, Mike and Al (Pinkmouse) not getting in each others' way as the Eridge trackwork gradually gets more extensive
     

     
     
    Chris had meanwhile pre-chaired all this rail before going on holiday - whether this is cause and effect we don't know . When he comes back we'll show him the Colin Craig FB etches that Mark bought at Scaleforum!
     

     
    This array of track gauges is probably a bit OTT!
     

  16. 10800
    Eridge Mk2 is slowly getting ever closer to where Mk1 finished. Scenic landforms now cover the London end, showing the increased depth of scenery in the new version. These show how the low embankment of made ground on which the whole station rests (real) transition into a cutting as the topography rises (fictitious).
     

     

     
    More on the odd looking locomotive later!
     
    At the station end, the stream course has been carved out from extensions to the polystyrene baseboard surface, and the platforms have been reshaped but not yet bedded into the spaces between the ballast. Some new detail work has also been done on the main station building but things still look a bit precarious for any prospective traveller!
     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     
    And what about that locomotive? Not one that would be permitted on the line in reality, and it raised some eyebrows amongst the diehard Southerners, but it's a Churchward 28xx from a Finney kit - Mike bought it at the MRJ show (!) when it was one of the first etched kits for a 'large' engine. The chassis has been around for some years, but it now has a body and tender. With a Portescap motor, inside working valve gear, and pickups in the tender only, like all of Mike's locomotives it performed very nicely indeed.
     

     

     
    Rumours abounded that more of the boards were about to be upturned for completion of wiring, so things are certainly progressing.
  17. 10800
    Today a package arrived from York Modelmaking with all our commissioned bits for the viaduct. Turnround was about 4 weeks at the end of the day, not bad at all, and on first inspection I'm very pleased with the results.
     
    Very well packed, and a definite aroma of singed timber when you open it, reminiscent of autumn bonfires or charcoal mounds - almost made me feel like getting some roast chestnuts and mulled wine
     
    So, what did we get? Remember this is a viaduct of 37 arches. Here is the box half-unpacked, showing the arch sections in groups of six.
     

     
    Then there are the sides for the tapered sections of the 36 piers. Nothing special as such, but it would have been difficult for us to get the consistency achieved by computer controlled repetitive cutting.
     

     
    The basal plinths, which are rectilinear, we can do ourselves with a bandsaw (they need to be thicker MDF anyway for stability). And we will be cutting the apertures ourselves as well, since they are virtually all different.
     
    Now the pieces de resistance - the balustrades and the arched sections of the sides of the eight pavilions. There are about 150 sections of balustrade, each with 19 arches, because they need to be laminated together in pairs to get the required thickness (2mm or 3mm is the maximum the laser can cut without significant burning).
     

     
    These really are quite something, really crisp and a task that would have been impossible by hand.
     

     
    Apart from planning and ogling, there will probably be a slight lull in this project while Matford is improved and refined for Scaleforum. Then, once we know precisely the build sequence we want to adopt, it will be full steam ahead . Planning is good of course, and it won't necessarily get in the way of some components such as the pavilions (8 of those), the refuges (72 of those , and the refuge support brackets 144 of those - that will probably be a resin casting job.
  18. 10800
    After a very pleasant and productive planning session yesterday, interspersed with copious provisions provided by Mrs 10800, we're now virtually ready to go with the commissioned laser cutting of the fiddly repetitive bits for the viaduct. Final tweaking of the specification and scope is going on with York Modelmaking today. The laser cutting work will comprise 74 balustrade sections with 19 arches in each; the main arch sections for the eight pavilions (semicircles on squares, very Renaissance); the main arches in units of six (limited by the laser cutting bed 900mm long); and the tapered pier sections which would be a pain to do 80-odd of consistently.
     
    The rectangular plinth sections we will do ourselves, partly because even we can cut rectangles consistently (the bandsaw helps) but also because we want those in 4mm MDF for structural strength - laser cutting won't do thicker than 3mm because it starts burning the MDF on the top side before it has cut through to the other side.
     
    We're looking to use embossed brick plasticard (5-6 m2 of it, so seeing if we can buy in A1 size rather than loads of A4 which would be expensive and involve a lot of joins). Next is the issue of all the details such as the arched brickwork, fancy moulding and the brackets supporting the refuges (see below). This will be done from a variety of brass etching, plastic strip, maybe doll's house type picture/dado rail stuff, and resin casting (any useful contacts for the doll's house stuff?).
     
    I've also just noticed that although the piers and sides are mainly English bond, the exposed brickwork under the arches is mostly stretcher bond with a few header courses thrown in.
     

     

     

  19. 10800
    (From John) - some more progress. Much experimenting on the mortar course 'grouting' was done under the guidance of Tim Maddocks. Several paint combinations/types and finally Games Workshop 'Citadel' acrylics came out as the most user friendly and best for speed of application/process, considering the amount that has to be done!
     
    The resin cast corbels are only temporarily attached and are to be replaced with ones from Shapeways 3D printed ones in due course.
     

     
    The top structures in grey primer prior to being finished with a beige colour to represent the Caen stone.
     

     

     
     
     
     
    (From Rod) - these are probably the last photos before Scaleforum in (gulp) three weeks time (well we have to leave something in anticipation!). Just to add to John's photos here are some showing the early stages of terraforming and a bit more detail appearing on the balustrades - still in workshop photographic grey - in the form of limewood strip to represent the coping.
     
    At this (London) end the viaduct continues onto an embankment before rejoining the background topography; at the Brighton end the land rises more gradually from the valley floor to the higher ground to the south.
     

     

     

  20. 10800

    Latest test assemblies

    By 10800,

    Six weeks to Scaleforum, and the London end is really starting to take final shape. The corbels (brackets) for the refuges are preliminary versions, more detailed ones are on the way.
     
    We also now have the stripwood for making the copings for the balustrades. In due course the levels of the pavilions and balustrades will be adjusted to get the relative levels of pavilion and train absolutely right (something also affected by the track and ballasting configuration).
     

     

     

     

     
    A few snaps of the 'London' pavilions section with experimental primer.

     
    The first resin cast brackets to be replaced in due course.

     
    At this stage all the constituent assemblies are still to be correctly positioned and permanently glued.
     


  21. 10800

    Little and large

    By 10800,

    Some more steady progress on both the large and small scales.
     
    We are nearly there with finally fixing the whole centre section together. John has been clamping, adjusting etc and also doing a bit of cladding and preliminary painting of brickwork on the arch sides. The curved brickwork etches have also gone on, with some use of Evergreen strip (there's going to be a lot of this) to represent some of the 'beading' detail.
     

     

     

     

     
    Next will be the cladding of the underside of the arches before final fixing and gluing. The lengths of studding used to adjust everything will be left in and can be used as electrical droppers from the track down through the structure.
     
    Meanwhile I've been looking at mocking up one of the pavilions. Four different materials here so far - basswood, MDF, Rowmark and more conventional plastic card (well slabs, really). Before final gluing up, there will be a bit of sanding and filing to do, and the tops of the columns will be disguised by a representation of the decorative beading using Evergreen angle with square section strip inset. The roof will use Slaters large tiles, all four sides converging to a point rather than a ridge. I'll probably use a couple of triangular formers underneath to support them in construction.
     

     

     
    The exposed 'joists' on the original (very characteristic) will use short lengths of Evergreen 2mm square strip - I'm glad I invested in a NWSL Chopper!
     
    There is also the decorative brickwork around the tops of the piers to think about:
     

     
    This will be done mostly with various Evergreen strips and Slaters brickwork, with the current design looking like this:
     

     
    I'll probably prepare long strips of the whole decorative assembly before mitre cutting and attachment to the piers in one go. The upper concave brickwork section might be achievable by 'pushing' a 3-course strip of Slaters brick into the Evergreen angle - or we might use a filler of some kind and scribe the brickwork along that section.
  22. 10800
    Just had to use that lovely word lacuna!
     
    I've just had some 1:2500 map sections courtesy of West Sussex CC archives, unfortunately there is nothing between 1910 and the 1970s so more research needed to verify the 1950s condition.
  23. 10800
    Not much happening on the viaduct at the moment (due to work pressure in my case and getting Matford ready for Scaleforum in John's).
     
    However, whilst over at John's yesterday we tried to set out as many of the pieces as we could to get more of a feel for the size and to think about next moves after September.
     
    This shows about two thirds of the full length, with the balustrades in about the right position and full height piers shown in the middle (apologies for the quality - hand held above my head and in poor light).
     

     

     
    The gap between the arch sections and the balustrades is the 'track base', and between each balustrade section is a refuge. Both these components we have now also decided to have laser cut in MDF now we know what can be achieved (and what we want). Some of the panelling detail on the refuges and pavilions will also require some beading/framing to be cut by York in Rowmark (the version of plasticard that can be laser cut).
     
    Construction proper should now be starting in October.
     
     
  24. 10800

    More on 'The Great Lift'

    By 10800,

    Apart from two pieces on 15 refuges (waiting for timber delivery) the refuges are now all done. Here are all 72 of them lined up, with the incomplete ones at the back. They still need trimming and fitting in places.
     

     
    With each refuge having 19 pieces, when the last 15 are done there will be 1368 pieces in the photo above!
     
    Balustrades are also all done, and here they all are, 70 'standard' ones and 8 'specials' which are a bit longer for the runs between the pavilions and the inner pavilion and first refuge. The standard balustrades have 7 pieces each, while 6 of the specials have 9 pieces and two of them have 11 (due to cutting/shutting standard pieces). So in total there are 566 pieces in the balustrades.
     

     

     
    I'm then going to sort all the refuges and balustrades out into A-team and B-team (hope there's enough A-team!) and start to match them up so I get the trimming and fitting as bespoke as possible - so when we come to fix them to the decks they will actually be numbered! Balustrades will go on first, and I will use 7mm strip to use as a solid guide by Copydexing them lined up along the edges of the deck - saves faffing with pencil lines. I'll have to dream up and make some kind of jig so that they are 'centred' in relation to the refuge positions.
     
    The pavilion roofs have also been lifted by 2mm. This first meant cutting the existing roof off at the top of the columns. The extra 2mm is provided by Evergreen 2mm square section, cut to length on the NWSL Chopper (would never have been able to do all this without one!).
     

     

     
    Here the longer edges have been glued on, and after that with all four sides.
     

     

     
    Here is the first pavilion with its new roof. There is also a 2mm slab at the base to show what it will look like finally, but the actual bases will be limewood again (delivery coming from Cornwall Model Boats).
     

     
    And here is all seven of them done so far (John has the eighth with him at the moment), and with a length of balustrade to show the preserved height relationship.
     

     

  25. 10800
    O10800WB - a little holiday modelling
     
    by 10800
     
    original page on Old RMweb
     
     
    Go to comments
     
     
    __________________________________________
     
    ??? posted on Sun Feb 22, 2009 12:08 pm
     
    Blimey, is it so long ago I last looked at these?
     
    Yesterday I decided to try out the operating system concept described earlier in this thread on the nearly-finished Eridge up starters. Remember that the idea is to have the signals unpluggable, so no connections or hook ups with gubbins underneath. Real engineers should look away now please ...
     
    Firstly, the main bits - signal, various diameters of brass bar and telescopic tubing, razor saw, mitre box etc
     

     
    I slid some tube over the ends of the control wire. They are different lengths so that the 'clock weights' finish at different levels for convenience (Eridge has plenty of room under the boards for this). The tube was soldered in position (at the end away from the signal baseplate) with the other end hard up against the baseplate guide tube with the signal in the stop position, thus making a limit of movement when returning the signal to on. The wire was snipped off at the end leaving about 1 mm proud.
     

     
    I don't have a pillar drill or a lathe so out came the minidrill stand. Having cut lengths of 3/16" brass bar in the mitre box with the razor saw I wanted to drill a 1mm hole in the centre that would fit over the protruding wire left over from the previous stage.
     

     

     
    I probably didn't drill quite deep enough because soldering the bar onto the wire and butting it up against the tube whilst keeping everything in line was a bu**er. At least I found a use for the two pairs of reverse tweezers, one with the offset points! Next time of course I will drill a 3/16 hole in a block of wood for the bar to stand up in while doing this, but it worked anyway.
     

     

     
    The original idea was to slide 7/32" brass tube over the bar and solder it to the underside of the baseplate to act as a support and guide, but the resulting additional friction prevented the easy movement of the bar, even after lubrication with graphite. Probably because of the alignment issue referred to above (I could have said I put the slight dog-leg in deliberately to give more clearance between the two weights! ). But it seems fairly robust anyway, and the 5/8 tube which will go over the lot (and plug into 21/32 tube mounted in the baseboard) will provide additional protection.
     
    Main thing is it works. The brass bar is heavy enough to pull off the signal arms under gravity when support from below is removed.
     

     
    __________________________________________
    Comment posted by pinkmouse on Sun Feb 22, 2009 12:47 pm
     


    10800 wrote:
    The brass bar is heavy enough to pull off the signal arms under gravity when support from below is removed.[/attachment]
    Hmmm. Fail safe? I think not. The Ministry of Transport inspecting officer might have something to say about that!
    __________________________________________
     
    ??? posted on Sun Feb 22, 2009 12:53 pm
     
    Damn you Carruthers, you've spotted the flaw in my design!
    __________________________________________
    Comment posted by beast66606 on Sun Feb 22, 2009 6:57 pm
     
    I made a signal with working mechanical slotting using similar techniques - but mine did fail safe - although the balance weights were at the bottom of the post so a lot easier
    __________________________________________
     
    ??? posted on Mon Feb 23, 2009 12:21 am
     
    Mounting tube now fitted, also lamps, finials, balance weights, the main ladder and a phone/electric cabinet. Apart from sorting out the SOUs underneath, which will have to wait until that bit of the layout is finished, all that's left to do on this one is some plasticard support plates at the top of the main lattice post and then paint it. Then it's on to finish the other two Eridge brackets.
     

     

     

     

     
    __________________________________________
    Comment posted by timlewis on Tue Feb 24, 2009 10:34 pm
     
    Looks excellent Rod: well done. I'm a long way off building signals yet, but looking forward to it in a masochistic kind of way
    __________________________________________
     
    ??? posted on Tue Feb 24, 2009 11:55 pm
     
    Cheers Tim - for a first one it's taken a while, so long that I look back at some of the initial work on it and cringe in a way that only the builder can about his own creation! The next two will be a bit troublesome because of having to add more landing at the front, but it's all experience ... oh yeah, and fun as well
    __________________________________________
    Comment posted by pinkmouse on Wed Feb 25, 2009 9:18 am
     
    Look forward to seeing them next time you're up, very impressed with pics.
    __________________________________________
     
    ??? posted on Sun Mar 15, 2009 6:58 pm
     
    While on holiday last week I took along a small toolkit and a pile of plastic wagon kits with the intention of putting a few of the basic body shells together and giving some impetus to finishing them in the forseeable future
     
    As an aside, we stayed in the village at Portmeirion, and the views from our carefully-selected double aspect apartment were like this
     

     

     
    Anyway, here is the basic set up - piece of plate glass, cutting mat, small try-square, some MEK and a few files and knives
     

     
    By the end of the week I had put the bodies of these together (most of one rainy day and a few other odd hours while Mrs 10800 was reading):
     
    Three Parkside BR standard 12 ton vans and a Ratio LMS van. None of the roofs are fixed yet (the floor in the case of the Ratio van) pending addition of lead weight. The Parkside vans were quite old (labels with 'W&H Models, ??????‚??1.95'!) and the floors needed trimming to fit so there was quite a bit of draw-filing going on. Fortunately I glued together the two side/end pairs and then joined them together rather than building around the floor as per the instructions.
     

     
    Chivers SR 20 ton mineral, Ling, Tunney and two Parkside Grampus. The Chivers kits are a joy to put together, showing how a bit of thought and design can aid the modeller (just like the old Chivers brass kits) and the moulding quality is superb. Because of the tabs and guide ridges you have to put these together in the stated order! The newer Parkside Grampus were pretty good too.
     

     
    Parkside LNER extra long CCT, rain strips filed off because they're in the wrong place (will glue some plastic strip on in the right places later)
     

     
    Parkside Mink G (a dedicated Masokits chassis will be going under this)
     

     
    Chivers pigeon van, again a lesson in how to make a good plastic kit
     

     
    And finally a Cambrian Salmon. This was a bit of a pig compared to the others - soapy plastic (all black so it was hard to see what was going on half the time), lack of crispness, poor mating surfaces etc. In this particular kit the floor is in two halves which you have to just butt-join together, and the sole bars and internal bracing have nothing in particular to attach to. Here is the recommended use of a square to line them all up:
     

     
    Despite all that, when it's painted and weathered it will hopefully turn out to be acceptable, especially with 2 or 3 track panels as a load
     

     
    I'm away again next week (work this time) so I'll see what I can do with a few Bedford springing units in the hotel in the evening and get some of these rolling.
    __________________________________________
    Comment posted by Adam on Sun Mar 15, 2009 8:54 pm
     
    Hi Rod
     
    Impressive productivity there, more so if you get them finished! If you think the Salmon was a fiddle, wait 'til you get to the track panels, and more particularly, the chains... One tip you may find of use based on dad's experience. Weighting and keeping these wagons from warping can be a problem which dad resolved by gluing (I think he used some form of reasonably heavy duty epoxy - not Araldite) a pair of bicycle spokes to the underside of the wagon. A useful 2 in 1 approach.
     
    Adam
    __________________________________________
    Comment posted by timlewis on Sun Mar 15, 2009 9:22 pm
     
    Well, you have been busy! Pretty impressive. Now all you need are the W-irons, and the wheels, and the brakegear, and the weight, and the sprung buffers (you did think ahead and drill for them before joining ends to sides didn't you ), and the vac pipes, and the painting, and the transfers and the weathering. So, nearly finished then .
    Seriously though, that's a damn fine effort for a couple of days work. Amazing what can be done with a bit of forward planning and some uninterrupted modelling time. (And a nice view from the window too).
    __________________________________________
    Comment posted by Captain Kernow on Sun Mar 15, 2009 9:33 pm
     


    timlewis wrote:
    Well, you have been busy! Pretty impressive. Now all you need are the W-irons, and the wheels, and the brakegear, and the weight, and the sprung buffers (you did think ahead and drill for them before joining ends to sides didn't you ), and the vac pipes, and the painting, and the transfers and the weathering. So, nearly finished then .
    Seriously though, that's a damn fine effort for a couple of days work. Amazing what can be done with a bit of forward planning and some uninterrupted modelling time. (And a nice view from the window too).
    But he won't have been able to enjoy the view if he's been enjoying the view of the underside of a Cambrian Salmon instead!!
     
    Good start to the wagon fleet, Rod, and as Tim says, the hard work (but fun! ) is still to come!....
    __________________________________________
     
    ??? posted on Sun Mar 15, 2009 10:18 pm
     


    Adam wrote:
    If you think the Salmon was a fiddle, wait 'til you get to the track panels, and more particularly, the chains...
    Hi Adam
     
    What's the problem with the track panels - I was just going to make some 60 ft lengths using Exacto thick ply sleepers and chairs, am I missing something?
     


    One tip you may find of use based on dad's experience. Weighting and keeping these wagons from warping can be a problem which dad resolved by gluing (I think he used some form of reasonably heavy duty epoxy - not Araldite) a pair of bicycle spokes to the underside of the wagon. A useful 2 in 1 approach.
    Now that doesn't surprise me at all - I was thinking in terms of thin strips of lead sheeting in between the trusses and around the bogie pivots, but the bicycle spokes idea is quite good
    __________________________________________
     
    ??? posted on Sun Mar 15, 2009 10:20 pm
     


    timlewis wrote:
    and the sprung buffers (you did think ahead and drill for them before joining ends to sides didn't you ),
    Might have done ...
    __________________________________________
    Comment posted by Tony W on Sun Mar 15, 2009 11:42 pm
     
    Hi Rod
     
    Since you've been so busy modelling I'm guessing you weren't on Porthmadog High Street the other day at 5:30 in the morning to see the first train to travel between the Festiniog and Welsh Highland Railways.
     
    Hope you had a good holiday
     
    Tony
    __________________________________________
     
    ??? posted on Sun Mar 15, 2009 11:54 pm
     
    Unfortunately not Tony - I only learned about it afterwards, and I doubt if Mrs 10800 would have been impressed if I'd gone out to see it anyway!
     
    We did travel on the Ffestiniog on that day though (see separate thread), will be back in September for the full Monty most probably!
    __________________________________________
    Comment posted by nevardmedia on Mon Mar 16, 2009 1:06 pm
     
    Nice looking job them there signals!
    How did you 'chunky up' the etched laddering? Solder?
    You're a lucky man - If I took all my modelling stuff when we go on holiday, the Mrs would be seriously upset "this is a supposed to be a break from everything so you can spend quality time with me"
    __________________________________________
    Comment posted by Grimleygrid on Mon Mar 16, 2009 1:25 pm
     
    Wow, the semaphore signal looks fantastic. Absolutely stunning modelling.
     
    I am impressed that you can take modelling on holiday with you. Mrs. Grimley would not be for that!!
    __________________________________________
    Comment posted by Adam on Mon Mar 16, 2009 1:56 pm
     


    10800 wrote:
    Adam wrote:
    If you think the Salmon was a fiddle, wait 'til you get to the track panels, and more particularly, the chains...

    Hi Adam
     
    What's the problem with the track panels - I was just going to make some 60 ft lengths using Exacto thick ply sleepers and chairs, am I missing something? The tedium of doing it?
     
    No, seriously, it's the chains to hold them on that are the real fiddle factor (unless you get into drilling holes in the end of the rail for the fishplates of course...). Stick them on firmly enough of course and there's a bit of rigidty from the rail too, which is handy.
     
    Adam
    __________________________________________
     
    ??? posted on Mon Mar 16, 2009 3:46 pm
     


    nevardmedia wrote:
    Nice looking job them there signals!
    How did you 'chunky up' the etched laddering? Solder?
    You're a lucky man - If I took all my modelling stuff when we go on holiday, the Mrs would be seriously upset "this is a supposed to be a break from everything so you can spend quality time with me"
    Cheers Chris
     
    The ladder was just strengthened by tinning all over (still illegal in some counties I believe ) before removing from the fret. I think it still needs a support bracket half way up but I don't remember seeing one on photos of the signal concerned.
     
    As for taking modelling stuff on hoilday, it was Mrs 10800's suggestion - on rainy days she relaxes by reading and I model!
    __________________________________________
     
    ??? posted on Mon Mar 16, 2009 3:48 pm
     


    Adam wrote:
    No, seriously, it's the chains to hold them on that are the real fiddle factor (unless you get into drilling holes in the end of the rail for the fishplates of course...). Stick them on firmly enough of course and there's a bit of rigidty from the rail too, which is handy.
    I'll have to check out some photos as to how it was done and see what the options are
    __________________________________________
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