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ullypug

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Blog Entries posted by ullypug

  1. ullypug
    Have almost completed the bench building of the track work for Clevedon. The photos show the track work for the loco and carriage sheds. You can just about see the shed outline on the Templot print beneath. Not shown are the now completed plain line sections. The next stage will be final painting detailing etc before I glue to the baseboard and ballast. I have to admit building track on the workbench rather than baseboards (leaning over all the junk in the garage) is the way I'll be going in the future. Much easier.
    I've also now sussed the bridge arrangement at Lower Queens Road, courtesy of the Somerset Research Library/Records Office and the various series of maps that are available. This all means I can route out the course of the river with a fair degree of certainty that it's right.
    It'll all start to actually look like a railway once I get some ballast down so in the meantime, please feel free to use your imagination.
  2. ullypug
    OK, so as I've mentioned in earlier posts, the intention is to convert Wheal Elizabeth to through running, whilst still being able to run as terminus when the mood takes me.
    Those of you who know your Cornish railway history will be aware that there were several schemes to link the Bodmin and Wadebridge line with the Par to Newquay branch, via an extension of the line from Ruthernbridge up to Roche (Victoria). I've never actually seen the confirmed route, but analysis of the OS maps show a couple of possibilities via Withielgoose or St Wenn. None of this really matters, except such a line would have presumably seen a mixture of southern and western region stock, which is all the excuse I needed!
     
    So to the layout. The right hand end has already been modified for the new board and I've now built the left hand end board too.

    The greenery to the left of the existing bridge will be removed, allowing the wharf to be extended through as the running line. The existing stone bridge will then be the headshunt ( a bit like Grogley Junction). The wharf will become a station platform. The right hand end platform is going to go and be replaced by a relocated slurry loading point. This way we'll be able to load a trainload of bullets or tanks or whatever.The existing slurry siding will become a stabling/refuelling point for the works shunter.

    The new board will allow cassettes for one or both lines, though I may change the headshunt to plain track.

    All the original boards & fiddle yards have remained unchanged, so I can in theory swap around depending on the configuration required. Well that's the plan anyway. Hopefully, I'll find time after Christmas to make a start on the scenics and trackwork.
  3. ullypug

    Tractor update 2

    By ullypug,

    Evening all
     
    I've been making slow steady progress with the tractor which has culminated tonight in the gear box being powered up and test run. No shorts and the wheels went round!!
     
    The body and chassis have both been primed and painted and the next step will be to fit the pickups to the chassis, then glaze the body and put the roof on. Then the final painting/light weathering, transfers...
     
    Also have made a start on the so called match truck, which I've always thought was a milk trailer pulled by the small railcar but hey-ho. Awaiting a the wheels from Slaters before I can go any further with this one.
     
    Photos attached as ever. The black wires are soldered to the motor terminals and will eventually be cut back to the pick up mounts, which will be copperclad glued on the inside of the chassis frame.
  4. ullypug

    Tractor update

    By ullypug,

    A visit to Uckfield this weekend saw the purchase of wheels and gearbox for the tractor. A day off today saw the (eventual) fitting of said wheels and gearbox.
    I haven't ever built anything in 7mm before so I suppose it shouldn't have been a surprise when I discovered I lacked the necessary reamers to open out holes etc!
    The kit says it hasn't been specifically designed for motorising but there are options. In my case that consists of a bit of guesswork, a Roxey 40:1 gearbox and Mashima 1420 motor, a bit of hacking about and a lot of filing. The net result is as shown in the photos below. I've got a bit more work to do to stop the wheels fouling the body and I'm going to have to find another way of attaching the chassis, but all in all it's going well. The motor shouldn't be too obtrusive and I may even be able to disguise it to look like the tractor itself.
  5. ullypug

    Clevedon board 1

    By ullypug,

    Amazing what a week off work can do. I have time for modelling and another layout update. The first board has been fettled, wired and the first train successfully run. The Caboose Industries ground throw incorporates a SPST switch for frog polarity and whilst a little chunky, seems to work ok. Having put the second board up, it's obvious that I won't be able to use them on all the turnouts.
    Having the boards in the relative comfort of the tinking room helps too. The second board beckons. With quite a number of section switches, it'll take a while no doubt.
    Still, the modelling mojo has returned.
  6. ullypug

    Clevedon refresh

    By ullypug,

    Told you I'd get the boards for Clevedon out. First board now installed in the tinking room for wiring up. Have decided the loop turnouts will be driven via wire in tube from SPDT switches. The remainder surface mounted Caboose Industries turnout throws. Routed out the two end channels. Will backfill with Rocklite once the tubes are in.
    Feel like the modelling mojo's definitely returning. I plan to make the ballast look a lot more light railway is before it's finished. The first board will be entirely scenic and is the Weston end.
    Edit - let's try that with both photos shall we?!
  7. ullypug
    Have taken the plunge and built the lighting rig extension for Wheal Elizabeth. The purpose of this is to bring all the supports forward allowing the front line to be used for a through passenger traffic in the future. I've only had to bring this forward about 100mm and the effect is a rather nice 'chunky' proscenium arch. Still needs a topcoat of blue gloss in time for its next outing at Trainwest, Melksham next weekend and after this, the next step will be to crack on with the necessary bridge & trackwork sections. Don't know if I'll get this dome by Railex in May (I doubt it) but I've now cleared the major hurdle in starting.
     
    Oh, and the O2's drying off after its weathering session. Need to assemble and post a photo.
  8. ullypug

    Quick update

    By ullypug,

    More work on the bubble car.
    New end is on and large windows reduced in size. Still some filler to sand off then it's sticking bits on time.
    I'm enjoying this
    Oh and the O2 has had another coat of paint after a rub down. Transfers on order from Fox as I've bottled the idea of lining with a bow pen.
  9. ullypug

    O2.7

    By ullypug,

    Coming thick and fast now. Must be the fact that we're snowed in!
    Have had another good session with the O2. Chassis has been tweaked by soldering additional strips onto the High Level hornblock thingies for the spring wire to slide through. Photo makes it easier. The front two wheels are now set at the right height so don't foul the underside of the splashers.
    I've also attached the steps, coal rails, drawhooks (Ambis) and (after opening out the holes in the buffer beams) the buffers. Finally, I've spent about an hour slowly removing excess solder with an assortment of sharpened jewellers screwdrivers. All starting to come together (well in my eyes at least). You'll notice the gap under the coal rail at the back which will need attention but then it'll be full of coal so I'm not worried.
    I'm hopefully going to start fitting various castings next. Don't know how much time I'll get up to Christmas now, but it'd be nice to get this someway towards finished over the forthcoming holidays.
    Hoping you all have a merry Christmas and a peaceful New Year.
     
    Andrew
  10. ullypug
    lovely day for photographing models today, no direct sun but bright. Put Wheal Elizabeth up in the garden and spent a happy hour snapping away. It's amazing what the public doesn't normally see from the front. I now have a list of things to attend to before the next show, which isn't until January.
     
    Looking forward to going to Scaleforum tomorrow. Hope to see a few of you there.
     
    Cheers
  11. ullypug

    Assorted progress

    By ullypug,

    Well despite having a staycation the other week, progress has been limited somewhat of late. Must be the weather. It certainly isn't the football...
     
     
    A couple of jobs that have been floating around for a while have been done. I finally finished off the handrails for the R&H 165DE and duly applied a blast of ECC Blue. More painting required yet - it's way too clean but I'd like to have it finished before Scaleforum in Sept.
     
    The weathered silver bullets have been subjected to the same replacement ladder trick as per the clean one. Assemblies shown below duly primed.
    All turnouts for Clevedon have been finished and tie bars fitted a la Norman Solomon (copperclad with pins). These too have been primed though I ran out of grey hence the somewhat bright red. I'll spray these sleeper colour and paint the rails before I glue down and ballast. Oh, and I've painted the tops of the baseboards and finished all the leg stays too. Just got to fill all the slits in the copperclad track now (yawn). It all works electrically though.
     
    OK so I have done a bit - it's just spread around!
     
    and I won't mention the green Hymek acquired from Model Masters either...
  12. ullypug
    It's coming along OK. The last three turnouts are being prepped on the workbench. I couldn't resist putting the boards up and seeing how the track looks. I haven't actually measured where the various sub-assemblies are supposed to go, but you get the general idea. Once I've finished the turnouts, I'll overlay the trackplan on the boards and once happy, will make up the remaining sections. I haven't gapped all the copperclad yet (still have that joy to come) so no electrical test as yet. Wagon runs through fine though.
  13. ullypug

    Where did January go?

    By ullypug,

    ...or put another way, is it really 2 weeks since I posted anything? I should start with a big thumbs up for the Weston show back on 17 Jan. Just under 1000 through the door for a one dayer and over ??1500 raised for Weston Hospicecare. A very well attended and staged show. Well done Keith if you're on here.
     
    Not much is happening at the moment. Stock has been cleaned and checked ready for the trek up to Rochdale this weekend. Must remember to pack thermals and phrasebook. It'll give Geof and I something to practice when we get stuck on the M6. Really looking forward to Rochdale. Always a good laugh with a good bunch of people and judging by the details, some good layouts to watch when we're not operating. Hopefully this time I will get to see the Pennines. It's always been a bit foggy on previous occasions...
     
    Modelling activity has been limited to pondering future plans; Cheddar, Clevedon, Cheddar, Clevedon and trying to get the b*****d R&H chassis to run sweetly. It's not playing ball and I suspect I'm going to have a strip it down. I thought the Impetus hornblocks were a bit dodgy and as time goes on I'm beginning to suspect they're too sloppy. Replacement with a High Level one may be required. Why is it I can get a 2-8-0 to run no bother but an 0-4-0 is being so awkward? The law of Sod I suspect.
     
    Also at an early stage for my son's first layout which involves a certain blue engine. I went and bought some points from the very nice folks at Bridgwater Models on err Bridgwater Station. Insulfrog points... that took me back (obviously not far enough 'cos I forgot to but any insulating fishplates)! It'll be a bit quicker than handbuilding points that's for sure.
     
    Thanks to those who've said kind things about the Modeller article for Wheal Elizabeth. Do come along a say hello or ey' up or whatever passes for a greeting in those parts this weekend. I reserve the right to look bemused though
  14. ullypug

    Wheel cleaning

    By ullypug,

    As the next outing for Wheal Elizabeth beckons (Weston-super-Mare 17 Jan), it's time to start wheel cleaning. A necessary evil but something that has to be done. Slaters track cleaner and cotton buds is all it takes.Thankfully rewheeled rtr is a lot easier to do than the kitbuilt stuff.
    Mind you, when the list is a long one (Well tank, 1366, 57xx, 42xx, Cl 03, 08 X 2, 22, 25/1, 25/3, 35, 37/2, 37/6, 42, 45, 47, 50, & 52), it still takes a while. Maybe it's time to start cutting down what I take to shows
  15. ullypug

    New Year progress

    By ullypug,

    Finally after foolishly painting and decorating the stairs hall and landing, oh and stairs to the loft room, I've finally found some time to finish off one or two projects.
    D2127 brings in some new fangled conflats to Wheal Elizabeth. Once loaded, they'll be off to Avonmouth for onward shipment to America.
    Funny isn't it? My friend Dave used to shunt these on the dock system at Avonmouth...
  16. ullypug

    Expo EM South

    By ullypug,

    Back home after a cracking day at Portsmouth playing with Weston. Everything behaved itself and the layout performed well (in my opinion). Managed to acquire Christmas presents from Kevin Robertson as always, the rather splendid Lightmoor Press book on the Cheddar Valley and East Somerset railways. I've always thought there are some potential layouts in there, Congresbury with the junction for the Wrington Vale Light Railway, Sandford with its quarry connection and Cheddar with its overall roof.
     
    Even managed a S&D cattle wagon off the bring and buy stand too.
     
    That's it for Weston for a while. It's scheduled to appear next at Taunton in October 2010 and potentially another show in 2011, so now it's back to Wheal Elizabeth and its next show in, err Weston on 17 January. Can't wait.
  17. ullypug
    2 weeks to go to Cheltenham (24/25 Oct)and it's time to start the preparations for Weston WCPR. I shall be putting the layout up this weekend, dusting, cleaning & generally tidying things up a bit....oh and yes removing any more spider poo that looks like woodworm (details and therapy on the old RMWEB). Then it's just the matter of cleaning stock, checking back to backs and cleaning wheels, adjusting AJ's.
     
    It's at this point I usually do something stupid like deciding to build something new for the exhibition...
     
    The Cheltenham show looks to be a good one this year, with quite a few RMWebbers likely to be in evidence. It's for a good cause too 'CLIC' so well worth a visit.
     
    I've even managed to finish off the Ling, Crab and Boplate E I started early in the year. Just needs a trip to the paint shop now and the engineer's train will be about complete for Wheal Elizabeth.
  18. ullypug

    Weston WCPR updated

    By ullypug,

    Photos attached to my gallery of the WC&PR layout. Really starting to think about next major station up the line, Clevedon.
     
    I am looking forward to doing a real place again. I can get the station at Clevedon and the 8 road loco/carriage shed into 9ft without compression. I'll also be able to finish the rolling stock list namely Manning Wardle No 5 and the Taff Vale Coach.
     
    It's been a strange week. I left Scaleforum feeling a but ambivalent about the whole modelling thing. Activity this week has been limited to sticking 3 whitemetal spring castings to a Chivers Ling for Wheal Elizabeth. I'm not feeling particularly eager to crack on with the autumn modelling season. Is it modeller's block?
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