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backofanenvelope

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  1. backofanenvelope

    virtualNER

    By backofanenvelope,

    As I am away from home and not able to get hands on tools and wood thought I would do a bit of a virtual mock up and rough one at that. This is the western end board and the larger of the two. I am going to do a card mockup too as I am not sure where I will cut the ply to make the contours for the road under the bridge and the coal yard below the station. Much cheaper to make a mess on card and given my clumsiness probably for the best.
     
    Having done research I am going to have a short bay platform for loading of race horses which was big business on the WRB and also gives me the chance to use on of the LNER's lovely blue liveried Bedford horse box. Am still pondering the eastern end and what to do about the fiddle yard. I had planned to put an industry in front of it but am pondering something that would be in keeping but am waiting for it to hit me.
     
    Looking at the station buildings, Wensley looks like a good contender and is 91' long and should fit the space I have, there maybe some narrowing of the width but as this is la-la land I am not to fussed about fidelity. That will come when I model the real thing!
     
    As the far Western end was shared with the LMS I was considering an Association Jinty chassis conversion as first loco and an easy route into steam for the branch. But this is a bit of a way off yet so not worrying too much about stock and I still have a stack of wagons in the box to start building
     

     
    And tonights bedtime reading is..
     

  2. backofanenvelope
    So after a pretty difficult year and a bit, life starts to move on and I can get back to some real modelling rather that virtual and non! Yesterday I headed out of t'Dales to the NEAG meeting. The object was to make a 2mmFS Mineral Wagon Kit in a day and given my rustiness I wasn't confident that I would achieve this target. The first thing that was apparent was that I was only needing minuscule amounts of solder to stick things together. Although I think I am pretty neat with my track building this was another level of restraint. Not having my usual iron with me, as I managed to forget it having got my tools out having being packed away for around a year I thought I better not forget anything.. but I am use to the tip on it and the way of it.
     
    Anyway I was rescued by MickS who popped home, and found a spare. The day went really well and got the juices flowing again and it was nice to see old and new faces and get on with actual building. The lunch and afternoon tea was lovely and rather blew my diet but am back on the lettuce and dry water today! Anyway with all cylinders firing again and the gloom of winter disappearing I have another two wagon kits to complete. Looking forward to York and spending some birthday money. Spring has sprung..
     

  3. backofanenvelope

    The hat trick

    By backofanenvelope,

    Ok, so all the points are done now (the last one nearest, another Y) and I need to start looking at laying it down on the board road bed. I need supplies so may not progress until after Warley at weekend.
     
    However can be getting on with building design and since I no longer have access to Adobe Illustrator I managed to find a very acceptable alternative in iDraw for my Mac which is a 10th of the cost of AI and very much as good, obviously not as feature rich but excellent for my needs. So off to scouring street view to find some reference material for mockups..
     

  4. backofanenvelope
    With 20mins to go to work you just have to fire up the soldering iron. So last night I started the 3rd and final point although I knew I was tired I just wanted to keep the momentum going. With only the stock rail added I realised that the end furthest from the heal (not sure of terminology) was out of line by about 2mm. Thinking that I would rectify this the following evening I left it to go to bed. However on getting up the urge to fix got too much and fired up the iron
     
    All is well with the world!
     

  5. backofanenvelope

    Point two.. it

    By backofanenvelope,

    Not had much time this weekend for modelling due to family visits and being struck down with a particularly harsh cold. However I did manage to nearly knock up the second point for Oakworth, this is a #8 and on a very slight negative curve. All in all I am happy with this effort although I still need to gap and check continuity. Anyway its late and more to follow tomorrow.
     

  6. backofanenvelope

    Permanent Way

    By backofanenvelope,

    After a couple of days of plans not going to plan, I managed to get the soldering iron out and start building the points for Oakworth. I have found enough sleepers now to complete all three on the main board. I need to work out the tie bar issue and where they sit between bracing bars on the underside. I have made sure there is plenty of space for point monitors.
     
    The first one is pretty easy as it is straight however always slow to get the brain cells working about the process Might get it finished tonight but am nursing a man flu at the mo I seem to have picked up from my work colleagues. But hot toddies are on tap...
     

     

     
    An finally the finished one
     

  7. backofanenvelope
    After a jolly day out at Wycrail yesterday, highly recommended, I set about making some Easitrac for Oakworth. Now either I am doing it wrong or I am extremely slow both of which are probably true, it took me best part of the day to do 7 pieces. I had pondered laying cork underlay but failed to get some from the show so kind of kicking myself today I also need to find some pins for when I start putting down the rails. But things are now starting to move forward. I have a shopping list ready for Warley and hopefully will be able to source some more sleepering pcbs as I think I have enough for 1 1/2 points.
     
    With the track now laid out I get a feel for the space on the board, it does seem to be quite spacious having seen other recent 2mmFS layouts. But I think it will be quick to shrink when i get more of the scenery on. I had hoped to start the buildings today, but you can only have so much fun in one day!!
     

     
    and something I picked up yesterday probably not the easiest loco to convert...
     

  8. backofanenvelope
    Having a quiet moment at work lunch break, I set about mocking up the scene for Oakworth. I need to work on the scenery and buildings to make sure it fits in with the track plan. I have removed the station and moved the track towards the front of the layout to make more space for the terrace at the back but also to allow for the potential expansion to the east where the station building(s) would sit. I am raining in the urge to plan for that too
     
    In the meantime I have started to look at Scalescene's brick papers for the mill and terrace buildings. These have both access via road side and also rail side provided by a rather steep gradient from the bridge. Hmm Bridge St theres an idea. actually I want to make all the scene no specific so that as mentioned before have a broad timeline where stock from the LMS through to current modern TOCS can be operated.
     
    So take a step back to Oakworth c1940's
     

     
    Morning in Oakworth

  9. backofanenvelope
    Having spent the day doing stuff, I managed to do 'bits' on Oakworth now caught on image, really need to light my pictures properly.. Sort of finished the basic board but need to brace the underneath and also work out thin ply for facing of the external bits. I have extended it over the original plan as I felt it was just too cramped and needed a bit more space to make it look more believable. The idea is to be looking down into the station with retaining walls all round and grimy terraces. Well thats the picture in my head and which has probably been done millions of times before, in fact I have to be influenced by Tetley Mills found elsewhere on here. I think I need to get some sketches down to help me build up the landscape..
     
    The plan has changed a number of times but I think that this the final iteration although suggestions accepted.
     

     
    So next tasks are to brace board then spray mount the plan down and break out the Easitrac. I am going to build all point work in situ but I have previously build on the bench before so not sure how it will pan out. Another step forward......
     

  10. backofanenvelope
    Ok so not huge leaps forward given that I had an unexpected guest and a going to see Skyfall tonight I have got pretty much nothing done, did however get one of the ends on which will provide the support. Anyway its late but just wanted to show there is progress of sorts. although not that exciting. Hopefully more tomorrow.
     

  11. backofanenvelope
    Well not as much progress as I had hoped for this evening as although I went to 4D Modelshop and got the necessary bits including solder paint for the wagon build I then couldn't find the bag of bits I brought from the AGM! So yet another box hunt tomorrow. So in order not to let the momentum fizzly out I set about making a test track out of foamcore. Although it is only around 2.5feet long I will adequately meet my goals of getting something running and testing out various ideas an techniques. The track plan is simple with only 3 points and a moving fiddle yard to act as a traverser so once I have some paper for printer I will print my Templot plan and stick it straight to the baseboard and build in-situ. Seems as though I have/am spending large amounts of time getting everything in place that I thought I already had!
     
    More progress tomorrow.
     

  12. backofanenvelope

    Moving on

    By backofanenvelope,

    Well with over a month since my past ramblings I though it was about time to "do something" Now having settled into new flat finally only 6 weeks after moving in I cleared off the workbench commonly know as the kitchen table and got down to some modelling. For those of you reading my ramblings I have a confession to make, I have wandered from the path slightly but this is only in an effort to get modelling mojo back after a particularly busy patch at work. SO before you is the evidence of two slips one out right hard to miss one and a related to my main modelling interests.
     
    First up is a Parkside Dundas 12t LNER Box Van in wait for it 0 Scale. I have always admired 0 and having put my name down for one of the RMweb specials I thought it was good and proper to then think about a diorama for it and then when visiting Warley there was a preponderance of 0 Scale and passing PD I spied the wagon. I have put most of it together but am struggling a bit with the safe loops/hoops but should figure it out. Having rebuked my friend for going off pisté and thinking about 3mmFS I am no in no position to lecture. Anyway I see this as a *very long term project for the back burner.
     
    Second up is the set up of my SPROG2 and decoderpro that I have had for over a year without use! After pratting around with downloading drivers etc I fired it up and waited for things to happen. Now like most men I was damned if I was going to rtfm and poked and prodded buttons and loco with no luck and the loco resolutely staying static and dimmed. The without warning it set off at a leisurely pace around the Peco Settrack circuit I had also had for around the same time. only to promptly stop and not move another inch no matter what I did. However by a process of elimination I managed to work out that it didn't run in command station mode. Once changed to standard mode off it trundled happy as larry.. Anyway where does this lead me with the tasks I should be getting on with and want to be getting on with.. Well if I can find the bits and pieces to start my 2mmFS wagon for the build-off, that is what will happen tonight. I am still amazed at the fact that things I packed away in order knowing that I would need them all in order somehow manage to disappear for the box they were put in.. should really dust off the J72.. oh well more to follow hopefully..
    Tom
     

  13. backofanenvelope
    Well as the title says.. not model related but a trip down the Rhine saw a selection of trains. It was a shame I didn't have more time as I was only there for the day and with fiends that wouldn't have appreciated being made to watch the trains go by. I was surprised at the frequency and diversity passing by, and I saw some SSB 482's ? Hmmmmm almost makes me think about doing some DB, N or Z! Anyway some pics.. This weekend I will finally be able to get stuff out of boxes and have a play. More to follow.......
     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  14. backofanenvelope
    After a rather frantic time what with one thing and another I am now happily in charge of a new flat with all the benefits of open space and also a kitchen table that can be the home to modelling on the long winter nights. Having measured up a couple of spaces I have found a nook of 11ft for potential future layout extravaganza. Anyway suffice to say things are looking up at backofanenvelope towers.
     
    Today I spent some happy hours at the 2SA AGM where I bumped into friends old and new. Nice putting faces names and a special thanks to 2mmAndy for demonstrating me the RSU something that I think might be a valuable addition to the toolset. It was interesting to see the Association at work and it fairly whizzed along closing in record time apparently. I was also good to see the trophy presentations for some truly amazing pieces of modelling.
     
    Then there was the 2mmFS area packed with the good and the great of the Assoc and some real gems not to mention Wenford Bridge. I remember seeing this many years ago and it is still as good as it was then. Another case of railway in the landscape.. with a working crane! There were many other good layouts and left me with the feeling I really must get cracking and stop procrastinating.
     
    So what did I buy. Well after being very restrained apart from the wheels and bearings needed from Central Shop I splashed out on some more rolling road stirrups, decoders for the 66's and some Digitrax Panels..
     
    More to follow when I get on with modelling rather than windbagging!
     
    Over and out..
  15. backofanenvelope
    So although not completely model rail related, I have found somewhere to live which is good! Hopefully be able to set up a bit of a modelling bench now, although I suspect there will be a succession of people want to come and stay! The added bonus is there is a garden, for doing the dirty stuff outside and a little shed.. every man should have a shed I am going to have to keep things tidy so clever use of space will be the order of the day, but I am happy to finally be settling somewhere. More of this to follow.
     
    My second entry to this post is I tried some non-lead soldering last night and boy how difficult is that!! I know I am doing it wrongly as it is not working! I have a temp controlled iron and am using flux cored Maplins non lead solder. On Maplins website they advise a melting temp of 215C but the solder doesn't budge at that temp so cranking it up to around 380-400C makes it flow but I just don't seem to be able to make it flow. More heat? that's the only thing I can think would help. Maybe the Maplins solder isn't very good? So ideas and advice gratefully accepted.
  16. backofanenvelope
    Having gone through the 50 million shots that are no good I dug out a few of my day out at TINGS in Warwickshire. Bit of a trek back due to fender bender(s) but saw some really nice layouts and got some useful tips and info. Many pics have been taken on some of the layouts before and my skills behind the camera vary from ground shaking blurriness to bleached out flash infested snaps, some times I wish I know what I was doing and could get a half decent pic.. anyway here are my selections..
     
    1. Hedges Hill Cutting - Great layout, so much detail in a small place but in a beautifully observed way. not at all cluttered in a busy small space.
     

     

     

     

     
    2. Rosneath - I love this little Scottish layout, taking it's queues from Ian Futers 80's N layouts, which I remember..
     

     

     

     

     

     
    3. Batty Moor - the mix of photo a model blended well to portray the Pennines around S&C
     

     

     
    4. Parnhams - Lovely scratch built buildings and a lovely layout.
     

     

  17. backofanenvelope
    Ok so dug a few more out for people to have a look at.. Hope there not too much of the same. I always go with the best intentions of trying to take interesting pics but end up taking 30 of the same scene to get what I think is right!
     
    Batty Moor
     

     
    Hedges Hill Cutting
     

     

     

     

     

     
     
     
    Parnhams
     

     

     

     
    Rosneath
     

     

  18. backofanenvelope

    Drop-ins

    By backofanenvelope,

    Finally done something productive after weeks of inactivity. I collected the last two remaining sets of drop-in wheels for my DBS Class 66 from the 2mill stand at the TINGS show after the appropriate interrogation. Bumped into fellow 2millers who were impulse buying Wandered around for the day looking at some really nice layouts, I seem to be gravitating to the smaller almost micro layouts. In fact the three best in show in my humble opinion were Hedges Hill Cutting, Rosneath, Wulstanton Road, and oh and a fourth gets a mention for lovely buildings, all scratch built, Panhams gets the nod. I might post some pics once I have had time to look at them tomorrow.
     
    Anyway onto tonight's little task..
     
    Re-wheeling of my DB Shenker Class 66 Grafar loco. This took a matter of about 5 mins once I had been told I didn't need to dismantle loco to put the new wheelsets in! So firstly pop out bogies from chassis, this is just a gently tug, then ease the bogie frames off the central moulding I used a very fine screwdriver as the fit was very tight. once out pop the wheels out, I did middle ones first as I was able to control the remaining two axles more easily. then its just a case of fitting drop-ins back in. Care is needed to make sure the pickups are not bent out of shape. But once all in pop the frames back on putting coupling end in first and the gently pushing assemblies together. The Bob is your fathers brother
     
    Unfortunately I have no Easitrac to hand so I couldn't give it a test run, but tomorrow I am going to fire up the soldering iron and pop a TCS decoder in too, so I can have a play around with it and my SPROGII.
     
    Anyway my last thoughts/question is how do I get DG's attached to this?
    Good night!
     

     

     

  19. backofanenvelope
    In an attempt at keeping the ball rolling as motivational levels are rather low at the moment due to external factors beyond ones control I thought I would pose a picture and a question. So the pic above is pretty explanatory to the people that know and for the rest of us.. it is H3PO4 commonly know as Phosphoric Acid. I shhaaall mainly be using this for soldering and maybe the odd fizzy drink! Shocking to find out they use this in a famous brand of Cola for added zing. Some may remember the 70's ad all I remember was the anti-version.. I digress. Anyway I now have a supply of said flux @ around 7-8% for use on all metals I am reliably informed, well the ones we use for modelling. Just need to get on and use it.
     
    So here comes the question.. what kind of brush should I use for this as I have no clue. My amateurish guess is that as long as you wash the brush at the end of the session it show be ok to use any? So over to my learned friends
     
    Tom
  20. backofanenvelope

    Two plus one

    By backofanenvelope,

    Well its been a bit of a busy week what with having to find somewhere to live, meeting up with AG homies and dashing North for Railex NE. Ok so I went a little mad at the Dapol stand as you can see and I am not sure wait I am going to use the GC HST on but it looks great and the 86 also but the 67 is what I really wanted. It's a lovely model and now going to have to put in for a bulk load of drop-in wheels-sets and source some decent decoders for them.
     
    What a great show Railex NE is and this was the first time I have been and will definitely go again it was just a shame that I could not also get to the NYMR but then I may do that a bit later in the year as wanted to see the 9F. A thoroughly enjoyable day was had with much chatting to many people I just wish I had more time, maybe I will do a two dayer next year. Spoke to MERG about the servo system of point and signal control seems like a good way to go and liked the slow motion of these devices so am pondering. Picked up a few tools and bits and bobs then spent the rest of the time picture taking. Here a few, Blackgill was stunning and a the details and balance of everything was just jaw dropping. There were however many great layouts there not one was a filer in my humble opinion.
     
    So what next, well still waiting for various bits to turn up but am going to make a start on J72 this week and also start track building for another project that I am doing with a friend, so some real hands on stuff and less gassing. Anyway here's a peek.
     
    Blackgill




     
    Fencehouses



     
    Wansbeck Road



     
    Milford



     
    All in all a jolly good bank holiday.
    Tom
  21. backofanenvelope
    Although there has been no progress since my last entry there has been progress of sorts. Having thought that my previous order for parts to start my Fencehouse J72 were lost in the post or order never arrived at shop3 headquarters arriving back at parents yesterday I was very pleasantly suprised to be handed 2 little packets one of which was the said parts! Hurrah!! Now there is no excuse to get started on my loco kit. However being on hols in the Dales far from kit and tools makes it a bit difficult. One a different note the inaugural meeting of the new West London AG went ahead and a small band of 2mil modellers met in a pub in Paddington, which served a very nice pint of Flying Scotsman so hopefully there at some point in the future will somewhere to roll sleeves up and share some experiences and skills... What started out as a brief conversation at Expo in Keighley with Gingerbread of this parish has transmogrefied into an actual event... amazing.
     
    Finally after seeing Missy's little Nn3 shunting loco I recklessly brought one to have a go at a little project that I have been thinking about doing for a long time. This may get documented in due course but for the moment will be in the background

     
    Anyway of to Wensleydale Railway with niece and family for a 'grand day out'
     
    Tom.
  22. backofanenvelope

    Ooops.....

    By backofanenvelope,

    Well time drags in my modelling efforts at the moment and yet another month goes by, with things going on around me it is hard to concentrate on modelling, however I thought I would settle down to a little on this rainy Sunday afternoon and set myself the task of re-wheeling my GraFar Class 60 loco so that I have one 2mmFS loco to test out my soldered point-work.
     
    This has proved to be a little frustrating once I had got the body off and split the chassis as you can see from the picture above. I have now ground to a halt and have been looking around the t'interwebthingy and don't seem to be able to find any pics, advice or movies on how to get the wheel-sets out wihout doing major damage to the bogies. It seems as there are a couple of tabs at the bogie ends but the assembly seems so bonded I can't seem to release these parts.
     
    I think I may also have run into a problem of not having enough geared wheel-sets to. So another order needs to go in to shop3!
     

     
     
    In the mean time I guess I will have to look for other projects, time to get the soldering iron out again.
  23. backofanenvelope
    So back from a bit of an epic journey north to the 2mm Expo hosted by the Keighley Club (thanks for that) , via a rather long winded journey starting at 6:38am not helped by having been out for one too many sherberts the night before and not getting to bed till 3am. But the journey went well with a range of transports to an from the venue. Have to say the Keighley Club space is great, lots of it! and looks out over the KWVR
     
    I now see didn't take as many pictures as I thought I had and was obviously gassing way too much! but I enjoyed the whole experience and chance to speak to the good and the great of the 2mmSA was worth the ticket price itself. I have included a couple of pictures of things that took my eye as I am sure that there will be far better versions over on this thread
     
    Was great to have a chat with 2mmAndy about my impending build of a Bob Jones J72 and feel a little less daunted now, so just waiting for the parts to turn up and then I can get started.
     
    Then there was the shop.. oh dear oh dear.. I spent quite a bit, but then make hay whilst the sun shines is my motto I brought some loco jigs for the J72 and some NER Hopper wagons and chassis but forgot the wheels Doh! actually run out of money at that point, some drop-in wheelsets for my farish DBS Class 66 a back to back gauge and some items for a possible 2011 Challenge idea B)
     
    So fired up once again and just off to heat up the soldering iron and have a go at Point 6..
     
    Tom
     

  24. backofanenvelope

    Wow..

    By backofanenvelope,

    .. a month goes by and nothing been achieved! well work and life has been busy so not had much time for modelling.. although have been to a couple of shows Railex being the best. I got to see Missy's little Nn3 Shunter and chatted to her near the end of the show, came away with some ideas and then the 2011 Challenge pops up! hmmmm even more distraction(s)
     
    I am also going on a mad dash to the 2mm Expo oop north on Saturday with 8 hours on the train and around 4 hours at the show, but looking forward to it though hopefully will remember to charge the camera etc as its a 05:30am start.
     
    Waiting for a package to arrive with wheels and gear 'n' stuff so I can start my Fencehouses J72 although the longer time goes on the more apprehensive I become to my skills and abilities to complete said kit.
  25. backofanenvelope
    To keep the momentum going as things at work are rather irksome and sucking up way to much time from modelling I recieved my 1911 map of Leyburn. It shows the station plan almost fully but misses a bit off the eastern approach which is a bit annoying.. but it does show some interesting features that I wasn't aware of before, one being the long headshunts at both ends of the station. I think a trip to the records office at Northallerton is needed or a day out at NRM but it is a start and I can get it into Templot and have an idea what the full sized layout would be like. Roll on the weekend when I can get back to more track building..
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