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wollastonblue

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Blog Entries posted by wollastonblue

  1. wollastonblue
    A quick update on proceedings so far. The Kibri Castle kit was quite a monster as the photos show, the Faller viaduct kit is rather straight forward.
     
    Work is due to start on the track bed, as soon as the weather improves so I can cut the hardboard required.
     
    A few photos:
     
    The Viaduct:
     

     
    My little one thought it would better with a train on:
     

    The Kibri Castle:
     

     

     

     

     

     
    On another note I have actually finished a layout!!:
     

  2. wollastonblue
    Much has happened since I got made redundant a fortnight ago. Although searching for a new career is a priority, I have managed to get quite a bit done in the last fortnight.
     
    Some relief has appeared on the terminus side of the station, and along the back scene, I have also managed to finish the inset rails. Awaiting to see how my finances go before the station buildings start to appear, but the space has been made ready for it. Photos of work so far below.
     
    As usual any comments or critism, highly welcome.
     
    Cheers for now.
  3. wollastonblue

    All Systems go.

    By wollastonblue,

    To keep costs down, and as I've also had a play with Scarm. I am going to stick with the 3 APA boxes as the boards for the layout. This is what should be the final track plan:
     

     
    I have found a couple of Youtube videos with KATO RhB stock going round the 140mm Radius tomix Track no problem. So I have the curves on order from Japan.
     
    I have also discovered that Tomix turnouts can be controlled by Kato switched, by splicing the wires with a Kato Point extension cord.
     
    While the good lady is watching I'm a Z List humiliate me on TV, I have these fresh from Germany to build:
     

  4. wollastonblue
    Well with the excitement of Christmas and Mrs and Little Wollastonblues birthdays, I could only get the electrics all finally sorted. I have found out that Peco fish plates are not compatible with Tomix track, and with the rails not accepting solder at all, I discovered that underneath the track I could solder connection wires to the rails. I have also wired up another point.
     
    I received the EW1 coach set from Mommy Wollastonblue this Christmas, and I have the Glacier Express on advance order from Japan. Still have a massive shopping list, and funds and time will allow for it slowly but surely.
     
    It is nice to see that other companies are supporting this range, and I will be ordering some wagons soon. But other bits need to be purchase first.
     
    In other news, I am finally going to actually see and ride on the Rhatische Bahn this year. As Little Wollastonblue is starting school in September, we have decided that this year we are off on a European adventure. We are driving from Glorious Kidderminster all the way to the Venetian Riviera and back, but not all in one go. We are going to spend 1 night in Boppard, Germany, hopefully see some ICE action along the Rhine Valley for me and Little Wollastonblue, I did stay in Boppard on a School trip in 1993, and I kept all my spending money back so I could buy a Marklin Train Set to bring home, relatives weren't impressed due to the lack of gifts.
     
    After stocking up at a Supermarket in Boppard, we are driving down to Celerina for 2 nights where we have an apartment. On the Sunday we are off on the RhB from Celerina to Filisur, where we are going to have a picnic overlooking the magnificent Landwasser Viaduct, back up to Bergun to go round the museum.
     
    From Switzerland skirting Lake Como, we head to the Venetian Riviera for 4 nights, so the little one can have some beach and pool time. I am hoping for a trip to Venice itself and wander round Venice Santa Lucia station, hopefully get to see the Orient Express too, but I not going to push it if the beach is too much of a pull.
     
    From Italy back up to Munich for a night of beer, sausages and sauerkraut, then across to Lille via Luxembourg for 2 nights so we can visit Paira Daiza zoo in Belgium for Pandas!
     
    Cheers for now.
  5. wollastonblue
    Over the last weeks little Wollastonblue and I have had good fun with scatter, and trees. It was little Wollastonblue who suggested we had a path up to the castle, so we added a hedge around a gravel path. The hedge coming from Mrs Wollastonblues cleaning cupboard.
     
    Photos of our progress:
     
    Spooning on some scatter:
     

     
    Spreading the scatter out:
     

     
    Halfway there:
     

     
    Static grassing:
     

     
    Waiting for the glue to dry:
     

     

     
    Up on the supports in the box:
     

     

     
    We have also made a start on the other side, with some foil, newspaper, and plastercloth.
     
    Thanks for looking.
  6. wollastonblue
    After roping Little Wollastonblue into some rock painting on the box. I am getting constantly asked now "Daddy, paint for you pweeeeease", so this is sort of getting things moving rather quickly. A few photos of our progress:
     
    Rock Painting:
     


     
    Now painting the boxes black:
     




     
    Daddy's modelling:
     

     
    Well if it keeps Mrs Wollastonblue happy by keeping us quiet will celebrity big brother or something is on the TV, it must be a good thing.
     
    I have placed a preorder with AB Modell for a GE 4/4 iii in my favourite Hockey Club Davos livery. That along with the announcements from Noch/Kato/Pirata this is going to be expensive, so that I can have a variety of stock on this layout.
     
    I'm hoping to get the next helix cut and in place so Little Wollastonblue can do some rock painting.
  7. wollastonblue
    Despite a side track (no pun intended) with planning a US HO switching layout. Some work has progressed with the layout. Just the last Helix to cut and fit and we can really start to progress with scenery. Warley led to a couple of purchases (Kato Turnout Switches for 2 of the points, a Faller Chapel, and some tunnel portals).
     

     
    The first box with complete trackbed.
     

     
    Starting to build up the contours, little Wollastonblue thought it hilarious to scrunch up newspaper.
     

     

     
    We glued down some of the Tomix track, and we have forfeited the fiddle road underneath the station area. Mainly as the 140mm Radius Turnouts are not friendly to the loco, strange as the 140mm curves are not a problem. Little Wollastonblue wondered why I was using Mommy's heavy cupboard food.
     

     
    The 2nd Box now has a track bed ready to go.
     

     
    Finally laid out all the track bar the right hand helix. I think it looks pretty good, Mrs Wollastonblue didn't realise it would be that big! Wait til she finds out I'm planning another layout.
     
    I'm hoping to get cracking with scenic work over the next month or so.
     
    Cheers for now.
  8. wollastonblue
    Thank you to Dave John for the advice, and the bulldozers went in a cleared a lot of plaster, wire and paper, and I have rearranged the buildings so that i can fit my Hotel and Pool in the left hand board, meaning I can fit some more on the right hand board. I also think that I might build a wall around the castle now. The helix covers have been fashioned from Foamboard, and I am working on how to install the tunnel mouths and other mountain faces. I have also discovered the scrunched foil is better than scrunched newspaper for setting plaster cloth to. I have got the lower mountain face done, awaiting painting.
     
    In the middle box some more foliage and trees have been planted along with a good covering of tinted EZ water. i want to have a go at the water effects next, and install a small waterfall, to the right. I will try and get some close up photos as the work progresses.
     
    The left hand box:
     

     

     
    The centre box:
     

  9. wollastonblue
    Progress is really being made on my little slice of Switzerland. The last helix has been cut and tested, as has the track bed and river bed at the bottom of the Waterfall. Followed by a load of scrunched newspaper and plaster cloth.
     
    I am a little stumped on how to top the mountain off as I do want it relatively flat so I can place my Alpine restaurant and Hotel and Swimming Pool. So more complicated woodwork is required I think. I also sealed off the castle mountain so I need to cut a hole in it so that I can keep the track clean and attend to any derailments. (Any suggestions are welcome).
     
    Some photos of that end of the layout:
     

     

     

     
    On the middle board a thin layer of Woodland Scenics EZ water has been placed so I can set the viaduct, a load of boulders and rocks need to be placed in and around the bottom pool:
     

     
    A little testing has allowed my to hard wire the Tomix point motors directly to the Kato Turnout switches. So I will be constructing a control panel and Mug or glass holder on the one end of the layout.
     
    Little Wollastonblue is excited as when I place my next order with Japan, he spotted a certain Blue Tank engine that would be ideal for Daddy's layout. He'll have to be a good boy for me to add it.
     
    I would also like to thank Noch and AB Model for making this an expensive year in stock purchases, with a Hockey Club Chur GE 4/4 III on pre-order, and then a Green GE 4/4 II on order along with a rake of 4 Einheitswagen to go with it. Also some Pirata Flatbed wagons that would suit my siding to load some logs. But the main items I need are the expansion set for the Glacier express, and an Allegra unit.
     
    Now then where can I buy some Swiss beer?
  10. wollastonblue
    With a week off looming on the horizon, work can really get started on the trackbed. In the meantime some shopping has been done, and I am waiting for a couple of packages from Japan to get really cracking on with the layout.
     
    My annual trip to Warley, was more expensive than originally planned as one Trader had a Kibri Kit of Branzoil Castle which was on my list of kits to get.
     
    While my good lady has been watching that thing in the jungle, and with the little one asleep I have completed 2 Faller viaducts. An issue that arose from the construction is that they aren't Kato track friendly, so a purchase of a length of Fleischmann Profi Flexi-track was made at Warley as well.
     

     
    My little one thought it would be better with a loco on it:
     

     
    Watch out next week for loads of updates and construction.
  11. wollastonblue
    A bit jiggling around with Scarm, and testing heights for the Helix, has allowed me to put a fiddle yard in. The helix needs to 45mm from base to the next level.
     
    It looks like the eBay supplier has run dry of the APA boxes. So I may either attempt my own or get a laser cut kit to suit.
     

     

     

     

  12. wollastonblue
    Thanks to Keith at Traintrax, this arrived for me on Saturday morning. It's easy to set up and have a play good look at everything. I am very impressed with how it looks. The coaches are excellently moulded. The only criticism I do have is that the the Rapido couplings are very obtrusive on the locomotive. However, the close coupling system offered by Kato should remedy that.
     
    With a visit to France round the corner, my spending is to be curbed, but some addition Kato track and the all important APA boxes are next on the shopping list.
     
    Below is a Scarm 3D Drawing of the proposed layout, if I keep all four posts of the boxes in tact, and I have to say I don't think it detracts from the overall view of the layout.
     
    ]
     
    I hinting at the wife that a December break to Switzerland would be brilliant, but as she's getting broody again, it may depend on her situation.
  13. wollastonblue
    Now I can get onto the computer at home. I can now update with what is happening with Tigh Charrann. I have started to weather the rails using Railmatch Aerosol Enamels, a little more ballasting, and also planted a field. The photographs are pretty self explanatory.
     

     

     

     
    I managed to get a few more bits and pieces at Warley, to sort out the Kadee issues with british rolling stock. Also picked up a Mk1 BG blue grey and Mk1 BG in full blue to form the parcels train. A Large Logo 37 and a class 27 have entered the stable of locomotives aswell.
     
    I feel that work may slow down on Tigh Charrann in order to concentrate on the 2010 layout challenge. A layout thread has been started on the ideas stage, but I will set up a blog with the progress of that layout as well.
     
    Any comments or critism is highly welcome.
     
    Cheer for now.
  14. wollastonblue
    Ballasting work and bushes are appearing on the layout, and I promise some more photos later today.
     
    The only thing bothering me now is the capacity of the fiddle yard. I need to make room for a Deltic and 3 coaches, where at the moment I can only hold a deltic and 2 coaches. So a curved point, will be used to make on long siding along the back of the yard, and the 3 way point making up the other 3 sidings. I think that makes sense.
     
    With pay day looming another shopping list is being formulated, and I will get most of it before the Warley Exhibition, but if a bargain appears then who knows. More locos to enter the stable, and more scenic materials, and couple more buildings should do it.
     
    Any advice or critism welcome.
  15. wollastonblue
    Just some more photos of the progress with Shaunbachdorf.
     

     

     

     
    I did lay some of the track down to check everything, and the loco and stock I have, and it doesn't have any problems with the 140mm Radius curves. The issue I do have at the moment it, is the R140 Points they do need wiring up properly, as they don't set the route properly using the manual switch. So another order will be placed for the relevant items, along with some more stock.
     
    Hopefully some scenic work can start in the next week or so.
  16. wollastonblue
    Little Wollastonblue, wanted to do some more work on the layout last night. So we set about the piece of foamboard the castle is going to site on, for the left hand box.
     
    So after one of Mrs Wollastonblues wonderful dinners, we broke out the scatter, trees, etc. and created a pathway to the castle, laid down some forest floor,and planted some trees.
     
    More Photos of the progress:
     

     

     

     

     
    As I'm pub quizzing tonight, we're aiming to get this bit finished by the weekend, so we can crack on with getting the full track laid, tested so we can play run some trains.
     
    Cheers for now.
  17. wollastonblue
    OK so as things have started to progress, I have realised that I have made 2 massive mistakes:
     

     
    I tried the loco is both directions the weekend, and it got stuck in the tunnel, which in my opinion is probably down to dirty track.
     

     
    I have built a plaster and wire structure to go over this helix and it's too big.
     
    So which leads me to ask for advise. I need the 2 helices covered in order for scenery and to give the impression of the helix style tunnels that are on the RhB, but also due to the tight radius of the curves, give me access to clean the track and get to any possible derailments.
     
    What would others do in my situation? Do I build it out of hardboard, and the plaster the relevant scenery required or its there something else I can do?
     
    Thank you in advance for any help or advice.
  18. wollastonblue
    Well is been a long, long, time since I updated my blog. But a recent visit to Weston Super Mare, and of course the wonderful Model Masters (just a very happy customer), reignited the flame to push on with the layout.
     
    A Faller Platform kit, and Alpine Chalet have been obtained, along with some PECO code 80 flex track. After much deliberating and playing around with Anyrail/Scarm, comparing prices and availability, I have decided to scrap the Kato/Tomix track idea for the scenic areas of the layout, and I will be going with PECO track. It also allows me to allow for a slight S bend before the viaduct over the stream.
     
    Cutting has started for the trackbeds, and helix required for the the layout. Just need to speak to the Bank of Wife with regards to stock, although I am dropping massive hints for Birthdays and Christmas.
  19. wollastonblue
    After that brief stall on the location of the layout. The decision has been made to stay in North West Scotland. The arrival of another Tractor to the locomotive stable, in the form of 37/0 with Split Headcode, thanks to Oldfield Park.
     
    So a list of the Jobs to do:
     
    1. Re-model the fiddle yard, with a curved point to allow a 3 coach train with locomotive to fit in the fiddle yard.
    2. Complete the Ballasting and Track weathering.
    3. Paint a Backscene, and time to add some relief to the layout.
    4. More Trees to plant.
    5. Stock Weathering to take place.
    6. Sort out Uncoupler magnet positions.
     
    This may take some time, but bear with me, as I will update as and when jobs get completed.
     
    The two things, I'm unsure about at the moment are:
     
    1. A Class 27, is it far too north for this loco?
    2. The Road Over Bridge I have is that too urban for use in the Scottish Highland?
     
    As usual, any comments, critism, etc all welcome.
  20. wollastonblue

    Photos at last.

    By wollastonblue,

    A couple of photos of the progress, as promised. Having major problems with Kadee Height at the moment, so any advice is gratefully received, as is any critism or advice. By the way the hoover needs to visit to tidy everything up.
     
    Cheers for now.
     

     

     

     

     

  21. wollastonblue
    After getting very little time with Shaunbury, and my little one growing too fast. Shaunbury is being consigned to the great unfinished layout yard in the sky (eBay).
     
    I have always had a fondness for continental railways, and the one layout if you can call it that I did finish was a Noch Colorado Pre Formed layout board. I enjoyed learning about German DB locomotives, and watching countless videos on you tube. This was then sold, so I could move to various guises of OO gauge, and then when I moved in with my wife N gauge beckoned, but with the trials and tribulations of raising a little boy, my down time is short at the best of times, and when I can work on the layout I can't as my son is in bed in the room I use.
     
    So, looking forward I have looked intently at the APA boxes as a medium for a layout I can work on and store in the living room. After playing around with Scarm and Anyrail, I soon discovered that I could fit an oval of KATO unitrack in the constraints of the box dimensions. The oval in question comes from KATOs Glacier Express Starter set. As I like a roundy roundy layout, I started to delve in to the wonderful world of the Swiss Narrow Gauge Railways. I will point out I have never set foot on Swiss soil, although plans are afoot to take the family next year.
     
    So the idea for the layout was sown, and I started playing with Scarm and Anyrail, and one APA box became 2, and then eventually 3. So the plan is to use 3 APA boxes as the base for the layout.
     

     

     
    The plan and design is for a station on RhB Glacier Express route to serve a small village called Shaunbachdorf, which is home to the Shaunbach Falls. The Faller, Kibri and Vollmer websites have been bookmarked and kits have been found. Stugl Stuhl's station building by Faller along with the KATO platforms will be used for the station. A lovely Alpine Inn by Faller with a balcony will overlook the waterfall and a Faller Cable Car set covering the right hand helix, and a Kibri Castle covering the other helix. Maybe a church and chalet to feature too.
     
    I am about to place the order for the train set, and the APA boxes, I have a sheet of hardboard in store ready to make a start.
     
    I will warn blog readers I may ask a lot of silly questions regarding the RhB and Switzerland in general. Fingers crossed I can come up with something good this time round.
  22. wollastonblue
    While having glass of beer the other night, I was pouring over different areas of Switzerland to visit next year, and which railway journeys I could do within the time frame without boring my good lady, and letting the little one splash around in the pool. I think a Eurocamp (other mobile home holiday companies are available) holiday next year will tick the majority of the boxes for us as a family.
     
    This led me on to the my proposed layout, and the small amount of stock available to me. Usually, when starting a layout and I think a lot of us are guilty of buying more stock than we actually need. So I did start wish listing for more stock from Kato, my list is as follows:
     
    i) GE 4/4 II with normal RhB stock (they probably have a name but I don't know it yet)
     
    The loco provides a number of livery options
     
    ii) GE 6/6 I Krok with Alpine Pullman Coaches
     
    This would make a lovely set.
     
    iii) Good stock suitable (Again they all probably have names, but I don't them yet)
     
    The RhB is used a lot for freight.
     
    iv) ABe 8/12 Allegra unit in "Arosa" blue livery
     
    Possibly already on the cards.
     
    v) Moving away from the RhB, a MOB Golden Pass set
     
    I just love the livery. The loco is there, some of the coaches are there, just the end panoramic coaches to produce. (I'm sure someone will tell me they are a lot different)
     
    I am also hoping for more liveries of the GE 4/4 III, I'd love the HC Davos version in particular.
     
    I'm loving my on-line research at the moment, but I would like some reading material, and I wondered if there was a sort of "Swiss Metre Gauge Railways for Dummies" book.
     
    I have some hardboard ready for cutting, just awaiting for someone to pay me for some items on eBay so I can buy the APA boxes.
     
    There may be more reflections to come before work really begins, but I'm eager to get cracking.
  23. wollastonblue
    One of the parts of Railway Modelling I find really fun is creating the fictional history, and locations for my layouts. So with the purchase of a 3rd Rail EMU, a scottish layout seems to be a bit too far fetched.
     
    So here goes with Smallbridge. The name comes from one of my literary heroes Hornblower, who after his exploits against the French was made Baron Hornblower of Smallbridge, and a bit of a google has found no Smallbridge in Kent. I did try and find something with a Doctor Syn reference, but couldn't find anything fictitional locations. Small references to Hornblower will hopefully be made on and around the layout.
     
    The Location:
     
    Smallbridge is a medium sized seaside town between Camber Sands and Dungeness. Smallbridge had a large fishing fleet, and as result of this a railway built to serve the town, and the fishing fleet. During the 20th Century, the fishing fleet dwindled, but the tourism boomed. The Southern Railway deemed it big enough to add to the 3 Rail network. A small terminus station serves the town, and a TMD, and a Coachwork Shed are also in operation up until the late 1980s.
     
    Passenger Rail Services to Smallbridge:
     
    4CEP The hourly service to and from London Victoria.
    205 DEMU (On order from Kernow) Service to Brighton/Ashford
    2EPB Frequent service to Canterbury via Dover
    Loco with Mk1 Cross Country Service to Edinburgh (formed of 3 coaches, and formed into a larger train at Reading)
     
    The New Bachmann FNA will provide a Nuclear Flask service from the Dungeness Power Station.
    The Coachwork Shed will provide a fitting out for Pullmans from VSOE, and Mk1 Pullmans
     
    A service train of TTAs, and VDAs will also run to service the Coachworks and TMD
     
    So other locos are due to join the fleet.
     
    The fuel unloading depot as featured on the previous layour will be going.
     
    I will update the current layout building situation, later today.
     
    As usual all comments, critism, suggestions etc welcome.
  24. wollastonblue
    As promised a photographic update of how the layout has bee progressing. Rather slowly, but hope to speed up a little over the next few weeks, as I've got a fortnight off soon to recuperate from an operation.
     
    As usual any comment etc. all gratefully received.
  25. wollastonblue
    I am now the proud owner of 3 APA boxes. I have knocked one up quickly, and a couple of issues have arisen:
     
    1. The 150mm radius Curves fit, but only just. I can carry on with them, but it will be tight. Alternatively I can utilise 140mm Curves from Tomix, however the corresponding points are Tomix too, and I can't seem to find out if they are compatible with Kato Switches.
     
    2. The upright posts are a little wider than expected, but this can be got round with a couple of gentle S Bends and some surgery to them.
     

     

     
    I say construction is about to begin as I may completely scrap the APA boxes and go for some bespoke laser cut baseboards, which would give me a lot more to play with.
     

     

     

     
    This gives me the chance to use the Kibri Albula Viaduct, and add some more buildings into the layout. The APA boxes wouldn't go wont waste as a near 2 year old in the house can use them for their original purpose.
     
    Why does this hobby constantly through decisions at us?
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