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Mikkel

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Blog Entries posted by Mikkel

  1. Mikkel

    C+L underlay and Carr's ballast

    By Mikkel,


    Track & Traversers
    For what it's worth, here's a quick recap of some of the products I tried out for the underlay and ballast on "The bay".
     
     

     
    C+L foam underlay. I used neoprene foam from C+L Finescale for the underlay. This was of 5mm thickness, although I believe they now also have an 3mm version available. The foam may at first seem rather sensitive: Even a light prod of a finger leaves a noticeable hollow. However, the foam eventually evens out, and in any case becomes much less sensitive once fixed in place. For this I used a gooey, water-based glue, normally applied to carpet underlay. I extended the foam across the entire baseboard, rather than using it only beneath the track. This also allows buildings and structures to be recessed into the foam by cutting appropriate holes, thereby eliminating the problem of unsightly gaps between structures and ground surface. Look at that heavy chipboard - stone age baseboards, but it was what I had lying around at the time.
     
     
     

     
    Carr's 4mm ash ballast (left) vs 2mm stone ballast (right). In Edwardian times, neat ballast shoulders were rarely seen in bay platform areas on the GWR. Photos of the Newbury bays suggest a light sprinkling of a rather fine ash-like ballast, and sleepers almost level with the surrounding ground. Since most manufacturers seem to insist on over-scale ballast, I experimented with both 2mm stone ballast and ash ballast. The picture above compares Carr's 4mm Ash ballast (left) with 2mm Dark Grey Ballast (right) from the same company. I opted for the finer Ash Ballast, a dark grey matter of non-stone material. This gives a nice representation of the very fine ballast I was after.
     
     
     

     
    Ballasted track. I applied the ballast to the track through a film cannister, pierced with holes at the bottom to get an even and controllable spread. This was then adjusted with a fine brush and a not-so-fine index finger. I sieved away some of the finer ballast dust beforehand, and then later added it to the top in order to enhance the "fine" look.
     
     
     

     
    Original and extended sleeper spacing on Peco track. The track is Peco Code 100, left over from an earlier layout. I consider this a compromise, but I stuck to my principle of exploiting the items I already had available. Moreover, with careful ballasting and weathering it is a compromise I can live with. I did experiment with the sleeper spacing, to see if I might create the illusion of scale track gauge. I realize this is a very subjective thing, but for me the extended sleeper spacing gave a slight narrow gauge look with which I wasn't quite happy, so I decided to leave the track as it came.
     
  2. Mikkel

    Midland Railway D299 Open

    By Mikkel,


    Wagons
    As Stephen has highlighted, the Midland Railway D299 Opens were built in such large numbers that they appeared in almost any pre-grouping goods yard at some point.
     
     

     
    So I dug out my Slater's kit for this diagram.
     
     

     
    The kit had some rather bare looking insides.
     
     

     
    I therefore scribed on some planking detail.
     
     

     
    For the rest of the build I followed Stephen's info, including removal of the number and build plates, as prototype photos show them positioned in another place.
     
     

     
    The built-up wagon.
     
     

     
    Weighted with the excellent Liquid Gravity from Deluxe models.
     
     


    In primer...
     
     

     
    ...and painted.  The MR transfer sheet I have is from Fox (edit: which has issues, see below). The sheet doesn’t provide for the number plates, so I found a photo of another MR wagon on the web, cropped out the numberplate and worksplate and photoshopped them to suit.
     
     

     
    As usual the camera exposes all the little detail issues. The door patch should only have 4 bolts, the 3-links should be blackened, and Stephen is not happy with the proportions of the "M" on the Fox transfer sheet. 
     
    Overall I'm content with the wagon though. Thanks to Stephen for the help on this build.
     
  3. Mikkel

    How to eat an elephant

    By Mikkel,


    Intro
    Question: How do you eat an elephant?
    Answer: One bite at a time
     

     
    "The Farthing layouts" are a series of OO micro-layouts that depict small sections of the same overall junction station. The period is Edwardian, although I occasionally have heretic out-of-period operating sessions. The layouts are operationally independent of each other, ie they are not connected or modular. In this way, I can explore my interest in larger stations in a very limited space. In other words, I'm eating an elephant one bite at a time!
     
    The station of Farthing is located on the GWR line between Newbury and Westbury, and serves as the junction for the fictional "North & South Railway" line from Swindon to Salisbury, now part of the GWR system. It is also the starting point of the local branch to Overbourne.
     
     

    Map showing Farthing and the old North & South Railway, now absorbed by the GWR
     
  4. Mikkel

    Shunting Puzzle

    By Mikkel,


    Layout design
    I've been working on the trackplan for the next Farthing layout, which will show part of a large GWR goods depot.
     
     

     
    In order to improve the operating interest, I've decided to incorporate a shunting puzzle in the track plan. For anyone interested in shunting puzzles, I can recommend the excellent Model Railway Shunting Puzzles site, plus of course Carl Arendt's site. The simple plan above (not to scale) is an initial design, and may be revised. Any ideas for improvement would be very much appreciated. I'll explain the visual side of things in a separate blog entry.
     
    The trackplan is similar to the famous "Inglenook" design, but the objective of operation is different: In the Inglenook concept, the aim is to assemble a goods train for departure. Here the aim is to distribute wagons from a reception siding by moving them into the goods depot in a particular order, while at the same time removing empty stock from within the depot.
     
    This was inspired by the practice at larger goods depots on the GWR (and I expect elsewhere), where incoming vans and wagons were met by a superintendent in the reception roads outside the depot, who then assigned them to particular sections of platforms (or "decks" as they were called) inside the depot.
     
     

     
     
    The diagram above shows an example of the challenge. This is the basic procedure:
     
    Prepare the puzzle by arranging the wagons as illustrated, ie with five inbound wagons in the reception road, and five outbound (ie empty) wagons in random locations inside the depot. Allocate each of the inbound wagons to a particular location on the two tracks within the goods depot. This is done by eg drawing the wagon numbers out of a hat. Shunt the incoming wagons to their respective destinations within the depot, while also removing empty wagons from the shed. The reception siding may be used to set down wagons temporarily during the shunting. The challenge is completed when all the incoming wagons are in their predefined location, and the outgoing/empty wagons are in the headshunt (any order). The puzzle has two difficulty levels: In Simple mode, any maneuver is allowed. In Advanced mode, two rules apply:
    The loco is not allowed to enter the depot (as was often the case in reality due to the fire hazard). A wagon that is destined for the far end of a platform inside the depot must therefore be propelled using other intermediate wagons. Wagons must not be left temporarily inside the depot during shunting operations, only outside.  

     
     
  5. Mikkel

    Kit-bashed roof structure

    By Mikkel,


    Structures
    The roof structure for the "The depot" has been underway for some time as I've been busy with other things, but it is now nearing completion (sketches of the goods depot can be found here). My original idea was for a large single span roof, but after ploughing through photos and obtaining some sound advice from fellow RMwebbers (thanks everyone!). I decided on multiple lesser spans instead, of which two are visible on the layout.
     
     
     

     
    The structure is built from a variety of modified components sourced from old Airfix/Dapol, Rovex/Hornby, Ratio/Peco and Heljan kits, thereby encompassing quite a bit of British railway modeling history! I initially envisaged something scratchbuilt and rather more finescale, but I know from experience that I need to keep things simple to sustain momentum, so in the end I opted for some extensive kit-bashing.
     
     
     

     
    A selection of the components used. Clockwise from top left are parts from the Airfix canopy glazing (I bought in a number of these kits), support columns from an old Rovex footbridge kit (still to be added), some ornate ironwork from a Heljan station kit (also to be added) and leftover bits from the Ratio canopy conversion that I did for 'The Bay'.
     
     
     

     
    The Airfix canopy kit appears to have been designed in 1959. Is it perhaps among the oldest model railway products still on the market, along with the other ex-Airfix kits?
     
     

     
    The original pattern of the Airfix roof trusses (top) seemed inappropriate in this context, so these were changed to indicate a Howe pattern instead (bottom). Various leftover parts from Ratio kits were used to add detail and hide joins.
     
     
     

     
    The rooflights still need a bit of work, but the basics are in place. They will hopefully let in lots of light, which is important in a small box-like layout such as this. I suppose it's all a bit chunky in places, but I'm hoping to improve this with some strategic weathering and detailing later on.
     
     
  6. Mikkel

    Dusting off the cobwebs

    By Mikkel,


    Structures
    Forget glacial progress, this is more like continental drift. After a good start, work on The depot has been all but stalled since spring. But with working hours beginning to look more reasonable again, I took the plunge and dug out the layout in the basement today. See if you can spot the layout in the photo above! Funny how I can spend days working on some minute detail of a layout - only to abandon the whole thing for months afterwards in a remote corner of the basement. But that's the nice thing about hobbies: They're always there, waiting patiently, unlike everything else in our lives.
     
     
     

     
    Found it! Dr Livingstone I presume?
     
     
     

     
    Next, locate the workbench! I blame Ikea for this, almost all the clutter in this photo is from there.
     
     
     

     
    Right, so where were we? The only real progress over the summer has been cutting out the brick sheets in order to dress the inside and outside of the main foamboard structure.
     
     
     

     
    I originally planned to use Slater's English bond for the job, but then noticed Jim SW's comment that the SE Finecast brick sheets give an older more rounded appearance to the bricks. Thanks for the tip, Jim. A further advantage is that the bricks will match the embankment brick walling on "The bay" - also from SEF.
     
     
     

     
    The sheets measure 14" x 9". Lengthwise, that's not quite enough for the depot, so the necessary joins were concealed using this simple old trick.
     
     
     

     
    I'm now fitting the cut-out sheets to both sides of the foam-board base, a satisfying job. Sadly, it seems clear that The depot won't make it for the RMweb Challenge deadline, but I'll continue working on it. You never know, I just might make it in time for next year's challenge deadline 🙂
     
     
  7. Mikkel

    The mists of time (and all that)

    By Mikkel,


    Musings
    This may not be to everyone's taste, but I've been playing around with some photos of the Victorian coaches that I recently dug out (see last blog entry). For some reason, out-of-focus photos of historical stock have always captured my imagination. Like ghosts from the past, or whatever. These manipulated images are a quick attempt to recreate something similar.
     
     

     
    This shot somehow looks quite "real" to me. Perhaps a reminder that there are other avenues in layout presentation than the picture-perfect images we all tend to pursue?
     
     

     
    Of course, it's important to emphasize that this isn't modelling - it's just photos that try to emulate other photos. And some will feel it's just plain cheating, since the blur and the lack of colour hides all the give-aways that would otherwise reveal it as a model... a valid point.
     
     

     
    Right, better get back to some actual modelling now!
     
     
  8. Mikkel
    So far there are five layouts in the Farthing series, each depicting a section of the same overall station. The trackplans are simple affairs, but when linked to fiddle yards all contain a certain operational scope. The layouts so far are:
     


    1. The Branch Bay. This was the first of the layouts and is complete. It shows the bay platform at Farthing ca. 1904-1908, and draws on features from the bays at Newbury station.
     
     
     

     
    2. The Goods Depot. This layout is also complete. It shows part of a large goods depot, seen from the inside and looking out.  It mixes features from the old goods depots at Windsor, Reading and Hockley.
     
     
     

     
    3. The Old Yard is complete. It focuses on the remains of the old N&SJR station at Farthing, long since swallowed up by the GWR and converted to a secondary good yard. The layout was inspired by the history and goods operations of Stratford on Avon, Witney Goods and Gloucester Old Yard.
     
     
     

     
    4. The Stables is complete. It provides a roadside view of the stable block and surrounding sidings at Farthing during the early 1900s. It  is inspired by the stable blocks at Park Royal and Slough, and the tree-lined perimeters of Vastern Road Yard in Reading.
     
     

    5. The Station is underway. This is a scenic module that will later be joined by three other modules and fiddle yards to make up the main station building, platforms and running lines at Farthing. The main structure is a model of the station building at Newbury.
     
     
  9. Mikkel

    Horse-drawn parcels van and coal trolley

    By Mikkel,


    Horse-drawn
    Here are a couple of horse-drawn vehicles for "The bay".
     
     


    This GWR parcels van is based on No. 131, representing a type introduced in the 1890s. It was made using a Langley kit.
     
     
     

     
    The lettering is based on photos from the period (including the use of different fonts), and drawn up in Word with a brown background to match the van colour. It was then printed on thin paper and stuck to the van side. This shot is ruthless but from a normal viewing distance it looks OK. The poster is an original GWR example from 1907, reduced to scale size and printed.
     
     
     

     
    A Coal-merchant's trolley from Shirescenes. The kit also includes parts to make it up price boards and scales if so desired, a nice touch.
     
     
     

     
    Later I simplified the model, turning it into a straightforward flat trolley as seen here.
     
     
  10. Mikkel

    GWR Modelling website

    By Mikkel,


    Misc.
    Just a brief note to say that I have passed on the "GWR Modelling" website to a new webmaster. This is none other than Russ Elliott, who is well-known here om RMweb (although under a different name) and in the modelling world more generally. I can't think of a better man to take over the site, and I'm sure I'm not alone in thanking him for doing so and for keeping the website going. Also a big word of thanks to those who helped facilitate the changeover in practical terms.
     
    The transition is already complete and there is even a new update by Jim Champ on his "Beginner's Guide to Pannier Tanks". As usual, it's all at gwr.org.uk
     
  11. Mikkel

    My friend the operating chair

    By Mikkel,


    Musings
    Before you think RMweb has become a dental forum, I am referring here to a new chair that gracefully supports my backside during layout operating sessions.
     

     
    Strangely, neither my wife nor teenage kids have been able to mobilize any enthusiasm for this great find - I guess they have finally given up hope in me. So here it is on RMweb, a place where people are able to appreciate the finer things in life. It is in fact an old hydraulic barber's chair that the founders of my workplace picked out of a scrapheap when they first started the business (well we all have to start somewhere!). It was duly employed for many years as an office chair and became a sort of symbol of the company's humble beginnings, until it was finally considered too outdated to match the fancy new postmodern office furniture. How unjust the world can be!
     
     

     
    So I saved it from a return to the scrapheap and it has now quickly become a good and much valued friend. You will kindly note the lambskin and the glass of whiskey. Life can be tough, but it does have its moments!
     
  12. Mikkel
    Just a silly little video clip here, fooling around with an off-cut from another Farthing video. It seems Shunter George "Bulldog" Mullins had a bit too much of the good stuff last night.
     
     
     
  13. Mikkel

    Design principles

    By Mikkel,


    Intro
    Here's an introduction to the main approaches and principles behind the Farthing layouts.
     
     

     
    1. One bite at a time. Each layout can be set up and operated in our living room in a short space of time. They show different parts of the same overall station, meaning that I can explore my interest in junction stations in a limited space, step by step. Some of the layouts use Peco track, others use C+L handbuilt track.
     
     
     

     
    2 . Into the scene. The layouts are designed for close-up eye-level viewing, seeking to place the viewer 'inside' the scene. 'See-through' structures (eg a canopy) at the front of layouts are used to enhance this effect.
     
     

     
     
    3. Trying for atmosphere. The layouts have a focus on atmosphere rather than high accuracy, and tend to follow a 'less is more' approach. That's not a judgement on other approaches to modelling, this one just happens to suit my interests and skills. For a related topic, see the Farthing Station Weekly Discussion Club.
     
     
     

     
    4. The human dimension. Hardware is great, but railways are also a lot about people. In my view, there is still some un-exploited potential in the way we think about the human dimension on our layouts, and we owe a lot to the railway staff and their communities. I like using human stories as a way of presenting the layouts, and creating the sense of a real place. All within reason of course: You won't catch me talking to the figures!
     
     
     

     
    5. Time warp. If you can't expand on space, expand on time. Because each layout is independent, they can be set at different times. While all the layouts are set in Edwardian days, they show different years, allowing for variation in stock and liveries from layout to layout. Just to add to the scope, I also do occasional out-of-period running sessions. This is good fun, provides variation and allows some of my back-of-the-drawer stock to stretch it's legs. This video tries to capture some of that fun.
     
    That's about it then. Best not to take it too seriously, at the end of the day it's all mostly an excuse for a bit of laid back modelling.
     
     
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