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Yan

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  1. Yan

    Trial build of a trestle

    By Yan,


    Baseboards
    To fit Rospeath Lane into my current car I've calculated the trestles need to be less than 3" (75mm) thick when folded flat. On paper it looked achievable, but before this project progresses too far, I thought it wise to test the theory.
     

    Jake the peg trestle
     
    Using a three leg design allows the single leg to be interleaved within the two main legs. It needs a chain or rope attached to stop the legs splaying out. I'm also considering whether the trestles need some levelling devices adding to the legs.
     

    So far so good
  2. Yan
    At the outset, the primary concern of mine was fitting Rospeath Lane v.2 in my car. Rule 1d of the Scalefour Jubilee Challenge stipulates "The layout has to be portable and capable of being transported by a single car or similar size vehicle and exhibited by two people". I'm surprised it dosen't state that both operators have to be transported in the same car as the layout. As a cost saving exercise for exhibition managers, I feel it would be prudent for both operators to travel with the layout.
     
    The problem I face is Tredethy Wharf fills my car including the passenger seat. I've been relying on help at exhibitions from friends having their own transport. Also Rospeath Lane's footprint is larger than Tredethy Wharf which means there is more to fit in the car. This is why I've been worried about how I might adhere to Rule 1d.
     
    Since committing to the Scalefour Jubilee Challenge, I've almost exhausted the grey cells in working out how to fit Rospeath Lane into the car. I have measured the car boot space and all other nooks and crannies that could be utilised. Then, I spent a lot of time thinking about how to reduce the important clutter around the scenic section of the layout. In this I mean the support structure, lighting frame, control panel, cassette boards with blanking/information panels and tool box along with the all important operators stool for thous quiet moments.
     
    The diagrams below hope to show how I visualise it all fitting in the car, including a couple of small overnight bags for multiple day shows. Hope you can make sense of the drawings...
     

     

     
    One way I'll be saving space is to use the storage box tops for the lighting frame. This, along with the back screen, will help to create an enclosed space to minimise external light flooding the layout. I'm also planning to include the control panel within Baseboard 2.  The current support structure for Tredethy Wharf has improved the stability at the expense of taking up more space in the car. My concern has been how to create a rigid support structure while reducing it's mass. I may have a solution in two trestles supporting and U girders, the proof being after it's constructed.
  3. Yan
    I’ve eventually been able to get my new hobby room organised. I have eventually organised my new hobby room, transforming it from a storage room, filled with furniture and boxes, to a space where I can begin building a layout. First task was to take a proper look at the original Rospeath Lane baseboards. The damage was not as bad as I originally thought… Hmm…it would have been an excellent layout with potential for expansion in the future. Despite building it in two baseboards, it would be very large and difficult to transport to exhibitions. The two baseboards were more for movability during construction and also in case a house move. Even though it has moved house, with now what seems to be minor damage, I’m sticking with my decision to replace it with a more manageable size layout.
     

     
    Last view of version one before being dismantled
     
    Today has been the day I embarked on dismantling v1 baseboards. The intention is to repurpose as much of the plywood as possible for version 2. The baseboards had been designed to accommodate tortoise motors so had a frame a depth of 110mm. Version 2 will not require a frame with the same depth as I’m proposing to use Makeit Miniature’s turnout actuator. This will mean I can tidy up the cross members to a uniform size.
     

    It's now just a pile of plywood 
    None of the baseboard tops seem suitable for the new layout. This gives me a choice deciding to go with 6mm plywood as the baseboards tops or going with 5mm FoamX Board. Before I dismantled the baseboards, I salvaged all the sleepers and rail. With the plywood tidied away in a corner of the room for sorting later, I made a start on cleaning up all recovered wooden sleepers.
  4. Yan

    Pushing it to the limits

    By Yan,


    Planning
    My intended period for the model will eventually be March to July 1959.This will allow the majority of locomotives seen on shed to be steam but also allow me to run a few of the early Diesel shunters and Hydraulics.
     
    This made me wonder about how they would have refuelled the diesels. Penzance didn't receive its first allocation of diesels until Sept 1958 when they allocated three Class 08s for training. In November of the same year, they reallocated two of the three, leaving one (D3514) which remained at Penzance until June 1968. The first Laira based Hydraulics started to appear at Penzance in 1958. My understanding is that D600 and D800 Warships carried a fuel capacity of 800 gallons. If this is correct, they would not have needed refuelling at Penzance for the return working.  The Class 08 would still need to be refuelled. This would seem to indicate that Penzance’s diesel facilities may have been very basic in 1959. All photographs I’ve seen for the 1959 period do not show any diesel refuelling points. So have to assume that refuelling was very rudimentary, either direct from 50 gallon barrels or direct from rail or road born tanks.
     
    Further information I've gathered from Diesel Depots, The Early Years by Irwell Press indicates that shed staff initially treated the first allocations of diesel locomotives with a modicum of disdain. The Class 08s being stored on sidings away from the main running shed roads.  In taking a look at my track plan, I realised that there was no such siding to accommodate locos away from the main running shed roads. I wanted to include some sort of diesel refuelling, so added a very short siding at the front. There will be room for some barrels of diesel fuel between this siding and the running shed.

     
    Track plan v.4 (including siding for Class 08 storage)
     
    In adding this siding along with some slight overall modifications, I’ve managed to increase the scenic area to within the last square inch of the 2711.52sq ins.
     

     
    Scenic area 2710.5 sq. inches
     
    I have purchased and cut the baseboard tops to the new dimensions. The next task is to decide on how much plywood from version one of Rospeath Lane can be used in the baseboard construction.
     
    I believe slow progress is better than none…
  5. Yan

    1/8th Scale model of the revised layout

    By Yan,


    Planning
    Well.. it's a little rough, but it's helped with a few construction ideas.
     

    Stage left
     

    Stage right
     

    Complete frontal view
     
    There still needs a few of the ancillary buildings to add (sand house, lamp store, etc.) and I might add a bit more detail on the buildings (like the openings to the running shed). I can also continue to play around with the sighting of trees in the background as well as the front. The single tree in the front is to act as a viewing break. Overall though I feel it has been a worthwhile project as it gives me a good idea how it will look.
     
    After looking at the model a few times, I'm beginning to think the proscenium pelmet too low. Something to reconsider when starting to build the layout, me thinks.
     
    I realise that the inclusion of the shed plate on the model will be contentious to some, but in my alternative history Rospeath Lane would have been 83G. Time will tell if I'm brave enough to keep it on the finished layout.
  6. Yan
    I'm still waiting for power to be installed in the Log Cabin. The house rewiring took longer than expected, and we decided to postpone connecting the log cabin until other outside work is completed in order to finally get the interior signed off.
    In the meantime, I've recently negotiated a small area in the snug at which I can work on a few projects. I'll have to see if the better half will allow me to solder, but for the moment I've been working on the 1/8th scale model of my proposed Boscarne Junction.
     

     
    I'd planned to make this scale model mainly to help with thoughts on baseboard construction and to see how it will look visually. As I've been cajoled into setting up a table titled 'Planning a new layout, Boscarne Junction' at Scalefour Cumberland 23, it will come in very handy. Unfortunately, as I've been distracted by entering the Scalefour Jubilee Challenge, I'll still be building the model.
     


     
    There will be another 1/8th scale model of my Jubilee Challenge project on the table to discuss with those that might be interested.
  7. Yan

    Can Rospeath Lane be resurrected?

    By Yan,


    Planning
    I've not posted on RMWeb about Rospeath Lane for sometime now, in the meantime I have added a few posts on my independent blog about this project. If anyone is interested to see how far I got until I lost my mojo, the blog can be found here at https://rospeathlane.blogspot.com/
     
    During the six months since I posted on the above blog my problem has been the damage to Rospeath Lane's baseboards, along with its size. The damage must have occurred during our move to Cumbria and/or during its subsequent storage. Its size will infringe on the space required for my Boscarne Junction project. With these thoughts, I've been struggling to come up with a solution for the layout, that is, until the Scalefour Society announced the Jubilee Layout Challenge.
     

    In essence, the challenge is to build a layout to P4 standards, with a scenic footprint no larger than 18.83 square feet and for the completed layout to be transportable in a single car, including two operators.
     
    Now this got me thinking, would it be possible to condense Rospeath Lane into 18.83 square feet. If so, it might exist in the Man Cave along with Boscarne Junction. After a couple of days mulling over this opportunity, I made the decision to put pen to paper. A few more days drawing plans, checking the dimensions, then making amendments to squeeze it all into 18.83 square feet, I think I've come up with a plausible solution.
     

     
     

     
    As yet, I've not filed my intention to enter the challenge because there are still problems to solve. These being, formulating how to construct the baseboards, how to transport them securely, how to support the layout, along with its presentation and lighting, so it can all fit into my current car. I have until 31st August 2024 to register the design, the best and most complete layouts will be invited to Scaleforum 2026.
     
    So... 3 years from now, not long really, especially as I want to start constructing Boscarne Junction soon. But, I see Boscarne Junction as a long term project of ten years or more and it will require a rather larger vehicle than a single car to transport. Rospeath Lane could now become a cost effective stopgap for an exhibition layout.
     
     
  8. Yan

    Version 9

    By Yan,


    Layout Planning
    Just when I thought version 8 was the final track plan, I’ve now produced a version 9.
     
    When starting to consider how the layout was going to be operated, my thoughts went to the enjoyment I gained when invited to operate other modellers layouts. Especially those where a signalman controls a signal box and the train driver has to obey the signals. Using bell codes, interlocking lever frames, and trains being driven to signals fascinated me. I questioned how I could include this feature in my model?
     
    If I create signal boxes in the Fiddle Yards, which use bell codes to communicate with Boscarne Junction signal box, there will be a problem with the Wenford branch. There was no signal box at Dunmere or on the Wenford branch. I believe the Guard of the Wenford train walked to Boscarne signal box to retrieve/return the key for the Dunmere Ground Frame. Then the train crew operated the two ground frames. I thought this is something I’d like to include in the model.
     
    So, in an attempt to introduce this type of operation I’ve decided to split the control into three areas.
    Boscarne Signal box & Wadebridge Fiddle Yard (There would be the possibility to split Wadebridge Fiddle Yard away from Boscarne Box). The Bodmin North, Bodmin General & Wenford Fiddle Yard. Train Driver who’ll also control both Boscarne and Dunmere ground Frames as the train crew would have done. In doing the above, should give a reasonably authentic operating experience to this layout.
     
    I started mess around with the plan to see if I could squeeze in Dunmere Ground Frame and the junction turnout into the track plan. The only way I found was to move the whole of version 8 track plan back to the left. This dramatically reduced the scenic area Wadebridge side of the level crossing, which I’d created in version 8. In the end I felt this compromise was well worth taking, as it will increase operational interest. There were always thoughts with version 8 that I’d add a further scenic board at the Wadebridge end for exhibitions any way. Version 9 will be no different. Still a bit left to do as there are still a few scenic items to identify and mark on the plan along with checking on edge profiles and land contours, but think I'm getting very close to finalising this track plan.

     
    Above is how the layout will look when at home. I briefly mentioned that the track plan is now drawn to fit the baseboards. I will construct the three baseboards making the curved scenic section with the same diverging angle (23 degrees). They will either be stackable on each other when boxed, or I could construct a rack into which they will all slide for storage and transportation..
     
    Below is my cursory thoughts for exhibitions.

  9. Yan

    Starting to plan

    By Yan,


    Layout Planning
    After enjoying SolRail last November I've been contemplating my next layout that could replace Tredethy Wharf as an exhibition layout. Some of my ponderings can be found at the following here on my revamped blog page. What follows is the result of those ponderings...

    It was way back in 2008 when I was first contemplating building a layout of Boscarne Junction. That one was going to be a fictional take on the junction using some what might have beens. Why fictional? Well it was going to be my first foray into P4 and I wasn't confident about building a model of a real location to an acceptable standard. Tredethy Wharf has given me some confidence that I could achieve a reasonable model of Boscarne Junction and if I don't give it a go I'll never know.
     
    After much thought and a few plans drawn I think the plan below is the best I can do to represent Boscarne Junction in my new 'Man Cave'.
    The rest of this blog with thoughts on the above plan can be found here on my Boscarne Junction blog
     
    Thanks for reading.
    Ian
     
     
  10. Yan

    Could I plan the layout better?

    By Yan,


    Layout Planning
    The new "Man Cave" is an extended Dunster log cabin and in part of its construction there are two walls that protrude into the internal space of the room.

     
    Initially I was thinking about turning Rospeath Lane into a "roundy roundy" but these two walls hindered this to some degree. Many plans were drawn but I began to realise that it would become a very ambitious layout. One that may require more time than I have left to bring to a reasonable state of completion. Also I started to have thoughts about how I was going to continue with exhibiting a layout along with improving and learning more about the hobby. That the main reason why Boscarne Junction has been born.
    So could I have designed it any better?
     
    I've tried a few different ways of fitting the plan into the space but didn't want to compromise too much on the track plan. My main though was to keep the integrity of the track layout with the only compromise being taken on the siding length. The result being the track plan below.

     
     
    After posting my thoughts and ideas on a couple of forums I received a good few replies with excellent suggestions. The major problem I had with the track plan above was transferring cassettes between Bodmin North/Wenford and the Bodmin General cassette boards. One suggestion was to curve the Bodmin North line so that the Bodmin North/Wenford and Bodmin General cassette boards could be combined.
     
    I was not sure about curving the Bodmin North line as I felt it would deviate too much from the original and therefore loose some of the genuine feel of the junction. Even so, I played around a little and finished up with the plan below.
     

     
    I must admit it solves the problem very well with transferring full and empty clay wagons between the Bodmin North/Wenford and Bodmin General Lines. The other bonuses this plan gives are; 
    It will allow me to include the Southern Railway bridge over the River Camel.  With enough trees this compromise of curving the Bodmin North line could be masked quite well. The trees will also be a natural break between the bridge and junction to give a tantalising glimpse of trains running over the bridge to/from Boscarne to Bodmin North/Wenford before they appear at the junction or disappear into the cassette board. By extending the Bodmin North line will allow any shunting of Siding 2 from this end to be contained within the scenic section of the layout. As this curve brings the two lines closer together I need to work out the land contours leading up to the Southern Railway Bridge. Also the new baseboard is going to complicate storage and transportation. 
     
    One of the many decisions I need to make is whether to include a track around the back of the layout.  This would be used to exchange clay wagons between the Wadebridge and Bodmin cassette boards rather than carry a cassette the length of the layout. I need to discover how regular clay traffic travelled via Wadebridge and along the North Cornwall Line. Then decide if this is a movement I'd include in the timetable.
  11. Yan

    Further thoughts on the track plan (version 8)

    By Yan,


    Layout Planning
    I intended to postpone revisiting the track plan until the Man Cave was empty and its internal dimensions were confirmed.. That was until I could squeeze in a day’s visit to Boscarne Junction after being in Torquay for a wedding. The visit was to take photos of the wider surrounding area. The site is now dramatically over grown compared to the photographs I have which were taken in the early 1960s. That said, the embankments, paths, field boundaries seem to not have altered. I took plenty of photographs that I hope will help me recreate the topography around the junction..
     
    While at Boscarne then subsequently looking at my track plan, I began to feel I’d drawn it a little out of proportion. Siding 2 (along the back towards Bodmin North) looked too long. By reducing its length, it now feels more proportionate. In doing so I’ve been able to move the whole track plan to the right a little, which has slightly increased the visible track left to the level crossing. In my attempt to balance the space available between scenic and fiddle yards, I’ve had to reduce the overall length of the junction and sidings. There is approximately 13.5ft between the two quarter mile posts as opposed to 17.3ft for a scale quarter mile. Even so, the hope is this will still create a recognisable layout with the ability to operate as near as possible realistic train movements to a replica BR timetable.
     

    Tack plan v8
     
    To give me the possibility to add a further board at the Wadebridge end, I’ve also twisted the track plan slightly. In doing so means the track beyond the level crossing (towards Wadebridge) now runs parallel to the baseboards sides. This will allow the fiddle board that I’ll be using at home to be connected to the extra scenic baseboard if the layout is ever invited to a show.
     
     
  12. Yan

    Tredethy Wharf and its possible replacement

    By Yan,


    Tredethy Wharf
    Though Tredethy Wharf has been a good introduction to Scalefour modelling it has not been a layout that I’ve been tempted to operate at home. When set up at home it’s normally just there as a static diorama collecting dust. That said I have enjoyed taking it to shows along with helping out on other layouts at shows. I’ve become to realise making an exhibition of myself in front of a layout is a rewarding experience. Meeting up with friends who help, the meeting of fellow modellers along with the public who ask questions or just seeing peoples/children’s facial expressions makes the whole event worthwhile.
     
    I feel all that remains for me to do with Tredethy Wharf, apart from a little bit more titivation, is to build more stock for different era’s. These might be late 1960s Blue class 08s with clay hoods, even possibly consider 1930s stock. I’ve had many complementary comments along with much encouragement to keep Tredethy Wharf available for exhibitions. But I know I have much more to learn, more skills to conquer along with some mental barriers to cross.
     
    To continue reading the full post please click this link
  13. Yan

    New thoughts about my blogging future

    By Yan,


    Tredethy Wharf
    It's been a while since I've posted anything on RMweb, this has mainly due to the outage and then realisation that I'd have to re-upload picture to any posts. Also since moving house I've had many months of other projects taking up much of my time. During the last few weeks there has time has been spent mulling over what direction my modelling will take and also if I was going to continue blogging.  I'm a member of the Scalefour Society and have not really been posting my progress on its forum as this would make three forums/blogs to post on. My available time for modelling is at a premium and blogging does give me encouragement to continue but posting on three sites would take up valuable time. The outage of RMweb is hopefully a one off and no doubt the IT team have put in place better backup procedures but I'll admit it put me more in favour of creating my own blogs.  I'll be able to backup these blogs myself and have a little more control over them.
     
    I will continue to read and follow content along with intermittently posting on RMWeb. Any blog posts about my modelling progress will be mainly in the form of a brief taster to the full post on my personal blog away from RMWeb. This will also be the way I'll post on the Scalefour site. Now I seem to be getting my mojo back for my hobbies this should enable me to focus more on the workbench than the computer screen.
     
    Over the last few weeks I've created blogs for all my model railway project by splitting out relevant posts from the original Grogley Junction blog into each new blog. I've also slightly revamped my wargaming blog.
     
    Links to these blogs can be found below in my signature.
     
    Hope this does not infringe any RMWeb protocols.
     
    Best regards
    Ian
    Tredethy Wharf
    Rospeath Lane
    Boscarne Junction
    Panzers and Muskets
     
  14. Yan

    SolRail 2022

    By Yan,


    Tredethy Wharf
    I'd been invited to show Tredethy Wharf at SolRail 2022, this is the Working Model Railway Exhibition held in November each year. After dragging the layout out of storage, our house is undergoing some major renovations so the layout was hiding behind stacks of furniture. I set it up in our living room, which had just had a new level floor laid but was still a building site. There were a few things that needed fixing especially one turnout that was not working. Eventually after a little tinkering it sprang into life. All rolling stock was checked and the the whole layout packed and ready to go.
    The organising committee had agreed to a have mini Scalefour element as part of the show naming it as Scaleforum Cumberland. This was in one of the side rooms where there was tables laid out for three demonstrators plus room for three small layouts, Tredethy Wharf being one of them. Set up went well during the Friday evening prior to the show  and I managed to have a cheeky meander around the show. It looked like it was to be a exhibition with a good cross section of the hobby and I left with anticipation for the coming two days.
     

    All ready for the next two days
     
    Saturday morning, my trusted helper, Nick Cook, arrived early to find me setting up the rolling stock. All looked good until I tried that pesky turnout that I fixed the day before. Unfortunately it is the preferred turnout used for shunting the wharf sidings. This dramatically reduced our operating to just running trains through the layout. That is until I tested the turnout during the afternoon and it worked...So we did get some shunting of wagons on Saturday, but we were not as fortunate on the Sunday.
    The main surprise for me was being awarded The Jim Harkness Memorial Shield. The shield is in memory of the Workington Transport Heritage Trust's Health and Safety Officer who died of cancer in 2009. It is presented to a layout or display which the judge from the organising committee feels is the most deserving.

    The Jim Harkness Trophy being proudly displayed
     
    Talk about being gobsmacked and a tad embarrassed but on reflection quite proud that someone within the hobby thought my little effort was deserving of the award.
  15. Yan

    Way off topic

    By Yan,


    Life
    I know this blog is way off the topic of Model Railways but it’s what I’d been doing while house sales were going through…
     
    During recuperation after my operation I decided to try and raise funds for Rospeath Lane as well as other future modelling projects. This was also with the intention of reducing the amount of stuff I’ve collected. So time has been spent pontificating on what wargaming figures and model railway items I could sell. Some hard decisions have been made along with making mental commitments to finish projects that I’d like to keep. More on the Model Railway front later but thought someone might be interested to see what I’ve been up to with one small Corps of Napoleonic figures.
    Looking though my collection I decided to reduce the amount of 15mm Napoleonic Duchy of Warsaw (Polish) figures by selling one division (144) of painted miniatures. This would leave me with a quantity of figures to paint to complete a smaller Duchy of Warsaw Corps.
     
    I’ve now just about completed a Division of Infantry including the artillery along with two of four cavalry regiments. Flags need to be added to the infantry stands and I may have a few infantry pompoms to repaint but feel they are coming on nicely.
     

     

     

     
    As a reference for scale, the figures are from AB Miniatures and are classed as 18mm (large 15mm) which is as near as damn it 1/100, TT Gauge in model railway parlance.
     

     
    Above is the complete Corps so far. Further additions that need painting are a regiment each of Chassuers and Krakus cavalry, along with a command stand with Marshal Poniatowski and ADCs. It’s just a shame that I’ve moved away from my regular gaming opponent so they may not see action for some time.
     
    I’m starting to negotiate with the boss an area within our new house where I can get back to working on hobbies, so next post should be back on track…
  16. Yan

    What a funny old year that was

    By Yan,


    Life
    Well what’s been happening then? “Not A lot” modelling wise as other things got in the way during 2021. Golf took up much of my time during Spring and early summer as I wanted to enjoy playing before an operation. After the operation, to remove a tumour around my pituitary gland, I ended up with Meningitis B. This meant I spent just over 4 weeks in hospital plus about a couple of months to gain some sort of fitness without feeling knackered walking upstairs. We then had a short break away in the caravan to help with my recuperation. After a 2 week excursion to Scotland, as I was still getting tried during the day, we broke the journey home in north Cumbria. This stopover changed our life somewhat. This change was after seeing an old farm house up for sale. On the journey home and over the following couple of days we discussed and thought through the following;
    I’ve been very lucky to recover from the operation and meningitis B with minimal side effects We both enjoy the Northern Lake District and have spent many holidays in the area We only live once The farm house would give more space to entertain friends, family and grandchildren We both like a project and the farm house would need some upgrading My wife is self employed and can do much of her work from home When weighing up the pros and cons, viewings were booked for nine houses in the area which ended up with us preferring the original farm house. As we left the property we made an offer which was immediately accepted.
     
    The speed of agreeing the sale of our two houses surprised us. After just one week of them being on the market we had accepted offers on both. Frustratingly like all who move house the actual process of moving took a while longer. The week before Christmas we eventually moved. So we upped sticks and moved to Cumbria, and now live in a 300+ year old house which does not have a “Man Cave”... Blimey how did that happen?
     
    Modelling time will be at a premium over the next few months while we settle in and decided how and where the “Man Cave” going to be. This does mean that work on Rospeath Lane has stagnated somewhat but once things settle down and I finally get somewhere to work I'm eager to continue with the project. That said, I have had a couple of invitations to take Tredethy Wharf to shows, one in Oxford and (now) one for a local show in Workington. This means I can’t delay putting Tredethy back together for too long, nor delay the completion of the Beattie Well Tank (along with the Brake Van Special and a few other wagons).
     
  17. Yan

    Staining more Sleepers

    By Yan,


    Track
    Progress is being made in trying to create sleepers for the three sidings at the front of the layout. I’m starting to hone the technique in staining these sleepers but I don’t think I’m there yet. I feel the colours are not quite right but it’s starting to feel I could achieve a reasonable representation of old weather worn sleepers.
     

     

     

     



    Once they have been embedded in ballast, chairs and rail added, along with a modicum scattering of static grass applied around them, they might look OK. A little more practice and track laying will commence…
  18. Yan

    Power Districts and Staining Timber

    By Yan,


    Electrical
    This week has been spent on two main areas:
     
    Pondering the wiring of the layout got me thinking about Power Districts. Staining sleepers prior to track laying.  
    Firstly on the subject of Power Districts I’ve decided to have seven. You may wonder why I’ve gone for seven on such a small layout but let me explain my thinking… I’ve only had the privilege of operating a couple of DCC layouts but one of the main issues I experienced was electrical shorts. On one layout the short brought everything to a standstill, on the other it shut big sections down that in essence stopped much of the layout functioning. My thinking is that there will be a number of locos drawing current simultaneously, not all moving but with some a sound element running e.g. quietly simmering away. With more locos on the layout there might be a greater chance of a short. The aim of the seven Districts is that in the event of a short the offending District can be quickly isolated either automatically or manually so that it will not affect other areas where locos might be live. This should keep the effect of the short on the overall operation of the layout down to a minimum. With the seven Power Districts there will be a good chance that locos will still be able to move on/off the shed or around the shed while the short is being rectified.
     
    Note on sound: the intention is to try and create a subtle soundscape. A soundscape that will convey the experience of viewing the engine shed from afar on a hot August day. If it ever gets to an exhibition the hope is you will have to be within a few feet to hear any sound emitting from the layout (not from the other side of the exhibition hall). Possible easier said than done me thinks…
     
    Well that’s the plan…
     

     
    Staining sleepers has progressed reasonably well with a good 1000 stained but I’m not getting all the results I’m after. I’ve been using a number of colour references in books by Peter Gray and Hugh Ballantyne published by Ian Allen. Colour reproduction and type of film used aside, the pictures in these books do show a generally darker shade than I would have expected.
     

     
    Above is a sample selection from three different batches of stain that I’ve concocted. I’ll be using these mainly for the Engine Shed area and possibly the main line but I’m after a different colouring for the sidings at the front. I decided to visit our local Preservation Railway Line to gather photographic references (see below).
     

     
    These are the colours I would like to achieve for the three sidings at the front of the layout: sleepers that have probably seen better days but were deemed good enough for use in lightly used sections of track and storage sidings. I’ll be trying to portray sleepers that have faded in colour to something like the above photo. I might even try to create a few splits in some of my sleepers with moss/weeds poking through.
     
    To try to achieve something like the above I’ve ordered a few samples of stain that is used to distress furniture or wooden planking for internal walls. These stains have the exotic titles of: Mushroom, Storm Cloud, Gunstock, Tudor, and Gunpowder. Hopefully these will arrive during the week and more sleeper staining trials can continue.
  19. Yan

    Track Foundations

    By Yan,


    Track
    The original track plan had to be discarded as it was in too poor a state due to being used for constructing the baseboards. So during this last week I printed out and pasted together another full size track plan. This will be pasted to the baseboards and used to position the turnout along with laying all plain track in situ. First task was to make sure the new track plan fitted… Hmm overall the fit was not too bad but there were a couple of very minor tweaks to be made. I’m putting the slight misalignment's between the two track plans (the one used to cut the plywood and the new one) down to the difficulty in pasting all the sheets of A4 together. Also even though I’ve calibrated our two printers there seems to be a very slight twist in the printouts from them both. Only a very small difference but over such a large area it has had an effect.
     

     
    The above photo shows state of play a few days ago with the three sidings at the front having cork underneath and the new plan glued in place ready for track laying to start. At this stage the rest of the plan was only taped in position in an effort to check the fit before cutting the cork underlay. After redrawing a couple of areas to get the track to get a better alignment, with inspection pits and the rise up the coaling stage ramp, it all fits a lot better.
     
    I discovered that Templot has the ability to print out the cess at the track edge. This assured me that I’d cut the plywood for the mainline track bed to the correct width which should allow a small shoulder on the ballast. Phew! I’m not too concerned about the rest of the track as most of the shed area will be reasonably flat with possibly no shoulder to the ballast edge.
     

     
    As of this morning the entire track plan is now secured in position. Due to the size of the baseboards I think most, if not all, of the turnouts will have to be built on the bench. This may cause a few minor problems with track alignment if I lay too much plain track first. So bearing this in mind I’ll have to get to grips with turnout construction pretty soon.
     
    Two areas I need to think about soon are:
     How am I going to lay the track within the running shed? Is it to be embedded within the running shed floor or laid on top?  Also, before I lay too much track, thought needs to be applied to cable runs for applying power to the track, as well as how many power sections to create which will help diagnose any electrical shorts that I’m bound to experience with DCC.      
    For now though I feel the need to stain some timbers…
  20. Yan

    The purists may scoff

    By Yan,


    Display
    Just arrived this morning is a reproduction of the shed plate carried by locomotives that where allocated to Penzance (Long Rock) Engine Shed. Yes I know Rospeath Lane is not a model of the facilities at Long Rock but in my alternative history it would have been the primary Engine Shed for that area so would have been allocated 83G as its shed code.
     

     

    I wait for the derision from the purists to see if I'm brave enough to display the plate on the layout if it every goes out to exhibitions...
  21. Yan

    Progress on the Two Main Baseboards

    By Yan,


    Baseboards
    Hopefully the photos below will depict my progress over the last few days
     

    Last few sections being glued in place on the second board after checking on the turntable for position, height and alignment
     

    View from the front with the last fascia being fixed in place
     

    It all looks OK, ready for the different sections for the baseboard tops to be cut and glued in place.
     

    Checking all the cut-outs for the inspection pits, also the position of the boards that will support the mainline and head-shunt to the coal stack sidings
     

    All baseboard tops fixed in place with two coats of primer/undercoat. The piece resting on top will be the continuation of the gradient up to the coaling stage.  
     
    Next task is to lay the cork underlay then, to gently break myself back into building track, I might start laying the sleepers and rail for the three sidings at the front.
  22. Yan

    A revised Track Plan (v.18)

    By Yan,


    Planning
    Baseboard construction was put on hold this week due to the creation of a credible Signal Box Diagram. While I’d been waiting for the glue to dry on each section I’d put some thought into the signal diagram and how engine movements would be controlled. Even though I’ve read a few books on the subject I eventually realised that I needed some guidance and posted a request on the Scalefour Society’s Forum for advice. The information I received was superb and highlighted a number of issues with my original track plan and future thoughts.
     
    If you have a few moments to spare, as it does run to 45 posts, the forum thread can be found here.
     
    In a nut shell, the main issue I had with the plan was the control of movements across the crossover that allowed exit/entry to the Engine Shed. The general consensus was that railway companies tended to build track layouts that were cost effective for the location, (in both track and signalling).  It was thought that my crossover design added a level of complexity that the GWR would not have built.
     
    So I set out to draw a simplified track plan which, like the GWR, will save me money in track and signalling components along with time in construction

     
    Luckily I’ve been able to draw the new track plan to, as near as dammit, fit the profile boards that I’d previously cut. The outcome has created a more prototypical plan and looks better for it.
     

     With the original track plan, if all my thoughts had come to fruition, I was looking at around 30 levers in the signal box. The new track will only require 20. The number sequence above is not set in stone because the creation of a locking table and dog chart might highlight levers that could be moved to simplify the interlocking. At this moment I’m not sure if I’ll build the locking frame as a  mechanical or electrical frame, one thing for sure is it will be a project in its own right.
    Baseboard construction has restarted so my next post should show them built, painted and ready for track construction to begin.
  23. Yan

    Clamping and Gluing

    By Yan,


    Buildings
    The clamps I’d ordered to help with construction of the baseboards arrived yesterday, which enabled me to start constructing the framework for the first board. In an attempt to keep these large baseboards as light as possible I’m only gluing the components together, no screws or pins. On my previous layout (Tredethy Wharf) I’d glued and screwed the boards together so this is new territory for me. On these boards with the amount of joints and the supposed strength of wood glue (around 3000ppsi) I’m hoping it will be strong enough without the additional weight of the screws. The only addition I might make is adding a right angle brace of some sort in each corner of the board for added rigidity.
     

     
    So I’m taking it steady, clamping and gluing each section in place, checking levels and leaving to dry before moving on to the next section. The instructions claim the glue is dry within 30 minutes but the joints are fully cured in 18 to 24 hours. I’m leaving each section for about 6 to 8 hours before moving onto the next.  At this pace this framework should be finished tomorrow, when I’ll start on the next board. I’ll be cutting the tops when the frames for all three boards are built.
  24. Yan

    Getting there with the first baseboard

    By Yan,


    Baseboards
    Slow progress on the construction of the first baseboard. Hopefully the pictures will help to explain my thoughts on how I’m building the boards. At the moment nothing is fixed in place the books are helping to keep everything in place.
     
    All profiles have been cut to reflect the different ground levels, with additional sections cut out for the turntable and inspection pits. The baseboard top is at the bottom with the track plan on so I can position the infill sections to miss any possible conflicts with turnout wiring and TOUs. Fingers crossed I’ll get them all positioned correctly. There are just the last three sections to cut and position this will be done when all others are fixed in place this is in case I have miscalculated some dimensions.
     

    Looking from turntable end
     

    Middle baseboard joint
     

    Think it all might work out OK
     

    A good start the shed area being flat
     

    Mainline gradient (1:103)+
     
    Hoping to get started on fixing it all together tomorrow.
  25. Yan
    A couple of days ago I tweaked my back which has hampered progress on baseboard construction. To keep a modicum of momentum going on this project I looked around for some light duties.
     
    I’d been kindly given some used Phosphor Bronze track, unfortunately as it’s mainly in short lengths I’ll not be able to use it for standard 60ft sections of track. It would be a shame to discard them so I started to mull over how to justify their use. I vaguely remembered reading something about the GWR using shorter sections of track prior to standardising on 60ft sections. Then found, in Stephen Williams’s book Great Western Branch Line Modelling - Part One, that after 1929 the GWR started to use 60ft rail sections on the main lines replacing the previous shorter 44ft 6in sections.  After a little further research on the internet I discovered a good article by Stuart Hince on the Templot site http://templot.com/martweb/pdf_files/gwr_track_panels.pdf which confirmed this and also describing how to create these 44ft 6in sections in Templot.
     
    So how could I justify 44ft 6in sections of track on my model? My thinking is, in my fictitious twist on history, when this area was being redeveloped in the 1930s any reclaimed 44ft 6in rail was reused by the thrifty GWR in the construction of the sidings. After all, these sidings might not have seen much traffic so would be on the rusty side which phosphor Bronze track can depict. The thought then was, do I have enough rail? This prompted me to open Templot and use Stuart Hince’s article to redraw the three sidings at the front of the layout with 44ft 6in sections and 18 sleepers in each.
    The track bases were of thin plastic with 3 bolt chairs and not in the best of condition. Also as my preference is to use 1.5mm thick plywood sleepers I stripped all the rails off the bases. The rails were then laid on the revised plan of the sidings matching each 44ft 6in section.
     

    .
    It looks like there are enough, especially as I found another short section of track when emptying the turntable storage box. Next task will be to clean all the rails as they have been heavily weathered.
     
    Excellent, this might not be prototypical for 1959 but it might have been possible…
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