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Yan

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  1. 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.
  2. Yan

    A couple of Videos of Tredethy Wharf

    By Yan,


    Tredethy Wharf
    It's been awhile since I visited RMWeb but I recently found these two videos that were taken at the Immingham show back in 2019. Just thought it might be worth posting links to these videos on YouTube.
     
    Class 08 shunter on a full chine clay trains
    Class 08 shunter on an empty clay train
     
    I was hoping to take a few more videos of the layout, but it's been packed away while we have some building work completed.
  3. Yan

    A funny mix of events

    By Yan,

    The last three weeks have been a funny mix.

    Holidaying in a leaking tent. Doing some more work on the garden project. Painting and basing new elements for my 15mm Napoleonic Austrian army which were used for an inaugural game in my regular opponents new gaming room. Track laying being started on Tredethy Wharf with the first point in position and the Tortoise point control mechanism in place under the baseboard (motor still to be installed). Legs being constructed for the two scenic boards for Tredethy Wharf and nearly completed. But.....during all the above I sprained my right wrist. At first it was not too bad and me being me, not wanting to make a fuss, I thought it would get better on it's own. I tried to work though the discomfort until eventually, after a days decorating, I could not do anything with my right hand........It has been strapped up in a splint for the last week. With hopefully only another week to go with the splint on, I'm doing what I can but it's being a little restrictive.
     
    So very steady progress is being made on the layout but, at the moment, not enough to really shout about.
     
    http://grogleyjunction.blogspot.com/
  4. Yan

    A job for the weekend

    By Yan,

    My aim this weekend was to install all the electromagnets that will be used to uncouple wagons fitted with Sprat and Winkle couplings. It all started well marking the position of each electromagnet by drilling through the boards from above with a 1.5 mm drill. The hope is that the small holes, one of which that can just be seen in the picture below, will be easily filled so they're not too obvious and might be used as a position marker.
     



     
    The thickness of the baseboard was then calculated and 5.5mm holes drilled from underneath to a depth just short of breaking through above ground. The only worry I had was, when the electromagnet was installed the ends of the poles would be approximately 5mm short from the bottom of the sleepers and might not be close enough to the rail hight to uncouple the wagons. As a test one electromagnet was installed on baseboard one and wiring attached through to the control panel.
     



     
    Luckily when the circuit was activated I was able to uncouple the two test wagons on which I'd previously installed Sprat and Winkle couplings. Following this successful test four more electromagnets where duly installed in baseboard two.
     



     
    Unfortunately at this point in the proceedings I ran out of wire... such progress only to be halted by the schoolboy error of lack of supplies. An order has been placed for more wire which will hopefully arrive in the next couple of days.
  5. 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.
  6. Yan

    A Wenfordbridge brake van

    By Yan,

    While I was re-watching the Wenfordbridge DVD, looking for more information on the Dunmere buffer stop, I saw a running number of a LNER 'Toad E' brake van. The footage looks to be from the late 1950s of a regular goods train, being hauled by 30585 a Beattie Well Tank, running to Wenfordbridge. Apparently an LNER brake van was regularly used on the Wenfordbridge goods turns. For anyone who is interested the running number is E153583, the body has narrow vertical planking with a pressed steel ducket and it is sporting the grey livery. The Bachmann model (33-803 - 20 ton brake van BR grey unfitted) looks to be a good starting point for a model of this brake van......
  7. Yan

    A White Metal Interlude

    By Yan,

    The other day I received an email from Missenden Abbey reminding me of the up and coming Spring Weekend that I've enrolled on. Of all the courses available, I'd chosen to attend the session on 4mm Locomotive Kit Construction. It was a tough decision as there were 4 other courses from which I could learn much: Weathering; Backscenes and scenery;Trackwork; also DCC Sound. In the end I realised that my skills in locomotive construction are currently my main weakness. Though I have had an 03 chassis built for me and have another area group member building a Beattie Well Tank chassis, I cannot rely on the good will of these guys for too long.
     
    The decision I have to make is what to take to Missenden. My current options being:
    A DJH 1366 kit - with the aim to get a working chassis by Sunday afternoon. Another Beattie Well Tank - with the aim to get a working chassis by Sunday afternoon. A 57xx Chassis as well as taking first attempt at a 57xx chassis for correction. The white metal body kit of the Beattie Well Tank that the chassis is being built for.

    In thinking about the last option it made me realise that I've not yet constructed a white metal kit. Would I really need to use my time at Missenden just to build a white metal locomotive body? Hmmm... That might not be getting the most out of the weekend.
     
    So, to test my white metal soldering skills, I blew the dust off a couple of Four Most Models wagon kits. The first to get the heat treatment was a SR 12T 8 plank wagon.
     



     




     
    Well, overall it's not turned out too bad. I don't think there is anything that a little filler cannot rectify. I'm not brave enough yet to apply more solder to fill some of the joints for fear I'll de-solder a joint. As a bonus the wheels are all in the same plain and it runs true with, so far, no derailments on Tredethy Wharf. I've not installed coupling hooks yet as I'm not sure if the white metal ones provided with the kit would be up to the task.
     
    On to the next wagon, a LSWR 10T round ended open.
     



     










    I thought I'd compensate this wagon. Possibly no need to but had itching figures to use the MJT 2291 compensation units again.


     











    After this brief trial of constructing these white metal kits my trepidation of tackling a white metal loco kits has lessened greatly. So this little interlude from the Brake Van Special has proven to me that my time at Missenden should be used mainly on one of the three chassis building projects not wholly on a white metal kit.


  9. Yan
    I received a parcel last week from a very kind member of the China Clay Branchlines Yahoo Group that contained a number of P4 track items. One package in the parcel contained slide chairs which are something I've been lacking. This spurred me on to try and complete the track to a point where I can start installing the wiring. Bringing the layout down into the living room over the weekend enabled me to work on a couple of bits that were a little difficult to get to where I normally have the layout erected.
     
    And here it is ........
  11. Yan

    Baseboard construction - Part 1

    By Yan,


    Baseboards
    I made a tentative start on building the baseboards yesterday. My first task was to mark the different track levels on each cross piece. All changes of track levels do seem subtle at this stage. I’m hoping that subtle changes should help to project a believable scene.
     

     
    At the above stage I realised that the very end cross piece (furthest away in the above photo) was going under the turntable. How did I miss that on my plan? I’ve been lucky enough to acquire a GWR turntable from Alan Smith after he’d decided to dismantle and break up his Little Stoke layout.
     

     
    I carefully brought all pieces out of storage and couldn’t resist installing the turntable deck to check it over. I’m looking forward to seeing this in operation.
    Little Stoke’s baseboard is 9mm and the turntable is mounted on a 15mm thick ply underneath to allow for the turntable pit. It’s a solid piece of modelling and therefore a little on the heavy side. Unfortunately, after mulling the options over, I think modifying it would destroy what is a good working turntable. With that in mind I decided to accept its solid construction and move on to how I’m going to install it into the baseboard.
     

     
    I was not surprised that the former track positions on the turntable board don’t match my plan; it would have been a slim chance if it had. That will be one modification that I’ll be able to match without causing any irreparable damage. So by ignoring the current approach tracks on the turntable board means I can align the turntable base square to my baseboard. In doing so means it would also miss the proposed inspection pit on the right (marked by the ply strip). My intention is to use 6mm plywood for the baseboard top with 3mm cork underlay which should match the 9mm of Little Stoke’s baseboard.
     
    All seems good at this point…
  12. Yan

    Baseboard joints

    By Yan,

    On arriving home yesterday evening I had the surprise of finding a nice bulky envelope containing two Ultrascale wheel conversion packs. One for another Bachmann 8750 Pannier (to be 4694) and other for a Bachmann Class 08 Shunter. Better get my next order placed......... AND place my order for some 08 cranks that are being etched by my local P4 area group (Hi guys... could I have three sets please?).
     
    As for progress on the layout............. my evening modelling time has again been difficult to find recently but track laying is progressing on the plank, all be it very slowly. One thing I've been struggling with is how to secure track at baseboard joints. I've been mulling over options and it looks like I'm going to trial at least three different methods.....
     
    The rest of this entry can be found on my main blog here
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
  13. Yan

    Baseboard joints part 2

    By Yan,

    A further report on method 3 from my previous posting......
     
    Not sure if this has been done before but it is only a twist on the plywood and rivet method. At the baseboard edge, holes have been drilled through the plywood sleepers, and through the balsa underlay into the plywood track base. Then 20mm long panel pins have then been pushed and lightly tapped into place.
     
    The rest of the blog, with pictures, can be found here
  14. Yan
    Well painting the cattle and Pip got me started on figure painting but these are becoming a real task to paint...eventually I built up a small head of steam and completed the few below.
     
     
     



     
     
     



     
    Well, they still needing a little shading and a coat of matt varnish applying but, they look to be a reasonable start. I have a number more to paint as the Brake Van Special will consist of about six vans. Unfortunatally this is about the maximum number of brake vans my cassettes will take. I feel the vans should look crowded with people so I estimate I'll require around 40 or more figures. Hope I can keep the enthusiasm going and get a few more painted before Scaleforum...
  15. Yan
    To add a little variation to the rake of brake vans for the Brake Van Special, I decided to dig out a Parkside's kit of a Toad B. I believe that some lasted into the 1960s in their original state so thought one might have found its way down to Cornwall. This is probably unlikely but as a Toad E was used on the Wenfordbridge Branch it might have happened...
     
    When building plastic wagon kits I normally remove the plastic w irons complete with springs and axle boxes leaving just the wagon solebars. I then reduce the thickness of the solebars so that MJT W iron suppression units can be installed. Appropriate cast springs and axle boxes are then added to complete the running gear. In looking at the Toad B solebars I became aware of some very fragile components that, knowing me, would get damaged in the above procedure. This got me thinking of using MJT 2291 suspension units instead which would enable me to keep the Parkside offerings on the kit.
     



     
    I believe the standard way to install these compensation units is to only use one rocking unit and insert bearings into the opposite end plastic axle boxes to create a fixed axle. In this instance, to make sure the ride height is parallel, I decided to install two units making one non rocking by slipping an appropriate thickness of plastic card between the mounting plate and the rocking assembly. The only other requirement was to create a groove in one set of the plastic axle boxes to allow one unit to rock.
     
    Other minor modifications I made to the kit are:
    Replacing the plastic buffers with white metal ones supplied by Lanakshire Models. Replacing the plastic torpedo vents in the roof with Lanakshire Models castings. Installing three link couplings.

     



     
    I've left the roof loose so that a few figures can be easily added to each veranda. The model's weight can then be checked and, if required, more weight can be added inside the van.
     
    Next stage is making and fitting all the hand rails... Hmmm, this should be fun!
  16. Yan

    Buffer Stops

    By Yan,

    I've been having some further thoughts about a buffer stop for Tredethy Wharf......... I have a Mikes Models kit for a LSWR buffer stop and was intending to put it to use on the layout. Photographs I have of Wenfordbridge, and a photograph of Dunmere Wharf, seemed to indicate they were all of the standard LSWR design on this branch. That was until while browsing though my collection of photographs, I saw in the corner of one particular photograph of Dunmere Crossing a three quarter side view of the buffer stop on the Wharf siding.
     
    Back in September, one of the P4 guys kindly offered to to make a new rail bending jig to help create this buffer stop. His current jigs don't quite bend the rail correctly. Before he does this, he has asked for a scale drawing of the buffer stop. I thought it was about time I created this drawing so yesterday I started, but it's not going well.........
     
    The rest of this entry can be found on my main blog here
  17. 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.
     
     
  18. 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.
  19. Yan
    A new addition:
     

     

    BR Class 03 where briefly used on the Wenford Branch when they replaced the WR 1366 locos and before Class 08s took over haulage along the branch.
     

    A couple of years ago I'd purchased a High Level Chassis kit along with Gibson wheels and all the bits to build a chassis for an 03. Though I'm being told that High Level kits go together very well, with instructions that are second to none, I still feel this kit might be a step too far for me at this moment in time. This is mainly due to the fact that I've not yet completing a simple 0-6-0 chassis successfully. So, I was very pleased when one of our local area group (Clive Impey) offered to build the chassis for me. Clive embellished the kit with his preferred method of current collection which is split axles.
     
    The loco requires renumbering along with some very light weathering to tone down the paint work of the Bachmann body, even so, I'm over the moon with this seeing this little loco running on Tredethy Wharf.
     

    Thanks Clive...
  20. Yan

    Coaling Stage

    By Yan,


    Buildings & Scenery
    When drawing the first plan featured in my previous blog, I discovered that the length of the incline up to the coaling stage, along with the building itself  (and the track extension beyond), had a big effect on the space required. To finalise the layout I needed to know the track height at the coaling stage. I could then work out what would look correct and be feasible for a loco to propel four coal wagons up the incline. So earlier in the year the coaling stage was the first building I made a start on.


    Coaling Stage structure
    This is the Timber Tracks kit which I believe is based on the one at Didcot. It when together extremely well. The only deviation I made from the very comprehensive instructions is not gluing the internal wall sections into place before painting them. Photos I've seen of the internal walls of most of these coaling stages show white walls but with a band of black around the bottom. When offering the internal wall veneer sections into place I thought it would make it difficult to paint them once installed.
     

    First attempt
    I first tried painting the walls white but as can be seen on the right in the above photo, this did not look very convincing. The next thought was to paint the bricks first with a brick-ish colour before painting over with white. The result of this test is the top left in the above. This seemed a better idea as it gave some depth of colour to the wall.
     

    Stage 2
    I next choose what I thought would be suitable colours. I use Vallejo Model Colour (acrylic paints for my wargaming miniatures) so these were the first I turned to. I chose: Cavalry Brown, Red Leather, Flat Brown, Desert Yellow, and Dark Flesh. These were individually dry brushed over the brick structure in a random fashion to try to give a varied colour base. A little more focus will be required when working on the external walls but think the initial result is acceptable as an undercoat for the whitewashed internal walls.
     

    Stages 3 & 4
    The top wall in the above photo is stage 3 before a black wash is applied. Though I'm not wholly satisfied with the lower wall (stage 4) after applying a black wash, I think it is a fairly acceptable result, especially as it will be difficult to see once the coaling stage is complete and installed on a layout.

    A minor amendment/addition I've made is the inclusion of what I think is a water pipe in the centre of the building. Now the building is complete I'm not sure this addition has been worthwhile, but hey-ho... One other thing I was concerned about is access to the interior once installed on the layout. The solution I've applied is three pins on to which the water tank is located. This should enable me to remove the water tank if a wagon derails and takes up residence in the coaling stage.
     

    Coal tubs need completing...
    The below pictures show its current state.
     

     

     
    It still needs the platform on the side of the water tank along with its access ladder. As these items seem a little fragile I'll not be installing them until the building is fixed on a layout. Painting of the building will take place once the Sand House and Engine Shed are built so that they all get similar treatments.

  21. Yan

    Compensation units

    By Yan,

    One month has passed since my decision to enter the Armchairs Modellers Challenge was taken. With the holiday and a few other things going during February not a lot has happened. So over the last couple of evenings I've squeezed in some modelling time and started to look at a couple of wagon compensation units.
     
    My aim is to try two or three different compensation units on the wagons. I've a couple of frets from Bill Bedford, some MJT frets plus some Exactoscale units. I've used an old D&S unit on the 7 plank wagon which did go together easily enough and seems to work OK. Unfortunately this fret was the only one I had so cannot consider this as an option for future projects.
     
    First to try was the Bill Bedford units.........
  22. 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.
  23. 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…
  24. Yan
    While I'm waiting for timber to arrive for baseboards and track I'm having another purge on stuff that I've accumulated over the years. As it would be daft to move on stuff that I'll need, it has made me consider the stock requirements for Rospeath Lane.
     
    The year I'm aiming to represent is 1959 (as the shed would still have had a good quantity of steam locomotives but the first Diesel Hydraulics and Class 08 shunters would be seen). As well as being the end of the summer months for scenic interest, August seems to be the start of the decline of steam in Cornwall. In August 1959 Long Rock (Penzance) had 33 Steam locomotives and 1 Diesel Shunter allocated. The allocation was; 12 x Granges, 4 x Counties, 4 x Halls, 2 x Castles, 4 x 45xx, 2 x 4575, 2 x 94xx, 1 x Modified Hall, 1 x 51xx, 1 x 57xx & 1 x Class 08. To build all these locomotives in P4 is a daunting thought as I'd also require a quantity of visiting locomotives from other Cornish sheds and from further afield.
     
    In looking over the track plan I was able to squeeze into the reduced size of my 'Man Cave' the layout will not be able to stable 34 locomotive let alone any visiting Locomotives from Laira or further afield. At a push I think it would accommodate around 25 to 27 locomotives depending on the split between Tender and Tank engines. With this in mind I created a sliding scale in the hope this would allow me to proportionally reduce the locomotives but still represent the type of allocation this shed would have stabled.
     

     
    In some ways the anomaly I have with the model being too small for the location works to my advantage. I feel that working towards building 17 locomotives plus approximately 5 more for working the fictitious lines west of Penzance is an achievable objective.
     
  25. Yan

    December 2016 update

    By Yan,

    Another month has passed and only a small amount of progress has been made on Tredethy Wharf. My wife and I hosted this month’s (December) Area Group meeting during which one member (Gordon) ran some locos on the layout that are being offered as motive power for the February show. This small running session did bring to light a few small problems that I have since worked on and hopefully solved. A further running session (dress rehearsal) will have to be planned for late January/early February...
     
    What else have I been up to? Well... not much, certainly not as much as I'd hoped with building rolling stock. A couple of open wagons are nearing completion while the second rake of clay wagons have, for some reason, been problematic. On most of the clay wagons the sides had started to bow inwards, this is a first for me. So I spent some time dismantling the bodies then, after a little corrective work, reassembling them, they're now starting to look better but still much to do...
     
    For me, the Christmas break never seems to be a good time for modelling. I find time is taken up with family and friends combined with relaxing in front of the log fire (glass in hand) reading a book or two received on the 25th. Over Christmas my son and I dismantled the layout and managed to squeeze it into the car, a bit of a two man job, but it looks like it will be possible to transport it in one vehicle...phew! Unfortunately, there will be no room for a passenger. My planning regarding transporting the layout to shows has not been up to scratch, mainly because I was never confident that Tredethy would develop into an exhibitable layout.
     
    (End of Year School Report) Yan must have more confidence in his modelling and better planning is required for transportation if he constructs something that might be taken to shows. Also spare time organisation needs to improve to allow him more visits to the 'Man Cave' during 2017.
     
    May I take this opportunity to thank all who find time to read this ponderous blog and hope you have had an enjoyable, relaxing Christmas. May I wish you a stress free New Year with plenty of modelling time to boot.
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