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Lisa

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Blog Entries posted by Lisa

  1. Lisa
    Layout Planning I - Back
     
    http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/blog/1283/entry-11232-st-ouen-jnwr-layout-planning/
     
    Building a Sequence - Forward
     
    http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/blog/1283/entry-11376-st-ouen-jnwr-building-a-sequence/
     
    Detailed Design
     
    When designing a very small layout, planning is much more critical than for larger layouts. I use a CAD package call Templot, then the template is printed out full size. The lengths of the sidings etc. can be checked by placing a locomotive and rolling stock.
     

     
    Sand train shunt using Initial track design
     

     
    Passenger train arrived using Initial track design
     

     
    Sand train shunt using modified track design
     

     
    Passenger train arrived using modified track design
     
    This process allowed me to optimise the length of the left hand hinged extension. By experimentation this will be 100mm. The passenger track will be longer than the coal wharf track, because having it only long enough for an engine and a single wagon makes the operation more interesting!
     
    When designing a micro layout, it is important that there is enough operating interest. The second pair of photographs the details of the buildings and the flap are sketched in.
  2. Lisa
    Layout Planning II - Forward
     
    http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/blog/1283/entry-11355-st-ouen-jnwr-layout-planning-ii/
     
    History
     
    St Ouen was the intended terminus of the JNWR, Jersey North Western Railway. The act was passed by the States, the Jersey Parliament, and the company was incorporated. They purchased a second hand locomotive and seven wagons and a brake van from the Metropolitan Railway.
     
    The whole route was surveyed and work stated on building the railway. They only manages to lay about 1.5 miles of track, including the building of several road over bridges near to St Ouen, before going bankrupt. The Locomotive and the rolling stock were sold to the Jersey Eastern Railway by the liquidator.
     
    The line of the railway was used by the Germans during WWII, for the construction of a meter gauge line from St Helier to St Ouen. BUT no trains ran on the line, because they too run out of money.
     
    The baseboard measures 160mm by 230mm. There will be a hinged extension, a nod to Geoff Jones, of 160mm by 70mm on the LHS to allow for shunting in the coal wharf and the passanger trains to fully enter the platform. At the other end, there will be a hinged platform, onto which train cassettes will be rested. This will be 160mm by 155mm. There will be a backscene of approx 70mm height, along the plaform end, coal wharf side and the locomotive shed end too.
     
     

     
    Lisa
  3. Lisa
    What is additive Manufacturing?
     
    Traditional manufacturing is done by removing material, whereas additive manufacturing is done by adding material.
     
    What equipment do I need to start?
     
    Normally it is considered that you require a 3D printer, but that is not so. All I have is a collection of thin sheets of plasticard, a comtainer of plastic weld adhesive, a cutting board, a scapel, and a 12" steel rule.
     
    Can I used subtractive processes?
     
    Yes of course you can. Many commercial applications of Additive Manufacturing, need to use subtractive methods, to complete the manufacturing process. An example is where circular holes, to a very small tollence. They print the hole, which is not completly round, then the hole is reamed out to make the hole completely round, and the exact required size.
     
    Do I need to make a whole wagon body in one piece?
     
    No is the answer. If it simplies the manufacturing process. The parts can be joined using a suitable glue, to make the complete model. With some items the making in several pieces simplifis the process and improves the quality of the finished product.
     
    How can I get a large radius, for a carriage roof?
     
    If it is printed, so the roof is the intended shape, then the curve is a series of small steps. There are several options, you could smooth the shape using emery paper. You could add extra layer, using a thin sheet, held in place using a suitable adhesive. There are methods of eating away the surface to get a smooth roof, but the roof needs to be printed slightly thicker to allow for the material being removed.
     
    Or you could print the roof flat, and then using hot water and a wooden mandril and a rubber band to bend the roof into the required radius. You have to bend it into a smaller radius that the required, because the roof will spring out, after the part is removed from the hot water.
     
    What models can be made, using Additive Manufacturing?
     
    The only limit to the process is the imagination of the person. Before using a new technique, you will need to several make practice pieces to learn the best way to get the required result.
     
    Previous blog entry http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/blog/941/entry-11238-additive-manufacturing/
  4. Lisa
    Hi
     
    From now on the entry title will be Le Focq, not La Rocque, because I am now modelling Le Focq station. The blog name will still be La Rocque.
     

     
    As you can see from the photograph below, there is indeed no corners in my sky. The back scene support is now in place. On to which a photographic back scene will be attached.
     

     

     
    The tabs at the top of the back scene support, are to ensure that when the glue sets a gap will exist of 0.5 mm to allow the insertion of the sky extension to be inserted.
     
    Spacers have been placed to keep the support about 0.5 mm from the inside of the scenic board box sides, see photograph below.
     

     
    Once the photographic scene has been attached, the support will be trimmed along the bottom of the open sky. Then a sky coloured extension can be slotted into the gap. This will mean that a viewer looking through the aperture, will not be able to see the layout operator.
     
    The box in the corner is to house the point motor, and will be hidden by a stone barn, which has been moved, about 60 meters, from it's position in the prototype, into it's position on the model.
     
    Lisa
  5. Lisa
    Hi
     
    Location, choosing a location to model, which can fit into the space available. The Jersey Eastern Railway is an interesting prototype was not a sleepy branch line, but was a suburban railway. Trains ran at 1/2 hour intervals at peak times.
     
    The model is now based on Le Focq, which is a station, just before the main passing station of Pontac.
     

     
    Normal view of the layout
    Sorry the locomotive and rolling stock are not correct.
     
    Location, locating the fiddle yard access boards, so that the tracks line up, is very important. This is not made easier when building a micro layout, than building a larger one.
     

     
    Track plan view of the scenic section
     

     
    Testing the fiddle yard approach track
     

     
    Fiddle yard link board
     
    Location, also transfers the DCC bus signal from the main baseboard to the fiddle yard boards. This uses the location pins, which are made from brass rod and PCB material.
     
    Lisa
  6. Lisa
    Hi
     
    I have built the main baseboard and I am currently building the fiddleyard approach boards.
     
    When laying out track, I realised that although the track, it would fit, but I was unable to fit the necessary point motor in, without either not including the culvert or cutting the length of the platform.
     

     
    As a result I have decided to model Le Focq instead. Because of the box size being fixed, and the need to be able to take the layout on the bus, ferry and trains.
     
    My design ebook can be found at, this shows my design thinking!
     
    URL: http://www.diane.me-me.me.uk/Micro_Design/Micro_Design.html
     
    Lisa
  7. Lisa
    Hi
     
    I been working on La Rocque, the scenic section of the layout is contained in a box, which acts as a view block.
     

     
    The front of the scenic section of the layout
     
    It will have a folding section of the front panel, with the layout name, which has been changed to Le Focq. If you are puzzled by spelling of the station names, they are written in Jersey French.
     

     
    The completed underside of the baseboard
     
    The locators will also act as the DCC bus transfer from the main, scenic board to the fiddle yard boards.
     

     
    The support and location of the two fiddle yard boards
     
    Building a micro layout takes longer than you might think! The task does not reduce in proportion to it's size. For example, the units such as point motors are the same size, which makes fitting them in a more difficult operation.
     
    Lisa
  8. Lisa
    Hi
     
    What is an armchair modeller? To many the answer is a sign of disapproval, someone who thinks about building a layout, but does little real modelling.
     
    Many of my previous modelling projects have failed because I didn't do enough thinking, before starting projects.
     
    This time round I did, and this think before you start model, makes the actual project execution easier.
     
    I have now made the main baseboard, yes it is a micro layout. But it is designed to be a complete layout, with a scenic area and a fiddleyard.
     
    Below are some photographs which show the progress which I am making. The layout main board is ONLY 14 mm thick. The thinner the support structure is the more height is available for scenic development. The Really Useful Box, in which the layout will be stored and transported is 120mm high.
     

    Underside detail showing the mono cock construction
     

    The stream bed, built as a drop section.
     

    Underside view of one of the extension boards
     

    Overall view of the complete layout
     
    When doing my modelling, I sit at my workbench, I sit in a comfortable chair. What is the point in being uncomfortable?
     
    Lisa
  9. Lisa
    Hi
     
    In order to design any layout, especially a micro layout, like La Rocque some compromises have to be made.
     
    Starting from the right hand side, the cottage has been moved towards the railway crossing and turned through about 15 degrees, to make the back parallel with the railway. The cottage then acts to screen trains as they enter the scene.
     
    The platform at La Rocque, could accommodate 6 carriages, but on the model this will be reduced to about 3.5 carriages, due to space and balance considerations.
     
    The culvert was over 60m from the points, but is an interesting feature, both it's construction and the difference in levels. So it was moved into the scenic area.
     
    Some trees and bushed will be added, to screen the trains as they enter and leave the scene on the left hand side, which did not exist at the prototype location.
     
    Going from front to back of the scene, in the prototype location, there is a gentle gradient. On the model this will be exaggerated to enhance the feeling of distance.
     
    The feel of the location will be completed with a photograhic backscene, with the trainsition masked with a hedge, in front of the backscene.
     

     
    Initial design thoughts can be found at http://www.rmweb.co....esign-thoughts/
     
    Lisa
  10. Lisa
    Hi
     
    Whilst the initial design worked with the sequence. The modified design has two goods sidings, like the prototype. The back siding is the coal siding, and the front one for general goods.
     
    The design, is designed to fit into two plastic boxes for transport, measuring 380mm by 140mm by 140mm. This allows for the loop being the correct length.
     

     
    This idea of using two boards, came from reading page 305, of MRJ No. 75 on buiding a simple diorama.
     
    Lisa
  11. Lisa

    La Rocque JER - Planning

    By Lisa,

    Hi
     
    I am building a layout, but in order to test the locomotives, and rolling stock I need a test track. The prototype is an intermediate station on the Jersey Eastern Railway.
     

     
    The station had a single platform a level crossing and a siding facing St Hellier.
     

     
    I am intending that the test track will pack into a plastic box with internal measurements of 380mm by 140mm by 160mm. This will include a loco and rolling stock, and maybe the controller.
     
    I don't have transport, so I travel everywhere by bus, train and ferry. So I intend to carry the box in a holdall. The box is to ensure that the railway stays dry.
     

     
    Lisa
  12. Lisa
    Chagford - Operating Sequence Updated 26-05-12
     
    Hi All
     
    The layout design, in the last post, needed to have the loop entry points simulated by the use of train cassettes. There is nothing wrong in principle with this, but there would have been 3 tracks leaving the scenic area in parallel, at the right hand end of the layout.
     
    By having the main and the other lines curved, and by using asymmetric y points, it is possible to have the loop entry point in the scenic area.
     
     

     
    This arrangement also makes the appearance of the Depot more appealing to. It also allows goods tram of 4 wagons and a brake van possible, as per prototype.
     
    BUT more important is allows a partial relief gas holder to be modelled in the between the main and the mineral branch. This both mimics the prototype and partially hides the necessary aperture in the backscene.
     
    I've spent a long time looking at tram sequences and track layout. He design I have arrived at meets my requirements of an interesting to operate layout, within the very small space.
     
    With the above paper layout, I simulated the sequence, to check that it was possible to run it. With a few minor amendments it worked well. It is my intention to use a PDA running a spreadsheet to produce the live sequence, incorporating the as required and special tram services.
     
    Lisa
  13. Lisa
    Modified 23-05-12 & 26-05-12
     
    Hi All
     
    It is my intention to operation of Chagford on a sequence, based on the operation of the prototype. The red entries didn't run every day.
     
    The sequence may seem at first sight complex, but every tram operated is a minimum of three lines in the table below
     

     
    My intention is to use some form of random number generation, to decide if the non regular trams are included in the operating sequence.
     
    The next stage of the design process is to dry run the sequence, to see if it works, including if the sidings are long enough to hold the wagons.
     
    Lisa
  14. Lisa
    Hi All
     
    To check if the design will work, you can draw out your design full size, and then check the lengths of loops and sidings using the locomotives and rolling stock, as show below.
     

     
    The loop length can be increased by curving the Main and Loop roads. For Chagford this is essential to make sure that the layout will operate correctly.
     
    The above test showed that a train of 4 wagons and a break was able to be run around using the proposed loop. BUT only if one end of the loop was simulated using train cassettes.
     

     
    The length of the goods siding is long enough to enable it to handle 3 wagons. But when the Passenger Tram Siding was too short because it is a requirement to use it as in order to access the Locomotive Shed.
     
    But the points can be moved towards Bow, without problems, to correct this problem.
     
    Lisa
  15. Lisa

    Chagford - Track Plan

    By Lisa,

    Hi All
     
    I've now done the basic track planning. The main track in the diagram below is shown as straight. When the track is laid it will be curved, because it was curved on the prototype.
     
    I am current planning to lay the track on thin foam board both for sound insulation and to allow the final track track position to be adjusted to make the best possible use of the very limited area.
     
    The track diagram below was drawn using Trax 3. The points have a radius of 190mm, but it is a tramway and not a railway and the largest locomotive was a small wheeled 0-6-0 and no passenger or freight vehicle on the tramway had a wheelbase of longer than 15'.
     
    It should be noted, that the prototype had a coal siding and a separate general goods siding, but space consideration forced me to combine them into one!
     

     
    The photograph below is the plastic box, into which the baseboard, fascia panel and supports will have to fit for transport.
     

     
    Lisa
  16. Lisa
    Updated at 18:12 05-05-12
    Hi All
     
    Having started out with Chagford layout, in a circular format, inspired by Mark Fielders Pizza layout. I have discovered that whilst this works in narrow gauge, due to the lack of buffers, in standard gauge it does not work.
     
    I am now pondering a more traditional design, similar to Mayfield Street. The layout would use an offstage cassettes to simulate one end of the loop and another for the Dairy Sidings at the other end.
     

     
    My aim, as with the previous circular design is ease of transport, by bus and train, as I don’t have or want to own a car. I currently considering using a plastic container which has length 400mm height 120mm and width of 135mm. All of these measurements are internal ones.
     
    My design aim is to get the complete layout, complete with its cassettes and facia to fit into the above box for transport. I envisage fitting this box into a holdall for ease of transport. The plastic box keeping the layout dry, despite the small amounts of moisture that would get inside the holdall.
     
    Lisa
  17. Lisa
    Hi All
     
    I will be able to do more modelling, now the malicious case against me, by the Crown, for Assault has been dropped.
     
     
    Blog entry, re the completion of the Dairy Building, to follow shortly.
     
    Lisa
  18. Lisa

    A Night on the Tiles

    By Lisa,

    Hi All
     
     
    I've been working on the Dairy roof, but I not had successful as expected. BUT I think all is not lost. Along the way, I have learned some valuable lessons. These are when cutting thin paper, it is important to use a very sharp blade in one's scalpel and to cut, rather than tear you must have the blade at a low angle between the blade and the paper being cut.
     
     
    Coming back to the problems, I’ve got PVA glue on the printed brickwork between two windows, but I think I can retrieve the situation by weathering the wall.
     

     
    The glue on the roof, can be hidden, by spraying the roof, with a mist of green paint. Examination of any roof, shows that lichen grows on them.
     
     
    The roof is made up a series of strips, cut from a sheet, produced using Corel PhotoPaint. By applying strips, rather than simply fixing the sheet on a single piece, gives a 3D surface to the overlapping layers of tiles, that make up the roof.
     

     
    The barge boards are made from thin paper to, and where one became damaged during the gluing, I simply patched it just like the prototype would be.
     
     
    If you think, that all is lost, due to a problem, there is usually a way of retrieving the situation!
     
     
    Lisa
  19. Lisa

    Hitting the Roof!

    By Lisa,

    Hi All
     
     
    This is my first venture, of modifying a card kit. I am finding working with Rocket Card Glue really easy.
     

     
    Today I have finished the back of the building, which will be against the back scene. The slot in the back, is to allow for a block, which strengthens the back scene, as there will be an opening for trains coming from the Dairy Yard, next to the building.
     

     
    It is my intention, to give the roofs, a slight 3D feel, by adding tiles, made from very thin paper, Pendon style and hence the sloping roof finishes flush with the virtual walls.
     

     
    The paper tiles, will slightly overlap the walls, and a thin paper barge board will be added to complete, the roof. The only extra that will then need to be added will be the down pipes.
     
     
    Lisa
  20. Lisa
    Hi All
     
     
    I been using a device that I purchased last Christmas in Cardiff. It allow the user to cut thin strips, hence the name, of card or plastic strip. When used with plastic card thicker than 10 thou, the stripper only scores the surface. But by bending the sheet is snaps along the scored line, cleanly.
     

     

     
    I am currently experimenting using plastic card, to build track bases, instead of using PCB sleepers or Easitrac base. Below is a photograph of some base made, before I found my stripper. The stripper allows the strips to be uniform width.
     

     
    I feel that using the stripper will make this method of track construction feasible. Once the ballast is applied the sleeper joining strip will be hidden, as per commercial flex track, but my track will be built to 2mm fine scale standards, with code 40 rail.
     
     
    Lisa
  21. Lisa
    Hi All
     
    I haven't posted for a while. I've been prosecuted for actions which not only did I not committ, but which NEVER happened. The whole incident was made up by the other woman, so that she could claim compensation.
     
    I have now done the first modelling, since the start of the case!
     
    I am building a dairy, for my tramway layout. I have hacked a Metcalfe warehouse kit, to build a dairy, see photographs below.
     

     
    Despite being built from the kit, it does look like the prototype,the only major difference is the brick colour is slightly wrong, but nothing that weathering will not hide.
     
    I still need to finish of the roofs and detail it!
     
    Lisa
  23. Lisa
    Hi All
     
    Hopefully this is the final version of my Ebook on Micro Layout Design. The link below will allow you to load it!
     
    URL: http://www.diane.me-me.me.uk/Micro_Design/Micro_Design.html
     
    I hope you find it useful, I have definitely found it useful writing it in that it helped to clarified thoughts.
     
    I hope when the heating engineer finishes installing my new central heating, that i will be able to do some real modelling1
     
    Lisa
  25. Lisa
    Hi All
     
    The previous photographs taken were taken using a white background, and the whole setup is placed on my kitchen window shelf, the window is a large one facing east. I think that I need to adjust the white balance on my camera because the pink fringing.
     

     
    I've then spent an hour reading the disk based manual for my digital camera, and I have found that I have just as much control over the camera, as when I use my manual reflex camera.
    The time of day in which the photographs were taken, affects the light quality, and therefor the quality of the resulting photographs.
     
    I will have to experiment to see what settings give the best pictures when working in macro mode! The results are shown below. The slight change of background colour left to right is due to shadow.
     
    All I now have to do is improve my colouring skills!
     
    Lisa
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