Railway Modelling

A wall for the brewery yard.

2012-01-29T21:18:00.001Z

Making a wall for the brewery yard

Take a piece of 4mm foamboard and cut tothe length and height required, 24mm = 6ft tall wall.

Buy some Superquick Brick paper, cover bothsides of the wall with the paper.

Buy some 4mm plastic rods, cut into lengthsof approx. 2.5cm

Usin a 4mm drill in your fingers createholes from the bottom edge of the wall to about half way up, push the plasticrod in to the hole but do not glue at the stage.

Holding the wall in its position on thebaseboard, mark the baseboard at the points where the rods are located.

Remove the rods from the wall.

Drill holes through the baseboard with the4mm drill. Push the rods into the holes, they should be a tight fit.

Fill the holes in the wall with glue, Put the wall back on the rods and push itdown til it sits flush with the baseboard.

Using thin Card cut out a 5mm wide copingstone for the wall. Mark it off in 6mm lengths with a pencil, then shade thewhole piece of card in grey with the pencil. Smudge the pencil slightly.

Stick the coping on top of the wall and heypresto..the finished wall.

2012-01-13T21:40:00.000Z

I have been running a couple of trains recently, the track really needs a clean after it's been folded up for a while as the trains sometimes stall unecpectedly, I think I need a track cleaning truck, but they are very expensive, unless I can design one of my own. Here is the link to the latest video of the trains in action, the GWR is one I have been trying to repair for my Nephew, but I failed so the motor has been removed allowing it to be pushed round by another engine. Click here for the video

2012 - new year new additions

2012-01-06T17:25:00.000Z

Following Christmas and my birthday on the following day, I found myself with a number on new items to add to the railway. Thanks to all my family for buying these items or providing vouchers so I could select the items myself.

Railway Modeller magazine for December had a model kit attached for a signal box, ideal for use near my new level crossing and my presents included a couple of Amazon vouchers which enabled me to get one or two more additions.

All I need now is time to get the layout down and to start sticking the items in place.Here is a picture of the Christmas and Birthday 2011 collection, clicking on the picture should bring up a larger version:-

and one I forgot when taking picture:

Running trains again

2011-10-12T00:31:00.004+01:00

Lots of visitors during the summer keep the model folded up against the wall, but a visit from a train enthusiast gave me the chance to get the model down for a demonstration. It ran surprisingly well considering the break from the last run. I've also purchased a few more trucks during the summer, second hand ones found at Tavistock Market and West Somerset railway, so I can now make longer goods trains. Hopefully during the winter I will have more time to add more bits and pieces to the model and fix trees etc into place so they don't have to be removed when it folds up. Also the trucks need proper loads to be put inside. I may also try some weathering as some of them look very new. The video is just a few short clips of the trains in motion.

(Oh, and I suppose I'd better ballast a bit more track.)

Model Rail Operations (without cat)

2011-07-09T21:46:00.003+01:00

I need to work out a way of keeping the camera steadier, but this gives you some idea of what the layout looks like now.

Model Rail Operations (with cat)

2011-07-09T21:33:00.003+01:00

Some model rail operations, with slight interference from Morgan the cat.

The Stations get their nameboards

2011-07-09T20:11:00.010+01:00

The terminal Station in the middle of the Board gets a nameplate and Platform No.s made from a Scalescenes names kit pasted onto a bit of card and supported on Matchsticks. It looks ok to me. A few seats, lights and passengers have been attached so they can be left in situ when I fold the board up against the wall. (I have yet to test this - they may all fall off!) The lights will be functional when I get round to wiring them under the baseboard to a 12v supply.

The second Station, which has three platforms and is on the main line is Knittingham, more labels have yet to be made for this Station. The buildings are Scalescenes kits and the platforms are made from a Metcalf Kit. I need to stick them down a bit more as gaps can be seen between building and platform. The third picture, below shows also the new Signal Box (Metcalfe) at Knittingham Station.

You may note that i have put off the Ballasting of the track as that is the boring and tricky bit. I will do some soon!

More scenery

2011-04-17T22:52:00.006+01:00

I bought a Townscenes backdrop at the Model Rail Exhibition, but it did not cover the whole area so a couple of Peco Backdrops were purchased yesterday and they are all now in place.

As usual, You can click on Images to see larger version.

Next project is to ballast a bit more track using a ballast layer purchased at Alexandra Palace.

More buildings

2011-04-07T20:35:00.007+01:00

I note I haven't posted here for a while, that's because I have been doing other things, including a trip to the Model Railway Exhibition at Alexander Palace last month. I took a few photos of layouts to give me some ideas for my own layout.

I have now finished building most of the kits I had for Christmas and today put them on the layout. Next step will be to add a background, which I bought at Alex Palace.

I remember that one reason I moved to Devon was due to the untimely death of a friend, Rod Brown, which encouraged me to retire early to enjoy life while I still can. In memory of Rod the shops include "Rodney the Barber" and "Browns Bakery".

Click on pics to see larger versions.

Updated views of the model

2011-02-16T23:44:00.009Z

The picture is an overview of this 6 x 4 layout with some of the trains visible.

The turntable now is in a yard with at least a partial wall around it. A road runs down between this yard and the brewery, which is access for the brewery lorries and to the goods yard.

Below is another view of the model as it is now. Still lots to do with it. Remember you can click on image for larger version and then close that window to return to this page.

A turntable for the model.

2011-02-05T20:40:00.010Z

And finally, as far as track goes (I think) I decided we need a turntable, so Engines can be run in either direction without being lifted off the board.

This is a Dapol kit, with track glued on, trains can run over it, but I will have to sort out the wiring so we don't get short circuits aftet the trains have turned. It has the added complication of being on the section of baseboard that lifts out, which means there are a few cuts in the track to bridge.

It needs a bit of paint to make it look more realistic and I'm not sure what to do in the middle of the turning area. A railway modeller friend comes to visit next week so we'll have a look at it together.

I need to run trains again now, the track seems to get dirty quickly, causing bad running.

An updated view of the Model Railway

2011-01-18T20:33:00.007Z

The model is starting to look more crowded now, the new DMU waiting at platform 1 of Woollen Central is an excursion to Stratford on Avon. The local passenger train in the foreground is waiting for departure time at platform 3 of Woollen Halt.

A closer look may reveal that the signal boxes are incomplete, these are old boxes and will be replaced, when I get round to it. Other projects for the future include adding a Turntable and building more houses and shops from Kits I receieved at Christmas. I also have a bike shed to site somewhere on the layout, I may put this near the engine shed. Drivers often had to get to work at odd hours when no public transport was available.

The Railway Hotel

2011-01-18T20:12:00.011Z

Another birthday present, the railway hotel was a superquick kit. (Thanks Mary and John). It was neither super nor quick, and I got some glue on myself while constructing it, but it looks good now it's build. The instructions and parts are not so clearly labelled as on Metcalfe kits and it uses a thinner card, but the different look helps the layout to look as if it has been constructed over a period of time by different builders. I must try harder with the photographs, as getting the lighting right is tricky. It isn't in its final location as I cannot quite reach the back of the layout at present. It will have to be added and removed each time I put the layout up against the wall, but I now have storage space in the room where the layout is. Access to the station from the hotel is along the path and through the subway, which you may be able to see. This leads directly onto the platform. For the next step the line will need to be fenced off, and an access road needs to be built in front of the hotel once it is properly sited. Click on picture to see larger version.

The Brewery -part 2

2011-01-18T20:02:00.005Z

I decided that the brewery needed a yard, and a rail siding into the yard but not one that prevented vehicle access. The rails are sunk into the tarmac of the yard, so vehicle movements are not restricted.

Most breweries had rail access to bring in the raw materials for the brewing. Burton on Trent is a classic case, there used to be railways everywhere in that town, crossing streets between breweries.

My rail access is a siding off the goods shed, so only short trains can get in. The next step will be to fence off the yard, once I can find a source of suitable fencing material.

The Brewery

2011-01-08T23:03:00.000Z

Just a quick couple of pictures showing the recently constructed brewery (that Heather bought me for Christmas). This is a Metcalfe kit. You can click on the pictures to see bigger versions.

Model Building for the layout

2011-01-02T17:54:00.000Z

Morgan the cat is very interested and tries to help, as I am building one of my Christmas Presents, a Metcalfe Kit Model Engine Shed and Workshop. We are cutting out the glazing here.

The kit consists of an engine shed and a workshop building, the workshop building has not been added yet. A couple of loco's have been added for effect. More ballasting of the track needs to be done as only small sections are done, it being a difficult job.

A New Item for layout.

2010-12-29T23:47:00.000Z

For Christmas I received a Diesel Multiple Unit of the type that was around when I was watching trains as a boy. I have decided that to the best of my ability I will set the scene around 1960 on this model. Steam is still around in large numbers but DMUs are also in use. The video shows both in this clip with a general view of the 6 x 4 layout. I also received a number of Metcalfe and other model kits for Christmas and my birthday, so these are being constructed and should appear here soon.

Model railway operations

2010-12-09T22:10:00.000Z

Just to give me a break from model building I thought I'd run a few trains. I suppose I'll need a timetable soon. The double arch bridge is based on a Whiskas cat food box but is now covered in a mixture of bricks including some from a scalescenes kit that didn't quite fit without an extension piece in the middle. What started of as a rural scene covered in grass is gradually being covered with various items.

Railway Modelling- Naming the Stations

2010-11-26T21:44:00.001Z

It appears that when you build a model railway layout you have to give the places on it names.

My layout now has two stations, so I have decided to call them Nittingham Central and Woollen Halt. These are mainly Midland Region but may get occasional visitors from other regions, usually with football specials. The names are derived from the other use of the bedroom which is the storeroom for ‘Glytknits’ (Soft scarves and knitted goods) that Glynis has started to make to sell at local flea markets.

Station 2 only has access to platform 2 at the moment and Station 1 has no access at all until I construct an underpass to the planned car park.

The bridge at Station 2 is based on a Scalescenes bridge that did not fit, so it is now heavily cut about and modified for this location. Any amateurism in the build is due to the fact I am a complete novice at kit building and have never tried scratch building before.

Track testing on the model railway

2010-11-15T16:28:00.000Z

I have now constructed a few more items and had added some ballast in places, so I am running a train round to ensure it does not hit anything or fall off. The scalescenes bridge did not fit, I have told them and they have refunded my money and added a note on the site about where it will and won't fit. I have decided to modify my bridge to make it an access point to a station. The video will show some of these changes.

Model railway buildings.

2010-11-04T20:54:00.000Z

As the model is looking rather bare I have started to build a few buildings for it. The source of these is a web site called Scalescenes.com (http://www.scalescenes.com/) where you can buy the plans to make your own kits. The two I have started with are free, but they also sell the plans at reasonable prices, and once downloaded you can use the plans as often as you like on your model.

The kit above is a Waiting Room/Shelter, and the unfinished one below is a low relief warehouse. Click on pictures to see a bigger version.

Railways in Photos

2010-10-15T00:23:00.000+01:00

Steam Trains by Bob Tame | Make Your Own Book

Not, strictly speaking anything to do with Model railways, but here is a preview of my book of full size railway photos.

Disruption to Model Railway Operations

2010-09-03T12:31:00.000+01:00

Model railway operations were disrupted for a while today by a large furry obstruction on the track. The problem was solved by rattling a bowl of catfood in the Kitchen, whereupon Morgan left the scene to investigate.

Father's Day

2010-06-30T15:47:00.000+01:00

Now I've started to build a model railway I don't think I will ever run out of things to ask for when I'm asked what I'd like for Christmas, Birthday or Father's day.

Here are a few of the things bought with my Father's day amazon voucher from Heather, thank you Heather.

The model railway in Action

2010-05-07T20:29:00.000+01:00

Here it is running fairly well, but watch out for the wobbling coach that tells me the track alignment is not good.

Railway Modelling in 00 Gauge - continued

2010-05-07T19:43:00.000+01:00

Well we have added some siding in the middle and can run trains, but it has a few problems with the track not being very level. I also have problems reaching the back when it is down, and if a train is going to de-rail it will do so at the back. One of the points has a dead spot so the train will stall on it and being DCC it then starts again from a standstill. if you go fast enough inertia may get it past the deadspot.

Sidings have beeen added	with goods shed and station

but much more has to be done to make it run properly.

Railway Modelling ..continued

2010-03-28T21:49:00.000+01:00

The layout will now fold up and down, and when it is up can be hidden from view as shown, this hides all the wires and the underside of the board. You would hardly know it was there now.

I have built part of a station, and it has to go in the middle of the layout so there will be a terminal station in the middle. There may yet be one on the main loop as well, and I have to find a home for a goods shed, an engine shed and some terraced houses once they are built. Pictures will follow.

Double O gauge modelling - part 4

2010-03-17T15:17:00.000Z

Well the board is fixed to the wall and can be folded up and down. The supports have been hidden behind plasterboard which just needs painting (one day).

The boards will fold up and down independantly and I have relaid the track approaching the join at the back so it meets up accurately. An electrical feed has been made from the left to the right board, so all the track is live, it just remains to do some live testing with a train before I continue to finish it off.

At the moment I have two circuits and a passing loop, I now need some sidings in the middle but havent yet decided how to lay them out. I have decided to build some model kits and see how they look on the board, this may decide the layout for the middle of the model.

I even got as far as running two trains at once. The track in the middle was just tempoary to run trucks into but may yet be incorporated in the plan.

Double O gauge modelling - part 3

2010-03-12T22:25:00.000Z

After extensive negotiations, I was told I could put the layout in Bedroom 4, providing that it could be put away for guests to use the room, therefore a fold up layout has been decided on. Because I cannot reach the back when it has been folded down, I am keeping it in two parts for the time being, but hopefully when it is complete I will be able to lift and drop the two parts together to keep the track aligned.

Double O gauge modelling - part 2

2010-03-12T22:02:00.000Z

Layout has been moved to the Conservatory for more construction, one part of the board at a time.

I am using an old level crossing to get the track centres the right distance apart.

Planning as I go I decided to put all my old track out.

And to get some rolling stock to test how it runs on the track.

The Double O layout - The beginning

2010-03-03T21:27:00.000Z

Firstly I received a digital starter set for my Birthday, then my son donated his two old sets, as photographed in previous blog. I realised I didn't have much track, so I started looking on Ebay to see if I could get any reasonably priced bits. I found two curved points and some curved track which I got from there.

Next step was to work out how to use the curved points to form a crossover point from third radius to second radius. I want a double track oval as the basic layout, but did not like the track plan that came with the starter set so I decided to create my own plan.

I decided to use a 6x4 baseboard, but to construct it as two 4 x 3 to make it more manageable. Here is an early example of how the points may fit. I've had to buy some short track lengths to go with the points.

I have some old track and points which I am using in the planning stage, although they may be too dirty to use in the layout, unless they clean up. I could use them for effect in unused corners of the layout.

Building a model railway - why?

2010-03-02T00:05:00.001Z

When I was a lad I had a small model railway which had to be assembled and dis-assembled , and was rather envious of two of my friends. One had a railway layout in his father’s toy shop , which he could play with when the shop was closed and one had a Hornby Dublo layout in his loft that was permanently available. I think mine was sold off to be replaced by a 6 ft. snooker table when I was a teenager.

When I grew up and had children, I had to buy them a railway, and so did my mother and we did get it out in the living room a few times.

I had plans to put it in the spare bedroom of our 4 bedroomed house, but before I had a chance to do so baby three came along and took that bedroom.

My enthusiasm never completely waned and was rekindled last year with two visits, one to Pecorama at Beer where there are several layouts on show and one to the NEC for the Warley Annual Railway Modellers exhibition, with lots of models on display.

PECORAMA:-

NEC:-

Once these had been seen I decided to start a model for myself and put a train set on my Birthday list, much to the surprise of the family.

What happens next will be the next blog.

A beginning in N Gauge

2010-02-11T22:23:00.000Z

It is too cold to continue work on the 00 layout in the garage so we'll test the 'N' gauge starter set bought recently, on the dining room table. A baseboard has been found for the project and suitably modified for the smaller size. It was to be an 8 x 1 ft OO gauge project but is now a 4 x 2 for the 'N' gauge. A couple of straights and a point have been added to the Starter set, but as there is no plan yet nothing is fixed down. So here we go. Click on the arrow below to start the video.