Greetings to all members of the 009 Society (both on and off the forums). I am David Hennessey, a 30 year old modeller hailing from St Helens in Merseyside.
I have recently decided to start work on a 4ft by 2ft 009 gauge layout, with a fictitious small station on the outskirts of a North Wales village in mind. I call this layout, Fablewood (or Prenchedwl in Welsh). It is to follow no particular prototype, but will have shades of Ffestiniog, Lynton & Barnstaple and a few others. The era is to be set in the present day, with tourists being the main source of traffic (supplemented by the odd demonstration goods now and again).
I've got started on paper, by using some software called Anyrail5; quite a handy tool for layout planning. I've been tweaking and coming up with various ideas, including the one attached to this thread. If anyone has any comments or suggestions, I am welcome to replies.
I am delighted to be a part of this prestigious organisation, and I look forward to making conversation with some of you fellow members, to work a great deal on my new layout, and to picking up hints and tips as I go along.
Hi David, and welcome to the forum.
There is quite a bit of 009 activity and other NG formats in the North West, as you may be aware if you have been to some local exhibitions. The AGM at Rainford in April would be well worth a visit, and there are others too in the Events Diary. Good opportunities to meet people, have a chat, and see some inspiring modelling.
Frank
Quote from: Frank on January 27, 2015, 08:46
Hi David, and welcome to the forum.
There is quite a bit of 009 activity and other NG formats in the North West, as you may be aware if you have been to some local exhibitions. The AGM at Rainford in April would be well worth a visit, and there are others too in the Events Diary. Good opportunities to meet people, have a chat, and see some inspiring modelling.
Frank
Thanks Frank. I'm already contemplating attending the Rainford show in April (since it's just up the road from St Helens), so some good opportunities to get some inspiration in.
David, be sure to look in the 'General' section of this forum for updates by Stan Williams regarding the forthcoming AGM. Stan and I will be exhibiting at Rainhill Village Hall in March this year, come along and introduce yourself.
Roger
Quote from: Krizzy on January 27, 2015, 11:26
David, be sure to look in the 'General' section of this forum for updates by Stan Williams regarding the forthcoming AGM. Stan and I will be exhibiting at Rainhill Village Hall in March this year, come along and introduce yourself.
Roger
Hello Roger! Good to see you here. Yes, I've finally decided to take the plunge and find out what all this is about... ( ;D )
Looking forward to seeing you and Stan at Rainhill once again in March, and hopefully the AGM/Exhibition at Rainford.
Hello David,
Welcome to the Forum and I hope you find some useful tips on here.
As Roger and Frank have mentioned, plenty going on in this neck of the woods.
You are welcome to come along and play trains at Rainhill on the 6th/7th March and on the 18th April we have the 009 Society AGM
and NG Show in Rainford, lots of layouts and trade stands.
If you get that board built and lay the track, you are welcome to bring it to our Members Day in Rainhill on the 28th November 2015.
Just let me know.
There will also be 009 layouts at Wigan and Warrington in October 2015.
Stan.
Quote from: Stan Williams on January 27, 2015, 12:32
Hello David,
Welcome to the Forum and I hope you find some useful tips on here.
As Roger and Frank have mentioned, plenty going on in this neck of the woods.
You are welcome to come along and play trains at Rainhill on the 6th/7th March and on the 18th April we have the 009 Society AGM
and NG Show in Rainford, lots of layouts and trade stands.
If you get that board built and lay the track, you are welcome to bring it to our Members Day in Rainhill on the 28th November 2015.
Just let me know.
There will also be 009 layouts at Wigan and Warrington in October 2015.
Stan.
Hello Stan, and thank you for the welcome. Good to see you on here too. Will be sure to catch you at Rainhill and Rainford soon!
04/02/2015
With the trackplan now finalised, preliminary work on Prenchedwl (or Fablewood) is now underway with the baseboard being the first thing to be assembled. This takes the form of a 4ft by 2ft Exterior 12mm Plywood board, supported by cut-to-size plane smooth whitewood supports. My dad cut the latter parts, glued them to the sides of the baseboard with Unibond 'No More Nail's, before screwing down the baseboard. Like so:
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7338/16259112949_0e6ac145ee_c.jpg)
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7380/16445361185_599ab349f3_c.jpg)
Meanwhile, a dry run with the track laying is in the process of being carried out. The plan more or less transpires onto the baseboard (keeping away from the top and bottom edges anyway), but is subject to alteration. There is a left-hand turnout for the fiddle yard awaiting acquisition, some cork has yet to be glued down, spots marked for the point motors and holes to be drilled to thread them through. Other than this, work on Prenchedwl is more or less underway!
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7381/16419374536_b6b89f7b56_c.jpg)
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7433/16259453717_9fb26ddbcc_c.jpg)
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7301/15822826424_65a8701ac0_c.jpg)
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7406/16257684728_6624c08b16_c.jpg)
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7436/16444403642_1bd9973f08_c.jpg)
(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8647/16445341095_87d4ae8b6e_c.jpg)
More on the progress as it unfolds. Comments welcomed.
Hello David and welcome to the forum.
With regards to your baseboard, whilst 12mm plywood is very strong, it might over time start to bow down its centre line, this would be mitigated by affixing a horizontal along each end, with a couple more spaced between.
You could leave the two middle ones out for now until you have finished track laying, and decided what and how you want your scenery etc. to lay, so the two central supports don't get in the way of any point motors or rivers you might want to cut into the baseboard.
Before finally gluing them into place, drill a couple of holes through them for your future wiring.
Good luck with the modelling and keep us posted on your progress.
Kind regards,
BrianT.
Quote from: gtmspyder on February 05, 2015, 09:20
Hello David and welcome to the forum.
With regards to your baseboard, whilst 12mm plywood is very strong, it might over time start to bow down its centre line, this would be mitigated by affixing a horizontal along each end, with a couple more spaced between.
You could leave the two middle ones out for now until you have finished track laying, and decided what and how you want your scenery etc. to lay, so the two central supports don't get in the way of any point motors or rivers you might want to cut into the baseboard.
Before finally gluing them into place, drill a couple of holes through them for your future wiring.
Good luck with the modelling and keep us posted on your progress.
Kind regards,
BrianT.
Thank you kindly Brian! I will remember to add crossmembers in the centre, but will have to be careful as I intend to use Peco PL-10 point motors for the pointwork.
This was merely a dry run to see how the plan I had on paper, would transpire onto the baseboard. Also, I still need to paint the wood to seal it and protect it from plaster, lay cork on the top, mark spots to drill holes to thread the point motors through, and put up a backboard to put up the backscene.
Other than that, the work is officially underway!
Perhaps it would be better if the two sidings had a right hand point closer to the point in the loop and not a left?
It would make the sidings longer and remove the reverse curve.
For ease of operation it would be a good idea to try to make the sidings the same length as the loops.
Brian Meldon
Quote from: B.Meldon on February 05, 2015, 14:24
Perhaps it would be better if the two sidings had a right hand point closer to the point in the loop and not a left?
It would make the sidings longer and remove the reverse curve.
For ease of operation it would be a good idea to try to make the sidings the same length as the loops.
Brian Meldon
Thank you Brian.
With regard to the sidings near the loop on the left, I was actually using a Y-turnout which does seem to look like a left-hand turnout from a distance, but I see your point (excuse the pun!). I wasn't planning on having long sidings, as these are only going to accommodate one or two small wagons (and possibly one long wagon). I may however take up on the idea of moving the turnout closer to the loop, providing the space allows it. This was merely a dry run anyway; I've yet to do a bit more work on the baseboard before proceeding any further with the track laying.
Thanks for the hints Brian!
06/02/2015 and 07/02/2015
The evening of Friday 6th February 2015 saw me painting the baseboard ready for the tracklaying. The colour I used is a temporary beige-ish colour, but will be painted over in a more appropriate scheme in good time. This is how I did it:
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7325/16279074518_4772e7ec16_c.jpg)
(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8657/16465831742_fd5b258577_c.jpg)
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7405/16279351440_58738cfa2c_c.jpg)
Next day (Saturday 7th February 2015) saw the first pieces of track laid down, starting with the fiddle yard. As you will notice, an N gauge left-hand turnout was sourced from my own modelling bits. Whist this doesn't look practical, it's going to be in the fiddle yard anyway, so I might just get away with it!
Anyway, the first thing to do was to cut and trim the appropriate pieces of cork underlay (1/16mm thickness) for the curves, pointwork and some straight pieces. The cork pieces for the pointwork had holes cut in them, to give a guide for the 10mm diameter holes I will require for the point motors.
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7396/16465062461_741ae26a35_c.jpg)
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7329/16279069378_e45f32cb5a_c.jpg)
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7338/16466802115_c4a698299b_c.jpg)
The honour of being the first piece of track laid for Prenchedwl, was given to this curve:
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7394/16279379970_aacd9e9516_c.jpg)
A view of the nearly completed fiddleyard:
(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8620/16466825195_7b364ffc7f_c.jpg)
The cork sheets for the pointwork glued into place:
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7351/16465084521_018da89a52_c.jpg)
More on the progress as it unfolds. Comments welcomed.
Did you remember to put the cross bracing under the base ply?
Roger
Quote from: Krizzy on February 08, 2015, 15:50
Did you remember to put the cross bracing under the base ply?
Roger
Not yet Roger. I've got to install the point motors first (following the drilling of the 10mm diameter holes), then see what space there is to put at least one cross bracing over. Then there's the wiring for power and isolation to consider as well. I'll be sure to get some help with it though.
Thanks for the comment!
14/02/2015
Yet more track laying was to be done. But first, a test of the fiddle yard, using the Peco 'Lynton & Barnstaple' style carriages. They're just about the right length for the loop, and only just spaced out from each other on their respective tracks:
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7337/16528786832_2dcc30594d_c.jpg)
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7337/16529858365_fc5839eba8_c.jpg)
Then it was onto the rest of the track laying. One example is seen here:
(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8652/16528131081_e06bbcb3d7_c.jpg)
During the course of the work, some isolating fishplates were added to one of the points. It remains to be seen whether or not they will work when the power is wired up.
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7352/16343574129_540d092742_c.jpg)
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7361/16529874865_d11867f8e1_c.jpg)
As well as some pieces of set track (Peco Code 80), flexible track was also used, cut and trimmed accordingly:
(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8592/16342402000_3801e61386_c.jpg)
Once the track was down, the layout was flipped over to enable the installation of the point motors to take place (Peco PL-10 on PL-9 mounts):
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7459/16343952447_1d35725169_c.jpg)
Having threaded the pins to the points (in which a slight mishap occured when a point blade got knocked out of position, which thankfully was fixed back in the right place), small holes were marked and hand drilled, to enable the screws of the mounts to do their job:
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7374/16528157381_ce8abf2b42_c.jpg)
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7366/16529895295_08042f839f_c.jpg)
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7451/16528838532_20800c18e4_c.jpg)
Four point motors were fitted successfully, but a slight issue arises with the fifth (but will be rectified in due course):
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7421/16342422610_1ecae27ce7_c.jpg)
And voilas! Track laying complete; just the wiring up to be done, before any testing can be carried out. The pins of the point motors will not be cut yet, until I'm satisfied that all the pointwork functions properly.
(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8585/16528114841_d0deb02117_c.jpg)
As usual, more progress as it unfolds, and comments welcomed as always. Time for a well earned pint! ;D
At this rate David, Rainhill 009 Members Day on Saturday 28th November 2015 looks a strong possibility.
Come and have a chat at the Rainhill Show on the 7th/8th March or at Rainford on Saturday 18th April.
Stan.
Quote from: Stan Williams on February 14, 2015, 23:39
At this rate David, Rainhill 009 Members Day on Saturday 28th November 2015 looks a strong possibility.
Come and have a chat at the Rainhill Show on the 7th/8th March or at Rainford on Saturday 18th April.
Stan.
Thanks Stan. Still a bit of a way to go till it's ready, but really pleased that the labours so far are beginning to bear fruit...
25/03/2015
A minor update. Progress on the building of Prenchedwl has been a bit slow as of late, but the work continues nonetheless. As I type, I have sent the baseboard away to my uncle, to have the pointwork wired up. Once that is complete, I intend to put power to the track and test everything before proceeding further. I also have updates over in the Prenchedwl stock list thread: http://www.009society.com/forum/index.php?topic=2061.0
The track is to be controlled by a Gaugemaster 'W' type single controller (and also an adapter plug, to eliminate the need to permanently wire the controller feed to the track), and the power is to be supplied via an 'M1' type 16v transformer. Both of these items were acquired from Model Rail Scotland 2015 and Hatton's respectively.
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7616/16721033647_8129436845_c.jpg)
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7610/16742140849_d631c83ab4_c.jpg)
More progress when it resumes.
Having just found out that 'Pren' in Welsh actually means plank, I've had to alter the Welsh title of Fablewood, to Coed y Chwedlau.(Wood of the Fables). The concept however remains intact, and the project continues as normal. The layout will now be referred to as Coed Y Chwedlau.
My humble apologies to any Welsh members for any misleading or confusion caused.
02/07/2015
After several weeks being away for wiring up, the baseboard has now been returned from my uncle, who has done a splendid job with the electronics. All sections of the track are working, although in order to activate the goods yard, the points into and out of the station have to be set to the inner loop.
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/406/18734782884_9a13de1db2_c.jpg)
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/465/19331207496_442f640372_c.jpg)
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/412/19361275521_d136c8bbb0_c.jpg)
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/355/19169653408_c65540f6c3_c.jpg)
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/553/18734687634_6a5c14bdc9_c.jpg)
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/475/19169583260_0b56db9960_c.jpg)
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/410/19357194695_7b6891a372_c.jpg)
Closer inspection of the loop on the left hand side of the layout, revealed a rail sticking out of one of the fishplates. This was quickly sorted out.
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/408/19351103902_fa95683fdc_c.jpg)
(https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3843/19357156305_ffff654513_c.jpg)
The control of the layout is done by the handheld Gaugemaster Model 'W' hand held model, and the pointwork is controlled by five switches. This will be looked at in closer detail, in the next update.
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/263/19357180905_713f980cc5_c.jpg)
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/256/19361185631_a832bf2200_c.jpg)
And finally for now, a small bit of scenics. Before I had the baseboard sent away, I marked a space in the middle of the 'station' loop for an island platform to be placed. This takes the form of a small strip of balsa wood, measured accordingly to length and clearance. This will eventually have brick sheeting around the edges, and the top surface painted. On this occasion, it was merely a dry run to see if it fitted well, which it does.
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/326/19351040682_2638fd327d_c.jpg)
(https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3876/19361146721_83609ca780_c.jpg)
A short period of testing (or playing trains if you will!) will be undertaken, to ensure all the track and pointwork functions as it should, before the ballasting and scenic work begins. The locos and rolling stock are having their chance to stretch their wheels as we speak!
Till next time, comments welcomed as always.
15/09/2015
Time for a bumper update...
Fablewood has been under test for many weeks, to ensure all the trackwork is working properly. Minor issues with points, dirty rail heads and odd instances of losing power, but other than that, all is well.
A small start has been made on the scenics front. The main station and goods yard have received platforms made out of good quality balsa wood from Hobbycraft; measured and cut accordingly, painted grey on top with white edges, and the sides topped with Metcalfe brick sheeting. The main and island platforms also boast (http://dapol) station fencing and lamp posts (with signs and benches yet to be added).
The main station building itself is an old, small Hornby waiting room, rejuvenated with Metcalfe brick and slate roof sheeting, with the chimney bases, and the door and window frames painted red brick. Also, a pair of Wills Lamp Huts have been built; one for the station, the other for the goods yard. As we speak, a Metcalfe stone cottages kit is under construction.
A level crossing was fashioned out of spare off-cuts of balsa and Metcalfe tarmac sheeting, cut and painted black before gluing into position. All locos and rolling stock can cross over it without any trouble.
On the rolling stock front, a Parkside Dundas L&B style open wagon joins the ranks, painted in a custom blue livery.
All the trackwork has now been painted (rails, sleepers and points), in preparation for ballasting.
Here is a small selection of photos chartering the recent progress:
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5663/21242260612_b9dfba44ab_c.jpg)
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/670/21064630360_f31a0885f0_c.jpg)
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5812/21252735755_5bc84164b1_c.jpg)
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5781/21242227752_d4ab1f0aac_c.jpg)
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/779/21065848529_0c45b8ecd7_c.jpg)
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/662/21064586050_4c8a37e5f6_c.jpg)
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/712/21064776928_1106ab7917_c.jpg)
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/746/21242179102_43998c9096_c.jpg)
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5626/21065797769_a4faa9de88_c.jpg)
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5812/21064531370_eb0ee1af60_c.jpg)
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/632/21064718118_beb0a4065b_c.jpg)
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5741/21226365316_9c52f79758_c.jpg)
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/698/21226333196_611df7d6b6_c.jpg)
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5745/20629874964_f4c874f39a_c.jpg)
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5769/20629856964_da1c850f1f_c.jpg)
Comments welcomed as always.
Quote from: David Hennessey on February 14, 2015, 19:57
14/02/2015
During the course of the work, some isolating fishplates were added to one of the points. It remains to be seen whether or not they will work when the power is wired up.
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7352/16343574129_540d092742_c.jpg)
Perhaps this is one of your problems:
Unfortunately the Peco N gauge isolating fishplates need to be shortened to fully engage with the Peco points as they hit on the plastic webbing preventing them from going all the way on to the rail.
If you do not do this you will get a gap in the railhead that the wheels will drop down and could result in other wheels on a loco losing electrical connection to the track.
Another very common problem that you may have is that the points are unreliable when it comes to switching the power to the tracks. The only long term cure for this is to keep cleaning the side of the rails and the side of the point blades or to fit frog polarity switches to all the points.
Personally I always fit frog polarity switches to every point on every layout I build. However you will find that if you fit the Peco accessory switches to the Peco point motors fitted directly to Peco 009 points the throw of the point is not in the correct place to switch the switch and you will have to adjust the switch or the point motor relative to the point to make it work. (The more expensive Peco micro switches have some adjustment built in.)
Brian Meldon
Quote from: B.Meldon on September 16, 2015, 10:19
Quote from: David Hennessey on February 14, 2015, 19:57
14/02/2015
During the course of the work, some isolating fishplates were added to one of the points. It remains to be seen whether or not they will work when the power is wired up.
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7352/16343574129_540d092742_c.jpg)
Perhaps this is one of your problems:
Unfortunately the Peco N gauge isolating fishplates need to be shortened to fully engage with the Peco points as they hit on the plastic webbing preventing them from going all the way on to the rail.
If you do not do this you will get a gap in the railhead that the wheels will drop down and could result in other wheels on a loco losing electrical connection to the track.
Another very common problem that you may have is that the points are unreliable when it comes to switching the power to the tracks. The only long term cure for this is to keep cleaning the side of the rails and the side of the point blades or to fit frog polarity switches to all the points.
Personally I always fit frog polarity switches to every point on every layout I build. However you will find that if you fit the Peco accessory switches to the Peco point motors fitted directly to Peco 009 points the throw of the point is not in the correct place to switch the switch and you will have to adjust the switch or the point motor relative to the point to make it work. (The more expensive Peco micro switches have some adjustment built in.)
Brian Meldon
Thank you kindly for your advice Brian. Something to remember for next time...
22/09/2015
A minor progress update...
Monday 21st and Tuesday 22nd September 2015 were spent doing one of the most tedious (or enjoyable, depending on how you look at it) jobs any layout builder will know... Ballasting.
The ballast itself (Woodland Scenics medium gray fine ballast) was scattered into place days before, but the application of the glue mixture (the usual combination of PVA glue, water and a dash of Fairy liquid) was applied over the last 24 hours. The application started off using the Woodland Scenic Sprayer, but this proved a bit messy on the curves leading to the fiddle yard either side. Therefore, I had to settle with using a small Sabre syringe; a slower, but less mucky process in the long run!
The fiddle yard pointwork, the level crossing and the platform surfaces were masked over in advance, to avoid the glue mixture making any unwanted mess.
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5793/21633404245_a92fa2825c_c.jpg)
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5738/21012183153_83b779a891_c.jpg)
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5632/21621875802_7c65138888_c.jpg)
As I type, the ballast is in the long process of having the glue mixture drying out. Any touch-ups to the rails and sleepers will be made, if necessary. Otherwise, not a bad job!
On the rolling stock front, I finally completed one piece of rolling stock I'd been working on for some time. A Parkside Dundas 'Ffestiniog' style 3rd brake/observation car had been under construction for weeks. A few days ago, I stumbled into some suitable 00 scale 'sitting' people to fit inside the vehicle; three Hornby and two unknown figures were found from a leftover project, and incorporated into the vehicle before the roof was permanently fitted.
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/598/21446403009_e212630551_c.jpg)
More progress as it unfolds. Comments welcomed as always.
Great ballasting David.
I have a feeling however that some of your people might be holding down two jobs - they were spotted one evening at St Dogmaels on the Teifi Gorge returning from the day shift at the quarry...
(https://forum.009society.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi893.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fac131%2Fgastwo_photos%2FTGR%2Fworkers%2520return.jpg&hash=a22f448fcbbbac5b3d39ee983ddc6cf312732159)
Sorry!
Shaun.
Quote from: gastwo on September 23, 2015, 06:58
Great ballasting David.
I have a feeling however that some of your people might be holding down two jobs - they were spotted one evening at St Dogmaels on the Teifi Gorge returning from the day shift at the quarry...
(https://forum.009society.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi893.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fac131%2Fgastwo_photos%2FTGR%2Fworkers%2520return.jpg&hash=a22f448fcbbbac5b3d39ee983ddc6cf312732159)
Sorry!
Shaun.
Those two like to get around, that's for sure! ;D
Thanks for the comments on the ballast. Rather messy to start with though; using the
Woodlands Scenic Sprayer bottle was a bit of a mistake since it sprayed bits of ballast everywhere on the curves leading to and out of the fiddle yard. Had to settle for using a small
Sabre syringe in the end; a slow process, but less mucky in the long run!
Will be doing more testing when the PVA is completely dried out.
I use the syringe method as well - I found that spraying coated the rails as well, and that was a b*gger to remove. I do spray the ballast with meths though, before dripping PVA on - seems to really help break the surface tension. Make sure it doesn't affect anything else, and you have to put up with the smell for a while!
Keep it coming
Shaun.
Quote from: gastwo on September 23, 2015, 14:21
I use the syringe method as well - I found that spraying coated the rails as well, and that was a b*gger to remove. I do spray the ballast with meths though, before dripping PVA on - seems to really help break the surface tension. Make sure it doesn't affect anything else, and you have to put up with the smell for a while!
Keep it coming
Shaun.
Thanks Shaun. Good tip about the meths, something to remember next time (and to use a well ventilated space of course!)...
29/09/2015
A small start has been made on the scenic work of Fablewood, beginning with landscaping. Hills and cuttings are obviously required, and these have been fashioned at the 'bottom' end of the layout (and some of the top end too), using a type of styro foam cut with a stanley knife. These have yet to be glued down, covered over and painted. I'm not sure if the gradients look right, so any advice would be appreciated. Whilst marking out and cutting the foam material, particular attention was paid to both track and stock clearance as well...
In the station area, two foot crossings were formed, using Metcalfe tarmac sheeting.
Here are a few snaps:
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5618/21629684680_897621ab54_c.jpg)
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/768/21630826649_b2aa440d2a_c.jpg)
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5723/21827219681_800bab7ed9_c.jpg)
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/751/21629637570_c17aca3b8f_c.jpg)
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/757/21791522236_5ed7ca4bb8_c.jpg)
More progress, as it unfolds. Comments welcomed as always
30/10/2015
A minor update. Work continues on shaping the hills and cuttings around Fablewood, but some attention has been paid to the station and goods yard as well. Plus, some additions to the rolling stock have been made.
Before we begin, here's an overview of the present state of Fablewood's construction...
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/695/21984577594_a93680c5e2_c.jpg)
Work is currently going on, with cuttings and hillsides around almost the four corners of the layout; two cuttings to disguise the entrances to the fiddle yard, a hill-side on the left of the layout, and a small roundel on the right. These have been made using a pink styro-foam material, cut, shaped and glued. They have yet to receive some filler, plaster, paint and scenics, but other than that, progress is satisfactory at present.
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5736/22607324525_57f4bbb929_c.jpg)
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5816/22581291106_c3cef273b7_c.jpg)
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5828/21984505214_700fdec0fa_c.jpg)
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/768/21984484044_8f811dfc16_c.jpg)
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/570/22593655192_3ee01dc043_c.jpg)
The level crossing has had some attention; unsatisfied with the shambolic first effort, I removed the original ramps and replaced them with more smoother looking ones. I'll admit that the shapes of the ramps aren't exactly perfect, but at least they look a lot more presentable than the previous installments (Using a stanley knife may have had something to do with it!). They will get another coat of black paint, once a road has been mapped and painted out from there to the main station and goods yard.
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/646/21986077113_be633be449_c.jpg)
Speaking of goods, some more pieces of rolling stock for the carrying of freight have been put together. Following a recent visit to Wigan, a pair of 009 Society exclusive kits were put together; one ex RNAD van and one ex RNAD flat wagon were assembled and painted in custom colours. The van is in crimson red and black, while the flat wagon is plain wood, with black and 'rusting' steel fittings.
Also, five Parkside Dundas slate wagons are also in the works. One of them (still being worked on as we speak), is seen here on show alongside the two already completed wagon kits.
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5685/22618427171_7635701f19_c.jpg)
In the station area, the two Dapol lamp posts have been replaced with some P&D Marsh Models gas lamps; painted red with cream glass. These look more fitting than the Dapol ones, and will hopefully stay in place without breaking off!
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5700/22419228080_464a5dd503_c.jpg)
Finally for now, the platform edges of the main station and goods yard have been 'trimmed' back somewhat...
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5625/22581129096_179daf9570_c.jpg)
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/633/21984341804_6bcd644be5_c.jpg)
It is intended for Fablewood to make it's exhibition debut (albeit, as a 'work in progress' piece) at the one-day Rainhill show on Saturday 28th November 2015. A few more bits and bobs to do before then and afterwards as well, but progress nonetheless... More to follow soon. Comments welcomed as always.
I'm following along with interest David. Keep it coming.
What are you sticking the pink foam with?
And as a matter of interest, we have just exhibited 'Teifi Gorge' as being still work-in-progress, and it seems to generate more interest and questions than a completed layout, so be prepared to spend a lot of time talking!
ATB
Shaun.
Quote from: gastwo on October 31, 2015, 06:36
I'm following along with interest David. Keep it coming.
What are you sticking the pink foam with?
And as a matter of interest, we have just exhibited 'Teifi Gorge' as being still work-in-progress, and it seems to generate more interest and questions than a completed layout, so be prepared to spend a lot of time talking!
ATB
Shaun.
Thanks Shaun!
So far, I've used ordinary PVA glue to stick the pieces together (and will probably do the same when fixing the pieces to the baseboard eventually; I'm still doing a few bits and bobs on them to get the angles just right, and that they look a lot more smoother). I'll also use filler to cover up any gaps, before applying plaster, paint and scenics on top.
And thanks for the heads-up, with regard to showing a work-in-progress to the public. I'd better prepare some notes then! :D
11th and 13th November 2015
The last two days have been spent getting plastered... Literally! :D
The hills and cuttings on Fablewood so far, have been covered in plaster material. This was possible, using P.O.P Bandage material picked up from Todmorden Model Supplies at a recent show in Southport:
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5645/22591286458_7d1b22d98d_c.jpg)
Strips of the stuff were cut to the required lengths, applied using water and left to dry (a messy process, as you will gather!). Thus:
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/768/22591270258_693e42cfab_c.jpg)
Apart from small pieces to cover any gaps on the hillsides and/or cuttings, one layer of the plaster material was used. Any excess plaster was carefully cut away before paint was applied.
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/625/22983555826_38140a37f3_c.jpg)
One example of the hills, before the plaster was applied:
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/652/22388382303_39a1803065_c.jpg)
Once the plaster was dry, the hills and cuttings were put into position, on a 'dummy run' to see where they are best placed. The 'inward' shapes are still being moved around, to decide where it is best suited (and the example pictured below, may not necessarily reflect the final placement)...
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5805/23020673661_f16dcbce0b_c.jpg)
Afterwards, some colours were applied. B&Q 'tester' paint was used; 'Dark Chocolate Matt' (which looks fairly convincing as earth soil, but I'll let you be the judge of that. It will all eventually be covered in scenic flock anyway; this was something to hide the natural white plaster I used).
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5721/23009559695_f368e72b53_c.jpg)
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/651/22388337773_d1a5a63b56_c.jpg)
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5767/23020630301_464e419994_c.jpg)
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5674/22591159797_0bced77f27_c.jpg)
(During this process, two coats of the paint were applied, to try and cover up any white bits showing up.)
Here's how some of them look in position, with a piece of rolling stock used for clearance purposes.
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/592/22983451046_06468b7741_c.jpg)
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/697/22591127457_d7a77a8f59_c.jpg)
Finally for now, a strange object taking the form of a blue Police box, was recently discovered on the platform end of Fablewood station. Has a certain 'Time Lord' materialised in the wrong place? Could there be daleks, cybermen or even yeti nearby? :D
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/688/22388265333_26214c448b_c.jpg)
(Oh okay, you lot win! The Police box is from the Hornby 'Skaledale' range, as is the bench positioned between the two station gas lamps.)
A reminder (in case you missed my last update) that Fablewood will be exhibited as a 'show-you-how' piece at the 009 Society's forthcoming one day event in Rainhill, on Saturday 28th November 2015.
More progress to follow. Comments welcomed as always.
15th November 2015
As an aside from plastering and painting the hills and cuttings on Fablewood, I turned my attention back to decorating the station. Using pieces of Metcalf paving stones and edges, I laid some on the 'outside' area of the station...
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/646/23056336261_57c6cdb3e4_c.jpg)
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/627/22652915869_f8a22dcbb8_c.jpg)
(The telephone box is a 00 scale 'Gilbow' product, acquired from Wigan 2015)
A bizarre mix of Oxford Diecast vehicles from my old 00 scale layout were drafted in, to form the basis of a station car park (which is currently in the planning stages, and the shot below may not necessarily reflect the final outcome)...
A bizarre mix of Oxford Diecast from my 00 scale layout were drafted in, to form the basis of a station car park (which is currently in the planning stages, and the shot below may not necessarily reflect the final outcome)...
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/736/23045109835_89c652516d_c.jpg)
Various shapes of paving stone was used (so please excuse the unorthodox mix), to line the bottom edges of the station, up to the access ramp. To stick them into position, a thin layer of PVA glue was used. A fairly big gap has been left to place a scenic feature inside. It was also a good excuse to give the 'Police' box somewhere permanent to be positioned!
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/700/23056287261_1464817b61_c.jpg)
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/761/22626719678_05b78c7682_c.jpg)
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/603/22422296894_da8cdfd6c0_c.jpg)
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/646/23045034025_d5c99ac661_c.jpg)
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/668/23045013335_b6f97f47e2_c.jpg)
A few snaps of the completed pavement:
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5823/23044998245_ff94719788_c.jpg)
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5711/23044981955_1eba5bf99e_c.jpg)
More to follow. Comments welcomed as always.
David - I read through your tale from the beginning, and you have come a long way from the bare scenic boards you started with. What you have done shows it is perfectly possible to build a working 009 model railway using (mainly) RTR and kit-built items. I suppose by now you are happy with the running properties of the stock and the track. You made errors and corrected them just like we all do - well done!
The ballasting you did a few months ago looks very neat, as does all your scenic work. However, I feel it is still looking rather too neat.
If you don't mind me giving you advice, going on from here I would concentrate on two things. First, weather the ballast, the platforms, the fences and the pavement using water colour paint, and second, break up the straight lines and hard contours in the layout.
You need landscape contours flowing more naturally and fences and stone walls going up and down with the contours, then lots of green - trees, weeds and bushes. These will change your layout into a natural scene. The hill contours for instance seem to be growing out of the flat baseboard. Fill in the abrupt changes with plaster or any other filler material so the contours become softer.
Scenery modelling is about the texture of the ground surface. Here are a few examples of real scenery along the Welsh Highland Railway. Note the rough jumble along the right-of-way.
(https://forum.009society.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.narrowgauge.nl%2Falbums%2F201504fwhr%2Fimages%2FP4214492.jpg&hash=370423d5109fa09efbb39c0832f802ff94bae09f)
(https://forum.009society.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.narrowgauge.nl%2Falbums%2F201504fwhr%2Fimages%2FP4214487.jpg&hash=117326bcaf62e228c041807363e5be46d7b02224)
(https://forum.009society.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.narrowgauge.nl%2Falbums%2F201504fwhr%2Fimages%2FP4214476.jpg&hash=bc990de0002f24f8ba587da0b3c4ab3abb751c36)
This is something none of us can copy, not even the most experienced scenery builder. But we can try to come close to it, using simple materials. When I built Nixnie, a smaller layout than yours, I used two packs of Heki 'forest in a box' trees and a few packs of Woodlands ground foam. There was some poisonous coloured Busch ground foam which I toned down with ochre paint. If you want to go that way, have a look at this page on the Dutch Group website, from paragraph 13 (scroll down): http://www.009dutch.nl/archive/2011/pages/enixnie2.htm (http://www.009dutch.nl/archive/2011/pages/enixnie2.htm). It's no more difficult that the ballasting you did, and a lot more fun!
Again I hope you don't mind me giving unasked-for advice...
Quote from: tedp on November 18, 2015, 10:57
David - I read through your tale from the beginning, and you have come a long way from the bare scenic boards you started with. What you have done shows it is perfectly possible to build a working 009 model railway using (mainly) RTR and kit-built items. I suppose by now you are happy with the running properties of the stock and the track. You made errors and corrected them just like we all do - well done!
The ballasting you did a few months ago looks very neat, as does all your scenic work. However, I feel it is still looking rather too neat.
If you don't mind me giving you advice, going on from here I would concentrate on two things. First, weather the ballast, the platforms, the fences and the pavement using water colour paint, and second, break up the straight lines and hard contours in the layout.
You need landscape contours flowing more naturally and fences and stone walls going up and down with the contours, then lots of green - trees, weeds and bushes. These will change your layout into a natural scene. The hill contours for instance seem to be growing out of the flat baseboard. Fill in the abrupt changes with plaster or any other filler material so the contours become softer.
Scenery modelling is about the texture of the ground surface. Here are a few examples of real scenery along the Welsh Highland Railway. Note the rough jumble along the right-of-way.
(https://forum.009society.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.narrowgauge.nl%2Falbums%2F201504fwhr%2Fimages%2FP4214492.jpg&hash=370423d5109fa09efbb39c0832f802ff94bae09f)
(https://forum.009society.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.narrowgauge.nl%2Falbums%2F201504fwhr%2Fimages%2FP4214487.jpg&hash=117326bcaf62e228c041807363e5be46d7b02224)
(https://forum.009society.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.narrowgauge.nl%2Falbums%2F201504fwhr%2Fimages%2FP4214476.jpg&hash=bc990de0002f24f8ba587da0b3c4ab3abb751c36)
This is something none of us can copy, not even the most experienced scenery builder. But we can try to come close to it, using simple materials. When I built Nixnie, a smaller layout than yours, I used two packs of Heki 'forest in a box' trees and a few packs of Woodlands ground foam. There was some poisonous coloured Busch ground foam which I toned down with ochre paint. If you want to go that way, have a look at this page on the Dutch Group website, from paragraph 13 (scroll down): http://www.009dutch.nl/archive/2011/pages/enixnie2.htm (http://www.009dutch.nl/archive/2011/pages/enixnie2.htm). It's no more difficult that the ballasting you did, and a lot more fun!
Again I hope you don't mind me giving unasked-for advice...
Hello Ted. Many thanks for your kind comments and suggestions; there is still a long way to go before the whole thing is completed, but the labours are gradually beginning to bear fruit.
A few points:
1) I intend to weather the ballast in the station area and goods yard anyway. Not sure yet how I'll weather the platforms and pavements though, but I might work around it...
2) Good tips for the scenics. To add on to what you've already suggested, I've got a mix of
Gaugemaster and
Woodland Scenics materials to be going on with.
Finally, good snaps form the
Welsh Highland; must do another trip from Caernarfon to Porthmadog (without the slight indignity of being dragged into
Harbour Station backwards! :D )
Thank you once again for commenting!
19th November 2015
Work to get Fablewood ready for it's exhibitiond debut in less than a week's time, is continuing as best as possible...
Work on decorating the station contines, as gass lamps to the outside walls are fitted. Here is one of the lamp brackets (from Langley Models), after being painted in red, and superglued to the side of the building:
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/655/22826422620_d7e63e41d5_c.jpg)
(Three more to follow)
The time had come to fit some fencing around the station car park. I did this by drilling 3mm holes as evenly as possible, so that the fencing (leftover from a previous project) could be fitted.
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5825/22525356033_b08aeb0527_c.jpg)
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/645/22728059137_f3a5ee0957_c.jpg)
Whilst I was doing this, I used the same 3mm drill to make a small hole in one of the hillsides and plant one of my tree trunks in it:
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5733/23158139601_4f7c9be2d7_c.jpg)
The time had also come, to map and paint out a road from the level crossing, past the station and cottages, and up to the goods yard. This was done using plain black emulsion paint:
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5753/22523819164_5cde3e052b_c.jpg)
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5780/22525296663_16a0f631a3_c.jpg)
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/636/22754220249_65d4df273c_c.jpg)
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5692/22727996637_8807812c81_c.jpg)
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/689/22826299480_13b6a872b6_c.jpg)
Another fence was positioned near the hill, on the top left hand corner of the layout, using the same drilling technique as before. Not exactly perfect admittedly, but it should at least fit in with the landscape...
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/578/22525228303_031fc024a1_c.jpg)
Finally for now, the car park planning continues. But this shot below, shows what is likely to be the final outcome (even if the cars look like they're crammed in a bit tight)...
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/741/23158008041_50dfc07b8e_c.jpg)
More to follow. Comments welcomed as always.
Re: Gas lamp brackets. They are sited far too low. A person exiting from one of the doorways would likely be 'face-planted', and if the door opens outward with the hinges on the wrong side then the glass would have a very limited life and the local glaziers end up spending their holidays in Majorca every few months. :-)
Quote from: DeadHorse on November 19, 2015, 20:06
Re: Gas lamp brackets. They are sited far too low. A person exiting from one of the doorways would likely be 'face-planted', and if the door opens outward with the hinges on the wrong side then the glass would have a very limited life and the local glaziers end up spending their holidays in Majorca every few months. :-)
Thanks for the pointer
DeadHorse. As we speak, I'm resurfacing the station building, having removed the brackets from the original position. They need a touch-up with paint anyway, before being put in a more higher position...
21st November 2015
As already described previously, I was trying to plan out a small car park for Fablewood station, plus two reserved spaces for the occupants of the cottages across the road. Today saw me painting out the parking spaces, with a few minor errors made along the way...
To start with, I laid down strips of masking tape, leaving small lined gaps as to where I would paint them (using Humbrol's plain white matt):
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5637/22559369813_3943983d50_c.jpg)
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5675/22557917274_805d58d3ef_c.jpg)
With the spaces marked out, painting commenced.
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5724/22559332473_c5b47a61db_c.jpg)
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5817/23160276016_f9056f4164_c.jpg)
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5667/22559294053_0879e49117_c.jpg)
After the paint had dried, the masking tape was lifted, to leave a white line behind. In the instance of the 'reserved' spaces, a line was painted down the middle, and two capital 'R' letters painted in the middle of both spaces.
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5640/23186319635_533ba9e33e_c.jpg)
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5647/22890501820_fa647e7350_c.jpg)
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5808/22890469810_d8e4bb0988_c.jpg)
Meanwhile, back in the main car park, it was discovered that the horizontal lines were too long, stretching up to the tracks, where the fence runs over. It was decided at that point to scale them back a bit...
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/749/22557813824_3f668ec9fe_c.jpg)
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/781/22559167363_1f6e74cd7a_c.jpg)
Afterwards, I designated one of the spaces (the one nearest to the pavement) as a 'disabled' bay. Before painting, I fashioned a template of the 'disabled person' insignia, using a piece of brick sheet card:
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/597/22890426470_cc8e40dcf6_c.jpg)
As with the lining earlier on, the template was stuck down with masking tape, and white paint applied. Once dried, I went round the edges with black paint, to smarten it up a bit.
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5803/22792036827_248773523e_c.jpg)
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5770/22792013137_e14b1933ab_c.jpg)
And thus, the various Oxford Diecast vehicles now had somewhere to park!
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/703/22791993297_c1758be24a_c.jpg)
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5753/22791965617_1982846784_c.jpg)
More to do... Comments welcomed as always.
Quote from: David Hennessey on November 21, 2015, 22:14
21st November 2015
...
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/703/22791993297_c1758be24a_c.jpg)
....
More to do... Comments welcomed as always.
Good idea to use masking tape and a template for the road markings, David. By the way, what kind of fence did you use along the parking lot? It looks like thick card to me, or is it plastic?
I suppose you are gearing up for the exibition next weekend?
Quote from: tedp on November 22, 2015, 15:52Good idea to use masking tape and a template for the road markings, David.
Thanks again Ted!
Quote from: tedp on November 22, 2015, 15:52By the way, what kind of fence did you use along the parking lot? It looks like thick card to me, or is it plastic?
With regard to the fencing, it was leftover from my previous model railway project (in 00 scale); it was some plastic fencing that was given to me by my uncle. I have no idea who made it, but it came in very handy then, as it has done now. I've also used Peco's flexible fencing (albeit, across the road), but more on that in the next update...
Quote from: tedp on November 22, 2015, 15:52I suppose you are gearing up for the exibition next weekend?
Absolutely! All hands to the pumps, to get as much as possible done. I'm not rushing though; there are still a few grey areas to work on, and a lot more time needed to get almost everything right. I'll make it happen though, don't you worry! :D
Thanks again for your kind comments Ted!
22nd November 2015
On Sunday 22nd November 2015, some leftover paving pieces from the station area, were used to create an area around the cottage foyer, and along the front walls. The paving won't go all the way along, as the fencing will eventually get in the way. Here is a snapshot of some of the pieces being laid:
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/575/23370442196_5ea43c2d6b_c.jpg)
26th and 27th November 2015
Two days before the 2015 show at Rainhill, and one more vital component (for the moment) was put into place; the backscene. This was achieved using suitable pieces of 30mm thick hardboard from B&Q, cut and shaped accordingly, painted, and then screwed and glued into place. Gaps were provided for the entrance and exits to the fiddle yard, but I went a bit overboard with the clearances...
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5633/23288136782_4240063063_c.jpg)
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/597/23100805420_6ffdc202e4_c.jpg)
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/672/22769404223_a71f7c164d_c.jpg)
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/736/23100792670_0cb82c21f0_c.jpg)
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/607/23288112222_bfcafae720_c.jpg)
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5722/23396556785_eb0a57219d_c.jpg)
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5626/23288099542_690b966df2_c.jpg)
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5787/22769373363_442a9bab65_c.jpg)
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/633/23313961301_f10f67933e_c.jpg)
The backscene around the fiddle yard was propped up with small wooden blocks, screws, pins and 'No More Nails' adhesive glue. On the morning of the Rainhill show, some hitchen was laid down, to cover the unsightly gap at the bottom of the backscene.
(Footnote - Unfortunately, the above combination didn't quite hold out strong enough; shortly after the Rainhill show the following day, the backboard around the fiddle yard fell apart, whilst the layout was being transported home, and caused some damage to the station fencing and lamp posts. Luckily, it is minimal and repairable; the re-erection of the backboard and the station fencing and lamp posts, will be carried out in due course, employing more stronger methods. There is more work to be done around the backscene anyway, but more on that soon...)
28th November 2015
With ten months of solid construction under it's belt, Fablewood made it's exhibition debut (albeit as a 'work-in-progress' piece) in fine style at a one-day event hosted by the 009 Society, as a side show of the Rainhill MRC's annual Christmas exhibition, on Saturday 28th November 2015. Despite a few minor niggles (mostly a few locos with big cylinders catching on the point motor pins, or needing a helping hand on a few bits of track), the layout's performance was excellent, and drew a great deal of admiration and positive commentary, from fellow exhibitors and the general public. It was a great pleasure to finally get Fablewood out onto the exhibition circuit, and it was even more humbling to receive such kind and sincere words and advice from a lot of people (modeller or otherwise). Of course, there is still some way to go before the layout is completed, but it was nice to have my work so far being appreciated.
(At this point, I wish to thank Stan and other members present on this day, for their kind comments and support so far. Your words and advice are kindly appreciated.)
A selection of snaps from the event follows, including some of a a few visiting engines supplementing the resident trio for the day. (See if you can guess what they are!)
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/624/22768470384_026744e090_c.jpg)
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/747/22769671333_9f8683e821_c.jpg)
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/710/23028875059_a86d572f4a_c.jpg)
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/685/23101054130_717ab66fa0_c.jpg)
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/729/22768448124_432613ba6d_c.jpg)
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5623/23396823025_262af9acfe_c.jpg)
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5724/22768431444_419007c09e_c.jpg)
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More to follow, in due course. Comments welcomed as always.
Just played catchup on this thread to see what you have been doing, very nice. You've got a great little layout coming together and great that you have been able to exhibit it, something I'd like to do one day.
Quote from: Scott Rixon on December 27, 2015, 08:01
Just played catchup on this thread to see what you have been doing, very nice. You've got a great little layout coming together and great that you have been able to exhibit it, something I'd like to do one day.
Thank you kindly Scott! :)
Happy New Year to you, David.
Have you been able to do more work on the layout recently? It seems the Rainhill show was a great success.
Quote from: tedp on January 07, 2016, 09:18
Happy New Year to you, David.
Have you been able to do more work on the layout recently? It seems the Rainhill show was a great success.
Hello Ted, and happy new year to you as well.
I am presently taking a short break from working on Fablewood following it's debut outing, but I will resume the task again shortly. The fencing is to be completed, plus more scenics need to be done.
20/01/2016
After a short break between Fablewood's exhibition debut and Christmas 2015, it was back to work...
One of the first jobs to be tackled, was another cutting to partially mask one entrance to the fiddle yard. As with all the other hills and cuttings, this one is made out of styrofoam material, and will be covered over with plaster and paint in due course. A picture of the completed product will follow...
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1577/24192565150_e0a8c5232c_c.jpg)
In the station area, it was decided to create retaining walls to protect the station ramp; before, it resembled a real life situation where someone using the ramp (whether walking, using a wheelchair or otherwise), could fall off and cause themselves an injury (and Health & Safety wouldn't be too pleased about that!). To do this, foam-core board is being used, with the protective film stripped off, and replaced with Metcalfe brick sheeting. Some measuring and cutting of the foam-core board was carried out, and gaps were cut into the paving slabs on the 'pedestrian' side of the ramp.
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1711/24488104325_a3c3fe692a_c.jpg)
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Whilst all this was going on, remember that gap I left in the 'pedestrian' area of the station forecourt? It has been decided to place a flowerbed in that gap, topped with small strips of rectangular plastic painted grey. The strips were measured and cut accordingly, painted twice, and glued into position. They will eventually incorporate grass and flowers.
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Another job to do, was to apply filler material at the bottom of the hills, cuttings and the inner ramp of the level crossing, to cover unsightly gaps. All this filler will eventually be painted over and covered in scenics, in due course.
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Another piece of rolling stock joins the ranks. An L&B brake third, in the style of the Ffestiniog's Snapper Bar (aka Carr 14); as the layout is set in the present day, this will make a fine addition as an unusual visitor to the railway!
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Finally for now, Fablewood has another exhibition appearance on it's hands. On the weekend of Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th March 2016, the layout will be at Rainhill again, but this time as part of the Rainhill MRC's main annual exhibition. This is held every year at the Rainhill Village Hall; a note for your diaries!
More progress to follow, as it unfolds. Comments welcomed as always.
02/02/2016
Work continued on the retaining walls around Fablewood's station ramp. This was achieved by cutting half an inch of foam board, peeling the backings off each side, and replacing it with Metcalfe brick sheeting. Then, a small amount of balsa was cut to the right thickness and length, glued onto the tops of the foamboard pieces and painted red. The walls were then fixed into position, and any white spaces in the brick sheeting painted over on the top.
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(Note that there was originally a piece of Dapol platform fencing in place at the 'South' end of the platform, but it broke off. Another piece of fencing will take it's place shortly.)
Meanwhile on the motive power front, the railway's first diesel engine makes it's appearance, in the shape of the Chiver's Ffestiniog 'Harlech Castle' style locomotive (kit courtesy of Stan Williams at the Rainhill 009 show last November). Incidentally this happens to be the first time ever, that I've put a white metal kit together! Powered by a Graham Farish J94 chassis added separately, the kit was put together with superglue (a slightly messy process, as some parts kept breaking off) and has recently been painted up in plain green, with red framework and yellow warning panels. The real Harlech Castle was designed for permanent way use, but I've decided that, on the count of having a good running motor, the loco I built would be most suitable for mixed traffic purposes. Trial runs have taken place, and apart from a few minor niggles, the loco runs smoothly. She will remain nameless for the time being, until I come up with one.
Here she is:
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Since the above pictures were taken, the paint on the framework was touched up, and small white plastic pieces added underneath to give a small degree of space between the rail heads and the frames.
More to follow, as progress unfolds. Comments welcomed as always.
10/02/2016
I finally got round to starting work on the scenics on Fablewood. One of the first tasks involved, was to smarten up the backboards with a roll of Premium Range photographic paper backscenes. My uncle had a roll of 'Hills & Dales' leftover, and was very kindly donated to the project. Whilst the forestry on the paper backscene may not be as quite as dense as I thought it would be, it does more or less look convincingly realistic.
The paper was glued onto the backboards with ordinary PVA glue, with crocodile clamps to pin down any errant pieces that didn't quite stick to the glue! For the purpose of adding the paper backscenes, the rear cuttings were temporarily removed. After the glue had dried, holes were cut out of the fiddle yard exits on either side.
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1676/24643942000_5c3ddb044d_c.jpg)
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Whilst this was going on, it was decided to turn one of the hills into a giant slate boulder:
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(Note: This was the first coat. The second will be applied shortly)
To branch out into another area of scenic work, the first trees on Fablewood appeared. (Excuse the bad tree joke!) These were made of Hornby Skaledale tree trunks, with Woodland Scenics foliage clusters glued onto the branches.
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Much more to do... Comments welcomed as always!
16/02/2016
Today saw stage one of the grass laying take place. This was achieved, with help from my dad, by spreading a thin layer of PVA glue, before adding 'forest floor' brown and a mixture of light and dark grass material. The hillsides were slightly tricky to do, but my dad and I somehow managed it. Also, following a suggestion, two 'footpaths' cutting from the platform and the bottom track were laid.
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When the PVA is dried out completely, small dashes of hairspray will be used to seal the grass material (taking care not to get it into any vital components of course!).
Stage two, the backscene area, will commence once I've got bush material around the cottages. Meantime, here's a selection of snaps showing the results of today's labours.
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More to follow, as progress unfolds. Comments welcomed as always.
It's coming along nicely, David.
Jeff S.
Quote from: Jeff Schumaker on February 17, 2016, 14:36
It's coming along nicely, David.
Jeff S.
Thank you Jeff! Still a bit more to do before it's next outing, but it's really starting to come alive. :)
Thanks again for commenting!
OK David, apologies for a little distraction, but can you give details of what the little orange car is please? (!) ie scale and make. I pretty sure it isn't an Oxford so I am assuming it might be one of those German 1/87 scale jobs. I do hope not as I am on the prowl myself for modern image 1/76 cars - plenty of 1950's to 70's around thanks to Oxford & Pocketbond Classix but very few modern cars it seems.
Mick
Whatever brand the car is it looks like an older Mercedes a-class to me. And it looks like diecast to e. Is it from Schuco?
Quote from: MickT on February 17, 2016, 17:24
OK David, apologies for a little distraction, but can you give details of what the little orange car is please? (!) ie scale and make. I pretty sure it isn't an Oxford so I am assuming it might be one of those German 1/87 scale jobs. I do hope not as I am on the prowl myself for modern image 1/76 cars - plenty of 1950's to 70's around thanks to Oxford & Pocketbond Classix but very few modern cars it seems.
Mick
Quote from: Gerhard Novak on February 17, 2016, 18:19
Whatever brand the car is it looks like an older Mercedes a-class to me. And it looks like diecast to e. Is it from Schuco?
Thanks for the comments gentlemen, regarding the car.
Not sure who made it though; I just came across it at random, whilst looking for some stuff to add to the layout. Seeing how it's 1/76 scale, it'll fit in nicely anyway!EDIT - Searching around elsewhere, confirms that it is a
Herpa Caramara model. Technically 1/72 scale, but I might be able to get away with it!
Hello, David here!
All is quiet with Fablewood at the moment; no further work has been done, but due to another exhibition appearance (which I'll explain in a tick), it is likely that things will be perking up again shortly. Watch out for an update coming soon...
Fablewood's next exhibition outing is on Saturday 22nd October 2016, at the Stephenson Model Railway Group's third annual exhibition being held near Rainhill, Merseyside. The show runs from 10:00 in the morning till 17:00 in the afternoon, and Fablewood is among nine layouts appearing, as well as a few traders and modelling demonstrations.
The venue is the Old Guide Hall located on the corner of Old Land and Stoney Lane near Rainhill; five minutes or so away from the village centre. Entry is
October 2016
Time for a rather overdue update with progress...
Since May 2016 when Fablewood was last out, yours truly has taken a break from working on it, while figuring out what needs to be done next. But with another recent exhibition appearance on the cards, a few minor things had to be put in order. We'll take a look at a few small examples.
First off, the field beside the cottages now boasts some grazing sheep and a gentleman out for a stroll along the footpath. However, there are one or two rebels in this flock; one is eating the flowers out of one of the cottage gardens...
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...and another is wandering up the road towards the level crossing, where the Peco fencing also received some attention, and one of the trees which had been knocked down, was glued back into position with more scatter laid down around it...
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The goods yard has also been seen to as well. The platform now boasts a Ratio goods crane (painted brown), and a few items have been added. A porter is moving milk churns over to the road loading area, and a few oil drums are awaiting collection. Meanwhile, the coal bunker now has a load of it's own; pink foam material cut to shape, painted black twice, and real crushed coal scattered over a layer of PVA glue. Not sure if I got the size of the coal pile correct, but I'll let you decide.
(https://c3.staticflickr.com/9/8659/30547749626_43718b92b0_c.jpg)
Five months back, I bolstered the steam fleet by taking delivery of a Peco 'Glyn Valley Tramway' style tram locomotive, which was purchased from the Society's sales department. She's currently running in the livery it came in (though some slight touching up had to be done), but a repaint may be on the cards in the not too distant future. Here she is, with a passenger service at Fablewood station.
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A few more passengers have been added to the station platforms, and a postman has turned up to do his usual near-daily collection of the local mail (passengers travelling on the trains and the cottage occupants often post letters/postcards into the letterbox outside the station, hence the post van coming out on an almost daily basis).
Fablewood enjoyed it's third and final exhibition outing for 2016, when it attended the Stephenson Model Railway Group's third annual one-day show, on Saturday 22nd October 2016. The layout performed very well, and was met with more positive comments from the public. Here are a few scenes taken during this exhibition appearance.
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So what's next, you might ask? One of the next tasks is to have some of the permanent way weathered (namely oil spillage and used ballast; if anyone has any tips on how to go about this task, feel free to speak up), and to fit some perspex in front of the layout. However, it won't be permanent; it would only be fitted for exhibition outings, and removed at home for photography purposes.
For now though, comments welcomed as always.
11th and 12th November 2016
On Friday 11th and Saturday 12th November 2016, Fablewood made a surprise public outing. Only it wasn't to an exhibition somewhere in the North West, but a very unlikely location... The store of Hatton's Model Railways! (The one relocated from it's old base at Smithdown Road in Liverpool, to the present base on Montague Road near Widnes)
The shop was marking it's 70th anniversary, and contacted me three days earlier to ask if I wouldn't mind bringing Fablewood down, to form a small display as part of the festivities. Well, this was one offer too good to refuse, and I was only too happy to oblige (not to mention being honoured to help mark a very special milestone for the former Liverpool-based business)!
Fablewood performed very well as usual, and shop customers showed great interest and left very kind comments. Below, is a selection of pictures taken over the two days of operation...
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Yours truly, in his element!
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A great few days out, and as mentioned earlier, it was a real honour to be part of a very special occasion for Hatton's.
Comments welcomed as always.
Looking good - and excellent to be invited to exhibit at Hattons. It will look even better when the ballast is toned down a bit.
David.
Quote from: clayliner on November 14, 2016, 19:15
Looking good - and excellent to be invited to exhibit at Hattons. It will look even better when the ballast is toned down a bit.
David.
Thank you clayliner!
March 2017
Time for an update, after four well deserved months off!
During a recent visit to Model Rail Scotland 2017, a Minitrains Bagnall 'Wingtank' 0-4-0 in black livery was acquired. A sweet little runner indeed, and worth the investment! Also, a trio of the recently released Peco 'FR style' slate wagons were also picked up, which means Fablewood can really now take on the Welsh narrow gauge theme it is intended to represent.
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2833/33067316391_7f1b09fa09_c.jpg)
On the vehicle front, an Oxford Diecast 1950's Massey Ferguson tractor was also purchased. Although there is no room for a farm on Fablewood, a little artistic licence comes into play here. Though the preserved railway doesn't carry freight on a large scale anymore, perhaps a local farmer has requested his new acquisition to be delivered by rail, or maybe the tractor has already been delivered and is awaiting collection? Who knows?
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3827/32379851083_c988a05bc5_c.jpg)
Another addition to the motive power front, is another Chris Ward 3D printed 'Fairlie'. Running on a Kato 106 chassis, this locomotive has already been in my possession for a year now, but I never got round to doing it up until now. She is turned out in scarlet red with cream lining, and is going for a 'James Spooner' style look (no cab roof!). There is still a few outstanding bits of work to be done (namely handrails and painting up), but it already looks the part, especially paired up with the Peco slate wagons!
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2898/32350121154_99b6821614_c.jpg)
Fablewood's first exhibition outing for 2017 will be in April, when it is booked to appear at the Southport MRC's one-day show on 29th April. More details to follow, as and when they are confirmed.
More progress to follow, as it unfolds. Comments welcomed as usual.
David,
We will have to advertise the one day show in Southport, because both Roger and myself will have a layout each at the event.
Llanrug, South West Lancs Light Rly.
Stan.
Quote from: Stan Williams on March 02, 2017, 13:57
David,
We will have to advertise the one day show in Southport, because both Roger and myself will have a layout each at the event.
Llanrug, South West Lancs Light Rly.
Stan.
Aah, what a coincidence! :D
In that case then, if you would care to the honours when the time comes, that'll be good.