Just getting started - unnamed as yet

[David Thompson]

I am just getting going with an 009 layout that I inherited (saved from skip) having decided I need to run some trains rather than spending all my time planning. I did help build an 009 layout for a club I belonged to so I have a little experience.

I inherited two baseboards with track already laid but nothing else. I have fitted legs to boards and wired the track for DCC although I can run one loco on DC if I need to for track testing etc. I have fitted servos to the turnouts, operated via the MERG EzyBus system. The track is all Peco 009 and I had a big problem in making sure the points work electrically. I cut the switch blades away from the frog and installed jumpers to link the blades to the adjacent stock rail. The frog is polarised via a micro switch on the servo mount. This all works now and after a bit of track fettling I have a runner.

However, I cannot decide on an environment or a story to fit that environment so I'd appreciate any suggestions. I did start a design and I've attached a copy - feel free to comment as you think fit :)  I'm definitely not married to the idea of the dock though as this would take some major surgery on the baseboards.

[Graeme Dunbar]

It looks like a good flying start to get you going!

Could the river be a canal or does existing scenery/'earthworks' prevent this?

Also, are you wedded to the idea of an engine shed/loco works or could it be some sort of industry?

The first thing that sprung to mind when I saw the forest area was sawmill, but in some alternate reality present day setting along the same forestry theme it could be forest bark, wood chippings, pellets and so on - or some other industry entirely. There could be some sort of trans-shipment via the canal. I understand there have been attempts to bring back canal transport. If the setting is historical perhaps there is more justification.

The imagined backstory could depend on what plans you have for the layout. If you have a lot of locos and it is for home use only the engine sheds make a lot of sense. If you plan to exhibit then having an industry provides opportunity for another train movement and a possible overall narrative for the layout

[clayliner]

To me it also has the makings of a modern-day preserved line which would give scope for running a range of stock from various sources. You might need an extra engine shed road, though, if you have an extensive collection of preserved locos! (and maybe some extra covered accommodation for carriages).

David.

[David Thompson]

It looks like a good flying start to get you going!

Could the river be a canal or does existing scenery/'earthworks' prevent this?

Also, are you wedded to the idea of an engine shed/loco works or could it be some sort of industry?

The first thing that sprung to mind when I saw the forest area was sawmill, but in some alternate reality present day setting along the same forestry theme it could be forest bark, wood chippings, pellets and so on - or some other industry entirely. There could be some sort of trans-shipment via the canal. I understand there have been attempts to bring back canal transport. If the setting is historical perhaps there is more justification.

The imagined backstory could depend on what plans you have for the layout. If you have a lot of locos and it is for home use only the engine sheds make a lot of sense. If you plan to exhibit then having an industry provides opportunity for another train movement and a possible overall narrative for the layout

Thank you for the ideas. The river could easily be a canal either working or leisure craft. I had though of some kind of industry and a saw mill was one of the thoughts. Right now I have one working loco and a couple of projects so not exactly in need of storage for them :)

All good input , thanks

[Graeme Dunbar]

If the modern image or preservation line idea takes your fancy perhaps an industrial heritage theme might suit, combining railways and industry. Not all are purely museum tourist attractions. Some integrate working industry, especially traditional crafts and manufacturing, with visitor attractions. It also opens up the possibility of period costume in modern times and possibly being able to run the layout in multiple eras.

[David Thompson]

Thanks again, I think I've got an idea going now - the saw mill and canal at one end and a small townscape at the other, station in between. I'm working on various dimensions now - road widths, building sizes etc.

I'll post the result soon- if it works!

David

[Peter Boulter]

... Right now I have one working loco and a couple of projects so not exactly in need of storage for them :)

All good input , thanks

You might think that now, but as anyone here will tell you, 009  locomotives breed like rabbits!

[Hugh Norwood]

You might think that now, but as anyone here will tell you, 009  locomotives breed like rabbits!

That is so true!

[David Thompson]

I have adopted the idea of a sawmill on the right hand side of the layout and I believe I have found a suitable prototype to use. The Ashford Bobbin Mill in Derbyshire which is set in front of a high hilly woodland of ash trees, I have discovered a few photos and maps of the area, my problem now is scaling the buildings. I do know the size of the main wheels (12' & 13') so I can get some dimensions but not all. If anyone knows of a resource that might have data I'd be grateful.

I may also have thought of a name for this now "Endean" - I'm sure you can figure out why ;)

[clayliner]

I like those buildings as prototypes - or at least as inspiration. Personally I wouldn't worry about dimensions too much unless you really want to make a faithful copy of the originals. It may be more important to create buildings which fit your space / layout, both size-wise and visually. I'd try some mock-ups from cereal box cardboard and just see what works and looks right.

David.

[David Thompson]

I like those buildings as prototypes - or at least as inspiration. Personally I wouldn't worry about dimensions too much unless you really want to make a faithful copy of the originals. It may be more important to create buildings which fit your space / layout, both size-wise and visually. I'd try some mock-ups from cereal box cardboard and just see what works and looks right.

David.

I was planning on doing the mock-ups but I'd like to start with some realistic dimensions just to see what it looks like. I'll probably add another small industry (agricultural machinery?) as I have the sidings already in place

[Ian McAulay]

Beautifully atmospheric buildings.

A good clue for roughly scaling buildings is door height. If you assume that the door on the further away building is 2m/6'6" high, that gives an eaves height of about 5m/16'.

I had a look on Google Earth to see if the aerial photography would show the plan of the buildings, but they are lost in the trees. I did slightly better with Bing maps, which has different aerial photography. You can make out the two buildings, but not terribly clearly. However, you should be able to scale to the nearest metre or so.

Hope that helps.

Ian

[David Thompson]

Beautifully atmospheric buildings.

A good clue for roughly scaling buildings is door height. If you assume that the door on the further away building is 2m/6'6" high, that gives an eaves height of about 5m/16'.

I had a look on Google Earth to see if the aerial photography would show the plan of the buildings, but they are lost in the trees. I did slightly better with Bing maps, which has different aerial photography. You can make out the two buildings, but not terribly clearly. However, you should be able to scale to the nearest metre or so.

Hope that helps.

Ian

That and the wheel sizes should be a good starting point, thank you. I'll look on Bing as well, I did try with Google Earth as well but it almost looks like they have been demolished which, given they are listed, would be a surprise.

Very hard to position the leats though.

[David Thompson]

PROGRESS!

I found some more photos and I now believe the West building to be 23' x 15' 4", eaves height about 13" 6" and the peak of the roof at 16' 6".

That's enough to make a couple of mock ups and place them on the baseboard for testing.

[Graeme Dunbar]

I like the idea of a water mill!   :)  :)

There is is working mill not to far from here, but it is a woolmill (Knockando) and is overshot not undershot as your one is.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC11pkEzbmjxR3uWIwUV7_EQ