Auction Antics O scale plank project

The site inspector Moto on the job.

7mm NSW plank layout revamp by CHRIS, on Flickr

The point cut in two
I needed to isolate the frog so it can be switched luckily I was able to slide the rails back, remove the joiners and fit insulating joiners as an aside the joiners use by the orignal builder were
For code 143 rail not 124 that use the standard Peco code 100 joiners and to take up the space they had been poorly drilled with solder lucky as it hadn't taken to the rail and the rails just slid out with a light tap

Track and Wiring works for DCC by CHRIS, on Flickr

I then drilled holes for droppers and installed

Track and Wiring works for DCC by CHRIS, on Flickr

All soldered up, also fixed up the other rail joiners with a bit of flux the solder flowed into the joiner to make a good join now

I soldered the the joiners on the back so as would not be visible from the viewing side
Track and Wiring works for DCC by CHRIS, on Flickr

 

Lighting up the plank
Tonight job was to fit lights to the old house on the plank
I used a lenght of strip LED cut 2x 3 LED segments attached some wires and placed some holes in the board to gain access to the building from the under side.

I then used a faucner Bit I think it's called to sink a hole 1/2 depth on the frame then drilled a 6.25mm hole in the centre to accept a mini switch to activate the lights.
Lights on, on the NSWGR plank by CHRIS, on Flickr

Lights on in the main part one the fibro Lean to on the rear
Lights on, on the NSWGR plank by CHRIS, on Flickr

Lights on, on the NSWGR plank by CHRIS, on Flickr

Whilst the lights were dimmed I got a photo of 5235 with its cab light, gauge glass light , plus ash pan and fire box flicker Lighting.

Lights on, on the NSWGR plank by CHRIS, on Flickr

Just having a bit of fun with this got some timber today to make some telegraph poles thinking of putting lights on the poles as well powered by the wires as well

 

Started with some little scenes on the plank
Young bloke in the the old Holden going too quick or was he just looking at the train, fails to take the turn and has bumped the farmers fence.

Also started painting all sides of the rail and today.

Attached files

 

Painting the point rails
I have painted and rusted up the Check rails and the parts of the crossing V that the wheels don't touch.

Attached files

 

Hi Gary, I used The model master acrylics to paint the rails
Then about 20 minuts later went over with the Mig rust wash.
No carefull brushing just random that way there is no even coverage then used a block of wood with a cork pad that I made up soaked with isopropanol alcohol to clean the rail tops of any paint. Have to be carful around the point now not to wipe over the check rails or you undo all the work.

This has take the time I should have been using for the OO Compertition plank

 

What a Difference a bit of Black paint makes

With the sun out it was out into the yard with the plank a paint roller and some black paint.
1/2 an hour later the plank looks so much better with all the raw timber and craft wood painted as base mat black.

Seems to make the scenic's look more finished even though they haven't changed, I think the black paint creates a boundary for the Eye. may be an artist can explain that guess it's like a frame for a picture.

Attached files

 

No Gary decided against it, will save the point for the next layout as the plank is going on evil bay soon had a bit of fun with it time to send it on its way for some one to play with
Will have to post up some more photos of it finished with the static grass in places and the over grown track near the house.