Dargan

Discussion in 'Members Personal Layouts' started by Davoetype, Oct 24, 2017.

  1. Davoetype

    Davoetype Full Member

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    Hi Folks

    Progress Update #4

    Amazing what you can achieve when you are having fun. Certainly time to get on with the scenery so away I went.

    Much cooler in the Shed than Sydney's unusually early Summer but of course, everyone says it is normal and that I just did not remember last year. I sure did remember last year and do not recall 43 degrees C this early in December. The upside of course is that you do not have to wait long for plaster based products to dry. So here is the first major division between the old and new extension which represent the portals of the spiro tunnels separating the High level Dargan and lower level Hartleys.

    I use octagonal aviary wire for the structure of my scenery as it very pliable and easy to mould to requirements. You need to use a large number of supports of different heights but this is not a problem when you have access to a band saw two metres away.

    Note the first infill to the base board as I no longer need that area for access. i have also provided some basic station amenities for the long suffering locals who up until now have had to wait in the weather. I will discuss the various station buildings adopted by the NSWGR in later post as they appear in Dargan and other related stations on the layout.

    The patrons also do not need to risk their lives crossing the tracks as the authorities have decided in their wisdom to provide over bridge pedestrian access.

    (In truth I have had this pedestrian bridge waiting in the wings for a good while. Constructing the staircases was a nightmare)

    [​IMG][​IMG]

    I cover the aviary wire with coarse brown paper (comes in 250 mm wide rolls), mist spray then paint with two coats of ballast strength PVA. I then paint with three coats of BASE 45. I have long given up using straight plaster products as you do not get time to create before things get too hard to work or adjust.

    [​IMG]

    The rise over the Spiro tunnel portals shows the result after application of the BASE 45 whereas the front section is what it looks like before.

    I still get to run trains around the layout and already I am seeing a glimmer of what it could look like with seven or eight trains running concurrently.

    As to how I can keep control those trains, even at yard speed settings on my NCE is another matter entirely.

    Cheers

    and happy modelling.

    Richard

     
    Last edited: Jun 5, 2018
  2. Gary

    Gary Wants more time for modelling.... Staff Member Administrator

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    ...and the Blue Mountains grow ! Looking good Richard. :thumbs::thumbs::thumbs:

    I used to use the el-cheapo chux clothe dipped in a thin plaster solution and apply over styrofoam for a base. To create rock surfaces, I would paint on a thicker mix of plaster and when 3/4 set, carve strata into the face. Where I wanted rock out crops, I would build up some heavier plaster and carve into shape, followed by a scrapping with a wire brush and a kitchen knife.

    Here is an example of my work on my son's old layout 'Jacks Corner'...

    [​IMG]

    Cheers, Gary.
     
  3. Davoetype

    Davoetype Full Member

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    I use the styrofoam for smaller and lower areas like the perimeter of the extension but find it hopeless to mould (and messy) for bigger areas where I use the wire method. The beauty of BASE 45 is that you can play with it and mould like plaster but you have those 45 minutes to work it. After the 45 minutes, bang, it is rock hard and can be sanded and sealed.

    Cheers

    Richard
     
  4. Davoetype

    Davoetype Full Member

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    Big mistake on the last progress update....forgot to mention that lovely wife had completed and installed the black skirt around the extension to match the existing. Easily the most impressive and professional part of the extension so far.

    [​IMG]

    Thanks a million darl.

    (I think I am forgiven?)

    Cheers

    and happy modelling

    Richard
     
  5. Gary

    Gary Wants more time for modelling.... Staff Member Administrator

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    Did you promise Mrs Etype a new kitchen for Christmas...?? :avatar::avatar:

    The curtain look great. :thumbs::thumbs:

    Cheers, Gary.
     
  6. Davoetype

    Davoetype Full Member

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    I think I am doing all of the cooking for the Christmas feast.

    cheers

    Richard
     
  7. Gary

    Gary Wants more time for modelling.... Staff Member Administrator

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    That's a pretty good compromise in my opinion. :thumbs:

    Cheers, Gary.
     
  8. Davoetype

    Davoetype Full Member

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    Hi Folks

    Progress Update #5

    A bit more progress as there is every reason to stay in the shed. In Sydney it is either 40 degrees C or 20 degrees and raining. The garden is in reasonable shape so some enjoyable modelling in the shed is far more attractive.

    I have completed the base coat 45 application to the first of the scenery, notably the area of the layout where new meets old. This is a great product which sets (in 45 minutes) and can then be painted, sanded or whatever. Certainly speeds up the process compared to straight plaster.

    To accommodate the new extension I had to demolish the small foothill adjoining the Glen Davis mine and this has now been replaced with the base of the mountain. The car park also incorporates a level crossing which is fitted with flashing lights. A set of operating boom gates is on order to complete that segment as well as a sound card for the warning bells. The portal to the right is the return access from the Dargan extension.

    [​IMG]

    While I could have made one large mountain scene between the existing and new components, I recently visited the old disused station at Helensburg South of Sydney. This was on the original single line track and has long been superced by the existing twin track main line, The old station sits between two tunnels andthe location is quite picturesque so I incorporated my version which provides a glimpse of daylight for the passengers between hte two large spiro tunnels. The spot is of course referred to as "The Gap"

    [​IMG]

    Here is c closer view

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    This view shows the scenery between the two parts of the layout.

    [​IMG]

    And this is the other side.

    [​IMG]

    Installation of static grass is well under way although there is still a lot to do. Then I will turn my attention to trees.

    Somehow I do not think that the forthcoming festivities will allow much scope to retire to the shed so therefore I will just sit back and enjoy things with our still growing family.

    Merry Christmas to all and a safe and happy new Year

    Cheers
    and happy modelling

    Richard

     
    Last edited: Jun 5, 2018
  9. SMR CHRIS

    SMR CHRIS Staff Member Moderator

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    Progressing at a pace there Richard and it's looking good.
    You could also say it's part of the Tunnels climbing the mountains as there are some short gaps between some of those :thumbs:
    The tunnel works well in that area as a scenic break

    Like the 421 as well you have to love a Streamliner, Auscision?? I've got a colourful candy one #42106. Picked up at a bargain price as it didn't run, it was only missing the dummy 21 bridge plug DCC decoder fitted and it's a perfect runner.:thumbup:
     
  10. Davoetype

    Davoetype Full Member

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    Hi Chris

    Yes it is an Auscision (421060 and I also have 42101. As class leader, 42101 is not weathered nor are any of my other class leaders. They work reasonably well together as a consist but I still get that occasional (Dark Art!!) dcc consist problem when the locos decide not to like each other. Lost the decoder in 42106 a few weeks ago when apparently a minor component fried itself for no logical reason?

    To improve consisting I am presently looking at the speed matching device I see on Youtube which is a USA item. Looks to be a very good solution but how to get hold of it s a different matter. I will post a news item if I can get hold of it and if it works as well as it seems to.

    Cheers

    Richard
     
  11. Davoetype

    Davoetype Full Member

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    The measurement device is Accutrack by Model Railroad Technologies so if anyone knows where I can source this unit (other than USA with its horrendous postage costs) that would be appreciated. In the meantime I will get on with static grassing....or is that stati grazing?

    Cheers

    and happy modelling

    Richard
     
  12. Davoetype

    Davoetype Full Member

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    Great!

    I have sourced the Accutek and at a reasonable delivery cost to OZ. Really looking forward to this as it will allow me to DCC speed match every locomotive in the fleet rather than just those of identical manufacture and decoder.

    I will follow this through as a separate topic.

    Cheers

    and happy modelling

    Richard
     
  13. Vinylelpea

    Vinylelpea Full Member

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    Fantastic looking layout. Just finished reading this whole post. One thing we have in common, is the fact I am currently living on the Mornington Peninsula. The Stony point line is the branch line that I am going to loosely base my layout on.
     
  14. Davoetype

    Davoetype Full Member

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    Being an ex Melburnian (Frankston) , I am very familiar with the Stony Point line.

    Wow, what a wonderful opportunity you have to model a very expansive and quite historical era of the Victorian railways including a range of rail motors, streamliners, K class steamer heritage runs and so forth.You can also include the heavy freighters serving the steel works from Hastings.

    Even though I am committed to NSWGR, I have to admit that there is nothing more appealing than a beautiful blue and gold B Class streamliner (Sir Harold Clapp as a preference) rolling gently through the vales of the Peninsula.

    Best of enjoyment as you develop your layout and I look forward to your further posts with very much interest and appreciation.

    Cheers

    and happy modelling

    Richard
     
  15. Davoetype

    Davoetype Full Member

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    The engine room

    Since our tribe have decided to make their own ways in life, we have been able to convert bedroom # 2 into a guest room for our interstate visitors (note Interstate Not local inebriates)
    bedroom # 3 into Lovely Wife's sewing and art room and bedroom # 4 into my indoor retreat. Lets face it, the shed can be a bit cold in winter and certainly a bit hot in summer. With electricity cost rising so rapidly in NSW, air conditioning of the shed is not an option.

    So here is what the engine room looks like:

    [​IMG]

    Note the PFM 1 on the PC screen.

    Over the years, I have made a variety of structures that took my fancy, both in kit form and scratch built. The hope was that one day I would be able to create a layout that could accommodate most if not all of them. Dargan is that solution.

    We are looking at a place where old and much smaller dwellings were the norm such as the coal mining towns of Maitland and Cessnock in the Hunter Valley north of Sydney. Small 20 foot frontages were the norm as were terrace dwellings closer to the town centre. This is a closer view of what I have on the go at the moment. The terraces look pristine but will be weathered down to show failure of cement rendering (acknowledgement to Kathy Millatt) and therefore fit the bill.

    [​IMG]

    So the real issue with Dargan is not the placement of structure but the actual layout and civil design. Still love my buildings and here is a closer view

    [​IMG]

    I love the "extra pair of hands" modelling assist both for structures and even holding things in place for soldering. An easy assist for bushes on the side of tunnel portals until the glue dries. Cheap as chips also,

    The era of Dargan is conducive to the inclusion of many historical buildings. I like that.

    Cheers

    and happy modelling

    Richard

    PS I just noted the inclusion of a glass of fairly acceptable red on my desk. Oh well, such is life!

     
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  16. Toto

    Toto I'm best ignored Staff Member Founder Administrator

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    great thread ...... keep it coming. ehhh ..... that includes the red wine . :avatar::thumbs:
     
  17. Davoetype

    Davoetype Full Member

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    Thanks Toto

    You can count on the red wine supply chain being a continuing feature.

    Cheers

    and happy modelling

    Richard
     
  18. Gary

    Gary Wants more time for modelling.... Staff Member Administrator

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    Great spot for modelling Richard. You certainly have a lot on the go at the moment on that desk... :thumbs::thumbs::thumbs:

    Do I spot an 80 Class, 3 x K wagons (with barrels) and a NGAX bogie grain wagon ?? ;)

    Cheers, Gary.
     
  19. Davoetype

    Davoetype Full Member

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    Yes Gary. Right on all things other than the loce which is a 44 suffering from the horrible split gear syndrome. Would love to be able to fix them. Yes right on the rest. Just need a bit more weathering on the Ks. The NGAX is one of those weathering projects that needs a bit of attention but I am sure I will get it right at some stage. They are a great model.

    The terraces are going to look a good part of the era on the layout but I am still experimenting with the final colours. Have had three shots already and still not right. Thats OK as eventually I will get the sanction of Lovely Wife on their appearance instead of "its not quite right dear" or "is it a bit too dark?". Better to have an in house evaluator than get it wrong?

    Hopefully the weather in Sydney will get below 40 so the shed can become a little more appealing. In these temperatures, taking the old E out for a run is not an option.

    Cheers

    and happy modelling

    Richard
     
  20. Davoetype

    Davoetype Full Member

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    Hi Folks

    Progress Update #6

    Well I have managed to achieve a bit more progress so now the foothill slope down into Dargan has been completed and static grass installation well under way.

    [​IMG]

    Yes the white guide post do have silver and red reflectors installed.

    [​IMG]

    This is the mountain road access into Dargan and is not really recommended for the faint hearted. The bridge is strong enough but care needs to be taken by the inexperienced driver when turning off the bridge onto the unsealed road.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    Some more shrubbery has been added to the North West portal.

    [​IMG]

    The main road access into Dargan, however, has been completed and while flashing lights have been installed, we still await the arrival of the boom gates and warning bells sound card.

    [​IMG]

    Next steps should see the expansion of station and commercial facilities at the new sidings. The local farmers have long awaited the ability to move livestock via rail and cannot get this service soon enough. I will try my best to meet their requirements.

    Cheers for now
    and happy modelling

    Richard
     
    Last edited: Aug 1, 2018
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