Dargan

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

  1. Davoetype

    Davoetype Full Member

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    Hi Tony

    At last it has been identified!

    The impact of too much red wine is precisely what he is supposed to represent.

    Cheers

    and happy modelling

    Richard
     
  2. Gary

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

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    jakesdad13 wrote:
    To be honest Pete, I have not chopped anything as thick or a solid as wooden stirrers, but I'll have a go, as for cutting square, no worries there.......

    Intermission...

    OK, back from chopping !

    I gave a wooden stirrer or more so, a paddle pop stick (as we call them down under) a chop. The chopper found the timber used in these sticks a little tough and I had to force quite firmly on the handle. Balsa wood of the same thickness and thicker (up to 5mm) chops quite easily. For you Pete, perhaps a cheap 'dremel' set up like a circular saw may be a better option...

    Cheers, Gary.
     
  3. jakesdad13

    jakesdad13 Staff Member Moderator

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    Gary wrote:
    Thanks Gary, I thought it may be a chop too far.

    Pete.
     
  4. Davoetype

    Davoetype Full Member

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    Completion of Dargan station

    Hi Folks

    Progress Update # 8

    Well it has been a little while coming but completion has been achieved. Seems like you think it is ready and then "well I think we should put in a few trees" or "a bit quiet without actual people anywhere" but finally" no, we must have the lighting fully operational". And of course, the need for signage both for Dargan and the existing stations at Little Hartley, Hartley Grange and the (almost there) station at Glen Davis

    So here is the signage for the main industrial station at Hartley Grange. It has also been graced with a new pedestrian overbridge to avoid the need for passengers to run across the tracks.

    [​IMG]

    The rail motor stop at Little Hartley also has a proper name board.

    [​IMG]

    The rail motor stop serving the coal mine at Glen Davis is scheduled for construction just as soon as my balsa wood stripper and chopper arrives. But when it does we have the signs ready to roll.

    [​IMG]

    Now to the completion Dargan.

    Here 3294 has just arrived at Dargan with a full consist of BOB cars. This loco is probably my favorite even including the Garratts. It runs beautifully (after some fine tuning) pulls well and has a wonderful sound. BOB cars were a permanently coupled set of eight carriages and used in the main for specific events such as Scout Jamborees, troop movements and similar irregular requirements. Here 3294 will proceed west to the Scout Jamboree being held at Bathurst.


    [​IMG]

    This shows the central section of the station with the first of my trees. I use the wound wire methodology covered elsewhere in PFM1.

    [​IMG]

    This is the main station structure and because of the pressure from local dignitaries, was granted A6 design status and constructed of masonry rather than timber cladding. Taxis are ready for duty (1958 FC Holdens).

    [​IMG]

    The station Master's residence reflects the importance of this posting with remuneration sufficient to acquire the new Ford Falcon station wagon seen to the rear of the residence.

    [​IMG]

    This is a closer view of that area.

    [​IMG]

    Well thats it for now folks. Still a long way to go on developing the town precinct but I have one or two structures already in the bag but need to firm up the street layout. Next job however will be to complete the rail motor stop at Glen Davis by which time I hope that my long awaited boom gates will have arrived.

    Cheers

    and happy modelling

    Richard
     
    Last edited: Aug 1, 2018
    pc163 likes this.
  5. Vinylelpea

    Vinylelpea Full Member

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    Well done. You've really captured the Australian landscape.

    Phil 🤓
     
  6. ianvolvo46

    ianvolvo46 Staff Member Moderator

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    :tophat::tophat::tophat:

    Ian vt
     
  7. gormo

    gormo Staff Member Administrator

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    G`day Richard,

    That is looking beautiful and you have a history to go with it all, giving it context.

    The signs have come up a treat and really suit the scene.

    It`s nice to see an Australian layout for a change with some greenery in it. This land is not totally dry and devoid of foliage.......we do have our green belts, which is what some modellers seem to avoid.

    I think it looks great.!!!!........:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

    http://www.click:tophat:Gormo
     
  8. Davoetype

    Davoetype Full Member

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    Thanks Guys and once again to Gormo for the know how on the signage. Agree we must really try to put more trees into our Australiana and although Eucalypts are a bit difficult to get the tonings right, once you have it they are relatively easy. I certainly have a huge scope for trees with the barren hills of Dargan yet to be covered.

    Cheers

    and happy modelling

    Richard
     
  9. class48nswfan

    class48nswfan Full Member

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    Great work. I sourced some gum trees from E-bay last year. Really pleased with them.Dave
     
  10. Davoetype

    Davoetype Full Member

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    Thanks Dave
    Have you tried modelling them yourself? Go to Scenics,Modelling trees and you will see how easy it can be to get good results. Just some surplus electrical cable, a bit of twisting,well a lot actually and then cover the structure with No more gaps. Paint the right colour and then a bit of Woodland scenics foliage held with hair spray. The foliage is light green and then you sprinkle it with fine summer grass to give it that gum tree look. Hope you try it as it is fun and a whole lot cheaper than buying them.

    Cheers

    And happy modelling
    Richard
     
  11. paul_l

    paul_l Staff Member Administrator

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    Hi Richard, good progress keep em coming
     
  12. Davoetype

    Davoetype Full Member

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    Hi Folks

    Quite a bit of progress since my last update but I will keep this one brief while I grapple with my first use of the gallery under the new site. Level crossings have now been completed and with the boom gates installed, it is now safe for the local population to travel around Dargan and environs.

    There are three level crossings on the layout and all have now been fitted with boom gates and flashing warning lights. The control units for the warning lights have been installed and are operational. Next to arrive should be the sound card and mini speakers so we get the warning bells. Later the boom gates will be fitted with tortoise motors. Operating rods have already been installed to the boom gates. Last but not least will be the train motion detectors to activate the whole system. Here is what the first installation looks like:

    [

    Also now I know how to put text after the pic! (just saved this edit 18/03)
     
    Last edited: Mar 18, 2018
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  13. Davoetype

    Davoetype Full Member

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    Now I am sure I only hit the button once but there are three images? Also I could not continue writing anything after the photo was inserted so the end should be.

    Cheers for now folks

    and happy modelling

    Richard
     
  14. Sol

    Sol Full Member

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    Couldn't you edit your post Richard?
     
  15. Davoetype

    Davoetype Full Member

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    Did't know it was possible. Another benefit of the new website. Now down to one photo. The only remaining question is why is the photo so much smaller than my earlier posts?
     
  16. Gary

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

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    The crossing gates look good. :thumbs::thumbs::thumbs:

    Who manufactures these gates ?? Last year when I caught up with Anton (Anton's Trains), he had a set of NSW crossing gates on show which were operated by servos.

    As for editing posts, at the bottom of the post is an Edit button, click this and it will take you back so that the post can be edited.

    Cheers, Gary.
     
  17. Toto

    Toto I'm best ignored Staff Member Founder Administrator

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    The gates look great. Having them operate via train detection will be a nice touch as well. Good to see you have mastered the gallery. You'll get the hang of the edit function with use as well.
    Feel free to play away with it Richard as if there are any mistakes made, we can fix them and set the post right again and I am more than happy to be doing it. Just a bit practice and familiarisation.

    I'd be interested in seeing how the automation of these gates comes together so keep us posted.

    Cheers for now

    Toto
     
  18. Davoetype

    Davoetype Full Member

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    Thanks Toto and Gary. The new edit function is great as when I made a mistake on the old site, well, you just swallowed your pride and left it there but now each member can edit out errors....great! and if they cannot, then Toto, and others will come to the rescue. Can you help me on the photo size? Have I again made a grievous error during the resizing process? It was my first post on the new site and it is not widescreen as were all previous. Yet other members seem to have good wide photos.

    You may well gather that I have a major post to share with our members and I do not want it to be deficient with a crummy photo size.

    Gary, the gates are made by a very small business in Tasmania, "Hand Made Accessories" They have just released the boom gates and in recognition of those customers who had already acquired the flashing signs (like me) they released the boom gates as either a stand alone pair or integrated with the flashing signals.They also make and supply the actuators and mini track detectors. All my signals are from that manufacturer, home, distant, etc. I get them via MRRC, Blacktown as they sell at the advertised price from the manufacturer so why pay postage from the manufacturer? They also carry the full range after my insistent badgering so Gary said to Maria just shut him up and carry the full range.

    The warning bells are from Gwydir Valley who supply this and many other sound cards.
     
    Last edited: Mar 18, 2018
  19. Davoetype

    Davoetype Full Member

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    Hi Folks

    Well now that I think I have come to grips with most of the functions of the new site, It is time I bought you up to date with progress on Dargan. There has been plenty of opportunity with the continuing warm to hot weather in Sydney conducive to a nice cool study and some modelling. One fairly substantial aspect of Dargan that I feel I should cover in more detail before moving on with new elements of scenery, etc, is that the layout was always intended to be fully lit for nigh time running sessions. To achieve this objective, I have installed a dedicated 15 amp transformer which provides more than adequate power for three circuits. The first is allocated to general lighting, the second to railway operations including signalling and station lighting with the third used for fun bits like simulated welding machines in workshops, fire station alarm light, etc.

    Wherever possible I use LEDs as these are quite cheap, come in various colours and are easy to install in most cases. I do not use proprietary lighting kits even if they are available for laser cut kits as they are just too expensive. My DIY ones fit the bill but more importantly can be tailored to suit each specific building. A good example is my Mungo Scott flour mill. How do you go about providing realistic lighting to a tall skinny and hollow structure?

    This is what the challenge looks like off the layout:

    IMG_0197.jpg

    Unless I want to display the internal aspects of a particular building, all glazing is frosted. White lighting for industrial buildings then provides that dusty I need my windows cleaned look wheras for domestic dwellings, I use shades of yellow leds and the frosted glazing then gives the impression of incandescent lighting through net curtains.

    For the flour mill tower, I constructed an internal support unit, measured the window locations, checked the locations again before drilling holes for the leds, checked the locations again as red wine had been consumed, then installed and wired the LEDs. Note that I keep these modules in halves so the finished article can be unscrewed for maintenance purposes. Here is what it looks like:

    IMG_0198 (2).jpg



    And when completed next to the machine tower:

    IMG_0199.jpg


    Now installed back on the layout and note that I use RCA plugs for easy removel:

    IMG_0253.jpg

    Now all together and it works!

    IMG_0256.jpg

    This is a general view of the flour mill area at night. The covered loading area has been put back in place.

    IMG_0258.jpg

    Now back to some central issues. Dargan is in the Blue Mountains and is in desperate need of some more trees.

    Cheers for now

    and happy modelling

    Richard

     
    Last edited: Apr 1, 2018
    class48nswfan and jakesdad13 like this.
  20. jakesdad13

    jakesdad13 Staff Member Moderator

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    I like that solution Richard, I will pinch it for future reference mate!

    Pete.
     

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