GP7 Plank

Discussion in 'Competition No 2 Townstreet' started by GP7, Jul 26, 2016.

  1. GP7

    GP7 Full Member

    Messages:
    16
    Likes Received:
    0
    Joined:
    Jul 25, 2016
    OK, My hat's in the rink. It could be EM, transition, branch-line terminus, post nationalization and Pre-Beeching (that was 1963, many branch-lines had gone before then, as had most steam engines). Many branch-line termini were crowded affairs, given the perilous state of many founding railway companies and their lack of financing, which normally resulted in a tight location outside of the town.

    Then again it could be OO, depends on what's in the boxes.

    I read the rules, I have some questions, which I'll post elsewhere.

    GP7
     
  2. Toto

    Toto I'm best ignored Staff Member Founder Administrator

    Messages:
    15,419
    Likes Received:
    3,842
    Joined:
    Dec 5, 2017
    Great stuff.

    The competition is growing. :avatar:

    Look forward to the questions. They are quite a tricky bunch of chancers on here with their " interpretation " of the rules.:avatar:
     
  3. paul_l

    paul_l Staff Member Administrator

    Messages:
    9,848
    Likes Received:
    5,902
    Joined:
    Dec 5, 2015
    Didn't take long to get him, another bites the dust :avatar:, Toto didn't even have to put a worm on the hook :thumbup:

    Paul
     
  4. GP7

    GP7 Full Member

    Messages:
    16
    Likes Received:
    0
    Joined:
    Jul 25, 2016
    Enough of the chit-chat, on with the build.

    My usual method for building modules. 12mm baltic birch ply for the frame sides, ends and braces, butt-jointed and blocked, 9mm Baltic birch ply for the top, screwed on. I cut the pieces and glued up the frame using bar clamps at the local community center woodworking shop (commercial equipment and a master carpenter to answer any questions), and put the tops on at home with SS screws. I aim for ±1/32" accuracy on the dimensions. I'm trying Brossard John's (YMRC) dowel reinforcements, although I'm not yet convinced they add anything to the structural integrity. Looks nicer than screws though.

    While I was at it I made two 3' x 1' modules from the extra sheet of 5' x 5' 9mm ply that I had to hand (Mini-Mods). Light as a feather, lift them up with the little pinky. I have a 5' x 1.25' bare module currently masquerading as a shelf, down the road this will give me a 15 foot modular layout.* The aim is a small branch-line terminus at one end (the Plank), a branch-line junction at the other with a fiddle yard. A common track center will allow me to ring the changes (7', 10' or 15'). The challenge here is to have a 4' module that allows some (reasonably) realistic operations and that can then be used with no or minimal modification as part of a larger layout. More on that as I develop the track plan. Suffice it to say that I've been reviewing the various branch-lines in Oxfardsheer and may have come up with something workable.

    Some pictures of the modules. First one shows Mod and Mini-Mod.

    [​IMG]

    Second one shows the butt and block gluing technique. I use Radiata pine for the blocks, nominal 1" x 2". Plenty of room for a screw or dowel. The hole in the brace is for wiring (and reducing weight). The side depth is 4" which gives plenty of rigidity and room for point motors, electromagnets, etc.

    [​IMG]

    Third one shows the length.

    [​IMG]

    Fourth one shows the width.

    [​IMG]

    Last one shows why screws or dowels are probably not necessary. This was a piece of ply butt jointed to another piece, intended to be a dropped module for a trestle. I didn't like it, I needed a bit of ply, and I had to use a 5lb lump hammer and cold chisel to break the joint. What gave eventually was the ply 2 layers down, not the glue I used to put the pieces together.

    [​IMG]

    The only item left to do is to add some landing pads (7.25 " x 3" x 0.5" pine for the block terminals (DCC bus and auxiliary 12v DC bus). Track plan up in the next post. I decided to go EM gauge and WR/BR steam/diesel in the 1950's (maroon and cream and claret cos that's what's in the boxes and I remembered I have a quantity of EM RTR track, I just need to build the turnouts to suit). Wireless DCC, battery power and dead rails are the target, conventional DCC with live rails may be the reality.

    Cheers,

    Nigel

    * I also have two 4' x 2' HO modules currently being built for the modular club I belong to. Same approach, standardization of track centers, rail code, operating system, wiring, etc. allows any number of modules to be connected.
    Save
     
  5. paul_l

    paul_l Staff Member Administrator

    Messages:
    9,848
    Likes Received:
    5,902
    Joined:
    Dec 5, 2015
    Got me now ....

    Whatever you're drinking, I want one. That's some progress you've made and an impressive start.

    Paul
     
  6. ianvolvo46

    ianvolvo46 Staff Member Moderator

    Messages:
    5,331
    Likes Received:
    1,588
    Joined:
    Dec 8, 2015
    Thanks Nigel ... your build sounds exciting now take a breath then more please ... you sound like a Makita man as opposed to our floundermess's BQ own brand

    Ian :scratchchin:
     
  7. Toto

    Toto I'm best ignored Staff Member Founder Administrator

    Messages:
    15,419
    Likes Received:
    3,842
    Joined:
    Dec 5, 2017
    Great start and great result with the baseboards. Looking forward to more as it develops.

    Cheers

    Toto
     
  8. GP7

    GP7 Full Member

    Messages:
    16
    Likes Received:
    0
    Joined:
    Jul 25, 2016
    Hi All,

    Doors and other projects completed (almost, paint is a-drying, so I've a bit of time today).

    Interesting challenge I set myself. A self contained plank 4' x 1' that will allow a passing resemblance to prototype operations in the Oxfardsheer countryside (oxymoron there already) in the 1950's-1960's. And be a start (or end) module for a larger layout. In EM 4mm scale. (Do I get a 12% increase in plank dimensions to allow for EM? Didn't think so, would have been useful).

    Fairford is out (that requires some 25 feet, and it's in Glostasheer anyway). Wallingford and Watlington looked interesting (downright quirky in fact), two examples of build it quick and cheap, and get the GWR to take it over when a bit of traffic was developed. Both closed to passenger traffic in the 1950's, but remained open for goods until the 1960's. The Wallingford branch was last used in 1981, as BR put it in a publicity leaflet: "We are going to have a jolly 'wake' on Sunday 31 May to mark the closure of the Wallingford branch line". Age of the train indeed. The original intent of the promoters was to have a line between Watlington and Wallingford. So for want of anything better, I'm calling this one "Watlingford", as it contains elements from both.

    Getting something like Wallingford and Watlington in a length of 4 feet aint on, so some selective compression and omission has been applied, and the location of the goods shed is questionable from an operations viewpoint. Put that down for a moment to a bit of unfulfilled planning by the promoters of the lines who were looking at closing the gap between the two villages and couldn't buy the land they needed for a decent sized station. The goods shed position was not uncommon on single track branch lines. Much use was made of bollards and rope to juggle the goods around.

    A couple of sessions with Templot got something that fitted into 4' x 1', albeit with 1:3.8 frogs. Working plan is shown below (and no doubt will be changed as the plank develops). This equates to a Peco code 100 small radius turnout, so a 14xx 0-4-2 and a 57xx 0-6-0 should be fine, as will the occasional diesel railcar on an enthusiasts excursion special from Oxfard. Goods traffic in the 1950's-1960's often consisted of the engine, 2-3 vans or coal wagons, and the Toad bringing up the rear. Getting the empty coal wagons out from the goods siding and replacing them with the full ones is going to be interesting for the engine crew, as it's all ground-frame operation, space is tight, it's Friday night and and they need to get back to Slough for the darts match at 8:00 pm sharp, otherwise they're buying the first round.....

    [​IMG]

    So next up is a few evenings with the soldering iron and some code 75 track. The keen eyed will note that the main running line is centered at 6". This will enable connection to the next module. The goods line is intended to run into the next module and join the branch line, which will make shunting operations a lot easier for the engine crews. T'other end of the line will be "Wallington" of course.

    Nigel

    SaveSaveSaveSaveSave
     
  9. Ron

    Ron Full Member

    Messages:
    3,318
    Likes Received:
    757
    Joined:
    Dec 5, 2015
    Very impressed Nigel, it's a nice part of the country to model. My other half comes from Witney in Oxon so we know the area quite well. Keep up with the photo's :):)
    CheersRon
     
  10. Toto

    Toto I'm best ignored Staff Member Founder Administrator

    Messages:
    15,419
    Likes Received:
    3,842
    Joined:
    Dec 5, 2017
    Looking good, looking forwaed to more as it happens,
    cheers
    toto
     
  11. paul_l

    paul_l Staff Member Administrator

    Messages:
    9,848
    Likes Received:
    5,902
    Joined:
    Dec 5, 2015
    Nice plan, and may get half inched for an O gauge version :worship: :avatar:

    I dying to get started on an O gauge plank, but if I do the layout will never get comp[leted in time for the Dundee show, ah well, I'll just watch and drool while all your efforts come to fruition

    Paul
     
  12. GP7

    GP7 Full Member

    Messages:
    16
    Likes Received:
    0
    Joined:
    Jul 25, 2016
    Hi Ron,

    Thanks. I used to know Witney well in my younger days. She'll get the reference to Oxfardsheer.

    Cheers,

    Nigel
     
  13. GP7

    GP7 Full Member

    Messages:
    16
    Likes Received:
    0
    Joined:
    Jul 25, 2016
    Hi Toto,

    Some progress, needs to be faster. Getting that 1:3.8 on the frogs could be interesting.

    Cheers,

    Nigel
     
  14. GP7

    GP7 Full Member

    Messages:
    16
    Likes Received:
    0
    Joined:
    Jul 25, 2016
    Hi Paul,

    Thanks. Let me know If you need the track plans of either or both. And what era (pre-1900-1945ish). I can pm them to you. Personal use only of course. Both are nice and compact with everything there.

    Nigel
     
  15. Gary

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

    Messages:
    7,316
    Likes Received:
    3,847
    Joined:
    Dec 5, 2015
    Will be watching with interest Nigel. Keep it coming. I like the fact that this is almost 'time-saver-ish' in design ! :thumbs:

    Cheers, Gary.
     
  16. GP7

    GP7 Full Member

    Messages:
    16
    Likes Received:
    0
    Joined:
    Jul 25, 2016
    Hi Gary,

    I think that's because of the relocation of the goods shed track to fit the constraints of 4' x 1', and the requirement to have enough space for a locomotive and one van/truck at the yard throat. I really could have done with a few more feet, the next module will provide that. Expand it out to 20-40 feet or so and it becomes a regular looking branch line terminus (which has been done in both OO and O).

    I worked through a couple of shunting moves, it really is a time waster! That said, "time-waster" designs fit in nicely with a small terminus layout. I decided against having a "fiddle building/table", although that carriage shed could pass muster, allowing 2 engines to be used. There is a reason why I didn't go this route, all wil become clear as the build progresses.

    I think John Allen based his time saver on a real location, although exactly where is often a discussion point. I've found several that are pretty much dead ringers (a small switching yard on the Great Northern in Great Falls, Montana is an almost exact match). The original time saver was of course meant to connect with another - double the fun and frustration. Baker couplers, fixed position uncoupling ramps, manual turnouts, it was all about who could do it in as few moves as possible. Real hands-on operation, which appeals to me (although I will be using 2-3 electromagnetic uncouplers).

    Cheers,

    Nigel
     
  17. GP7

    GP7 Full Member

    Messages:
    16
    Likes Received:
    0
    Joined:
    Jul 25, 2016
    Hi All,

    Update on (the lack of ) progress. I've been recovering from a torn rotator cuff tendon and lateral epicondylitis (another torn ligament - tennis elbow) in the same arm since the last post, and hoping that I get enough movement to do some modeling for greater than 10 minutes at a time (or typing for more than 5 minutes). Five-six months from now was the verdict (which is how long it took the last time). I doubt whether I'll hit the contest deadline (I hear snowballs melting), but material has been ordered, and I will move forward (albeit slowly).

    Cheers,

    Nigel
     
  18. ianvolvo46

    ianvolvo46 Staff Member Moderator

    Messages:
    5,331
    Likes Received:
    1,588
    Joined:
    Dec 8, 2015
    Hi GP7 you take care .. little and often ... we'll enjoy you're posts or piccys whenever. If you feel down at anytime login and say hi we'll do the rest.

    Cheers Ian :thumbup::thumbup:
     
  19. Toto

    Toto I'm best ignored Staff Member Founder Administrator

    Messages:
    15,419
    Likes Received:
    3,842
    Joined:
    Dec 5, 2017
    No Worries,
    you take care and get yourself sorted. There will be other competitions if you don't make this one. Let us know how you are getting on when you are able.
    cheers
    Toto
     
  20. Gary

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

    Messages:
    7,316
    Likes Received:
    3,847
    Joined:
    Dec 5, 2015
    Hi Nigel,
    Look after yourself and rest up as much as possible. Five to six months is a fair bit of time, but you don't need to extend that by doing something silly. Take care.

    Cheers, Gary.
     

Share This Page