Lord Street Depot

Hi,This is an intro to my 1st O-Gauge shunting layout, which is still been built and yet to be named.
After several years collecting o gauge bits and pieces plus some damaged and part built rolling stock it was time to take the plunge and build a layout to put them all on, but what to build, track design is a black art to me.
Ian Rice to the rescue .... in his book "Design for Urban Layouts" ISBN 1 902877 08 2.there is a plan called "Monksgate Goods Depot" planned for a 11' x 18". With a few slight alterations I have stretched this design to 16' x 3' using the same layout plan but adding one additional kickback siding and a scenic strip at the front.
The boards are made from 50mm Foam board with a ply surround and additional supports.The main features/requirements are :-
1) The layout is operated on DCC 2) Track work is Peco with some mods done to the points plus one Marcway "offset" three way3) Points operated via wire in a tube to slow action motors which control frog polarity.4) Point control panel can be mounted front or rear of the boards, operated with manual switches5) Buildings are /will be lazer etched or scratch built.6) Wagons are kit built from Parkside, Slaters and some Brass etched.7) Locomotives are all sound fitted, some with lighting effects and all will be weathered.8) Couplings to operate any where on the layout.
I started building the layout in June 2015 and the clips below will show you where I'm at.
THE FLEET...SO FAR
COUPLING 1ST TEST

MORE COUPLING TESTS

Kim

 

Thanks Pete, the un-couplers are from John Shaw, at Winterleyproducts.co.uk. ( no connection, just a very happy customer) No magnets required on the layout so they will un-couple any where even on bends and point work if required. Its best to have a look at his site as there are pictures and video clips that show them working, very simple idea and at normal viewing distance can hardly been scene.( they do need painting black or dipping in a blackening solution first) The main reason for trying them was the ability to un- couple with out having to plant magnets every where.The Bedford is one of three 1:43 and 1:50 scale models I converted using possibly the same article you have seen. I'll dig out the list of suppliers and find the build photos for you.
Thanks Toto, yes I'm really pleased with them, having tried lots of different types before committing to them.
Thanks Chris. I did the install on the Dapol Terrier using a YouChoos sound project on a Zimo decoder with a few tweaks to some of the sound effects. Very pleased with the result, just need to run it in and get it into the paint shop for weathering. Firebox "glow" has been disconnected, I'm going to have a play with 2 led's, red and amber to get a better effect.
Paul, its taken two years to convert, but there's really no excuse. Some great ready to run models available now including the Minerva Peckett which is an excellent model. I will look forward to see you join the growing list of new small O_Gauge modellers.
Thanks Matt I'll get some more posted as soon as.

 

A little bit of progress over the weekend....heres a selection of pictures showing where I'm at. Last one is the Ian Rice plan that started this project off.

 

Thanks Pete, Ian & Chris.
Chris. The engine shed is from www.lcut.co.uk. item no. B70-01. In fact it is two small engine shed kits which have been joined. I ordered two canopies for the proposed warehouse scene plus some small out buildings, one of which is now attached the the rear side of the shed. This gives me enough space to hide three small locomotives completely and measures up at approx 65cm long. Still to be glazed, doors hung, bit more weathering and then "planted" in the layout. I've also fitted a row of LED's down the middle and one in the office. The kits are heavy, I took advantage of my mothers visit last September as you do !!, so not sure how much postage would be from the UK. Nice kits to put together and easy to modify, they take up paint very well.


Yes the coal drop scene will be nice oce i sort out a few snags with the fencing and wall. Working on this part today, just left some parts for the glue to dry. Ive been playing around with figures as you will see below.

Ive done a "DoG" as well for a club member, plus another 10 or so Zimos for the club and they have all worked very well.
Kim

 

Hi Ian, yes the painting does take the longest part. Steve Power of this site, put me on to the method of picking out bricks in lots of different colours before giving the whole model washes of thinned paint. Your method works very well, some great pictures on your post.
Thanks for the kind comments Steve

 

Today's job, on a hot and sticky day, was to try and complete the rear end of the engine shed scene to hide the corner.

The chimney needed to be raised and a couple of buildings to represent a boiler house etc Two small boxes looked like possible candidates.


Card and plasticard brickwork cut and checked to see what it might look like......window and door from the scrap box......


The chimney needed fixing to the buildings ......



Small building needs a roof......



I still have a few lazer cut bits left over from LCut kits so why not use these.....



back in position with some added chimney top detailing, which I think finishes it off nicely (Chimney started off been a round tube but looked wrong as it did not taper and all the picture I found on the web where either square or hexagonal tapered. To the rescue came a friend who purchased a used chair from the charity shop for $5. I'm now the proud owner of two wooden tapered chimneys.......cheers Ralph http://www.click)



Painting and weathering will hopefully hide the errors, then I will sink it into the foam base board ready for some scenic work to hide the base


Kim

 

Thanks Gary, well I've added paint and some detailing to the chimney as below.


and for his generous donation to this project by way of supplying the chimney, Ralph gets his name up in white wash !!


I've gone for the "added on later" look with this, what do you all think?
Kim