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Time to Start the Plank Competition

Discussion in 'Competition No 2 Townstreet' started by SMR CHRIS, Jun 19, 2016.

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Jun 19, 2016 #1

SMR CHRIS Staff Member Moderator

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Time to start your entry in the Town Street "Plank" Competition.

I've grouped together the Theme and Rules now it's up to you to start a post of your own with your Plank Build
See below For the Theme
Then below that all the rules you need to stay between

the Theme
“ Adaptation in the transitional period “

Whilst steam realised its fate as far back as the late fifties and Diesel emerged from the shadows as the bogie man, the race was on to adapt existing facilities to a state that was “ fit for purpose “ to cope with the ill planned introduction of diesel traction in the wake of the findings and recommendations of “ The Beeching Report “.

The setting could be goods, maintenance, passenger …… anything you like but it should portray the dilapidated state of things as a result of the war years and general under investment that followed them. The general rules have been posted into the Competitions section (see below also).
so now you have the theme ……… whats stopping you.
The competition is now open as of immediate effect and submissions are to be submitted by 27th November 2016 in time for judging and award for the December edition of the Footbridge.

There will be prizes for first, second and third place’s. £100.00, £75.00 and £50.00 respectively which will be in the shape of Townstreet products to be chosen from the full Townstreet range.

Townstreet Competition 2016

Now the bit every one will try and manipulate.
The Rules

Three winners, 1st prize wins £100.00, 2nd prize wins £75.00 and 3rd prize wins £50.00 of Townstreet products

General Competition Rules

1. All physical work must be your own. Interactive discussion and collusion with other members via the forum threads is permitted.

2. All entrants are to provide frequent photographic updates of their build progress on the forum in the competition section.

3. The closing date for this competition one is midnight on the 27th November 2016 ( time zone specific )

4. The judges decision is final.( Judge will be Pat, owner of Townstreet & one other TBA ).

5. The forum Founder is not eligible for entry.

6. Forum Moderators are allowed to enter on this occassion.

7. Competitions are only open to Forum members

8. Further rules may be applied if the need arises after the competition commencement date. If this should happen, it will be at the sole discretion of the founder ( Toto ) in order to resolve any unforeseen issues not covered at the time of commencement.

9. Junior members may enter.

10. Anyone taking part must register their intention by starting their own post within the competition number 2 section with a reference made in the post description box stating “ Competition number 2 submission “ under their name.

The Challenge

1. The challenge is to build a plank to a specified theme.
( “ Adaptation in the transitional period “ )

2. There is no restriction to the materials or products used.

3. Products can be scratch built or RTR.

4. The plank may be built in any scale.

5. The theme can be in any era.

6. The plank must be capable of operating a loco under its own power.

7. Electrics can be DC or DCC

8. The limitation on track will only be restricted to the physical size of the plank.
The reference size in OO scale is no bigger than 1.2m x 300mm.

For O Gauge .......... Double it and for N Gauge ........ Half it.

These are the biggest you can go. You don't have to use the full size if you don't want to.

Judging Criteria

In order to keep the competition open to all skill levels as much as possible, the competition will be judged under the following criteria.

1. Inventiveness.

2. Originality.

3. Participation in Pre-final submission posts.

4. Quality of modeling.

5. Best use of raw materials

Other criteria may be added prior to commencement.

Oh ........ and the " sting " in the tail within your Plank, you must incorporate a fox, a hammer ( of any kind ) and an active wasps nest.

Cheers
Jun 19, 2016 #2

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

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So, the size specifications ?? I see there are none. Can a plank be 12' long by 2' wide in N gauge ??

Or is it the 4' x 1' rule in OO gauge, 8'x 2'in O gauge and 2'x 6" in N gauge ??

Cheers, Gary.
Jun 19, 2016 #3

SMR CHRIS Staff Member Moderator

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Sorry Gary missed that in the copy paste now added

Is below also for reference
The reference size in OO scale is no bigger than 1.2m x 300mm.

For O Gauge .......... Double it and for N Gauge ........ Half it.

These are the biggest you can go. You don't have to use the full size if you don't want to.

Thanks for finding that omission
What are you going to build Gary.
Jun 19, 2016 #4

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

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Spoilers !

Actually, now you mention the 'transition period' I'm thinking something that has a green diesel and a small steam shunter in BR livery.... Maybe, just maybe, I could retrieve some of my HO NSWGR stock !
Then again, perhaps even a small coal yard, or a scrap yard, or a abbatoir, or a....

Cheers, Gary.
Jun 19, 2016 #5

SMR CHRIS Staff Member Moderator

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Some great ideas Gary
Here's some more for inspiration for everyone.
Not all will suit you prototype however be creative nothing about having only one theme to the theme in the rules how about one of these or a combination.

Single line terminus
Small Station
Rationalised larger station / Terminus.
Oil refinery
Colliery
Coal mine.
Coal loader/Unloader
Coal yard
Timber yard
Scrap yard
Quarry
Wharf / Harbour
Wheat facility
Factory
Warehouse
Manufacturing industry's
Power Station

Loco Maintance
engine shed
TMD / refuelling point.
Carriage sidings.
Carriage workshop.
Wagon Works
New Loco building facilities / work shop
Parcels facility
Goods yard / facility.
Stock yard
Meat works.
Way and works yard.
Preservation society starting up.

Don't forget that it's only the scale that is set once you choose it not the gauge example narrow Gauge in OO 4mm to the foot, use 009 equipment etc

I'm sure there are more theme ideas
If anyone thinks of more PM me and I'll add them to the above inspiration list
Jun 19, 2016 #6

Toto I'm best ignored Staff Member Founder Administrator

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Hi Chris,

Some great ideas there. The inspiration list is a good way of giving some a jolt in the decision making process.

I'm looking forward to seeing what ramshackle conditions can be incorporated into the builds.

Cheers

Toto
Jun 19, 2016 #7

paul_l Staff Member Administrator

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Of course O great flounder, although you can't enter the competition (actually I can't see why not - unless you're the other judge), there is nothing stopping you taking part ..... that's probably just caused minor heart attack on his sun lounger.

mmmmmm O gauge plank to be completed a month after Viccy Rd hits the streets

Paul
Jun 19, 2016 #8

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

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A few track plans for consideration... All are OO gauge 4' x 1'

Food for thought !

Cheers, Gary.
Jun 19, 2016 #9

ianvolvo46 Staff Member Moderator

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Mmm I reckon there's a few cracking tips on this thread so far but only 5 months to achieve a plonk... might have to cancel my holidays ...

Ian vt
Jun 19, 2016 #10

Toto I'm best ignored Staff Member Founder Administrator

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Some great track plans there Gary. All food for thought. Don't be fooled by Ian Tinto. There is no way he'll cancel his long awaited holiday in Scotland ...... All that rain, snow, wind. He wouldn't miss it for the world.

Paul,

A plonk in 5 months ....... Now if it's without buildings and just scenic it could be doable. It just makes it that much harder to capture the theme.

Still trying to come up with ideas for further judges. Pat from Townstreet will be one but he did suggest another one or even two. Need to put my thinking hat on.

Cheers

Toto
Jun 19, 2016 #11

SMR CHRIS Staff Member Moderator

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Great work. Gary

Plans a plenty there can be no one saying I can't come up with a idea or a plan for this one, lots of the ideas will fit with Gary's plans and I like the fact that Gary has some nice curves in some of the plans

Could be a great module for the new Hornby 0-4-0 Peckett saddle tank shame it's release date has now moved to after the competition closes.
Jun 20, 2016 #12

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

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I bet you all guessed that I haven't posted my track plan yet....!

Cheers, Gary.

ps, just got to order the 19 sets of points, 2 x double slips and 3 x single slips, a diamond crossing...
Jun 20, 2016 #13

SMR CHRIS Staff Member Moderator

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Gary wrote:

I bet you all guessed that I haven't posted my track plan yet....!

Cheers, Gary.

ps, just got to order the 19 sets of points, 2 x double slips and 3 x single slips, a diamond crossing...
Click to expand...

So you have managed to shoehorned kings cross station approach into the area on the board,Gary well done
Jul 26, 2016 #14

GP7 Full Member

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Having thrown my hat in the rink for the plank competition, I have some questions before I start putting wood to saw and money into the economy...

1. Dimensions. 1.2m x 0.3m is not 2' x 4' (4' long has room for an additional #6 or #8 turnout compared to 1.2m, which is 47.24"). Is there leeway here? (either or).
2. Plank. What's the definition of a plank? Strictly speaking this is a long, thin piece of timber. Which at 0.3m wide normally has a nasty tendency to warp even when properly dried. I can lay my hands on some Radiata pine planking (from New Zealand, 10.25"/0.26m x 0.75"), but it still warps over time unless it has an under-frame.
3. Are under-frames allowed? If so, are there any dimensional rules?
4. Does this have to be UK transition? The war-worn steam to diesel transition in the 1940's and 1950's was even more hasty in the USA, and was accompanied by the closure of non-profitable branch-lines, leaving many towns and villages reliant on road transport
5. Backdrop? I normally don't use these, being able to look at the plank from all sides (and to operate as well) means no skimping on the backs of buildings.

GP7
Jul 26, 2016 #15

paul_l Staff Member Administrator

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Hi Nigel

1.2m x 0.3m is approx 4ft x 1ft in 4mm, I don't think it has to be mm perfect - Toto's eyesight isn't that good

Transition period is a very good question - over to Toto (I confused him the other day on the phone asking if pre-group to grouping counts as transition - he's still pondering )

No doubt he will be back with answers, or we'll just prod him some more

Paul
Jul 26, 2016 #16

Toto I'm best ignored Staff Member Founder Administrator

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To answer some of these points,

Under frames are allowed to the baseboard. If they are fixed to the edges as opposed to underneath, they cannot add anymore than an inch to each side. Ie 2 x 1 where 2 inch is the height.

The transition period was really aim at transition between steam and diesel. So anything that ran anywhere at this point in time.

If you want to go earlier ( towards 1945 ) war years then your plank should probably have a heavy war theme. If you want to go more towards the late fifties to early sixties ( time of under investment ) then the theme should incorporate not only the change in motive power but the run down line side assets and how they had begun to be adapted for the incoming diesel era.

The allowable scope is quite wide but the main criteria will be in how strongly you can depict it. Your plank should tell the story.

Backdrops can be used to ANY three sides but if you don't want to ....... No problem.

It does not have to be UK based. It can be absolutely anywhere.

I'll give you the flexibility of 4 feet by 1 foot. That counts across all gauges equally.

If there are any other questions ..... Fire away.

Good luck to all.

Cheers

Toto
Jul 26, 2016 #17

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

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Hi Nigel,

Welcome to the wonderful world of competition !

To answer a few questions you posted.

1. Dimensions. 1.2m x 0.3m is not 2' x 4' (4' long has room for an additional #6 or #8 turnout compared to 1.2m, which is 47.24"). Is there leeway here? (either or).

The rules are pretty straight forward. HO and OO will remain at the 4'x 1'rule (48"x12"). If modelling N gauhe, you halve the measurements and if O gauge, we have decided on doubling the HO/OO measurements.

2. Plank. What's the definition of a plank? Strictly speaking this is a long, thin piece of timber. Which at 0.3m wide normally has a nasty tendency to warp even when properly dried. I can lay my hands on some Radiata pine planking (from New Zealand, 10.25"/0.26m x 0.75"), but it still warps over time unless it has an under-frame.

Ok, the term 'plank' here means a strip of baseboard, using the above dimensions as a guide.

3. Are under-frames allowed? If so, are there any dimensional rules?

Yes, you are allowed to build an under frame. I have used a sheet of 9mm MDF glued and nailed to a pine frame made from 42mm x 18mm. There are no golden rules to baseboard underframe dimensions. See pic below.

4. Does this have to be UK transition? The war-worn steam to diesel transition in the 1940's and 1950's was even more hasty in the USA, and was accompanied by the closure of non-profitable branch-lines, leaving many towns and villages reliant on road transport

I don't think it should strictly be British. You can model US, European, Australian what-ever ! Personally I was thinking of modelling Australian transition.

5. Backdrop? I normally don't use these, being able to look at the plank from all sides (and to operate as well) means no skimping on the backs of buildings.

Yes, that is fine. Not all layouts need back drops. There are some great micro layouts about that don't have back drops/back scenes. Some of us here like to exhibit, which means having backdrops is a bonus.

I'll be looking forward to your competition entry and will be following closely. My son (Jack) and I are building a US switching (shunting) layout at the moment.

Cheers, Gary.
Jul 26, 2016 #18

GP7 Full Member

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Hi All,

Thanks for the clarification.

I was a busy boy this afternoon, I now have a 1' x 4' plank with 4" sides made from 9mm (top) and 12mm (sides, ends and internal braces) Baltic birch ply. All done on the balcony, 14 stories up, 35°C, phew. Just need to put some dowels in, although I've used this method of construction (butt joints with gluing blocks) for a few years now without benefit of screws or dowels. Bit more expensive than regular construction ply (actually a lot, and the lumber yard is not that close), but a lot stronger and very stable. Unlike construction ply it is good both sides (the grade I use is B/BB), and has no voids or footballs where knots were removed.

Rather than going for a prototype terminus or a John Allen time waster variation, I'll be going for a cameo of various prototype stations/yards utilizing items that will hopefully work together. The aim is to have something realistic that would be found circa 1955-1960 when passenger receipts were falling along with the amount of goods being moved around. Some selective compression will be required, although I only need a scale 55 yards (66cm, call it 2 feet) for the station, platform and engine shed. Getting 3-4 tracks across a 12" width is going to be tight, but doable if I keep the distance from the edge to the track to around 1.5"-2".

I have looked at a number of prototype termini layouts that were built in a restricted space while the joints were gluing up this afternoon, it's gelling together at the moment.

I have another 3 modules of 3' x 1' and one of 5' x 1.25', so one of my challenges will be a) to make sure the competition "plank" is a standalone with respect to operations, and b) can be easily joined to the other 3 modules to give a total operating length of 15'

Some of the other decisions that will have to be made over the next few days:

1. Wired DCC or battery powered wireless DCC ("dead rail" operation).
2. OO (RTR) or EM gauge (hand built, code 75) for UK outline, or HO code 70 for NA outline (which would solve the issue of the the "Goat" without even trying).
3. Freight only, which was common from the early 1950's when many branch lines had passenger service severely restricted or terminated) or freight and passenger service, which is much more interesting. I'm leaning towards the latter, as I have a motley selection of passenger coaches, freight vans/trucks, and steam and diesel locomotives to play around with in both 3.5mm and 4mm scale. Plus I can use the passenger cars and diesel rail-cars for the batteries and electronic modules if I decide to go "dead rail". This has the advantage of no track wiring (except for a short 12v DC section for charging the batteries) or gizmos to change the polarity of the frogs. I have a double crossover that could fit in nicely, but converting to DCC friendly is going to be interesting to say the least..
4. ATC control or regular signaling?
5. Powered turnouts or manual control?
6. Track plan! CorelDraw first to see if it fits, then Templot for the turnouts.

More tomorrow, including a photo of the completed module.

Nigel
Jul 26, 2016 #19

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

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Hi Nigel,

When you are ready to post up pics of the build, you can start a thread in here :
http://www.platform1mrc.com/view_forum.php?id=77

This keeps all the competition posts together in one location. Just like YMRC, click on New Topic at the top right hand corner of the layout index.

Ian (Ianvolvo46) is building his plank along the same lines as what you are thinking, modular. You can read up on his competition build here : http://www.platform1mrc.com/view_topic.php?id=864&forum_id=77

Happy modelling.

Cheers, Gary.
Jul 27, 2016 #20

GP7 Full Member

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Hi Gary,

Musing out loud. I already have the thread going in the competition forum.

I went modular a long time ago (with the FreMo people), my current club is an HO modular group that gets together regularly. NMRA standards (for the most part), and 2'x 4' modules. Itmeans some discipline in construction and restrictions on track (still code 100 to accommodate some of the older stock with pizza cutter wheels) , turnouts, minimum radii, wiring (DCC), etc.

The 1' x X' fits in well with the home layout (the club modules reside in a storage locker for most of the time unless I'm working on them), small is beautiful when it comes to condo life. The narrow modules fit nicely on the shelves of the modeling 'room' (at 5' x 4.5' it's smaller than most layouts around here). The plan is 2 folding ironing boards, saves messing about with legs. I'm lucky in that where I live the local community center has a very well equipped woodworking shop for the big cuts.

Cheers,

Nigel

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