So, after all the 3D stuff I’ve been showing, maybe I should show some of my modelling in real terms. I don’t think I’m as skilled and it’s lacking in some foliage but that is in the pipe line. Really need to have a session where I get it outside for some pictures again. But before the current photos, here is a bit about the layout. Oakamoor was the former end of the current Churnet Valley Railway until the two mile of track was lifted to help fund other projects. I modelled a slightly fictional version which spread from one base board to 4 in an L shape. It’s worked from the opposite end to the real location, but takes a few features from the area to give it the feel. Centre stage is the working sand hopper. Yes, I really do load sand in to empty wagons, and it even has a miniature Cctv camera inside to watch it on a screen as if you were in the operating cabin. To one end of the layout is the sidings where the train waiting to go or cripples are stored. There is also a run down remains of a platform (fictional) at the end of the loop. To the other end the bridge/road to the quarry. Moneysworth quarry, operated by Hepstones (for those who don’t know, the real quarry, called Moneystones, closed only a few years ago and was originally operated by Hepworths and British Industrials Sand), The bridge is the scenic break to the fiddle yard, but in front of the bridge stands an NSR signal box, sole survivor from greater and busier times, controlling the end of the BR access and route back to the main line. Below that is the engine shed, where a number of shunting locos can be found. I’ve tried to remain prototypical here with the Yorkshire 0-4-0 and the BIS class 07, 24’s and 25’s and later 47’s on the main trains, but occasionally the Yorkshire Janus from Cheddleton appears or the 08, or a substituted 37 or even a 108 railtour. The layout is DCC from a ZTC611 which I won in a model rail competition back in 2001. Janus shunting up to the box Brightside, a Yorkshire 02 Loco, which survives in preservation, shunts the PAA wagons at Oakamoor. Brightside shunting. Evening shunting. More of Brightside with one of the 3D printed wagons. Early morning for Brightside in the shed At my dads after 8 years in storage prior to my house move in 2016. First time my son had seen it. More of it out at Dads. More CVR history, the Class 03, D2070 a former resident at Oakamoor shunts (the real loco has since been scrapped) Class 33 102 Sophie sits on the main line at the back. Shunting the wagons.
Class 24 waits in the head shunt. 24 ventures under the hopper (maybe the shunters had failed?) lol Home made class 07 in BIS livery. Now a model in its own right. Class 25 does late night shunting. Some earlier photos , 08 shunting, weathered Hornby wagon, Dad does some adjusting at an exhibition in Sussex and the Italian job sets off.
I read the blurb and saw the roof rafters in the first pic and thought "Is the roof of his house removable?" Of course it makes more sense once you scroll down and see that its modular! I love the working sand hopper (we need full breakdown of workings please!) and the night shots are very atmospheric (read - good) Don't dis yourself over the scenics, we all have our strengths and our weaknesses, they look a lot better than some I have seen! Can't be that that bad if they let you exhibit it!
Great sand loader. in fact ..... Its all good including the scenics. I'd be delighted with that. The shots are well taken as well especially the Class 24. More of the same please. Toto
Thanks gents. There are more, I just don’t have access to them. Jobs to do are hide that blue back board. Never liked it, but makes storage much easier as one just turns upside down on the other. Work to do is replace the yard lamps with white LED versions (these have become available since the original model was built) and add some trees. Finish the signal box (now painted, but awaiting securing and internal lights). Fencing on the bridge and maybe a road light,I like running it in the dark. I’ll post an update re the hopper next week when at home. I do have photos of that... but it’s really a fairy liquid bottle and peco point motor. There are a few more photos at https://nb3dm.wordpress.com/oakamoor/ for anyone who wants to know more. But even the web page is a work in progress.
Wot they said! It looks excellent and the sand loader is brilliant, definitely need some details on that Cheer's, Pete.
Wedding... Blackpool... ooh gosh, cunjours up mental images of Bavarian Beer Nights, the North Pier, Manchester Hotel, Robert's Oyster Bar, under the Tower, headaches and hangovers, sharp pains and a trip to the clinic a few days later No have a good time mate
Easy now York paul ...... your changing my whole perspective of you. especially the clinic bit. sounds painful if not just a bit itchy.
As promised, a few pictures of how its done. The inside ones were taken when I chose to recover the model, and change the metal work colour. Simply a Peco Point motor. sliding sideways. There is now a white LED under the hopper for illumination purpose, mainly for the CCTV camera.
Converting the resin body for the airbraked BIS 07003 which worked at Oakamoor. My first attempt at the BIS PAA sand wagon With Mock artwork shunting and under the hopper.
These may just show a little better how I did the "Valve" - my original photos from around 1998. Constructed from plastistrut, with a bog standard washing up liquid bottle inverted. the nozzle was cut in two, packed out and reglues with room for a copper "sleeper" with a square hole in it able to slide through the gap and close off the flow. What is not apparent is the later fitting of two boards to "flatten" the flow of sand rather than spread it, so it falls centrally in to the wagon. after that, it was attach a point motor (which has had to be re-glued and re-soldered at least twice! and then hide the wiring. this runs down the inside of one of the support legs with a corrugated cover over it so you don't see it. the later photos will show square pads on the bottom. under these pads (representing the concrete) are small bits of tube. these locate like dowls in to the base board and the cable runs through two of these. (the other being for the front light. The later CCTV camera, which is a USB borescope ?? with a 45 degree angled mirror on it is secured running up the inside and out through the roof where the conveyor feed would be. this is powered from a nearby laptop which then shows the image full screen as if you were stood inside the control cabin up the steps. also hidden within is the white LED and a switch and battery to power it all up.
Do you think you may put the conveyor belt in Andy ? You need a model of Fruit standing there holding a paint brush in one hand and a bag of chips in the other
reloading has always been a bone of contention. I have still to find a decent way to do it other than take off the lid and pour in. Especially after the wagons get to the fiddle yard and the 12inch to the foot hand drops in to lift and empty each wagon. Fruits hiding at the back of the engine shed...
Very ingenious Andy, simple but effective. The design of the valve is always tricky, as it needs to close without trapping material that lets it leak. Re filling, obviously you could use a conveyor, but what about "blowing" through a tube or an auger? Could you print the auger? I cant think of a source for one that small. P.S. Whats the medium you use, is very fine sand or just normal, as sand is very abrasive!
Blackpool Beach sand! (I did have genuine Oakamoor sand that was cleaned and dried, but for one reason or another, we never actually used it. Since moving house Im not even sure I still have it.
You'll have to don your waders and brave the Moneystone Swamp to get some more... just look out for those grass snakes too.