A freight only shunting layout

Discussion in 'Members Personal Layouts' started by Matt, Jan 2, 2021.

  1. Matt

    Matt Full Member

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    Hi all,

    Firstly happy new year to you all. I've been away from railway modelling and this site for quite a few months as I've been focusing my modelling effort on 1/48 scale aircraft.

    I received a couple of railway related books for Xmas, and it rekindled my interest. Then, I took advantage of a boxing day sale and bought a Hornby Ruston 48DS (and a Clay Tiger) for no reason other than I liked it. Unfortunately both the loco and wagon were damaged so have been returned.

    Those of you who remember me from before my self imposed railway modelling exile will know I had two small layouts on the go (a small terminus and clay sidings - hence the Tiger) but neither had really progressed very far, other than with a lot of peripheral stuff.

    Suitably inspired, I set about planning a micro layout that would be simple enough to actually build instead of coming up with a load of excuses to delay progress.

    I wanted to keep costs down (who doesn't) and weight to a minimum. The size is based around some offcuts of ply I already had and is roughly 1000 x 300mm.

    One regret I have with both other "layouts" is that I made no attempt to do anything other than a flat board. This time, I've actually raised the trackbed around 20mm-ish and visually it makes a big difference in my opinion.

    So, the concept is freight only, to utilise my existing wagons. The layout is self-contained and will have no fiddle yard (at least at present). The motivation here isn't to have something that is a challenge to operate, its simply to actually build something.

    So here's a panoramic view:

    IMG_20210102_163217.jpg

    Buildings are obviously mock ups at this stage. The building to the left will act as a view blocker and will hopefully utilise a laser cut kit, suitably adapted.

    Trackplan will utilise Peco Code 75 points and bullhead track (because I have both already):

    IMG_20210102_195621.jpg

    Track is being laid on foamboard because its cheaper than cork and will enable me to "bury" the buildings.

    Finally the left side "view blocker" will have a road in front of it so the crude foundation (visible on the card mock up here) will be hidden:

    IMG_20210102_195637.jpg

    I've made rapid progress this week, and almost everything has been done in the kitchen much to the bemusement of my wife and two year old daughter. Things'll undoubtedly slow down after tomorrow as I'll be back in work.

    Thanks for looking and hopefully I'll actually make progress this time instead of stalling!

    Matt
     
  2. Bazzmund

    Bazzmund Full Member

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    Wish I could knock something up as quickly as this. My micro layouts get bogged down in red tape before they even get designed.
     
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  3. Gary

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

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    That's a great start to a small layout. Looking forward to your progress with this.

    Cheers, Gary.
     
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  4. ianvolvo46

    ianvolvo46 Staff Member Moderator

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    :cheers:

    Ian vt
     
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  5. Andrew Laing

    Andrew Laing Full Member

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    Looks like a good plan.
    I'm finding every time I make progress I need something else and it feels as if i'm going backwards but I will press on!
     
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  6. Matt

    Matt Full Member

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    Thanks for the comments guys, much appreciated!

    Progress has slowed as predicted, but I have found time to make a start on the left hand building. It's still pretty rough at this stage and the depth is to allow it to be bedded into the surrounding environment eventually.

    IMG_20210116_222457.jpg

    Anyone who remembers Talerddig might be interested to hear that I've decided to move the baseboard into the attic. It's just cluttering up the limited space I have available in my modelling room. The signal box and station building are just about visible in this picture.

    IMG_20210116_222406.jpg

    Matt
     
  7. Gary

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

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    ...and soon that will be four layouts ! It is addictive and both layouts stacked look great.

    Cheers, Gary.
     
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  8. Matt

    Matt Full Member

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    Bit of structure progress...

    IMG_20210120_200815.jpg

    Like an idiot, I forgot to factor in lintels when cladding the shell in embossed plastic. I'm reluctant to cut holes now for fear of causing damage so may have to resort to Plan B which would be to use some laser cut card ones.

    Also undecided about whether it should be one chimney stack or two. Two may be overkill for a small building.

    Matt
     
  9. Mark4mm

    Mark4mm Guest

    Hi Matt I do like this layout you are building, the buildings are looking really good.:thumbs:
     
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  10. paul_l

    paul_l Staff Member Administrator

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    Hi Matt

    Great progress, and for the lintels go old school and use thin paper - colour some paper and cut out shape similar to the picture below

    [​IMG]

    Each piece gives two lintels - cut down the center line.
    The longest piece is the out side of the building, the narrower bit wraps into the window opening, fold it first then add solvent to the paper and it should weld to the plasticard

    Paul
     
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  11. York Paul

    York Paul Staff Member Moderator

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    Nice work Matt :tophat::thumbup:, depends how intent on realism you are aiming at but from my experience in the study of building functionality I'd say you have two choices thinking about it, the right hand rooms would have fires also thus needing another chimney stack as their flues couldn't realistically reach the stack on the left end of the building. So either reposition the chimney stack to the centre of the roofline so all flues meet and extend up the inside dividing walls (giving structural integrity and dissipating warmth) or add another chimney stack to the right hand side of the house. This is the sort of detailing process which will bring a good model to life by copying the real thing. Hope this helps.
    :thumbs:
     
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  12. James76

    James76 Full Member

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    Hi Matt.

    I have seen smaller buildings with 2 chimney stacks.

    Some older houses have chimney stacks at both ends / sides of the house, so that each room in the house potentially has a fire place for warmth. Our house here in Australia, built early in the 20th century I am told, has two chimney stacks which open up to 4 fireplaces, one in each of the 4 original rooms of the house.

    P1020932.JPG

    Regards, James
     
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  13. Gary

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

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    Just glue some 0.25mm thick styrene strip over the top of the brick work above the window.

    By the way, nice build ! :thumbs::thumbs::thumbs:

    Cheers, Gary.
     
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  14. Matt

    Matt Full Member

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    Firstly, thank you for the very informative responses, especially about chimneys and flues. Based on this, I think I'll need to construct a second one.

    Lintels: anyone that knows me will know that I couldn't just accept it and move on. So last night I started the process of removing a section of the embossed brickwork so I could insert some lintels. Now finished apart from the door and I'm much happier having done it.

    IMG_20210121_201213.jpg

    I've also been making an effort to move stock on recently, no point hoarding things I'll never use/run. This week has seen the departure of a Bachmann 37/5 and an 04. The gap has been nicely plugged by this little gem though.

    IMG_20210121_161932.jpg

    I've been after one of these for ages, but they were always more than I was prepared to pay. This was an absolute bargain so couldn't say no!

    Matt
     
    Last edited: Jan 21, 2021
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  15. Matt

    Matt Full Member

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    Following on from the very good advice about chimneys, here's the state of play now (still with temp roof obviously).

    I'm waiting on a delivery of guttering and accessories from Modelu, so can't finalise the roof until they arrive. I'll now work on the windowsills, and install the chimney pots themselves.

    IMG_20210123_165212.jpg

    Matt
     
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  16. Matt

    Matt Full Member

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    As I've been working on the house, I've been thinking about the overall scene I want to portray.

    I've always been fascinated with the Amlwch branch on Anglesey, especially in its later, freight only, years. Although I never managed to see a train myself, the line crossing the main street is an enduring image.

    Link to a photo:

    https://www.2d53.co.uk/amlwch/Amlwch 1.htm

    I'm not terribly convinced by low relief buildings against the backscene, but I thought I'd mock it up just to see what it'd look like.

    IMG_20210124_144948.jpg

    IMG_20210124_144939.jpg

    I do like the visual it gives, but the effect is lost as soon as the viewpoint moves so I'm not sure.

    Matt
     
  17. Gary

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

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    I think once you get a backscene up, it will change the perspective. That's the thing about model railways, we need to use selective compression. If you were to place a tree and a length of fence beside the brown building, that too would hide the fact that it is low relief. Perhaps you could search the web for an image of a town scene that could work in stead of low relief buildings. Another option is to build more low relief buildings across the whole back board with a backscene behind them.

    Cheers, Gary.
     
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  18. Matt

    Matt Full Member

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    Hello all,

    Here's a better picture of the house I've been working on. It's a combination of various things, but finished off with the excellent guttering and drainpipe fittings from Modelu. These are as fiddly as anything I've done recently, but really are worth the effort!

    Still needs sills and slates to finish!

    IMG_20210131_195223.jpg

    IMG_20210131_195209.jpg

    Matt
     
  19. Gary

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

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    Fantastic work Matt. I like the chap leaning out the window, nice touch. :thumbs::thumbs::thumbs:

    Cheers, Gray.
     
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  20. paul_l

    paul_l Staff Member Administrator

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    Congrats on Pic of the week, a lovely model in the making

    Paul
     
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