A new layout.

Well we've had a week getting ready for the rally this weekend, the Lister was as expected, easy to get going. The caravan, having not been used for 18 months or so was given a good coat of looking at, everything worked eventually and was given a good wash and brush up, Karen spent her time sorting everything out so we had very little to do before setting off on Friday morning.
Here is where I regret my comment;

Yesterday morning there was a post on facebook from the rally organisers, Rotherham Metropolitan council decided it was too dangerous for the rally to go ahead, this is despite it is totally outdoors with strict covid distancing and sanitising stations all round the site, plus there will be around 2000 visitors for the full weekend but football matches can have many more than that for 2 to 3 hours the fans refuse to social distance, one rule for them, one rule for us.

Pete.

 

Well, despite the rally being cancelled, the weekend was a busy time, the gaffer decided I shouldn't get bored and found plenty for me to do plus my son and his wife came over on Saturday so I didn't do anything to the layout.
Today however she has gone to her parents for a day and night, and you know the saying "when the cats away blah blah blah", I set my stall out and set to painting the track and cassette. I've used a Halfords paint, brown camouflage, that is not that far from sleeper grime, but cheaper.
Any way see what you think.


I didn't want the cassette to look too different to the layout when glimpsed through the scenic break so I painted that too. I may ballast it as well, not sure yet.


Once the paint had hardened (after lunch) I set about scraping the rail tops and polishing them before testing with Polly again, there were one or two hiccups and derails, all in the same place, I need to adjust the check rails on the slip outers, Don't know why, it worked ok before painting?

 

Some more photos.



The cassette system I started with didn't work so I have come up with a different but similar job. The power is supplied to the cassette via a pair of brass rubbing contacts that also aligns the track ends.


Thats where I am now, not sure where to go next. Part of the track along side the wharf is going to be inset so that may be next, once that's done I can make a start on the ballasting and scenic side, probably the ground cover.
Anyway that's for later.

Cheers, Pete.

 

The boss was away for a day and two nights at her parents so I thought it would be rude not to take advantage.....
So, I decided to start on the wharf and build the wall and slip way. I used 3mm ply for both as I had it in stock and covered that with scribed 2mm foamex. For those not familiar with it, basically it's foam board but not the spongy type, it's rigid and is really strong, the face (both sides) takes scribing really well and seems ok with pva and uhu glues. I took a few photos, hopefully they show it alright.







I have also made a start on raising the ground level around the track at this end of the layout, the only thing I am concerned about is how close it will be to the tops of the rails for track cleaning . No doubt I will find out sooner rather than later.........

Cheers, Pete.

 

Nearly forgot, I have decided to call it "Black Swan Wharf". Well swans like water, so I need to find some O gauge swans.......

 

Thanks Paul, the effect I'm hoping to get is dressed stone which is fairly flat. Another method I may try is adding some talcum powder to some paint and see how that looks. I've got a small off cut to try it out on.

Pete.

 

Things are going to slow down for a short while as I, unfortunately have had an accident. I was working in the back of my van laying some new carpet when I clumsily tripped, lost my balance and threw myself out of the side door on to the pavement, dislocating my ring finger and injuring my left shoulder plus gravel rash on me legs and right arm.
Anyway, as I can't handle anything sharp safely or lift stuff with my left hand I'm in a self inflicted lock down from the shed. Actually, I think I will spend my time working on sharing videos as at the moment I am really rubbish at it.
Once I'm mended I will crack on and keep you up to date!

Cheers, Pete.

 

Well it's been 12 days since I chucked myself out of the van and I'm still having a few problems but I have managed to do some more work on the wharf end.
I've been infilling the rails with layers of card topped of with the foamex board. I have mostly managed to keep the tops of the rails above the infill for cleaning the track. Still more to do in and around the points and slip but slow and careful should get that done.
Any way some photos to bring it up to date.





The scribed lines are to represent the concrete pour and expansion lines. I had considered cutting down some coffee stirrers to 2mm to look like the timber shuttering, then I thought, nahh, can't be bothered........


Thanks for looking.

Cheers, Pete.

 

Progress report. I have painted the wharf section using grey paint sample pots with a bit of black mixed in to tone it down a little.


I've also done some more track infilling, a very tedious excersize. It's taking an age to do the slip but hopefully once weathered it will be worth it.




There's still some left do but I think I've broken its back. I'm going to tidy up around the edges with filler then ballast.


Cheers, Pete.

 

An update on track infilling. I have done the area around the double slip and onto the next board. The concrete has all been painted and weathered with a dirty wash, I'm really happy how it's turned out and to my surprise, the turnouts all work!






And my scenic break bridge. Built with a foamboard core, clad in textured brick paper. still more to do and fettling but I'm pleased with how it's going.








Thats it for now. Cheers, Pete.