Northport Quay

[Paul 34F]

Hello David,

I feel your pain.  I watched a video recording from the Portsmouth show and it looks like several layouts had similar issues at baseboard joints.  It just makes you appreciate how much wood moves depending on the conditions.

Paul

[David Holman]

 Finally got the new fiddle yard hooked up to NPQ today, enabling trains to be run for the first time in months! Just as well really, because the layout's next outing is the Chatham Show, at the end of July, which isn't that far away now.

 The main work was wiring in all the bolts - two wires from each one to the adjacent rails, meaning only one track is ever live. Power to the track comes from two wires from the layout, which each have a crocodile clip on them. These go on a screw each side of the short bridging track & a single wire from each screw goes to the rails, with another from the rails to  each bolt.

 Safety next, with the hinged aluminium strip buffers at each end of the train table. Small blocks of plywood mean the buffers will clear the Alex Jackson couplings when lowered.

 The main frame of the fiddle yard was flexing a bit, so I cut some strips of 12mm ply and fitted these as diagonals between the intermediate frame pieces, which nicely triangulates things and adds some all important rigidity. Also replaced the oversized bolts, which ensure the table remains parallel to the frame when being slid from side to side.

 After that, it was time to put trains on the table and do a few test runs. Happily, all seems well, though care is of course needed when turning the table, once everything has been out & back - but then it was the same with the previous model.

 Some priming and painting now required, so everything matches the layout boards, plus I really must work out where to fit the all important coffee/tea cup holder.

[Tullygrainey]

38 minutes ago, David Holman said:

 

plus I really must work out where to fit the all important coffee/tea cup holder.

As far away from the controller as possible 

[DonW]

Looks good. I did make something like that for a layout but it turned out to be very heavy to transport and in order to be able to turn it restricted the length. So I have gone back to cassettes this time. These are 1m long but if away from the modelling room I could use longer ones say 1.2m.

 

Don

[David Holman]

Yep, hence the rebuild, Don. Have used cassettes extensively in the past and found they work best when there was a separate loco cassette so the actual train only needed sliding from side to side, with just the loco lifted and moved to the other end.

[David Holman]

With the next outing at the Chatham Show less than a month away, attention has turned to getting the layout ready.

 Managed to find some Code 83 rail down at the club, so the track table in the fiddle yard is now dual gauge throughout. Decided to paint the whole lot in white emulsion, in the hope that any loose bits and pieces would easily show up and perhaps also make putting stock on easier. We'll see.

 A mundane, but important bit of kit for any exhibition layout is a shelf for the drinks mug. However, with a front operated layout, this limits the options. I already have one simple shelf which can go on the far end of the layout, easily added via quick mount plates. After much thought, realised I could add one for the operator by putting it inside the fiddle yard frames. Ok, the train table needs to be slid over a little to allow access, but figure that  doing it this way, keeps drinks out of the way.

 Finally found a use for my Dremel saw, which works fine with plywood, but is hopeless with what I bought it for, namely cutting thin brass and nickel silver. The saw itself is ok, but the blades supplied are useless and break far too easily. Anyway, managed to cut up some pieces of 6mm ply and then cut a hole for a coffee mug. All a bit rough and ready, but hopefully the Chatham Show will prove how well it works.

 

[Northroader]

Alright until you get a 4’ 8.5” mug in a 5’ 3” hole.

[Broadstone]

I don't know how I managed to miss the development of this stunning new layout of yours David, but having just read through the whole thread, I'm very glad that I have caught up; it's another beauty, well done!

Not only is your modelling brilliant, the design and the learning and your honesty about what doesn't always work first time is refreshingly honest and very inspiring. 

I was put onto this layout by a friend Richard who attended the recent Chatham show, sent me some pictures and declared it the best layout there. From the pictures he sent and those on this thread I am highly impressed. You have squeezed a lot in but it looks so spacious - that backscene is a work of art in itself and gives the layout such depth. And the detail and the cameos are marvellous. 

I considered using Alex Jacksons on Broomebridge Junction but am once again using 3 links with all their limitations. But, having myself some of Richard Chown's 7mm wagons note that he used them, but very much in the old pre=magnetic way where a ramp pushed them up to uncouple. They worked for him though and clearly do for you; they are probably the most unobtrusive of the auto-coupling systems. 

Thanks again David, another brilliant layout!

Paul

 

 

 

[David Holman]

Many thanks Paul. Am getting there with the AJs - for me, the issue is not the geometry of the hooks (the dimensions and angles don't need to be absolutely precise), however the height of the coupling hook does need to be consistent, as well as being level and straight. Even being slightly out of alignment causes problems, so stock boxes that protect the hooks are crucial.

 I think AJs are easier to work with in 7mm scale, because you can use a central mounting point, instead two at opposite ends.The

 Hope your new project is going well.

[Mike 84C]

I saw your comments David about using cassettes. Which is what I made for Bantry but the operating gang do not like them. I get a bit nervous when they are waved about 12" above the baseboard with stock on them!  

[David Holman]

They can be a bit scary, Mike. I eventually got round it by having separate loco and train cassettes. The loco ones, being short, are easy to pick up and move to the other end. The longer train cassettes then only need sliding around, or lifting within the confines of the train table.

[Kelvin White]

Hi David

I was hoping to see the you & the layout at the Farnham / Aldershot show a couple of weekends ago. Alas you and the Broad Gauge Temple Meads layouts were no shows.

Kelvin

[David Holman]

Apologies Kelvin! Had to visit my 93 year old mother and could not get back in time. It was going to be my 125th show, but the first time in all the years of exhibiting that I've had to pull out. Was able to give the organisers a week's notice, but guess I should have posted something here.

 Northport Quay's next outing will be at the To!worth Show train in early November.

[leslie10646]

First, I hope that Mum is as well as can be?

Yes, you were missed.

Did you arrange for your replacement - an American logging layout - I've forgotten the name, although I voted for it as the most appealing layout - who wouldn't have with Shays, Climaxes etc?

Look forward to seeing the Quay elsewhere!

[David Holman]

Yes, thanks Leslie. No idea who replaced me, but if it was the logging layout, then sounds a fine alternative.

[leslie10646]

@Galteemore and I turned up at the Tolworth Exhibition today to run our respective trains on David's wonderful Northport Quay.

I overheard, David remark to one admirer that there were THREE people in the World modelling on 36.75mm gauge and that they were all in present in front of him - so having been given this not-inconsiderable accolade, I arranged a photo shoot!

Of course, the two David's are the modellers, I am just an owner and runner!

Not only did David let me place my little MGWR train on his hallowed turf, but he even let me drive it!

A very serious business it is driving a train into a station which you haven't "signed for". I was terrified!

[leslie10646]

Despite my ham-fisted efforts, Robin pulled in nicely with her two exquisite MGWR six wheelers - built by David R - aka @Galteemore

 

 

[Galteemore]

Great to see you Leslie and @David Holman even if my locos were a bit naughty. Once back home though I set them on rails and they ran as sweet as you like of course - modelled by Lurganboy in the YouTube above. I suppose that repeated warming and cooling (locos had spent six hours in the car at varying temperatures) probably doesn’t help! I will also add some weight to the railbus luggage rack to put some more tractive weight over the wheels - and possibly loosen the trailer pickups a little. 

Fabulous to see NPQ out and about, and running so well. It’s such a great advert for 5’3 modelling.  And @Andy Cundick was just a few feet away, although not displaying Irish this time!

Edited November 11 by Galteemore

[leslie10646]

Despite what @Galteemore says above, his little JT DID get her SLNCR coach into the Quay!

A very busy line that you run @David Holman, trains from 3/4 Irish Railways rushing in and out - maybe it's the Salmon Season?

By the way, I thought that the way the background melded into the foreground, as you can see behind No.92, was very finely done.

Remember to put up some video of the dock crane on the move - a super extra which I forgot to capture. Terrific layout. I wish that I had your patience and half the skill.

Thanks for having us!

Edited November 10 by leslie10646

[leslie10646]

As if all this wasn't enough excitement, a dozen steps away was the estimable @Andy Cundick with another of his creations "Lochty" - North British Railway.

[David Holman]

Great fun this afternoon at Tolworth with David, Leslie and David's fine models including a Sligo railbus, Small Tank, JT 2-4-2T and E class 0-6-0T. NPQ had a bit of a mixed weekend - issues with the baseboard joint and AJ couplings causing problems in Saturday, but slowly improving. Will post some photos tomorrow.

[leslie10646]

I was very taken by this ittle accomodation bridge, which Andy assures me is fairly typical of the NBR. Amazing what you can do with a box of matches .... Only joking, Andy, a very nice piece of modelling.

[Patrick Davey]

2 hours ago, leslie10646 said:

As if all this wasn't enough excitement, a dozen steps away was the estimable @Andy Cundick with another of his creations "Lochty" - North British Railway.

Another masterpiece I’d bet!

[Killian Keane]

14 hours ago, leslie10646 said:

I was very taken by this ittle accomodation bridge, which Andy assures me is fairly typical of the NBR. Amazing what you can do with a box of matches .... Only joking, Andy, a very nice piece of modelling.

Shades of the Listowel and Ballybunion drawbridges

[jhb171achill]

15 hours ago, Galteemore said:

Great to see you Leslie and @David Holman even if my locos were a bit naughty.

I hope you spanked them thoroughly....

[David Holman]

 As promised, a few pictures from Tolworth. It was lovely to meet with David, Leslie and Andy over the weekend.

 Northport Quay, despite operating well at home the week before, struggled for much of Saturday - some of which was undoubtedly down to being loaded in the car overnight and then finding itself in a very hot and humid exhibition hall. However, repeated derailments in the loop, over the baseboard join were frustrating, as was the failure of a push to make switch for one of the uncoupling magnets. Later the wire in tube connection to the signal came adrift - a two minute job to fix at home, but not at a show.

 Take my word for it, David's models are every bit as good in the flesh as they are in photos and it was great to have visiting 7mm broad gauge locos on my layout because the fact is, we are a very small group. I had the delight and privilege of having Richard Chown's Lissadel run on Arigna Town at the Manchester show, but David's model's are the only other ones [including those owned by Leslie], so it was a rare treat to have them along. Surely, we aren't the only two people in the world modelling 7mm scale Irish 5'3 though??

 Back home today, did a bit more investigating and found that one of my trestles was a centimetre taller than the other [!] - so no wonder some engines were struggling to get out of the fiddle yard. Across the baseboard join was a definite ridge, which needs sorting, as does a section of out of gauge track into the left hand siding. Nothing derails here, but it nevertheless points to why my AJ couplings can come undone because there is too much sideways movement on short wheelbase stock.

 Anyway, a few pictures of my stuff, taken from unusual angles not normally available.

 

  And now the visitors. Couldn't resist having the GNR JT alongside my F6 and likewise the rail buses. Sadly my photo of Leslie's E class was out of focus.

[Galteemore]

Sounds like your layout is taking on SLNCR PW characteristics David! Hope all gets sorted out without too many dramas. Given the hard life exhibition layouts lead, it’s amazing how often things go right! 
 

love the photos, and it’s a real treat to pose stuff on NPQ. The track plan is just enough to allow decent operation but sparse enough to allow space and perspective.

The brown van isn’t quite finished yet but I couldn’t resist running it (and finding that its B2B needed a tweak). By coincidence, a photographer caught Lurganboy about to leave Enniskillen on the 12pm to Northport earlier that day…;) Nice to see she made the journey safely across! 

Edited Monday at 20:25 by Galteemore

[Tullygrainey]

Wonderful!

[Galteemore]

@David Holman - any pics of the 1900 era from Saturday? Much as I love the 50s stuff it’s great to see the MGW/GSW stuff on show. I do think you need a WLWR loco at some point….;) 

[David Holman]

 Here's a few...

... the glories of pre-grouping - including a certain WL&WR loco by the amazing Richard Chown.

[Patrick Davey]

Pure magic, from both Davids.

And I'm sure Leslie also brought a generous helping of magic along as well.

[David Holman]

 He did indeed! however, since getting back home, have spent much of the week doing yet another investigation into some on going annoyances. The layout operates at about 90% reliability, but it is the remaining 10% which sticks out like a sore thumb.

 Most of it stemmed from that ridge that I somehow contrived to create at the baseboard joint in the loop. I first tried adjusting the track and a bit of judicious gauge widening seemed to be doing the trick, but putting a 30cm steel rule across the join gave at least a 3mm seesaw at each end. Really NOT good...

 The only option was to first remove the rails between the two points and then dig out the sleepers and ballast, back down to baseboard level. However, the problem extends further than I thought & I ended up having to remove half the sleepers from both points either side before I could get the rails level across the baseboard join.  There are four, countersunk screws, to which the rails are soldered at the join & then new sleepers were fitted beneath them, packing to the right height and constantly checking for being level with a steel rule. After that, it was out with the track gauges and, eventually, I can now run my locos through the loop without derailing - at pretty much full speed too!. The AJ couplings seem to work a lot better, so hopefully I can now put the ballast and other ground cover back and enjoy running trains.

  Alignment of the left hand siding left something to be desired, with a serious dog leg causing the loco to uncouple. Sorting this involved a bit more digging, but far less drastic than with the ridge. Am really hoping that I have at last cured the problems, because it has been a pain in the primary orifice at times. A clear fault is one thing, but an intermittent one can be SO frustrating!

  Talking at length with Andy Cundick [whose knowledge is simply encyclopaedic] over the weekend, he said he thought that Worsley Works, not only produced the Swilly Barclay 4-6-0T, but also the Kerr Stuart 4-6-2T as well. Couldn't find anything on the website, but a quick email to Allen Doherty not only revealed that it was indeed part of his portfolio, but could do one for me, chassis included, for just £100. Having expected to scratch build one, this comes as a very nice bonus, so many thanks Andy and indeed Allen!

[Mol_PMB]

Excellent work - it's always frustrating to pull apart things that were 'finished' but I'm sure it will be worth it for the improved reliability.

[Galteemore]

Must have been heartbreaking to rip up all that work, David, but will hopefully pay dividends. Great news about the Swilly tank: anything that saves time drilling and cutting is great news.