Coat's Bridge

[KMCE]

Time for a new layout, or re-hash of an older layout.

Some time ago I developed a small shunting layout which developed into Wicklow South, however given the lack of goods movements in the passenger station, there was not really much potential in the layout.  Wicklow was one of the few towns on the DSER that had two stations, the original Murrough Station, and the later through station for passenger use.

The original layout was documented here:

But for the sake of convenience the original shelf layout:

 

 

The backstory for this layout is a small fictitious station on the Shillelagh branch line between Woodenbridge and Aughrim.  There is a nice road bridge over the railway line with a flat area back from the river in a location originally called Coat's Bridge; this townsland is on the older maps, but does not show up on newer maps.  So in this story line, a small station with a goods siding was built to serve the small community, all in the typical DSER style.  The roadbridge allows for a nice scenic break to cover the hole in the sky to the............ traverser, maybe, but possibly cassettes as the layout will continue as a shunting layout, but in a more cameo style.

 

The original layout was integrated into a larger baseboard which allowed for a small increase in track length. 

The short siding in the old layout was lifted and a longer goods siding was added.

 

A partial relief goods shed will tuck in the corner with an extended goods platform which will include a yard crane and small cattle pen(s).  The idea being that the landscape will creep right up to the cattle pens to plant it into the layout.

 

Up and down partial platforms with a typical DSER signal cabin and footbridge will close out the end.

The unfinished box and the end of the platform will be a water tank, the idea being that the signal cabin and water tank will help form a scenic break to hide the track ends.

The complete layout will be encased with sides, rear and proscenium arch at front to frame the complete layout - that will follow as it is easier to work on the layout while it is open.

 

Anyway, early start (re-start) with much to do, and hopefully will prove to be a good up-cycling of an older layout.

 

All for now,

Ken

[2996 Victor]

Great start, or perhaps re-start, Ken - looking forward to seeing this develop. The part-relief goods shed is a great idea, as is the part-station with view blocks.

Cheers,
Mark

[jhb171achill]

Superb!!! That will be amazing!

[David Holman]

It was always a great place to photo lovely new models, but there's now a real sense of purpose, while the scenics look every bit as impressive as the stock.

[KMCE]

Little bit of progress over the weekend.  Platforms have been surfaced & the goods platform fixed down with rail top fitted. 

Goods shed has bit more work done including fettling to get it to sit into the corner with the platform.

Water tank was developed in CAD & printed - this one is based on the existing tank in Avoca amended in size to suit the layout.  Building is card with built up quoins and tank support.  Tank was primed & is brush painted (first coat) and needs to be further painted to improve the finish. Pipework, some colour and varnish for the water should finish it off.

 

Existing grass at the front of layout to be removed before planting the main platforms in place which will then allow ballasting to be completed.

Anyway - all for now.

 

Ken

[KMCE]

So, Layout in box.

 

Some 4mm plywood with MDF bracing to help hold it together.  Bit of black spray paint for the outside and some sponge painting on the inside.  Corners are not ideal. but as a moveable layout for display, I can live with it.

 

Need to get some lighting installed as it's gotten quite dark over the layout.

 

All in all it's starting to come together now.

[David Holman]

Certainly is, the sky is really effective and a reminder that you don't always paint with brushes!

[KMCE]

On 31/5/2022 at 4:51 PM, KMCE said:

Corners are not ideal - I can live with it.

Actually I couldn't - the sharp corner in the sky was just distracting, so a bit of filler & painting, those corners are softened which helps to focus the eye on the models themselves.

 

So progress on the layout included track ballasting and some weathering on the goods shed & water tank. 

 

Points have have also been connected and are manually operated via wire in tube - so now the layout is operational & trains can trundle up and down!

All for now!

 

 

[jhb171achill]

Looks superb!

 

[Galteemore]

Excellent work. Nice tip too, re the corners. Bit more space saving than shallow angle coving would be! 

Edited June 3, 2022 by Galteemore

[KMCE]

Little bit of progress.

Water tank painted & slightly weathered. Signal box painted, weathered & planted into the layout. 

Yard crane installed on the platform - hook & weathering needed to blend it in.

Goods platform wall will need to be redone - it picked up moisture when I was doing the ballast.  Not a big one, but needs tidying up.

 

All for now.

[KMCE]

The layout was out at the last Bray fair, however it proved somewhat limited in operation, so I decided to add a headshunt which will provide more operating possibilities, plus more space to show models.

The existing points were A6, so an A6 point was printed off and made up with some straight lengths for the headshunt itself.  Existing track was cut and new rails modified to match the divergent rails from the incoming point. 

 

Straight track added to provide space - scenic section needed to be cut back a little, which should provide a nice detail when dressed down to the track level.

Nothing fixed down yet - just needed to check all is working and stock moves freely in all directions.

What looks like a wobble in the straight track is a catch point, basically made up of the leading section of the point print.

 

All working fine so I can get on with fixing down, painting and ballasting. 

 

But in the interim, a quick shot with the armoured train.

 

All for now.

Ken

[2996 Victor]

Fantastic progress, Ken! The extra track will make a huge difference to operating, I'm sure!

Cheers,

Mark 

[Robert Shrives]

Like the real thing adapted for traffic on offer and making running more profitable.  PW gang to congratulated in finding materials squirreled away in back of a few sheds and yards.  Signals foreman less pleased at non programmed budget less upgrades, hopefully Board of trade will not find out until it has weathered in and all the signalling records updated.

Brilliant little extension and add to operational/ play value. Quite brave to take a blade/ saw to the lovely scenery.

Robert  

[J-Mo Arts]

Love the 3d printed track. Hope the headshunt gives you all you need operations-wise. Your work never ceases to amaze! 

[KMCE]

And autumn has arrived to Coats Bridge (albeit a little late, but I have excuses, honest).

New over bridge is laser etched & cut to provide a stone like finish - a little bit of paint & a lot of smudging gives a more realistic effect and provides a nice scene block from what will be the traverser area.  The layout is called Coats Bridge, so I guess a bridge was kinda essential.

 

Slightly better view of the bridge looking down along the track.

 

I do like the autumnal colours and this was inspired by Glen of the Downs (just south of Bray) which is quite spectacular in autumn and I felt it would lend nice colours and atmosphere to the model.  A lot more ground cover required and I do need to re-paint the backscene to allow for the forestry to blend into the distance, but that can be done in time - right now these things are occasional distractions, so I'll get to it in time.

 

All for now.

Ken

[jhb171achill]

6 minutes ago, KMCE said:

And autumn has arrived to Coats Bridge (albeit a little late, but I have excuses, honest).

New over bridge is laser etched & cut to provide a stone like finish - a little bit of paint & a lot of smudging gives a more realistic effect and provides a nice scene block from what will be the traverser area.  The layout is called Coats Bridge, so I guess a bridge was kinda essential.

 

Slightly better view of the bridge looking down along the track.

 

I do like the autumnal colours and this was inspired by Glen of the Downs (just south of Bray) which is quite spectacular in autumn and I felt it would lend nice colours and atmosphere to the model.  A lot more ground cover required and I do need to re-paint the backscene to allow for the forestry to blend into the distance, but that can be done in time - right now these things are occasional distractions, so I'll get to it in time.

 

All for now.

Ken

That's a work of art, Ken! The fallen leaves look very convincing too.....

[Gabhal Luimnigh]

That's just lovely

[David Holman]

Beautifully crafted!

[Mike 84C]

Your work never ceases to amaze! It all helps to raise the bar for the rest of us!  And a bridge with no bus on it; excellent. Ken, please keep the very good work coming.

[2996 Victor]

Hi Ken,

Just checking in to see if there was anything new on this super layout?

All the best, 

Mark

[Galteemore]

Sorry Mark - you haven’t been on the forum for a bit. Sadly Ken died earlier this year, which has left a huge hole in our midst.

[2996 Victor]

12 hours ago, Galteemore said:

Sorry Mark - you haven’t been on the forum for a bit. Sadly Ken died earlier this year, which has left a huge hole in our midst.

Oh my word, that's absolutely terrible news. I'm so very sorry to learn this.

Yes, I've not been around for quite a bit, so thank you for bringing me up to date. 

Kind regards, 

Mark