David Holman Posted January 19, 2014 Author Posted January 19, 2014 In between faffing around with Railcar B, have been trying to complete the van castings I did just before Christmas and photos show progress thus far. Actually not a lot left to do, just a bit of painting to pick out the handrails, hinges etc and a bit of rust/oil around the axle boxes. Decided to go with the SLNCR 'semi' for the round ended vans and used the photo album of the Cavan and Leitrim to produce the canvas roof on the middle section. Could do with a couple of ropes to hold the tarp in place - assuming this is how broad gauge vans were set up as well? The tarp is just a double thickness of masking tape, with some 40thou square strip on each end. The piped GNRI vans are almost the same as the earlier 9 ton vans, but re-did the mould as the original silicon was starting to go off. Painting is Halfords orange/red primer, with my usual Freestone Models weathering powders. Get the impression that these vans did not have automatic brakes, but were just piped to fit in with those that did. Hence have fitted pipes but not extra brake blocks. Hope I'm right as am almost out of brake blocks and they are not my favourite modelling job! At last weekend's St Albans show, managed to buy some 'flowers' from Greenscene. The trick with these [very] brightly coloured scatter materials seems to be to mix them with the usual green scatter first, as this reduces the intensity - unless you are planting flowerbeds. 1 Quote
scahalane Posted January 19, 2014 Posted January 19, 2014 Wow, the detail is only superb, you can nearly smell the wild ground cover. Quote
Glenderg Posted January 19, 2014 Posted January 19, 2014 As always, top drawer stuff. The ground cover, and how it blends to the trackside is delicious! Tell uz, what's the provenance of the water tower? Wills sheet? It's mighty. Richie. Quote
Mayner Posted January 20, 2014 Posted January 20, 2014 Ah the St Albans show some superb layouts and trade stands always used to be a New Year highlight while living in the UK late 80s early 1990s. In those days I always seem to have attended a different exhibition every weekend no wonder I got so little done. Quote
David Holman Posted January 20, 2014 Author Posted January 20, 2014 Right first time, Richie - good old Wills sheet of the random stone variety. Works as well in 7mm as 4mm, to my eye at least. Based the model on the ones at Sligo and along the SLNCR. Have included a closer picture, which also shows progress on Railcar B, where the tractor unit is taking shape. Have created a more modern version of the Donegal's controls, with a proper driver's desk, throttle and brake levers, gear lever, plus a few dials and switches. Whether they are right or not is anyone's guess, but if not, are hopefully small enough to still pass muster. As for St Alban's, remains as good as ever - one of the must see events in the South East, along with the Uckfield Show, Chatham [esp in its new venue] and Alexandra Palace - the latter being great for the larger layouts. 1 Quote
Kirley Posted January 22, 2014 Posted January 22, 2014 Fantastic -the detail in the ground cover alone is breath-taking. Quote
David Holman Posted January 25, 2014 Author Posted January 25, 2014 Like scenery, road vehicles are a key part of making a model railway seem realistic. However, while they can look ok in photos, at an exhibition, one needs to be careful about where to put them, as unlike the trains, they are not going to move. Faller systems excepted that is. As in most 7mm scale layouts, Arigna Town does not have a lot of room for stuff beyond the railway fence, so I’ve tried to be selective in what to include. Apart from the little donkey cart and the Austin 7 at the garage, there are three commercial vehicles and a car. Even so, not all should be on scene at the same time as I am determined not to fall into the trap on making it look like the M25. The two lorries are both Classic Commercial kits. One is a Leyland lorry, loaded with building materials. It is mainly resin castings, with some etched and whitemetal details. The other is a much older, whitemetal kit, revamped under the CC label. I’m not sure of the prototype, but am hopeful some of you will tell me. The Morris PV box van is my latest acquisition. Also Classic Commercial and again mainly resin, with some very fine stainless steel etches for the windows and finely cast whitemetal wheels. Took ages to build because you need to stop and paint things every so often. Like the other vehicles, the wheels are sanded flat where they sit on the ground, a subtle, but very effective treatment I recommend to anyone. The only other vehicle is the oldest, being a Dinky Austin Somerset from my childhood. Committed sacrilege by removing the paint and chassis, then added seat, new wheels and glazing. The numberplate is that of Dr Ian Allen, the Suffolk GP who took many railway photos in the 50s & 60s. Doubt if he made it to Ireland though. Old Dinky and Corgi toys can by useful in 7mm scale, but one needs to be careful where they are put as most are to either 1:50 [or 1:48] scale so are much too small when put alongside a 1:43 model. The last pictures are some figures for the interior of Railcar B. I mainly use the Peco figures for passengers. They are cheap, but also rather nasty, with lots of flash and rather mediocre detail. The 6 I had left were of just two different types, but am rather pleased with the adaptions I’ve made, not least because three have changed sex! A bit of work with some needle files gave them more of a waist [& even a bit of a bosom]. Similar work got rid of caps. Guess I could have got the filler out to make trousers into skirts, but for inside a coach compartment, they’ll hopefully pass muster. Rather cruel enlargement though. 1 Quote
David Holman Posted February 4, 2014 Author Posted February 4, 2014 A big day today as the railway took delivery of its new Railcar B. Not quite fully complete yet, as the rear bogie still needs its pickups linked to the motor. will use those little gold plated computer type plug and sockets, but only have sockets at the moment, which makes me wonder as there were the same of each in the pack when I bought them... A trip to Maplins on Saturday should sort things, though even with just 4 wheel pickup it seems to run well and [most important] doesn't foul the platform. Very pleased with the way it has come together & though far from perfect [i know where the issues are, but am not saying!], it seems to look the part. Given I started work on the 2nd January, the project has come in at about 5 weeks. Probably given it an average of 3 hours a day, so equals around 100 hours work in all, which is about par for an 0 gauge loco kit. So, a short break while I do some planning for the signal at the station throat - the three arm, 2 doll beauty in the Sligo album. Should make a change from all that plastic and sanding, 1 Quote
heirflick Posted February 4, 2014 Posted February 4, 2014 your best work yet - stunning dosent come close to describing it ...superb work. i knew railcar b would be good but Juesus shes a beauty!! Quote
Garfield Posted February 4, 2014 Posted February 4, 2014 You could be forgiven for thinking those photos are of the real thing... stunning! Quote
Glenderg Posted February 4, 2014 Posted February 4, 2014 If you heard a thud, that was my jaw hitting the floor. Amazing how a prototype you may have not had much time for previously, comes alive when presented and assembled like this. Superb stuff david. Richie Quote
jhb171achill Posted February 4, 2014 Posted February 4, 2014 W O W ! ! ! Best yet! Absolutely top class work! You can't get more realistic than this layout and everything on it! Quote
UP6936 Posted February 4, 2014 Posted February 4, 2014 Lovely work David! Am I imagining things, or did a similar railcar make it into black and tan? Quote
David Holman Posted February 4, 2014 Author Posted February 4, 2014 'twas the same railcar UP. When the Sligo closed in 1957, all the stock was auctioned off. CIE bought the railcar and used it in the Navan line and for driver training. The two Beyer Peacock tanks were bought by UTA and ended up shunting in Belfast. The railcar is still with us at Downpatrick, but in a poor state it seems. One day though, it should run again. You can ride a Walker railcar on the Finn Valley and a fine experience it is too, even if limited to 5mph. Quote
scahalane Posted February 5, 2014 Posted February 5, 2014 Love this layout so much, just keeps getting better. Quote
jhb171achill Posted February 5, 2014 Posted February 5, 2014 As David says, the railcar is now at Downpatrick. A detailed examination of it was done when it was acquired from IE a few years ago, and it was found that the engine was as sick as the bodywork. The roof, miraculously, isn't too bad, but the thing needs to be sent away. The specialist firm in England to whom it would go quoted a figure not far short of €200k which given the necessary work was about right. An appeal by DCDR some years ago yielded just enough money to secure a good spare engine, which is now in store at Downpatrick. The railcar is under a tarpaulin. If and when grant aid can be made available, it will be sent to England (or maybe to David Holman!) to be fully restored to working order. When CIE acquired it in 1957, it was repainted in the then standard lighter carriage green, and numbered 2509. After 1962 it got the black'n'tan which it still carries. Quote
David Holman Posted February 5, 2014 Author Posted February 5, 2014 My workshop is only 16' x 8' John and what I know about welding and the like would fit on the back of a postage stamp with room to spare. Doubt if soldering and plasticard will help! In some ways £200k does not seem much to get it back into shape, but I fear there are many other priorities ahead of it... Quote
jhb171achill Posted February 5, 2014 Posted February 5, 2014 That's the issue, David, and it is related to what I said in a different post - that manpower and money resources, let alone time, in the Irish preservation world are a great deal more limited (for a variety of reasons) than across the water, for instance. The main framing of "B" is nothing like as bad as it looks and as stated there's a spare engine. But no control gear whatsoever - this will have to be acquired or newly made. No brakes, no electrics for lighting etc. None of that is rocket science especially for 1940s technology; different if it was a 70 year old De Dietrich! So, if and when funding appears, this will happen, but efforts have been made on and off for quite a few years to secure same, thus far to no avail. PS - can you enlarge your workshop? There's €200k in it for you... ;-) Quote
Mayner Posted February 6, 2014 Posted February 6, 2014 Amazing detail I especially like the railbus and the whole scenic composition. Four weeks to build a railcar your work rate and standard never ceases to amaze me. Quote
Aussie Phil Posted February 7, 2014 Posted February 7, 2014 Every time I come back to this thread I am again and again stunned by the quality of your work. I purchased the books you recommended and am about to tackle some scenery in the upcoming weeks. Hope it comes out half as well as yours mate. Best modelling I've seen in a long time. I think you should write an article and share this layout with the world. Quote
David Holman Posted February 7, 2014 Author Posted February 7, 2014 Planning an article at the moment. RM are generally favourable to layouts making their debut at a show and Arigna will be a Chatham in June, so am keeping my fingers crossed. Am sure you will be able to do as good a job on your scenery. It is all about building up layers and making careful observation of the real thing or colour photos. If you can get hold of a static grass machine you can get wonderful effects very quickly too. Tis all very satisfying and will look forward to seeing how you get on. The standard of your rolling stock and buildings suggests to me the outcomes will be worth seeing. Quote
David Holman Posted February 23, 2014 Author Posted February 23, 2014 Currently the layout is not seeing much work as I concentrate on the railbus and Small Tank. However, cleaned the track and did a bit of test running recently, so here are a couple of new pictures. 1 Quote
Sulzer201 Posted February 23, 2014 Posted February 23, 2014 Amazing work, everything about the layout is top drawer stuff but I especially love this last photo of the tank engine, the PW and the platform edging, the unkempt look adds magnificent realism and atmosphere. Quote
jhb171achill Posted February 23, 2014 Posted February 23, 2014 I agree with all the above - always look forward to updates on this one. Quote
Kirley Posted February 23, 2014 Posted February 23, 2014 The high standard is maintained, superb detail. Quote
David Holman Posted March 9, 2014 Author Posted March 9, 2014 Looking at photos of your layout is a good way to 'proof read' it an tidy up mistakes or areas that still need improving. Was looking at the hedgerows and noticed that the bases of the trees were bare and the wire frames were clearly visible. Easy to remedy with some postiche and scatter material. Have also started adding some reeds to the drainage ditch, which is going to be tedious. Only done a small area so far & not sure if I like it yet. A case of C-, could do better, as my school reports used to say! 1 Quote
Weshty Posted March 9, 2014 Posted March 9, 2014 C-? It looks pretty much like the real thing David to me. Superb work. Inspiring. Quote
Portoman Posted March 9, 2014 Posted March 9, 2014 Excellent work - its like a time capsule in miniature -love the garage scene Quote
minister_for_hardship Posted March 9, 2014 Posted March 9, 2014 My uncle has an Austin 7 saloon just like the one in front of the garage. I suppose it's safe to assume people could have held onto a car dating from the 30's into the late 40's. Quote
jhb171achill Posted March 9, 2014 Posted March 9, 2014 Indeed.... jhb171 senior drove a 1951 Ford Prefect from new until about 1965... Quote
Mayner Posted March 10, 2014 Posted March 10, 2014 My Honda CRV is just about eligible to vote, 200k on the clock and still going strong. Quote
minister_for_hardship Posted March 10, 2014 Posted March 10, 2014 The roads of 1940's Ireland would be less forgiving to the older vehicle. Older vehicles back then tended to have shorter working lives than nowadays. Quote
David Holman Posted March 20, 2014 Author Posted March 20, 2014 With work on Fermanagh sidelined for a few days till I can get a motor gearbox, an opportunity presented itself to 'plant' the signal post. Had to cut a scale 5'x3' hole in the baseboard surface and clear a section of foliage a bit like the real thing, I guess! This is because the operating mechanisms will be wire in tube/cranks below the baseboard. The idea is that the signal base is a nice tight fit in the hole, but the whole signal unit can be removed for transport or maintenance, with having to undo anything - a concept available from Wizard Models, though I have developed my own version to hopefully mean all three arms can be moved on/off. The surface of the base 'plate' is painted in weathered concrete. VERY unlikely that the sigs will ever be interlocked with the gates... 1 Quote
.png.c363cdf5c3fb7955cd92a55eb6dbbae0.png){kind=logo}
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.