Dunbell

[Kilkenny]

Hello everyone. I hope to keep updating this thread with progress on my layout. The layout I'm building is currently about 13 feet x 9 feet. I decided to build it in three main stages. For the materials I will be using 3 x 4-ply 15mm 8x4 plywood sheets together with 8 x 18 foot 2x3 planks for the base and support struts. It is being built in an outside shed which used to be a wreck but I've cleared it out, patched the roof, put in appropriate insulation to prevent dampness, plastered the wall and painted it and put in new carpeting, now it's finally layout friendly! When the main baseboards are laid the shape will be like a rectangle but with one slanted side to allow ease of access to the shed

 

Section 1; This is what I already had completed before I started to take pictures of the progress:

 

 

Section 2; Here I'm going to show you building this section from start to finish. First here's the untreated wood that I bought for the section (with the shed in the background):

 

 

I then preserved the wood with a strong varnish/preservative, this also helped with the presentation. A loft layout mightn't need such treatment but because this shed can experience sub-zero temperatures together with heat I didn't want the base boards to warp. The more coats the better! :

 

 

Screwing and nailing the support struts:

 

 

I've cut the baseboard to the right shape but as you see the sides of the two baseboards are drooping over the edge so I have to rectify that and convert it into the one piece (next photo):

 

 

Job done for tonight! Altogether what you see there was done over 2 days which isn't bad going I suppose :

 

As for track layout and scenery I have very little planning done as of yet. I plan on doing some local scenery such as a quarry which I live near that the tracks pass, I think that it will look well and is relatively easy to do once you right stuff. This will definitely take a few months maybe even a year to get up to the standard that I'm happy with. More updates soon!

[Guest hidden-agenda]

First class Kilkenny its really shaping up and a nice set up with the railway close by to your house as well.

[Kilkenny]

First class Kilkenny its really shaping up and a nice set up with the railway close by to your house as well.

 

Thanks for the positive feedback hidden agenda . The proximity to the railway is a nice bonus when looking for scenery ideas or the like! It should shape up nicely in the next few weeks if things go to plan.

[gm171 kk]

Very nice:tumbsup:. Wish I had the space for a layout like that.

[Kilkenny]

Very nice:tumbsup:. Wish I had the space for a layout like that.

 

Haha don't worry gm171kk, one day you'll find space!

[Kirley]

Good luck with Dunbell on the long road ahead of you developing your layout

[Flying Scotsman 4472]

Looking forward to more pics

[Glenderg]

Tidy bit of work KK, and I see you've got the first rule of baseboard building down to a fine art. "Always have a cup of scald present at all times". Looking forward to seeing more photos & trackplan.

 

Richie.

[irishthump]

Nice tidy work on the baseboards...

 

Love the shed too; a good size space on ground level, I'm well jealous!

[Guest hidden-agenda]

A nice day with the shed door open watching your trains go by listening to a 201 roar by your back garden and a beer in one hand and a ham and cheese on french bread in the other.

Your in heaven.

[enniscorthyman]

That's a nice man shed you have there.Its shaping

up well.

[Train model]

Great stuff but I taught you only use ash for everything down your part of the country .but searious just bring a kittle milk and tea bags

Unless Dave bracken calls have cake.

[Kilkenny]

A nice day with the shed door open watching your trains go by listening to a 201 roar by your back garden and a beer in one hand and a ham and cheese on french bread in the other.

Your in heaven.

 

You hit the nail on the head there hidden agenda! Looks like the sun will never come though

[Kilkenny]

Thanks for the positive feedback enniscorthyman, I hope the rest of the project goes as smoothly.

[Kilkenny]

Thanks to all for the positive feedback and humour! I will have more updates soon with pictures as well, thanks again.

[enniscorthyman]

A shed like yours have would suit me fine as my attic

Project is driving me mad with the heat at the moment

and extreme cold in the winter.Do keep us updated on progress.

[201bhoy]

Looks great? What era or stock are you planning on?

[Kilkenny]

A shed like yours have would suit me fine as my attic

Project is driving me mad with the heat at the moment

and extreme cold in the winter.Do keep us updated on progress.

 

I could imagine it being difficult to work in alright, especially if it's a cramped space.

Wait till the cold starts to roll in! Then it gets tricky..

Will do, have the final baseboard update in next few hours and then it's on to the good stuff!

[Kilkenny]

Looks great? What era or stock are you planning on?

 

Thanks!

1980's - Present mostly.

I'll mainly focus on the 071 and 201 class with mk2 + 3 coaches and as for freight I'm going to have; dfds containers, beer kegs & iwt containers hopefully.

[201bhoy]

Thanks!

1980's - Present mostly.

I'll mainly focus on the 071 and 201 class with mk2 + 3 coaches and as for freight I'm going to have; dfds containers, beer kegs & iwt containers hopefully.

 

Sounds like my kind of layout! Do you plan a big station, or freight yard or what?

[Flying Scotsman 4472]

A shed like yours have would suit me fine as my attic

Project is driving me mad with the heat at the moment

and extreme cold in the winter.Do keep us updated on progress.

 

 

Well I did warn you several times