Wicklow South

[KMCE]

I decided it would be good to have a small shunting layout for testing purposes and also the possibility of bringing it to exhibitions. 

 

I started out to build an Inklenook sidings type layout without context, but decided it would be nicer if it could represent a station (or part of) in Ireland.  The purpose of the layout is to sit over my work desk to be used as a test track as well as being transportable.  Dimensions are 1235mm x 230mm which is really a glorified shelf layout. 

After looking at quite a number of stations to find something that would fit (ish) in the small space i had in mind, if found that the southern section of Wicklow Passenger station may fit the bill.

 

So the plan is to model the South (West?) end of the station from the foot bridge over the platform to the pedestrian bridge over the railway further down the line which should frame the layout.  Understandably, the layout is truncated to fit in the space available.

So - layout developed in templot and CAD to get some track plans to start track work.

Wiring done - DC with isolated sections to allow multiple loco operation if required.

Track & points built, all fine tuned and running well.

 

Well...........almost.  Turns out the points (A5) were too tight to allow the larger locos through.  The 0-4-0ST (495) worked through without problem, and 2-4-0T (423) just about made it, however the 4-4-2T (458), & the 6 wheelers would not and were continuously de-railing.

Back to the drawing board (Templot & CAD) to create A6 points, tweaked to fit in much the same space.  Old points removed & new trackwork constructed and fit.  The advantage of building track is the ability to tighten up track work rather than use set track.

By pulling the RH point back into the exit of LH point helped shorten the overall length.  The point blades for the RH point are rather close to the crossing vee of the LH point which with a bit of fettling works well.  The only issues to over come were ensuring isolation between the crossing vee and the straight track of the new point to avoid shorts; the second being the kink in the track at the blade tip for the curving rail.  There was very little track before this kink which took some time to get right.

 

All tested and up and running.  All locos, coach and wagons now get through the points, albeit at slower speeds for larger locos.  All good.

Points are controlled manually by a rod under the board with a pin coming up through the stretcher bar between the blades.  Electrickery for the crossing vee and wing rails is controlled by powered pins & a side branch on the point rod.  I'll take a photo as it's rather difficult to explain!

 

So track & sleepers painted ready for ballasting.  I decided to model the prototype and add point rodding using the Wills kit (base kit & extension); main point and catch points picked up closest to the viewer which will pass under the track at the signal box.  The short siding catch point will be picked up on that side back to the signal box. 

 

I also have signal wheels to model the signal cabling which is yet to be done.  Signals to be built including ground signal for the siding which will be of the lattice type.

Signal box, partial platforms, DSER style bridges, ballasting and scenics to be completed, so only really getting started at this point.

 

What I have learned is that the trackwork on the other layout (Port Cumtha) will need to be re-done as this experience has shown that the locos & 6-wheelers will not get through the points, but that's for another day.

 

More as time permits.

Ken

[Galteemore]

Looks great Ken! Point rodding is very effective

[murrayec]

Great stuff Ken

Looks really good,

as we discussed last Sunday- when ready you are more than welcome to display it at the Train & Model Fair, I know many of our visitors to the Fair would be delighted to see it and the fabulous locos n stock you build.

Eoin

 

[David Holman]

Love small projects like this. A chance to focus on fine detail and use/display all those fine models.

[KMCE]

A little more progress on the layout.  Think I have the point rodding sorted - albeit after a few "doh" moments; angle cranks the wrong way around!

Short siding catch point picked up.

 

All connections brought back to the signal box. Added a few rods and cranks for the points on the North end of the station which adds a little interest.

Detail of the rodding back to the platform ope where the signal box will be including the completed platform bridge.

 

Made a start on signal wheels at the signal box end.  May leave the signal end until I get some signals installed.

Next up will be platforms & then ballasting,

Starting to take shape!

 

More later.

Ken

[KMCE]

Ok  - so a lot later.

Work getting in the way of modelling so have only made a little progress.

 

Track has been ballasted, however ti does need some tidying up.  

Scenery has been cut from packing material - closed cell type plastic material - don't know the name, but it is a spongy material and was cut with a fret saw to give some profiling.

Static grass added & glue is still drying, which explains the white undertones.

 

Station bridge just sitting on timber blocks for the moment to get a feel for how the revised station backdrop will look.

 

Gap in the scenery at the end to allow insertion of bridge stone work - the gap can then be dressed into it.

 

Veiw back to the station.

 

View back towards the pedestrian bridge end.  Toning & colouring of the grass needed to blend together.

 

Overhead view.

 

Platforms have been added, but apart from stone edging, there is very little work done here.

 

Signal box to be constructed to set the bridge in place, so hopefully can make some headway into this over the coming period.

 

More as time permits.

 

Ken

 

[murrayec]

Looking great Ken

[GNRi1959]

Ken, really taking shape. Lovely piece if work.

[David Holman]

Nice. Very nice in fact. That track just looks so right - no doubt because it is!

[jhb171achill]

I like the point rodding. It adds a really realistic touch, as does the backscene blending into a low bank at the back. The wagons look great too - such vehicles were almost never pristine! It would be a pity to "dirty up" that locomotive, but perhaps you've considered it?

[KMCE]

Was doodling with the signal box earlier, but there is still a lot of work needed.  Windows have been made up in brass & will need paiinting before fitting.  Corner trims will also be needed to finish the look.  Nothing has been done on the platforms, but that will probably follow fixing the signal box in place.  That way platform fiinsh will dress into the building without seam lines.

 

Got  a little work done over the weekend; not much, but getting some trees in is starting to help the barren look.

Footbridge piers to be made to dress the bridge & scenery together.  I may open that end to allow for a sliding fiddle yard for display purposes.

 

Looking back to the station with 495 & the goods wagons.

 

 

423 with a goods train to set the scene.

 

A lot more scenery needed to blend the foreground into the backscene.  Trees are very bright green and will need toning down to look a little more realistic.

Coming together nicely though!

More as time permits

Ken

[Galteemore]

Looks really effective ! 

[Mayner]

Nice modelling and very atmospheric.

I wonder was the signal box re-built with an apex roof by CIE or IE.?

Wicklow signal cabin appears to be the odd man out with Arklow, Gorey and Rathdrum  retaining curved corrugated iron roofs.

 

[David Holman]

Lovely! The right track really lifts it to another level too.

[BSGSV]

6 hours ago, Mayner said:

Nice modelling and very atmospheric.

I wonder was the signal box re-built with an apex roof by CIE or IE.?

Wicklow signal cabin appears to be the odd man out with Arklow, Gorey and Rathdrum  retaining curved corrugated iron roofs.

 

A nice job, indeed.

I believe the cabin had a fire, sometime in the mid-1960's to early 1970's, and the roof was changed from the normal curved one.  

[KMCE]

8 hours ago, BSGSV said:

I believe the cabin had a fire, sometime in the mid-1960's to early 1970's, and the roof was changed from the normal curved one.  

Hmmm.......If this is correct, I may need to change the detail, as my modelling era is 20's to 40's.  

I have some photos of the signal boxes further down the line which I can use to modify the model.

Thanks Guys - this info is much appreciated and helps with accuracy.

 

 

11 hours ago, David Holman said:

The right track really lifts it to another level too.

I'm getting very used to the track guage - it just looks right, although not without its challenges.

Ken

Edited October 7, 2019 by KMCE

[KMCE]

Ok - given the change in roof profile, I decided to redo the signal cabin.  

Bit of CAD, bit of Brass, run on the mill & some soldering, we get.....

 

Add a bit of paint & some light wash, we get this......

 

Bridges got a lick of paint as well - weathering needed there to tone them down a bit.

Roof of the signal cabin needs to be painted, but the silver finish doesn't look too bad.  Lower roof needs to be dressed also to take away the flat primer finish.

 

Getting there.

Ken

[murrayec]

Excellent Ken, that looks great

I cant help noticing the perspective of the photo under the bridge- do you use Photoshop, if so do you know the 'distort' transformation with the four handles at each corner- tug on those and you can change the perspective to be more in line with the laid track and platform. Pulling the top left corner would be a start, would be a trial n error exercise but I reckon it is worth doing!

Eoin