Buffers Lock

[jhb171achill]

Absolutely superb stuff all round. Love your realistic brickwork texture.

[Irishrailwayman]

The Big Reveal! The two baseboards have been constructed and track has been pinned down. This series of photos outlines the track-work and approximate position of the buildings assembled previously. Also see the photographic back-scene atmospheric of high Summer in GWR days of steam... The track design has a run-around loop at the station with a head-shunt, a siding across a double-slip (great space-saver) which enters two lines to the Goods Shed as well as a trailing head-shunt to the Cattle-dock. Plenty of scope for passenger and goods stock movements. The design allows for a fiddle-yard at each end of the layout: one is a Traverser and the other a Train Turntable (more of these anon).

 

[Noel]

Looks fabulous Gerry. How do you find working with O gauge track? Your GWR pannier will look great shunting this layout.

[Irishrailwayman]

2 minutes ago, Noel said:

Looks fabulous Gerry. How do you find working with O gauge track? Your GWR pannier will look great shunting this layout.

Thanks Noel. The Peco track is easy to work with. Looking forward to running trains on this layout!

[Irishrailwayman]

I am developing two three-way 4 foot fiddle-yards: one is a Traverser and the other a Train Turntable. They can each be fitted either end of the layout. Attached a few photos of the Turntable the first one prior to assembly:

 

[enniscorthyman]

Great work Gerry.

[Irishrailwayman]

A couple of photos of the Traverser fiddle-yard which can fit at either end of the scenic section of the layout. Construction used the same techniques as the main boards except the board was inverted to provide a frame for the moving track board which is supported by three drawer sliders.

[Irishrailwayman]

With both the Traverser and Turntable fiddle-yard wiring complete, attention turned to wiring the first of two scenic boards for DCC including 4 point motors. All tested and working perfectly now. Lamps and building lighting are provided for by separate DC connectors.

 

 

[Noel]

Fabulous precision track work as ever. I see the DMC school of digital wiring is an established standard now amongst WMRC

[Irishrailwayman]

Platforms rescued  from disposal adapted for use on "Buffers Lock". The main platform straddles two boards and a goods platform is fitted next to the Goods Shed. Buildings shown roughly where they will be on completion although they will be removable for transport purposes.

[TimO]

Good to see the progress on this layout. The buildings are looking at home here.
 

As Noel says I see the DMC school of wiring but are you using DCC controlled point motors or have you control modules to install.

I’m also interested to know what length of train can use the platform? Is it designed for a GWR ‘B’ set?

[Irishrailwayman]

7 minutes ago, TimO said:

Good to see the progress on this layout. The buildings are looking at home here.
 

As Noel says I see the DMC school of wiring but are you using DCC controlled point motors or have you control modules to install.

I’m also interested to know what length of train can use the platform? Is it designed for a GWR ‘B’ set?

Hi Tim. I built the buildings from kits to look like a "family" using the same paint scheme and adding quoins which differs from the original instructions. I have used Cobalt digital point motors to be controlled by DCC Roco/Fleischmann Z21 system. The platform will indeed take a pannier and a two coach GWR "B" set. Progress has slowed for now as I prepare for Wexford MRC's Open Day.

[Irishrailwayman]

More progress on the layout with the (removable) side-scene mirrors and back-scene fitted allowing the buildings to be set out to plan the next stages of ballasting and scenic base preparation:

[Irishrailwayman]

Ballasting completed and scenic base work in development on the shorter 4 foot board of the layout:

[Irishrailwayman]

Development of "Buffers Lock" is progressing:

[Patrick Davey]

Kind of gutted I have only noticed this thread now, but what a treat to be able to enjoy all these incredible photos in one sitting!!!  I've just lost half an hour..... but what a great half an hour!!

Truly awesome stuff - inspirational!

Isn't there an O Gauge NCC Jinty coming to the market soon....... <<thinks of future projects>>......

Looking forward to further updates and I love the clever name too!!!

[Irishrailwayman]

Buffers Lock is nearing completion ready for its debut exhibition at Wexford on 30th April/1st May 2023!

[Irishrailwayman]

"Buffers Lock" is pretty much good to go for its debut exhibition at Wexford on April 30th/May 1st:

[Irishrailwayman]

A few views of the debutante at the Wexford MRC Exhibition 2023: This is the first time all four boards were up together (insufficient room at home) but it provided a learning curve for mimicking prototypical operations. BTW great turnout for the show and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves.

[Irishrailwayman]

I am honoured that "Buffers Lock" was awarded Best Layout - the Jim Kearns Memorial Award - at its debut exhibition in Wexford!

[jhb171achill]

Well deserved

 

[Patrick Davey]

Well done Gerry!!

[Irishrailwayman]

Over the holidays I have been painting some ModelU3d figures for a new GWR autocoach featuring a Crimson Lake/gold lined livery:

[Gabhal Luimnigh]

Nicely done lad, a steady hand and a tiny bit of patience no doubt.

[Irishrailwayman]

We had a ball showing "Buffers Lock" at the Bangor, N.I. Exhibition in March 2024. Delighted to have been conferred with the Best Large Scale Layout Award.

[Gabhal Luimnigh]

Well deserved

[Patrick Davey]

Superb - well done!

[Irishrailwayman]

"Buffers Lock" featured at Gauge O Guild's Guildex 2024 exhibition at Stafford last weekend as reported elsewhere on the Forum. I'm including a few extra views here for the record.

 

Edited September 11 by Irishrailwayman

[Irishrailwayman]

"Buffers Lock" has won the judges' Best in Show Award at the MRSI Dublin Exhibition 2024! This was the layouts fifth public outing and third award. I am honoured and delighted needless to say. Thanks to all who assisted me over the weekend especially my wife Jenna.

 

[enniscorthyman]

Well done Gerry,well deserved. 

[Colin_McLeod]

Congratulations 

[Noel]

Delighted Buffers lock won best in show at the big Dublin exhibition. Totally deserved. Congratulations you two. It is stunning on visual elements as well as realism. So many micro details and micro scenes.  What is so impressive is how much you managed to get into a small space without ever making it look cramped or over populated. Clever use of mirrors as ever. Couldn't happen to a nicer gentleman and lady.

Edited November 3 by Noel

[Irishrailwayman]

2 hours ago, Noel said:

Delighted Buffers lock won best in show at the big Dublin exhibition. Totally deserved. Congratulations you two. It is stunning on visual elements as well as realism. So many micro details and micro scenes.  What is so impressive is how much you managed to get into a small space without ever making it look cramped or over populated. Clever use of mirrors as ever. Couldn't happen to a nicer gentleman and lady.

Thanks Noel. I think of Dave McCabe at this time who taught me so much about railways and modelling. The baseboards were made using his techniques as were the electrics. Dave also provided me with input on the trackwork design for "Buffers Lock". Ar dheis De go raibh a anam dilis.

Edited November 3 by Irishrailwayman