richrua Posted April 29, 2020 Share Posted April 29, 2020 Hi all. It has been quite some time since I've been on here. (This has been down to some general fatigue and aches and pains, along with a hectic family life, new job and just not having much time) . Any way, I felt less and less like going to the attic, so I took the decision to run down the attic layout and work on a simple micro layout that could be stowed away easily. My mind was made up when my father in law gave me a stock of wood off cuts including a number of ply boards cut to about 8" by 3ft , and some more a little shorter. As soon as I saw them I started thinking "layout, layout". I'm recycling most railway items from previous efforts to keep the cost down. Here's a few snaps of work so far: 18 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paddy Mac Namara Posted April 29, 2020 Share Posted April 29, 2020 i'm not a great fan of the "emoji" likes, so here's some real words. "i like". track plans etc...????? 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richrua Posted April 30, 2020 Author Share Posted April 30, 2020 Ok, so it will be a very small 'inglenook' type shunting layout with an extra fiddle yard/board . I also ran the track from board edge to edge at the back so that I could make another section at a later date. A modular idea - as I have several of these ply wood sheets ready cut. But that is for the future. (In the past i have always moved on to more and more and then never actually completed a layout , or close to complete anyway!) I'll try to attach a plan. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richrua Posted May 1, 2020 Author Share Posted May 1, 2020 I got plenty done this evening, after working from home all day. After I tested the points ( i had to try to off-set one as it was too near the edge - it is working for now) and general running, i was happy to proceed with adding the back scene and sides. I will make an overall cover eventually i think. I then made my first cassette for my simple fiddle yard. Also, as I'm recycling things , I am sorting out a nice Faller cement works kit, adjusted a little to fit. I also made another building from a coke can, some old sprue and the sheets of ties from cheap sandwich bags to make a corrugated building. It's a false entrance- trains wont be able to go through. That's about it for now tomorrow I'm going to work on finishing the buildings I think. 8 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Holman Posted May 2, 2020 Share Posted May 2, 2020 Love it when everyday items form the basis of convincing models. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JasonB Posted May 2, 2020 Share Posted May 2, 2020 Good to see you back posting richrua. Progressing well already. Nice work on the Cement Works. Great use of items lying about, as David has mentioned above. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richrua Posted May 2, 2020 Author Share Posted May 2, 2020 Thanks folks. More to come! I'll be detailing that building a bit more. I'm trying to fit some electro magnets for Auto uncoupling. Does anyone know if they would be powerful Enough to work through 6mm ply ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richrua Posted May 4, 2020 Author Share Posted May 4, 2020 Excuse the test wagons! I ballasted the track and added the basic scenic details , I dont plan to add much more as keep it simple is my new motto so that I actually achieve a functioning railway ! 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Holman Posted May 7, 2020 Share Posted May 7, 2020 Lessons for all of us here, not least that it doesn't have to take years to build a model railway - you can have something up and running in a fairly short space of time. Nothing wrong with taking longer of course, but for anyone thinking of having a go, starting small and doing something achievable is the way to go methinks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richrua Posted May 8, 2020 Author Share Posted May 8, 2020 (edited) Thanks David, still a lot of neatening up to be done of course, but that's the basis, and most importantly I have a working model with point motors etc - being able to just flip the small board to fit them was great!!! I am going to make another 'scene' on the same size board, which I can join in a modular fashion to either side of this one. I'm just delighted that it works well and I can now get the balance right between build and operation! It is also interesting how much you can do with 3ft x 8" . Edited May 8, 2020 by richrua Added info Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevo Posted July 5, 2020 Share Posted July 5, 2020 Hi Richrua . brilliant work really like it . doint know if ime right but you doint see many irish micro layouts so its a real treat . strange thing as well i did build a small micro cement layout my self some years back to run my 141 on . hope you doint mind i slipped a pic of it in cheers kevin . 10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richrua Posted July 6, 2020 Author Share Posted July 6, 2020 Love it! That looks great. Lockdown allowed me to build a small shed/workshop/potting shed to keep my micro layout in. I had an old double glazed window and apart from the roof panels, was able to build it with wood I had about , including old fence panels. I'm planning a small outdoor extension to the micro , to add a little more running space. I'll put some pics up soon , but I've actually found myself busier lately ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevo Posted July 6, 2020 Share Posted July 6, 2020 Yes the lock down has made many of us make do with what ever we have laying around . i know my self have made good use of a recycleing a old base board for my latest l micro layout . sounds like you had real good fun makeing your shed . seeing your layout has made me think about have a second go at a nother micro cement layout who knowns . I do like your main buildings at the far end of your layout are they all scratch built . they look really impressive . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richrua Posted December 30, 2020 Author Share Posted December 30, 2020 Hi folks, made some slight changes to the layout in order to extend it in the shed, but it still can function as a seperate 'module' . I've picked up a 121 and I've added a station area. The boards are shallow, hence the low scenic amount, but most of all it works. I have a detachable loop that runs outside the shed for when it's not raining ! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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