Scalefour Forum

Have you got Mitchell and Smith's Middleton Press album "Branch Line to Swanage" over there Cheers, Steve Err.... C142C940-B4F8-46AE-87FA-C33F7BF4A8F5.jpeg Thanks for looking... I found your references, thank you. I would conclude it’s a single tongue. Actually the track layout is super i...

There goes Berrington again - digging up old topics. So - I am at the stage of planning the trap point at the headshunt of my model based on Swanage. The Templot plan I have, shows a single tongue trap point, and I am set to make one. However I am having second thoughts: 1.) Looking at Martin Finney...

Apologies for resurrecting an old topic. I’m at this stage of the layout, so was reading over this again. Faced with challenge of keeping the flow of track work, I have contemplated Howard’s method (below) of glueing the template onto the track bed as I begin laying timbers and sleepers through the ...

The nicest bit of kit I recently bought is this router attachment for my trusty old Dremmel: 26BD663B-19DC-4915-8FB4-9D65B74EBFBF.jpeg It wasn’t too expensive. I got mine from Lee Valley, a shop my wife tries to keep me out of. https://www.leevalley.com/en-ca/shop/tools/power-tool-accessories/router...

It’s an ultrasonic cutter: https://www.micromark.com/Wondercutter It was a gift ( nice gift) - they are super expensive. For the most part a bit disappointing, in that it won’t cut the things I want it to. Plywood and plastic no issue, but frankly stuff a sharp scalpel will handle. It’s great for sp...

Ralph can weigh in, but I gather one keeps the soldered connection under the ballast and then passes the wire through a hole. The idea being to keep the connection accessible - you can “dig it up” if need be anytime the Ministry of digging up the roads needs a project. Martin Finney’s method was my ...

My initial sleepering was coloured prior to attempting to install. Unfortunately the ink and pastel makes a dreadful mess while you are working, so I backed up a tad - not liking the black fingers. It’s been cold this week, so I got to do some modelling. 677980C9-2BF3-40C0-B03D-CD1D1F70A79E.jpeg Ste...

Scenery base coat of colour is on. I grant you in looks more like the Namib desert than Dorset. In needs it’s pastures, trees and bushes and wot-not. As promised track work is next up. Intimidating - just a touch.... 4540D7B8-998F-4AA1-A583-A2101437CFAC.jpeg 87A4796E-669B-44E7-A0FC-B8931384D65D.jpeg...

Some work on platforms..
My order from Chooch finally arrived.

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I love the inside motion. Neat work Dave.

Wow - thanks Noel. I am going for the overgrown look of the walls I saw near Norden. wall.jpg wall 2.jpg The vertical copestones are going to be interesting, as I have about 6 ft of it to do on the retaining wall across from the passenger platform. I started out, but it's a very slow process, as one...

Last of 2019 - rural lane - stages of construction.. A vertical strut of foam core buried in styrofoam and secured with gorilla glue Split pieces of chooch industries stone wall secured to the support Coping made from hydrocal bits Needs a bit more work, but getting there! 22E35BE4-40C4-4A60-8BAE-EF...

Hi Chris. This is great news. Obviously it has no business on my layout (place or period) other than it is the coolest looking little gizmo.
When I saw the one you brought to Scaleforum, I knew I would be getting one when released.

Some progress since last update
Most of the messy work is now done- time to start actually laying track!

I think it looks great. Those old Jidenco kits can seem to be a pigs ear, but you have a nice looking unusual model to show for your trouble! Well done, I like it.

Andy - that is excellent news. I have sent you a message (or two)
The ground signals are also lovely little models.....

Thanks Steve - those look very good!
How does the plastic hold up? (Some of the 3D printer plastic seems brittle after a while)

I wonder if they can print them in brass like his ground signal bases?

Many of you will remember one of the kindest modellers I had the pleasure to know, one J Douglas Smith. Sadly he is no longer with us. One of his many articles in the model press was on his SR concrete fence posts (MRJ No 180, 2008) I acquired a good quantity of these from him ( I believe Slaters di...

Somewhat over engineered.

I have mixed feelings about ply. I have used Baltic birch - 12mm for trackbed and 18mm for the chassis. It is light and very strong. Unfortunately will chip a bit in the CNC machine if you use the wrong bit! The boards I’ve made have been done with sturdy stuff and is assembled as to be bomb proof w...

Progress has been slow over the last few months. Work can be annoying sometimes.... Anyway- a shell of smoothon two part resin now covers the foam. The stuff is light and solid as a rock. 5F2AFF07-4203-4A31-88EC-288FA8B3964C.jpeg F375030B-324F-46BB-8D50-9B01D1EF3F33.jpeg 5F2AFF07-4203-4A31-88EC-288F...

Will L wrote:You will of course remember to fit a cosmetic fish plate at each cut!

Obsessive compulsive disorder is a lot of fun. The chairs will also be oriented appropriately.....

Not yet sir, but the notch is palpable, so I am more than convinced they will. Lining up should be OK, in that I have cheated - the end pieces of rail and longer than the 60ft - allowing someone leeway to “catch up” on bends etc. I am yet to assemble them - I did a small batch in case it is a pain i...

D12062C9-2D50-4888-B34A-F301F5C39D4A.jpeg The jig is 18mm mdf with grooves cut into it to ensure the rail stood the right way up. (Nice in theory) Cutting the notches in the rail leaves a mark in the mdf, so one has a guide for future rail cutting. The rail is C&L steel bullhead. (Which is by t...