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Cheddar

Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2014 10:53 pm
by Andrew Ullyott
Evening all.
I should probably start to put a few things on here as I tend to post mostly in my RMWeb blogs. Hopefully I'll get the hang of it.
I'm building another layout...
This one is Cheddar. Boards are done. Track work in underway.
This week I have been mostly trying out different methods of staining plywood sleepers.
Don't know if it's me but I couldn't get Colron Jacobean Oak to work. All the wood dyes seem to be water based these days and none would take sufficiently.
Have settled on coloured Indian ink, sepia. Results show promise for newly laid timbers.
Track building is slowly coming back to me...

Re: Time for an update

Posted: Thu Dec 04, 2014 9:15 am
by Simon Glidewell
That's a fine looking little industrial there Andrew.

Re: Time for an update

Posted: Sun Dec 07, 2014 8:12 am
by Phil O
Hi Andrew

I soak plywood sleepers in Colron for about 12 hours. I use an old butter tub, put the sleepers in and then add the Colron, put the lid on and give it a bit of a shake and repeat the shaking a few times, I then drain off the excess Colron before spreading the sleepers out on old newspaper to dry, if left in a window for a few days they very slightly start to weather if it is sunny.

Phil

Re: Time for an update

Posted: Sun Dec 07, 2014 8:16 am
by Simon Glidewell
Why not just use matt enamel paint diluted as required and paint them? That works without fail and you can get a multitude of sleeper grime shades which you can then tone down with weathering powders or finely sieved soil.

Re: Time for an update

Posted: Sun Dec 07, 2014 9:14 am
by Phil O
Simon Glidewell wrote:Why not just use matt enamel paint diluted as required and paint them? That works without fail and you can get a multitude of sleeper grime shades which you can then tone down with weathering powders or finely sieved soil.


Hi Simon

Do C & L chairs stick to the sleepers after painting?

After using the soaking method I stick the sleepers down, then I add point rodding, then add the rail and finally the weathering.

Phil

Re: Time for an update

Posted: Sun Dec 07, 2014 9:58 am
by Simon Glidewell
Hello Phil,

Yes the C and L chairs remain firmly bonded to the ply sleepers as the melted plastic from the Butanol seeps into the wood. If you try removing one of the chairs after it has cured and has been painted in the above manner it is stuck solid and very difficult to remove unless using a suitable tool.

All the best
Simon

Re: Time for an update

Posted: Sun Dec 07, 2014 4:36 pm
by Andrew Ullyott
Thanks for the advice. I'm obviously not waiting long enough. No change there then!
In the meantime here's how the turnout turned out, along with a shot of the Wells end of the layout. Much use of foam is in evident but underneath is a skeleton of 6mm ply.

Re: Time for an update

Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2015 3:39 am
by Andrew Ullyott
Insomnia is a wonderful thing. Gives you a chance to catch up with things. Don't know why I didn't just get up a couple of hours ago and do some actual modelling. Hey ho...
Cheddar has progressed a bit, now I've remembered how to make plain track. I did persevere with the Colron in the end.

Re: Time for an update

Posted: Sun Apr 12, 2015 10:20 pm
by Andrew Ullyott
Well it's been a few weeks since my last confession, so I thought I'd post an update.
It's quite useful seeing where I was at the beginning of March because to me progress is glacial. When I look back at the last entry I can see that I've done more than I realise!
Board 8 (the one at the Wells end of the layout) has seen the contours formed with a mixture of foam board and one strike light weight filler from my local diy emporium (Proper Job - other retail outlets are available) which can be applied in a thick layer and sets hard after 24 hours. Very impressed with this stuff and crucially it's really light. Almost foam like.
I've made a start on the overbridge now that the turnout mechanism has been installed, driven via a remote linkage from a Tortoise motor. The stone sheeting is Peco 2mm stone. Better than the usual Wills coarse stone for representing Mendip stonework IMHO.
Board 7 was worked on at the same time to match contours etc.
Board 6 has been dragged up from the garage and the baseboard tops added from a mixture of 12mm ply and 3mm laminate floor underlay for the track base and blue 15mm foam everywhere else to keep the weight down.
With boards 6&7 bolted together I've laid the main running lines with ply and plastic components.
Most of board 6 will have the main station building and train shed covering it hence if you look closely you'll notice I'm using a load of 3 bolt chairs I had left over rather than 2 bolt GWR ones...
That's my story anyway and I'm sticking to it!
Track work flows nicely to my eye anyway. Need to finish off board 8 before the next board can take its place on the production line.
Until next time.TTFN.
P.s. And before anyone says anything, the distortion visible on the track isn't there on the full size images or real thing! Must be a software glitch.

Re: Cheddar

Posted: Sat Dec 19, 2015 9:45 pm
by Andrew Ullyott
As we approach the end of the year I thought I'd put a brief update on here, I tend to put monthly updates on my RMWeb blog which links to the resource page in the members section I think.
Anyway, I'm now track building on board 5 of 8, moving my way up towards Yatton. There's no particular rush, I'm just taking things steadily. As you can see the latest board has a single slip and also the exit from the up yard has a pair of single tongue catch points.
I couldn't resist popping a couple of trains on the completed track to get a sense of scale. The station building will actually be on board 3, beyond the pair visible. Overall the layout will be 22ft scenic plus another 10ft of fiddle yards.
I think I've only 4 points left to build, though there are 3 lines from here to the end of the layout; two full length sidings and the branch line itself.
Two weeks off means I'll get a bit more done, mince pies notwithstanding.
Comments always welcome.
TTFN

Re: Cheddar

Posted: Sun Feb 18, 2018 7:36 pm
by Andrew Ullyott
It's been a very, very long time since I posted anything on here. These days I tend to put all my updates on my blog over on RM Web
http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/blog/1253-the-strawberry-line/
But by way of an update, I've been slowly wiring up the layout since about October 2016. My original hope was to get it all wired up last winter but that didn't go to plan at all. I had a bit of an interlude whilst I dabbled with another layout, potentially for the cameo challenge, but decided to concentrate on Cheddar this winter. This has been successful and I've spent the day running trains to and fro on 5 of the 8 boards that make up the 22' of scenic section.
I'm not blessed with a space where I can put the entire layout up, but a double garage does at least mean I can put up a fair sized amount.
Trackwork is all ply sleeper and plastic chairs and wired for eventual DCC, though it's set up for DC at the moment.
I've a 28 lever frame (two MSE kits) providing the control for points, signals etc. Just the points are wired with Tortoises at the moment but some more are on the way.
For those that like that sort of thing, the layout is supported on 75mm x 38mm aluminium rectangular tubes which slot together and are supported by Screwfix trestles at 5'6" centres
The main station structure at Cheddar had an overall roof and the model will scale out at circa 600mm long, so laser cut ply will be the order of the day.
Drawings have been started for that on Coreldraw and that'll be one of the next jobs, once track is fettled, painted, ballasted and detailed.
The ultimate aim is to have this as an exhibition layout but that's still a long way off yet.

Re: Cheddar

Posted: Tue Feb 20, 2018 1:59 am
by DougN
Andrew,

Would you mind showing a photo of the undersides of the boards. I have been thinking along the same lines of using "bearers" of aluminium along with the trestles. The layout I have been planning and I am building track for works out best with 1200 long modules 550 wide . I was working on 1800 long as this fits in my car but all the complex track work ends up over a base board joint which is what I was trying to avoid!
So to the main question, what length of aluminium tube are you using?
I can get aluminium in a different size rather than the 75x38mm from my trade suppliers which will work out 75x50mm

Re: Cheddar

Posted: Thu Feb 22, 2018 6:34 pm
by Andrew Ullyott
No problem Doug
I have a friend who worked in the trade who fabricated these for me. The wooden packers are to counter my sloping garage floor. I got the idea from the St Merryn group.

Re: Cheddar

Posted: Thu Feb 22, 2018 7:57 pm
by Re6/6
Steel trestles are a godsend. We use them for Balcombe. Their use saved us a heck of a lot of joinery!

Instead of aluminium box section (expensive?) we use 25mm² mild steel tube. We bought it from our local steel stockholder at £3.75 per metre.

mild-steel-box-section+(2).jpg

Re: Cheddar

Posted: Thu Feb 22, 2018 10:54 pm
by DougN
I agree Andrew, Your mentioning it above got me thinking on the St Merryn scaf tube idea .

John, I have easy access to steel and aluminium. (OK I may not even pay for it as I ask nicely of my contractors at work they tend to be very helpful) I was thinking of Aluminium, because it is stiffer than steel, it is also a lot lighter along with the 3rd benefit it wont rust if it gets wet. Yes You could use the Duragal (mill galvanised) sections but I have a sneeky suspicion the Aluminium may be easier to live with! I have a supplier which will also powder coat it for me if I wanted.

Re: Cheddar

Posted: Fri Feb 23, 2018 5:57 am
by Paul Townsend
Dartmouth, which will be at Scaleforum this year is on the same trestles ( Lidl) and aluminium angle bearers. The ally is 38 x 38 x 3 and is adequate for my narrow baseboards which are of light weight construction. Lengths of each piece is about 3M, joined with custom fishplates.

That particular section size is used because I acquired a fair few long lengths by a lucky find at a local scrapper while off-loading old car batteries. £5 for 9 meters! I bought a bit more new to match, once I had proved its adequacy.

en passant, visitors should also see a lightweight aluminium extrusion beam of about 8M length carrying the overhead LED lighting. Again made of 3M sections.

The various ally sections will travel on the roof rack, so cheaper steel for the long beams is unattractive and heavier!

For rigidity, square steel box section will form the gallows supports but the lengths are short so will travel inside the car or trailer.

Re: Cheddar

Posted: Fri Feb 23, 2018 6:07 am
by Paul Townsend
Andrew Ullyott wrote:No problem Doug
I have a friend who worked in the trade who fabricated these for me. The wooden packers are to counter my sloping garage floor. I got the idea from the St Merryn group.


When you are ready for exhibiting I hope the packer pieces will be screwed down A punter's or operator's kick at trestle foot could dislodge the loose ones with unfortunate consequences!

There is usually a downside to most ideas!

I do find the Lidl type trestles handy, in part as exhibition managers can have a say in the layout height at rig time. However when collapsed they take up a lot of travel space. No problem in a van but a challenge for shoe-horning into a car.

I wonder if anyone has devised a method of collapsing these so they go flatter instead of the triangular shape.
Of course if we had extra 2 hours for rig/derig we could dismantle them back to original kit box ....? NO!

Re: Cheddar

Posted: Fri Feb 23, 2018 7:10 am
by PeteT
Paul Townsend wrote:
I do find the Lidl type trestles handy, in part as exhibition managers can have a say in the layout height at rig time. However when collapsed they take up a lot of travel space. No problem in a van but a challenge for shoe-horning into a car.

I wonder if anyone has devised a method of collapsing these so they go flatter instead of the triangular shape.
Of course if we had extra 2 hours for rig/derig we could dismantle them back to original kit box ....? NO!


Ah! That explains why some are £30 each & others £30 a pair. These, for example, claim to fold flat:

https://www.wickes.co.uk/Wickes-Telesco ... e/p/167430

Already had a few options open in browser windows...

Re: Cheddar

Posted: Fri Feb 23, 2018 8:26 am
by Paul Townsend
PeteT wrote:
Paul Townsend wrote:
I do find the Lidl type trestles handy, in part as exhibition managers can have a say in the layout height at rig time. However when collapsed they take up a lot of travel space. No problem in a van but a challenge for shoe-horning into a car.

I wonder if anyone has devised a method of collapsing these so they go flatter instead of the triangular shape.
Of course if we had extra 2 hours for rig/derig we could dismantle them back to original kit box ....? NO!


Ah! That explains why some are £30 each & others £30 a pair. These, for example, claim to fold flat:

https://www.wickes.co.uk/Wickes-Telesco ... e/p/167430

Already had a few options open in browser windows...


Apart from logo those Wickes ones look identical to mine ex Lidl which also claim to pack flat.
In practice the collapsed " thickness" is about 160mm at the base and 105mm at the top bracket. You can pack them like sardines, head to toe, but then the legs tangle and jam. Also the chain securing the wire lock gets torn off so you lose the lock.....

Rant over, I still like them!

If you buy them at Lidl, watch out for occasional special price deals.

Re: Cheddar

Posted: Fri Feb 23, 2018 8:35 am
by Re6/6
DougN wrote: John, I have easy access to steel and aluminium. (OK I may not even pay for it as I ask nicely of my contractors at work they tend to be very helpful) I was thinking of Aluminium, because it is stiffer than steel, it is also a lot lighter along with the 3rd benefit it wont rust if it gets wet. Yes You could use the Duragal (mill galvanised) sections but I have a sneeky suspicion the Aluminium may be easier to live with! I have a supplier which will also powder coat it for me if I wanted.


Doug, powder coating would be lovely but would add to our expense. (cheapskate speaking!) After cleaning we sprayed them with a couple of coats of clear lacquer which has proved effective considering that they're stored in a garden shed.

Paul Townsend wrote: I do find the Lidl type trestles handy, in part as exhibition managers can have a say in the layout height at rig time. However when collapsed they take up a lot of travel space. No problem in a van but a challenge for shoe-horning into a car.

I wonder if anyone has devised a method of collapsing these so they go flatter instead of the triangular shape.
Of course if we had extra 2 hours for rig/derig we could dismantle them back to original kit box ....? NO!


Pull out the top adjustable piece and although the frame won't flatten any more it will allow the frames to be 'interlaced'. I manage to get four of them on the front seat and in the foot well of my Jeep and the top pieces take up only a small space in the back.

Re: Cheddar

Posted: Fri Feb 23, 2018 4:30 pm
by Paul Townsend
Re6/6 wrote:
Paul Townsend wrote: I do find the Lidl type trestles handy, in part as exhibition managers can have a say in the layout height at rig time. However when collapsed they take up a lot of travel space. No problem in a van but a challenge for shoe-horning into a car.

I wonder if anyone has devised a method of collapsing these so they go flatter instead of the triangular shape.
Of course if we had extra 2 hours for rig/derig we could dismantle them back to original kit box ....? NO!


Pull out the top adjustable piece and although the frame won't flatten any more it will allow the frames to be 'interlaced'. I manage to get four of them on the front seat and in the foot well of my Jeep and the top pieces take up only a small space in the back.


Thanks, I will try that.

Re: Cheddar

Posted: Fri Feb 23, 2018 9:30 pm
by Andrew Ullyott
My trestles were from Screwfix. I waited until they were on offer then pounced!
Paul - Fair point about the packers. Mind you I've never yet seen an exhibition hall that slopes as much as my garage floor and that includes the Mole Barn at Leatherhead!
Cheddar was always going to require a van to move. The fact that the beams are enough for two boards means I can use a pair of beams up in the workshop and slide the layout boards around to suit my needs. Crucially it also means I can store other layouts underneath!

Re: Cheddar

Posted: Sun Feb 25, 2018 9:27 pm
by philip-griffiths
Screwfix, Axminster all sell similar looking items. Amazon also, they sell them in pairs for £40.00

Re: Cheddar

Posted: Sun Mar 04, 2018 7:20 pm
by Andrew Ullyott
So a week on and I've managed to sort the other boards out too.
There was an annoying fault with one section that took a bit of time to track down. It was an errant strand of multi-strand wire forming a short circuit in the plug for an as yet un-connected ground signal. It only shorted everything once it was attached to the adjacent board. There was a lot of head scratching and frustration until I finally found it.
But today! Well, engines have been tested and playing has well and truly commenced. Once the wheels were cleaned on the pannier it worked even better. Ahem...
There are some areas where a bit of fettling will be required, notably a couple of board joins where the track summits over the join. Nothing falls off, but there is a noticeable movement in the loco. It's not entirely surprising given that each board was built and wired in isolation but I don't think it will be a major exercise to correct. Some of the track alignment could use a little work to take out some of the kinks as well. Not obvious when looking from the side, but it is when viewed from two boards away. Thankfully ply and plastic track is quite adjustable. So once I've done that I can start add cosmetic chairs over the riveted ones I've used (sparingly) around the layout so far.
I'm pleased that it's all coming together and I've hopefully attached a few videos too.

https://youtu.be/ekIdH2Nb7so

https://youtu.be/JKEr0fylTPQ

https://youtu.be/YVkYk1Z9Zyo
I've also spent evenings this week working on the drawings of the station building and goods shed in Coreldraw. Just got the clerestory roof for the main station to do and it'll be ready to cut wood/mdf.

Re: Cheddar

Posted: Sat Mar 17, 2018 12:02 pm
by Andrew Ullyott

https://youtu.be/huf6J1FYJVg
Who says p4 doesn't work...
Very pleased with this. Ordinarily this would be a reversing move for two (as yet unbuilt) siphons. At least I know it works!
edit : well better than me when it comes to getting imbedded youtube files anyway...