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Post by chabanais on Feb 13, 2015 16:52:41 GMT 1
A wee bit more progress. I like to have a good workspace before beginning a project, so I started work on my workbench and shelving, tool storage, etc. Some pictures here to show the progression, click on picture to view enlargement. My arms are aching now after hours using the hammer drill, the walls on the left are undressed stone, so a pig to drill, as are the concrete blocks on the other walls. Next step is making a support stretch along the right-hand wall, so that I can move a few of the baseboard sections out of the house. I will take some more pics when the supports are done. Oh, the back-scene supports will also have to go up before the actual layout sections get their make-over. Wish me luck! All the best John
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Post by chabanais on Feb 22, 2015 19:36:57 GMT 1
Progress Report: I am now at the whoopee stage, actually moved the dismembered layout sections into the shed today. Below are some pictures of the layout supports before the sections are loaded on top of them. Click to enlarge. I hope you will be able to see that the supporting frames are connected to the walls, then the 'L'-section girders were screwed to the cross-members of the support frames, narrow piece first, then the taller part of the 'L'. This gave me the opportunity to adjust the level at each step so that the whoopee moment came when I discovered that, having completed 3 sides of the supports and girders, the 2 free ends were actually level with each other. Where the two free ends stand at the moment will be connected later on, (it's a duck-under entrance to the operating area. But for the time being, the opening will allow me to work on Sections 1 through 7 without having to duck! Click to enlarge: In this view you can see the detail of how each support frame and girder are fastened to each other. Comments and suggestions are most welcome. All the best John
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Post by longchap on Feb 23, 2015 0:39:56 GMT 1
It's good when you can see where things are going to go, so well done John. I'm still some months off reaching that stage with mine though, as I'm having the layout on a mezzanine floor, with a workshop at ground level and I need to insulate the walls and roof so I don't freeze any parts off during the winter. I do have a fireplace and chimney in the out building mind, so a little wood burner would be a neat way to keep cosy and I rather like the idea of stoking a firebox! Continued good luck with progress John. Bon courage
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Post by chabanais on Feb 23, 2015 8:00:38 GMT 1
Hi Bill,
Thanks for the encouragement, much appreciated.
I have insulated the low ceiling, but there is a problem with water ingress on one of the walls, so at present the whole shed is covered by a tarpaulin until we get some decent, warmer weather, then there is some rendering and crepe-ing to be done. Get the stove going, oh! And you will be needing a fireman's hat too!
All the best John
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Post by brian on Feb 23, 2015 16:44:18 GMT 1
Hi John, Progress has been good by the look of it, well done. Good quality workmanship always pays off! See you Thursday , Brian
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Post by chabanais on Mar 28, 2015 15:51:08 GMT 1
Following Brian's message about good progress, I have realized that message was posted more than a month ago. In the meanwhile, I am afraid I cannot boast any progress in the railway room. However, I have been occupied (constructively) with a major modification in my little house, removing the wall that gave entrance to the old railway room, and so making my tiny lounge into a more roomy and useable space --- and there is always more to it than one had imagined. Nearly finished now, although I am slowing down somewhat from pure fatigue!! So today I am taking a break and doing some work on the layout plan in advance of re-constructing the layout. I reckon that most of the buildings I require can be built from Scalescenes print-outs, with a little modification. In particular I found 'T026 Factory-warehouse' really useful. It is a modular building, and I intend to use 22 of the modules (each module is separated by a vertical pillar) to create a warehouse with two access levels (one for rail, the other for canal traffic) with an interior loading/unloading area for road transport. I have used the footprint from the Scalescenes website to locate the warehouse and the canal locks on the layout - I hope this will be clear in the following picture: Click to enlarge You should be able to see where I have earmarked spaces close to the through station. The warehouse and locks will take a while to make up, but should provide an absorbing a relaxing respite from building work - I am itching to get back to my trains. Apologies for the lack of postings recently, I was simply fagged out! All the best John
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Post by brian on Mar 28, 2015 21:13:50 GMT 1
Hi all John's posting struck a nerve! I too have worked myself to a standstill but am nearly finished the house project in hand, only one room left to do! The layout has been ignored since November and will probably stay that way until next winter unless I can make eight days in the week. It is good to hear the progress that members have made- keep it up chaps .I am jealous but it keeps my enthusiasm bubbling away.
Bonsoir Brian
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Post by chabanais on Nov 26, 2015 22:22:31 GMT 1
A little more progress. The new sections are now taking shape, I have included a picture of the overall plan that identifies the sections I refer to here: Click to enlarge. So far I have assembled sections 1, 2, 3 and 8 and section 7 is in progress. Here you can see Section 1 as is appeared when cut off and removed from the original layout: Click to enlarge. There were numerous wires to be cut and labelled for later re-connection, and separation from the original layout was achieved by lifting some track and cutting the appropriate section in a suitable place to avoid point motors, etc., using a panel saw (not very professional, but it worked) And here is how it looks in its new, sectional format: Click to enlarge. This format is much lighter than the original. Constructed from sheets of 9mm ply, with small triangular fillets in each right-angled corner for rigidity. The ends of each section are thicker, 18mm ply and each section is keyed to the next using pattern makers dowels from Station Road Baseboards as locators. The electrics will be interconnected section-to-section with 9 and 15-pin D connectors. I will send a further post with details of the construction of sections. All the best John
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Post by chabanais on Nov 26, 2015 22:38:48 GMT 1
Second part of update with a few more pictures. The first picture shows Section 2 under construction, you can see some of the triangular fillets to the left of the picture. In all the sections the maximum amount of material has been removed for lightness when transporting. Click to enlarge. Next picture shows the interior of Section 1 seen from the rear of the layout, the cork underlay for track mounting/sound insulation can clearly be seen Click to enlarge. And, finally (mainly because there is space for 3 images) a detail showing a section wiring loom panel. I found it helpful to arrange one panel in each section where all wiring is distributed after 12 volt dc for lighting ring main, another 12 volt dc ring main for power to points, and a third ring main or bus, carrying the DCC circuit. The wires are mounted on strip connectors from RS (Radio Spares), and I printed out strips of card that slip between the connection tabs so that each input/output can be identified by a letter/number combination referring to the electrical section of the track plan. Click to enlarge. Comments and suggestions welcome. All the best John
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Post by longchap on Nov 26, 2015 23:21:27 GMT 1
Good to see you've been busy John. All I managed to do today was cut up a load of 3mm cork tiles into strips for the track bed of a 'plank' I'm building to test out track laying, scenics, auto-coupling and some scratch building.
Your boards look most professional as is your approach to integrated wiring. Enjoy the build and I'll post some details of my plank when I reach a suitable stage.
Speak soon,
Bill
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Post by brian on Nov 27, 2015 12:33:33 GMT 1
Hi John, It all looks great and very professional, I am beginning to wish I had more space as well as time to devote to my simple layout! With Christmas fast approaching I have not been able to restart the project as yet but hopefully time will be available soon. One question though- what will you do when it is all finished? Best wishes to all, Brian
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