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LLIAXTEP
Engine Wiper
Canada
209 Posts |
 Posted - 03/14/2011 : 11:05:42 AM
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In this thread I will describe my progress with the current project I am undertaking. It will be the 1st layout of any kind that Ill build, but it has been brewing for a while and it is time to get it going.
The idea is: a tiny 600mm steam common carrier running through the streets of a rural french town serving an industry or 2.
1/35th is an odd scale for model railroading.....but im all about weired!!!![:-propeller]. I like large scales for the ability to show realistic details, but find G too large for indoor, especially with my space constrains.
Basically I am using HO track and mechanisms + a lot of scratch-building and some military kit details. to represent 600mm narrow gauge. For those pulling out their calculators right now....no HO track in 35th scale doesn't convert into 600mm, but 577mm is close enough for me!
The size of the layout is 48" by 16", And so far I have drawn up a preliminary plan, although it is not 100% accurate. More to give an idea of the layout, and some changes are surely to follow.
Alex
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http://narrowgaugeshops.wordpress.com/ |
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eTraxx
Fireman
USA
1946 Posts |
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Tyson Rayles
Moderator
USA
10165 Posts |
Posted - 03/14/2011 : 1:42:24 PM
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| Alex it looks like fun and I'm looking forward to seeing you progress with it. I do have one question though. The large building on the right looks like an engine house but the track runs in at an odd angle even for an industrial track, what is the building going to be? |
Mike |
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dgjj
Engine Wiper
Australia
110 Posts |
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Neil M
Fireman
Australia
2173 Posts |
Posted - 03/14/2011 : 5:54:49 PM
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That looks good Alex. Those are very interesting subjects for models.
What are you planning as your minimum radius? And are you going to have a staging track or cassette at the front of the layout where the track goes off the layout, to represent the 'rest of the world'?
To follow on from what Mike (Tyson Rayles) was saying - if you were to move the switch into the engine shed(?) a bit to the left then you would have enough additional space to curve the siding round to a more typical angle, parallel with the walls of the building.
What era are you intending to set it in? To me it looks like it could be anywhere from the 1920s to the 1960s. |
Built a waterfront HO layout in Ireland http://www.railroad-line.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=22161 but now making a start in On30 in Australia |
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LLIAXTEP
Engine Wiper
Canada
209 Posts |
Posted - 03/15/2011 : 10:17:40 AM
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Thanks you all for positive feedback. Just wanted to mention: I am open to criticism of the track plan, so if you have comments, suggestions, questions please say them out loud. This is my first attempt, and likely has flaws
quote:
I do have one question though. The large building on the right looks like an engine house but the track runs in at an odd angle even for an industrial track, what is the building going to be?
Mike, that building will be the major industry, (or rather probably the boilerhouse of a major industry) where the loaded coal wagons will come in to power the machinery. I will probably have a sector plate inside, with access inside the building through the side of the view box for coupling/ uncoupling/ keeping the rolling stock, etc. I have not worked out the exact layout of that part, but the track will need to be on an incline to enable access to couplers, since Ill be using simple links.
quote:
What are you planning as your minimum radius? And are you going to have a staging track or cassette at the front of the layout where the track goes off the layout, to represent the 'rest of the world'?
Neil, the min radius is yet unknown, but the plan I posted is probably too optimistic in these terms. My rolling stock will be all two-axle stuff, with the longest wheelbase being Fleischamnn Magic Train Stainz (yet unbuilt), for not it is a wheelbase of an ON30 davenport. I need to buy all the track and start figuring this out soon.
The staging will be inside the large building to the right, and the track that goes off the layout, will be a future possible connection to an expansion or just a dead end for now, although attaching a cassette there to rotate the rolling stock does make sense. Thanks for the suggestion.
The era is undecided, probably WWII era. (ish)
Alex |
http://narrowgaugeshops.wordpress.com/ |
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LLIAXTEP
Engine Wiper
Canada
209 Posts |
Posted - 03/15/2011 : 10:26:37 AM
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Here is one loco I have built that will run on this layout. It is my adaptation of a Typ I Decauville, built on a On30 DAvenport Chasis. It is not 100% done, and still needs some details, a coal load and an engineer.
Now for the big question. I need to put a DCC sound decoder in this beast. Which one should I go with. Any suggestions ? I am clueless about this stuff and am dont know if anyone makes decoders for similar sounding engines.
Alex
Alex |
http://narrowgaugeshops.wordpress.com/ |
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Frederic Testard
Engineer
France
16448 Posts |
Posted - 03/15/2011 : 2:00:00 PM
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The little Decauville loco is very nice, Alex.
Any hint on your making of it?
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Frederic Testard |
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Tyson Rayles
Moderator
USA
10165 Posts |
Posted - 03/15/2011 : 3:53:22 PM
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| Nice looking loco Alex! |
Mike |
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LLIAXTEP
Engine Wiper
Canada
209 Posts |
Posted - 03/16/2011 : 09:47:02 AM
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quote:
Any hint on your making of it?
Frederic, the Decauville was scratchbuilt entirely out of styrene, Grandt NBWs, brass wire, with on hand detail parts from various scales used when opportunity showed.
And here is a progress shot of the interior to illustrate above-said
Alex |
http://narrowgaugeshops.wordpress.com/ |
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dallas_m
Fireman
USA
3006 Posts |
Posted - 03/16/2011 : 10:31:48 AM
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Beautiful work on the Decauville! Looking forward to the developments on your railroad ... 1/35n2 is a great choice.  [:-thumbu] |
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LLIAXTEP
Engine Wiper
Canada
209 Posts |
Posted - 03/16/2011 : 3:02:30 PM
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Started on the first of many background structures for the layout. BTW I plan to build most of the buildings from pink foam, keeping expenses down and the builds simple. I think its a great but underused material.
I am planning to do the door and windows for this one out of foam as well, so well see how it turns out. |
http://narrowgaugeshops.wordpress.com/ |
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Tyson Rayles
Moderator
USA
10165 Posts |
Posted - 03/16/2011 : 4:06:39 PM
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| I've used the foam for landforms for years but have never tried it for buildings. I will be very interested in seeing out it works out. |
Mike |
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LLIAXTEP
Engine Wiper
Canada
209 Posts |
Posted - 03/16/2011 : 7:32:33 PM
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So it took me about an hour to paint this thing. And then I tried making the windows and door from the foam pieces that Were pulled out of the respective slots. Although the window doest look too too bad, it is kind of rough....so more practice or just give up "foam window making". It also took too long, so I decided to model the shutters closed for the upstairs. The door and shutters came out better, so Ill probably keep doing this for the later buildings.
I think the results are decent enough to do the entire layout.
All in all it took me about 4 hours to make this building flat. Scribbing the individual rocks took up the most time. Ill leave the detailing of this thing for later, and focus on making more background flats for now.
Alex |
http://narrowgaugeshops.wordpress.com/ |
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Frederic Testard
Engineer
France
16448 Posts |
Posted - 03/16/2011 : 7:36:37 PM
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Alex, thanks for the answer and precisions about the making of the loco.
The foam building looks nice, and the paint of the first floor stones is good.
I think using simply wood or cardboard will provide easier to do and more realistic doors, windows and shutters.
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Frederic Testard |
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Tyson Rayles
Moderator
USA
10165 Posts |
Posted - 03/16/2011 : 9:52:30 PM
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While the building does look good I agree with Frederic that wood or cardboard
would probably work better for windows and doors. |
Mike |
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1/35n2 French Steam Tramway
