Making Tracks

This shot is the same end of the test track pictured last month, but now with 014, 00, and 0-gauge track in place. Problems with isolating the rails when soldered to tag strip made me change to choc-block connectors instead, removing the problem. I can now get on with making rolling stock and motive power, although in the immediate future I'll be painting the tunnel portal shown in my last post, and making a 3-way turnout. Fun!

Tunnel Portal

At some point over the New Year I agreed to make a tunnel portal for Steve's quarry layout. This is where I've got to so far. Wings may or may not be added: it needs trying out on the board first. I'll then paint as per Pendon Cottage Modelling. The walls at the back will follow the curve of the track (to the left on entering the tunnel).

The detail shows the 4-brick archway. I think if I were to start again, I'd make the archway first and cut the facing to match, rather than the other way around as I did. I wouldn't use English Bond brickwork either, except as a source of headers for the arch.

Board Construction [2]

A quick view of the damage possible to the top board when it sits within rather than on top of the side members. This is now supported underneath by a glued-in piece of ply, and the surface covered with cork underlay ready for the test tracks.

Board Construction [1]

Long time no see ... but at last I have started building something. The pictured frame was to have been the base for a diorama of Cabourg. Making it was meant to be a practice run at Barry Norman's baseboard technique (as per RightTrack DVD, rather than his book Landscape Modelling) as well as to provide a test track for rolling stock.

In the end I scrapped this version (it warped because I didn't construct it well) and did another. In both cases I made the inner and outer plywood layers different heights in order to provide a 'lip' to contain the top sheet. This wasn't a good idea, as it meant less of the side frames were in contact with the top sheet.

Soldering On

Earned myself an hour (or so) modelling, so did some soldering on the Gibson Manning Wardle frame. Not brilliant work, but solid: perhaps too much. I think I've put in one of the cross-members, which is also shaped to take the valve gear, slightly skew.

I may be able to de-solder sufficiently to remove it. On the other hand, it sat okay during the dry run, so maybe it'll just slide further into place if I blast it with heat. The only trouble is, nearby joints may also come adrift.

The frame itself is square, but if I don't settle this other piece properly then running gear may be compromised.

Yes, I know: I did originally intend to practice my soldering on Coach 3. Project-wise, there is now an issue (as opposed to a risk), which is my slap-dash soldering needs re-working. It could be time to call on a more skillful friend. I'll do my best for some before-and-after shots.

Growing Risks

The risk of being distracted has become an issue, but not as I'd expected. I've dug out my Alan Gibson L&B Manning Wardle kit, and it needs completing. Motive power is pretty important, but wasn't Coach 3 about developing some of the skills, such as soldering?

Well it appears that my soldering isn't that bad. Nor do I think that my original approach to the Gibson (making it 16.5mm gauge) has created a show-stopper now that I want to use 14mm gauge.

I've therefore decided to change my objective to: “Build to 7mm finescale standards a rake of L&B loco and coach 3 within 12 months and at a cost of under £150.” I've moved modelling stuff out of my study and into our caravan so as not to be a temptation.

Another Year, Another Planning Round

To sum up the time since my last post…

• In February (on the Feast of Candlemas) I was accepted for training as a priest.
• In September I began study part-time with the Southern Theological Education and Training Scheme, hoping to be ordained in 2010.
• In October I was diagnosed dyslexic, and this seems to be linked with my inability to finish things I start.
• Somewhere in all this, my L&B partner-in-crime Steve and I reverted to our original plan to model Barnstaple Town to Pilton Causeway.

We hope to capitalize on our renewed enthusiasm by building the boards: let’s see! In the meanwhile, a smaller project I’ve got in mind is constructing a 7mm scale model of Lynton & Barnstaple Coach 3. I’ll be following the approach described by Stephen Williams (Williams, S. (2000), The 4mm Coach Part Two – Working with Metal Kits, Didcot, Oxon, UK: Wild Swan Publications Ltd).