4mm Polsarrett: BR(S) N Cornwall Clay, The Final Countdown
Pencarrow
Western Thunderer
The other work that occurred over the weekend was to make a start on the signal box.
The raw material was this kit from LCut creative:
Looked good in photos but the parts were very 'flat' and lacking relief, particularly the timber part. The base was also brick and I really wanted stone.
The photo above of Nanstallon crossing box was the inspiration for the area on my layout. It did however show that the kit had boards above the windows and a shallower pitch to the roof. I was in two minds whether to crack on regardless but...
So I chopped the sides up to change the hand of the box - I wanted the steps and door near the road. Whilst doing that I also chopped the planking off above the windows and added another plank to the lower edge of the sides.
Still troubled by how flat the sides were I decided to add some plastic strip to bulk up the timber frame. Then a simple box was made for the base from the collection of Wills stone offcuts. All has now set and hardened.
Thoughts so far?
To be honest, a bit disappointed in the lack of relief in the kit. Could really do with some overlays for the timber framing IMO. The material the kit is cut from isn't my favourite either - closer to card than wood and it doesn't sand well. I much prefer working in plasticard!
The raw material was this kit from LCut creative:
Looked good in photos but the parts were very 'flat' and lacking relief, particularly the timber part. The base was also brick and I really wanted stone.
The photo above of Nanstallon crossing box was the inspiration for the area on my layout. It did however show that the kit had boards above the windows and a shallower pitch to the roof. I was in two minds whether to crack on regardless but...
So I chopped the sides up to change the hand of the box - I wanted the steps and door near the road. Whilst doing that I also chopped the planking off above the windows and added another plank to the lower edge of the sides.
Still troubled by how flat the sides were I decided to add some plastic strip to bulk up the timber frame. Then a simple box was made for the base from the collection of Wills stone offcuts. All has now set and hardened.
Thoughts so far?
To be honest, a bit disappointed in the lack of relief in the kit. Could really do with some overlays for the timber framing IMO. The material the kit is cut from isn't my favourite either - closer to card than wood and it doesn't sand well. I much prefer working in plasticard!
Pencarrow
Western Thunderer
So that's the foamboard down and solidly fixed.
I did it in 2" wide strips to make best use of what I had and also to help identify where the track should go.
A bit of grey paint quickly sprayed on to kill the white.
And then a coat of primer on the undercarriage. I hoping to get some track down tomorrow...
I did it in 2" wide strips to make best use of what I had and also to help identify where the track should go.
A bit of grey paint quickly sprayed on to kill the white.
And then a coat of primer on the undercarriage. I hoping to get some track down tomorrow...
Pencarrow
Western Thunderer
A quick check on the first turnout this morning revealed that the bits that were meant to be stuck were stuck. More importantly the bits that were meant to be still moving were still moving.
A view of the undercarriage of the next one to be laid showing the minor mods and wires.
Thanks to @Mark F for the fishplates.
A view of the undercarriage of the next one to be laid showing the minor mods and wires.
Thanks to @Mark F for the fishplates.
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Pencarrow
Western Thunderer
Don't wait up...
I did get all the servos installed, wired and working the turnouts correctly. All the electrics done so far have been tested and all are correct.
Tomorrow's jobs are to wire up all the switches and, if I can find some suitable gunk, spray the trackbed before ballasting.
More boring wires...
Pencarrow
Western Thunderer
So, having sized the cottages, I realised that the area I have for the switch panel is only 11cm wide by 7.4cm tall.
Nowhere near big enough for the original plan. Therefore a rethink was required. I decided that the minimum centres for the switches should be 1.5cm (fat fingers) and this meant that I could fit a maximum of 3 rows of 7 switches.
Total switches required:
The crosses are centres for the drill bit.
Nowhere near big enough for the original plan. Therefore a rethink was required. I decided that the minimum centres for the switches should be 1.5cm (fat fingers) and this meant that I could fit a maximum of 3 rows of 7 switches.
Total switches required:
- 2 signal servos
- 4 gate servos
- 5 turnout switches (6 servos)
- 7 sections
The crosses are centres for the drill bit.
Pencarrow
Western Thunderer
Cheers!
These 2 new vans arriving have cheered me up though. Typical of Wenford clay workings.
The BR plywood van is from the old Treneglos stock box.
