Monks Ferry: a layout for the Grandchildren.
- Thread starter jonte
- Start date
jonte
Western Thunderer
The bases for the four turrets are now complete:
Each stands a tad under seven inches; the supports maintain a minimum height of three and a half inches between the base of the roof and baseboard.
Each turret sits in a tray at the top of its base to allow ease of roof removal:
A ‘borrowed’ roof to show it in practise:
I’ve mislaid the mandrel for my mini drill so can’t at present separate the intended roof from its counterparts. I’ll show it in place as and when.
The unfinished station building in place for effect:
That roof just doesn’t work!!
A couple more if you don’t mind as I won’t be modelling again for quite some time to come:
And here’s one of the unfinished roof, including the chimneys, posing in foreground:
I’ve really enjoyed this (enforced) modelling interlude over the past five weeks or so, and can’t wait to get back to it once other demands are attended too followed by track laying and wiring.
Thanks for looking.
jonte
Each stands a tad under seven inches; the supports maintain a minimum height of three and a half inches between the base of the roof and baseboard.
Each turret sits in a tray at the top of its base to allow ease of roof removal:
A ‘borrowed’ roof to show it in practise:
I’ve mislaid the mandrel for my mini drill so can’t at present separate the intended roof from its counterparts. I’ll show it in place as and when.
The unfinished station building in place for effect:
That roof just doesn’t work!!
A couple more if you don’t mind as I won’t be modelling again for quite some time to come:
And here’s one of the unfinished roof, including the chimneys, posing in foreground:
I’ve really enjoyed this (enforced) modelling interlude over the past five weeks or so, and can’t wait to get back to it once other demands are attended too followed by track laying and wiring.
Thanks for looking.
jonte
jonte
Western Thunderer
Most kind, Ade. Thank you.
I really enjoyed this short endeavour.
Not looking forward to track laying, to be honest; not with having to separate and turn those heavy boards…….
Jon
John57sharp
Western Thunderer
Roger Pound
Western Thunderer
Well done, old friend - up to your usual high standard. Very nice precise work which will look excellent when standing guardian over the terminus on your planned layout.
Roger. -
Roger. -
jonte
Western Thunderer
jonte
Western Thunderer
Howdy, Roger!
Good to hear. I’m really not worthy of your venerable praise, my friend, but I shall try and live up to it
I’m just back from a rather pleasant trip to Chester to visit Chester Models which apparently stocked the missing mandrel I needed for my mini drill so that I could fit the ‘proper’ roof which will bring this stage of the build to completion, so apologies for my delay in replying.
Needless to say, it turned out that they were out of stock……………
Nothing lost however, as we made a pleasant afternoon of things, the bonus being that our old aged passes ensured that it cost the total sum of sweet FA to travel by train
Well, it was pleasant until the final part of our journey from Liverpool which we endured in a packed carriage, in stark contrast to the Chester line. Anyway, towards the end of the journey, my wife drew my attention to two teenage girls of school age who sat down on the seats immediately in front of us which had just been vacated. Apparently she had overheard one of the making unkind remarks to a couple of boys sat opposite who were about the same age. As she mentioned it, the cocky, gobby little Scouse one caught my gaze and remarked ‘what are you staring at? Are you an old man who likes looking at young girls? Pervert, blah, blah….’
But as you see, Roger, what this little bully didn’t realise was that the likes of you and I are impervious to this ubiquitous childish rant of the modern adolescent, so it took her aback slightly when I addressed her in front of the whole carriage. As usual, it wasn’t long before the rat-peeping-through-privet-hedge lookalike was back on the front foot backed up by her giggling sidekick girlfriend, uttering the usual insults and trying to look ‘hard’ whilst scoffing their crisps, bless.
Anyway, as per protocol I allowed her the space and time to make an even bigger Pratt of herself in front of our captive audience, before launching a totally random remark which, as you well know, Roger, catches them rather unawares.
Let’s put it this way, the nuisance bully left the train with a complex; the exasperated stammering, nervous laughter and trying to reflect ridicule speaking volumes
As we alighted at the next station, an elderly chap seated behind me looked up and gave me an appreciative smile; not sure this would go for the rest of the modern looking passengers though
I hate myself at times, but the scenario played out here was merely a microcosm of what this country needs at present.
Oh, those hurty words, Roger.
Thanks again, Roger and write soon.
Jon
Lyndhurstman
Western Thunderer
Lovely work, Jon
These bursts of artistry are very welcome. And much appreciated.
Peace
Jan
These bursts of artistry are very welcome. And much appreciated.
Peace
Jan
jonte
Western Thunderer
jonte
Western Thunderer
My sincerest apologies if I’m over-egging the pudding, but thought I’d post some further thoughts on the station roof whilst I’m awaiting the arrival of my new mandrel.
Quite simply, I’ve decided to re-employ the pillar supports intended for the original roof to act as platform walls. Hopefully, they’ll not only allow the children to see more easily inside the station, but serve to help the operator determine when an arrival locomotive is over the uncoupling ramp (despite this being a DCC operated layout, isolated sections of old at the terminus rail ends will still be in evidence to prevent the inevitable high speed train smashing into the buffers………).
They will eventually be trimmed to fit their locations.
I’ve often considered repainting the pillars and the beams as I’m not happy with the weathering. The texture of the rust is simply out of scale for four millimetre, but as there’s so much more to do (I’ve set a completion target of Christmas 2026), it’ll just have to stay the way it is I’m afraid. Heigh Ho!
I really want the children to have better than I ever did, but then, it’s only about playing trains and there has to be a limit as to what can be achieved in a relatively large space in not a limited amount of time, I think you’ll agree.
Thanks all for your kind interest thus far.
jonte
Quite simply, I’ve decided to re-employ the pillar supports intended for the original roof to act as platform walls. Hopefully, they’ll not only allow the children to see more easily inside the station, but serve to help the operator determine when an arrival locomotive is over the uncoupling ramp (despite this being a DCC operated layout, isolated sections of old at the terminus rail ends will still be in evidence to prevent the inevitable high speed train smashing into the buffers………).
They will eventually be trimmed to fit their locations.
I’ve often considered repainting the pillars and the beams as I’m not happy with the weathering. The texture of the rust is simply out of scale for four millimetre, but as there’s so much more to do (I’ve set a completion target of Christmas 2026), it’ll just have to stay the way it is I’m afraid. Heigh Ho!
I really want the children to have better than I ever did, but then, it’s only about playing trains and there has to be a limit as to what can be achieved in a relatively large space in not a limited amount of time, I think you’ll agree.
Thanks all for your kind interest thus far.
jonte
It looks most impressive. Your grandchildren are really lucky to be having this made for them. I wish I had had an expert older relative interested in model railways when I was a child. My parents did their best but neither of them had any interest in or knowledge about real or model railways. My 00 layout never worked reliably and had a nonsense track plan that made any kind of realistic operation impossible. Your grandchildren are so fortunate.
jonte
Western Thunderer
Thank you for taking the time to write this. I’m deeply flattered.
Truth is, as much as I liked my second hand (mainly broken) trains, I was never really a train buff, so can’t be certain whether any of what I’m doing is right either, but I’ve always enjoyed the hobby as it provides an outlet for my creative side which has probably maintained my interest.
As Ive mentioned before, my early experiences with the hobby have served me well here as I’m determined to iron out all the annoying little issues at the time that led to the odd bout of frustration, such that my grandchildren can (hopefully) just enjoy it. Perhaps it will prove to be just another toy for most of them, but you never know, it might just create a spark within for one or two.
Thank you once again.
Jon
Roger Pound
Western Thunderer
Jon,
Although my knowledge of electrics is only extremely basic, I do seem to recall that there is a method of introducing a widget which only allows current to flow one way through a particular length of rail, such as a terminal road, effectively preventing the collision aspect - which we all manage to do occasionally even now, never mind just when we were children
.
Sorry this is a bit vague but I am sure one of our learned members will be able to expand on this basic premise. As you know, with me it's two wires to the track , turn the controller and the train goes - magic!!!
.
Roger
Although my knowledge of electrics is only extremely basic, I do seem to recall that there is a method of introducing a widget which only allows current to flow one way through a particular length of rail, such as a terminal road, effectively preventing the collision aspect - which we all manage to do occasionally even now, never mind just when we were children
.Sorry this is a bit vague but I am sure one of our learned members will be able to expand on this basic premise. As you know, with me it's two wires to the track , turn the controller and the train goes - magic!!!
.Roger
jonte
Western Thunderer
Jon,
Although my knowledge of electrics is only extremely basic, I do seem to recall that there is a method of introducing a widget which only allows current to flow one way through a particular length of rail, such as a terminal road, effectively preventing the collision aspect - which we all manage to do occasionally even now, never mind just when we were children
Sorry this is a bit vague but I am sure one of our learned members will be able to expand on this basic premise. As you know, with me it's two wires to the track , turn the controller and the train goes - magic!!!
Roger
Hi Roger
I’m not that clued up either as you well know, so I don’t doubt your kind advice.
There’s probably some sort of dead man’s handle on my (basic) DCC controller, but as always, I can’t be bothered reading the instructions
Just gonna stick to a simple (long) isolated section with an on/off switch as it’s what I’m most comfortable with
Jon
PS: just had another advert through on my email system from Rails - I get about three a day! - advertising their latest offering from Hornby in the form of one of the new (very long) modern fast trains. Bearing in mind your mention once of the children preferring to run what they see on the current rail network, I may have to come out of retirement. Almost £500
Think I’ll take them fishing instead!
jonte
Western Thunderer
Funnily enough, I’m planning to use diodes in the station throat/station area, Simon, having seen a guy demonstrating it in use on his Hornby Dublo layout on you tube. Sets the points and everything. All you do is pull the switch that says for example, Platform 1, and the diodes do the rest . You can use a simple type of matrix system to work it out too, so I’m sold
Jon
jonte
Western Thunderer
With the mandrel and discs arriving late yesterday afternoon (Wednesday), surgery could begin.
Making use of the latest spell of good weather, this morning I laid everything out in the garden and set to. Isn’t everything a pleasure when you have the right tools?!
With only one or two casualties in terms of soldered joints along the frames (caused in the main by my earlier hamfisted attempt with an undersized piercing saw, and which were soldered good and fast with my big iron as I went along), the job was done in almost no time at all (it never ceases to amaze the amount of tools accumulated in the process with even the smallest of jobs).
The results:
Proportion is restored I feel now it’s been freed from its outer appendages and the underweight stand-in seen in earlier pictures has gone, with the roof ably spanning the four roads and seated higher than its supports as planned. It also vaguely resembles the overall roof of the former Blackfriars, on which the station building is based. I hope it also conveys the worn but still serviceable look of many termini in the sixties.
A sort of peak below (hindered by my the use of my cumbersome iPad) which I hope gives a further sense of the decadence I seek:
So that’s it.
My modelling licence has expired for now, so the ends will be tidied and remedied another day.it will also give me thinking time of how to disguise the wounds (perhaps safety handrails running the length of the edges?).
Finally, I’ve decided to make use of the appendages by turning them into an engine shed, however, they will also require surgery before use as they’re way too long and only have decorated fascias at one end:
Until track laying begins, TTFN and thank you all for your continued interest.
jonte
Making use of the latest spell of good weather, this morning I laid everything out in the garden and set to. Isn’t everything a pleasure when you have the right tools?!
With only one or two casualties in terms of soldered joints along the frames (caused in the main by my earlier hamfisted attempt with an undersized piercing saw, and which were soldered good and fast with my big iron as I went along), the job was done in almost no time at all (it never ceases to amaze the amount of tools accumulated in the process with even the smallest of jobs).
The results:
Proportion is restored I feel now it’s been freed from its outer appendages and the underweight stand-in seen in earlier pictures has gone, with the roof ably spanning the four roads and seated higher than its supports as planned. It also vaguely resembles the overall roof of the former Blackfriars, on which the station building is based. I hope it also conveys the worn but still serviceable look of many termini in the sixties.
A sort of peak below (hindered by my the use of my cumbersome iPad) which I hope gives a further sense of the decadence I seek:
So that’s it.
My modelling licence has expired for now, so the ends will be tidied and remedied another day.it will also give me thinking time of how to disguise the wounds (perhaps safety handrails running the length of the edges?).
Finally, I’ve decided to make use of the appendages by turning them into an engine shed, however, they will also require surgery before use as they’re way too long and only have decorated fascias at one end:
Until track laying begins, TTFN and thank you all for your continued interest.
jonte
timbowales
Western Thunderer
Lovely work, Sir 