1 August to 1 December 2018. Display Track

Steve Cook

Flying Squad
Build an display track.

Start date of build: 1 August 2018.
Finish date: 1 December 2018.

Unlimited size or complexity - can be a straight piece of track or a double slip - the aim is to have a piece of track on which to either display or photograph your finished models.

As per the rules, take a photo of what you are starting with, on or around the start date (late entries no problem). Take regular photos of the build and post up accordingly. Make sure that you take a few photos of the finished item to round off the build.

There are no restrictions on scale, gauge, era, continent or materials.
 

simond

Western Thunderer
Thanks Steve,

Presuming you want the masses to post within this thread, (if not, please move it!) herewith a few more photos and some words & music..

My motivation is that we have a clear horizon from our patio overlooking the Channel, and I wanted some form of plank on which to place my 0 Gauge models outdoors, for photography, so the pictures do not feature our rather tatty patio table. Hence an embankment type of plank seemed the ideal choice. I may examine the possibility of a removable backscene for indoor photography at some point, but I do have the layout for that option.

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My plank is constructed from an offcut of 4mm ply, (900 x 270mm) left over from my Porth Dinllaen locoshed baseboards, (see RMWeb) and a 3’ length of 4” x 1/2” whitewood - planed up it’s approximately 95 x 12mm which used to be part of the backing board for the curtain rail in our bedroom, until we decorated.

These were held apart be three lengths of 2” x 1/2” whitewood, again left overs from the PD baseboards. These were screwed & glued together after chamfering the separators. I deliberately angled to trackbed to the base, to give varying slopes to the embankment.

Then I attacked it with my sliced up paketo cornflako, and more Evo-stik woodwork adhesive.

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During last week, I wove horizontal strips through the slopey ones, and I covered the ensemble with brown paper ex grocery bags (reuse, recycle...) which gets you to the photo in the previous post.

I also had a go at making an accommodation crossing, which uses foam board, with DAS glued on, and carved whilst not quite set. Painted with acrylics. Never done this before, seems to have worked, but I was pleased to be doing random stone. Not sure, but rather suspect that I’ve overdone the mortar course gaps. Comments & suggestions most welcome.

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Two extra bits of foam board, with brick plasticard glued on, form the liners for the accommodation crossing. Inspiration came from a picture of a somewhat grander crossing in the C C Green Cambrian history, which shows a rusty iron gate to keep the livestock in or out, perhaps... I also have in mind some rusty iron handrails across the top.

One cork tile provided three strips 75 x 300, long edges chamfered, glued to the top with contact glue, to make the track bed.

I took an old length of Peco flexi, cut away the webs beneath the rails, and put two pairs of half-cuts through the rail. I split a couple of pairs of C&L plastic fishplates & superglued them over the dummy rail breaks, and then spaced the sleepers appropriately between the joints, and glued the lot down on top of the cork, and that’s where I’m up to now.

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The cobbled road was an offcut of Howard Scenics embossed card from an even earlier layout (never throw anything away here!) and will be overgrown - cobbles in such a location are probably not that appropriate, but we’ll see.

Next step, painting the rails rust brown, but not today.

I will eventually grass the embankment. Suggestions & recommendations for a good static grass device most welcome.

Best
Simon
 

Steve Cook

Flying Squad
Hi Simon

You're a bit keen!

The display track group build is from the 1st August to the 1st of December - my expectation is that people start up their own build thread under the 'GB2. The Display Track Build' Forum from the 1st of August. Having an ongoing project as your entry isn't a problem and what you've posted already is exactly right for the first post of your build thread, however you are some 5 months ahead of schedule!

I think it would be better if you could save the above post rather than start your build thread - otherwise we could have two builds going on concurrently which is not the intention. The basics of what I'm trying to achieve can be found in a couple of posts here.

Thanks
Steve
 

simond

Western Thunderer
Thanks Steve,

Totally on board with the concept, it’s just that you posted the question after I’d been at it off & on since last weekend. It is where it is!

What I’ll do is to keep the photos as I go, and I’ll start a thread in August as you request. Trouble is, I rather suspect I might have finished by mid April, never mind August...

You never know, I might build another! I suppose they are sort-of static dioramas. Now, you’ve got me thinking.

Thanks again
Simon
 

Steve Cook

Flying Squad
Can I include Witts End in this?
You can do, but at your current rate of progress you'll probably have finished by the start date!

Personally I think group builds work better with the intention that everybody generally starts at the same time and aims (hopes!) to finish at the same time. Seeing simultaneous progress, but different methods and applications across multiple builds is part of the appeal. You can turn up and enter with something nearly finished if you wish, and if the build gees you up on an unfinished project then thats excellent, but that isn't the real focus of a group build. However, I'm not gong to turn entires down, nor smother the idea in rules and regulations - its all about a bit of parallel fun, so we are open to a wide range of ideas and entries :)

All of you have to do is take and post a photo of where you are starting from on the first date of the group build, and then keep on posting as the build progresses.

Like this; a display track has been on my good thing to do list for some time now. Hopefully the metaphorical kick up the pants will motivate me to get it done.

I can't deny it, I'm in the same situation :D

Steve
 

InvernessTMD

Western Thunderer
Steve, I very much doubt it as it is currently 100 miles away at my parent's, having gone there for safe keeping while I moved house!
 

Pencarrow

Western Thunderer
OK silly question, and apologies if I've missed the explanation elsewhere but why is the start date August?
 

Yorkshire Dave

Western Thunderer
Like the real railway I presume :D. To allow for project overruns...;)

FIFA World Cup :(, Wimbledon :(, Tour de France :) more likely...
 

Steve Cook

Flying Squad
OK silly question, and apologies if I've missed the explanation elsewhere but why is the start date August?
Hi Chris
There are two reasons for the start date being in August,
  • So people have a chance to finish their '4 Plank or Greater' wagon' build and have a month off before starting the next group build.
  • The advance notice also gives people time to have a think about what to build and to gather some materials so they can start on the day.
Or as Dave points out, project overruns...:oops:

Steve (slightly very ashamed at his lack of progress)
 
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