7mm The Beeching & Axe Moor Branch Line.

Keith Phillips

Western Thunderer
And I thought a garden railway was a challenge :confused:. Still, it is all a learning curve and resolution of issues is so much more rewarding than plain sailing. Although it would be nice if it all went well first time every now and then ;)

All the best,

Keith​
 

victorianman

Western Thunderer
John, I'm sorry about your track experience, but it does unfortunately prove my unwritten model railway rule, which is that with some honourable exceptions, if you want something done properly, you usually have to do it yourself.
Glad it is now sorted out, and keep going.
 

3 LINK

Western Thunderer
Hi John,

Did you manage to get the scenic paper to lay flat or like most of us get left with a few bubbles that never disappear unlike wallpaper?

Regards,

Martyn.
 

Prairie Tank

Western Thunderer
Hi John,

Did you manage to get the scenic paper to lay flat or like most of us get left with a few bubbles that never disappear unlike wallpaper?

Regards,

Martyn.

Hi Martyn.

It is perfectly flat thank goodness. Last time I used this sticky back type (way to much Blue Peter has a kid) I fitted it directly to the wall paper in my train room and had problems with air bubbles.
This time I bought some good quality ply wood with beautiful flat surfaces. With the help of my wife and a friend (one holding the paper level, the other peeling the backing off as required) I smoothed it on starting at one end and working out any air.

John :)
 

Prairie Tank

Western Thunderer
I did not want my NCE power cabs to stand up above the scenery on my lay out so decided against using a cradle and instead bought some very inexpensive hook/hook ports from the bay of fleas.


They are mega sticky and form a fantastic bond. I have fitted two for each cab so that they stand up straight.

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John :)
 

3 LINK

Western Thunderer
Hi John,

From the sound of it you must have used a different supplier, I brought mine from ID backscenes where they recommend that you use either PVA or wallpaper paste, and not a type that comes with a sticky backed paper.

The jury is still out on my back scene ordeal, I might even have a go at painting one myself being that I spent a lot of my youth at Art College .

Regards,

Martyn.
 

Prairie Tank

Western Thunderer
Hi John,

From the sound of it you must have used a different supplier, I brought mine from ID backscenes where they recommend that you use either PVA or wallpaper paste, and not a type that comes with a sticky backed paper.

The jury is still out on my back scene ordeal, I might even have a go at painting one myself being that I spent a lot of my youth at Art College .

Regards,

Martyn.

I have seen some fantastic results from painted back scenes. I was watching a very talented guy at the Warley club a couple of weeks ago, he was painting distant factory's onto a back board. They looked amazing and he made it look so very easy, which no doubt it is not.

My back drops are from The New Modellers Shop. Premium Range ID Back Scenes.

John :)
 

Prairie Tank

Western Thunderer
I came with in a hairs breath of giving up on this lay out yesterday. All the wiring needs to be replaced and there are shorts galore. I must admit that with every thing that has happened over the past couple of weeks I have not been at my best.

However, after a talking to from Mrs PT at 11am last night I took a deep breath and set about ripping out the wiring, cutting track and re-soldering joints. I have been up all night but have managed to get the one half working perfectly.

So feeling very tired but very pleased with my efforts, including doing things I did not think I could do, the lay out os very much back on track.

John upload_2019-8-18_9-41-27.gif:)
 

3 LINK

Western Thunderer
I came with in a hairs breath of giving up on this lay out yesterday. All the wiring needs to be replaced and there are shorts galore. I must admit that with every thing that has happened over the past couple of weeks I have not been at my best.

However, after a talking to from Mrs PT at 11am last night I took a deep breath and set about ripping out the wiring, cutting track and re-soldering joints. I have been up all night but have managed to get the one half working perfectly.

So feeling very tired but very pleased with my efforts, including doing things I did not think I could do, the lay out os very much back on track.

John View attachment 110010:)

I'm sure we have all been there John, I certainly have. I can build baseboards, trackwork, locos, rolling stock and of late scenery, but the understanding of electricity is still a black art to me.

But I'm sure there will be some helpful responses from someone " in the know " in the near future.

Martyn.
 

LarryG

Western Thunderer
I found the paper backscenes impossible to work with. They expand when whetted with PVA, hence ripples and bubbles, so I pasted them outside in the garden and left them to expand before mounting them on the backboards. Trouble was, they then tore easily. A recommendation from another forum led me to try the vinyl I D Backscnes and I've never looked back.

One thing though. I used to re-roll the paper backscenes in reverse after removal from tube so that they would lie flat. This doesn't entirely work with the vinyl ones, as it sets up tension between the backscene and the backing sheet and causes creases. They are the devil to iron out during mounting.
 

Prairie Tank

Western Thunderer
I have decided on a slightly different plan :)


I am now going to have one of those gorgeous Kirtley Model stations. My lay out is not really big enough to operate passenger trains but the station is going to make a wonderful centre piece.

It will represent a through station that is now a terminus thanks to Dr Beechings axe! The platform will be extended and then one end will have a ramp the other a smaller platform that will butt up against the tunnels retaining wall as shown in my not very good drawing.

My station 2.jpg My station 1.jpg 20190819_190649.jpg 20190819_190635.jpg

John :)
 

Prairie Tank

Western Thunderer
In order for the station to fit correctly I have turned the track boards around and also widened it by 4". I brought home from wok some plastic edging to finish off the front of the boards, these can be clipped on and off and will not be fixed permanently in place until the track work is completed.

After work today I set about finishing the repositioning of chairs and rewiring the first board. The wiring is now complete and working correctly, the first turn out is working perfectly, smooth running over the rails and no shorts.

There is still a little work to do on turn out 2 but the wiring is working perfectly. I need to replace the slide chairs, this will all be done after work tomorrow. I can then fix the first board in place.

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John :)
 

Prairie Tank

Western Thunderer
I put in a 14 hour stint on my lay out yesterday and have now got the first board running perfectly. Electrics work and the track is smooth. Board 2 is 90% complete also.
I am doing another 12 hours today.

I have levelled up the track ends and added brass fish plates so the two boards fit together nicely now. My soldering is getting better and I would now class it has a D minus rather than an F :oops:

Photo's show the end of board one and also Bob Bodgett and Sid Scarper who have been offering help and advice which reflects in my finished work :eek:

I have ordered a signal box from Kirtley Models so will need to find some nice O gauge signals now.

John :)

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