7mm Sherton Abbas

[John Duffy]

Hi John, I used a fine elastic thread called EZ line. A tiny dot of cyanoacrylate is all that’s need to hold it in position on the signal posts. I also used it for my fencing and telegraph wires. If you can’t find it online let me know and I’ll post a link to the supplier that I used.

BW

Dave

Thanks Dave, I used that for my fence lines but got the fine wire for the signals, unfortunately that was just a bendy mess. However I only had very short runs so will get away with it. Next time I will use the EZ line. Appreciate the answer.
John

 

[wenlock]

Although I'm happy with the layout when playing with it at home, I've been conscious for a while that certain things could be improved upon when exhibiting the layout at model railway shows. The road over bridge acts as the break between the scenic part of layout and the "off stage" fiddle yard as show in the picture below.



Fiddle yard and rear of road over bridge


The problem at exhibitions is that the fiddle yard can clearly be seen under the road bridge spoiling the illusion that the trains are actually coming and going from somewhere other than an MDF plank! The fiddle yard also has to be re positioned during shunting maneuvers to enable stock to move from the main line into the yard, which means unlocking and realigning the latching bolts every time. All of this means that my fingers can be seen faffing about under the bridge spoiling any illusion of reality. To rectify this I'm considering the following "cunning plan!"

Stock visible under bridge.


Fingers under bridge!


A base board about 3 feet long incorporating a point to link the main line and the yard would have the following benefits...

1. It would eliminate the need to move the fiddle yard during shunting maneuvers.

2. If I give this base board full scenic treatment then the view under the bridge would be greatly improved!

3. My fingers couldn't be seen when moving the fiddle yard to set up roads for different locos and their accompanying stock.

4. Trains could reach a reasonable speed before entering or leaving the scenic part of the layout.

5. I could incorporate an area in front of the scenery to put a cup of tea or coffee!


All of this greatly appeals and although its addition wouldn't fit in my workshop, I think it's construction would definitely be worthwhile for those occasions when I'm exhibiting the layout.

My trusty C&L point templates show that a 3 foot long board would allow the use of a B6 left hand turnout to link the main line and the yard without too tight a curve.

Template in position


View under bridge, imagine scenery!



Any thoughts would be much appreciated!

Best wishes

Dave

 

[3 LINK]

Hi Dave,

I think it's a great idea, especially the refreshments area for the tea or coffee .

Only joking but yes I think it would be a good addition when exhibiting .

ATB,

Martyn.

 

[NHY 581]

Morning Dave.

Yes, good solution. Don't forget that in addition to tea/coffee, there should be room for cake. Always leave room for cake

Just out of interest, what is the distance between the toe of the point and the bridge?

Rob.

 

[GrahameH]

I do like a cunning plan, and assuming the viewer is able to get a hint from the front without the backscene causing any illusional problem then yes Dave.

Ideal for one of those laser cut turnouts I mentioned ?

( Received my MRJ a couple of days ago and an excellent write up ).

G

 

[wenlock]

Hi Dave,

I think it's a great idea, especially the refreshments area for the tea or coffee .

Only joking but yes I think it would be a good addition when exhibiting .

ATB,

Martyn.

Thanks Martyn, funnily enough the the “beverage” space is also my top priority!

BW

Dave

 

[wenlock]

Morning Dave.

Yes, good solution. Don't forget that in addition to tea/coffee, there should be room for cake. Always leave room for cake

Just out of interest, what is the distance between the toe of the point and the bridge?

Rob.

Morning Rob, you’re up early, or going to bed very late! You’re quite right I must ensure that there’s space for cake and also for the occasional pastie!

Its 3 feet from the toe of the point to the bridge. I could make it a bit shorter by using an A5 point and tightening up the curves, but I can’t see many exhibition managers moaning that the layout is 3 inches longer than it needs to be

BW

Dave

 

[john lewsey]

Or even a glass of wine

 

[wenlock]

I do like a cunning plan, and assuming the viewer is able to get a hint from the front without the backscene causing any illusional problem then yes Dave.

Ideal for one of those laser cut turnouts I mentioned ?

( Received my MRJ a couple of days ago and an excellent write up ).

G

Hi Grahame, glad you approve of the “cunning plan” I think the illusion of distance should work Ok, the curved backscene contains the field of view nicely, but I think it’s quite natural to want to peer under a bridge. Hopefully when you are focusing on the area under the bridge the parapets and arches will frame the view nicely.

One of those turnout kits is phase 2 of “the cunning plan!”

I’m glad you finally got a copy of the elusive Covid edition of MRJ and enjoyed the write up.

BW

Dave

 

[wenlock]

Or even a glass of wine

Indeed! You know me too well

BW

Dave

 

[NHY 581]

Morning Rob, you’re up early, or going to bed very late! You’re quite right I must ensure that there’s space for cake and also for the occasional pastie!

Its 3 feet from the toe of the point to the bridge. I could make it a bit shorter by using an A5 point and tightening up the curves, but I can’t see many exhibition managers moaning that the layout is 3 inches longer than it needs to be

BW

Dave

Thanks Dave. Yes, early start. That's great regards the measurement and the reference to A5.
I've been looking into using them myself, hence the question.


Rob.

 

[Pencarrow]

Thanks Martyn, funnily enough the the “beverage” space is also my top priority!

BW

Dave

We always joked about having a beer pump on one of our layouts, with the hand pull disguised as a chimney. Never did it.

But yes, space for cake and beverages is a big bonus. The point looks good.

 

[John Duffy]

I will go against the flow here as I'm not convinced of the benefits of adding an extra board and increasing the total length in the fiddle yard. If there were to be an extra three feet, I would prefer to see more of your scenery.

People accept that when they watch at an exhibition that they are viewing a model and that there will be some human interaction with the layout. I can however see the advantage of a better view block where clear sight into the bridge might spoil a photo. On a previous, very small layout I made a little slider that went across the fiddle yard exit until a train needed in or out. The slider was just a piece of plasticard with a darkened photo on the viewing side. Whilst it was in place all the fiddling and hand movements were hidden.

Just a thought

John

 

[Pencarrow]

Don't forget John, the other advantage of the extra section is that it connects the front and back sections of the layout, removing the need to keep moving the sector plate when shunting. I know from a previous layout that such an arrangement, whilst fine for home, can be a pain in the ass during a weekend exhibiting. We also added a section joining a loop, although our extra section was on stage.

 

[wenlock]

I will go against the flow here as I'm not convinced of the benefits of adding an extra board and increasing the total length in the fiddle yard. If there were to be an extra three feet, I would prefer to see more of your scenery.

People accept that when they watch at an exhibition that they are viewing a model and that there will be some human interaction with the layout. I can however see the advantage of a better view block where clear sight into the bridge might spoil a photo. On a previous, very small layout I made a little slider that went across the fiddle yard exit until a train needed in or out. The slider was just a piece of plasticard with a darkened photo on the viewing side. Whilst it was in place all the fiddling and hand movements were hidden.

Just a thought

John

Hi John, glad you'd like to see more scenery!

Although the visual issue is one of the driving forces behind all my ramblings, the addition of the turnout would allow for much more relaxing operating sessions at shows. I have discovered at shows that I can operate, or talk to people, but cant do both at the same time!

The slider is a clever idea!

BW

Dave

 

[wenlock]

Don't forget John, the other advantage of the extra section is that it connects the front and back sections of the layout, removing the need to keep moving the sector plate when shunting. I know from a previous layout that such an arrangement, whilst fine for home, can be a pain in the ass during a weekend exhibiting. We also added a section joining a loop, although our extra section was on stage.

I couldn't put it better myself!

BW

Dave

 

[wenlock]

Thanks everyone for their responses/contributions

I've done a quick sketch of the kind of thing I was proposing, obviously the turnout would link the two lines in the drawing.

Sketch of proposed board



The idea of the front view blocker behind the "Beverage & Snacks" area is to restrict the view to only that from under the bridge. I've found at shows that people are just as interested in what's happening in the fiddle yard as on the scenic part of the layout and as Al & I operate the layout from the front we get in the way! The idea would be that we could both stand in front of this new board ( obviously when socially distancing is over!), leaving a clear view of both the main layout and fiddle yard for the paying public. The fiddle yard operator would also have far less to to do during shunting maneuvers and consequently spend more time talking to people, which is something we both enjoy.

 

[3 LINK]

Hi Dave,
Me again, apart from the beverage shelf , I personally think the main benefit will be to enable the trains to gain a bit more speed before their grand entrance under the bridge.

ATB,

Martyn.

 

[wenlock]

Hi Dave,
Me again, apart from the beverage shelf , I personally think the main benefit will be to enable the trains to gain a bit more speed before their grand entrance under the bridge.

ATB,

Martyn.

You’re probably right! All part of the fun though!

BW

Dave

 

[john lewsey]

Hi Dave
I think it will add to the layout visually and offer a bit more operationally. Just a thought
John