Kings Lynn Stabling Point, 1980's

Colin M

Western Thunderer
I haven't posted for a bit. I thought it might be useful to post a progress marker... state of play at the start of 2013.

I'm still working on the boards, (and getting itchy to start doing something more creative!) Two boards are now constructed and ready for fitting of cabinet makers dowels to provide precise alignment. The pattern is established, so further boards should be able to follow at a reasonable pace. I've fitted guide pieces to retain 2" X 1" timber legs.

I wanted to thank Graham (DogStar) for earlier constructive advice....Without which, I would have consigned the initial board to the skip, and wasted many hours of work. His comments encouraged me to add a simple pair of cross braces, which instantly turned a board that could flex into a rigid structure that I think will be durable. Thank you! :thumbs::thumbs::D

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In the end I did opt for a paint finish, rather than varnish. Takes a while to prime, undercoat etc, but I think the time invested will be repaid in years to come. Inside is gloss white, and outside currently in dark grey undercoat. I haven't made a final decision on the gloss colour for the viewing facia yet, but I have discovered a leftover can of authentic BR Blue paint in my shed, from my days working in Stratford shops. I need to open up the can and see if it is still useable after all these years!


Legs will follow next. I have created a design which allows 2 different board heights (40" normal height - for exhibitions etc. and 29" - specfically to allow the entire layout to be run in my loft whilst clearing the various rafters and beams. I have cut out the prototype set of parts. Next step is to assemble and test.
 

Dog Star

Western Thunderer
That is a neat solution for adding diagonals to a board which has been constructed without bracing. Well done. Like the finish to the board.

regards, Graham
 

Colin M

Western Thunderer
Superb! Thank you.

The 350 in the second shot looks like the well-worn wasp stripes were drawn on with a marker pen. If you did that on a model people would think it was poor modelling!

First time I've seen a shot taken from the park fence. I always thought people must have tried that angle, but never stumbled across anything published. Close up detail of the fuel pump equipment is still alluding me.
 

Colin M

Western Thunderer
More comedy carpentry... layout legs this time...

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The legs have two heights, adjusted using 8mm bolts screwed into tee nuts. (This does go against one of my objectives, to have no nuts and bolts, but I have justified it to myself in that the bolts are set prior to travelling to an exhibition. They never have to be adjusted in an exhibition hall).

The timber for the uprights looks a bit tatty because it is reclaimed from old boards. (I chose it because it is straight and square, unlike the :shit: wood you buy in DIY stores these days! )

I was worried if the plank shape of the layout would lead to instability, but this seems to have been unfounded. Everything seems quite stable.

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The boards are going to be be aligned with cabinet makers dowels and secured by split hinges with removable pins. Each joint will rest on a 6mm shelf. They slot into the boards and fixed quickly with a G clamp.

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Height 1 - for use in my loft. It bridges my test track, whilst passing under various structual beams.

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Height 2 - For normal viewing/exhibitions. (At this height a little flex is encountered that will require diagonal bracing, to follow).
 

Colin M

Western Thunderer
This stage is a million miles away, but whilst I had a couple of boards set up, I just couldn't resist it...

I rolled out my drawing and rested a few lengths of C&L track on it. (The off cuts of ply are marking the rough footprint of the shed).

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017e.jpg (47 is an untouched Heljan, straight out of the box).
 

Colin M

Western Thunderer
I've been getting a bit fed up with comedy carpentry, and wanted an interlude to do something more creative...

I looked at my ever growing "unbuilt kits" mountain, and this jumped out at me as a quick diversion...

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In much the same way as Terence Cuneo always includes a mouse in his paintings, all of my layouts always include a yellow chip van!

This is my first time in O gauge, and this looked perfect. But it wasn't until I got it out the packet, I twigged that the cab is a Leyland/DAF T45; a little bit too modern for the period of this layout. :(

However, an hour on the interweb and a couple of quid spent on ebay has turned up this 1/48 Leyland Roadrunner which is more appropriate for my period...

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Although it looks very toy-like now, once all the pastic is disposed of I should be left with a nice die casting. I'll let you know if it was a good purchase in a couple of weeks! :eek:

[I'm struggling to find chassis detail photos using Google. If there are any lorry enthusiasts on here, I'm keen to discover a good lorry photo website. I'm looking for close up details of the chassis and rear cab fittings - water header tank/air filter and to see how much of gear box should be visible etc.]

Colin.
 

Colin M

Western Thunderer
Hi Colin,

Is that an 04 I have spied being built?

Nice work, the legs look great to me - I have been pondering whether or not to do the same or to use steel. For Draycott, I have used a heavy duty paste table from Toolstation (I may develop that theme too ):thumbs:

Kind regards,

CME:)

Thanks for the kind words. I used square steel tube for my EM layout. It was very stable but also very heavy. It also needs lots of nuts and bolts to put it together. This experience has been one of the key drivers for my obective to design fixings which are fast and simple, using only slide-in pins to secure.

The nickel silver kit is a Right-Price 03. (Not any 04's at Lynn in the 80's, although there was at least one there in 1963 when the shed must have been almost brand new). I took a break from the build, as the chassis was driving me insane and I was about to lob it out the window. :headbang: That was about a year ago... I need to get it back onto the bench! :oops:

Colin
 

Colin M

Western Thunderer
Hi Colin,

Hope you doing a thread of the cement lorry rebuild ? :thumbs:

Steve :cool:

OK, I'll take a few pics as it progresses and start a "1/43 BR Road Vehicles" thread.

Its a popular subject... There's a thread "over there..." that has 50 plus pages and includes some great photos. (I'll paste a link later).

Colin
 

Jon Gwinnett

Western Thunderer
Colin,

Been catching up on this thread - close to my heart as my EM plan is focussing on an East Anglian minor line.

I see you scratch built a Conflat L, can I ask, did you obtain drawings or work it out for yourself, and if so, how?

Cheers

Jon

(With apologies for going back over old ground)
 

Colin M

Western Thunderer
Colin,

Been catching up on this thread - close to my heart as my EM plan is focussing on an East Anglian minor line.

I see you scratch built a Conflat L, can I ask, did you obtain drawings or work it out for yourself, and if so, how?

Cheers

Jon

(With apologies for going back over old ground)

Hi Jon,

No drawings, nothing clever, it's pure "impressionist", and totally built from my 'odds and sods' box, costing me next to nothing.

The perfectionists will probably be horrified by what I'm about to confess... The sideframes were from an ancient coopercraft GWR wagon kit, with bits such as the hand brake levers left over from Slaters kits etc. I had some Slaters Oleo buffers laying around. All the body work is made from scraps of plasticard, cut to 'look about right' judged from photos.

There is a threat of a forthcoming Bill Bedford 7mm kit for the same wagon, which looks like it will be really nice if it materialises. Given the amount of 03's that get sold there must be a market? I found since my build that you can download the build instructions. You can register interest on Ebay. (Although I did it ages ago and I haven't ever heard anything since).

Colin
 

Jon Gwinnett

Western Thunderer
Thanks Colin. I know Bill does a kit in my favoured 4mm scale but me and small bits of brass and hot irons have a love/hate relationship. So I'm thinking of a Bachmann chassis with a plastikard overlay to two. Encouraging to know you've done something similar in 7mm. I had hoped there would be a drawing in "BR wagons the first half million" but alas it seems not.
 

Stu Fox

Western Thunderer
Colin,
Great location for a 7mm project and I'd be very proud of your efforts with those baseboards - top work!

Regards

Stu
 

Jon Gwinnett

Western Thunderer
Looks like. First time I've seen a photo of a former "A" in use as a runner so far south. Although I think Cambridge transfers included one on their match truck sheet. Only photos I've seen of Conflat A in use before have been Newcastle area.
 
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