4mm Learning On The Job...

Richard Insole

Western Thunderer
Hello All,

New here, and wanted to start off with what I have got. like a few others, I have seen in this thread, there are some lockdown layouts that have been started, etc. It has always been something that I have wanted to do and having the time during the lockdown, I finally found the time/excuse to make a start.

In my younger years, I found my passion for this through my dad (Peter Insole). There are many photos of me as a wee nipper pushing a coach down the track, probably getting in the way, as dad was tinkering with the layout under construction. It was one of my more treasured memories, certainly as I got older and made my first purchase of a loco in 2005 (Class 20). The layout lay dormant for a few years after the initial construction and became active again with this new loco.

So, fast forward 15 years... as a parent now myself, I wanted to give my boy that same memory. But, and is the big but, living in an already cramped flat with my wife and two children, how do you pluck up the courage to ask the wife to build one? And where?

I have dad to thank for this. Some weeks and probably months ago now (gulp) dad came round and the conversation was started over the two or three locos that I did have displayed on a shelf. I had previously purchased 3 sections of Peco Flexi track and a DC controller from our most local modelers. I bought these when my boy was approximately 3 years old. sadly, he was too young to appreciate it, although even at that age, already adored all things trains. As seen here holding grandad's hand to look at a train. Although, he was probably closer, if not already 4 years old in this photo.

ZTUPXN-SHeVrKAwZBjnjkr3BS0RfPDuHMYj0i3Kk6kMFuYvhJlcw9jUCxOjlK8WT_Or-fOoaYI72MfShqKxamZdttrfKh2EEhK79UykI03g6sbQ9a4bMY3Sxit6cEa87vDk3ASSMGF0Q3gqpD3DwHorFyHR_lYRgtNNnuiqsUm1LvPPtx08bKaFEP_waZXPV4N0eBqMdJkfbps3QM9xmNgnnVTb0fmrTJMhjtawLFyJuozia_uf4VqkN4U54vwH9Uqv6tTZhzhzDFGcXW21PCEHdKDNOa97DfaOW39GhCrxtegtg_UW6dELkJ1J3ufSMvEbIyP24iidIgpTJzprA1kIFgS3LRTjYi57h5WEAC9yY0ntoae7kVUsoTA2fzpFl6qtnhatkuzj3b7zh2TIPUcLleoRdhb5t81ehyOJPhm7pY97eknIsB_sgTHwzqW--lzjwLTRTWfAe6MxWUDfxYx-qBsB1II74O5y8xSGSgsvvroDzp1Qg3_nWyqsvzOmx0FoGQnNhYCVBsDgIoCTiT64zk7Td6SjQTVEpe5AIogRh6guJUv3VWtnhRc9tITPXKYm9C843nZo_xQIR9BKe6uIa7LZGBooMYLzakic5FG0klNj3B_TFb0ozySjejDICKJBrwJDRy3K2leilqesKxJ0vEioC7rgmeDa1ejc7M_FSDmgrMpKXz9LVwOzdWQ=w1723-h970-no

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After talking to dad for a little while, I decided to get the track out. Laying it on top of a side, I managed to get my locos running. Wahey... This is where dad popped home to fetch a wagon or two, as I didn't have any of these. Immediately, the memories came flooding back, seeing a snapshot of some of the rolling stock I played with on dads old layout some 15 years previously.

Furthermore to this, my boy (and my girl) were jumping for joy over the excitement. So desperate to "have a go". He ran the little train we had put together down this 3m straight and the gentle control and excitement in his eyes as he would stop it in the imaginary station. This is when I knew... he was ready.
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I started the planning in my mind and discussed carefully with the wife, as not to upset with the very idea. I got the green light. Sadly, I did not get many photos of the early stages of the baseboards although, I can tell you that lightweight and minimalistic was the key. I made a small shelf-like baseboard that sticks out 100mm from the wall and over by my desk, a little station area. (I don't deserve such an understanding wife who allowed me to do this).

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Once I had the base, I then started to plan out a nice little simple layout. And please, do excuse the state of the desk! Everything had migrated to make space. The excitement was too great to stop and make it look presentable.

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All the questions of what kind of platform do I want, how long etc etc... I used some foam board I had laying about to make a simple construction to decide how it looked. But, overall, the decision that I made with the foam board and layout here above is what I went ahead with for the layout.

I was planning on scratch building a platform. There are a few options out there, but nothing that I could see myself wanting. I took the easy way out and ordered the Peco platform edges and...
 

Richard Insole

Western Thunderer
Whoops.. a distraction...
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I couldn't help myself...

As I am currently running a DC layout, how would I go about powering these? in the end, soldered on some drop wires and isolated them on their own section of track. This worked really well. To deal with the brightness and power, I have them running into a DCC Concepts MCB with outputs for LED's and a handy dandy potentiometer to raise and lower the output.

As the title suggests, I was, and still am, learning on the job. I started to play around, after some time had passed, with blasting and weathering respectively on a scrap piece, I had got my hands on a cheap and cheerful airbrush which made the end result so much better. Knowing I wanted to start with the blasting in the station area, I was looking at some nice oil sodden sleepers. I am pretty happy with the look.
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This is regrettably, where I neglected to take photos. In the weeks following, I created my platform, I painted it, ballasted and weathered. I also made the decision to put some retaining walls (if that's what you call them?) to the rear of the platform and moved on to some laser cut fences and other odd jobs.

Which more or less brings us up to date with progress...

Most recently, added the fence running adjacent to platform 2 (the nearest platform)

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More fencing done
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Not too bad so far. Sorry, this has been a bit of a long one. Than you for sticking with me

Lots of progress to come... For the most part, I still have to come up with some ideas of what to do with the empty space I have. Would love to hear some suggestions for this. There is so much that could be done with this space, I have not yet had a defining idea of what I would like to fill it with.

Cheers for taking the time to read. I look forward to speaking, sharing, learning, and generally getting better at this with you.

Cheers,
Rich
 

Peter Insole

Western Thunderer
Great to see you here now Richard!

I will say, and some might say I would say, that your piccies barely do justice to the subtle weathering colours and that lovely grass growing in the sidings!

It was really nice to see the "apprentice" and his little sister enjoy driving the trains so much too!

Pete - err, Dad!
 

Richard Insole

Western Thunderer
Thank you Giles, your too kind!

I've known about this group through dad. There is a heap of talent on here with some great ideas. Some of which will help for inspiration ha :)

Glad to be here.:)

Cheers,
Rich
 

Richard Insole

Western Thunderer
Hello All,

Update time.. and can I just say... "What a faff that was"

I have added to my lighting and I am really happy with the look. But, let me tell you, this was way tricker than it should have been. The 'instructions', if you can call them that, have no wiring diagrams etc and in the end I have, through trial and error, found the correct wiring for them. Each light has 2 LEDs and 4 corresponding wires out the rear.

Never the less, we got there. One of them is out and not working (the furthest one on the right), I have had this one out and had a play with it to see if it was something that I have done to cause this. After some contemplation, I think I might leave it as a little authenticity. :) I still need to get some realistic height on them ( you can adjust the height) before I glue them in perminantly.

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The camera on my phone has tried to grab the brightness. They are more suttle to the naked eye ;)

Cheers,
Rich
 

adrian

Flying Squad
Never the less, we got there. One of them is out and not working (the furthest one on the right), I have had this one out and had a play with it to see if it was something that I have done to cause this. After some contemplation, I think I might leave it as a little authenticity. :)
Sounds like a good plan to me.
 

Tom Insole

Western Thunderer
Very nice work little bro! Another one of us making the most of limited space. you're a little ahead of me for actually laying some track. so far I've 300mm of layout and I move that from place to place....
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Mind you it seems I've got to get myself organised to tidy the balcony, sell a few bike bits to move the bikes back into the shed where they belong before I can think about building a layout for a 16mm branchline/shunting yard.

I look forward to seeing the layout develop and hopefully come see it in person some time soon!
 

Richard Insole

Western Thunderer
Hey Tom,

Yes, I have seen your little 16mm come along nicely. Good job.

It is a very welcome distraction given everything that's going on at work. Hopefully, it wont halt progress. I have ordered some materials to keep me adding to my layout. I have a few more bits I have yet to add to this thread that I havent yet got round to uploading.

When things calm down a bit (rate of infection) your more than welcome to come have a look. ...And a little play ;)

Ps. Couldn't find a thread of your 'Mr Grumpy'? Have you got one going, so I can watch progress from afar?

Rich
 

Tom Insole

Western Thunderer
Hey Tom,

Yes, I have seen your little 16mm come along nicely. Good job.

It is a very welcome distraction given everything that's going on at work. Hopefully, it wont halt progress. I have ordered some materials to keep me adding to my layout. I have a few more bits I have yet to add to this thread that I havent yet got round to uploading.

When things calm down a bit (rate of infection) your more than welcome to come have a look. ...And a little play ;)

Ps. Couldn't find a thread of your 'Mr Grumpy'? Have you got one going, so I can watch progress from afar?

Rich

I'll keep fingers crossed for a reduced R-rates. I do have a thread but it horribly out of date! Look for "thingiverse 3d printed diesel" I've a lot to update on it with a 2nd loco, the shed(s) and various rolling stock including the brake van! which reminds me I need to pull my finger out and put some stuff up. I'll give you something to 'oggle from the distance ;)
 

Tom Insole

Western Thunderer
Wiggly 'tin'...... Ooooooh, nice.

Large(ish) scale?
16mm/ft (1:19 scale) ish.... the wiggly tin is actually food tins butchered and pinned.


First glance and my reaction was, I'de hate to work in that effin' shed. The I realised it is a model. Well done.

It’s only going to get worse! Lots more “mess” to add once painted from welding gear, workbench, beer bottles....
 

Richard Insole

Western Thunderer
Update: 10/10/20.

Sorry, it has been a little while. Work has been... Mh...

So, a fair bit has happened since my last post. The last we saw was the installation of the platform lights. I have been playing with some more lighting and wiring. I have added 2 signals. With almost all layouts these days being DCC, I wanted to have something that would work with DC. I managed to source some on/on switches. And, with some head-scratching, I managed to get them working :) 20201009_154613.jpg

In addition to the signals, I have taken some kits and used them to kit-bash a tunnel/bridge. I really wanted some textured brick. I am pretty happy with the end result
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Where I wanted to fit the second signal, right near the foot of this bridge, Sadly, it was a little close for comfort. This meant moving the track, and problems. I widened the baseboard to allow for this. A small addition to this end that will make some interest this end of the layout.

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This also affords me a little space for a future signal box between the 2 lines leading into the platform. and of course, a small siding to allow for another loco to sit in and be isolated for running sessions.

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More practice with some weathering... Not too bad...

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A package arrived a couple of days ago, and the fun really began. Some much-needed supplies within :)

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Some more lights for the platform... Getting them wired up here.
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Lights in place and some shrubbery. Not overall satisfied with the look, so this will change. Its the next step in my learning, making scenery look 'natural'.
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Let me know your thoughts?

I am going to have some time on my hands with work's 'shenanigans', this it is currently being faced with. Some more scratch building to come, to keep me busy :)

Cheers,
Rich
 

Richard Insole

Western Thunderer
Okay, So...

I want to get better at scratch building. I am not too bad when it comes to modifying something that has already been made. Now is the time to start venturing into the unknown.

Something easy... Something with straight edges keeping the design as simple as possible. What about....

A Tardis?

I tried to get as many photos as possible of my steps. After getting some research and measurements, I started to get them converted to 4mm scale. I love all things Dr. Who, so it had to make an appearance here.
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Just as evidence... These were taken in 2017 with the last ever set tour of the, then Tardis.

Once I was happy with the scale, The build began. I first started with the rough scale dimensions
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Time for some paint...20201010_181806.jpg

Very rough... I need to go back over this and sand down some lumpy bits and straighten up some edges. The end goal here is to add a warm white led. I have left put a black undercoat to stop bleed-through of light when I do get round to this.

I may strip it back to the black to repaint it. The worst areas are around the windows and the top of it. The dimensions are rather dinky. It is 18mm square and 30mm tall. Very small. I will check in with the Doc and see what he says. It will likely go unnoticed and will just blend into the background (that's if he has sorted out the perception filter) :)

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Cheers,
Rich
 
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