Time to build a railway...but where?

A place for the discussion of garden railways and any garden style/scale portable and/or indoor layouts
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Peter Butler
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Re: Time to build a railway...but where?

Post by Peter Butler » Tue Jan 15, 2019 6:43 pm

Peter Butler wrote: Sun Jan 13, 2019 8:43 pm I am pleased with their appearance.... it's all about distance.
IanC wrote: Tue Jan 15, 2019 9:49 am Brilliant solution. I fit vacuum pipes to all my locomotives and passenger stock....... A small point for anyone making them, the hoses should be fastened to the stand when not connected up. If they aren't then no vacuum can be created and the brakes would be "on".
Hi Ian, I'm pleased you approve in general even though you have pointed out where I have gone wrong! As you can see from my opening paragraph, I think that including them, even if they are imperfect, is better than not having them at all, as they will not be seen close-up.
In all of my models I aim for an overall impression rather than perfect scale. Most other stock I have seen have fewer details included, either from manufacture or additions, but as long as they satisfy their owners that's fine.
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Re: Time to build a railway...but where?

Post by IanC » Tue Jan 15, 2019 8:42 pm

Peter Butler wrote: Tue Jan 15, 2019 6:43 pm
Peter Butler wrote: Sun Jan 13, 2019 8:43 pm I am pleased with their appearance.... it's all about distance.
IanC wrote: Tue Jan 15, 2019 9:49 am Brilliant solution. I fit vacuum pipes to all my locomotives and passenger stock....... A small point for anyone making them, the hoses should be fastened to the stand when not connected up. If they aren't then no vacuum can be created and the brakes would be "on".
Hi Ian, I'm pleased you approve in general even though you have pointed out where I have gone wrong! As you can see from my opening paragraph, I think that including them, even if they are imperfect, is better than not having them at all, as they will not be seen close-up.
In all of my models I aim for an overall impression rather than perfect scale. Most other stock I have seen have fewer details included, either from manufacture or additions, but as long as they satisfy their owners that's fine.
I very much approve of them Peter, and it's a minor point really. I approve of them so much, I intend to copy them, if that's ok?
Ian

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Re: Time to build a railway...but where?

Post by FWLR » Wed Jan 16, 2019 7:24 am

Has I said Peter, they are brilliant, who cares if they are not 110% correct....If you look at photos of coaches and wagons that the manufacturers make, they got are pretty much the same....To many people like the smaller gauge brigade who always knock something done because it's not the way to be...

Keep on giving us, especially me :roll: lots of ideas that can be put into use...Like you say Peter, unless someone is going to get down on their hands and knees............

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Re: Time to build a railway...but where?

Post by Peter Butler » Wed Jan 16, 2019 10:34 am

Well, today marks a milestone (or Millstone?) in passing the quarter of a million views on my 'Time to build a railway' thread.
I think this is an amazing figure to have achieved but shows the interest in our hobby by members and visitors alike, and encouraging others to contribute their own brilliant ideas to support us all.
Since beginning my story in December 2012 I have learned so much from members, past and present, and couldn't have had any idea on how, or what targets to aim for and achieve without your input.
So a big 'thank you' to all who have contributed to my thread and a special thanks to Tom for keeping the Forum a successful and friendly place to visit, and waving his magic wand to make the system operate on our behalf.
Peter.
(Exit stage right clutching imaginary Oscar!)
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Re: Time to build a railway...but where?

Post by FWLR » Thu Jan 17, 2019 8:23 am

Wow Peter, well done...A quarter of a Million... :wav: Hope you get to the magic One Million soon.

You do deserve an Oscar for all the time and effort you put into your modelling and sharing so much information to us all. We have learnt a lot, at least I have, from you.

And has for Tom, there are no words to say about what is just a brilliant forum. It's number ONE for me on the internet. :salute: :salute:

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Re: Time to build a railway...but where?

Post by ge_rik » Thu Jan 17, 2019 5:10 pm

Congratulations! :occasion5: :occasion9:
Just shows how interesting your thread and your modelling are.
Keep it up, I need a few more ideas to 'borrow'

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Re: Time to build a railway...but where?

Post by Peter Butler » Sun Jan 27, 2019 10:56 pm

Building more stock means there is a need for more stock boxes. All of my stock items, locos and wagons, are in purpose built plywood boxes which are felt lined to protect their paintwork and stop dust settling in those impossible to reach places. If there is a danger of them rattling around I use foam sheet and, so far, haven't experienced any problems with it bonding to bodywork, which has raised comment elsewhere. It might be down to the use of acrylic paint, not oil based?
Currently I have three boxes in progress, cut from 4mm plywood, mitred corners stuck with Evo-stik PVA and taped together whilst drying. Sanded, painted with black emulsion and sprayed with matt lacquer they are now ready to be lined.....
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Re: Time to build a railway...but where?

Post by FWLR » Mon Jan 28, 2019 9:00 am

They are really good Peter. You have given me an idea now to use the full sheets of ply I used to line the shed at my old address. I must have at least 3 full sheets and and loads of half sheets also.

Haven't got your carpenter skills though Peter, mine my be a bit all over the place.... :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

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Re: Time to build a railway...but where?

Post by Peter Butler » Thu Jan 31, 2019 5:23 pm

The latest boxes are now completed with small brass hinges, catches, black felt lining and foam padding to prevent movement in transit. I now have so many boxes which all look the same I have to stick labels on them to identify the contents.....
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Re: Time to build a railway...but where?

Post by IrishPeter » Fri Feb 01, 2019 4:49 am

FWLR wrote: Wed Jan 16, 2019 7:24 am Has I said Peter, they are brilliant, who cares if they are not 110% correct....If you look at photos of coaches and wagons that the manufacturers make, they got are pretty much the same....To many people like the smaller gauge brigade who always knock something done because it's not the way to be...

Keep on giving us, especially me :roll: lots of ideas that can be put into use...Like you say Peter, unless someone is going to get down on their hands and knees............
We can always appeal to the Six Foot Rule against rivet counters. Besides that, garden railways are an inexact science were we have to make compromises between accuracy (if we are so inclined) and 'doability' because of the environment in which we run trains. Certainly, most of us are inclined to catch the feel of a real railway rather than be slavishly accurate because of the nature of the environment we work in.

Cheers,
Peter in Va
Traffic Pattern? What pattern? Spuds out; grain in, but cattle, sheep and passengers are a lot less predictable.

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Re: Time to build a railway...but where?

Post by Peter Butler » Fri Feb 01, 2019 8:53 am

Agreed Peter, I have little knowledge about 'real' railways so my ambition is to create an overall impression of what I think it should represent. With all the infrastructure surrounding my line it is difficult to concentrate on any one item allowing me to be more flexible with detailing. Also, the vast majority of garden railways are not based specifically on any particular prototype, so we have greater freedom to be creative.
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Re: Time to build a railway...but where?

Post by FWLR » Fri Feb 01, 2019 9:21 am

Peter Butler wrote: Fri Feb 01, 2019 8:53 am Agreed Peter, I have little knowledge about 'real' railways so my ambition is to create an overall impression of what I think it should represent. With all the infrastructure surrounding my line it is difficult to concentrate on any one item allowing me to be more flexible with detailing. Also, the vast majority of garden railways are not based specifically on any particular prototype, so we have greater freedom to be creative.
Amen Peter, you have for me, some of the most creative skills on the forum, along with other members. I get annoyed when, (but not enough to get the old heart pumping fast) people say "Thats not how it should be" "It should be like this". Who cares, so long has we enjoy our lines on how we see them...

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Re: Time to build a railway...but where?

Post by FWLR » Fri Feb 01, 2019 9:22 am

Love your finished boxes by the way Peter... :thumbright: :thumbright:

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Re: Time to build a railway...but where?

Post by Just Julie » Mon Feb 04, 2019 10:08 pm

Boxes are great Peter :thumbright:

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Re: Time to build a railway...but where?

Post by GTB » Tue Feb 05, 2019 8:23 am

Peter Butler wrote: Sun Jan 27, 2019 10:56 pm If there is a danger of them rattling around I use foam sheet and, so far, haven't experienced any problems with it bonding to bodywork, which has raised comment elsewhere. It might be down to the use of acrylic paint, not oil based?
Just noticed this. The foam breaks down of it's own accord if not formulated properly and it reacts with paint after it breaks down, not before. It can take years though and I recently noticed some 15 yr old unused foam stored in a plastic bag in the workshop is showing the first signs of breaking down.

The first thing you'll see if the foam is dodgy is that it stops being resilient. When pressed it collapses and doesn't spring back, a bit like the foam blocks that florists use for flower arrangements. Then after a while it starts to crumble and turn sticky. This is when it can react with paints and also some plastics, especially polystyrene.

I store my rolling stock in wooden trays with the compartments lined with felt, similar to your boxes. To stop things rattling around when being transported in the car, I make spacers out of wood or ply and pad them with felt.

Graeme

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Re: Time to build a railway...but where?

Post by IanC » Tue Feb 05, 2019 10:05 am

GTB wrote: Tue Feb 05, 2019 8:23 am
I store my rolling stock in wooden trays with the compartments lined with felt, similar to your boxes. To stop things rattling around when being transported in the car, I make spacers out of wood or ply and pad them with felt.

Graeme
I have used this method for over 30 years for my OO stock without any ill effects to the paintwork or models.
Ian

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Re: Time to build a railway...but where?

Post by Peter Butler » Tue Feb 05, 2019 10:26 am

Thanks for the warning Graeme, I will certainly keep an eye on the condition of my foam padding, although if it lasts more than 15 years that will take it way beyond my touring years, I will be nudging 90 (perhaps?) and will remove the hazard if I can still stagger to my shed!.......
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Re: Time to build a railway...but where?

Post by FWLR » Wed Feb 06, 2019 9:18 am

Peter Butler wrote: Tue Feb 05, 2019 10:26 am Thanks for the warning Graeme, I will certainly keep an eye on the condition of my foam padding, although if it lasts more than 15 years that will take it way beyond my touring years, I will be nudging 90 (perhaps?) and will remove the hazard if I can still stagger to my shed!.......
And me mate... :lol: :lol: :lol: Well more like 80+ for me.... :lol: :lol:

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Re: Time to build a railway...but where?

Post by ge_rik » Wed Feb 06, 2019 2:50 pm

FWLR wrote: Fri Feb 01, 2019 9:21 am Who cares, so long has we enjoy our lines on how we see them...
Hear hear to that!!

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Re: Time to build a railway...but where?

Post by Peter Butler » Wed Feb 13, 2019 11:57 pm

I have been searching the internet (youtube videos of model railways) for inspiration for my next build and have found this.....
www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4tpOPYqK2A
I believe this is 7mm NG and is a wonderful model on a magnificent layout.
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