N&BLR Ongoing Projects thread

What is your latest project?
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ge_rik
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Re: First scratch-build - signal box

Post by ge_rik » Sun Aug 15, 2021 1:08 pm

Peter Butler wrote: Sun Aug 15, 2021 10:29 am A great success, particularly for a first. The brass channel is something I've not heard of before but sounds a perfect solution to me.
80p a foot
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versus £5+ a foot
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Re: First scratch-build - signal box

Post by Seb_N&BLR » Sun Aug 15, 2021 10:18 pm

Thanks for your kind comments.

The carbon fibre board comes in bundles of about 10-12, they’re roughly 300x500mm. I looked on Jewsons website but can’t find them, so perhaps the pack I recently bought was selling off old stock. Either way it’s really good for several modelling tasks. I’ve also used them to form the edge of a track-bearing trough through two planting rockeries in the garden.

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Re: First scratch-build - signal box

Post by Old Man Aaron » Mon Aug 16, 2021 12:45 am

Love the attention to detail. I've found plastic straws (the bendy variety at least) to have no ability whatsoever to retain paint or glue. These days I just use 5mm ABS tube bought cheaply through Evilbay. Will have to get some of that lead-lighting channel..
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Re: N&BLR Ongoing Projects

Post by Seb_N&BLR » Sat Oct 23, 2021 4:31 pm

About time I posted my latest efforts, I’ve amended the thread title so I can update without my OCD kicking off :lol:

My main project over the summer period was to extend the N&BLR trackbed from its somewhat embryonic state, through two garden rockeries and towards what will become the second main station (of five planned.) NB this makes my garden sound much larger than it is - I’m content with stations being close together but out of sight of one another.

The challenge was a 4ft gap between rockeries, thereby presenting the opportunity for an engineering solution. With some available Bath stone I built abutments, and the main truss under-girder span of 2ft6in was constructed using aluminium angle suitably bolted together. The decking is creosote-soaked stripwood with track laid on top. I’ve somehow managed to continue the steady 1:40 falling gradient unbroken through both rockeries and the bridge itself, more luck than judgement although having floating ballasted track does make adjusting the line and level very straightforward.
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With the track now running up to our recently erected ‘outdoor room’, I decided to emulate the smaller BR Western Region halts (such as Church’s Hill on the Tetbury branch, seen here: https://www.steampicturelibrary.com/sta ... 2475.html )

Summer House Platform was built to serve the local landowner’s manor, the grounds of which this section of the N&BLR traverses. Latterly it provides tourists and visitors with easy access to their destination, although trains only stop (by request) during daylight hours. The platform is Cuprinol-treated stripwood on a carbonboard base, representing a basic timber / sleeper construction.
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For the record, I still haven’t properly run a train…

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Re: N&BLR Ongoing Projects thread

Post by Seb_N&BLR » Sun Jan 09, 2022 8:40 pm

Other than painting it, I’ve today finished my ‘Christmas project’ which was to scratch build a cattle wagon. The friesian residents are a pair of 1:25 Bachmann cows, all the way from Las Vegas courtesy of eBay 8) the third one didn’t fit but it came with a plastic milking machine (complete with slightly concerning anatomically correct attachment :shock: ) so I’ll use both for scenery at a later date.
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Re: N&BLR Ongoing Projects thread

Post by Peter Butler » Sun Jan 09, 2022 9:29 pm

That looks very neat and tidy, great work! Will you be adding coach-bolt heads to the hinges?
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Re: N&BLR Ongoing Projects thread

Post by Seb_N&BLR » Mon Jan 10, 2022 12:21 am

Peter Butler wrote: Sun Jan 09, 2022 9:29 pm That looks very neat and tidy, great work! Will you be adding coach-bolt heads to the hinges?
Thanks - and yes now you’ve mentioned it, I think that’s a good idea! 8)

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Re: N&BLR Ongoing Projects thread

Post by ge_rik » Mon Jan 10, 2022 5:49 am

Some really realistic looking developments with interesting back stories. Can't wait to see pictures and/ or video when the trains start running. Nice looking cattle van! I know from experience, they are not the easiest to construct from scratch.

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Re: N&BLR Ongoing Projects thread

Post by Andrew » Mon Jan 10, 2022 8:28 am

Nice van - it looks just right!

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Re: N&BLR Ongoing Projects thread

Post by Lonsdaler » Mon Jan 10, 2022 12:02 pm

That's a lovely looking cattle van. As Peter mentioned, some 'ironwork' would cap it off nicely. You can get all sorts of 16mm scale plastic ironware from Cambrian Models (just in case you haven't discovered them yet) https://www.cambrianmodelrail.co.uk/16mmng-parts
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Re: N&BLR Ongoing Projects thread

Post by SimonWood » Mon Jan 10, 2022 7:27 pm

Seb_N&BLR wrote: Sun Jan 09, 2022 8:40 pm Other than painting it, I’ve today finished my ‘Christmas project’ which was to scratch build a cattle wagon.
Really neat, looks superb.

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Re: N&BLR Ongoing Projects thread

Post by BWLR » Mon Jan 10, 2022 9:56 pm

That is a great looking wagon!
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Re: N&BLR Ongoing Projects thread

Post by Seb_N&BLR » Mon Jan 10, 2022 10:40 pm

Thank you for all the kind and helpful comments 🙂

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Re: N&BLR Ongoing Projects thread

Post by Seb_N&BLR » Wed May 31, 2023 9:29 pm

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Can’t believe I’m contemplating actually going through with this. My thinking is a plywood chassis and modellers-grade stripwood & dowelling to construct the bodyshell, clad in plasticard. I’ve got a powered bogie coming in the mail from Ince Locoworks. The most challenging shape is undoubtedly the roof over the cabs. That’s one to cross when (if!) I get to it. Suspect this will be a long project, but I’m daring to believe I can pull it off :D

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Re: N&BLR Ongoing Projects thread

Post by Seb_N&BLR » Wed May 31, 2023 9:41 pm

Also - as I’ve realised it’s over a year since I last posted :shock: Here are a few photos from a recent running session. Rather simple operations involving sending trains from one station to the other (out of sight of each other for added interest) but we had a very fun couple of hours in the sunshine.
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Re: N&BLR Ongoing Projects thread

Post by Old Man Aaron » Thu Jun 01, 2023 1:05 am

Welcome back! While 3d printing is terrific, it's nice to see a scratchbuild of complex prototypes.
Fence-mounted signal is a nice touch too. :study:
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Re: N&BLR Ongoing Projects thread

Post by philipy » Thu Jun 01, 2023 6:17 am

Love the idea of a narrow gauge Flying Banana! Do keep us posted with build updates, please.
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Re: N&BLR Ongoing Projects thread

Post by Seb_N&BLR » Thu Jun 01, 2023 6:45 pm

A slightly more complete schematic drawing. On the (frankly, likely :D ) possibility that this project turns out to be beyond my ability, hopefully it might inspire someone else!
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Re: N&BLR Ongoing Projects thread

Post by Andrew » Fri Jun 02, 2023 11:02 am

That's brilliant, I love it!

There's a precedent for it taking a very long time too. During a childhood visit to the K&ESR (probably in '83, or '84), I remember seeing a forlorn looking railcar No 20 with a sign attached appealing for funds so that it could be restored in time for GWR 150 celebrations in 1985. Nearly forty years later, the restoration does now appear to be on the home straight...

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Re: N&BLR Ongoing Projects thread

Post by Seb_N&BLR » Fri Jun 02, 2023 9:42 pm

Andrew wrote: Fri Jun 02, 2023 11:02 am That's brilliant, I love it!

There's a precedent for it taking a very long time too. During a childhood visit to the K&ESR (probably in '83, or '84), I remember seeing a forlorn looking railcar No 20 with a sign attached appealing for funds so that it could be restored in time for GWR 150 celebrations in 1985. Nearly forty years later, the restoration does now appear to be on the home straight...
Funnily enough the many ‘WIP’ images of no.20 has really helped with mentally planning how to structure the model!

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