Time to build a railway...but where?

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

Post by Peter Butler » Tue Aug 25, 2020 11:21 am

Thanks for the above ideas related to figures, I have made a search and found some wedding cake figures, but nothing seated, other than brides flashing their garters! Doll's house suppliers do have seated figures, although 1:12 appear too large and 1:24 too small. Design/Scan/Print 3D (my preferred supplier) have a limited range of potentially suitable seated figures in 1:19 scale, and at £6.50 each are a better price too. Some of these would need surgery and some modelling material to become 'period' but seem to be the best option...... so far!
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Re: Time to build a railway...but where?

Post by FWLR » Wed Aug 26, 2020 9:02 am

Now they are cheap Peter. Need to have a look at the site myself I think. Thank you.

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

Post by Peter Butler » Sat Sep 19, 2020 9:34 pm

It has been about a month since I mentioned my new platform/station installation and between poor weather, short holiday break (golden wedding) and other DIY household jobs, I have at last managed to get the edging blocks fitted in position.......
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I used a quick drying tile cement (powder) mixed with SBR (what else?) and bonded them to the cement base I laid last month. They set quickly, as the name implies, allowing me to put ballast in place to meet up with the facing edge.....
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All looking nice and tidy again.
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Re: Time to build a railway...but where?

Post by FWLR » Sun Sep 20, 2020 8:06 am

Congratulations on your Golden Wedding Peter.... :wav:

The photos you sent in your email of the hotel looked great.
Love the photo with the couple looking lovely into to each other eyes. I keep meaning to get some SBR, but old age memory keeps on forgetting.... :lol: :lol:

Anne and I are having the kids and grandchildren around today because it's my 68th tomorrow, I am going bto show the photo of the couple to them, they may give them some ideas for us..... :roll: :roll:

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

Post by Peter Butler » Tue Sep 22, 2020 10:20 pm

A few warm, dry days makes such a difference so the platform surface could be laid. For this I used sharp sand mixed with floor tile adhesive powder, plenty of water and a generous splash of SBR. The consistency was such that it allowed the mix to self level with minimum intervention. It did take longer to set, but fortunately the weather stayed dry for long enough.....
I would love to show you the pictures but the system is telling me.... ' Sorry but the board attachment quota has been reached'.... ?
Moderators.... any assistance would be appreciated.
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Re: Time to build a railway...but where?

Post by philipy » Wed Sep 23, 2020 6:55 am

Peter Butler wrote: Tue Sep 22, 2020 10:20 pm
I would love to show you the pictures but the system is telling me.... ' Sorry but the board attachment quota has been reached'.... ?
Moderators.... any assistance would be appreciated.
Peter, I can't help I'm afraid, it needs Tom for this.
I can confirm that I've just tried to attach a test picture to post this and got the same message, so it isn't just you!.

I don't know if it is related, but a couple of days ago I had problems with even getting the forum to load at all, so it may be that there is some sort of underlying issue.
Philip

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

Post by Peter Butler » Wed Sep 23, 2020 10:34 am

Many thanks for the reply Philip, I hope Tom has also seen the message and will let us all know.
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Re: Time to build a railway...but where?

Post by Peter Butler » Wed Sep 23, 2020 8:32 pm

Excellent news..... thanks to a local friend with a drone and with the kind and generous help and support of our own Rik, a new video has been produced of my Brockhampton and Umbridge Railway, from the air! ....and is now available to view on Youtube......

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEhPsDt5ghw

I think it is wonderful and I thank Steve and Rik for filming and editing the video, which could not have been achieved otherwise. Even though I know the railway inside out it shows the landscape from a different perspective which could not be seen any other way. I hope you enjoy their work.
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Re: Time to build a railway...but where?

Post by philipy » Wed Sep 23, 2020 9:06 pm

Thanks Peter ( & Rik & Steve).
As you say it shows a new and very different view of your railway and its interesting to see the relationship of various elements that we are very very familiar with at ground level. The flying and editing are superb.

Having said all that, I think I prefer the previous, more usual low level vignette type views, because they allow the suspension of disbelief more easily.
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Re: Time to build a railway...but where?

Post by Peter Butler » Wed Sep 23, 2020 11:03 pm

philipy wrote: Wed Sep 23, 2020 6:55 am
Peter Butler wrote: Tue Sep 22, 2020 10:20 pm
I would love to show you the pictures but the system is telling me.... ' Sorry but the board attachment quota has been reached'.... ?
Moderators.... any assistance would be appreciated.
Peter, I can't help I'm afraid, it needs Tom for this.
I can confirm that I've just tried to attach a test picture to post this and got the same message, so it isn't just you!.

I don't know if it is related, but a couple of days ago I had problems with even getting the forum to load at all, so it may be that there is some sort of underlying issue.
I see that Nomis (of this Forum) has loaded a picture today so the problem seems to be isolated to some and not all users.... any conclusion on that Tom?
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Re: Time to build a railway...but where?

Post by BorisSpencer » Thu Sep 24, 2020 12:59 am

Just watched the "from the air" video on the big telly.

I concur with Phillipy that the usual perspective is more engaging, but this does allow one to work out the relation between your elements, and a reveals a surprisingly simple track plan.

Congratulations to all involved.

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

Post by ge_rik » Thu Sep 24, 2020 8:20 am

I think what impressed me as I went through the clips, was the stability of the drone. It was a blustery day as you can see from the movement of the bushes and trees at times, but it's difficult to detect any wobbling. Another aspect which I find remarkable is the precision of the drone's movements. I'd like to see a few shots which start off with conventional trackside views of a train in motion which then crane up and over in ways which would be tricky without the drone. A couple of the clips (eg the one over the town), are heading towards this.

I think Steve was trying out a new drone and also the force of the wind made absolute precision tricky. I believe there were a couple of crashes which were not included in the clips which were sent to me for editing. Steve might be planning a return visit so it might be interesting to see the next set of clips.

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

Post by gregh » Thu Sep 24, 2020 8:44 am

I think the drone view is fantastic. So many great buildings can be seen, - I never realised there were so many there, from seeing any number of stills.
It's a beautiful railway. I love the shadow of the drone in some segments. Like a flying saucer from the future visiting your railway.

EVERYONE should have to do an aerial overview of their garden and railway, so we can all see the whole view and then get down to the realistic ground level views.

(I could easily watch another one - I didn't notice any station in the views am I blind ???)
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Re: Time to build a railway...but where?

Post by FWLR » Thu Sep 24, 2020 9:58 am

Just superbly done, although I am not a lover of music on videos or films or TV programs. It's a thing I personally hate, but on this video I did turn the sound off and enjoyed the view immensely.

It was so well shot with more insight on how you have gone about building your line Peter. I still think this is one of the better lines on the web, but then it's very hard to compare it now because there isn't many arial views of garden railway lines. Though Greg of this parish does have a couple of very good ones also.

I do have a drone though I have yet to use it, not got the room in our garden to try it for the first time... :roll: Don't want to frighten the neighbours.... :roll: :lol: :lol:

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

Post by Peter Butler » Thu Sep 24, 2020 10:28 am

Thanks to all for your replies. Steve is very much a beginner with his drone and has no experience of railway modelling, therefore no idea of what we would like to see. Equally, I have no experience with drone capabilities so did not interfere with the filming as it could have ended in tears! The drone seemed very small and there was a gusty wind, as Rik has pointed out, however, most of the shots looked perfectly stable. It did have a collision with a small tree but sustained no damage. For a first attempt between Steve and myself and the magic performed by Rik stitching up the pieces, I think it has turned out well and I am delighted to have it on record.
Greg, there are three stations on the line, one inside the shed and two outside. Recently I have posted pictures and descriptions of swapping over the two outdoor station buildings and creating a new platform. Unfortunately I cant load a picture of the finished site as the system is not allowing me to post pictures currently. There are many pictures in previous posts in this thread, so when you have a few hours to spend looking I hope you find them.
I have asked Tom to look into this issue with the Forum as not all users are affected.
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Re: Time to build a railway...but where?

Post by Peter Butler » Thu Sep 24, 2020 9:09 pm

Thanks to Tom I am now able to load pictures again...... Thank you Tom!
As mentioned previously, the station buildings and new platform are now installed and I can show you the end result....
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I think it makes a lot more sense having a through station on the main line and using the old terminus as a goods yard and engine facility. I can also have more stock ready to run and do some shunting without encroaching on the circuit.
It is probably inevitable that these things only become obvious after the line is finished and its shortcomings can be seen, fortunately not too much disruption this time.
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Re: Time to build a railway...but where?

Post by FWLR » Fri Sep 25, 2020 7:58 am

Absolutely fantastic as usual from you Peter. Just superb modelling from a master such has yourself... :notworthy: :notworthy:

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

Post by SimonWood » Sat Oct 03, 2020 6:13 pm

Have been away from the forum for a while - just catching up and the station developments look terrific. I think the logic of having the main platform on the mainline is inescapable, and it is going to make operating even more interesting and rewarding. The building is in keeping with the more substantial nature of this station with the sheds and sidings it already has - and the finish on the platform is superb as ever. Wonderful stuff, Peter!

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

Post by Peter Butler » Fri Oct 09, 2020 12:13 pm

The most recent photographs above show the newly installed station, which was short lived and never saw a moving train due to the time of year, that is, end of season and closing down for winter. I don't run trains in cold or wet weather, and rarely other times either, and with the current restrictions in place there will be no opportunity to have guests, so a good time to remove structures etc, give them a wash and health check, and put them into storage.....
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A Forum member once pointed out that my railway had not enough 'clutter', well I can assure you it has now. The village and other structures, combined with passengers and seating, street furniture, quayside items and other equipment, took the whole of Thursday afternoon to remove and store.
Going.......
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Going......
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Going.....
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Gone.....
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I am pleased to report that very few need attention of any sort. The HIP structures are in excellent condition, despite the extremely hot weather at the beginning of the year, and very wet and windy conditions more recently. No distortion or separation of material or other damage. As previously reported, the resin structures have again lost paint, which can be easily replaced, a nice indoor activity this time of year!
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Re: Time to build a railway...but where?

Post by FWLR » Sat Oct 10, 2020 9:15 am

You may have taken your buildings inside Peter but the gardens around them still show how well it works, "Clutter or no clutter". Good to know your HIP have stood up to all what our British weather can dish out. Gives me encouragement to build more. Only thing is there isn't much space to put anymore biggish builds. The garage I have done takes up loads of room. May have to get rid....... :(

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