The G&DLR begins.

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Sylvian Tennant
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Re: The G&DLR begins.

Post by Sylvian Tennant » Mon Sep 07, 2020 11:37 pm

More work on line saw an on the whim project which I had in my mind for a little while. A coal stage, taking inspiration of the likes of Hayling Island (For the record I'm an LNER man rather than Southern but the Hayling Billy holds a particular fascination) Here is a photo run down of the whole project made up from more of the spare firework stakes I had lying around, lollipop sticks and coffee stirrers.

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In all it cost me about £12 - mainly because I had to buy in a plank of Obechi, the lollipop sticks and a large tin of natural teak woodstain (they only had large...) Thinking about it, I had light oak woodstain which may have been a better idea as it now looks like someones artistic interpretation of Spareribs. But as you can see the rain stays off it - which is the important thing, plus it's darker in real life.

Next up the water tower. For out of curiosity what do people use for a bag for a watercrane (Im trying without success to find a long black balloon) and does anyone know where I can source a knackered old carriage for a mess hut?

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Re: The G&DLR begins.

Post by FWLR » Tue Sep 08, 2020 7:44 am

Great work on the coal stage, may use your idea if that's ok. Try and rub the woodstain off as much as you can, you may then put some of the lighter stuff on or it might take the sparerib look off a bit. But if you put some coal dust on it after putting some watered down PVA on first, it should turn out more to your liking.

For the bag and carriage I'am afraid I can't help you. The carriage could be found on eBay I suppose.....

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Re: The G&DLR begins.

Post by Lonsdaler » Tue Sep 08, 2020 11:03 am

Sylvian Tennant wrote: Mon Sep 07, 2020 11:37 pm More work on line saw an on the whim project which I had in my mind for a little while. A coal stage, taking inspiration of the likes of Hayling Island (For the record I'm an LNER man rather than Southern but the Hayling Billy holds a particular fascination) Here is a photo run down of the whole project made up from more of the spare firework stakes I had lying around, lollipop sticks and coffee stirrers.

In all it cost me about £12 - mainly because I had to buy in a plank of Obechi, the lollipop sticks and a large tin of natural teak woodstain (they only had large...) Thinking about it, I had light oak woodstain which may have been a better idea as it now looks like someones artistic interpretation of Spareribs. But as you can see the rain stays off it - which is the important thing, plus it's darker in real life.

Next up the water tower. For out of curiosity what do people use for a bag for a watercrane (Im trying without success to find a long black balloon) and does anyone know where I can source a knackered old carriage for a mess hut?
How about some black staining to tone down the spare rib effect? It would also fit with it's use as a coaling stage.
i have used a strip of black heatshrink for the bag on my water tower, it looks quite effective.
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Re: The G&DLR begins.

Post by Sylvian Tennant » Tue Sep 08, 2020 5:41 pm

Thanks chaps, I think the finish could have been a lot worse. Certainly not enough to damage by stripping but We'll how it goes when elements and coal hit it.

Great idea Phil, nanaged to grt some heat shrink today. Just one question. This might sound a bit daft but did you heat it up or just attach it as you bought it.

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Re: The G&DLR begins.

Post by Sylvian Tennant » Tue Sep 08, 2020 5:42 pm

Thanks chaps, I think the finish could have been a lot worse. Certainly not enough to damage by stripping but We'll how it goes when elements and coal hit it.

Great idea Phil, managed to get some heat shrink today. Just one question. This might sound a bit daft but did you heat it up or just attach it as you bought it.

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Re: The G&DLR begins.

Post by Lonsdaler » Thu Sep 10, 2020 9:18 am

Sylvian Tennant wrote: Tue Sep 08, 2020 5:42 pm Thanks chaps, I think the finish could have been a lot worse. Certainly not enough to damage by stripping but We'll how it goes when elements and coal hit it.

Great idea Phil, managed to get some heat shrink today. Just one question. This might sound a bit daft but did you heat it up or just attach it as you bought it.
I applied some cautious heat where it fitted to the downpipe, just to allow it to grip, but kept the rest cool so it stayed in its unshrunk state. Hope that helps.
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Re: The G&DLR begins.

Post by Sylvian Tennant » Wed Oct 07, 2020 8:37 pm

I'm going to spread this over a couple of posts. A few weeks ago I managed to finish the water tower to go along with the coal stage. Taking previous advice the bag is some heat shrink which was carefully and very very quickly heated to help it wilt a bit and cling to the arm of the tower. I made a base from some scrap foam board with a grate made from some repair mesh picked up years ago from Halfords.

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So far I think it looks the part - just need to decide on a place for the crew to go.

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Re: The G&DLR begins.

Post by Sylvian Tennant » Wed Oct 07, 2020 8:45 pm

Next up, a small table for the steam up bay. A few months ago we received a new cooker and instead were some wooden batons for padding. The tragic order in me saw some potential at the time (though I had no real idea on what). Eventually I decided to turn my hand to some basic wood work. Not bad for a first attempt.

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The finish is some Ronseal light oak wood stain which hopefully lies unto it's 5 year guarantee. It's just enough space to put all my rubbings and my brew.

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Re: The G&DLR begins.

Post by Sylvian Tennant » Wed Oct 07, 2020 9:00 pm

Finally some extra bits and pieces. The steam up bay as been re-ashed (which for the better part is a bit of a waited effort but it has muted the sand beneath it.

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I also managed to create a coupler from some brass and a bit of dowel from a seaside windmill which has seen better days.

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In addition to that I had recent started making some real progress which resorting and updating my old signal box.

The good news is that my little one has now taken a keen interest in trains. It does mean so much to me that this has happened and is something that, with encouragement may grow into one of the many bonds we have moving into the future.

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As a side note, and sadly on the same day this photo was taken my mum passed away from cancer. Although we had to prepare for the actual eventuality, the speed at which she succumbed took us all by surprise. She wasn't into railways particularly but tried to encourage my hobby as best she could, especially as my father was not at all interested (and thankfully let the family - not before time). We have taken it hard in many ways and as many of you will appreciate we are trying to come to terms with the loss of not just a mother but also a new grandmother which I'm finding particularly hard. Please watch this space as I do plan to try and keep myself busy with modelling and bring up a future enthusiast.

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Re: The G&DLR begins.

Post by Peter Butler » Wed Oct 07, 2020 9:24 pm

Tragic news and incredibly bad timing, sincere condolences. With luck your little one will help you to move forward and concentrate the mind.
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Re: The G&DLR begins.

Post by philipy » Thu Oct 08, 2020 6:33 am

So sorry for you and the family, but as you say you need to keep yourself looking forward and just remember the good parts of the past.

That water tower and coal stage (and the little table) look superb.
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Re: The G&DLR begins.

Post by FWLR » Thu Oct 08, 2020 10:18 am

Sorry for your lose. Our condolences go out to you. :(

On a brighter side, your builds are absolutely brilliant. I really do like your water tower and coaling stage... :thumbright:

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Re: The G&DLR begins.

Post by Sylvian Tennant » Sat Nov 14, 2020 7:00 pm

Thank you chaps.

It's been a funny few weeks having to get used to everything with coming to terms and the likes.

Slowly back on track and all that.

Anyway, I've managed to get some modelling sorted, cracking back on with the garden railway. Over the last few months I've been restarting my old signal box. The original was alright but the veranda was very flimsy and the interior was a rushed job and looking back didn't reflect what I had wanted.

The original incarnation is somewhere a few pages earlier. After about 3 years trundling around being left outside in the yard of a flat in newcastle for about 1 year and kept in a box for another year it was time to renovate the blighter.

New sides from the step were fabricated from foam board along with a new veranda which looks a little more robust.

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I also created a stand for the signalman to clean the outside windows with a rail to hold onto. Already there's a discernable improvement. I also created a boardwalk as this is a common feature with signal boxes. The wooden part were made just using lollipop sticks. I decided to put it on a foam board base for ease and sturdiness.

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Next was the lever frame. the original kit comes with five rivets to represent them. I wasn't a huge fan so with bits of wooden sprue, brass and copper I decided to make my own the same way. The lever frame was again just some spare foam board cut up and filed.

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The interior was next, the floor was again just some lollipop stick (I use a lot of these). The stand was bits of wooden plank and some spare sprue from an IP engineering kit. The dial and instruments were again just wooden off cuts.

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The chair was some 5mm foamex cut, layered and sanded there wearisome other bits that came with the kit such as the clock and stove which I kept.

Once varnished and painted there started to look the part. I must admit at this stage. i'm no signal man so I'm not going to say it's accurate by any means. I will also notice the small brass bells which are actually dolls house light switches. I dropped a ****** with this one as half an hour I bought them I found some brass bell pins for a fraction of the price which would have done just as well. D'oh!

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The lever frames were painted in accordance with BR rules (I'm not being too picky with eras or railways with my line) and reflect the points, signals and (imaginary) level crossing. The level crossing wheels was a model ship helm some other model ships parts (the name of which I forget but can show you a picture) and some spare ply wood.

Looking down directly the interior looks very, very compact but with the roof on there's no real way you notice it.

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Finally here's the finished article. I added a solar light so the signal man can see what he's looking at in the dark. I'm not too bothered that the solar panel is noticeable, it's just a little compromise for not having to switch it on and off all the time. I added a chimney for the stove but I have a feeling a certain toddler half inched it - it currently remains missing!

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and finally with the lights on.

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In addition to that, my recent birthday was most fruitful with these four tank wagons rocking up at the door.

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The eventual plan is to do something not unlike bertieB's modifications - whom i was greatly impressed with. The beauty of these are there don't look too out of place with Vyv and I've always loved watching old 9F's, 8F's and Black 5's hauling TTA wagons over the pennines.

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The only modification done so far was to remove the LGB style couples and drill through a hole in the buffers to accept a chain couple.

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The apprentice shunter seems rather taken with them.

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More work to follow.

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Re: The G&DLR begins.

Post by Peter Butler » Sat Nov 14, 2020 7:17 pm

Really nice, the signal box interior is brilliant, I have no idea what the things do, but they look just right.
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Re: The G&DLR begins.

Post by philipy » Sat Nov 14, 2020 8:07 pm

All looking very nice. Well done
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Re: The G&DLR begins.

Post by FWLR » Sun Nov 15, 2020 9:34 am

That is a superb signal box. It's extremely lifelike and looks very good in the dark also with the lights. brilliant idea with the solar panel.

Can I ask where do you buy your foam board and how exactly do you put the wording to look for them. I have just put foam board and I don't get the stuff that is used for modelling. I get it with the paperbacking that if you try to take it off, destroys the board.......

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Re: The G&DLR begins.

Post by Andrew » Mon Nov 16, 2020 3:54 pm

Hello.

There's some lovely modelling going on here! Having recently made a signal box and interior myself I know how much work is involved - yours is fantastic! Love the water tower too.

Sorry to hear you've had such a difficult time lately - I hope the modelling and spending time with your son are helping.

With best wishes,

Andrew.

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Re: The G&DLR begins.

Post by ge_rik » Mon Nov 16, 2020 5:34 pm

For some reason I've missed out on this thread since the beginning of October. I do hope you are overcoming the unexpected loss of your mum.

You've certainly lived up to your plan to keep yourself busy. That water tower is really great, especially the way you've painted the stonework. And now that exquisite signal box! Stunning!

Your railway is really taking shape and looking great.

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Re: The G&DLR begins.

Post by Sylvian Tennant » Tue Jun 01, 2021 8:39 pm

Hello everyone - apologies. I've been very busy as of late. Thank still for the kind words regarding my mum. Time is helping little by little and there's nothing more to do than keep on moving but it is still keenly felt.

The railway has had a bit of a growth spurt since I was last around - the wagons have been steadily gaining ground but I was starting to feel a little burnt out with the amount of detailing I've been putting into them so off to the side they went and in the last few weeks my attention has been moving towards giving the line a new look.

Looking back the tunnel and bridge were in a place which - although not unattractive - was hard to fully appreciate them and was a nightmare when my loco (without fail) would derail. The pond under the bridge struggled to sustain life and it looked more like a beck behind a council estate which wasn't the intention. Out they went and now that part of the line looks more like a valley which is more appealing - though a few more ferns would help matters but since this picture was taken there has been some planting. The fairy houses are still there dedicated to the little one's nana - but I need three more to make a proper coven ;) .

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The sheer effort and pride I had in the bridge and tunnel dictated that should not be scrapped so instead I wanted to add them to the new extension the main components were broken down and washed up.

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The station area was awash with young trans passers running on the line and causing a distinct nuisance for the station master so a new fence was installed whilst the upgraded continued. This will hopefully be painted up in the near future which small metal signs to add to the ambiance - it would also help to have the station building there but that will be the next job.

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Thanks to the kind efforts of a fellow member I had some more track to play around with. The overall idea was allow easier access to parts but on a practical level but also allow more space to get reasonable close to the train which my son really enjoys watching. What's more I have been able to add a much more practical steam up bay with one additional storage/goods siding. The loop was also extended as the previous one only allowed for a three/five wagon train which was nigh on unless for my plans.

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The extension was created over the old veg patch - the ground was just clay so we struggled to grow much there plus the light was the best for veg - beetroot seemed to love it though. The good thing was the ground was firm enough to let up put the line on though so work began.

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The ponds were moved to the extension allowing for the bridge to be included and also add some botanical interests. The line here is slightly raised which helps with kneeling as my knee aren't what the used to be - plus I'm not sure a steep incline would be in everyone's interests.

Back to the tunnel and bridges - I wasn't 100% happy with their original outcomes. There some short coming with the designs which needed amending. The tunnels wings were angels so they could never stand on their own and the bridge had it own design logics which was picked apart. The tunnels can now stand on their own which their new wings and the abutments on the bridge now hold the girders in place and overall it just looks better. The surfaces were panel beat with the ball side of a lump hammer and some sanding paper. The effects are vastly improved but it was not without issue. something I've be happy to expand upon is asked.

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The tunnel itself doubles as a rockery and with time, I'm hoping the plants make it look a little less like a haphazard job.

New and (hopefully) more practical point lever were created too, as all but one succumbed to the ravaged for a heavy handed toddler and father too .

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There's pretty much is so far. I'm happy with the outcome. There is space to be able to walk around and admire the trains from a close up distance and different perspectives and is helps to stretch my engines legs a little bit. It is also nice to have something to sit back and admire which I did with a rum and coke in hand once the hard work was all done last night.

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Next up - a new level crossing and hopefully we'll see the station all done.
Last edited by Sylvian Tennant on Tue Jun 01, 2021 9:47 pm, edited 2 times in total.

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Re: The G&DLR begins.

Post by Lonsdaler » Tue Jun 01, 2021 9:18 pm

You've been really busy! The texturing of the 'stonework' looks very effective - please do detail the issues you had, because the finished article is most lifelike. The bridge abutments look 1:1 scale :thumbright:
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