Michael Edge's workbench

[St Enodoc]

7 hours ago, Michael Edge said:

It's 1:48 which gives 3ft 6in gauge with S scale track - S scale is commonly used in New Zealand with 00 gauge track but it is also the O gauge scale used in the USA.

I am now doing work for the Kiwis in 9mm scale (uses O gauge track), 1:48 and 1:64, we've also done some at 1:120 but bizarrely the only commercial scale which exactly correct for 3'6" gauge is not used at all in NZ - so called HOm is too wide for 1000mm but just about spot on for 3'6" in 1:87 scale. We have done a few NZ diesel etches in this scale - sold to a customer in Canada!

I don't choose all this, the customers do, I would personally pick the scale I wanted to use and change the gauge to suit - that's the easiest bit to alter.

Sn3.5 (16.5mm gauge) is popular here too, for QLD and WA prototypes, while a friend of mine has built some TAS layouts at 4mm scale, 14mm gauge.

[St Enodoc]

7 hours ago, Michael Edge said:

It's 1:48 which gives 3ft 6in gauge with S scale track - S scale is commonly used in New Zealand with 00 gauge track but it is also the O gauge scale used in the USA.

I am now doing work for the Kiwis in 9mm scale (uses O gauge track), 1:48 and 1:64, we've also done some at 1:120 but bizarrely the only commercial scale which exactly correct for 3'6" gauge is not used at all in NZ - so called HOm is too wide for 1000mm but just about spot on for 3'6" in 1:87 scale. We have done a few NZ diesel etches in this scale - sold to a customer in Canada!

I don't choose all this, the customers do, I would personally pick the scale I wanted to use and change the gauge to suit - that's the easiest bit to alter.

That makes sense. S gauge was originally 7/8" (0.875") gauge before a bit was added on to make the current standard 0.884".

[Michael Edge]

This is the information I was given, the NWSL drive unit is as supplied and my test track gauge is 22.3mm.

I don't know how close they will get to these wheel standards though, this drive unit has back to back 20.2mm, 3mm wheel thickness and 0.68mm flange depth. The other prototypes I have supplied so far have had Slater's O gauge wheel profile on their (I think) 3ft gauge axles - these are probably not correct but Slater's can supply axles to any length if required.

Some more photos of this week's progress, so far it's been a lot easier to build than it was to draw.

The drive unit fits fairly closely in the platform and the single screw and nut hold it quite securely. The genset unit pegs into the cab front, locates on six wires and is held by one screw through the hole visible in the centre of the footplate.

There will be resin moulded pads to support the genset, for the moment two turned spacers keep it at the right height. The drive unit isn't quite the right wheelbase for the Eb but the discrepancy won't be very noticeable once the moulded axleboxes are in place.

The cab roof is soldered on with access to the interior from below as usual. It should be finished next week, at least as far as checking the etch, I might not get all the pattern making done though. This is all in .015" n/s, previously I've used .018" in this scale but this seems thick enough for the Eb.

[Michael Edge]

Some more work on the Eb

The engine casing went together quite well, some dimensional tweaks will be required and I hadn't noticed the only the leading end of the handrail has a proper pillar, the other supports are just flat metal with a hole in them. Fortunately the spare etched bits boxes turned something up for these. I had meant to etch something for the headlamp brackets but forgot so this might have to wait a bit. Cowcatchers, shunters' steps and handrails still to add and all the moulding patterns to do still but this job will be left here for now.

Main job will be the second of two GW 1361 0-6-0STs for a while now.

[Michael Edge]

I went to wire up the turntable last week, also took some photos of the early EM branch line terminus added to the layout.

Viewed from both ends, this was as far as I know just plain track, the buildings etc. have been added recently.

Close up of some of the pointwork, it still needs a little fettling and the points were originally worked with string and springs.

The control panel is new and points now have motors.

This was built in the early fifties by Norman Hoyle, the present owner's father, he was one of the early pioneers of EM gauge as this photo of an MRN article demonstrates.

 

There is another of Norman's small layouts stored under the present layout but it was somewhat buried last week, I'll try to get some photos of that next time I visit.

Meanwhile the Dorchester turntable is connected in and working.

[t-b-g]

On 25/09/2021 at 10:30, Michael Edge said:

I went to wire up the turntable last week, also took some photos of the early EM branch line terminus added to the layout.

Viewed from both ends, this was as far as I know just plain track, the buildings etc. have been added recently.

Close up of some of the pointwork, it still needs a little fettling and the points were originally worked with string and springs.

The control panel is new and points now have motors.

This was built in the early fifties by Norman Hoyle, the present owner's father, he was one of the early pioneers of EM gauge as this photo of an MRN article demonstrates.

 

There is another of Norman's small layouts stored under the present layout but it was somewhat buried last week, I'll try to get some photos of that next time I visit.

Meanwhile the Dorchester turntable is connected in and working.

 

That is fascinating Mike and thanks for posting. That is decent looking track in modern times but would have been outstanding in 1949 or thereabouts. It is better than the track Peter Denny was building at the time in terms of appearing more prototypical. It is more like what Alex Jackson and the others at Manchester were doing.

 

It isn't a layout or a name I am familiar with. When I think of early EM, I think of Buckingham, Metropolitan Junction and the good people of Manchester club but I know there were other pioneers who perhaps don't get the recognition they deserve and this looks like such a case.

 

Lovely stuff and it would be nice to see the other layout too, if possible.

 

Tony

Edited September 27, 2021 by t-b-g
To add content

[Izzy]

The pointwork looks to be soldered perhaps but is it me or is the plain track chaired?

[Sandhole]

On 18/09/2021 at 07:29, Michael Edge said:

This is the information I was given, the NWSL drive unit is as supplied and my test track gauge is 22.3mm.

I don't know how close they will get to these wheel standards though, this drive unit has back to back 20.2mm, 3mm wheel thickness and 0.68mm flange depth. The other prototypes I have supplied so far have had Slater's O gauge wheel profile on their (I think) 3ft gauge axles - these are probably not correct but Slater's can supply axles to any length if required.

Some more photos of this week's progress, so far it's been a lot easier to build than it was to draw.

The drive unit fits fairly closely in the platform and the single screw and nut hold it quite securely. The genset unit pegs into the cab front, locates on six wires and is held by one screw through the hole visible in the centre of the footplate.

There will be resin moulded pads to support the genset, for the moment two turned spacers keep it at the right height. The drive unit isn't quite the right wheelbase for the Eb but the discrepancy won't be very noticeable once the moulded axleboxes are in place.

The cab roof is soldered on with access to the interior from below as usual. It should be finished next week, at least as far as checking the etch, I might not get all the pattern making done though. This is all in .015" n/s, previously I've used .018" in this scale but this seems thick enough for the Eb.

It's the little things with your builds, Mike.
I've just noticed the AEC inverted triangle on the engine side sheet.
That's a lovely touch.
Regards,
Chris.

[St Enodoc]

16 minutes ago, t-b-g said:

It isn't a layout or a name I am familiar with. When I think of early EM, I think of Buckingham, Metropolitan Junction and the good people of Manchester club but I know there were other pioneers who perhaps don't get the recognition they deserve and this looks like such a case.

Nor I, hence my cryptic (and wrong ) guess earlier of John Langan.

Edited September 27, 2021 by St Enodoc

[t-b-g]

22 minutes ago, St Enodoc said:

Nor I, hence my cryptic (and wrong ) guess earlier of John Langan.

 

That was my first thought too. I wonder if "Presson" still exists somewhere or if it either fell apart or got dismantled?

[Michael Edge]

2 hours ago, Izzy said:

The pointwork looks to be soldered perhaps but is it me or is the plain track chaired?

The plain track is chaired, I think they are fibre sleepers but I'll have a closer look next time I'm there - I'll see if I can dig out the other terminus as well.

This is a better resolution close up from one of the photos. It does look very good for early 1950s.

[Barry O]

back to the problems of identifying ex Great Central Locomotives looking down through an engines shed..

 

 

and some more..

 

side on is easier

 

 

and the clean ones are with me for weathering my 3 will be receiving some extra weathering (the existing was added in a rush prior to a show with Herculaneum Dock aeons ago.. time to get it done properly!).

 

Baz

[St Enodoc]

6 hours ago, Barry O said:

back to the problems of identifying ex Great Central Locomotives looking down through an engines shed..

 

 

and some more..

 

side on is easier

 

 

and the clean ones are with me for weathering my 3 will be receiving some extra weathering (the existing was added in a rush prior to a show with Herculaneum Dock aeons ago.. time to get it done properly!).

 

Baz

Dentist's mirror?

[Michael Edge]

If the operators start poking mirrors down into the shed roof they'll soon do more damage than the Luftwaffe did......

[Bucoops]

35 minutes ago, Michael Edge said:

If the operators start poking mirrors down into the shed roof they'll soon do more damage than the Luftwaffe did......

 

Sounds like the job description for a 1950s town planner

[Michael Edge]

My workplace has moved about 750 miles this week.

Finally after more than two years I'm back in France working on Carlisle. This view along the goods lines where I'm putting in some new buildings hbd building up the landscape. The old leather works by Rome Street bridge is another superb piece of work from Ukraine.

While I was on this ladder I took a few helicopter shots.

Looking the other way a lot more greenery has appeared, this bit is starting to look like a railway in a landscape now, behind the curtain is offstage to the M&C return loops.

I'm still working with all the stock on the railway - and it's a bit crowded in most places. The M&C Bog goods yard is the last bit waiting to be wired up.

After being left shut up for the best part of two years I was pleasantly surprised by the state of the railway, not too dirty and all still working.

More photos later.

[Dr Gerbil-Fritters]

crumbs... I'm glad I was already sitting down, what a magnificent railway.

[30368]

On 27/09/2021 at 17:15, Barry O said:

to the problems of identifying ex Great Central Locomotives looking down through an engines shed..

 

But in a way don't you think it is a nice problem to have?

 

They all look great.

 

Kind regards,

 

Richard B

[Michael Edge]

6 hours ago, Dr Gerbil-Fritters said:

crumbs... I'm glad I was already sitting down, what a magnificent railway.

Yes, it's big, Carlisle nearly all to scale in EM plus a slightly compressed Garsdale and a huge storage yard. We've been building this for eleven years now, quite a lot of it is getting close to finished. apart from Bog Goods it's all been working for a few years and I've just got the last four signals to install now.

[Michael Edge]

4 hours ago, 30368 said:

 

But in a way don't you think it is a nice problem to have?

 

They all look great.

 

Kind regards,

 

Richard B

Probably, but Brunswick shed has to work for its living on this railway - locos have to be turned and sent out for whatever train is next to depart so the operator really does need to know what they are.

[sir douglas]

wow, how big if the full layout?

[Michael Edge]

The room is 30m x 6m, it wasn't quite wide enough though, another metre would have allowed the connection from Bog Junction to the Cumbrian coast line. The lack of that 1m has also brought the goods avoiding line too close to Citadel station which has made it difficult fitting some of the scenery in between - nobody ever has enough space!

[St Enodoc]

3 hours ago, Michael Edge said:

quite a lot of it is getting close to finished

Then what?

[St Enodoc]

3 hours ago, Michael Edge said:

Probably, but Brunswick shed has to work for its living on this railway - locos have to be turned and sent out for whatever train is next to depart so the operator really does need to know what they are.

Tags on the isolating switches when they arrive?

[Barry O]

4 minutes ago, St Enodoc said:

Then what?

More weathering?????