RMweb Premium Claude_Dreyfus Posted February 2, 2019 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted February 2, 2019 More slow but steady progress on Friedrichstrasse. Refinements are ongoing with the tram control. The set up allows for 6 trams to run simultaneously; although in reality we'll probably have four. There are 6 stops scheduled around the tram circuit, with block protection to (hopefully) remove the risk of collisions. During shows, the tram line will be controlled via the software on the laptop - here we are calibrating the various trams. The trams are a mixture - here we have a selection of Kato and Roco examples Both these views are taken from the rear of the layout - soon to be hidden by the backscene. Also, work has started on the station building - Youtube link below! These have now been etched - now time to build them https://youtu.be/SYShAgGPDgs In preparation for the station building, the paving is going down outside the front of the station. A bit scruffy at the moment, but the ragged edges will be trimmed off once completely dry. There will be a fine spray of colour to tone the brightness down. The structure is an early mock-up of the station - very similar to how the final version will look. The platforms will get their final detailing added before the overall roof is fixed down in a couple of weeks time. We have a number of building kits under construction, which will make a huge difference to the appearance of the layout. 14 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Claude_Dreyfus Posted February 9, 2019 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted February 9, 2019 We have the kit of parts for the station buildings. Going to be a challenge as there are no instructions for building! Still, it is now in the capable hands of the designer to construct. 6 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Popular Post Claude_Dreyfus Posted April 22, 2019 Author RMweb Premium Popular Post Share Posted April 22, 2019 (edited) Right, that kit of parts seen in the previous post have now taken form... IMG_20190412_232817 by Liphook MRC, on Flickr The parts have now been individually covered with brick paper, whitewashed bricks for the internals, as well as some inspirational murals to motivate the people on their trudge to work. IMG_20190412_232840 by Liphook MRC, on Flickr Here the front has been positioned... IMG_20190419_194454 by Liphook MRC, on Flickr ...and a mural can clearly been seen. The doors along the front will be accessed by wide steps. The hexagonal shape at the top of the building is where a clock is located. Hidden under the roof are a number of small LEDs, so the inside of the structure will be lit. IMG_20190420_000542 by Liphook MRC, on Flickr Here two of the structures are in position - test fitted. Further detail to the brickwork has been added, as well as the clocks. We still need the steps, as well as detailing in the station plaza (stalls etc.) The overall roof has been fitted, as has the platform detailing (various kiosks (Artitech) benches, signs, people etc.). IMG_20190420_000632 by Liphook MRC, on Flickr Looking from the end of the layout, the cluster of houses around the tram circle have been fitted. These are Auhagen buildings (part of the Schmitstrasser range). Given the awkwardness of the space, a number have needed to be cut to fit. When the perspex is fitted, this should work quite well. The tree is a very nice lime tree, made by 4D Modelshop. The flats and backscene have been fitted into place (the flats are actually fitted to the baseboard, not the backscene. The basics are there now (I had to escape from the club last Friday before the station buildings were completed and fitted), and whilst there is much to do in terms of little detailing, we are ready for our first show - which is Rotarail in Fareham this Saturday. Edited April 23, 2019 by Claude_Dreyfus Typos 21 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
eastwestdivide Posted April 22, 2019 Share Posted April 22, 2019 That station frontage really looks the part. 2 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold PaulRhB Posted April 27, 2019 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 27, 2019 Superb layout with loads of action, no one going to complain nothing happens here! 15 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold PaulRhB Posted April 27, 2019 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 27, 2019 16 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Claude_Dreyfus Posted April 27, 2019 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted April 27, 2019 Thanks Paul. Great pictures. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Joseph_Pestell Posted April 27, 2019 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 27, 2019 The real Friederichstrasse featured briefly on Channel 4s Berlin Station (that's station as in spies not railways) yesterday evening. The layout captures the feel of the place very well. 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Claude_Dreyfus Posted April 27, 2019 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted April 27, 2019 (edited) I am currently between cameras, but I managed to get one or two pictures on my phone. A busy scene at Friedrichstrasse. Edited April 27, 2019 by Claude_Dreyfus 8 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Claude_Dreyfus Posted April 27, 2019 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted April 27, 2019 Overall, we were very happy with how the layout performed on its first outing. We have a few lessons learned, including the need for a bigger fiddle yard, and the curves into the yard need easing. We lost a point solenoid in the last 30 minutes of the show (which will be fixed at the next club night), and one of the other points were playing up sporadically, but otherwise it went well. The trams also need further fettling. Apart from this, we now all have the small detailing to add. Still lots to do, but we have time until it's next outing, which is our open day in October. We did have some interest, with a few potential invites over the next couple of years. The trains were certainly main stars, of course. Unashamedly demonstrating sound (lots of Eastern-bloc diesels) and smoke, they attracted a lot of positive comments. A final picture for today from me. One of our stars, the ESU Ludmilla pauses at Friedrichstrasse, with the Fernsehturm in the distance. There were a lot of positive comments, which surprised and pleased us all...makes the hard work over the last few years worth it, and makes us more determined to try to make the layout something special. 13 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium ColinK Posted April 28, 2019 RMweb Premium Share Posted April 28, 2019 Looks stunning, hope you are bringing it up north some time in the future. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Claude_Dreyfus Posted April 28, 2019 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted April 28, 2019 3 hours ago, ColinK said: Looks stunning, hope you are bringing it up north some time in the future. Thanks! That depends if someone invites us! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crofton Posted April 28, 2019 Share Posted April 28, 2019 It was great to get Friedrichstrasse to Rotarail after a long wait but it was well worth it. All the club's hard work has certainly paid off. Chris 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold roundhouse Posted April 28, 2019 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 28, 2019 A superb layout. Really does feel much like Berlin. Look forward to seeing it again as it develops further. 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Claude_Dreyfus Posted May 18, 2019 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted May 18, 2019 (edited) A few night shots of Friedrichstrasse. There are still a good 20-odd lights yet to fit (mainly street lights), but they do add to the atmosphere we are trying to create. Hall lights off last night for a few pictures. Here be spies... The lights beneath the bridge run on AC, and have a very subtle flicker. All adds to the atmosphere...I rather like the reflection of the light on the river on the bottom left hand side... A cyclist makes his way home through the late night streets. The street lights are on, but the residents are tucked up in bed; the houses in darkness. Despite the late hour, there are still passengers awaiting their final trains home...not that the E60 electric will be of too much assistance to them... This a recent purchase by a club colleague and is a Fleischmann model - one of their final H0 models. It is sound-fitted, and sounds superb...that wonderful old electric whine, punctuated by the beating of the connecting rods. Edited September 24, 2023 by Claude_Dreyfus Fixed Photos 18 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Claude_Dreyfus Posted May 18, 2019 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted May 18, 2019 A reasonably frequent visitor to Friedrichstrasse pauses at the end of the platform. Herr Willy Brandt is steadfast in his refusal to acknowledge the usurper. At the Rotarail show, we were talking to a visitor, who recommended rubbing graphite on the tracks, which helps signification to improve pickup and maintain track cleanliness. This being tested out on the tram lines. 7 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
leopardml2341 Posted May 18, 2019 Share Posted May 18, 2019 It does work in that capacity, but it's also a lubricant so may introduce adhesion issues. 1 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Claude_Dreyfus Posted August 31, 2019 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted August 31, 2019 We have finally manged to get the signals wired up. An unfortunate SPAD incident! The signals have been set up for a while; however were just as dummies. Now they have been properly wired in. The set up isn't very sophisticated, nor probably prototypical correct; the signals are linked to the points, meaning that simply if the point is set against them they will be red. It does, however, add to the visual interest to the layout. I believe the signals are made by Viessmann. 10 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Popular Post Claude_Dreyfus Posted August 31, 2019 Author RMweb Premium Popular Post Share Posted August 31, 2019 A few more pictures from a running night the other week... 22 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SimonBoulton Posted February 11, 2020 Share Posted February 11, 2020 Great looking layout, Berlin Friedrichstrasse is one of my favourite stations and still has loads of atmosphere 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Claude_Dreyfus Posted February 11, 2020 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted February 11, 2020 A timely post on this thread reminds me that Friedrichstrasse's next outing is at the Victory MRC show in Portsmouth on 4/5 April. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Claude_Dreyfus Posted April 16, 2023 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted April 16, 2023 Crikey, it has been over three years since the last post on here. So, what has been happening on the layout since February 2020? Well, needless to say the show it was due to attend was cancelled, and nothing happened to the layout for a good 18 months plus. Once we returned to regular club meetings the conversation came up about the fiddle yard and the fact it was only 6 tracks...needless to say far too small, especially given the volume of trains operating! I suppose it was a combination of a lack of forethought, as well as the total H0 stock in the club members possession at the time could barely fill the sidings. Inevitably we needed something a little more substantial. This is now under construction, a new fiddle yard with 14 tracks - certainly enough to provide a good variety of trains. In addition the old approach of narrowing the four track at the front to two in order to enter the fiddle yard has now been changed. The layout will now have four independent circuits for the mainline, plus two for the suburban line. That, combined with the tram lines, should make for plenty of activity... The boards have been covered by a thin layer of lino underlay, with the track marked out using a template. On the return boards, the underlay is more or less track width to allow for the ballast shoulder. Here the track is being laid, with particular care being taken on the board joint! The track laying will continue at a member's house, followed by the ballasting. The boards will then be wired up and then handed over to the scenery team to get cracking. Inspiration is currently being sought for this corner... An advantage of the layout being worked on means there are often views afforded that are not ordinarily available. Adding to this unusual view - which highlights the work which needs to done (everything is a bit too clean in this corner) - is some unusual stock as well. Unusual inasmuch as you won't see either of these carriages on the layout when it is operating, as these are both in the Maerklin 3-rail collection of a member - the nearest carriage easily being 60 years old. Perfectly acceptable for testing the track across the baseboard joins. In terms of future appearances, the layout is scheduled to appear at the Fareham show in October. Plenty to do in the intervening five months! 17 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Claude_Dreyfus Posted July 17, 2023 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted July 17, 2023 Progress continues on the fiddle yard and return boards, with the track laying due to be completed within the next month. Then to the wiring. The scenic work has started on the river-end return board. The main feature is a steel girder overbridge - a Kibri model. This will carry a twin track rail line across the main circuit. A second span is too be added to complete the bridge. Also present are two new sections of track. The middle track (with the pale underlay) is a dummy siding, designed to give the impression of being a headshunt for a large yard off scene. In addition is a siding (also a dummy) which is serving a factory unit. This has been set into a concrete hardstanding. The headshunt has the potential to double-up as a scenic programming track. The factory unit is a resin kit from Muellers Bruchbuden. https://www.muellers-bruchbuden.de/ There are also some concrete fence panels from the same manufacturer, which will be added to the perimeter of the factory site. Plenty of urban grot will feature in this part of the layout. 15 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Claude_Dreyfus Posted September 24, 2023 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted September 24, 2023 Only a couple of weeks to go until the layout makes its first appearance at an exhibition since April 2019. The fiddle yard has now been completed and trains are fully operational. The new yard is a significant improvement on the last - many more tracks - and the change to make all six tracks at the front of the layout independent lines will allow us to run a far more intensive service. https://youtube.com/shorts/WgTtdQ06Niw?si=9vMLiNRVNBnWpgqw The factory board has now had the overbridge added, as well as various greenery. The factory wall has also been put in and weathered. Also added is an etched fence and gate, guarding the entrance. This will not be immediately visible to most observers as it will be partially hidden by the overbridge. This is the view from the fiddle yard. A portrait of neglect. Although the siding is not wired up, it is intended to show an occasionally used track, so there may be an occasional wagon in place. Our intention was always for the layout to have a lot of lights - street lights, lights in buildings etc. A lot of today was spent sorting out the wires and connections for these. The lights beneath the bridge add to the atmosphere. Perhaps not as austere and East German is the more lively bar. Plenty of light going on here! The following week (our last club night before the show weekend) will be spent thoroughly testing the running of the layout - including a new DCC booster unit to help with the increase in trains. 14 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Claude_Dreyfus Posted September 30, 2023 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted September 30, 2023 As I mentioned in the previous post, Friedrichstrasse is intended to be a layout of lights. Streetlights, lighting in houses etc; we have a lighting fiend in the club! Occasionally we like to turn the lights off in the hall and just view the layout in its night-time guise. There are still plenty more gaps to fill - we need to complete the street lights, as well as complete the internal lighting for the remaining buildings. These will have to wait until after the Fareham show next weekend. Anyone at the show, do say hello! 👋 9 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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