D&RGW narrow gauge: Back to scenics.

[JZ]

Going back to the August 'picture of the month'. I have a kit still to build of one of these 40' flats. I might go to town on the detailing. Individual planks on the deck, worn structural timbers on the frame, lack of D&RGW branding, etc.

That is a section of rail clamped to the underside of the frame. A few of the 30' and all 40' flats were strengthened in this way.

[JZ]

While browsing things to do in NSW, I thought I would look at Casula Hobbies website, as I was thinking of paying a visit. Pleased to see a good stock of Grandt Line parts, some from Tichy Trains and loads of stripwood from Northeastern Scale Lumber. A visit is definitely on the cards. And I can get a direct train to or from Windsor when I visit Australia's oldest pub.

[JZ]

Next kit, while waiting for points and crossings, is this, Brookside Ice House, from JL Innovative.

Designed for standard gauge, I am having to make a few mods to it. The biggest is lowering the loading deck, but that also involves lowering the doors to it from the second floor (US terminology). I had considered just taking out a 7mm section all the way around and that might still be an option, but for now, I think dropping the doors will look OK.

[cnw6847]

On 19/08/2022 at 15:30, JZ said:

I visited in 2019 and bought the last of the Shinohara track, or so I believed, and was told they wouldn't be getting any more. That's why I didn't look. I have placed an order for two crossings. Let's see if they turn up, as it's been almost 2 years since stock level was updated.

They have recently put some on ebay so must have some stock.

I spoke to them a few months ago about track and they said if it has the buy option they have stock of not they don't. 

The track hasn't come into stock yet so doesn't look like its being made at the moment.

[JZ]

6 hours ago, cnw6847 said:

They have recently put some on ebay so must have some stock.

I spoke to them a few months ago about track and they said if it has the buy option they have stock of not they don't. 

The track hasn't come into stock yet so doesn't look like its being made at the moment.

Early today, I had an email I had a partial refund, then another to say they were posted. Obviously he managed to get more in. Shinohara is supposed to have shut up shop in 2018 when the owners retired. Don't know if anyone took it on.

[JZ]

Only six days from confirmation of my order from Tichy, it arrived in the post today. A couple of items they didn't have in stock were today ordered from Mech Models, so thankyou Keith for the info on them.

[JZ]

My Shinohara crossings arrived this morning. Great service from Scale-Link. I bought a 30° and a 45° crossing. I'll see what fits best. Whichever I use, the other will surely find a use.

Edited August 24, 2022 by JZ

[JZ]

My Peco points have arrived, but I can't get to the shop until Saturday. So I press on with buildings. The JLI Ice house has seen some work done, but I have decided to replace the wooden double doors with Tichy steel ones and they are on the way from Mech Models.

Other news. I have bought a drone, a DJI Mini SE. Mainly for use on holiday. I thought it would be good for getting some shots when I get to the more remote areas of NSW. Before I made the purchase, I went through the regulations, both here and New South Wales, to check where and when I can fly it. Also had discussions with the owner of the same drone at work. Still need to check what the regulations are for Norway and the Faroe Islands, as these are my next two planned destinations.

[JZ]

With the imminent closure of the loop, I thought it would be wise to make a start on the depot for Ava City.

 This is the Banta Alison Depot kit, seen earlier. I'll be adding a small deck to the platform side, with a loading bay for road traffic at the side. Much simpler than the Ophir kit, it should be done in a couple of days, though the decision to have a shingle roof may send me loopy after a few hours.

[JZ]

Bit of a change. For the last nearly six years, this Peco kit has sat on a shelf. Originally intended for my proposed Undercliff layout, it has sat uncompleted until yesterday. I kept looking at it and thinking "I must get it finished". So I did.

A few mods to the original kit. I have added a plinth to cover the joints in the MDF carcass. Roof has been replaced with wood, the original gad long been recycled into another building. I think a small timber building such as this wouldn't have had a slate roof anyway. So now it returns to the shelf, but a bit more dignified now. Long term, the Undercliff idea may get resurrected, but way down the list at the moment.

Back to the main layout. The underlay is down and drying. Points collected from ESM this morning, but working tomorrow means that closing the loop will have to wait until Monday at the earliest.

[JZ]

Once the loop is closed, the first train will be hauled by K-27 463 and consist of flatcar 6056, high sided gondola 1267, stock car 5669 and caboose 0503. These were the first HOn3 items purchased, therefor fitting that it should be the first to complete a lap.

Apart from the already weathered gondola, the rest have been treated and the missing brake wheel added to the stock car, though that has been renumbered to 5660, after I picked up another with the same number.

Edited September 4, 2022 by JZ

[JZ]

September picture of the month. K-27 461 at Brown. 4th September 1951.

Brown was about halfway between Vance Junction, for Telluride, and Ridgeway and just a couple of miles from Placerville.

[JZ]

JL Innovative Brookside Ice House.

A few mods from the supplied kit. Tichy steel doors replace the double wooden doors. Deck has been lowered to match the height of narrow gauge reefers. Wood hand rails replace plastic ones. This side of the structure is based on one that existed in Ontario, Canada, but the rear of the building is pure speculation. Once in situ, ice blocks and crew will be added to the deck.

Closing of the loop was delayed by a faulty soldering iron, but now fixed, it will be done at the weekend.

[Keith Addenbrooke]

13 hours ago, JZ said:

JL Innovative Brookside Ice House.

A few mods from the supplied kit. Tichy steel doors replace the double wooden doors. Deck has been lowered to match the height of narrow gauge reefers. Wood hand rails replace plastic ones. This side of the structure is based on one that existed in Ontario, Canada, but the rear of the building is pure speculation. Once in situ, ice blocks and crew will be added to the deck.

Closing of the loop was delayed by a faulty soldering iron, but now fixed, it will be done at the weekend.

Looks great (not so sure the staff at the Bank next door are quite so happy at the moment, though).  Have you seen that Hattons have some pre-owned budget-busting FSM diorama kits at the moment?  Just putting it out there, Keith.

[JZ]

5 hours ago, Keith Addenbrooke said:

Looks great (not so sure the staff at the Bank next door are quite so happy at the moment, though).  Have you seen that Hattons have some pre-owned budget-busting FSM diorama kits at the moment?  Just putting it out there, Keith.

I picked up one, but these are too big for the area I have. They are really good kits, as the price suggests.

[JZ]

Last building for a while. Probably.

The Ava City depot. Banta Modelworks Alison Depot kit.

The roof shingles took around 4 hours to get on. Forty four strips in all. I know some people would do individual shingles, I estimate about 3600. The phone booth is 3D printed, bench from Busch, figure and packages, Woodland Scenics. Now this is done, it makes the planning of closing the loop easier. So, out to the shed this afternoon.

Edited September 4, 2022 by JZ

[JZ]

As of 11:30, 05/09/2022, the loop has been closed. Still needs wiring in, but maybe this afternoon or evening. Still to lay sidings and spur to mine, but Ava City has a loop at least, so I can run trains in both directions.

[JZ]

Placed the ice house this morning, though I might swap it's position with the feed mill.

 

Just been browsing the early pages of this thread. How things have changed. The original plan of a small, exhibitable layout, with just a couple of loco's, a few freight cars and a couple of passenger cars, has to a 20'x10', with ten steam loco's, two railcars, around 120 freight, 20 passenger cars and 12 MoW vehicles.

 

[JZ]

Wiring complete, I think. Will check it over with a meter later. First run will take place in the morning. It's taken a while to get here, but I now feel like it's reaching the final leg. The sidings can wait until I start locating buildings, as a couple of them have rail connections.

[JZ]

So much for going out to check with a meter. It's pi$$ing down here.

 

Going back to the pictures of the ice house.

Swapping around won't work, unless............ The stone building, a motor workshop, is removed and replaced with "Sweaty Betty's".

But, as it's raining, I'll have to check it out in the morning.

Edited September 6, 2022 by JZ

[JZ]

First thing this morning I checked it out with a meter. Then powered up. So far, so good. Now to take the first train out.

[JZ]

All went well. Ran the train through both loops. At a decent running speed it takes about 4½ minutes to complete a circuit.

Gave Goose #7 a run too, but it suffers from it's light weight. It would benefit from a bit more weight and probably a stay alive. As can be seen from this video.

 

Didn't bother with video of the latest section, as I'm sure we have all seen layouts in progress, where all there is is track running across bare boards.

 

[JZ]

Temptation was to carry on playing trains. In the end though, I decided to get the second siding down in Frome, it will serve a small mine and play around with buildings to see what might go where.

The four in the centre of the top phot are from Kibri's Western range. Now I have had experience laser cut wood kits, they will be given a makeover to bring them up a bit, new roofing and possibly boardwalks. The hotel and saloon were fairly cheap ones from a European source on ebay. Rather basic, but worth it for the experience.

[CameronL]

On 05/09/2022 at 13:00, JZ said:

The original plan of a small, exhibitable layout, with just a couple of loco's, a few freight cars and a couple of passenger cars, has to a 20'x10', with ten steam loco's, two railcars, around 120 freight, 20 passenger cars and 12 MoW vehicles

I was wondering how you were going to fit all those buildings in. Is there a revised track plan?  

 

Best wishes. 

 

Cam

[JZ]

17 hours ago, CameronL said:

I was wondering how you were going to fit all those buildings in. Is there a revised track plan?  

 

Best wishes. 

 

Cam

I'll need to get one drawn out. Although an engineer in a previous chapter of my life, I was crap at technical drawing.