Static layout

[Ratch]

For some time I've been thinking of putting a small railway scene together using Airfix kits in a static display. Colin Marrow sparked this idea with his Airfix Village project. Alan Bean (Beany) and others added fuel to the fire with their projects, and with my recent railway builds I decided it was time to stop prevaricating and actually make a start. Firstly I measured all my kits - buildings, platforms, all statics - and cut out scale templates. I only have two platform kits, so decided this would be a terminus station with the Booking Hall facing the buffer stops. I was looking to use a single 607mm x 1220mm baseboard, and my crude plans indicated this may be possible - the determining factor would be the track geometry. Having reclaimed some track from my long-stalled loft layout, I laid out the point-work to discover that the station throat alone would need the 1220mm length, and an additional board was required for the station area. I purchased two hardboard sheets and four battens to support them an give them some rigidity, and set about gluing and screwing the frames to the boards. This had to be a simple construction as my woodworking skills are lamentable.

The two boards bolt together giving an overall area of 2160mm x 607mm (that's 7'1" x 2' in old money)





The tracks are glued down and only tacked at the ends. The turntable ring is dry fitted and positioned only. Likewise, the level crossing is an old one, merely laid down to check dimensions. I have found locations for the two footbridges I am working on.

[Ratch]

I keep going over the bridge finding areas to touch up

I selected two Hornby buffer blocks for the platform terminals. Unfortunately these pose a problem with the platform spacing

To get a scale spacing between the platform edge and the stock I'll have to cut a platform around the buffer blocks

Then there is the bridge spacing issue

Although it purports to be a two-track span, its more like a three-track span when placed on platforms

I have an extended footbridge which straddles both platforms from ground level, though I'd have to alter the orientation to fit on the baseboard

This is one solution

Though I have another idea up my sleeve

[Ratch]

I extracted this Booking Hall from the stash and carefully removed the staples from the header and had to slice through the heavily sellotaped polybag to open it. I bought it in 2012, and judging by the date at MK Show. Checking the parts, I discovered the exterior wall, all doors, two window frames and a chimney pot missing.

Here's Plan B on the footbridge span problem...

extend the platform :!:
I used two vacuum formed sheets for the paved surface, strips of 40 thou plastic sheet and Wills SS MP 227 English Bond brickwork to construct the station concourse.

I cut a new front wall from Wills SS MP 227 English Bond brickwork, and cut a doorway and three windows into this.

I then added three interior walls. Two of the run the width of the building to form a passage, with one of them having a window for the ticket office. I positioned a wall of 30 thou card behind the ticket office to form a toilet, accessed from the door at the end of the building. The other half of the building is a waiting room.

[Ratch]

Thanks to those who have stopped by. Here are the simple divisions to the Booking Hall...

The footbridge is fixed and I'm messing about with levels around the station...

[Ratch]

The Airfix Footbridge

I started construction following the instruction sheet

Parts 3 and 6 have ejector pin marks,

but I didn’t need to fill them as I used some railway posters to hide the blemishes.

sorry about the blurry picture

For comparison, here's the full span being built here against the shortened version

Before constructing the towers I had to decide which orientation to have the flights of steps

I decided on this arrangement

[Ratch]

And the Airfix turntable.

Lots of ejector pin marks to fill

[Ratch]

Initially I was looking at a straight piece if track from the points, but this placed the turntable too close to the platform line and the edge of the board, so I ventured up into the loft and found a short curve, I also decided I needed a neck to move wagons onto platform 2, so added a set of points and another panel

While up in the loft I came across a number of items including this Ratio cattle dock...

which should sit nicely alongside Platform 2...

This old Airfix Signal Box won't be used

The Prairie sits on the Engine Shed road and the Pug on the headshunt, terminating short of the level crossing.

I have a new kit to replace the level crossing and I shall utilise the Signal Box I made two years ago

This old Airfix General Store (4004/4/03620-7) is in need of resoration :nailbite:


Among these Wills kits are replacement doors and windows - maybe some will fit - if not its scratchbuilding

Some shots for a bit of perspective...

I found these old Airfix GMR RTR models, 54359-6 20 Ton Mineral Wagon BR Plank and 54256-8 Auto-Coach BR

A demobbed AEC Monarch in need of restoration.

Likewise, an Austin K2

I don't know where these resin bricks came from but they may be useful

A white metal milk float kit

and a coach also in need of attention

I think this fencing is Airfix

And the last of today's finds, Traffic Signals by Langley Miniatures, who were based at Three Bridges

Edited April 7, 2015 by Ratch

[Ratch]

Added rails to the turntable today

A test run with the cattle wagon confirms the gauge is correct

[Ratch]

I put down granite setts in a vac-formed sheet in the turntable pit. I stuck the turntable ring down with No More Nails then painted the pit.

I also added some plastic sheet under the approach road

And then started ballasting

This looks very untidy, but will be cleaned up

[Ratch]

I gave the base a good 24 hours for the glue to set, then brushed off the loose ballast.

This was reclaimed (being put back into the jar from whence it came).

[Ozzy]

Ratch,

Your layout is looking good, some fantastic kits, you've built so far.

Ozzy

[Ratch]

Thanks Ozzy, early days yet

[Ratch]

Some small additions around the station...

[Rodders154]

I am looking forward to the end result I too like the idea of a railway diorama

Rodders

[Ratch]

This could take some time Rodders

[Ratch]

I spotted a Water Tower box on a trader’s stand at Hendon Show a couple of years ago, and checking the contents discovered the Engine Shed mouldings included in the box. Enquiring of the price, I was advised £3.00; I nearly bit his hand off. The parts of the Engine Shed are cleanly moulded in medium grey plastic in my lucky find (presumably Airfix moulded), while the Dapol mouldings are in white plastic, with nicely detailed brick, roof tile and woodwork details. I decided that a double-length shed would suit the layout and with that in mind, I extended two of the window openings to the ground. These would provide access from a lean-to extension into the shed. I do not intend to fully detail the interior, but decided that the walls needed strengthening with cladding. Initially I constructed the side walls incorrectly, with the rear wall locating lugs at each end.

A trial fit indicated this was incorrect and that each shed must be constructed in the same manner, with one directly behind the other, so that the lugs at the rear of the front wall act as supports for the roof girder situated in the middle.

For the lean-to extension I used Wills SS226 Flemish Bond Brickwork with kit supplied doors and window with Ratio 521 Industrial Windows.

I cut the doorways perfectly, but the large window too wide and had to pack out the gaps.

Here the parts are held together with masking tape.

Its location on the baseboard...

Inside, the same granite setts as used under the turntable.

The four foot will have wooden planking covering the pit.

Edited April 18, 2015 by Ratch

[Paul Bradley]

An interesting project, Ratch!

[Nickthebrief]

Hi Ratch,

As someone who has been "planning" a model railway for about 30 years and never quite got round to building it, I like your work and admire your skill at bashing some of those old kits into shape! It might be the inspiration I need to break out the saw and start cutting some baseboards.....

One question: and I may have misinterpreted the photos - but how does a train arriving (theoretically as I know it's a static model) run into (or depart from) the left hand platform?

Keep up the good work and I shall keep a look out for progress.

Nick.

[Ratch]

Thanks for your interest gents. Nick, unfortunately I didn't have room for both facing and trailing points, so to get to platform 2 would have to be via the neck next to the engine shed.

[Ratch]

On with the Engine Shed, the windows were glazed with clear plastic card.

The walls were correctly positioned with the aid of a setsquare.

I found these signs.

stuck some on the Booking Hall.

and messed around with a road layout.

I added setts to the shed floor.

The lean-to office is an option (vice twin doors) I chose to fit.

Generally I’ve found the fit of the parts poor with un-straight walls causing misalignment of roofing. Luckily this is not noticeable from normal viewing distances and angles, and maybe pre-knowledge of these problems may give the builder a chance to rectify the discrepancies.

I thought some heavy machinery would be appropriate.

The exterior of the building was painted in basic colours then the interior was weathered. The roof area received Humbrol Enamel Wash AV201 Black and Humbrol Enamel Wash AV208 Dust with Humbrol Powders AV0004 Smoke and Mig Pigments P023 Black Smoke sprinkled into that area. I then made a Mig Pigment wash for mortar using P026 Concrete, P028 Europe Dust and P039 Industrial City Dirt, which I worked into the exterior brickwork and tiles. The surfaces of the bricks were wiped with a soft handkerchief to expose the brick colour. The positions of the down-pipes are left to the discretion of the builder.

[Ratch]

These two Dapol kits are for the CBKSIG display at Telford.

First, the Footbridge: This kit is old and crude with many ejector pin marks. I think that the girders are overly thick, but considering the age of the kit, would be moulded much finer if a new tool were to be made. Before commencing the builder must decide upon the geography that the bridge must follow to fit on the layout. That said, construction is simple. Care must be taken to clean up each part before introducing it to its partner, and if this is done assembly is trouble free.

This configuration was settled upon.

Next, a paint job.

Up next is the Park Royal Railbus.
I just happen to be looking back through RAILWAY IMAGES AROUND NORTHAMPTONSHIRE by Richard Coleman and Joe Rajczonek (ISBN 0-9518557-1-9), and plate 65 shows M79973 at Piddington.

So close to the serial on the decal sheet - M79971

The kit was already started.

The expanse of windows exposed the bareness of the interior and I decided it needed fittings added. A search of the internet revealed that Branchlines made a rather expensive, photo-etched interior, and while this looked very nice, it’s not a medium I enjoy working in; I have three kits to build so the expense is also prohibitive; and it was not clear whether the company is still trading. With this in mind I set about scratch-building three interiors in tandem.

The floor plan is 30mm x 159mm with tapered corners and slots cut out at the mid-point to facilitate the ‘working’ sliding doors.

The driver’s cabs are 22mm in height. The rear wall is 15mm long with a window 10mm above floor level to 20mm in height leaving a pillar at the edge adjoining the side wall, which has the same dimensions. The pillar on the side wall represents the doorway and is positioned 6mm from the windscreen. The pillar itself is 4mm thick. The seats are 6mm wide with the double seats at 9mm long and the bench seats at 14mm long. These are supported on strips of plastic card 4mm wide and finished with a 7mm high back.

The driver’s seat has a back that is 14mm high and 6mm wide, a 4mm support at the front and 6mm seat. The desk is 4mm wide and 12mm long with a 4mm wide and 8mm high support. All these pieces were cut from 20 thou plastic sheet. I did consider adding a DSD plate to the floor but decided this was taking things too far.

[Ratch]

Put the finishing touches to both today...

Sprayed the footbridge in a modern, neutral grey

Having taken this picture I noticed one of the decals had moved

Luckily I was able to reposition it after a soaking

[Ratch]

Another quick build

I spotted the Water Tower box on a trader’s stand at Hendon Show and checking the contents discovered additional mouldings of the Engine Shed. Enquiring of the price, I was advised £3.00; I nearly bit his hand off. The design is as typical as can be of a structure that adorned a multitude of locations yet rarely can two be found alike. My research into local railway water towers revealed that most (around Northampton) are/were constructed on a brick building and were painted black. I found the image of one at Charwelton troughs in 1963 that was painted grey, but without a roof; open to the elements.

Construction of the kit itself is quite straightforward. All parts require cleaning up to one degree or another, usually a light sanding with a stick or trimming with a scalpel. The instructions are clear and the assembly sequence is good.

I did not wait for the stretchers to fully set before cementing them to the legs, and as soon as the feet were glued I set the structure the right way up to ensure that the feed column touched the ground and was not left dangling short.

Construction is not too taxing and can be completed quite quickly.

The structure can be painted in whichever colours you choose. I selected LMS blood and custard to match the other structures on my layout. One problem I have found with Humbrol Acrylic Gloss paints is that they have a tendency to repel from the kit plastic rather like oil on water.

This necessitates several coats to achieve a consistent coverage.

Humbrol Enamel Washes were used to weather the tower, simulating rain and rust streaks down the tank and a dusty wash at the feet of the columns.

I also started a level crossing. Before commencing with assembly one must consider the position of this feature on the layout. If the level crossing involves double tracks then a second kit will be required. My gripes with the double track arrangement are that the gates do not meet fully, and the spacing is more akin to Great Western broad gauge. My parts required some cleaning up because of flash, but once this is done construction is simple.

It is worth painting the parts before securing the gateposts into each base. One problem I have found with Humbrol Acrylic Gloss paints is that they have a tendency to repel from the kit plastic rather like oil on water.

This necessitates several coats to achieve a consistent coverage.

Humbrol Enamel Washes were used to weather the crossing, particularly darkening the decking, which I perceived as too light.

Going back to the General Store: I found this shell of a building in my loft. Some window frames and some glazing was missing. I used Wills window frames and acetate sheet as replacements. I re-painted the roof and brickwork, then weathered with Mig Pigments. I also constructed a simple interior consisting of a floor between the upper and lower storeys and two walls breaking up the lower floor. Amazingly I still had the kit paper sheet and used this for decoration of the rear shop walls and sign above the frontage.

[Ratch]

Time for a bit more for my railway...

Dapol's issue of the Airfix 4021/03606-1 HO/00 Trackside Accessories - Platelayers hut, coal office, water crane, loading gauge

Looking at old film, water cranes are very dirty, almost black. I shall paint the upright crimson with cream cross-pipe and weather heavily. The loading gauge will be white, weathered over the track. A clear plastic sheet is provided to glaze the windows; this must be cut quite accurately so that the window frames will fit. I painted the interiors a dark grey as structures like this (that I’ve seen and used) were all dark, dingy places. I gave each of the buildings a first coat of dark earth mixed with black. I think black alone is too stark and the dark earth takes the edge off. I mixed some slate grey in for the tiles of the Coal Office roof and a little Light Olive with Coal Black for the felt roof of the platelayers’ hut.

I've added Airfix sheep to the cattle dock.

I think the Coal Office may have to become a Stock Room :think:

I can't really get any coal staithes in :roll:

No real problem siting the water crane and platelayers' hut 8-)

[Paul Bradley]

Coming long nicely, Ratch!