06/24 Posted January 22, 2017 Share Posted January 22, 2017 Hi all, My first love was always railways, and over the years they have featured large in my life, both real and model. As my modelling mojo had deserted me, I was casting around for something new to work on, and over the Christmas holidays got back into railway modelling. I’m now ready to share the first progress shots, be gentle with me, its early days yet! Chapel Lane goods depot, work in progress by jongwinnett, on Flickr The baseboard is a cut down Ikea lack shelf, sized to fit on top of a bookcase. This is then covered in a layer of 25mm/1 inch form, to make and easy surface to add details and pin track. The track bed also has 3mm cork tiles, just because! Chapel Lane goods depot, work in progress by jongwinnett, on Flickr Chapel Lane goods depot, work in progress by jongwinnett, on Flickr As you can see, motive power for now consists of a Bachmann Skarloey, which will not remain Thomas-like for long! 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
06/24 Posted January 22, 2017 Author Share Posted January 22, 2017 The back story for one possible fiction for the layout is here: EVLR Like its contemporaries the Welshpool & Llanfair and Leek & Manifold railways, the Eden Valley Light Railway was a product of the 1896 Light Railways Act. Built to a nominal gauge of 2ft 41/4 inches, and opened in 1906, the line owed its existence to a quirk of 19th century railway planning. When the Midland Railway competed the Settle to Carlisle line in 1875, the townsfolk of Kirkby Stephen were frustrated that their new station lay even further away from the town’s heart than the earlier North Eastern station. Their frustration was nothing compared to the dismay felt by the inhabitants of the Mallerstang valley, for whom no station was provided at all. The poor state of local roads meant continual agitation to “do something” and the Light Railways Act provided the impetus. Local business folk and land owners came together to form the new railway company, which took advantage of the cost savings of narrow gauge. The great narrow gauge promoter Everard Calthrop helped the organising committee establish the line. The line itself ran roughly north-south, from Brough, through Kirkby Stephen to Outhgill in the upper reaches of Mallerstang. A branch climbed steeply from Kirkby Stephen, past the North Eastern station, to the Midland Railway station high above the town. The fearsome gradients of this section of line meant some muscular locomotives were required. The commercial heart of the line was Kirkby Stephen Mart, which served the surrounding area. Sheep and cattle were the lines staple cargo, although grain and animal feed stuffs, coal and quarrying all contributed to its revenue. The grouping saw the line brought jointly under the control of the LMS and LNER although in truth neither company was much interested and the line continued to operate much as it had for the previous 17 years. Unlike many narrow gauge lines, the local road network was such that motor buses had little impact on passenger numbers, particularly in the Mallerstang section. Even into BR days after 1948, passenger and mixed trains continued to run on market days. Nonetheless, this archaic survivor could not last, and the railway was closed in 1956, and today few traces remain. Route of the EVLR by jongwinnett, on Flickr 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
06/24 Posted January 22, 2017 Author Share Posted January 22, 2017 Skarloey has been subjected to all sorts of unspeakable brutality to turn him from a toy train into a halfway decent model of a real engine. Skarloey is, of course, actually a fairly accurate pastiche of Talyllyn Number 1. The real thing has lead a remarkable life, and like the gardeners spade, is almost wholly rebuilt from the days when it lay mouldering away, having been taken out of service in 1945 and left in tumbledown shed. The Bachmann model comes out of the box like this: Bachmann 009 by dtbroometalyllyn, on Flickr And with the addition of paitn stripper, primer, a 3d printed door and firebox, and brass handrails, ends up like this: Skarloey transformed by jongwinnett, on Flickr Skarloey transformed by jongwinnett, on Flickr 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ragtag Posted January 22, 2017 Share Posted January 22, 2017 Lovely little loco, will be interested to watch this one progress. Are you planning on adding a fiddle yard? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
06/24 Posted January 22, 2017 Author Share Posted January 22, 2017 Possibly - as a proper inglenook it can be operated without one, but the main line is positioned so as to allow the layout to be extended either into a fiddle yard or onto more scenic modules. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
06/24 Posted January 24, 2017 Author Share Posted January 24, 2017 I tried painting him/it green:… Untitled by jongwinnett, on Flickr But it didn’t look great and didn’t fit with my layout’s back story, so I went back to black: Untitled by jongwinnett, on Flickr 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
06/24 Posted January 24, 2017 Author Share Posted January 24, 2017 Progress today, has seen some landscape relief added along the front of the layout, and coal staithes (and an office, not pictured) built. Chapel Lane yard by jongwinnett, on Flickr Having had an (unusual) spraying disaster when my Halfords top coat reacted with the Halfords primer and bubbled badly, I have spent the last three days stripping two coaches back to bare plastic. A primer coat of Humbrol Dark Earth from a can, and we’re ready to experiment with a top coat – in this case Revell Purplerot to simulate faded LMS Crimson. Untitled by jongwinnett, on Flickr 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ragtag Posted January 24, 2017 Share Posted January 24, 2017 I'm with you on the black, think that looks a lot better. Relief at the front should give some nice camera angles too, I'd think. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
06/24 Posted January 24, 2017 Author Share Posted January 24, 2017 Thanks, I've always liked layouts that play on the idea of looking down into the scene. I'm undecided yet on whether or not to add a backscene, or just rely on a false edge (fence, hedge, trees etc) to the modeled world at the rear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
06/24 Posted January 25, 2017 Author Share Posted January 25, 2017 I’ve been pottering about tonight – removed the superfluous buffers from Croglam: Untitled by jongwinnett, on Flickr More paint on the coaches (looking at the colour, maybe the Peco Indian Red ones wouldn’t be so far off!) Untitled by jongwinnett, on Flickr And I began experimenting with converting the Peco couplings to work remotely. Uncoupling is a doddle – fix on a bent staple and hey presto: However as you can see, they don’t want to stay coupled. Two thoughts occur, one, rebate the vestigial hooks (or lengthen them) or two, somehow contrive one magnetic and one ordinary loop (don’t think that will work though) The idea is to mimic Greenwich couplings but with less effort in production – not there yet! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
06/24 Posted January 26, 2017 Author Share Posted January 26, 2017 No.1 Croglam and the first two coaches posed passing Chapel lane yard on their way to form the 08:45 departure from Brough. CROGLAM on Chapel Lane Yard by jongwinnett, on Flickr CROGLAM on Chapel Lane Yard by jongwinnett, on Flickr CROGLAM on Chapel Lane Yard by jongwinnett, on Flickr 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mjwomack Posted January 26, 2017 Share Posted January 26, 2017 I sympathise with loss of modelling mojo, I've so far failed to complete 2 group builds and didn't even make the start line on a 3rd. But is the chapel the Wills kit? One of best models pre mojo failure. If so, I've got loads of photos of one in bury st edmunds I could pm if you don't have a prototype 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
06/24 Posted January 26, 2017 Author Share Posted January 26, 2017 Thanks! Yes it's the Wills kit - I'm in two minds if it's the eponymous Chapel itself, of if the wriggly tin is the railway goods office and the chapel is a more substantial older building at the Lane end (if I find a suitable low relief building) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
06/24 Posted January 26, 2017 Author Share Posted January 26, 2017 One aspect of the Bachmann Skarloey I was unhappy with was the couplings. Although fitted in NEM sockets, I felt they were too floppy, tending to droop under their own weight, and the new pocket position the buffing face and hook too far forward to the bufferbeam. This wasn’t so much of a problem visually, but meant that, propelling wagons on reverse curves 9or even ordinary curves) through pointwork, the Skarloey hook was giving an effect of buffer locking, and forcing the wagons off the track. I tried an assortment of replacement couplings but it continued to irk me, so tonight I removed the NEM boxes, and drilled through a Peco new style coupling hook just behind the moulded locating pips for the socket, and eased the hole out with a broach, until it was a tight push fit over the metal retaining post on the model. The result, a short, neat, rigid and non-derailing coupling, which I can always remove should it prove necessary. Simple to do (taking less time than typing this out), but surprisingly effective. Croglam's new couplings by jongwinnett, on Flickr Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
06/24 Posted January 29, 2017 Author Share Posted January 29, 2017 Another two forward, one back kind of day. I added a backscene (and immediately regretted it) and the sky covering is still resisting my efforts to glue it flat. Untitled by jongwinnett, on Flickr Untitled by jongwinnett, on Flickr On a more positive note, I started adding some transfers to the repainted stock (the coal wagon still needs its interior painting) and I’m pretty pleased with the result: Untitled by jongwinnett, on Flickr Untitled by jongwinnett, on Flickr And, pending a site visit (middle of next month) I think I’ve found my chapel: Untitled by jongwinnett, on Flickr However, a re-examination of the topography of Brough, suggests that a better name might be Bridge Street, since the obvious (to my eyes at least) location for the station and adjoining yard are alongside the Swindale beck, either side of the High street. I might revert to my earlier arrangement with the street parallel to the board end and wider, since that might fit the supposed locale better. When I go down in February I will walk the ground and make my mind up. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
06/24 Posted January 30, 2017 Author Share Posted January 30, 2017 Wise counsel has suggested I retain the existing arrangement, and I am sure they are right. Tonight I mocked up a better impression of the chapel, which also (I think) proves my reservations over the height of the backscene are unfounded, I just need to get the sky to stick on better! Putting the Chapel in Chapel Lane by jongwinnett, on Flickr Putting the Chapel in Chapel Lane by jongwinnett, on Flickr Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
06/24 Posted February 1, 2017 Author Share Posted February 1, 2017 I decided I really couldn’t cope with the backscene and it’s gone. I immediately feel happier! I think any replacement will use flush mount brackets so that it is removable. Certainly the ID backscenes look good in use, and I hope the “premium” version will be less fragile. Chapel Lane progress by jongwinnett, on Flickr As the eagle eyed will note, the chapel has moved on somewhat from a two dimension mock-up. It now occupies three dimensions, stands on its own foundation, and will serve as base for either a card or plastic final skin. It’s knocked up from 5mm foamboard, and odds and ends of packaging card. Chapel Lane progress by jongwinnett, on Flickr Chapel Lane progress by jongwinnett, on Flickr Chapel Lane progress by jongwinnett, on Flickr As I’m no good at geometry, the final form was very much trial and error, but with an outer skin I think it will pass muster. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
06/24 Posted February 5, 2017 Author Share Posted February 5, 2017 Cottage first go. Realised the front to back dimension was too short and the roofline too steep for the area. However I’ve run out of Peco stonework so will need to get some more before Mk2. Cottage Mk1 by jongwinnett, on Flickr Meanwhile, pending arrival of windows and door, this is the blank face of the chapel: Untitled by jongwinnett, on Flickr 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete in Lincs Posted February 5, 2017 Share Posted February 5, 2017 I've run out of likes today, so, LIKE! Better to get it right and be happy, than to rush into it & endure regret. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
06/24 Posted February 6, 2017 Author Share Posted February 6, 2017 Chapel bits are en-route, quick turnaround by York, and the Simplex arrived today too. I was also able to stock up on stone walling, so tonight I’ve made progress on Cottage Mk2 Cottage Mk2 by jongwinnett, on Flickr Cottage Mk2 by jongwinnett, on Flickr Cottage Mk2 by jongwinnett, on Flickr Cottage Mk2 by jongwinnett, on Flickr Cottage Mk2 by jongwinnett, on Flickr Cottage Mk2 by jongwinnett, on Flickr 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goggsy Posted February 8, 2017 Share Posted February 8, 2017 Great start, looks like an interesting little project. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
06/24 Posted February 8, 2017 Author Share Posted February 8, 2017 Today’s post brought a John Day Bedford WLG (photos once the paint is dry!) and the chapel door and windows from York Modelmakers. So I set to, and started hacking out the door and window openings – the chapel is square – the image is distorted as I must have held the phone at an angle. Wesleyan Chapel - low relief model in 1/76 by jongwinnett, on Flickr Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
06/24 Posted February 9, 2017 Author Share Posted February 9, 2017 Today’s progress mainly focused on the chapel: Chapel by jongwinnett, on Flickr Chapel by jongwinnett, on Flickr Chapel by jongwinnett, on Flickr Untitled by jongwinnett, on Flickr The door is rubbish! It will need replaced. Other than that I am reasonably pleased – it’s not as crisp as I would like, but for pretty much a first attempt I’m content. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vince1159 Posted February 10, 2017 Share Posted February 10, 2017 It's not very often i look on here but that's just changed,love the job on Thomas the Tank Engines mate .... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
06/24 Posted February 14, 2017 Author Share Posted February 14, 2017 A visit to take my lad to see Grandma gave me the chance to sneak in some research on the northern end of the line, where Chapel Lane yard is set. The chapel was the obvious first target. Research trip by jongwinnett, on Flickr Research trip by jongwinnett, on Flickr Research trip by jongwinnett, on Flickr Research trip by jongwinnett, on Flickr I need to work on the colouring of the stonework, there’s a red/pink hue which I haven’t captured yet. And the door has to go! The terminus site can be seen at the rear of the hotel, alongside the beck, while chapel land yard would have been situated on the south side of the High Street. Research trip by jongwinnett, on Flickr Research trip by jongwinnett, on Flickr Research trip by jongwinnett, on Flickr The house with arched access to the rear is typical of the town (although this may well be a sympathetic modern build), and something similar might well make an appearance at some point. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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