GWR/LMS OO Gauge DCC RR&Co

Geoff.... I am so sorry I intended to do that and it slipped my mind:oops::oops:.....my apologies

Thanks, John. You have such a terrific set of signals, I am sure that your photos will inspire others to have a go, even if they are left non-operational.

If you did decide to have a go at making a signal operational, that single arm at the exit of the siding area you haven't built yet towards the back of the layout might be one to try, even if you have to construct another due to the current one being "fixed" in the on state!

A single arm is a good way to start as there is only one operating wire to cope with, and I will be showing what I think is a very simple way of making a practical mounting for a memory wire motor under the signal provided you have about 4 inches depth under the baseboard - i.e. Tortoise depth.

Temptation......Temptation............maybe I will try with the goods yard module

With the roof completed I can start on the platform/concourse   area…….thats the plywood area with obsolete green tape markings:  





The next shot is not a Roman excavation but the foundation for the platform surface …….a grid of 3 mm card…





Then ready to be covered with 3mm card cut to shape




The aperture is cut ready to receive the subway……for those who didnt   read the Scalescene Roof thread the left hand platform is an   island…….the original plan was to access it with a dog leg   footbridge…..unfortunately I didnt allow for the width of the arch   support columns……..hence the Subway

Another Scalescenes product (I am now addicted to card   modelling)…..its a neat little kit which I would thoroughly recommend   (usual disclaimer) 
  

First step…….make a load of steps:



Card formers and printed step covers all neatly sized and labeled so all   you have to do is glue and wrap each individual step and then stack  and  glue each level…….just making sure that each level is really   square.


These are the rest of the components I used:





T shaped base with neat grate detailing, side and end walls, lintel and   trim detail. The arches on the side walls and continuation on the head   of the T cleverly suggest the subway continues beyond.

As an alternative you can build an escalator…….two pages of detail which look quite sharp……but not for Granby.

The kit comes with an alternative end wall with a graffiti and a raft of   signs but, sadly, none pre British Railways  and therefore also not  for  Granby




You need almost 1 1/2" of clearance………standard platform height   plus 3/4". This was a retro fit and frankly I didnt fancy cutting a T   shape through 3/4" of plywood baseboard………….the vibration and   resultant dust didnt bear thinking about.

So I didnt make the full complement of stairs …….the design calls   for two flights with a short landing….. I had to settle for one longer   flight.
 
The side and end walls were then cut down which meant, as you can see,   that the archways can only be navigated by the severely vertically   challenged :




When I did a test fit I realised (somewhat late) that when I cut down   the side walls I had'nt allowed for the archways. In truth, if I had   they would have looked ludicrous. There was another issue in that once   the T was covered it was extremely dark. So I used a bit of spare   glazing from the roof and mocked up a skylight.

I also added finishing trim and a few adverts

 








And now inserted into the platform with the side passages covered




The concourse is going to be split level…….not the original   plan…..another measuring error that for once I have been able to turn   to my advantage…..the platform level is now covered with Scalescene   Asphalt/Coping stones to match the existing platforms and then 4mm   higher connected by ramps will be a paved concourse area. I think this   going to work quite well giving a nice (and realistic) contrast in   texture and level.

Here is the subway just waiting for the ramps and flagstones to be added.

Outstanding and ingenious!

Excellent work John (or is that a nom-de-plume and you really live in France and have a little dog called Bisto…)

Seriously, a damn good build.

(Elephants are on the other side)
Shaun.

I am now addicted to card modelling

 

 

Aha! I knew it would happen in the end, another convert to the 'Death to the Pastic-sheet defilers of the World', [insert manic laughter…]

 

[PS Did you know that every disposable nappy used in the last 20 years will still be somewhere on earth until at least 2200?]

 

Doug

Another very nice card project, John. When carefully built, the Scalescenes sheets do provide very lifelike models. I used the subway kit for a small part of the Underground module the other year.

By the way, do I get any brownie points for spotting another addition you have made to the station without telling us??

I see some handsome buffers at the ends of the terminus platforms. :cool:  Were they part of an earlier version of Granby, or are they a new acquisition? They don't look like the Peco ones that I have experimented with.

Quite ingenious John, your solutions. When all is said and done, no one will remember the issues you ran into while building the layout.

It had better be that way, because we all run into the same things!  :roll:

Wayne

Hello John.
Read through all 29 pages in quick time. What an adventure but absolutely enjoyed every page. Well done.Will keep a watch for further adventures :thumbs:thumbs:thumbs:
:cheers
Tony.

Thanks for all the compliments. I enjoy writing about the layout and  sharing my experiences with you. It makes it even more enjoyable to know  that my peers (and in many cases betters) share my enthusiasm.

Sharp eyes Geoff…….read on

The next step with the concourse was to apply Scalescenes Paving Stones to the upper level.

I decided to have two ramps giving access to the lower platform level



One of the ramps has been covered and next to it is a mock up of a ticket collectors cabin.

The next shows the second ramp



The WH Smith kiosk was bought and painted 20 years ago for Granby  I…….there was not enough space for it in Granby II so I couldnt  resist putting it in position now.

And then one thing lead to another and two very enjoyable modelling days later:









When the station building is completed you will only be able to catch  little glimpses of these scenes so anyone would be quite justified in  questioning my sense of priorities……..but it was fun

The cabins are from card scribed at 2mm intervals to represent planks  (from a distance!). I got a bit carried away and there is a timtable  behind the collector. I resisted the temptation to install a clock in  the cabins!

The barriers are Ratio Spear Point…….my memory of Liverpool Exchange  and Southport Chapel St had the barriers somewhat taller but I think  these convey the right impression.

Having a tall roof prevents me hanging signs so I attacked the old Wills  Canopy pillars again and used them to hold the platform number  signs……not prototypical perhaps but all the photos I have seen of  this type of station appear over signed in both size and  quantity……so this is a useful starting point.

Eventually this area will have lots of passengers…..I bought a load of ex airfix figures…..but thats a summer job……..

meantime something old and something new:




This is the up platform where the Passenger Trains from Woodside to  Paddington will stop so here we have Granby's London mail (more  artefacts from Granby I) waiting to be loaded on to something very  new…..in every sense…..my new Hornby Hawksworth  Brake……technically I should change my signature to 1948

Something else that is new





Peco buffers………made to look old. When you get the kit they are  very plasticky and frankly rather toy like. The whole top assembly is in  red plastic but painting the aft section grubby black helps as does  painting the bases in a more authentic concrete colour. I cut off the  lamp moulding and replaced them with Springside rear lights.

The big plus is they have an integral spring and actually work (if you are sparing with the adhesive )…….very handy as I work out my stopping marks with RR&Co!

Next project….no more detail until the the lower level is covered……promise

A very productive couple of days, John. That whole area looks just the part and even when it is covered, you will know that it is there, and I am sure you will be able to lift off the roof and have a look now and again?

As for the buffers, I think you have certainly done a great job of disguising and improving/ageing the Peco product. They look excellent.

[user=422]Geoff R[/user] wrote:

A very productive couple of days, John. That whole area looks just the part and even when it is covered, you will know that it is there, and I am sure you will be able to lift off the roof and have a look now and again?

As for the buffers, I think you have certainly done a great job of disguising and improving/ageing the Peco product. They look excellent.

Shall we give it to him, Geoff?

Yes!!

Worth a whole herd in my opinion.

Not nit-picking (more joking) but is there a cardboard handrail for those stairs?

Excellent work, John.
I like busy scenes like that.

[user=394]ddolfelin[/user] wrote:

Not nit-picking (more joking) but is there a cardboard handrail for those stairs?

There is no provision for a handrail in the Scalescenes kit, but there is an escalator option, so maybe that could be adapted? Otherwise a length of 1mm brass rod perhaps??

….'praps a length of wire soldered to pin heads driven into the card?…

 

Doug

 

 

Ugh:shock::oops:…….you are right (as usual) Doug. I have exacerbated the problem by having one longish flight rather than 2 short ones with a landing in the middle. I am afraid that even in Victorian times there would have been hand rails on both sides…….It will be difficult to retrofit now it is bedded in but superglue to the rescue…….I will have a go.

I think the elephant should be held in abeyance until this is resolved……but I do appreciate the thought:lol:

In truth, John, if on each side you were to glue a length of 1mm brown-painted plastic rod it would look the part very well. A strip of card the right hieght  to use as a gauge and a couple of dabs of superglue? To be posher you could just cold-bend the tips of the rod into a slight downward curve…..

Bring on the heffalumps!

 

Doug

[I'll have the manure for my rhubarb, please, you must have loads by now :lol:]

Abeyance has no quarantine facilities, John.  I'm afraid you're stuck with it.  :lol:

Sorry I brought it up now.
It's fine, John.
You don't need to resort to plastic.

[user=269]MaxSouthOz[/user] wrote:

Abeyance has no quarantine facilities, John.  I'm afraid you're stuck with it.  :lol:

No rhubarb, Max?

 

D