Making a New Start
- Thread starter C&S
- Start date
vsmith
G Scale indoors, O Tinplate, Micro Layouts
Join the club Giles, the "finished the layout now I aint got nothin to post" club 
Since I finished the major work on the micro I havent had that much to talk about either. And given that I'm still downsizing to a easier to manage roster I havent been doing much bashing. I figure over time I will find new things to do but now is time to just muck about with the layout for a while and see where you can make changes or improvements, and beleive me you will find things to update
Since I finished the major work on the micro I havent had that much to talk about either. And given that I'm still downsizing to a easier to manage roster I havent been doing much bashing. I figure over time I will find new things to do but now is time to just muck about with the layout for a while and see where you can make changes or improvements, and beleive me you will find things to update
vsmith said:Join the club Giles, the "finished the layout now I aint got nothin to post" club
Since I finished the major work on the micro I havent had that much to talk about either. And given that I'm still downsizing to a easier to manage roster I havent been doing much bashing. I figure over time I will find new things to do but now is time to just muck about with the layout for a while and see where you can make changes or improvements, and beleive me you will find things to update
Looks like I'll have to negotiate "time off for good behaviour" around some of the DIY jobs on the calendar.
The coming week-end sees another running day, but I'm not convinced the timetable is quite right yet; either that or I need to rebalance the car loadings. At present it's too easy to get either all the freight moving to Cattewater, where it totally gums up the yard, or else it all ends up at Bonneyville, leaving nothing on the layout to make up into trains. I might look at a new timetable where the freights are Extras, only running if there's traffic to shift.
Part of the reason for announcing a pause in the thread was the thought that the pictures might be getting a bit repetative. However I've got some favourite shots in the pc that came out with camera shake or were out of focus the first time round, so that gives me something to try again.
Found I'd lost some of the operating cards, so up late last night writing out a new set of orders. Today's running session passed quickly - here are some pictures:
First is the Plymouth diesel at Hogwood, waiting clearance to depart for Cattewater.
Next, it's #8 on a train of hoppers at Cattewater . For this timetable the train had had to clear the line for an incoming service, and with the line now clear it is just pulling out of the yard en-route for Bonneyville.
Finally, Zeke is still working on something in the workshop. Wonder when it'll be finished?
First is the Plymouth diesel at Hogwood, waiting clearance to depart for Cattewater.
Next, it's #8 on a train of hoppers at Cattewater . For this timetable the train had had to clear the line for an incoming service, and with the line now clear it is just pulling out of the yard en-route for Bonneyville.
Finally, Zeke is still working on something in the workshop. Wonder when it'll be finished?
Mick, Thanks for that thought.
I was operating trains at the last running session, instead of just Dispatching, so didn't have so much time for photos, but here's one of the daily timber train (didn't have time to load the logs!). You can see the difference between the flat cars - one has been sway-backed by removing the pole sockets, cutting a vertical slit in the sides and inserting a small wedge, them covering the work by replacing the socket. The gaps also have a strengthening plated cemented behind the cuts.
I was operating trains at the last running session, instead of just Dispatching, so didn't have so much time for photos, but here's one of the daily timber train (didn't have time to load the logs!). You can see the difference between the flat cars - one has been sway-backed by removing the pole sockets, cutting a vertical slit in the sides and inserting a small wedge, them covering the work by replacing the socket. The gaps also have a strengthening plated cemented behind the cuts.
Many thanks, Shawn. Had a photo/running session tonight and got some good shots; here's a small selection to be going on with
#1 gets to grips with the climb out of Cattewater yard, en-route to Southvale with a short mixed train.
Sam Baker wonders what's for supper as #4 pauses at Cattewater with a train bound for Clydes Creek.
#7 seen at Cattewater
#8 pulling into Hogwood, bound for Bonneyville
#1 gets to grips with the climb out of Cattewater yard, en-route to Southvale with a short mixed train.
Sam Baker wonders what's for supper as #4 pauses at Cattewater with a train bound for Clydes Creek.
#7 seen at Cattewater
#8 pulling into Hogwood, bound for Bonneyville
Still busy in the garden - sorry, Shawn, it's not the start of a garden G scale empire, as we've got the wrong sort of garden design. Would be like building a G scale model of a line through the rain-forest.
Meanwhile here's a shot from the photo-session a couple of weeks ago.
Have got a little project up my sleeve for tomorrow afternoon or Tuesday (with luck). It's a fuel pump for the diesel by the tank at Cattewater. I've now collected some assorted transparent plastic tubes, so will see which one will be the best to use.
Work has started on the diesel fuel pump.
Some ingredients - the casing from a travel toothbrush (can't remember the source, but probably a hotel or flight freebie), plus a plastic syringe, bought at a model show.....
Cut off the bottom part of the syringe and glue inside the toothbrush holder. Add a paper wrapper approx 3mm wide - a couple of turns around the top of the column. Plus a thin card wrapper round the base - enough to make a base wider than the upper part of the column. This wrapper was scored vertically at 1mm intervals to help make a smooth bend. Add a taller paper wrapper above the base, with a thin wrap approx 1.5mm wide overlaid at the top. The "glass" part is 19mm high
Paint the collars and some thin plastic rod (not pictured) silver. Leave to dry while having a mug of tea and posting progress on the GSC website.
Later - Added six thin upright rods round the glass compartment, which worked out at one every 10mm. Then added another paper wrapper at the top and bottom, pushing it well into place round each of the uprights. However, decided the silver didn't show up well enough, so painted them red. Definitely time to finish for today while everything dries and I decide on the colour for the column.
Some ingredients - the casing from a travel toothbrush (can't remember the source, but probably a hotel or flight freebie), plus a plastic syringe, bought at a model show.....
Cut off the bottom part of the syringe and glue inside the toothbrush holder. Add a paper wrapper approx 3mm wide - a couple of turns around the top of the column. Plus a thin card wrapper round the base - enough to make a base wider than the upper part of the column. This wrapper was scored vertically at 1mm intervals to help make a smooth bend. Add a taller paper wrapper above the base, with a thin wrap approx 1.5mm wide overlaid at the top. The "glass" part is 19mm high
Paint the collars and some thin plastic rod (not pictured) silver. Leave to dry while having a mug of tea and posting progress on the GSC website.
Later - Added six thin upright rods round the glass compartment, which worked out at one every 10mm. Then added another paper wrapper at the top and bottom, pushing it well into place round each of the uprights. However, decided the silver didn't show up well enough, so painted them red. Definitely time to finish for today while everything dries and I decide on the colour for the column.
Too busy watching television today to do more on the fuel pump project, which still needs some work to get the right look - I think more banding above and below the "glass" section might help the appearance. BTW can someone please remind me what diesel fuel is called in the USA - is it gasoil?
Meanwhile here are a few more shots of trains in action on the line
Meanwhile here are a few more shots of trains in action on the line
damn bloody loverleyGot back on the fuel pump this morning. Added more width to the bands on either side of the glass section which is an improvement, I think, but wish I'd put more upright rods round it. Also changed the position of the hose connection and added a control lever. Trying out the red livery - it will need some lettering and weathering, plus something at the top to cap the dome.
