North Tawton micro layout, formerly a Peco 200 entry.

[AdeMoore]

Didn’t know where to put this saw another 200 entry here so decided that’ll do!
After advice really as I’m thinking what I’ve done so far doesn’t work so after any ideas!
Below I have 2 main line tracks one is the modular one where if your lucky and get to the final all 200 modules will be joined together.
I wanted a higher level N.G. Line which I think does work, but immediately on entry from an accommodation bridge the line heads over an Occupation Bridge. Felt ok and the down mainline had a siding running generally to a wall between the N.G. Embankment and the double line accommodation bridge. Now having built it, (I don’t really do plans it just kinda gets built as I go!) the double bridge seems awkward to fit in. Just a template to see how it’s looking.

Seems no logical way to tie in the two bridges at this close together? Unless someone can see something I can’t!





So with the above having been poorly thought out I’m thinking move the occupational bridge like halfway down the board then the embankment can run to the back of the hut and will look far better?



N.G. Halt will need shuffling to the end of the board. or or! Put occupational bridge right up this end!
Cheers for anyone looking in and caring to comment.

 

[Flaxfield]

Ade,

What's the maximum height you have there?

Rob

 

[AdeMoore]

Ade,

What's the maximum height you have there?

Rob

Hi Rob cheers for looking in 135mm so under the 140mm. Is that what you mean?

 

[Flaxfield]

Hi Ade.

Yes. Looked a bit high but good to see all is in order !

Rob

 

[AdeMoore]

Put a bit of stock on the N.G. to eye it up. Looks ok if you were not looking at the main line so I’ll rejig it!

 

[AdeMoore]

over on the other channel I put forward I couldn’t tie up the Narrow Gauge Occupation bridge and the main line over bridge. Doesn’t work. So I’m proposing moving the occupation bridge to the opposite end of the layout.

But meanwhile I’ve been scratch building the bridge! A first think it’s ok at 4ft away!
I was placing plastikard arch stones, cutting them out was taking an age! So with a thought on how to do the stepped out string course with exterior filler and finding that much quicker, I decided to change tack and finish the arch in that manor. There may have to be a revisit on the plastic part.






The returns on the the abutments if that’s the right term, require scribing capping stones adding and the arch and inside walls made and fitted. Then paint. It’s taken far to long so more ready to plonk required!

 

[SandyBrook]

View attachment 241641View attachment 241642View attachment 241643

Put a bit of stock on the N.G. to eye it up. Looks ok if you were not looking at the main line so I’ll rejig it!

You’ve probably thought of it, but won’t the station buildings take it over the height limit? Or are they just for home use?

 

[AdeMoore]

You’ve probably thought of it, but won’t the station buildings take it over the height limit? Or are they just for home use?

Thanks Sandy, Rob had mentioned further up, but we’re all good the N.G. Bridge parapet is higher and that’s 135mm but thanks for drawing my attention to something that I may have missed.

 

[AdeMoore]

The scratch double track bridge is taking an age! Not my forte it would seem.
Should of bought a RTP one. But then there is some satisfaction in building one yourself.
Still a way to go. Side walls under arch to clad. Then meeting corners to fill and scribe. Cappers to add once painted, as intend to keep in large handling format with the foam board as long as possible. Then part it off the foam board to the right size get it in place.

 

[AdeMoore]

Still on the bridge but getting closer to completing it.
Managed to get some primer on it which now brings the filler and plastikard together.

 

[AdeMoore]

Well the bridge is finally all but done! In primer just needs paint.
For the capping stones I used the exterior filler and scribed it, then added liquitex matte medium for texture.
I think it’s ok still to be finally cut free once painted up for final installation.





still thinking I need to move the occupation bridge up the other end and that will make more sense with what’s below.
I was lucky enough to be in contact with Steve Smith @Stevers on here. He had CAD drawn up a LSWR box and had a thread going on the other channel Here. I made contact as his location appeared close to mine and so it proved. Anyway I arranged to pop and see him to purchase a box 3D kit. But after an enjoyable cup of tea and a close up view of Steve’s various projects, it came to make a choice of box. Unbelievablely Steve had a first incarnation laser cut box which he had completed. Fine looking box too, all painted and done. Saving me valuable time on this project. Added to which Steve entirely generous said he wanted nuffink! For it. Just happy to see it on a layout. So thanks ever so much again Steve.
With the occupation bridge right hand end and a possible siding but certainly gates will make it fit nicer.
I was going for cutting into the embankment but I need to weigh that up with the final location of the NG halt. As at the moment it looks crowded that side of the line. But a shame to only see the back of it!
So in the position below it would be the opposite way round, but I wanted to showcase Steve’s excellent work.
More soon.

 

[AdeMoore]

Reworked the embankment to make the occupation bridge the right hand end.
Bit of slaters stone cut and glued in place too.
Hopefully the scribe lines where I went to deep will not notice once rubbed back and in paint.

 

[AdeMoore]

Days are counting down, I’m unlikely to get there by the end of September. But seeing what others are producing it makes little difference!
I’m just enjoying putting something together.
Track now stuck down went PVA for speed.



The down line spaced and fixed down also. Track painting in progress.



More painting. Still need to paint those pink walls in the modelling room!



Sleepers dry brushed in a almost white grey. Not very noticeable below I’ll do a fly by shot or close up. Also found the delivery box on end fits between the bearers exactly so the diorama can be placed anywhere to photo so moved next door into the snug and took these! No pink walls!

 

[AdeMoore]

Thanks for the likes folks.
Ive been doing more but not enough to get there by the 30th Sept deadline. Not that it matters much given the other entries to be seen!
where I am now.






Card in progress on the front edge.
First stage ballast on.

 

[AdeMoore]

So moving on into October.
Ballasting commencing.
I’ll be washing over that ballast to improve it. Worried it looks a bit small as gone 2mm ballast as many recommend.



Below used some dark earth scatter, as it’s gonna be dying days of the line and weed strewn track. Think it may be ok I’ll be adding a bit of ballast here and there. This is with dilute matte medium heaped up.



Below the bodgery of the crossing timbers. Hopefully I can rescue it.


Then hoovered off below.


Below beginning of the rescue more timbers scibbed.



Need to extend the track to the end of the plank now it’s never going in the competition. So the ballast can be completed properly.
More soon.

 

[AdeMoore]

Track extended and painted. Crossing timbers painted ready for weathering. Narrow gauge ballast tidied and some patchy stone ballast added. The track to the baseboard edge raised in line with the crossing timbers.

 

[AdeMoore]

More crossing works.
1st coats of grey on the foam board track, talc sprinkled on for a bit of texture and rubbed in a bit later on. Think I read on @Mullie’s thread the virtues of talc for textures.


Below because the original Peco board had a fixed circa 5mm high track base that you had to fix your supplied length of track to, it does make for a higher than normal datum t work from.
So 5mm foam board is stuck in place making up the levels.
Then ready mixed exterior filler being spread to eye in the various levels to make them join up.

 

[AdeMoore]

Got the filler levelled off, then I thought high time I brought in the buildings and locos to see how it’s looking.


























Would have been better outside in some natural light. But hey it’s coming on. May even iron out some of those backscene papers and use them.
Should of dug a few coaches out to hang behind Lynton but that can wait until next time.

 

[Mullie]

Looking good.

Talc is a really useful tool including as a matting agent. I got the idea from the Martyn Welsh weathering book many years ago.

 

[simond]

Best not breathing it…