Category Archives: Scales

All scale information

1. Small, HO Scale, Layout Design, Layouts, Operations, Personal Layouts, Switching

Site update – January 7

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Is there no end to designing a layout? I sincerely hope not, I’m having too much fun!

I’ve added a page to the 12 foot layout modelling project for the design process. It’s been really good to check the images from a distance (and not standing at the layout board) and seeing where things could be improved. I’m going to make changes and get to the Mk III design later this week.

It’s nice to know that I’m getting closer to an ideal layout design that will keep me happy switching and let me enjoy the layout for the next few years.

Keep an eye out for updates to the page later in the week.

1. Small, HO Scale, Information, Layout Design, Layouts, Operations, Personal Layouts, Switching, This Site, Web

Site update – January 1 – Happy New Year edition

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I’ve added a new Modelling section – My 12 Foot Layout.

This will provide a Work-in-Progress report of what’s happening in the layout build process. For now there’s a front page. It provides my overall thoughts and a photo showing the proposed design (already laid out in track).

As I stated on the page there’ll be more coming in the future including:

  • Track laying,
  • Building construction,
  • Detailing,
  • Operations design, and
  • A session report or two

Looking forward to getting this underway this month.

1:48 (US O Scale 1/4"), Layouts, O Scale, Proto 48, Scales

Site Seeing – December 30

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I’ve written and shared a lot of Gene48’s posts before on this blog. Not only because he models in P48 O scale, but also because of the quality and quantity of his work. As the next to the last post for the year, I thought I’d round out with one of Gene’s more recent posts.

Site 1: Grade Crossing Construction

Gene’s using the techniques developed by my favourite railway author – Gordon Gravett – to make his grade crossings. I wish I could afford the book as it goes for outrageous prices on Amazon and other places. I have most of his other books btw.

If you’d like to wander over to Gene’s blog and take a look at what he is working on then please do so. You won’t be disappointed.

 

1. Small, Layout Design, Layouts, OO Scale (4mm:Foot), Switching

Site Seeing – December 29

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Small layouts can be as interesting and as fascinating as their larger cousins. Today we’ll focus on one such layout that shows how even in a small space, there is room to excel.

Site 1: Paul Marshal-Potter’s ‘Shelfie’

Paul’s blog site (Albion Yard) has featured before on this blog.

Recently I found a couple of posts and images of ‘Shelfie’ in a semi-finished state, before managing to get a copy of Model Rail #214 October 2015 from our local library service last week.

And what a difference between the in-progress shot and that shown above and in the magazine. If you’ve not read Paul’s blog before may I suggest that you do so? There is great modelling ideas and images aplenty there. Drop by and give Paul’s blog a read soon.

 

1:43.5 (7mm Scale), O Scale, UK

Dapol 08 in 7mm scale

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While I cannot find anything of use (at all) on the Dapol site on the new UK Class 08 shunter they’re releasing sometime during 2016. You can read more about it on Tower Model’s website: http://www.tower-models.com/towermodels/ogauge/dapol/dapolloco/class08/index.htm

The nuts and bolts of the model are as follows:

  • Fine cast metal coupling hooks and chains.
  • Finely moulded body with many separately added fine details.
  • Etched name plates where applicable.
  • DCC ready with PluX 22 pin socket for control of all aspects of running.
  • Cast wheels with fine relief and appropriate colouring.
  • Tungsten chassis and all wheel pick-up.
  • Tooling designed to allow production of alternate models in the future.
  • Powerful 5 pole skew wound motor and flywheel for superior running and performance
  • Accessory bag with spares and other added detail.

Surprisingly, the model will be reasonably affordable for those of us overseas (not in old Blighty). Considering that we don’t have to pay the VAT, even with shipping, the base cost is only about the $AU355 dollar mark – depending on the currency fluctuation. And that is not that bad. Anyone interested in helping “The Andrew Martin Inaugural O Scale Loco Conservation and Operating Fund”? This will make sure that I can properly curate and run one of these little beauties for all time! And you will get your name engraved on a scale sized plate on the side of the locomotive; And you’ll get to come over and run the loco too on running days! You may have to pay your own airfare, although you can sleep on the couch for free!

While I’m waiting for the money to arrive zip on over to the Albion Yard blog to see the images. Outstanding stuff Dapol. But should I have to go to Tower Model’s website to see more about your model? Really?

bawdsey's avatarAlbion Yard

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Albion Yard in 7mm next?

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1:48 (US O Scale 1/4"), O Scale, Proto 48

Site seeing: October 03

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I love the size, and the presence that O scale models have. While cruising around on the MRH forum the other day I came across the blog of Jack from France (SVJRR) whose modelling is just outstanding. And so onto today’s site.

Site 1: O scale – Updating some Atlas/Roco cars

Image 1: Jack’s completed rebuild and respray of the Atlas/Roco 1970s Boxcar

Jack, whose English is very good for those who might be worried, steps you through a tutorial on how he updated some of the 1970’s Atlas O Scale cars (actually made by Roco in Europe) into modern-day equivalents.

As I have around 10 of these cars sitting quietly in my stash his tutorial came about at exactly the right time. The work is simple (and not surprisingly mirrors the work I am doing on the Gondola build at the moment.

I know that the cars are not exact matches for specific prototypes, although they are very close, but they allow you to get up and running quickly with little effort beyond grabs, steps and a repaint.

HO Scale, Tools

Site seeing: 02 October – the pigs ear from a silk purse edition

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EDIT: Not sure what happened to all the text in this post, the problem was on my end obviously! Here’s take two of this post.

Site 1: Athearn BlueBox Gondola Build

I posted back on August 30th about the new models I bought at the Caulfield Exhibition – found in the bargains bin. I found going through the three models that one of them had, after being stored poorly, suffered some pretty nasty damage. There was a wicked bend throughout one side of the casting, and the other side had been sheared fromthe base along most of its length.

But for $10.00AU I am not complaining and aimed to instead see what could be made from the remains of the kit, or if it could be saved (somewhat) and made serviceable.

If you head on over to the build’s main page tomorrow (AEST time) you’ll be able to see part 1 of the build process.

1. Small, HO Scale, Inglenook, Layout Design, Layouts, Liked off site, Site seeing, Sites of interest, SuperNook, Switching, Tuning Fork, Web

Site seeing 28 September – the Sprung has springed edition!

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It is spring in the southern half of the world, and as a result everyone is coming down with seasonal allergies after a very long (well it seemed that way), cold (no it really was as cold as charity according to the weather bureau) and miserable winter.

Today is also marks my brother’s birthday – so Happy Birthday Scott. Hope that you get the message. More importantly I hope that you are reading the blog! But enough of me and onto the site seeing!

Site 1: One turnout layout variation

I’ve mentioned Chris Mears’ site in the past. His current post provides some interesting thoughts on variations among other thoughts on the “One turnout layout” posited by Lance Mindheim in the May 2013 edition of the Model Railroad Hobbyist Magazine.

Read the article, and then read, and take part if you’re willing, in the discussion at the end of the post. It’s been thoughtful reading. Not saying that I agree with it all, but it has been thought provoking.

HO Scale, Scales

New models – Athearn Blue Box 50′ Gondola

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At the recent Caulfield model railway exhibition I managed to find three Athearn 50′ Gondolas (undecorated) for $10.00 each. They came from Casula Hobbies‘ back room clear out pile. These kits may have sat there for a week or ten years; apart from the covered tops being missing they were complete.

My understanding is that these kits are completely freelance, designed by Irv Athearn to fit in the same box as the 40′ box car and use the frame from the 50’ flat car.  This frame also causes a problem in the side of the Gondola should be straight if you use the drop frame.

For my purposes – I really don’t care. They were 10 bucks each, look interesting and will fit in nicely on the layout as end of life cars, specifically in use for scrap loading. Besides which as a mid to late 1970s layout, a riveted car with a worn wooden floor, full of rusty scrap will look really nice.

The interior of the car at the moment is the standard riveted plastic with horrible ejector pin marks (photos will be forthcoming). I do have some wood siding that I’ll use to replace it though.

For this model I’ll make the following changes:

  • Kadee 70-ton Friction bearing trucks with 33″ wheels
  • Metal grabs, stirrups, coupler release lever
  • Extra weight
  • Kadee #58 couplers

The paint scheme: boxcar red with HVL markings. These cars are considered to at the end of their usable life, and as home road cars.

 

1:48 (US O Scale 1/4"), Information, O Scale

Site seeing – August 22nd

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Over on Gene’s P48 blog I’ve made mention of the build he’s had going on for some time. In fact the list of articles for the Wilson Reefer build is can be found by following this link to Gene’s website. You can skip to the last part and see the painting directly using the link below.

Site 1: Reefers in Paint

With Gene’s build being complete the paint is now going on. I’ve really enjoyed watching the build and some of the techniques that Gene has used.