Thursday 26 June 2014

Wood butchering and getting to the point!

After many months of deliberation, sat in my arm chair with books and pictures of the Cambrian coast line I have finally started to build module 3 of "Steam on the Cambrian"

I really need a module with a station and passing loop, the new module was also to fit between the 2 existing modules to increase the number of trains and add some sort of operational interest.
Once completed the layout can be erected either as it was with just two modules giving a layout 14ft long OR with this new module making a total length of 20 ft.
Potential invites to exhibitions then allows the exhibition manager to choose the long or short version depending upon room available.
The prototype inspiration for this module is Dyffryn Ardudwy between Barmouth and Harlech on the coast line of the Cambrian railway.
This was chosen as it will fit the space available without too much compression and it's relative simple track plan.

Anyway, here's the pictorial view of work so far.


Looking along the passing loop,

In the background can be seen existing module No1
"Penmaenpool" MPD.

This new module is 6ft long as opposed to 4ft for modules 1 & 2.
the reason being that in order to accommodate the loop and be anything near looking right this length was about the minimum I could get away with.

The 6ft board is being built in 2 x 3ft sections semi permanently joined together to form  one 6ft board.
The vehicle I currently own can handle a 6ft long board but that may not always be the case so being able to split it down to 2 x 3ft sections solves the problem.







Here's the view at the Penmaenpool end.
Track is C&L Finescale and the points are my own handbuilt jobs using the copperclad sleeper method.

Rather crafty, I downloaded a Peco 00 gauge 3ft radius point template and used it as a guide for building, adjusted the sleeper spacings to match the C&L plain track.
The Peco 3ft radius point is more or less the same as a prototype B6 point.




Finally, (and this is how it stands this morning)
The view from the Penmaenpool end looking to where the next section of module 3 will be.

The backscene board is in place but the front profile board has yet to be made and fitted.






Working in wood is not my strong point to be fair, so please no nit picking about the wood butchering!


More to come as progress continues.

Cheers!
Frank

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