7mm 'Denton Brook' an industrial whimsey

Giles

Western Thunderer
It occurred to me that I really ought to explain myself after all this time......

I'm in the middle of (quite quickly) building a rather small industrial layout, which is best discribed as a whimsey, rather than a serious recreation. We live in a small house, and space is extremely limited, but I find myself with bits and pieces, such as an industrial Garrett, a gantry crane etc... and therefore a need to put them all together. The result is - or will be - Denton Brook. 8' X 3' standard gauge (31.5mm points!) with a narrow gauge factory line in 14mm gauge. The back end of a factory producing electrical cable, which is brought out on the narrow gauge, the drums then being transferred across to standard gauge wagons, then to be lost for ever.... I'm sure I can work some RC lorries into it somewhere as well.

This can't ever hold a candle to the extraordinarily works we regularly see here, but may (if not taken too seriously) provide some lighter entertainment!

The track plan is almost thus..... In reality I have cut the narrow gauge siding, and added the tail of a standard gauge run-round...

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The two rear buildings are clad in fire cement (one of the better types) which the stonework embossed on

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The back one housing the transfer crane.

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Overall of the factory end...

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Giles

Western Thunderer
And of course recent progress aided by the new laser cutter, produced this building and fire escape

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And even getting some details in. This is 'tram road' -the higher standard gauge line - the transfer siding, which is tramwayed in with setts (for which I produced an etched tool to emboss the thousand of setts). The drain is copied from those in our 1930's street - so hopefully not too far out

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Simon

Flying Squad
I like the collection of different roof shapes and angles and the whole ensemble has a convincing and purposeful look to it.

I don't really want to stand identified as the first "drain spotter", but your drainage casting is incredibly convincing!

Simon
 

Jordan

Mid-Western Thunderer
This can't ever hold a candle to the extraordinarily works we regularly see here, but may (if not taken too seriously) provide some lighter entertainment!
:eek: Oi!!! I do the Back of the Class self-put-downs around here!! :p :D
I reckon this is extraordinary modelling of the highest quality & right up there at the top with the 'best' on this Forum, whatever one may consider the best.
The drain grille is exquisite as it looks like cast iron, whatever it's actually made of!! :thumbs:
 

simond

Western Thunderer
Giles

Looks most excellent.

I'm pondering setts for the dockyard bit of PD, and had, conceptually, at least, decided to laser them. Did you emboss yours before you got your laser, or because you felt the appearance was better?

Best
Simon
 

Alan

Western Thunderer
Gobsmackingly good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That drain cover is superb.
 

Giles

Western Thunderer
Giles

Looks most excellent.

I'm pondering setts for the dockyard bit of PD, and had, conceptually, at least, decided to laser them. Did you emboss yours before you got your laser, or because you felt the appearance was better?

Best
Simon
Simon, I embossed them well before I git the laser, but I also wanted to get away from the very flat and regular appearance that you get with sheets (and would get with lasering). I very much like the rough and uneven appearance that embossing gives, which is more appropriate to the cheap end of setts, rather than a neat, freshly laid appearance.
 

Locomodels

Western Thunderer
"- the transfer siding, which is tramwayed in with setts (for which I produced an etched tool to emboss the thousand of setts)."


Was the tool you made for a block of setts or just a single sett ? Is there a chance of a picture of it ?
 

Giles

Western Thunderer
This was the tool I devised - I got sheets of etches done, and assembled them with silver solder (some people used soft solder)
One side is just long, one side will fit within the 'four-foot' and the shortest side will do the 'two-foot' for narrow gauge
The tines are arranged between the plates so you use the tool one way round, and then just reverse it, and press again, to get the staggered setts.

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Overseer

Western Thunderer
Very nice. It took me while to work out how your sett tool works. I was trying to work out how you aligned the tools to get all the L shapes in the right places to form setts but then realised that the completed tools are at the bottom of the photo and they are held vertically on edge - much simpler and effective.
 

Giles

Western Thunderer
I'm so grateful to say that I've finally finished the cobbled yard (setts, actually!), barring finishing with ash, which will tone it all down and fill the cracks. It's lovely and uneven - very three-dimensional - which is very much what I wanted. I'll see what it looks like finished off and tied in with surrounding ground.

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