Lea Siding, a Gauge 3 layout 4 feet long is no more
- Thread starter geoff_nicholls
- Start date
mickoo
Western Thunderer
Looking at the set up it's a shame that 2/3rd is going to be hidden sidings either side.
So, with a rush of blood, how about making the siding in the foreground (above the stand number 16) the inside of a warehouse. A tall (rear) wall would butt up to the wooden cassette you already have and a roof at an angle would come out to an extended fascia.
At the front a shallow platform would complete the scene. The siding would only be 2/3rds the length area and the platform would then extend round to the rear wall and allow you to use it as a loading bay.
Apologies for the crayon drawing, but like this. Red being the platform, green the wall, yellow the roof and black the extended fascia.
The roof would have sky lights and a warm lamp above would cast nice shadows on the inside scene below, windows at the rear, if made clear, would show the stored stock behind and give an impression of further railway activity outside.
Apologies if you already have plans for this area, but it always strikes me that end to end layouts suffer terribly with unused space at each end.
You could even loose the angled roof and make the rear wall double height and model the 2nd floor with stored goods.
Now you have two Cameos for the price of one, an inside and an outside
Mick D
So, with a rush of blood, how about making the siding in the foreground (above the stand number 16) the inside of a warehouse. A tall (rear) wall would butt up to the wooden cassette you already have and a roof at an angle would come out to an extended fascia.
At the front a shallow platform would complete the scene. The siding would only be 2/3rds the length area and the platform would then extend round to the rear wall and allow you to use it as a loading bay.
Apologies for the crayon drawing, but like this. Red being the platform, green the wall, yellow the roof and black the extended fascia.
The roof would have sky lights and a warm lamp above would cast nice shadows on the inside scene below, windows at the rear, if made clear, would show the stored stock behind and give an impression of further railway activity outside.
Apologies if you already have plans for this area, but it always strikes me that end to end layouts suffer terribly with unused space at each end.
You could even loose the angled roof and make the rear wall double height and model the 2nd floor with stored goods.
Now you have two Cameos for the price of one, an inside and an outside
Mick D
geoff_nicholls
Western Thunderer
that is a very nice idea Mick, but I need the front line for running round, and I couldn't have steam locos pulling trains through the goods shed. Also that would be another few cubic feet of layout. The chief criterion for this layout is that it must fit in the back of an average car. As it is it only just fits, when I add the stock boxes.
However, I do have nice photos of the insides of both a GER goods shed and the Whaley Bridge transhipment shed, both perfect for what you describe...
However, I do have nice photos of the insides of both a GER goods shed and the Whaley Bridge transhipment shed, both perfect for what you describe...
Mike W
Western Thunderer
You could be unsociable and use the passenger seat for extra storage space?
Mike
geoff_nicholls
Western Thunderer
I'm the passenger, I don't drive. and we did use my knee as extra storage space.
unklian
Western Thunderer
I like your thinking too Mickoo, I am sure there is some mileage in that inside outside effect. But as Geoff says it would rather restrict things operationally. I was trying to convince Geoff to do something a bit more architectural on the other side of the two 'mouseholes' at that end of the scene, as it looks a bit strange to me as is .
mickoo
Western Thunderer
Well the scenic cobbled area does lead nicely into a shed so you'd only need to add the outside of a shed door and wall on the scenic side. The idea is not for the engine to run round but to shunt in and out. You could get three wagons in that siding and the trick being to shunt them around so that each one goes into the shed for loading.
The other mouse hole could be opened right up to the top to simulate going behind the shed and the rear wall of the scenic bit continued behind, no scenery mind just an illusion of space behind the shed, that's why a double floor shed would be better, it's higher and suits this visual side better.
As Geoff notes, 'cubic' space is at a premium so I now understand why the units each side are so low to aid transportation.
Anyway, it was just a mad scatty idea that struck me upon seeing the first photo
MD
The other mouse hole could be opened right up to the top to simulate going behind the shed and the rear wall of the scenic bit continued behind, no scenery mind just an illusion of space behind the shed, that's why a double floor shed would be better, it's higher and suits this visual side better.
As Geoff notes, 'cubic' space is at a premium so I now understand why the units each side are so low to aid transportation.
Anyway, it was just a mad scatty idea that struck me upon seeing the first photo
MD
unklian
Western Thunderer
Anyway, it was just a mad scatty idea that struck me upon seeing the first photo
MD
They are often the start of good and different solutions to stuff .
geoff_nicholls
Western Thunderer
Well, if you compare Ian's photos you may see there is no 'roof' to the scenic box. that means I could have a scenic unit 350 x 1000 by approx 400 high which turns upside down to fit into the cavity within the box. I have thought of obscuring the two 'mouseholes' with the end of a goods shed and its awning. I guess a loco would travel past that.
And as for:
Ian's right, please keep those ideas coming.
And don't forget Lea Siding will be at ALSRM Reading on 6th May.
And as for:
this is gauge 3, in 12 feet, using boards made of 5mm ply that you can carry with one hand.
Ian's right, please keep those ideas coming.
And don't forget Lea Siding will be at ALSRM Reading on 6th May.
geoff_nicholls
Western Thunderer
I've just heard that Lea Siding will be featured in the August issue British Railway Modelling , out on 20th July.
I'm hoping to follow up on a few of the suggestions made in this thread, before its next outing at Swindon in September.
I'm hoping to follow up on a few of the suggestions made in this thread, before its next outing at Swindon in September.
Chain shunting on Lea Siding
geoff_nicholls
Western Thunderer
You may have seen my query about the use of chain shunting, elsewhere in this forum. Responses were positive and I've decided to include it on Lea Siding
The chain I found may be a bit small for the job, but it works well. The Y6 is nearly off the scene before the wagon passes the fouling point, but, as I said, it does work.
Bit of a rush now to have the GWR Iron Mink and a couple of other wagons ready for the Swindon show in two weeks time.
The chain I found may be a bit small for the job, but it works well. The Y6 is nearly off the scene before the wagon passes the fouling point, but, as I said, it does work.
Bit of a rush now to have the GWR Iron Mink and a couple of other wagons ready for the Swindon show in two weeks time.
Joe's Garage
Western Thunderer
Just had a look at this lovely picture of chain shunting...reminds me of Trevor Nunn's Wicken in the 80s. I spent a few hours doing the same at IMREX!!
Lovely little (!!) layout Geoff.
Julian
Lovely little (!!) layout Geoff.
Julian
NBR Jubilee wagon
geoff_nicholls
Western Thunderer
This NBR Jubilee wagon(another one from Williams Models) isn't quite finished, but I'll be bringing it to Swindon to show it off, along with the Iron Mink.
Lea Siding will be the only gauge 3 presence, but there are other WT'ers. I'm looking forward to seeing Modbury in the flesh. And the two broad gauge layouts. I keep suggesting to others that BG13.5 would be quite impressive...
Lea Siding will be the only gauge 3 presence, but there are other WT'ers. I'm looking forward to seeing Modbury in the flesh. And the two broad gauge layouts. I keep suggesting to others that BG13.5 would be quite impressive...
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john lewsey
Western Thunderer
Very nice I should think that they look very impressive
geoff_nicholls
Western Thunderer
At Swindon, I was surprised to see David White of Slaters, and his wife showing an O gauge GWR broad gauge diorama. He didn't even blink when I asked about the possibility of Gauge 3 broad gauge axles.
And there was quite a bit of discussion with Unklian and John Taylor about how you could build broad gauge track.
There doesn't appear to be an emoji for maniacal laughter...
And there was quite a bit of discussion with Unklian and John Taylor about how you could build broad gauge track.
There doesn't appear to be an emoji for maniacal laughter...
geoff_nicholls
Western Thunderer
Lea Siding had a visitor at Swindon, Dave Walker's Beattie well tank. It looked at home, but wasn't happy with the 5 foot radius turnout.
geoff_nicholls
Western Thunderer
The trains no longer run to Lea Siding. The boards, buildings, setts, scenery, even these sleepers have been salvaged, mostly for use on Rundle. The layout had served its purpose, and was in the way of current projects. But it was my first ever exhibition layout and I'm sorry to have to dismantle it.
Yorkshire Dave
Western Thunderer
Nice to see some recycling. Good news is at least these are being used on the circle line.
Edit - including Tintin's Captain Haddock?
simond
Western Thunderer
Sorry, this is rather late, but may be useful in the indeterminate future.
Provided it’s longer than the wagon, the chain can be attached to the far end of the wagon, rather than the end nearest the loco. This will do two things, it allows the wagon to be moved further without the loco going off scene, and it reduces the angle between the line-of-pull and the axis of the wagon’s travel.
Best
Simon