7mm Sherton Abbas

wenlock

Active Member
Evening all,

I thought by way of an introduction I'd post some pictures taken during the construction of my layout Sherton Abbas. I've had a blog on "another railway modelling forum" for some time now, but been persuaded to post my ramblings on Western Thunder. Its rather photo heavy, but I've been told that's a good thing!

I've dabbled in Railway Modelling for 50 years or so, progressing from Triang Hornby OO, through EM and finally to this first effort in 7mm scale.

I started by drawing up a list of requirements for the proposed layout.
  • Great Western Railway circa 1907
  • 7mm to the foot O gauge finescale
  • Hand built track/pointwork to a minimum radius of 6 foot
  • Branch line terminus
  • Station platform facing viewing side
  • Small goods yard with goods shed and cattle dock
  • Engine shed
  • Private siding leading to an off stage industry of some kind, Creamery, Brickworks,Brewery etc
  • Not more than 18 feet long, including fiddle yard
  • Sufficient width of base boards to allow decent scenic development.
  • Sectional baseboards, enabling layout to be transported to exhibitions
  • Elliptical layout design, with curved back scene avoiding any 90 degree angles

Once this was finalised doodling track plans could begin:)


1.jpg

Once happy with the track plan a 1/7th scale mock up was made from foam board, which really helped visualise the finished layout.


2.jpg 3.jpg 3a.jpg


After deciding that I was happy with the way things were progressing a full size track plan was drawn out on lining paper. It was at this stage I realised quite how big 7mm models are in comparison to my previous 4mm scale projects!


4.jpg


The baseboards were constructed using beams made from strips of MDF with soft wood blocks glued and screwed between them a la Barry Norman. In retrospect I should have used plywood, the MDF although stable weighs a lot and the resultant boards will one day I'm sure do me a mischief!


5.jpg 6.jpg 7.jpg 7a.jpg 8.jpg
Track was constructed using plywood sleepers, 2 bolt chairs from C&L , Nickel Silver rail and laid to 31.5mm gauge.

9.jpg 10.jpg

The track was laid on top of cork sheet and fixed in position using Copydex rubber solution. This was used in an attempt to help sound deadening, which I'm pleased to say I think it has done!

11.jpg 12.jpg

It looks like I've reached the limit of photos for one post, so Ill leave it there for now and continue adding pictures over the next few days.

Happy Easter!

Best wishes

Dave
 

wenlock

Active Member
Buildings were constructed using plastic card, the station building is a William Clarke design based upon Abbotsbury. They were painted using enamel paints from a variety of manufacturers.

13.jpg 14.jpg 15.jpg 16.jpg 17.jpg 18.jpg 18b.jpg

The scenic contours were formed using polystyrene foam, which makes a terrible mess when sanded :)

19.jpg 20.jpg 21.jpg

Until next time!
 

Attachments

  • 18c.jpg
    18c.jpg
    70.7 KB · Views: 12

Pencarrow

Western Thunderer
Not my preferred period or railway company but hugely impressive when seen at shows (remember them?). I've spent quite some time watching it and reading your blog. I know Robin Sweet is also a very big fan. Great to see it on here as well.

Chris, (2ManySpams on the other channel), also a convert to 7mm \ 31.5 gauge and building a North Cornwall BR(S) BLT in a similar board length\width.
 

Brian T

Western Thunderer
The structure modeling is excellent,very impressive.
Out of curiosity,have you use the southeast finecast embossed plastic card for your modeling?.

Cheers Brian.
 

wenlock

Active Member
Not my preferred period or railway company but hugely impressive when seen at shows (remember them?). I've spent quite some time watching it and reading your blog. I know Robin Sweet is also a very big fan. Great to see it on here as well.

Chris, (2ManySpams on the other channel), also a convert to 7mm \ 31.5 gauge and building a North Cornwall BR(S) BLT in a similar board length\width.

Hi Chris, I’m glad you enjoyed seeing the layout even though is GWR Edwardian:) I shall look out for other Chris’s North Cornwall branch, even though I’m an Edwardian devotee, I’m also quite partial to a bit of early BR!

Thanks for welcome:)

BW

Dave
 

wenlock

Active Member
The structure modeling is excellent,very impressive.
Out of curiosity,have you use the southeast finecast embossed plastic card for your modeling?.

Cheers Brian.

Hi Brian, I’m glad you like the buildings and structures, the station building was a bit of a “labour of love.” I’m a big fan of William Clarke’s designs, there’s something very appealing about the ornate chimneys and stone quoins:)

You are quite right, the plastic card is from Southeast Finecast. In my opinion the brick work is embossed more crisply than that on the Slaters sheets and the larger sheet size is useful when making 7mm scale buildings.

BW

Dave
 

Pencarrow

Western Thunderer
Thanks Rob, I’ve been made feel very welcome:) It does have a less frantic feel over here, very civilised so far!

BW

Dave

It is indeed very civilised. No wishlisting, no frothing, no keyboard warriors and a lot more actual making stuff going on. There is a lower footfall but IMO that's no bad thing. I've received a lot of encouragement and assistance from folk on here, as well as some very generous bits in the post to help out with various projects.
 

Scale7JB

Western Thunderer
Thanks JB, I’m glad you enjoyed seeing the layout:) It was a thoroughly good weekend, but I discovered I can talk to people, or operate the layout, but can’t do both at the same time!:)

BW

Dave

Much better than that Love Lane layout that was there ;)

Do you have many complaints from punters about the height of the layout? For me it's perfect, but wonder if it's too high for some?

JB.
 

Pencarrow

Western Thunderer
Hi Chris, I’m glad you enjoyed seeing the layout even though is GWR Edwardian:) I shall look out for other Chris’s North Cornwall branch, even though I’m an Edwardian devotee, I’m also quite partial to a bit of early BR!

Thanks for welcome:)

BW

Dave

Like all others on here I've got to know, I can appreciate good modelling whatever period, scale or company. Your modelling eye and attention to detail is superb.

My own layout is called Pencarrow, and nowhere near complete yet. Trying my best at the moment to finish off some of the many, many part completed jobs. I don't seem to have your ability to stick to something until it's finished and then move on.

Completely agree with your summary of the SE Finecast embossed sheets. They are my go-to product. Pity that most of my buildings are requiring custom stonework. :)
 

Dan Randall

Western Thunderer
I’m also quite partial to a bit of early BR

Hmmm, I’ve just conjured up a vision of a shiny Dapol Class 121 single car DMU, in green livery, with speed whiskers, ticking over in the platform.

In the background, the station building is looking a little tired now, its faded chocolate and cream paint blistered and flaking after several English summers, in contrast to the shiny “SHERTON ABBAS” enamel totem, that adorns a weathered concrete lamp post. A BR 12 ton van with corrugated ends and 16 ton mineral wagon keep each other company in the goods yard, awaiting collection later in the day by a grubby pannier tank on the daily goods (or perhaps it’ll be one of those fancy new 0-6-0 diesel shunters?).

Departure time comes and the DMU pulls away from the platform, its rasping exhaust being amplified as it passes under the road bridge and peace will once again descend over the station, though the blue clag from the DMU’s exhaust will hang in the air for a few minutes longer, before it too, is gone...


Regards

Dan
 
Last edited:

Dog Star

Western Thunderer
Dan (@Dan Randall),

A pity that you did not wait after the departure of the diseasel, about 15 minutes later there was a roar from under the bridge when the district inspection saloon was propelled into the station. A few minutes after the saloon stopped a few bowler hats stepped down onto the platform and you would have seen one of them with a new-fangled clipboard. Notes made the gents climbed back into the saloon and the train departed with a crescendo of noise.

Closure notices were posted a few weeks later.

Never saw another Wizzo on that branch and a pity that I did not have my camera on that day.

regards, Graham
 
Top