Broker Street

After I gave up on TT:120 last time, I was left with the remains of the baseboard sitting on the shelf in my spare room.

It was a SMS baseboard kit, BB017 and two of the fiddleyards. This gave me a total layout area of 1.1m long x 25cm deep, and 80cm by 15cm of fiddleyard space.

At this point I'd built up quite a collection of OO LMS rolling stock (again with long winded intentions to eventually build something to use them on) so I thought a small shunting layout which would be suitable for Jinty's and lots of vents was the ticket.

After spending some time reading through various track plan books, I came up with the idea for Broker Street -  

The intention being to use only OO set track but this eventually morphed into the track plan below as I ended up buying some used streamline electrofrog points off eBay -
 

The idea remained the same though - a few sidings for a couple of industries, a run around so a train could be rearranged and taken back off scene, that'd be plenty.

The track work and wiring was done in an afternoon - the points remain under manual control as they're easily reachable. Only two power feeds are required.

A simply Peco backscene was hastily applied. Some buildings mocked up in cardboard, a water tower built from a Ratio kit - and it's a lot of fun to operate. A gaugemaster W provides control from a 16v gaugemaster M1 AC transformer which sits below.

Some time later I decided to sell off most of my OO rolling stock - collecting stuff for a layout that may or may never be built is a fools errand I've learnt.

So what did I keep for this layout? 

 

 

Not a lot, just a simple Hornby LMS Jinty, some LMS Milk Vans, a Dapol Milk Tanker, a couple of open wagons, an LMS vent and an LMS cattle wagon, plus a couple of brake vans of course. That's all I need to entertain myself with this track plan for 15-30 mins a time.

I also bought some of the Manchester Model Railways kits, starting with a simple coaling stage -  

I've got some more still to complete, to add some buildings and depth. Eventually I'll get the ballasting and tunnel entrance added, but in the meantime it's just a simple layout that's fun to operate.

Update on the roundy roundy

 It's taking shape.

The baseboard arrived a few weeks ago and was promptly set up, drilled, drawn all over and painted.

The final track plan is as follows:

And so far it has proven to provide sufficient operational potential to keep my occupied during my running sessions.

Control is provided by my Hornby Select - currently connected by a digital power clip in a convenient place. A better permanent solution will be thought up in due course but this works for now.

Point motors are a Hatton's variety which I think were a bit of a bargain:

They're based on an old H&M design from what I can gather, which allows for both point control and associated accessories (signals, crossing gates, etc) using piano wire or otherwise. But, most importantly, these came with DCC decoders (and built in CDU) for the grand total of £9 each. So far reliability has been fine. Some of my points are located close to the edge of the board so some ingenuinty was required there (utilising the accessory arm and extended pin with the help of a glasses hinge screw and some soldering) to allow the motor to be orientated 90 degrees to the normal alignment.

Operation is relatively simple via the Select and the power seems to be enough to power everything so far whilst running sound locos.

I may look to build a control panel at a later stage as the method of operating them via the Select isn't the most intuitive but works for now.

Some buildings have started to appear too, sans painting, as they're quite enjoyable to construct. Big shoutout to 'In The Greenwood Laser' on eBay: https://www.ebay.co.uk/str/inthegreenwoodlaser?_trksid=p4429486.m3561.l2563

So, next stages are to test some more (read: play with trains) before I start ballasting and creating scenery (tunnel at one end), make some backscenes from plywood to attach all around the layout (with a 10cm lip at the front) which will then allow for lighting etc to be added too.

It's nice to have a semi-permanent layout where I can just run trains without too much effort, especially in time for all the incoming models I have on pre order for next year (Class 50, Princess Coronation, HST, 57' coaches, etc).

That all said, my end to end Vulcan layout isn't abandoned - it will just be taking a more leisurely time to construct as it's more of a diorama than a layout.

As yet unnamed layout

So I got a bit tired of not being able to run trains. A semi-realistic diorama layout like Vulcan Halt was never going to be fun in the same way as a model train set in the eyes of a child is fun but I hadn't anticipated how demotivating it can be to spend an entire afternoon trying to get a point control system to work and never having the opportunity to just run trains. Also, with it it being an end to end layout, this limits the pleasure of just seeing trains going by.

So, a new plan emerged after I spotted ready built baseboards for sale on eBay for a relatively reasonable price, complete with folding legs. Total size was 5ft by 2ft 6in. Not too large and just enough space to get a double track loop onto with enough straights to accommodate 3-4 carriage trains.

Using the Hornby TT track extension packs as a starting point, I've devised this plan to fill the space:

 

Not too dissimilar to the Hornby TT track plan but with some changes to keep it within the 2ft 6in width. It's partly based on Plan No.4 from the Peco N Gauge Setrack Planbook too.

1. Station area - enough platform room to accommodate 3 carriage stopping express trains with a loco on the inside track but with 2 bay platforms for local passenger/parcels trains (not sure whether the engine shed will stay there yet or be adapted into a platform roof. This was necessary since there isn't enough space on the outside loop to fit a platform unless it was very low relief. The station area also includes a small siding for a pilot locomotive (when we get one - or my Class 08 for now) to wait complete with coal staithes etc.
2. Goods Shed area - linked to 4 - to accommodate local freight traffic with 2 sidings for storage of wagons. The immediate siding will be used to hold locomotives not in use (thinking a diesel pump etc can be placed here). The goods shed is accessible via a diamond crossing from the outside line as the inside line will be primarily used for passenger traffic to access the station area sidings above.
3. Road crossing onto the layout and signal box.
4. Factory/industry area of some kind served by the goods shed.
5. Residential/commercial area with a car park outside the station - the grey area obviously being a road to link all of these areas and leading off the layout.

And that's it in a nutshell. It should be a relatively straight forward build - I haven't added any inclines or hidden areas (tunnels etc) but perhaps a bridge and tunnel section could be incorporated in the top left so the layout has two exit/entry points.

Initially when I got the idea of buying this baseboard (which hasn't arrived yet) I had the thought that TT was the wrong scale for me and I'd be better off selling up and going to N gauge but then the fiddly-ness of TT has already been an issue (re: the point control fun referred to above) so no doubt N would be worse. I had a look at the locomotives on offer though and whilst there is more, a lot would have to be sourced second hand and is old enough to not be DCC ready, let alone able to accommodate sound easily and I've already been spoilt by the DCC Sound in TT scale (not to mention the cheaper cost with the HM7000 decoders). Track in N would be a challenge as well as by all accounts the newer rolling stock doesn't play well with Peco Setrack where as so far Hornby TT Setrack isn't causing major issues so it's far easier to get started.

Vulcan Halt isn't going away either - I intend to build both layouts on and off simultaneously so that when I'm fed up with not making progress on the more realistic one I can go to this and just enjoy running trains round and round.

Ta ta for now.

Let's start simple

Another week, another change to the plan.

But first some footage of the A4 in operation:

 

 

I'm pleased with the quality now - despite an incident with a loose screw on the driving wheels that required repair. I've preordered the HM7000 sound decoder which I hope will improve running quality further than the HM6000 is capable of (although will continue using that to provide power since it can do two circuits).

I decided to ditch the round and round for now and concentrate on end to end operations for the sake of getting it built more quickly.

The plan is now shown below:

 Another pair of Scale Model Scenery twin track fiddle yards have been ordered - two in length is just enough to hold the Class A4 and 3 coaches so should be plenty of space for a realistic approximation of the kinds of operations seen at Vulcan Halt.

On the left, a road bridge will cover the entrance to the layout. I'm not sure yet what to do about the right hand side. Perhaps some large-ish trees in place will be enough?

The track leading off the mainline into the works will be partly paved over as seen in the historical photographs I've found. I'm not yet sure how I'll accomplish that but time will tell.

So track has been ordered per the plan above; 5 lengths of Peco flexi track, and the small Peco points added to my wishlist so I can order them as soon as they become available. I have the two larger points already as well as making use of the straights and radius 6 curve included with The Easterner set.

In addition, I ordered some N gauge cork underlay strips measuring 28mm wide. I sometimes feel these are too wide when balast is completed on top so with the track measuring 22mm wide this should give a more realistic look.

Finally, I've ordered some LMS colour paints and other modelling tools since this is underway and will require some alterations to look like the real thing:

And I came across a website that can provide customised LMS style station signs like the kind in use at Vulcan even through BR operations until closure. That'll do nicely.

New plans for TT

I've been inspired to change my plans for my layout by the baseboard built on Sam's Trains YouTube channel for his TT layout.

Partly - as I was also testing the HM6000 controller in the week with a loop of track set up on the bed temporarily and realised pretty quickly that the track needs to be properly pinned down to get any decent running with these locomotives.

So, I'm about to order some cut to size timber to construct a double track loop on that can be left assembled, but put away as and when I want it. 

The layout then will have two modes of operation - round and round or end to end, using the ScaleModelScenery fiddle yards.

I'm still playing around with the track plan but it should be something like this:

 

 

With a cut out in the board for the scenic section to drop in and out of. This also provides scope to have plenty of sidings in the middle of the board for storage when I running the layout.

 

In other news - more preorders made this week for the locomotives below and I've decided to jump on the exciting HM7000 DCC train with a sound decoder for the Class A4 (as well as any other locos I get with a Next18 fitting). 

TT3011M BR Princess Coronation 'Duchess of Montrose'

TT3001M BR Class 08 08489

TT3014M BR Class 50 50040 'Leviathan'

Baseboards built and the Easterner arrives

The excitement was palpable this week when I received the email notification from Hornby that my preordered Easterner set had arrived in the warehouse and was awaiting despatch. It only ratcheted up a notch when I then got the DPD notification Saturday morning that it was out for delivery.

It would've been nice to have had the set at Christmas but this actually worked out better in a way.

First impressions of TT:120 are very good - the size is "just right", and the detail Hornby have achieved is excellent. Definitely on a par with the best N and OO models as we'd expect.

However, the first stumbling block that I ran into is with the included controller - the R7229 and P9000 transformer.

Why Hornby chose to include this with their new sets instead of bumping the price slightly and including the HM 6000 or something is beyond me. 

Upon first connecting it, I wondered whether it was broken as there's no indication of power being fed to the track until you turn the wheel about 30%. Then you're met with an extremely annoying and worrying buzzing sound from the locomotive. From reading online, the controller is the culprit as the same complaints have been made about the Scotsman set.

So not much playing with trains so far, as I gave up and ordered the HM6000 and P9100 transformer instead.

Whilst HM 7000 DCC is very exciting and probably what I'll eventually buy; 1) it isn't available yet and 2) remains to be tested thoroughly. The HM6000 and HM DC app have been well regarding since launch (with some claiming it matches Gaugemaster controls) and my layout plan is relatively simple making DC control a better solution to begin with at least. 

In addition, the P9100 transformer can be later used with HM 7000 DCC when I do upgrade.

So what else have I done?

I built the baseboards and put up the shelf brackets to hold it when not in use:

 

 The desk below will become my craft area for building scenery items and whatnot. I'm really impressed with the sturdyness of the ScaleModelScenery baseboard kits now it's fully assembled and glued. For someone with not a lot of space like me, they're ideal.

I then positioned the Easterner rolling stock to get an idea of things:

When in use with the full loop connected this gives an idea of what it look like with a stopping train at the halt, as unlikely as it is for an A4 to have visited Vulcan!

The bracket holding the back boards together will be covered by a custom BR style station sign in due course.

Width is definitely going to be an issue for the layout, so I'll need to be creative with the scenery in order to create a sense of depth in a small space.

I'm thinking of bringing down the road bridge in real life that crosses the line north of Vulcan to hide the transition out of the left side of the layout. The right side will need to be covered by a tree or two unfortunately.

That's it so far for now.

Initial Layout Ideas for Vulcan Halt

Vulcan Halt in TT 120

This is my current plan for the layout of Vulcan Halt. It is a compressed version of the original track plan for the stopping station between Winwick Quay and Earlestown stations, following the junction for access to the Vulcan Foundry.

Although originally compromising a small turntable and more sidings, this point layout is similar to the eventual layout of the track prior to the ending of locomotives manufacturing at the site in 1970.

Vulcan Halt (or just Vulcan as it was often named) was itself closed in 1965 following the Beeching Report, with the last train between St Helens and Warrington running on Saturday 12 June, 1965.

The layout will use Scale Model Scenery's baseboard kit 'Layout-in-a-box', measuring 110cm x 22cm with a 25cm high backscene board, as well as two of their twin track fiddleyard attachments for the points at either end to connect to a temporary loop to allow for the round and round operations when desired. 

This setup rather than a permanent baseboard fits my current living space and allows for convenient storage and transportation in one or more of the 77L Really Useful Boxes.

The layout will be set from Era 4 to Era 6 to allow the running of the widest variety of locomotives both produced by the factory and in operation by British Railways and British Rail respectively.

The up and down lines from the left hand side will be flanked by narrow platforms before a road crossing and signal box, which allowed access between Wargrave Road and Hey Lock on the Sankey Canal. Behind the platform fence on the up line is a siding used by the factory for wagon storage and operations. The crossing points beyond the signal box where used by the factory to accept deliveries as well as facilitate the transportation of locomotive stock from the curved track crossing the road into the Foundry.

At the present time, the following Vulcan locomotives are planned by Hornby in the TT:120 range:

• LMS/BR Black 5 (100 built at Vulcan)
  
• J94 (50 built at Vulcan, 13 of which made up the 75 purchased by LNER)
• Class 50 (50 built at Vulcan)
• Class 37 (309 built in total split between Vulcan and RSH)
• Class 73 (49 built in total, 43 at Vulcan and 6 at Eastleigh Works)

I hope that the launch of UK TT scale will result in more models becoming available from other manufacturers, as well as further announcements by Hornby of future models.