Wykeham - Somewhere in the south!

[bulleidboy]

H Richard (HD) - not very clear in the pictures, but your suggestion would just duplicate a route I already have. Barry

[bulleidboy]

Only one option then................rip it all up and start again.

Or..........hand built points.

I did look at C&L point kits, but I really think it would be to much hassle.

[Steve M]

Only one option then................rip it all up and start again.

Or..........hand built points.

I did look at C&L point kits, but I really think it would be to much hassle.

Forty year’s ago (first ‘proper’ layout) I built a couple of points - the kits were cheaper than readymade at the time. Back then you had to file the rails to make frogs and blades but now I believe the frogs can be bought pre-assembled.
I don’t think quite such a faff as they used to be - I remember the satisfaction when the locos ran through without throwing themselves at the scenery.

[bulleidboy]

I have today managed to get one of my Bulleid coaches apart, and am in the process of fitting lighting. This is by way of the Layouts4U kit, which has a latching reed switch glued to the underside of the coach roof, and by passing a magnet over the roof turns the lights either on or off. I think I mentioned awhile back, that when constructing the new hill/tunnel, I glued a strong magnet to the inside of the tunnel portal, where the track exits the fiddle yard - so as a train leaves the fiddle yard the carriage lights will be turned on, and when the train returns they will be turned off - you can of course wave a magnet over the coach when it arrives at the terminus to turn the lights off. The kit contains a strip of 3v LED's, which in my case are "warm white" - they still turn night into day, so as Steve had recommended on a previous occasion, a good dollop of Tamiya Clear Yellow has been dropped onto each LED. I have not attached the set-up to the coach yet, but it all works on the bench.

Not being a DCC nerd, I was wondering whether future lighting could be incorporated into coaches, using the 12v LED Strips, that are readily available, by wiring them into the "lighting" element of a DCC decoder? This would mean they would be powered from the track and could be turned off and on.

[Steve M]

No doubt a DCC expert will be along to tell you which wire(s) to use but until that happens, I stuck a section of LEDs from one of those very cheap 5m rolls to the inside of my GWR railcar. I just connected them to the rail pickups so they are on all the time - quick and dirty, but it worked.

[bulleidboy]

A bit of movement at Wykeham.


IMG_0597 by Barry Clayton, on Flickr

[bulleidboy]

A while back I was talking "pavements" - and I did buy some laser cut wooden pavement, but they didn't look right. While browsing The Model Centre website I noticed they had Bachmann Scenecraft Pavement at about £8.50 a pack (480mm) - so I bought three packs. Also some time ago, I bought some Redutex road surface. The pavement is great and the road surface - now partially laid looks good too - it is embossed with "cobbles" and drain covers. Still a little way to go, but so far, happy with the outcome.


IMG_0611 by Barry Clayton, on Flickr

[RogerB]

That looks very good Barry. Redutex is expensive but gives an excellent result. I have used it for roofs and walls. Easier to get now as well. R-

[bulleidboy]

Thanks Roger - I made a mistake in pricing - the pavement was about £8.50 a pack (I've amended the post), but it does look good - it will probably want a light wash to dirty it up a bit. I'm sort of "pottering" around on the layout at the moment - adding bits and pieces. As you say, the Redutex is very good - a bit pricey. I bought the last lot direct from the factory in Spain, as I couldn't get what I wanted here. Barry

[bulleidboy]

The first of four yard lamps being installed in the fiddleyard. My fiddleyard is gradually becoming more "scenic". These lights have been sitting in the box and on the to-do list since 2018 - no excuse now! They have yet to be wired-up - some serious moving to be done to get under the board!

IMG_0612 by Barry Clayton, on Flickr


All four now in place - there are still two more in the box - not sure whether to add those or not?

IMG_0613 by Barry Clayton, on Flickr