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Owen · Joined: 14 Apr 2007 Posts: 229 Location: Diss, Norfolk

The plan is to build a 2'x8' Endie layout, with a small fiddle yard at one end, feeding into a rural terminus. It will be set from around 1930 - 1940. I am undecided on an exact date. I'd quite like to do a wartime layout, as this gives greater scope regarding loco's etc.

The plan roughly follows the above attachment, although the approach for the yard is slightly different. I have the necessary track and electronics on order.

The layout will be built in two 2' x 4' modeles, with 9 Pin plugs to carry the current over the layout. I'll be using a Gaugemaster Combi, along with standard peco point motors mounted from the bottom. Due to the lack of suitable loco's readily availble, stock will consist of kit build coaches (plus a few Hornby Teaks), private owners wagons and LNER branded wagons. Loco's will have to be grotty old B12's, J72's etc, with scratchbuilt details/light weathering to try and improve them. I don't fancy building loco's from kits, they seem a bit too advance for my liking with gears/motors/wheels etc to thing about.

I am hoping to build this layout (excluding locos and stock) in £200 or less. So far expenditure is around £40 - the wood was £15 and I have some stuff on order from Maplins that makes it £40. Points should be around £50 (Code 100).

So far I've made the two boards and am about to begin corking the layout.

I've also been restoring some stock. I have a Chivers Pidgon Van to make and a couple of old Hornby Celestories and a Gresely Brake to Butcher around. I've so far bought three loco's - a Hornby J52, J72 and a Mainline N2. It should be based around the NE area.

Owen
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nebulaman · Site Admin Joined: 29 Jan 2007 Posts: 188

Looks interesting! Is it based on anywhere in particular in the NE as the track plan looks fairly typical of a rural terminus with the cattle dock and the loco run around?

Owen · Joined: 14 Apr 2007 Posts: 229 Location: Diss, Norfolk

No, it's a pretty generic location. In theory, if the landscape is reasonably flat/nothing to grand is built then it could be passed off as an Eastern region layout if Hornby or Bachmann ever release new tools of loco's like the J15 and B12.
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Owen · Joined: 14 Apr 2007 Posts: 229 Location: Diss, Norfolk

The second hand loco's have all been delivered now, all run quite well - the N2 is one of the best at low speeds. When I have spare time, I shall begin to try and detail these up. Does anyone know of any whitemetal detailing kits for these?

Of all, the B12 is the worst in terms of detail as it is quite clunky. Still, it isn't a bad runner and the paint job ain't too shabby either. A bit of improvement needs to be done on the tender connection and some replacement low profile couplings need to go on all. I've also got a few repainted teaks that are in the process of renumbering, plus the Chivers Finelines Pidgeon Van on the workbench too.

Cork Tiles have been layed onto the two sections too, and are due to be fitted onto the fiddle yard once a suitable entry/exit hole has been made in the backboards. The furthest board was corked up, but it wasn't a very good job as it was done with PVA. I found an old pot of Cork Tile Adhesive in the shed and this has worked much better. As you can see in the picture, a rough trackplan to gauge size was done using flexitrack:

I'm hoping to finish the fiddle yard at the weekend - the bulk of it is done but cork tiles need to be laid down and it could do with a lick of paint. I need to drill holes for the bolts to make the two sections fit nicely together into a box and the fiddle yard needs to have holes drilled to bolt it to the other sections. I should also put an order in with hattons for the points and electrics next week if all goes to plan.

Owen
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easternbuzz · Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 8:35 pm Post subject:

i got one of those n2's second hand about a year ago, and its among the smoothest runners i have. i will keep an eye on this, just shame the big 2 failed the eastern fans again!! here's to the future! (hopefully!)

Owen · Joined: 14 Apr 2007 Posts: 229 Location: Diss, Norfolk

Aye!

Don't forget to put in your vote when the MRE poll comes around - It'd be good to get a new tool B12, N7, J15 (No relation to the NNR, honest! Wink

), B17, 01, 04 and D11... if only!
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Bramleyman · Joined: 30 Jan 2007 Posts: 481 Location: Norfolk

Anybody visiting East Dereham MRE on 23rd February?
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easternbuzz · Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 7:31 pm Post subject:

I know, been watching the thread on RMWeb. I was hoping for a J15 this year, but nope! Next year hopefully! A new B12 would b nice, very nice looking loco, and the N7 is just great for us GE people!

Owen · Joined: 14 Apr 2007 Posts: 229 Location: Diss, Norfolk

I'd like to see a J15 most of all, in GER Blue or LNER black, both would be welcome. Have you noticed that the Hornby Catalogue has only two LNER liveried loco's in the Steam Range this year - both of them pacifics. Tush Tush!

On the subject of models though, I've been stretching the legs of some of the stock and loco's that I've bought/been building this evening, I quite like this one of B12 8578:

I've also been building a Chivers Finelines LNER BY Pigeon Van:

Owen
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Owen · Joined: 14 Apr 2007 Posts: 229 Location: Diss, Norfolk

I haven't had much time for this recently, it's been packed away having finally sorted out the bolts to hold it together when in storage. I unpacked it on Saturday and marked out point positions. This morning I cut holes for the point motors. I had originally hoped to use mounting plates, but these didn't work in the end so I bottled out and went for a hole with a plasticard surround between the motor and point.

I'm only concentrating on the fiddle yard/Right board at the moment. So far three points have been laid down along with three more in the fiddle yard. To save on expenses, I'm using old Setrack ones that I've had in a drawer for a couple of years. I tested them and they are fine, just a little dirty on the tops. Nothing elbow grease can't sort out :clap

The join between the two boards is also working well. Once the other board join is sorted and I'm in the mood, I need to work out the wiring. I've got a M/F 21 pin D-Sub for the Fiddle Yard to Right Board to carry over the current/3 point motor connections and a 15 Pin for the Left/Right Join to carry over current on four lines and one point motor and an iscolating switch. I hope it is enough!

Owen

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