O Gauge Layout Progress Kimington Quay

Last weekend I managed to set up the model railway in the lounge and make a start on a number of tasks on the layout. By far the biggest one was replacing a section of track, which was the curve into the platform area. I originally laid this area using flexitrack and the curve transition was far too tight, causing all sorts of horrible buffer locking. So on the Friday evening, armed with a trusty penknife I proceeded to cut and then rip out the ballasted section of track and replace it with a new piece of curved Peco settrack. Progress to remove the track was quite quick. The following morning I glued down the new section of track and wired it up to the power bus. Fortunately it all worked fine and it has made a big difference to the running of the layout. The track now needs repainting and ballasting, with the small crossing needing to be re-instated.

The original track layout heading into the platform.

And 24 hours later the replaced track! A relief to have finally got around to replacing this section of track.

The second task at the weekend was to glue down the recently finished low relief warehouse building to the backscene in the area of the diary. This was a relatively painless task and has started to give a sense of the developing backscene in this area. I now need to finish a second low relief warehouse, which is partly done and then add in a series of smaller buildings in the area behind the platform.

The low relief warehouse provides some good perspective for the track at the front of the layout.

Now this building is glued in, I have a second warehouse to add to the backscene, once I get the rooftiles added....

The area around the Quaymasters cottage was looking a little barren so I added in a small concrete wall with a gate, to separate the quay front and cottage from the railway. I had finished these pieces of walling some time ago, so it was great to finally see them added to the layout. With the zoomed in photographs, the print lines on the wall are visible, so some clutter will be added to around this wall in due course.

The small fence in the area of the Quaymasters cottage.

Another area of the layout that saw a little progress was the platform. I finally got around to gluing down the Platform shelter and adding in the platform name. The layout is now known as Kimmington Quay! I need to add some weeds and grass, to provide that sense of railway decay that was visible across the rural rail network in the 1970s.

The station nameboard is now glued in place, alongside the platform shelter.

The DMU ready for the return trip to Torrington, via Barnstaple junction. The impact of the low relief buildings is clear in this photograph, behind the DMU.

Whilst I had the layout set up, I placed a couple of figures around the layout to see how things would look. More painting is required to finish these figures but a few of the layout characters are nearly done and ready to be glued in place.

This is Reg Brown, he is the Quay Master at Kimington Quay. Reg loves the railways and the good old days. He considers himself a naval expert, having served in WWII on board an armed trawler. He was not a fan of the Beeching cuts but is relieved to find the branch line still operating in the 1970s.

This is Derek White. He works as a supervisor at the diary and oversees the loading of the milk tankers. He takes his job very seriously, with his arms constantly folded...

Finally it was really great just to be able to run some trains. Below are a sample of shots from running the layout over the weekend. I was really pleased with how the layout was running and it was great to finally have the DMU running into the station.

Class 03 shunting some freight wagons, ready for a return working to Exeter.

The Quay master Reg has just purchased a fancy new Datsun, which is proudly parked close to his cottage.

The DMU heading further down the line from Kimington Quay towards Ilfracombe.

I quite like this shot of the DMU in the station, it has a definite air of rural Devon!

My aim is to now the finish the layout by April next year, in order to be able to take the layout to some exhibitions. In reality there is are a set of low relief buildings to add, the quay front water colour to sort out, some hedges and trees to make and then a lot of small details to add. I am going to try to make a lot of the low relief buildings by Xmas this year, leaving the early part of next year for a big push in layout detailing....lets see how that pans out. Anyhow, it was all good fun having the layout set up, I just need a little more time in life to get it all finished....

Dapol O Gauge Class 122 DMU - DCC lights and (some) progress

This weekend I finally managed to set up the DCC test track to get the Dapol Class 122 DMU ready for running on the main layout. The O gauge Dapol class 122 was incorrectly hard wired in the factory, meaning that the DCC sound chips were programmed using a different wiring layout to the DMU units. The upshot of all this, was my internal lights were not working, nor were the destination blind lights. All in all, very disappointing.

Destination and interior lights working. Note the bespoke destination blind.

I had fitted my DMU unit with a Howes DCC sound chip. After several weeks of trying to work out what to do, I phoned Howes and was put through to speak with Bryan, their DCC sound specialist. He was a top bloke and gave me some CVs to change. 

The list for the DCC chip I installed was:

• CV31 = change to 16 (already was that value)
• CV32 = change to 9
• CV385 = change to 64

By making these changes the internal lights now work on F19 and the destination blinds work on directional lights at one end. However, the destination blinds and the directional lights at the other end are still not working automatically in the direction of travel. So another email to Bryan has transpired to try to finish off this programming. Hopefully, not too long until this project is finally finished off.

The interior lights ablaze! The contrast to the slightly weathered finish show up well in this shot.

This photograph was taken using a digital SLR - what a difference to the phone shots above! I am looking forward to the DMU running into the platform in the dark on the layout.

Which brings me to next weekend. Next weekend I will finally have the time to set up the layout. There are a long list of tasks to do, including running some trains but also installing various details on the layout such as some signs, people, benches, etc. I also intend to sort out the quay front water at the same time, alongside installing some buildings. So hopefully plenty of progress to follow over the next couple of weeks.

O Gauge GWR Toad Brake Van

Over the last few weeks I have managed to finish off the build on a GWR Toad brake van. This brake van is destined for the engineers fleet at Kimington Quay and will be finished in the drab olive green engineers livery. There has been a lot of work pressure recently that have left precious little time for modelling, so this build seems to have taken an age. The model is constructed from the Parkside kit and whilst I am a big fan of the Parkside range, this was one of the trickier wagons to get square when building.

Finished Toad brake van. Note the shortened handrails on this side.

Other side of the toad, with the standard handrails.

The kit went together reasonably well, after a bit of trial and error to get the body to sit squarely on the chassis. The handrails were a bit of a fiddle and the close up photographs show the handrails to be somewhat uneven across the body. I am not too worried about this, as this model will show the brake van at the ends of its working life, after taking a fair few knocks and scrapes, etc. One of the sides has the hand rails modified and shortened, which was inspired some photographs of toad vans found on the web in the 1970s and 1980s. There is also one join on the handrails that the close up photographs highlight as not great - so I will attempt to reset this later on this afternoon. The wagon will then get a wash and head into the boxes for painting. At this stage, the roof is not fixed, as I like to paint the body / interior and roof separately, before glazing and final assembly.

I am looking forward to getting some paint on this model in the coming weeks.

So another wagon, heading for the growing engineers fleet. This is one of several engineers wagons that I am planning for the layout. I also have a Heljan PMV van in olive green to dismantle and head into the paint boxes at the same time as the GWR toad and the Slaters BY van that is currently being constructed will also end up in olive green, although this van has a way to go on the build. Hopefully more to follow soon, as I am planning a few more weekends where I can focus on modelling and even get the layout set up!

O Gauge Low Relief Warehouse

Time for modelling has remained at a premium for me for the last few weeks, with too much work on, some redecorating, summer holidays, visitors, beach days, etc. It has all been very busy. with only the odd hour here and there available for modelling. As a consequence, modelling progress has remained slow. In terms of the layout, there are two big things I have been mulling over. The first is sorting out the curved track on the curved board, which is far too tight. I have spent much  time during my morning dog walk thinking about the best solution for this. I have considered replacing the curved board with a straight board, adding in a new 1ft track section and just relaying the track on the curved board. All of the options are sub-optimal and will require adjusting the quay front to make things run smoothly. However, the layout has to fulfil the purpose it was built for, over being fun and reliable to operate, so something needs to be done - the problem is I still have not decided what the solution is yet.

Finished warehouse, ready to glue down onto the layout.

The second big task for the layout is the construction of a series of low relief buildings to run along the back of the layout behind the station and next to the diary. I think I will need to model something like 10 buildings and I am pleased to say the first one is finished. This is the Fair Price Models low relief warehouse, which was still too deep for the space available on the layout. I subsequently cut it into two halves, allowing me to get a second low relief warehouse from the same kit. Anyhow, shell was built, painted with PVA glue, then covered in polyfilla and sanded down. After a base coat of grey, the stone work was hand scribed, before dry brushing and some weathering washes over the top. The roof tiles are cut up plasticky fliers that come through the letter box. When viewed from ground level, it is quite an imposing old structure, just right for an old quayside. I am very happy with how this one turned out and I am looking forward to adding it too the layout. At least one down, but plenty more low relief buildings to go.

Top of the warehouse and the winch.

DCI Vera inspecting the new warehouse.

This shot shows up the contrast in the stonework well.

In other modelling projects, I have finished the painting of the class 42 warship, so it is now a question of just installing the DCC sound chip and speaker and putting the locomotive back together. The class 122 is finished, except for the internal lighting issue (Dapol production fault). I am yet to find out how to resolve the internal lighting issues, I think time to play with some CVs and see if I can get something to work.....I also need to phone Howes to see if they know of a solution. Otherwise, I have lots of projects requiring some time, of which there is very little until October....in the meantime I will just try to do little bits of modelling here and there to keep me sane.

Dapol O Gauge class 122 Reassembly and DCC Lighting Issues

My apologies for the lack of posts recently, life has continually got in the way and killed any momentum with the modelling projects. Life has been very busy away from railways and this has been in a generally good way but many weekends have passed by without any modelling! Anyhow on a rare Sunday afternoon I got to sit down and put the Dapol Class 122 back together. I was very excited to put in the DCC sound chip and see test the unit properly with the body shell refitted, on my O gauge DCC test track. I glued in the glazing, put the custom destination blinds on from Railtec transfers (sandwiched between two thin  pieces of glazing) and added a Modelu driver and some passengers. So far so good.

Terrible lighting(!) - the driver and passengers visible in the Class 122 unit.

I had previously owned the Dapol class 122 DMU in OO gauge and after previous issues with the drive shaft on that model I had sworn I would never buy a Dapol locomotive again. However, the Dapol O gauge class 122 is a fine model and I eagerly purchased one when they were first released, probably some time around 2021. The unit never ran that well, so I replaced both of the original motors with a new motor and it now runs on one bogie only, which is fine for a small unit on an end to end layout. More concerning was when I put the body shell back on, none of the interior lights, including cab lights and destination blinds worked. In addition the directional lights are on different function keys.

Headlights are on but how on earth do I get the interior lights to work?

So it turns out that the first release of the class 122 had a number of internal wiring issues, which has compromised the functionality of the unit. What to do? Having searched the internet for an answer, it turns out many other people have suffered from the same issue. However, whilst I have found the fix for Zimo chips and reprogramming written online, I have yet to find a answer for the ESU V5 chip (this one was programmed by Howes). I am certain that the functionality of the unit can be rescued by reprogramming CVs....however, whilst I am competent in reprogramming individual CV values, I am unclear how they all relate to each other to produce the desired outcomes. For example, the directional lights I need on one function key for both front and rear lights, not three separate functions. To do all of this internal reprogramming I need a recipe to follow......which currently I do not have.....so I am unsure how to proceed. I have asked a few people who are more knowledgeable than me but for the time being the unit is not functional, very frustrating (if anyone knows the solution please do post here). Beyond this, I am very happy with my weathering of the DMU it looks just right in my opinion, so getting it fully functional is a key priority in the next few weeks. I am now tempted to buy a class 121 DMU from Dapol to go alongside this model - they are great looking units and apparently the lighting issues have been resolved on later releases.

Another shot in poor lighting. However, the fading and weathering on the unit are clearly visible in this picture and I am very happy with the overall result.

Beyond this, I need to get the layout to a state where I can take it to exhibitions. To do this I am contemplating removing the curved board section from the layout and replacing this with a shorter straight 3 foot board. The curves into the layout are very tight and create buffer locking, so I am contemplating the rather radical step of removing the curved board section all together. This curved section was included to fit the space of a room in the old house and the upshot is - it does not work well in our new house. When it is set up it effectively blocks the space between the lounge and the kitchen, meaning that the layout is rarely put up in the house...

The end of the curved baseboard section...what to do....

The positives are that replacing the curved section with a straight baseboard would allow me to set up the layout more easily at home, allowing more play time and will provide better access for getting it finished. The downside is.....I am quite fond of the scenery on the curved board and starting a new board from scratch seems like quite an effort. Also I am not sure how I would get the skyscene correct on the replacement board, as it is a complete run of sky, with the curved section a four foot board and the replacement section a 3ft board. The alternative scenario is relaying the track on the curved board and replacing the Y point with a shorter right hand turnout. This will involve a lot of stripping of the scenery already put down but might be the simpler option, although it will still not allow me the space to play in the lounge that that I am hoping for. Any final decisions are currently on hold. I need to set it up and see how it goes before doing anything too radical. After building the layout, I want to enjoy winter afternoons running trains around, which in the layouts current configuration is not easy to do in our house.

Beyond this, I have just about finished detailing the Warship. There is a coat of varnish to go and then it is dcc fitting and putting back together. I have also nearly finished the next warehouse for the dairy complex, so this can be installed soonish. Other rolling stock builds are current on pause but I hope to find some time after August to get cracking with these and get them into the paint boxes.

O Gauge Dapol Class 122 and Heljan warship progress

It has been a while since my last update but progress of various projects has been made over the last few weeks, with some of these models creeping towards the finishing line. Unfortunately time for modelling has been a little limited, with weekends away and other commitments causing a loss of momentum. However, this bank holiday weekend, other than walking my dog, my focus is firmly on undertaking some modelling, whilst  watching the snooker.

The O gauge Dapol class 122 is getting close to being back in service. I am waiting on some destination transfers from Railtec but otherwise the unit has gone through the weathering process and now just requires the glazing to be re-attached, passengers and drivers to be added and finishing off the DCC installation. The driver is not yet painted but the passengers will be glued into the unit this evening. 

Weathering of the class 122 bodyshell. This is now ready to have the glazing re-attached.

When I was modelling in OO gauge I became somewhat weary of Dapol products, with the OO gauge class 122 requiring surgery to keep it running. With the O gauge model of the Dapol class 122, whilst the finish and interior detail is outstanding, the original batch of DMUs suffered from erratic running and poor motors. So whilst this locomotive was apart I took the opportunity to remove both of the original motors and replace them with a single new motor driving only 1 bogie (the original motors are said to be mismatched causing poor running). Hopefully this will cure the erratic running. The glazing on the unit was an absolute pig to remove and I ended up breaking a lot of the windows, which are made from very brittle plastic.. So in addition tot he original unit, I have now purchased replacement glazing and a new motor........which has added a not insignificant sum to the original price. 

Motors during replacement. The new motor required soldering in. The unit now runs in a single motor - which I hope will improve the running qualities of this unit.

However, I am now hopeful that once fitted back together, this unit will provide years of services as the local stopping DMU on the Kimington Quay layout. The modelling tasks for today are to add in the DCC chip that I sent off to Howes for reblowing and solder in the speakers, consisting of two 4ohm small speakers and a larger 8 ohm speaker. This is what is recommended in the Dapol booklet - so I hope it is correct. When this bit is done, it is just a question of adding the passengers, driving, glazing and destination blinds and then it will be ready for operation.

Another project that has seen some progress is the Heljan warship. I dismantled the warship some weeks ago and have made a start on painting some of the details, such as bogies, brake rigging etc. The body shell has received its new identity, with transfers courtesy of Railtec and nameplates from the Protoneo range. These have all bee sealed in with gloss and satin varnish, so later today I will start the process of weathering the body shell. I cannot wait to make a start on weathering this locomotive, it is an absolute beast of a model and I am going for a moderately weathered look. The new identity for this locomotive is 810 Cockade and a few photographs of this locomotive on the Tarka line in the 1970s shows it is pretty reasonable shape - so moderate fading of the BR blue followed by a bit of grime will be the order of the day.

The nameplates fixed to the slide of the warship. It is now ready for fading of the original BR blue factory finish.

Beyond locomotives and DMUs,  I am also building various pieces of rolling stock, with a GWR Toad and Southern BY van making slow progress on my desk. Both of these pieces of rolling stock are destined for the 1970s engineers department. I am also close to finishing some scenic details, such as station nameboards, fencing panels and post and more warehouses for the backscene. Again these projects are slowly ticking by in the background. I am looking forward to setting up the layout again later this month and adding in a lot of these details, whilst giving the DMU a proper run on the layout. 

Slaters southern BY wagon under construction - there is a long way to go with this build.

Station nameboards getting close to being ready to install on the layout, although some more weathering and toning down is required.

Beyond my little modelling world, there has been wider developments in the hobby, with the Accurascale take over of Heljan. Lots of people have had their say on this - and I am sure I will add nothing new. However, a class 45 has now found its way into the waiting pile of stock, whilst a small Ruston and PMV are being ordered today...I wish the company well for the future and hope that it provides a springboard for even more top quality O gauge models.

O Gauge CCT in Olive Green Livery

Over the last few weeks I have also managed to complete the weathering of an Heljan CCT, which was finished in the olive green engineers livery. This is a lovely model but the factory finish was quite shiny and toy like, so I set about toning this down with some weathering. The dismantling of the CCT was quick and easy, only requiring the removal of four screws and gently pushing out the glazing. The weathering process involved an initial body wash of neutral grey, before using the airbrush to apply a bit of tonal variation in the olive green livery, using some faded olive green colours. Over the top of this I used the airbrush to apply various coats of weathered black, frame dirt and sleeper grime, with some of the detail hand brushed with AK interactive streaking grime. The chassis was weathered separately, using the airbrush to apply various coats of weathered black, frame dirt and sleeper grime. The roof was  weathered using a combination of various shades of roof dirt and weathered black.  When I was happy enough, the weathering was sealed in with a couple of coats of Railmatch matt varnish. 

Finished CCT on the Kimington Quay layout.

Finished CCT coupled up a class 33.

A close up showing some of the underframe detail.

This CCT will run with the olive green BSK, the 12t van and the BY wagon, which form a small rake in the engineers department. The BY wagon is currently (very slowly) being built from the Slaters kit, although it will be a few months until I can get it finished. In the meantime I am concentrating on getting some of the buildings finished for the back of the layout and currently have five shallow relief buildings in various stages of construction on my workbench. There are also various items currently working their way through the paintboxes, such as class 122 DMU, which is making its way to the varnishing stage, alongside various details to add into the layout, such as mileposts, speed signs, station signs, etc. So plenty of modelling tasks on the go at the moment and more to come, not least with the acquisition of some new O gauge diesel locomotives, which have added to the growing pile of modelling projects that I need to start!