Norm's Loft Layout
Hi All,
Well here goes my first post on my WIP Loft OO guage model railway.
Having been away from the hobby for longer than I would care to mention, but its well into double figures, I decided a year or two ago, to sort out the loft & try to find all the boxes which have not seen the light of day since we moved to West Sussex over 13 years ago, & have another go at a hobby which I have loved since childhood in the 60's.
Well that took care of most of the 1st year ! Sorting the loft, clearing it sufficiently to be able to move, installing some velux rooflights & having the water tanks moved, to avoid them being a central island; then insulating & lining the loft with plastic sheeting & hardboard - were a few occassions I have to say when I thought am I sure I want to be doing this LOL !
Anyway in parallel to the "muck & bullets" prep. works in the loft, many an evening was spent scribbling possible plans, scouring the railway modelling press (* forgot to say I had built up a collection of about ten years worth of Railway Modeller still in the plastic wrappers, which were also found in the loft - lots of copies still to open / read !) & starting to visit a few local railway exhibitions / shows, including Worthing, Brighton & Chichester,to both get ideas & also try to play catch up on how the world of model railways had moved on during my "gap decade" - what on earth is this DCC thing; how can they have trains double headed, & numerous trains on the same track !!!!! What a learning curve I still have to climb.
Well eventually got to the stage that baseboards could be assembed / built, & plumbed for the more traditional 6mm marine ply solid deck, on the basis I could build upwards from that, with a timber softwood framework below. The loft space being rectangular about 18 feet x 6ft 6 based on a baseboard bottom level about 2ft 6 / stool / chair height off the ground, was what I had to paly with - seem like a lot to me !!! Big problem obviously being tight curves at each end, as I did want to be able to "watch the trains go round" to some extent at least - you have to relax sometime eh ?
Well having now built the baseboards (* hopefully see pics below), I then after much grey matter scratching opted for DC (* I can hear the groans now !!!), as I was keen to be able to run my old engines which I have accumulated over the last 40 years or so; also its what I thought I might remember (eventually). I also opted for Peco code 100 track & electrofrog points. As in the dim & distant past always had better running over that type of point.
So thats enough of the the history lesson, but just wanted to set the scene. I have now progressed quite a bit of track laying, which I have done on a cork base, generally one layer over the complete ply baseboards & then a second layer under the tracks themselves. Have added a few inclines to link some upper level sections, & also some hidden loops behind some demountable retaining walls, the current finish on which needs a lot of development - but thats on the to do list, or should that be to do "roll" !
Have hopefully attached a couple of overall pics of the loft as it currently stands, & look forward to using the knowledge of others & learning my way back into this great hobby, with the assistance of other members on this forum. Happy railway modelling & Cheers for now,
Norm
PS. Will try to add some pics a little later - after lesson 2 LOL !
PPS . Have added a few pics in an album, but cannot seem to get them on here - must try harder LOL !
Well here goes my first post on my WIP Loft OO guage model railway.
Having been away from the hobby for longer than I would care to mention, but its well into double figures, I decided a year or two ago, to sort out the loft & try to find all the boxes which have not seen the light of day since we moved to West Sussex over 13 years ago, & have another go at a hobby which I have loved since childhood in the 60's.
Well that took care of most of the 1st year ! Sorting the loft, clearing it sufficiently to be able to move, installing some velux rooflights & having the water tanks moved, to avoid them being a central island; then insulating & lining the loft with plastic sheeting & hardboard - were a few occassions I have to say when I thought am I sure I want to be doing this LOL !
Anyway in parallel to the "muck & bullets" prep. works in the loft, many an evening was spent scribbling possible plans, scouring the railway modelling press (* forgot to say I had built up a collection of about ten years worth of Railway Modeller still in the plastic wrappers, which were also found in the loft - lots of copies still to open / read !) & starting to visit a few local railway exhibitions / shows, including Worthing, Brighton & Chichester,to both get ideas & also try to play catch up on how the world of model railways had moved on during my "gap decade" - what on earth is this DCC thing; how can they have trains double headed, & numerous trains on the same track !!!!! What a learning curve I still have to climb.
Well eventually got to the stage that baseboards could be assembed / built, & plumbed for the more traditional 6mm marine ply solid deck, on the basis I could build upwards from that, with a timber softwood framework below. The loft space being rectangular about 18 feet x 6ft 6 based on a baseboard bottom level about 2ft 6 / stool / chair height off the ground, was what I had to paly with - seem like a lot to me !!! Big problem obviously being tight curves at each end, as I did want to be able to "watch the trains go round" to some extent at least - you have to relax sometime eh ?
Well having now built the baseboards (* hopefully see pics below), I then after much grey matter scratching opted for DC (* I can hear the groans now !!!), as I was keen to be able to run my old engines which I have accumulated over the last 40 years or so; also its what I thought I might remember (eventually). I also opted for Peco code 100 track & electrofrog points. As in the dim & distant past always had better running over that type of point.
So thats enough of the the history lesson, but just wanted to set the scene. I have now progressed quite a bit of track laying, which I have done on a cork base, generally one layer over the complete ply baseboards & then a second layer under the tracks themselves. Have added a few inclines to link some upper level sections, & also some hidden loops behind some demountable retaining walls, the current finish on which needs a lot of development - but thats on the to do list, or should that be to do "roll" !
Have hopefully attached a couple of overall pics of the loft as it currently stands, & look forward to using the knowledge of others & learning my way back into this great hobby, with the assistance of other members on this forum. Happy railway modelling & Cheers for now,
Norm
PS. Will try to add some pics a little later - after lesson 2 LOL !
PPS . Have added a few pics in an album, but cannot seem to get them on here - must try harder LOL !
Attachments
681 - 700 of 756 Posts
Hi again All,
Sure we all have projects for the BH Weekend, a revisit / more progress on the previously posted “High Level Signal Box” is certainly one here -
![Property Product Interior design Art Font]()
.... early days / thoughts and only using a couple of Metcalfe kits as the existing, but aiming for far more windows / vision in both directions at least to start with .... more to follow as always .....
Comments / Input always welcome, also a maker of the PappaP box perhaps ?
Thanks as always, Cheers Norm
Sure we all have projects for the BH Weekend, a revisit / more progress on the previously posted “High Level Signal Box” is certainly one here -
.... early days / thoughts and only using a couple of Metcalfe kits as the existing, but aiming for far more windows / vision in both directions at least to start with .... more to follow as always .....
Comments / Input always welcome, also a maker of the PappaP box perhaps ?
Thanks as always, Cheers Norm
Hi again All,
Further to previous post (#683) in relation to the possible make up of the Steam Crane Train, have been putting a few items together here, which currently have available, hence a bit of a mixture, but mainly as food for thought, as Initial pics below (pics may be better this evening);
Overall Views -
![Plant Asphalt Road surface Grass Automotive exterior]()
![Window Automotive exterior Mode of transport Vehicle door Vehicle]()
![Window Mode of transport Wood Bumper Floor]()
.... will need to add a Loco too of course. Also adjust / lower the Crane jib for travelling !
A Few Close Ups -
![Wood Office supplies Office equipment Flooring Floor]()
![Plant Wood Shade Tints and shades Roof]()
![Wood Office equipment Flooring Bumper Hardwood]()
More to follow later .... Happy Modelling, Cheers Norm
Further to previous post (#683) in relation to the possible make up of the Steam Crane Train, have been putting a few items together here, which currently have available, hence a bit of a mixture, but mainly as food for thought, as Initial pics below (pics may be better this evening);
Overall Views -
.... will need to add a Loco too of course. Also adjust / lower the Crane jib for travelling !
A Few Close Ups -
More to follow later .... Happy Modelling, Cheers Norm
Hi again All,
Further to the above post, was thinking of Steam Loco wise, perhaps using some of the following -
![Trigger Air gun Gun barrel Shotgun Machine gun]()
![Train Vehicle Rolling stock Steam engine Railway]()
![Train Vehicle Rolling stock Toy Wheel]()
With either a Southern or GWR flavour too.
..... will also look at a Diesel option / alternative too.
As always any thoughts / input appreciated.
Cheers for now, Norm
Further to the above post, was thinking of Steam Loco wise, perhaps using some of the following -
With either a Southern or GWR flavour too.
..... will also look at a Diesel option / alternative too.
As always any thoughts / input appreciated.
Cheers for now, Norm
Hi All,
Well thinking time again, WIP pic - given all the great links / pics, working on the attached, at the moment (stop gap or step forward); but also don’t know why never thought about previously (wood from trees perhaps); if all the support structure was painted black from grey too, might be a step forward ......
![Vehicle Font Rectangle Wood Automotive design]()
.... it’s all fun eh 🤔
Enjoy your Railway Modelling, Cheers Norm
Well thinking time again, WIP pic - given all the great links / pics, working on the attached, at the moment (stop gap or step forward); but also don’t know why never thought about previously (wood from trees perhaps); if all the support structure was painted black from grey too, might be a step forward ......
.... it’s all fun eh 🤔
Enjoy your Railway Modelling, Cheers Norm
Hi John,![]()
Hexham signal box. I lifted this from Wikipedia. This is subject to Creative Commons, attributed to Mike Quinn.
Best regards ................. Greyvoices (alias John)
Many thanks for the post / image of the high level Hexham Signal Box - another great pic - also “in an unusual” colour scheme too (* that may just be me of course 🤣).
As post / reply above and to follow, am working on a “further hopefully short term step forward / development” and then see what the future holds perhaps.
Thanks as always for your comments / input; Cheers for now, Norm
Hi again All,
Further to the last couple of reply’s above, and the previous WIP pics / updates on the gantry Signal boxes latest developments, a few current pics below, still plenty to do of course;
![Building Urban design Wood Art Rectangle]()
![Wood Art Floor Flooring Publication]()
![Window Building Wood Road surface Asphalt]()
....... next to place it on the existing gantry (* prior to gantry mods / repaint too); just to see how it looks .....
Happy Modelling as always, Cheers Norm
Further to the last couple of reply’s above, and the previous WIP pics / updates on the gantry Signal boxes latest developments, a few current pics below, still plenty to do of course;
....... next to place it on the existing gantry (* prior to gantry mods / repaint too); just to see how it looks .....
Happy Modelling as always, Cheers Norm
Hi again All,
Having a further look through the Signal Box link / site from which Cameron posted previously for Clapham Junction Box “A”; came across the following for Canterbury West box, which is an elevated gantry box straddling the tracks, as against running parallel to the tracks - the website has plenty of very interesting photos and detailed information overall -
signalbox.org
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f7/Canterbury_West_Station_Signal_Box,_Edit_1.jpg
![Train Sky Plant Rolling stock Track]()
Also a further associated link is the following -
www.s-r-s.org.uk
..... well worth a look through / read.
Enjoy, Thanks for now, Cheers Norm
Having a further look through the Signal Box link / site from which Cameron posted previously for Clapham Junction Box “A”; came across the following for Canterbury West box, which is an elevated gantry box straddling the tracks, as against running parallel to the tracks - the website has plenty of very interesting photos and detailed information overall -
Canterbury West – The Signal Box
signalbox.org
Also a further associated link is the following -
Canterbury Area
Film Archive of Railway Signalling & People (FARSAP) visit to Canterbury East, Canterbury West, Wye signal boxes and Wye Area Control Centre.
..... well worth a look through / read.
Enjoy, Thanks for now, Cheers Norm
Hi All,
Well cop today -
![Wood Automotive design Urban design Art Font]()
... just need to get into the loft to see what might fit or not as the case may be, ..... but step by step always;
Enjoy your Modelling in the meantime, Cheers Norm
Well cop today -
... just need to get into the loft to see what might fit or not as the case may be, ..... but step by step always;
Enjoy your Modelling in the meantime, Cheers Norm
I really like that Canterbury signal box Norm. It looks a perfect match for your kit. The framework structure looks very easy to replicate by use of Plastruct. A quick search came up with this link one of many firms selling Plastruct and I suppose it can also be found on ebay.
![Font Rectangle Line Parallel Clock]()
The main problem with elevated signal cabins was linking the cabin levers with the linkage to the signals. If you are modelling the semaphore era then you need to show rods or wires coming out of the cabin, feeding into cranks on the ground. No so difficult. Of course in the colour light signalling scenario it becomes much easier for you just have to replicate a cable duct or shaft.
The Hexham box is easier because one side is supported by a brick structure which presumably has linkages running vertically through it. If you go the Canterbury route (which I prefer) you could support one end with a brick structure but then would miss out on the joy of seeing all those linkages on display.
Best regards .......... Greyvoices (alias John)
The main problem with elevated signal cabins was linking the cabin levers with the linkage to the signals. If you are modelling the semaphore era then you need to show rods or wires coming out of the cabin, feeding into cranks on the ground. No so difficult. Of course in the colour light signalling scenario it becomes much easier for you just have to replicate a cable duct or shaft.
The Hexham box is easier because one side is supported by a brick structure which presumably has linkages running vertically through it. If you go the Canterbury route (which I prefer) you could support one end with a brick structure but then would miss out on the joy of seeing all those linkages on display.
I really like this box. Easily achievable with Plastruct though others might suggest alternative methods of construction. I remember an old Airfix kit signal gantry which may be of some transferable use. Still may be in the Dapol range.
Best regards .......... Greyvoices (alias John)
681 - 700 of 756 Posts
