[ajgraham]

Thought I would start a thread for the layout I'm in the process of designing and building. I've just designed the board and framing in SketchUp, and have an idea for the legs but need to finish the design. There's a good chance I'll be moving house next year so I've made sure it can all be moved fairly easily.

Here's all the lumber for the top and underside framing:

Top board:

2 x 6’ x 4’3”​

2 x 6’ x 3’6”​

Board underside framing:

4 x 6’​

6 x 3’2”​

4 x 4’3”​

6 x 2’8”​

4 x 2’10”​

2 x 2’3 1/16”​

Total area is 12' x 7.75' with an off-centre cut out

I've also ordered some period correct Diesel locos and cars from Hattons which will be delivered in a couple of days. I'll try and remember to update this as the project progresses.

Thanks,
Alex

 

[ajgraham]

How wide do you plan to make the access cut out? I am guessing it's 2'3" wide. If you can make it 3', I promise you that's a lot more comfortable for 'duck under' access; there's just that bit more clearance as you 'surface'. (It may be that you are lithe and flexible, which I am not, in which case ignore this thought!)

Yeah I've been thinking a lot about the positioning and ergonomics of it. You're close with the estimate, it's only 2' wide so it will be narrow. I'm 6'3" but I think I'll maybe just have the surface raised a little higher and I should hopefully be ok.

 

[ajgraham]

Got my Trunk delivery from Hattons, 3 day delivery to the US for a 3kg box at £21 with a courier is amazing.

Raided the bargain bin on most of the locos and all 5 cost me ~£200 thanks to not having to pay VAT, all in used condition:

• Hornby R3356 - Crosti Class 9F 92021 (weathered)
• Hornby R2254 - 47120 BR Blue (weathered)
• Lima L205267 - 47709 “The Lord Provost” Scotrail
• Hornby R250B - 58007 Railfreight
• Hornby R780 - 08201 Shunter in BR Blue

The last 2 need some work but they were really cheap, and I’m happy to tinker and fix things.

Also bought some period correct vehicles. Ended up with 3 Jensens (2 Interceptors) but I love them. Hattons included an extra random vehicle which I didn’t order so that’s a nice freebie.

 

[ajgraham]

Ran into a moment of realisation that I needed to make some significant changes to the design if I'm going to have any space for a heavily modified Forth Rail Bridge. I've lowered both narrow ends so I can lower the bridge and make the track gradient easier, a more realistic undulating coastline, and I can use epoxy resin to create a realistic Forth and include the island of Inchgarvie. So I can complete the train loop I am adding a fictional second bridge on the other side and similar water effect. It's a little more wood for bracing but not much, and it'll still be easy to disassemble.

This is the top-side of the board, without any finishing trim:

Underside:

Have nearly finished the track layout in Anyrail but will probably have to wait until I've built the surface before I finalise it.

Also bought some reference material: