[Chinahand]

QUOTE (Matt1984 @ 28 Jan 2008, 20:25) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Yes it is Linka, i find it's easy to use.

if you interested in some:

http://mysite.orange.co.uk/modellandscape

Hi Matt,

Just a little tip on using Linka. I mix some powder paints (brown, black & yellow) in with the plaster ( I actually use Artex powder) which produces a 'stone' colour. You can get brick colouring using red, yellow, brown & black. You will need to do some mix trials to get the colour/shade you want but don't overdo the powder paint as it does tend to weaken the plaster.

Also if you do not completely mix in the powder paint you can get 'streaks' and 'blobs' of colour which give a more natural and varied effect.

The advantage of this is that if, at some future date, the structure is slightly damaged, you do not get a glaring piece of white plaster showing up. I also weather my Linka structures by dry-brushing very small amounts of powder paint onto the finished building before spraying the whole thing with a matt varnish.

I would be interested to know the size/ gauge of your layout as some of those gradients look as though they might be quite steep.

Keep up the good work

Expat

 

[Chinahand]

QUOTE (Matt1984 @ 1 Feb 2008, 20:59) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Yes, i have started this method and it's coming on well.

the gauge is OO, where are you looking at? perhaps it's not clear on the layout.

Hi Matt,

I'm looking at the distance between the station at the bottom of the diagram and the point where the two tracks cross over each other. If the drawing is to scale I would guess this distance is about 4 ft or maybe 6 ft at maximum which would make the gradient somwhere between 1 in 20 and 1 in 25 which is very steep and would certainly limit the number of coaches/wagons that could be pulled up it.

I think the normally recommended maximum grade is 1 in 36 but personally I try not to go any steeper than 1 in 50. The grades on my current layout are max 1 in 58 and min 1 in 84.

Regards,

Expat.

 

[Chinahand]

Hi Matt,

I've been thinking some more about those gradients and I see that you are working on a flat baseboard and have already laid some track. It occurs to me, however, that if you raise the level of the station by 25mm or so and then take the line going towards the hidden mountain section on a downward grade you will be able to shallow out the grade which rises towards your mountain station. This would also fit well with the spur line going into the mine which could follow the same downward grade. That way you would only need to raise the upper line by 35mm or so from the station to the point where it crosses over the lower line which would, at a guess, give you a more acceptable gradient of about 1 in 35.

I realise you have already laid some track but you might like to give this some thought before you progress too far. I bit of time spent taking a backward step now will certainly pay dividends and improve the operational quality of the finished layout.

Regards,

Expat.

 

[Chinahand]

Hi Matt,

At the risk of saying I told you so, dwb is right. You will be lucky to get a loco + 1 carriage up that incline.

I assume you are using Peco Setrack curves which, for the inner radius, are 228mm long. That means you are trying to climb 14cm over less than 1 metre of track which is a grade of 1 in 6.5. To raise the track by this amount you need a minimum of 6 metres. I would suggest you seriously reconsider your plans and maybe look at my earlier suggestions. While your idea of a mountain station is admirable you might like to think more in terms of a small hill rather than a mountain. Alternatively if you really want to raise the track by this much you will need to think about a helix.

Regards,

Expat.

 

[Chinahand]

Hi Matt,

Don't get too down-hearted.

Given your limited space availability have you given any thought to 'N' Gauge.

There is a very good link on one of the other threads to this site http://www.scenicmodelrailways.com/ on which are pictures and details of an N Gauge layout which would fit into your space and might appeal to you. Have a look at the 'Billy's N Gauge Layout.

Regards,

Expat.