[Alan D]

Hey people, long time, no see! I have visited a few times recently and been glad to see that some of the old members are still going strong.

A lot has happened since I last posted on the forum. New house, new job, lost weight and best of all have started building a brand new, tailor made workshop and train room.

Currently I'm halfway through the project. The workshop is built and I now have all the materials to construct the rest. Although the weather this weekend has put a small halt on the proceedings. I left the posting of this project till now because I wanted something positive to show and also photobucket was playing funny buggers for a while and not sharing photos. However here are a few photos of the workshop under construction to show you where I'm at and hope to keep you posted about the train room. My aim is to have it finished over the summer in time for the winter. Best season for modelling in my opinion.

The old shed on the left has been given to the next door neighbour and this is where the new train room will be joined directly to the workshop.

 

[dwb]

Nice to see you posting again Alan

The workshop looks great.

David

 

[Alan D]

Thanks David. Both for the comments and the help. Wonder what happened there! Was also locked out of the forum for 24 hours. It wouldn't let me post

 

[Alan D]

The Train/hobby room is nearing completion. You can see from the pictures how it adjoins to the workshop. The room is 8x11 feet and the workshop is 8x10 this gives a footprint of 11x16. The rooms are set in an L shape design which gives a little 3 x 10 porch at the front. The reason behind the design was to make it look an attractive building and not just a shed. This was the only way I could get "planning permission" from the wife as it takes up almost a 3rd of the back garden. Also agreed to build multi level decking and she is now happy as this is half completed and I now have all the materials to construct the rest. To be fair, I have really enjoyed building it all as woodwork is one of my favourite hobbies and I have never done anything as grand in scale. It has all been from scratch. No kits involved. I love a bit of scratchbuilding. When built I will post some pics of the inside.

 

[Ian555]

Hi Alan,

Good looking work, having some great weather just now, will be keeping you busy.

All the best...Ian.

 

[Alan D]

Just a little update on progress of the train room.

Almost there!

Thanks Ian yes it has been great weather for working on this, been very busy.

 

[dwb]

That looks really good

David

 

[Alan D]

Thanks David it's been a Labour of love but it's now nearing completion. Just waiting on a rainfall to see if I've done it right or if I need to plug any leaks. Hopefully everything will be ok. The space inside looks good when tidied I'll post some pics to show the inside. It'll well be ready for the winter modelling months I'm actually way ahead of schedule.

 

[Alan D]

Just thought I'd give you a little update on proceedings. The Train room is now insulated and boarded, I've built a little workbench area put up some shelves and beginning to put up the ceiling with insulation and t&g boarding. It's all coming together rather nicely. But the piece de resistance is the sliding door which separates the workshop from the train room.

The Train room from outside!

The workshop ! Where I will spend time on my other hobby, woodwork.

My little workbench area for modelling.

Some of the old layout ready to be recycled.

I'm ready to start planning the layout, think I'm going for an inverted 8 to give me 2 levels in a dogbone formation. Can't wait!

 

[Campaman]

Hi

Can I ask what you have covered the outside of the roof with as it just looks like blue plastic sheeting?

 

[TheAndrian]

Hi Campaman,

Looks like temporary covering to protect the osb board ceiling/roof from the elements before, I presume, the felt roofing/covering is applied.

Cheers

 

[Alan D]

Sorry not been on for a while

Yeah it's blue plastic tarpaulin and at the moment it's doing a grand job even with storm Ali not a leak has sprung. I haven't had time to get roofing felt yet let alone put it up but I will do it before the winter fully kicks in.

 

[Alan D]

Hi Guys

I've finally managed to make some progress. I decided I wanted a cabinet for the back wall of the Train/Hobby room where I could display some trains. I wanted to do this before I construct the layout because once the layout is in place it t would be more difficult to install the cabinet with a layout in the way. I'm quite pleased with the result. Have a look.

And I have indeed began construction of the baseboard

Ps I don't like this new watermark thingy from Photobucket. I'll need to be looking into new photo hosting.

 

[FUNGUS]

Great progress there mate and I really do like the display cabinet

 

[dwb]

Fantastic display cabinet

David

 

[Greyvoices]

I just had a read through your various threads Alan and I found much of interest. Railway modelling and woodworking are perfect companions and you seem to be enjoying both.

Best regards ........... Greyvoices (alias John)

 

[Alan D]

Thanks for the comments and encouragement boys. I'm just glad to be back in the thick of it. It's been quite an effort to get everything back on track.

 

[Alan D]

Been busy this week beginning to lay the track bed. As it's a tight space at this side I'm opting for 2nd radius curves. I don't want to the traditional 4x2 baseboard idea as it's going to be in inverted 8 to double track length.

Experience has taught me that reaching into a 4x2 baseboard with about 8cm clearance is too small for my thick arms. So the plan is too build the trackbed as a separate entity from the scenic boards to gain as much access as possible for derailment problems etc. It will become clear as I progress through the pictures how it will turn out.

Checking clearance.