[Makemineadouble]

Here's the start of my On30 layout. I'm using modular construction on this project. I'll post the position of the
modules in my next posting. I'm very happy with the corner module and the second one is well on the way to completion.

 

[Makemineadouble]

Here's the layout design I promised

Well to answer a few questions:

CeeDee
QUOTE Neat, very neat indeed. Is all that space we can see for your layout or just a convenient place where you can lay the modules temporarily?
Good to see you posting again mate, I've missed your contribution, you surely haven't completed all your cardboard structures ?.

I actually have 27ft x 17ft but I need another work bench and a place to store my Triton Work centre so I'm not going to fill all the space. I actually was going to build two layouts, but I've abandoned that ideal for now and we'll just see how it goes with On30. One of the reason why I went modular is we are quite mobile, and we may not be permanent in the UK. At least this way I can move my layout or parts of it to a new location.
This was also the attraction of going to a larger scale, is it's less stock to move.
There are no modular standards for On30 so you just get on and do your own thing.
Re the other point on holes for wires and things, I'll drill them once I've finished the basic carpentry, I'll just make a simple drilling jig to make everything interchangeable.
The timber is quite light being only 18mm # by nearly 4" the legs are going to be out of light gauge stock using a modified L girder. I have a basic 140 ft of track in the basic layout sketch, but this should be more than enough to stretch the legs of my 0 gauge stock.
For those just starting with Xtrckcad it took me less than 10 minutes to draft out my track plan, it's well worth the effort getting to know this program.

 

[Makemineadouble]

QUOTE You have some fairly tight curves there MMaD if I'm reading your track diagram correctly. One seems to a two foot radius and and another two and half. Will this be enough for your locos? question.gif

Most will On30 loco's will comfortably handle 18" curves, so 26" plus isn't a problem for On30 that the beauty of this gauge you can do a lot more with it.

 

[Makemineadouble]

I believe it's the fast growing gauge, very popular down under try:

why model On30

it's the fun gauge anything goes.......................................................

 

[Makemineadouble]

QUOTE Now you mention it I think I've seen some at the shows here. BTY where were you thinking of moving to? Back to SA?

Well give me a a few of those cold grey over cast days and I do wonder about this move. I do like it here in the UK and we have a very nice home, in a semi rual setting. My principle motivation for the move was I wanted to shoot a lot more (my other hobby is clay piegeon shooting) and I certainly have that. I shoot every weekend and unless it's really wet. Unlike south Africa there's no restriction on changing guns once you have a firearms certificate, so I have changed guns quite a bit to find the one thats right for me.
The other activity is we both enjoy going to model shows, lats weekend we went down to West Camel just outside Yeovil there was a small show there. This weekend we have the S&Djr trust show at Edington Village I always go on a Saturday due to my club commitments on a Sunday.
The other option we have for a move is Spain, hence my move into On30 which will operate nicely on a self layout. I would probably move back to SA but my Mrs is currently firmly in favour of staying here.
regards

 

[Makemineadouble]

QUOTE I see your On30 empire is a tad bigger than mine, maybe I need to add an extension!

Well we don't do things in a small way down here

..................

 

[Makemineadouble]

Here a photo of the other end of my studio - the working end.

the progress of the corner sections

 

[Makemineadouble]

I'm shocked !

 

[Makemineadouble]

Are we degenerating into who's the most untidy slob completion here ?, I haven't showed you my work bench yet there are at least three loco's in various bit of disassembly, boxes and rubble, mind I do seem to do my best stuff in an inspired state of Chaos.
BTW I've been contemplating a chop saw I think their great for layout work, Power tools are so expensive here.

 

[Makemineadouble]

Actually the floor is insulated. It's a raised industrial chip board, with a vinyl silver cover on it. The room it's self is well insulated but I'm going to buy a dehumidifier for it.
I'm had a change of plan, and the On30 layout is going back in the study as a shunting layout and the modular layout is back in the studio. I'll just enlarge the corner moduals so that they can take a minimum 30". I'm going to buy a chop saw and stand, as they are very handy to have. Power tools are expensive here, even a budget range saw and stand are going to set you back two hundred quid.
Today we have the S&Djr trust show at Edington S&Djr Activity it's a small show but means I can go down to the Somerset levels as well as my Mrs want to visit Burrow Mump
Pictures Barrow Mump
Burrow Bridge
We enjoy exploring and I'll take the camera as I might get some material for my water colours. It's also a good excuse to go for lunch.

 

[Makemineadouble]

I hardly ever buy cheap tools Mark, a decent chop saw and stand are going to be well over 300 quid.

 

[Makemineadouble]

Some photo's from today's Edington Show run by the Somerset & Dorset Railway Trust, my photo's feature
Engine Wood.
This is a single line cassette to Cassette fiddle yards with a typical S&Djr station and passing point and full working Semaphore signals, it's a very attractive and well run layout.

and one shot of Barrow Mump in the rain

enjoy

 

[Makemineadouble]

no it's not Glastonbury Tor BTW it's about 25% of the size. It's called Burrow Mump located at Burrow bridge on the Somerset levels. It's a medieval church on a mound on the Isle of Athelney the church was destroyed by the Roundheads during the English Civil War the Royalists used it as a fortification.

Here's my compound mitre saw it's going to be useful for those tricky corner units. In the background you can see the joke of our house, it's the top of my rubbish bin called Mr Clean.

Here my method of clamping up before assembly of another modual

and this is a bigger picture of the same

I've just started fabricating the first legs we might have a semi completed modual by tomorrow afternoon
it's all been a bit low key this week as I've been servicing a batch of loco's I have for sale. As you can see my current sponsorship is Triton.

 

[Makemineadouble]

Here's the first Modual assembled with the legs, these are light and very strong. The assembly still needs the location pads for the legs and a cross brace of each side.

 

[Makemineadouble]

This table is amazingly strong. The legs are glue and tack I also have a quality nailing gun and this saves a lot of time. Now I have the first one almost finished I have a sort of cutting list, and then it's full steam ahead on production. I'll photograph the leg particularly the top you'll see it's a clever design and self supporting.

 

[Makemineadouble]

QUOTE The On30 Module [email protected]@rd is a freeform module system that allows an almost limitless variety of different shaped modules. This flexibility extends to operational design as well by embracing both point-to-point and continuous running. Modules may be any length, straight or curved, and any width or shape between standard interfaces. The minimum requirements of the St[email protected]@rds will also allow many different existing module types to connect. Local groups and clubs are encouraged to add standards regarding scenic treatment and themes that suit their needs, as long as the additional standards do not interfere with the connection of modules built to the minimum standard.

Yes we are all aware of the basic modular standard how ever when it's applied to On30 there's a much more relaxed approach. The above summaries what I'm talking about.

 

[Makemineadouble]

A few pictures of my slow but steady progress. I ran a couple of test trains to day, the 2 truck shay has impressive gradient climbing power, while to Forney with the Tsunami's sound decoder sounds the best.

my latest purchase.

 

[Makemineadouble]

I'm workin on that !

I scheme I should have space when the milling M/C goes in next to it.

 

[Makemineadouble]

No I'm not into wood turning at all. I'll use the lathe to produce small bits and parts if I need them their are lots of applications. I'm interested in learning resin casting so there maybe an application for the mill as well.
I like ply it's stable compared with MDF and it's light. I'm not going for flat tops so the ply wood desert look is out, it was just handy to test a radii.

 

[Makemineadouble]

Brilliant stuff many thanks for the posting