More Bench Work

I have managed to finish the end section and have started to figure out where I am going to place the supports along the wall. The photo below shows the three meter long cross beam to make the end section more rigid.




Looking towards the wall section you can see the spacing of the new sections.

I have to place a bit of a gap between the supports and the wall due to the window sash and the brick support for the beam holding up the top level.

First Benchwork

Looking at the production line for the supports you can see the ones I have cut the slots for the supports on the left in the forground. The ones behind are just glued and screwed and have the support block for the bolt. One thing I will do differently will be to paint the supports before fixing them in place, It wasn't an issue on the first section because I could move it and lay it down.

A close up of the support bolts.

I have decided to paint the benchwork with an acrlic paint to seal it fron moisture.

The end section almost as I planned it, I will add the support for the facia on the second and third leves when the other sides are inplace.

New Plan and Benchwork Started

G'day all I am pleased to announce that the bench work is finally underway and I have modified the plan to suit the space better. I decided not to finish off the room completely yet due to access and mess issues while the bench work is under construction.

As you can see it is a bit different from the other plan but much testing has been done to arrive at this design. The deck width has been reduced to 400mm for ease of construction as well as less weight on the horizontal supports that appear as red on the plan.

The helix has been increased in size as well as the bottom edge being shortened.

The plan above is for the short section that will feature a tall trestle bridge for which I have measured and lowered the middle two supports for. I also modified the support and deck heights as I went, hopefully it will not turnaround and bite me on the bum.


The rear supports are made from two 70x19x1800 mm lengths of timber glued and screwed together to form a strong support. The block at the base is for the adjustable height fittings.

This is a shot of one of the two middle supports for the middle section, initially I did not plan to add lighting to the to section but I fund a cheap light weight solution so I added supports for a valance.

This shot shows how I attached the supports for the deck and valance, to minimise movement I used a router too notch the vertical supports for the horizontal ones.
I first used liquid nails and clamps to fix them in place and make sure they were square before letting them dry over night and put in some screws the next day.

Fox Valley Wheels Swap

I got some Fox Valley Models metal wheels to try on some of my micro trains wheels with the large pizza cutter flanges. First impression is that they look great but there is a bit of a height difference when the Fox Valley wheels are fitted but is not unmanageable. I think that for general use they would be a great addition just for operating and visual appeal but would highly recommend them for adding weight to lighter rolling stock and top heavy stuff as well.

Steam to Biloela

The coal wagon is in the next dead end siding to the right of the screen.


Here is the link to my video of the trip.
http://www.youtube.com/user/qtrain1#p/a/u/1/2Is8EQWx90w
And part two.
http://www.youtube.com/user/qtrain1#p/a/u/0/L3mHCo9E5hQ

Whats happening at the moment.

I have been thinking alot lately about what I want to do with the time avaliable to me with a young family. I have decided to let a few things go and concentrate on my layout once I have finished a side project that currently takes up most of my modeling time. The layout room is nearly finished and just needs the old door replaced with a glass sliding door.

What's new

G'day and sorry for being a bit slack but I have been busy on several projects that are not rail related mostly to do with the yard and garden but some of it is moving the model club to its new home. The angry midget who lives with my wife and I also celebrated her first birthday recently.
I have nearly finished the layout room I am just waiting for my tax return to get the funds to replace the old garage door with a sliding glass door.
Oh yeh I need some lights too.
I also managed to pick up this really usefull tool (shown below) on ebay, made by Proses Model Railway Accesories it uses magnets to hold kit walls so yo can glue them. You get four in a pack and they even have cut outs so yo can glue around them.

Angry midget with her grandfather on her birthday.