Micro layout in O-16.5

[PinkNosedPenguin]

Following on from my workbench dabbling in O-16.5 (see here), I have decided I need somewhere to run my new trains

Not being ready yet to start my next proper layout yet, I have decided to build a micro layout / diorama to get some experience in actual modelling in 7mm scale, maybe try out some animations, and of course HAVE SOME FUN .

Hence I have ordered a 3ft x 2ft baseboard kit which should be arriving soon. To fit onto this small space, I purchased some second hand Fleischmann HO track (you know, the type with the infamous 10 inch radius curves!) as I didn't think I'd be able to curve O-16.5 flexi-track accurately enough that tightly! And I have this very simple track plan:
TrackPlan by Pink Nosed Penguin, on Flickr

As the track is 4mm scale, the sleepers are very small and close together for 7mm narrow gauge so I intend to virtually cover them when ballasting. However, I found that removing every other sleeper from a sample track piece improved the appearance considerably - as I am sure the sleepers will still be partly visible. So I think today's job will be sleeper removal from all of the track
IMG_9402 by Pink Nosed Penguin, on Flickr

More details to follow for anyone interested . . .

[Ex-Pat]

I found that removing every other sleeper from a sample track piece improved the appearance considerably -

Definitely the case!

[Bufferstop]

Don't forget whilst the ballast is drying a light dusting of static grass helps with the NG look.

[Mountain]

I look forward to watching things as they progress. Don't forget. If you use an old settrack point or similar, you can shorten it slightly to give you a little more space on the rest of the layout.
I started out with 3.5ft x 2 ft. I decided to double it so I can get trains of five or more coaches on a passing loop, but 3ft x 2ft is a nice size for a fun experimental layout, and it will fit in most cars as well, hence why I decided on using 3 and a half feet rather then 4 foot long boards.
Well done through finding those curves. I have never had any myself. With the sleepers removed they look the part. Mind you, some lines did use smaller wood as sleepers which needed to be spaced closer together, so either way it looks the part. Is nice to have the wide sleeper spacing look. Someone asked me what measurement I used for spacing. I didn't. It was my finger so however wide my finger was.. Something along those lines most real narrow gauge railways use, except they use someones foot or a stick etc.

[PinkNosedPenguin]

Thanks for comments.

So my 600mm x 900mm baseboard kit arrived and I checked the pieces fit together (made from 9mm MDF - just placed loosely in position for now):
IMG_9403 by Pink Nosed Penguin, on Flickr

I then also checked my intended track plan fits the board!
IMG_9404 by Pink Nosed Penguin, on Flickr

So far so good . . .

[Awaky]

Nice start. I will follow with interest.

[PinkNosedPenguin]

Thanks awaky.

As it was such a lovely day today I managed to spend some time out in the garden cutting some MDF
IMG_9405 by Pink Nosed Penguin, on Flickr

What is that weird shape I have cut in my baseboard? And it certainly produced some strange shaped offcuts
IMG_9406 by Pink Nosed Penguin, on Flickr

Well, of course, the idea is that the scenery will drop below the baseboard level in that corner - with the railway crossing a stream on a small viaduct:
IMG_9410 by Pink Nosed Penguin, on Flickr

With the frame cut so low in that corner I have added some extra bracing down at the bottom:
IMG_9408 by Pink Nosed Penguin, on Flickr

IMG_9412 by Pink Nosed Penguin, on Flickr

IMG_9414 by Pink Nosed Penguin, on Flickr

I'm gonna let the glue fully dry overnight and then maybe add some pins tomorrow evening . . .

[Mountain]

A slightly similar approach to what I was thinking about though a little different. Along similar lines though.

[TimberSurf]

Ingenious use of the offcuts You just need a mini mountain and tunnel in the opposing corner!

[Mountain]

Is also nice the way you have slightly offset the track.
The picture of the loco reminds me how small they are. Does the board feel heavy? Not that it matters being a small size.

[PinkNosedPenguin]

Is also nice the way you have slightly offset the track.
The picture of the loco reminds me how small they are. Does the board feel heavy? Not that it matters being a small size.

Thanks - no the MDF is quite light, though a much larger board would be heavier to handle of course . . .

[Dad-1]

Hi PNP,

I've not been involved as much as once ......

I'm so used to you being 'N', leaping to 7 mm scale is something else !!
I like the cut-away to get some depth, it'll be quite a narrow 'cut'. Still
I'm not surprised by you getting some height 'cos you did it to good
effect before.

Geoff T.

[PinkNosedPenguin]

Hi PNP,

I've not been involved as much as once ......

I'm so used to you being 'N', leaping to 7 mm scale is something else !!
I like the cut-away to get some depth, it'll be quite a narrow 'cut'. Still
I'm not surprised by you getting some height 'cos you did it to good
effect before.

Geoff T.

Thanks Geoff, I'm still adjusting from 2mm to 7mm scale

By the way, did you see my query about your curved viaduct on your St Oval thread?

[Dad-1]

I did and only just getting around to working out what I did, all so long ago !!

It was I recall quite complex as they were scaled to fit individual sides.
Obviously they were the same overall height.
I had the track outline drawn on the baseboard and then worked out how wide
the bridge would need to be. Then at right angles to the curving track stuck in
heavy trackbed supports that would be slightly behind any internal voids that
would need filling - somehow.

I then drew the slight taper to clear those internal supports, that way each
arch width was determined. I used a compas to provide the upper semi-circles
needed. Difficult to measure now but the outer pillars are about 60 mm, while
the inners are about 48 mm.

Then the only way I could think of filling those complex insides to my arches was to
plaster in.

In theory each side was proportional ............ Believe me I'm no plasterer and had
messy plaster all over the place !! I'm also not 100% happy, but who looks at the inside
finish of bridge arches ?? (Too Many !!)

That sounds like muddled thinking ....... It probably was. Somewhere I should have a
picture of that supporting structure. Probably in the thread and if I find it I'll give you
the link.

Geoff T.

March 2010 was a long time back - this may help

viewtopic.php?f=22&t=26513&start=30#p330726

[Alexander Court]

Love the trackwork, makes me want to hack up some of my hornby settrack, but I lack the tools to make a decent job of it and I've enough on my hands as it is, looking forward to more pics of your progress.

Alexander