Argyle Road - Reloaded

[dan8400]

Hi Mike,

making a good job of this layout. I like the brick arches at the back. Any chance of a quick explaination of how you did it and what you used?

Thanks
Dan

[mikem64]

Hi Geoff,

Not looked in for a few days so I apologise for the delayed reply. The plaster section seems to allow the trains to run OK, I've not had any issues yet, but then this is a DC layout which I find lets you get away with more quirks compared with my DCC system as used on Wordsworth.

Hi Mike,

making a good job of this layout. I like the brick arches at the back. Any chance of a quick explaination of how you did it and what you used?

Thanks
Dan

Hi Dan,

The Arched retaining walls are very simple too construct, I've used my own Brick paper but I did use Scalescene Arched brickwork to go over the arch itself. I made myself a template from 2mm card which I used then to plan where each one would go at set intervals. The rear panel is 1mm card & some brick paper inserts glued in place. I then used another sheet of 1mm card for the top covering. The arches were cut out, then I glued my brick paper directly onto this. The paper is then folded under around the arch openings, the arched toppers (From scalescene) were then glued over the archway. All in all a pretty good result.

I think the Heki scenic stuff then really sets it all off nicely, will be buying more of this on Saturday I hope, Doncaster Model Raiway Festival this weekend.

I've actually done a little bit more on the layout, have decided LED's will be put into the Water Tower, so I've added some white wash brick paper, a lovely white & red floor tile surface & finally some inner machinery. Will post some pic's later, will take these during daylight hours so you can see the detailing better.

Until next time, Catch you all later.
Mike.

[mikem64]

Hi Trooper,

Work slowly continues here on Argyle Road, this time it's a new building, once again it had to be something unique, was going to just go with a coal merchants but for some reason this crazy idea of having a timber yard sounded great.

So for a good few days I've been playing about with building ideas, opted for a wooden structure (Well card & paper wood effect ) After a false few starts the general idea gradually started to take shape.

I still have three more supports to go but enough is enough for todays building, eye strain & finger pain via cutting loads of 2mm card stock.

So here are a few pictures of the build in progress, this time in the kitchen, can keep & eye on the dog which I can't do in the loft, just wish he wouldn't nudge me when I have the craft knife in my hand.....


The side walls are built, roof supports going in.


Nice internal detail, made a bench saw which should look good once the timber & dust gets scattered everywhere.


The rear supporting legs are added.


A little closer look at the bench saw.


Closer look at the central supporting leg.....These take some making with chubby fingers...

Hope to get the last three front supports in tomorrow, then it can go in position on the layout. That should be the last building for Argyle Road so it's back to the scenic work again.

Hope to get all the lighting wired up soon, can hardly wait to see her glowing in the twilight.

Time to sign off & catch you all later,
Mike.

[thebritfarmer]

What a talent Mike, I don't know how you do it !! Just brilliant. That table saw is brill

[mikem64]

Hi Troop,

Finished cutting out the last three supports & then wrapping them in the timber effect covering strips. It was then time to add some Heki climbing foilage on the rear section which borders the hedge row. I just love this stuff as it's so realistic.

Wife was nagging for the kitchen table back so it was time to carry everything back up into the loft & other bits to the layout Argyle Road.

Have the Timber yard building on the layout, now it's time to build some wood stock to stand inside & around the yard, matchsticks are what I'll use for this.

Now ready for the road surface to go in then it's back to the basic scenic stuff.


View from the front which stands in the timber yard.


Entrance to the timber yard via the crossing.


View across the ploughed field.


From the line side.


Class A4 at the coaling tower & the Timber yard adjacent.

Another update draws to a close, really like how this is all pulling together, all stills needs weathering for further effect.

Catch you all later,
Mike.

[mikem64]

Hi Troop,

Well it took a bit of finding this thread, dropped well down into the depths...

Finally for the first time in ages I thought I'd spend time working on a layout, not done any work on Argyle Road or Wordsworth for sometime, toss of a coin & it was Argyle Road.

Went to start doing the DAS clay road & timber yard hard standing, so I found my clay & cleared the area ready for work..... But as usual my eye was drawn to the little signal box I'm using, it bugged me as I felt it was no longer up to the standard I wanted on Argyle Road.

I mean the single road & double road engine sheds have real windows fitted, LED lighting, the yard area has flood lighting, the water tower has windows & internal LED lighting in the lower section, my signal box was just too simple & plain now.

So the DAS clay was put to one side whilst an upgrade was carried out creating a more in keeping new style signal box, kept the basic design from the outside, it was the internal changes I've now added.

So with my usual piece of computer wizardry I came up with my new interior, OK not quite proto typical but it's my layout so it's me I have to make happy.

Only fitted one strip of three LEDs in this small box, starting to think my LED's I ordered have a blue tinge rather than the cool white I ordered, never mind they still look better than none at all.

It's photo time.......


This is the original signal box, basic design I like & is just right for the engine shed area.


Interior has wooden floor, 5 signal / point levers, nice cozy warm open fire with chimney breast.


Coloured interior walls.


Opted for a desk in my signal box.


Desk complete with three ink wells & leather writing pad.


A sneak peak through the windows showing off the fancy interior.


The final completed look, complete with name plate & a Wordsworth Model Railway Plaque


It's switch on time.....Hello Blackpool.LOL.


Signal man warming himself by the open fire.

I must get all the lighting finished, only need a few more wires & I'll be able to see for the first time the whole shed area lighted, just hope it all lives up to how I can see it in my mental images.

I will do the DAS clay next time, once this is down it's pure scenic work to complete.

So until our next encounter, have fun & hope you enjoy this little update.

Cheers Mike.

[Doghouse]

Hi Mike,

Was just wondering if you are making the Argyle Road signal box with interior detail available for download?
It would be the perfect compliment to the Wordsworth box, and one more lighting project for me.

Brian.

[nickbrad]

Hi Mike,

Was just wondering if you are making the Argyle Road signal box with interior detail available for download?
It would be the perfect compliment to the Wordsworth box, and one more lighting project for me.

Brian.

I'll second that, I could add an interior to the Metcalfe signal box I have yet to build, but a complete kit like that would be great.

[mikem64]

Hi Gents,

I'll certainly be uploading the Argyle Road signal box, this should be done in the next few days.

Things have ground to a halt again not only on Argyle Road but Wordsworth, I seem to have lost my way a little & everytime I try to do something I just don't know where to start, normally find if I have a break that buzz comes back..

As for the kits I'm in no mans land here, my trusted long friend the Brother DCP-540 printer finally broken last week, the company I bought my replacement from a Canon Pimxa IP4950 said it should have been with me Tuesday last week, here we are Monday into the following week & I'm still without a means of printing my kits off.

I contacted them & they can't understand why I've not received it, they then asked did I receive any missed delivery card....... You have someone wait in all day for a delivery that never comes, how frustrating is that. I now have too wait for them to investigate & find out whats gone wrong ?

So it's twiddle fingers time & spending some time in the garden whilst I wait, maybe the urge will come back & I can get cracking on my layouts as I still have loads to do.

Catch you later Gents,
Mike.

[Doghouse]

Sorry to hear of your printer problems - it must be so frustrating.
If a signature was required they should be able to track and trace the missing printer.
Hope you get it all sorted out soon.
Some time in the garden and a break from the loft ain't a bad thing now and again.

Brian.

[grhm]

Hi Mike
Just wanted to say a big thank you for your free downloads.
I've just complete my first model from your range, the Timber Yard, it has great detail and really looks the part, especially with the bench saw.
It was a bit tricky at first working out where everything fitted, fortunately I found this thread with your photos, then it all made sense.
Many thanks, Graham