Chris 1,398 Report post Posted February 11, 2015 All looks great, Dave. That really is a powerful view block. What else is planned, scenically? Just the tram terminus and inlaid track? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
piermaster 1,058 Report post Posted February 12, 2015 Just that Chris, nothing much else!! 1 Chris reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
buz 144 Report post Posted February 13, 2015 Hi piermaster Looks good Don't under estimate the level of detail you could go to if you so wish. regards John Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
buz 144 Report post Posted February 16, 2015 Hi piermaster Coming together nicely. Is the layout early enough for the now familiar red pillar box to be green ? If you choose to have one may I be so bold as to suggest a hexagonal one instead of round one. I take it on bin day the bins would be in a back alley instead of on the street? I can almost see Steptoe and Son plying there trade . regards John Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
piermaster 1,058 Report post Posted February 16, 2015 Hi John, It's supposed to be a heritage tramway in a heritage setting, bit like Beamish: It would be red hexagonal pillar boxes, a horse and cart, Model Scenes (ex-Merit) street lamps (modified or wall mounting), and support poles for the overhead span wires. On Peter Boyt's 'Crikey' tramway layout, the overhead wires are dummy and none of the cars run with their trolley poles up. The same will happen here for the Hong Kong tram model used by Bachmann is a single-ended car representing double-ended cars and the models trolley pole doesn't swivel! I may just fit the span wires. I'll be working in Glasgow later this week and will pick up some bits at Modelrail Scotland on the Friday. Cheers, Dave 1 47832 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
piermaster 1,058 Report post Posted March 1, 2015 (edited) Another half-day's work done today, It doesn't sound much but it was time consuming: Finished off the paving - under the bridge, Metcalfe cobblestone card used to make life a bit easier.Sealed up gaps in the plastic cobblestone sheets using slivers of card, Blu-Tack (which goes hard once painted) and thick coating of paint!Painted road surface throughout, weathering wash to be done.Found 4 Model Scene gas lights and stuck them in place - bases will be painted to disguise them.Added Harburn Hobbies hexagonal post box to street. That'll do for at least a week. Dave Edited July 5, 2015 by piermaster 2 Glenn Fitzgerald and Chris reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
buz 144 Report post Posted March 6, 2015 Hi piermaster That is starting to look very promising the devil really is going to be in the detail. Stay away from that sweet shop Will you be running single and double decker trams or just double deckers?? regards John Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
piermaster 1,058 Report post Posted March 6, 2015 (edited) Hi all,I kept looking at the Wills cobblestone paving I laid and kept thinking "It looks like a dog's breakfast" so up it came and in a fraction of the time I laid Metcalfe cobblestone card sheets. Oh, I bought a 1950s Mechanical Horse dustcart and a Milk Float with that roof advert that people like Bob and I remember from our childhood days 'Drinka Pinta Milka Day'.I think it looks a a lot better now:Now start saving up for the overhead!! Dave Edited July 5, 2015 by piermaster Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
piermaster 1,058 Report post Posted March 12, 2015 Just completed the Hong Kong Bus Stop model to become the Tram Shelter: It's different, and I like it!! 1 Chris reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chris 1,398 Report post Posted March 12, 2015 Tram stop is very nice, Dave, top job. I also think the layout looks better for the Metcalfe cobblestones. Seems to tie in better with the terraces behind. Keep up the good work. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
piermaster 1,058 Report post Posted March 16, 2015 Saturday 14/03/15: Whilst at Sawbridgeworth show, bought a handful of figures for £3!! Sunday 15/03/15: Tested the micro-layout - IT WORKS!!! Just ordered overhead poles and some wire. Need a works tram - I think another Bachmann Hong Kong Car done up as Hong Kong Works Car 400: https://www.flickr.com/photos/94402932@N00/8719613646/in/photostream/ More photos will follow. Dave Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chris 1,398 Report post Posted March 22, 2015 Looks superb Dave, particularly like the last shot. What are you going to be calling it? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
piermaster 1,058 Report post Posted March 22, 2015 Thanks Chris, It's going to have an unusual name, after a conductors final call "Terminus, All Change!!" Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chris 1,398 Report post Posted March 22, 2015 I like it!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chris 1,398 Report post Posted March 24, 2015 All you need is a metrolink tram going over the bridge and it would be Coronation Street!! Keep up the good work, Dave! 1 Jack reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Franco 104 Report post Posted March 24, 2015 (edited) :) May I suggest to replace the paving, that printed one spoils completely an otherwise very good ensemble! It's just my opinion of course. Edited March 24, 2015 by Franco Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
piermaster 1,058 Report post Posted March 24, 2015 :) May I suggest to replace the paving, that printed one spoils completely an otherwise very good ensemble! It's just my opinion of course. Hi Franco, I tried using the Wills cobblestone plastic sheets and it looked like a dog's breakfast,so up it came and replaced by the Metcalfe card sheets. Dave Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Franco 104 Report post Posted March 25, 2015 Have you considered using DAS or similar products? I experimented it on an old layout and the effect was very good, I admit it's quite a long process but the final result is worth the time spent on it. :) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
piermaster 1,058 Report post Posted March 25, 2015 Hi Franco, The camera lens and flash both exaggerate the size and colour of the cobbles in the photos, otherwise they look perfectly natural. Metcalfe sheets are widely used by tramway modellers. Dave Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chris 1,398 Report post Posted April 16, 2015 That's a very effective view, Dave. Like it a lot. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
piermaster 1,058 Report post Posted April 17, 2015 (edited) Thanks Chris, Wiring went up today: Edited July 5, 2015 by piermaster 2 Bob Hughes and blvrace reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
piermaster 1,058 Report post Posted May 18, 2015 (edited) Now getting things ready for this micro-layout's exhibition debut at the Braintree & Halstead MRC exhibition, at Braintree Arts Theatre, 15 Bocking End, Braintree CM7 9AE on Saturday 27 June. Bachmann Hong Kong/Birkenhead Cars 70 & 69 at the terminus with a 1960s/70s Hong Kong bus shelter.Still have 5 weeks to go, so I'm not panicking yet!!!! Edited July 5, 2015 by piermaster 1 Chris reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
piermaster 1,058 Report post Posted June 3, 2015 Nearly finished!!! Birkenhead cars 69 & 70 taken from the railway viaduct. Birkenhead cars 70 & 69 at the terminus. Now to add figures!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
47832 422 Report post Posted June 3, 2015 Looking nice!! One thing i must ask, I'm considering a few working trams myself but i'd like to know what they are like going around bends? The track id need would be at best second radius likely first? How do they behave?? Thanks, Tom Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
piermaster 1,058 Report post Posted June 4, 2015 (edited) Thanks Tom,Most trams will happily negotiate 1st and 2nd radius curves, some tram modellers even cut the webs out between sleepers of flexitrack and can bend the track to around 4 - 6 inches radius!!! The Bachmann Hong Kong cars are 4-wheel and take anything!!! The Kato Dusseldorf car is a longer 4-wheel vehicle and I've seen them negotiate 6 inch radius!!Running qualities do vary, one of my Bachmann Hong Kong cars is a really smooth and slow runner, the other Hong Kong Car can be a pain for it doesn't know what slow means!!! The Kato car is a lovely runner but a bit noisy.Hope this helps, Edited July 5, 2015 by piermaster 1 47832 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
