Time to build a railway...but where?

[Peter Butler]

I have been busy.... honestly I have. Trouble is, doing things not railway connected, you know, boring things like household repairs and maintenance!
But... I have managed to sneak in a new build which is progressing slowly but surely.
For a long time I have had a motor/gearbox unit which I attached to a bogie made from Meccano. This sat on a shelf for possibly three years before I decided to do something with it....

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As you can see, I also made it FWD with Delrin chain and sprockets.
The next major decision was the type of vehicle it should power and that was inspired by a friend who mentioned a Rail-bus. so.......

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After a coat of primer it has now reached this stage...

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As you can see, the glazing can be slotted down between the inner and outer skins of the side walls and, after passengers have been installed, the roof stuck on.
The motor is only 6v but plenty powerful to draw one coach, my Hearse. The bus is fitted with RC Trains Tx/Rx system which works brilliantly for slow running.

[ge_rik]

Brilliant, Peter! Was the bonnet recycled from something else?

Rik

[bazzer42]

If I was younger that would be gert lush! I reckon you've surpassed your own high standards with that beauty. What livery are you going for?

[LNR]

A great job Peter as usual. Do I detect some Irish influence in the design? Looking forward to the stunning paint job I'm sure you will apply when finished.
You've beaten me to the idea, was pondering a rail bus to include a tumblehome body after following River Lin's project in the rolling stock section of the forum.
Grant.

[Big Jim]

That has got to be a better bearers car than the stretched vauxhall that the local undertakers use around here.

I need to suggest to the diocese that 2ft gauge rails are laid in every local church yard.

Mind you one in my parish is so steep it needs a funicular and it is very embarrassing if you are leading the hearse and have to stop for a good cough halfway up.

[jim@NAL]

great looking model peter .how do you make your rivets ? and I do like your glazing idea where it slots in im going to have to copy that

[Peter Butler]

Well.... thanks guys for your comments, you spur me on!
So many questions, I will try to answer them all.....
Rik.... Bonnet. This came from a plastic model car which I won on ebay ages ago. It was a novelty radio but absolute rubbish, however, it was cheap and I only wanted the model. Out came the saw and off went the body!
Bazzer.... Livery. My original intention was to paint it black so it could draw my Hearse, which doesn't get out much! However, you have made me think again and if a suitable livery can be found I might be tempted?
Grant..... Tumblehome. Isn't River Lin's coach a masterpiece? I can't compete with that but was inspired by his method of construction to try to make the tumblehome in plastic sheet. I chickened out as the prospect of splashing liquid solvent all over made me think it would end up as a soggy and deformed mess. I work in plastic and know its (and my own) limitations. River Lin is a master of his material and can create things I would find difficult.
Big Jim... I think railways in churchyards are a great idea. When you eventually get your own parish perhaps you can emulate the late, great, Teddy Boston and have your own proper railway in the grounds.
Jim @NAL.... Rivets. The bonnet has rivets moulded on, large ones on the front suspension bracket are hand made from punched out plastic sheet. The ones on the sub-frame are from Cambrian Models.
I hope this answers you questions.... just to decide on livery now!

[Big Jim]

For those who think the idea of a railway in a cemetery is far fetched.
Google the London Necropolis Railway

[jim@NAL]

London Necropolis Railway was on bbc 3 or 4 the other evening very interesting

[tom_tom_go]

Great idea with the glazing.

[Peter Butler]

Great idea with the glazing.

Must admit not my idea Tom, copied from elsewhere but used before and it certainly works. It keeps adhesive away from paintwork and hides all edges of the glazing material. Also prevents glazing being pushed inside the carriage body and having to open up for repairs.

[FWLR]

Well i have finally read all your thread Peter and it certainly is inspiring, trouble is i will have to start again to take in all the information you and others have given lol.

Seriously brilliant layout and truly brilliant modelling, i don’t think i will show any of mine when i get round to building something. Still waiting for the locos and track i have bought, but it may be a month or 2 before i can lay the track and run something on it.

look forward to more from your excellent thread Peter.


Happy Modelling

[Peter Butler]

Thanks for your comments and praise... I'm glad you enjoyed the thread and perhaps you can put some of the information to good use. I hope you are not put off posting pictures and details of your railway as everyone works to their own ideas and skill level... this is not a competition.
Looking forward to seeing your work.

[FWLR]

I will post photos Peter, i don’t think it will stop me, seeing how great most of the layouts are, i will try to achieve something that everyone will enjoy either running or seeing. I just love trains and layouts, my partner says i should of started years ago when i was a bit fitter lol

Happy Modelling

[Peter Butler]

another wonderful model peter how long does it run on one charge

Jim.... at last I think I can answer your question..... today I was at a local gala weekend meeting of miniature steam traction engines and ride-on railways in Pembrey Country Park near Llanelli, South Wales. There they have a SM32 track and I ran my stock all day as very few others use it. The tram loco was fully charged yesterday and it ran almost continuously throughout the day (along with others) for at least 6 hours drawing the double deck tram. I am pretty satisfied with that performance. It has now been re-charged for another day's running tomorrow, subject to dry weather!

[FWLR]

Have you anymore updates Peter, love seeing your work.

[Peter Butler]

Thanks Rod, I have been busy but not on my garden railway. Today I exhibited at a local model railway show and tomorrow, Sunday, I will be at a Toy and Train Fair with my display. I will post pictures later.
My main project has been to build a portable Garden Railway for our next club exhibition competition. This has occupied most of my time recently but is now finished. Again, pictures to follow.

[LNR]

Ah!. I wondered why your town planning committee were procrastinating over their High Street approvals. I have to keep telling myself, this is a hobby for ones spare time. Doesn't work though.
Grant.

[Peter Butler]

At last, something to report... my weekend was spent at two shows, Saturday at a local model railway exhibition and Sunday at a toy and train fair. Neither was well attended by visitors but we enjoyed our time there.
My recent layout work has been on a portable garden railway layout for exhibition purposes. The idea came about following a club member receiving a gift of a 'Train set in a tin'

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The contents are what it says on the tin! £10.99 (post free)

One of our lady members suggested it could form the basis of our annual competition and I have been immersed in building my entry , so much so it is completed months before the show. It will be something to display at various subsequent exhibitions.

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The rules are simple... baseboard not to exceed 24 x 20 inches.
I couldn't resist building it into a larger scale and setting it in a garden!

[LNR]

Showing all the detailed elements of your usual great modelling techniques Peter. A bit more than an hours work, I would imagine. So completely finished, something I never generally achieve.
Grant.