A next project? "Pye Rigg Works"

 Next Project?

"Pye Rigg Works"

The board after extending by about 4" and the track laid.

During the summer last year during the summer I found a baseboard originally intended for an H0e layout, size 39" x 20".  But during lockdown there was no rush to build anything, and it looked increasingly as though there was not going to be exhibitions anytime soon.  But as I seemed to be more enthusiastic about "O9" I tried to see if a small track plan in that scale would fit so I could run trains at home.  

I didn't plan any passing loops on what would be the scenic section, I just wanted something simple to run.  The track plan was too cramped on the board, so I extended it by four inches to what seems like my "standard" baseboard size of 43" x 20" (as I used multiples of this size on "Longstone", and "Raven Hill").  I laid the track, attached the turnout control rods and added a backscene board, then the winter came, and I concentrated on adding scenic details to "Raven Hill" so this new board was put into storage.

The existing track plan uses several "Y" turnouts, small passing loop at rear.

I had often wanted a "works" layout where the maintenance shed or the engine shed is featured.  It's nice to have a few locos or pieces of rolling stock being displayed outside the shed, and it could also be used as a back drop to take photos on.  

Recently I noticed some generic railway sheds made in laser cut MDF by Scenic Route Models in 00 scale.  The doorway height on one of the models was quite generous, and also the stonework is quite large, it looked like they may make a suitable basis for the sheds, so I decided to order a couple.

Engine Shed type with roof vents  

Maintenance Shed with opening doors

Provisional clearance checks when the items were received.

The two sheds will be side-by-side on the layout so they will also require two tracks leading into them.  The track arrangement for the inner sidings will have to be changed to allow stock to be shunted into the sheds, also, the head shunt will need extending across a small bridge over the beck.  

Existing, and planned track arrangement:-

I don't want the layout to appear too cluttered, so, once this large building has been fully made and sited I will then plan any other scenic features.

Pye Rigg Farm is a halt on the fictitious Penny Howe Light Railway line near to the residence of the lines manager and owner.  A small corrugated shed here acts as the maintenance depot for the line.  The story goes that the rolling stock has out-grown the tiny shed dating back to the original line and the new sheds are to be built to increase working capacity.  

The board at present, with the backscene board added.

Be sure to check-out the: O9 Model Railway Guide

Early February 2021 photos

 Some new photos:-

"Pyralis" enters the village station with a passenger train.

Farmer Stockwell and George Yorke chat after loading sacks of feed into the Land Rover.

Alf has been caught by his wife trying to go to the pub again, and the village "beautiful couple" Joe and Dawn plan another night out.

Leg system now complete.

The new 4-wheel balcony coach running on an Egger-Bahn chassis.  Lamp top still has to be fitted.

Be sure to check-out the:         O9 Model Railway Guide

Odds & Sods January 2021

 Odds & Sods January 2021

The above photo shows the start of construction of a 4-wheel coach for Raven Hill using part of some continental coach sides.  It will be an unusual type of coach with a saloon which will have seats arranged around the end and one side, and a door to a balcony.  Being 15" gauge, most passengers will not be able to stand-up fully on the balcony, it is just a means of getting into the saloon. 

Half-a-dozen S&D Models Phoenix figures purchased recently and now fully painted. 

It was time to think about how the layout is going to be supported when on display.  Four frames were made (two to support each board) with a raised edge front and back.  The idea being that the boards will sit on top of the uprights with the raised edges holding the boards in place so that they cannot slide forwards or backwards.

Instead of having diagonal cross pieces as braces, I opted to make two flaps for each set of legs, to be held in place by fitted hinges at the front, and also at the back by using loose pins (segments of knitting needles) through dis-assembled hinge loops.

A bit of a way to go yet before they are complete.

Small Details and New Stock

Small Details and New Stock

 

The two Tram Engines are just about complete and are pictured in the goods siding at Raven Hill.  They became "Leviathan" and "Pyralis" by the addition of name plates by Narrow Planet. 

Small details have been added to some areas on the baseboard seen here at the loco siding with tools, containers and coal bags. 

The rear of the Brake Van seen in the previous picture was built using Wills 4mm materials, plasticard, plastic strip, and an Avalon Line chassis which was widened at the buffer beams.

The "Big Brake" as it is known is seen just fresh from the paint shop and awaiting lettering and will be the passenger brake.

Being built in a similar way is the "Small Brake" for goods trains using a Peco N gauge NR-121 chassis.

More details here at the goods shed.  

I am slowly gathering a few more figures and a couple of more vehicles which have to be prepared/painted as yet, but here is Bert leaving the pub.

Joining Boards, and new Locos

I had a chance today to join the two boards together for a while to make sure they match.  The join needs a little cleaning-up and attention to colouring, especially by the engine shed before I am happy.

Above is a full width view to get the final effect.  

I am making a couple more lamps for the village board, but have also started two new locomotives....

"Pyralis" and "Alerion" are currently in the paint shop.  They are two old Avalon Line resin tram loco kits which will run on Farish 0-6-0 chassis.  They are basic kits but fit together nicely, and some details have to be added, so I have tried to add some controls in the cab: hand brake, reversing lever, throttle water glasses, piping, etc. and also handrails.  They also need brass bells and some good drivers to complete.

Progress on the Village board

 

More features on the board have now been laid out and fixed.  Above we see most of the village buildings, a War Memorial, and Post Box scene, complete with the first vehicle, a Morris 1000 Royal Mail van.

"Satyr" is posed on the goods siding.

"Oread" at the station with an early morning train.  Some figures are now being painted to go on the platform and around the village.

A view down the station loop and street beyond now with a wall at the edge of railway property.

"Orthus" about to cross the road into the station.

The War Memorial is by Langley Models and the 3D printed Post Box and Postman is by Smart Models.

Some Omen figures just about finished.

Wagon loads and assorted goods now painted.  Most are by Skytrex.

Yorke Animal Feeds (Ltd)

 Yorke Animal Feeds 

The weather's been grotty lately so we are working along the back scene from left to right placing buildings and images.  The warehouse was designated an animal feed merchant (eventually), so a sign and arch were created using some old dry print lettering, everything else I had was too small.  Opening gates and posts were made from plasticard to complete the building.  All it needs now is an old Land Rover parked outside and a farmer loading sacks.

Adding Buildings, and new loco.

 

"Orthus" posed for a photo on the new scenic section.

Positioning of some of the buildings on the village board is in progress.  Corner Cottage was glued in place first at a slightly higher level, as "Beacon Hill" rises behind the village.  A stone wall was created in front of the cottage (actually the rear of the building) with some railings added.

Corner Cottage in position with some watercolour calendar cut-outs added to the back scene to give more depth.

More of the village scene.

"Orthus" in primer.

I bought a resin Freelance Diesel kit from Barry McDowell, the mouldings are very good and the kit went together beautifully.  I love the look of the completed model, it runs on a Kato 103 tram chassis.

Above and below: "Orthus" ex-paint shop, pictured on the drawer module.

 

The diesel posed with Corner Cottage behind.

Corner Cottage

 Corner Cottage

Just finished is this cottage rear to fit into the corner of the village scene.  Made using a foam board shell again with the last remnants of some Redutex sheet for the stone walls, Juweela Pan Tiles and York Modelmaking window frames.  This should be the last of the buildings made to go into the village scene.

A Warehouse?

 A Warehouse?

Just completed is this warehouse for the village scene, but really I am not sure what it will be yet, possibly a garage, animal feed supplier, or an small engineering firm.  I was made using 5mm foam board again, but this time using whitewashed Slaters Large Stone sheet as the stonework.  Windows are by York Modelmaking, the office door is Peco and the other warehouse doors are scratch built.

Again I have used the Juweela Pan Tiles, the photo below shows the roof panels being made.  The building sits at a slight angle to the back scene so it was difficult getting panels cut to fit.

Yesterday I applied this "mush" to the village baseboard as the ground cover.  It's the lightweight filler/fine sawdust/p.v.a/acrylic paint/water mix I always use, and because of the good weather it has almost dried already.

Cottages for Raven Hill

 

A pair of cottages have just been completed to go with the pub.  They are made in the same way using a foam board shell with Redutex Stone sheet applied and Juweela Roof Tiles glued onto a card base.  For the windows, this time I used multiples of 4mm scale Dornaplas six-pane windows, and the doors are resin models from 422 Modelmaking.  Some flashing will be added on the roof where the cottages join the pub when I get to mount them on the base board.  Looking at the photos, I think the buildings would benefit from some curtains at the windows.

I also arranged all the buildings that I have so far on the village board to see what it may all look like.  A start has now been made on a small warehouse/works.

The Beacon Inn

THE BEACON INN

Along the back scene on the Raven Hill station board will be a small row of village buildings.  Here is the first of them.  Scratch built from 5mm foam board with Redutex stonework, the windows are 

York Model Making laser cut plastic and the pan tiles are individual tiles by Juweela.  

Hopefully, next along the street will be a pair of cottages made in a similar way.