Tag: Model Railway

Posted on in Model Railway, Model Railway Scenery

Creating a small lake

Using a piece of clear acrylic sheet to create a nice looking small lake. Firstly I scribed and shaped a piece of thin cardboard to fit the area of the lake. Which I used to glue to the acrylic sheet and cut out on my band saw. With a bit of careful sanding and filing I achieved a very good fit and result. All that was required was to paint the underside of the acrylic sheet. I used 3 different colours, one black one tan and the other light blue. These were sprayed in different spaces on the clear areas of the acrylic. After drying the protective layer was removed to show the result. Now all that is needed is to glue down and fill in to the level of the water. I do intend to have some water trickling down into the lake from out to the right once I work out he best way to achieve this.

Posted on in Model Railway, Model Railway Scenery, Model Railway Structures

Scratch building using match sticks and balsa sheet

It’s interesting to see what you can scratch build using basic materials and a scale rule. The timber stacking shelves and swings was made using match sticks and balsa sheet. I also used fine paper clips for the metal parts of the swings. I am very happy with the timber stacks but feel I could improve the swings.

Scratch build swings and timber storage shelves.
Timber lumber supplies starting to take shape.
Fun at the park (foam is holding a place for milk bar and butchers)
Oh the Jacaranda trees
Posted on in Bench and track work, Layout Control System, Model Railway, Track Planning

Track plan circuit board

This was an interesting activity to have a go at, with one unforeseen side issue. After I had completed this, I later realised that I was going to undertake an extension to the layout, which meant I not longer had a place for the new turnout on the track plan. But I found that using Train Controller software that a new track plan could easily updated and changed to suit my system. I have since done a couple of other changes to my layout that can be incorporated as well. (Still have one more change to go) The train controller software uses Hot Keys to toggle the turnouts (as well as clicking on the turnout) and you get a visual of the computer monitor to show turnout position. I find this very good, but it is also very handy to have the old system as it can be used when I don’t have the computer on.

Push button track plan turnout indicator and switch.
Lots of wires to hookup to get the circuit board working, but we’ll worth the effort and rewarding after it was finished.
Train Controller track plan. The labels inside the track plan are manual driving routes for automatic and manual driving together.