Making Code 40 Track: N Gauge Model Railway Layout Elvenhome 169
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- Опубліковано 18 жов 2024
- In this video of my N Gauge Model Railway layout Elvenhome, I build a jig to allow me to make my first piece of Code 40 track. I also take a look at the churchyard and area around Grey Havens to decide what improvements or refurbishment is needed. Two sound fitted locos are on duty today the Standard 2MT and a LMS 4F
The new small vacuum that I mention in the video was bought by me from Amazon here is the link (its not an affiliate link)
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Hi Stephen, that’s a big commitment making your own track but is a great challenge and I would imagine once finished, very rewarding! Regarding the church grave yard, I’ve read lots of other people’s suggestions in the comments but I situs be tempted to reduce the size of the grave yard and make the gravestones much closer together then have an area for future plots and maybe a funeral taking place as a cameo scene, by the tunnel portal I would add in some scenery such as trees with a old crypt within them, a spooky scene 👻! Great running session with the onboard camera! Cheers Gary
Hi Gary. Making the track was very satisfying as was making the jig. I am seriously considering doing the whole thing in Code 40 if I can work out how to build the bit in the platforms with the drainage pits. The PECO inspection pits would make that much easier but that would mean code 55 track. I have a number of sets of gravestones on their way to me and I have an idea for a cameo scene but not a burial. I am afraid I simply don't like any of the kits of figures available for a burial scene. I am about to have a go at building a family vault to see if I can add a few of those. I enjoyed filming the bits for the running session. It's so nice now to run the train cam along the line and it being within the scenic area the whole time. Stephen
Love the camera on board during the running session. Before fixing up the vicar's house. You might want to get his approval before starting any work. Bill and Janet from California
Hi Bill and Janet. I really enjoy using the train cam and I'm pleased you like seeing the result. I think you are right about consulting the vicar. He is a very sentimental sort so he might not be keen - but then neither am I to start the work on a replacement which must be telling me something. Stephen
Good evening Stephen! Wow! Making your own track? Now that seems a bit frightening! Well, maybe not the straight bits, but if you ever get into points or crossovers... I do like the look of code 40 though! Makes you wonder why the sleepers aren't a bit more spaced out in code 55 or even code 80? I think you could double the number of headstones in the graveyard and there still wouldn't be enough! Although saying that, many graves in the church where my grandparents are buried didn't have headstones, and were just simple mounds with a vase for flowers! The graves were very close together, with very narrow paths in between plots of something like 8 x 2! There were also tombs, like you see in the old horror movies, with bells installed, that could be rung should you be mistakenly entombed! How deliciously morbid! Lol! I'm in two minds about the vicarage! You obviously love the model, as it has some meaning to you, being an early creation! Maybe you could build something new, and see how it looks by comparison, then move the existing vicarage or keep it and use the new one elsewhere? All the best, Ian.
Hi Ian. I have to say that I really like the look of the Code 40 track. I fear I may have been bitten to the 2mm fine scale bug. I am going to get a FineTrax turnout kit just to see how hard it is to build it. I have quite a few gravestones on order and I'll see what it looks like once they are in. I am going to have a go at building some family vaults if I can find things to use for the external decoration. Having looked at some images they ae not all gothic horrors especially pre victorian ones so maybe a bit of time with some strip styrene will do the trick. I love the idea of a bell to prevent unintended entombment. The vicarage does seem to have a sentimental attachment for me. The key thing for me is that I can find no enthusiasm to build a replacement, unlike the tombs which I am keen to get on with. Stephen
Hi Stephen, I think the vicarage is one of those buildings that just fits. There is always the risk of what replaces it just doesn't have the same feel.
The code 40 track looks great. It's going to ve a labour of love to get that done. But I will definitely be worth it. I look forward to seeing the progress.
All the best
Allan
Hi Allan. You are right about the vicarage and you've encapsulated nicely my feeling. It is going to stay as it is. I do like the Code 40. Still to decide if I do want to only use that, which comes with significant challenges for modelling in and around the station. Stephen
Hi Stephen, it was great to see the 2mm society track next to Peco code 55 - I was surprised at how noticeable the wider gauge is. I think N gauge wheels would have a lot of lateral wobble on that - they're bad enough on N gauge track! Since you've mastered making your own jig potentially you could cut those sleepers to only a couple of mm wide around each track tie in order to build an inspection pit-style track bed yourself (and could set it to a true-to-scale gauge if the wheels can take it, rather than under-scale N gauge or over-scale 2mm finescale gauge)? I can confirm that the FineTrax track is put together in exactly the same way as what you showed in this video (though I bought a jig along with the track, since it was pretty cheap), and had similar flexibility and webbing arrangement in the sleepers - it seems like the only difference is the gauge. They recommended a slight chamfering with a file to the end underside of the rail to help it slide into the ties with less risk of damage. Another nice thing about FineTrax, presumably also available in the 2mm stuff, is realistic-looking fishplates.
If you were able to have the Grey Havens board out and securely held up on its side without too much falling off, or even on some kind of stilts, potentially you could excavate all or part of the vicarage house internal footprint to slot something up from underneath it, like a light box to attach behind a window?
Thanks Jonathan. I am currently swithering about whether I build the whole track in 2mmFS or use the PECO inspection picks and build in Code 55. I am very attracted to going with 2mm. The main thing is building the drainage pit section. The rail chairs sit on sleeper pads which are flush with the surrounding concrete. The more I think about it the likelier I am to have a go at doing that, and maybe I will use my test section of track to test build the first section of one of the lines in the station. It will be quite a bit of fiddly modelling to get it right, but that after all is why we model in this scale I suppose. As of the vicarage, well I am inclined to leave well alone there and think about what else I might do in the area. Stephen
Stephen, another interesting video. With respect to the graveyard, sometimes the headstones are arranged in ranks, very close together, almost touching. There are often pavements of flat slabs instead of headstones. The great and the good have vaults, obelisks, needles, sculptures, and box-like sarcophagus structures. Some more easily made than others! If you can prise the vicarage off the baseboard, you would be able to insert a sleeve with rooms for the lighting. Regards, Stephen.
Thanks Stephen. I think more graves and different ones are needed as you say. I want to see what I can create. It helps - if that is the right word - that my daily walk takes me through a graveyard for source material. I've had a look at the vicarage and it is very well stuck. Stephen
@@Elvenhome Oh well. Give the vicarage an outside light. Cheers! Stephen.
Code 40 is fantastic. The points from British Finescale, although a bit pricey allow so much better running through the common crossing. Although I'm an N Gauger, I joined the 2FS to get hold of track and copper clad to build my own points. Although Templot is a monster to learn, it's possible to build some nice curved points using it.
Hi Neil. I am very impressed by Code 40 track and I will at some point get a turnout kit to see how difficult it is to build. I saw some of the work that one of the members of the 2mm FS Association was building based on a Templot plan, which involved some very complex junctions. It looked very good indeed. Stephen
Hi Stephen. I'm quite intrigued to see how the Underground "diorama" turns out. Churchyard trees shedding their leaves: I don't recall you saying that your layout depicts any particular season, so why not set the churchyard in Autumn by painting the trees in autumnal colours? Yes, I think the curve in the road needs a street lamp. Vicarage: I remember you building this. If you think the building will get sufficiently damaged in removing it, then invoke the old adage "if it ain't broke, don't fix it". Consider that the vicarage is in a bit of the village that is suffering a power cut!
@@PaulSmith-pl7fo Hi Paul. There will be more on the underground layout in the next video. It may be possible to recover some of the spindly trees but I’m also wondering if I might do something different in that area. Lots to think about. I think you’re right about the vicarage. Usually I can’t wait to start a scratch build but the fact I haven’t started on a replacement is telling me something. Stephen
Hi Stephen, re the graveyard, could there be a small war graves commission area and even an area unused for the future. Who knows, the graveyard may be full by the 1070s,I’d also like to see a grave ready for a coffin too but maybe that’s being a little morbid. Cheers Phil
Hi Phil. Funny you should mention a small Commonwealth War Graves plot - I've been painting today and I'll say no more on that subject but watch this space. The graveyard is meant to be full, but in its makeover I may not stick with that. I'll have a think about an open grave. The board isn't very deep so I can't leave a 12mm deep hole, but maybe I can have two men filling a recently filled plot. Thanks for the suggestions. Stephen
Hi Stephen. Regarding the graveyard. Don’t forget that grave plots are sold, not given, so the graves would be in a uniform pattern of rectangles. Also, there don’t appear to be any ‘family’ plots with a large monument above. These were very popular in the era you are modelling. One final thought: to add character why not have a burial in progress. That way if the vicar is at the graveside he would have switched his house lights off!
Hi Graham. I agree with you about family vaults. I’ve been trying to see if I can get some architectural mouldings small enough to build some, or a kit for a small church I could cut bits from. No luck yet but I will keep searching. I did think of a burial taking place but there are only a few kits available and they are on many layouts. I also have my vicar carefully painted in his dog collar waiting to go on the layout. Stephen
That Grave Yard has always worried me. Perhaps make it a Crematorium, then there will be less chance of coffins falling through into the tunnel underneath! Vicarage looks OK. Put some of the new gravestones between the existing ones, but crowd them in one area of the Churchyard. If do them in a well-kept state then that would be the poor folk's section. Or model the "new ones" in a rundown/overgrown condition. This would depict an older area of the Churchyard & help establish that the church has been there for sometime.
Thanks Chris. The graves were there first of course - at least in the mythical world of Elvenhome - a the tunnel was bored with strict instructions not to wake the dead. I agree with you this the area needs to be more tightly packed and that is what I am going to be doing I think. A bit of patchy grass needs to go on because it is too well kept for an old graveyard as you say. Stephen
Great video Stephen. I so admire your patience with the track. My eyesight wouldn’t let me attempt anything like that. With regard to the vicarage, I think you’ve already decided to leave well enough alone. I quite like the idea someone suggested , to start to build another one to see how it turns out. Maybe it could be used elsewhere. I know what you mean about changing things you like about your efforts. I look forward to catching up on with your next update. Thanks for sharing. Roy.
Thanks very much Roy. The code 40 track is making me wonder about using it completely although that will give me a wee problem in building the station lines with their drainage pits. I have decided to leave well alone with the vicarage. It just looks right where it is. Stephen
Wow Stephen, when at look at code 55 compared to the code40 fine scale it looks like you are comparing N gauge to Z gauge! The fine scale looks much wider. Also have you neglected watering those trees? My neighbour had a Johnny 7 which was based on a Vietnam type machine gun, it also fired rockets and hand grenades from memory, i have seen them on Ebay from time to time. In regards to the vicarage and lighting the may be an alternative, if you get inside the vicarage all you need do is put a box Behind the window you want lit and run a mini LED into the box. This way you can keep it intact as it is a great building. IF you can't gain access you may have pretend the Vicar is on holiday permanently, but you could have outside lights. It would be interesting to know how trains perform on the code 40. Very interesting video and great running shots.
Hi Chris. The track is much finer and the gauge is slightly wider although N gauge wheels work fine because they have quite a wide flange. The 2mmFS sell replacement wheel sets which have much finer flanges. A lad in my street got a Johnny 7 one Christmas and really had bragging rights for months. The vicarage is very well stuck down. I really don't want to damage it trying to get it off unless I have resolved to replace it. Maybe I can get some light at the front. I'll have to see what is around. Stephen
Hi Stephen - a really good thought provoking video. The code 40 track does look the business and you'd probably get imense satisfaction in knowing you've built it from the sleepers up. Might be an idea to ballast a small trial bit of code 40 and do the same for a similar length of code 55 and then compare the finished article - might help you decide. As for the vicarage - I would leave it alone if I'm honest - it looks the part as it is. Have you thought of putting in some further footpaths into the graveyard or possibly trying to introduce some uneven ground ? Can I ask where you picked up that little hoover from - someone's birthday next month so might be a nudge to my better half when I'm asked for ideas 😅. Enjoyed the running session - the shots of all those locos in the shed area - especially pleasing as were the one on the curved viaduct. I'm going to GETS next month - down Friday night and back up late Saturday afternoon - have you thought about going ? Cheers Euan
Thank Euan. I do like the look of the Code 40 track and I can see me doing something with it as some point. My main issue is how I might model the station area with it where there really aren't sleepers as such. I put a link in the description of the video for the hoover. It's from Amazon, so easy to add to a wish list 😉. I thought at one point yesterday that I would not have a running session, but I was pleased with the eventual result. I have a couple of things on in October so didn't look at going to GETS, but maybe next year. Stephen
Keep your endeavours they area milestone for your layout will be interested to watch your track making.
Thank you Peter. I think that is my feeling with the vicarage. Stephen
For me, I'd keep the vicarage as is, but the church in my opinion is taking up too much dead space, I'd split the scene in two, gravestones one side and create a scene on the other side. Perhaps a grave being dug, a funeral or both. I'd also have a few larger trees scattered around toward one of the walls, perhaps apple with a couple of kids scrumping
Thanks for the suggestions Bramel. I like the idea of kids scrumping and I happen to have a small apple tree or two that I didn't use in the vicarage garden. Stephen
Another fascinating video. As far as the corner of the churchyard is concerned, you could make it a compost heap which would let you make it different from the rest of the grass.
Thanks John. A compost heap hadn't occurred to me but that is just the thing for that corner. Thanks for the idea. Stephen
Hi Stephen
That is very fine track and it looks great, when it comes to the vicarage you could always build a new one and not make the decision till it’s completed so you have both options to make your decision, I’ve just realised how quickly time flies it doesn’t feel like 7 years since you were working on that part if the layout. Great running session, I’m looking for a train cam are there any that you would recommend or that you have used. Thanks Nat 🚂👍
Hi Nat. I can see the attraction of Code 40 and 2mm finescale. If you've ever seen the layout Copenhagen Fields that is made all in code 40 track. That is an interesting idea about the vicarage. I've always seen it as an either/or choice, but maybe starting the job of making it will tell me if I can make something that like as much or better. As for the train cam, everything is about compromises. In my case the cam had to be in gauge all the way round the layout to get through tunnels and along platforms, so that rules out all of the little cube cameras which are too wide, or anything wider. That limits the quality of the image - there are certainly better quality images out there. My little spy pen camera does the job for me and I think the images are good enough. Stephen
If you really want to light the Vicarage you could try cutting out the whole footprint rather than just a lighting hole. This would give you the chance to do separate rooms as an insert from underneath. But don't leap into that because it would be a lot of work.
Hi again Chris. I think I am going to leave the vicarage alone and see what else I might do in that area. I am not a particularly sentimental sort, but I have a lot of affection for that scratch build and I don't want to damage it. Stephen
That patch in the corner - isn't that where the compost heap for grass cuttings / wheel barrow / tool store / bonfire / shed for the chap who keeps the churchyard tidy would be located?
Thanks Colin. That would be a great use of the space and I'll have a think what kind of building I might use there. Something like a plate layers hut might do nicely. Stephen
Regarding the vicarage. Would you be able to cut a hole underneath it and then insert your light. But also put blackout over windows you dont want light shining from.
Hi Peter. I have thought about doing that but I think with the vicarage it a bit all or nothing. Anything I tried to do now would be second best to building anew to get the effect to a good enough standard. I also have, unusually for me, adenine tap attachment to the vicarage building. I’ll have to think a bit more and see if I can get some light in the garden I some way. Thanks for taking the time to comment. Stephen.
Greetings Elvenhome and hello Stephen 👋 I was wondering what UA-cam made of your "aunt's" name 🤭 I was afraid you could end up over 18 like the National Treasure 😇 Instead of lighting the Vicarage 🤔 what about adding headlights to the car 🚗 coming into the drive 💡 poor Vicar late home after tending to his flock 🐑😇 Very best wishes from the Emerald Isle ☘️
Hi paul. I think in the Rebel Colonies my dear aunt's name is a colloquialism for the rear end - on might uncharitably say no surprise they get everything back to front! Lights in the car would be quite something, but not sure the model could be adapted. Still something to think about... Stephen
That car just needs the right jig 💡😉
Can you give me a link to where I can buy the vacuum please?
@@allenhardy3899 Hi Allen. I put a link to the vacuum in the description to the video. You may need to expand it to see it. Stephen
@@Elvenhome ace, I will file it for when I am allowed to spend again 😔