RNAD Tamar Valley-A 009 scale layout set in Devon UK

[Mark Branson]

Eventually I've got to the stage where I can start to build this layout based on an imaginary Royal Naval Armaments Depot (RNAD). RNAD Tamar Valley acts as a satellite depot to RNAD Ernesettle and is situated further up the beautiful Tamar Valley. It is connected to the standard gauge Gunnislake branch. According to local folklore the depot stores some pretty specialised explosives although defence spending cut backs loom and the fate of the depot is uncertain.

I'd thought long and hard about how to present this layout and had imagined doing something with an engine shed, standard/narrow gauge transfer shed and explosive storage facilities. I really couldn't get a plan together I was happy with and decided that it might be easier to concentrate on one aspect of this as opposed to all three.

Last week I made up three baseboards from 75cm foam insulation board and ply. I had an off cut of insulation board that measured about 4ft x 10.5inches.

As I wanted this to be a quick project I came back to this picture on Flickr of RNAD Trecwn and thought I could base the layout on this picture.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/34938158@N ... pai-gp65J6

The baseboard is lined with 6inch (5.5mm) ply and braced with timber on the corners and across three points of the board. It is very light weight but rigid being glued and nailed together with a nail gun.

Presentation wise the layout will be exhibited on 4ft legs for ease of operating and viewing. Next week the plan is to encase the sides and rear and build a detachable lighting unit which will fit over the top. Operation will be from the front using a Gaugemaster handheld feed back controller.

Today I've cut the track to shape ready for cork underlay to be glued to the foam board. Here's where I've got to so far today.


RNAD Tamar Valley 30-10-13 008 by kettering15b, on Flickr

As you can see trackwork is PECO Code 80 Mainline track and points. The siding on the left hand side of the photo is obviously the loading/unloading bay. I've added an additional storage siding too off the run around loop. Point's will be operated by Caboose Industries point throws and there will be 1-2 isolating sections.

They'll be a fiddle yard of about 9 inches using cassettes at the top of the photo.

The concrete building if you can call it that will be made from mounting board and slot into a hole made made in an embankment made of foam board, Static grass will be used and trees will be made from sea moss. There may well be a couple of other minimal structures to add some relief to the setting.


RNAD Tamar Valley 30-10-13 002 by kettering15b, on Flickr

Rolling stock wise the excellent Narrow Planet 'Yellow Peril' Baguley-Drewery's I built recently will form the motive power. Some scratch built/adapted RNAD wagons are being built and hopefully a couple of the proposed Hudson crew/brake vehicles from Narrow Planet too when they are released.

Think this should be a nice little project and offer something a bit different. Hopefully, it shouldn't take too long to build either.

Cheers,

Mark

[Mark Branson]

I've been a bit quiet on here of late with work getting in the way of things but the eight day stretch was rewarded with four days off. So on Friday I took off up to Lincolnshire to use my brother's excellent workshop and wood cutting tools and have had a productive few days.

Sadly, today I couldn't take any photos outside (Unlike yesterday which was beautiful and sunny) due to grim-grey weather. I did fire off a few shots on my mobile to show the progress on RNAD Tamar Valley. Here's a general overview shot I took from the doorway showing the completed set up which is very sturdy.


htc bits 053 by kettering15b, on Flickr

Then a close up shot of the leg structure and brace-including the important retractable pencil holding everything together ;). I brought another bolt and wing nut at Wickes in Lincoln on the way back so the pencil will be dispensed with. As you can see three bolts hold the structure together very steadily and it is erected in minutes. The baseboard then sits on top nicely.


htc bits 051 by kettering15b, on Flickr

The baseboard itself has now been encased in a 5mm ply structure. The front fascia panel is detachable and is held on with four screws-not those ratchet clamps seen in the photos ;). Then a lighting structure fits over the case ready for suitable illumination which can be seen in the first photo.

The track has been laid although I've wired something up incorrectly so need to go back through this and work out the problem. In the background you can see two other sheets of insulation board awaiting their turn for other projects,


htc bits 050 by kettering15b, on Flickr

I've started cutting and sanding the insulation board for the scenery although this isn't shown.

Hopefully, once the wiring is sorted out I can put a photo backscene in and start on the scenics and on the building based on the one taken of the Trecwm structure in the Flickr link in the first post.

I'm debating about adding a container (stores/works) and possibly a water tank made up using a Wills kit I have with a scratch built steelwork structure for the legs to even out the appearance of the layout and add some visual interest.

Cheers,

Mark

[croquy]

Hey Mark,

What an unusual subject choice - well done! I also really like the interesting presentation, where you'll be making a case for your layout (sorry little play on words )...

By the way, I've noted with interest that the railway hiding behind your link has a gauge of 2'6". I always thought that the preferred choice of the
British military was 2' - what's the story here? And is your chosen scale 1/76 or 1/87? Just curious...

Lastly, who's the manufacturer of your little diesels? Are these Malcolm Moore engines?



Keep us posted, it looks all very promising.

Cheers,

Patrick S.

[Mark Branson]

Good morning Patrick,

Sorry for the delay in replying.

Thankyou for your kind words. Yes, you're right it is a layout in a case ;-) The reason being to aid presentation and viewing. Also I'm tall so the height helps with operation at exhibitions.

I need to sort out the track wiring and because there is a fault somewhere.

The case ;-) will be painted satin black and have some vinyl graphics made up showing the layout name in stencil format etc.

The little diesels are Baguley-Drewery's and were built for use by the Royal Navy in their armaments depots during the early 1980's. With defence spending cut backs I believe none or very few of these locos are in service with the RN and have been snapped up by preserved railway lines.

I'm not sure of the reasoning behind the track gauge of the prototype.

The kit itself is a Narrow Planet 3D printed kit with etched nickle silver detail parts. It is produced in OO Scale (1/76) and is available from here:

http://narrowplanet.co.uk/

Narrow Planet also produce custom etched name/number and works plates for European prototype locos and any scale. I have no connection with them-just a satisfied customer.

Here's the kits built up in detail:


gcr 06102013-BD's NGRM 008 by kettering15b, on Flickr


gcr 06102013-BD's NGRM 007 by kettering15b, on Flickr

Thanks once again and an update soon on some wagons and the layout itself in a case!

Cheers,

Mark

That Malcolm Moore loco looks like an interesting prototype. Thanks for the link. ;-)

[Mark Branson]

Evening, ;)

Here's an update shot of progress on RNAD Tamar Valley taken on my mobile this evening.


RNAD Tamar Valley 001 by kettering15b, on Flickr

When I initially wired the layout up I don't know what I was thinking but it was 'Short Circuit City'. Thankfully I've managed to resolve the wiring problems and just need to relay the siding of the loop.

For some unknown reason Zillertalbahn OK shunter D11 is working the inaugural test train complete with some RNAD flat wagons.

I'll post a few more photos tomorrow.

Cheers,

Mark

[johnatkinson]

Good morning Mark.

Congratulations on your choice of subject: I look forward to seeing your layout develop.

And, as for D11, well it is such a delightful little model that it's nice to see it anywhere, which is why it appears regularly on my Kaprun (SLB) layout, hauling a single rollwagen + van, despite never to my knowledge having been on the PLB.

Good luck with your layout.

John

[Mark Branson]

Good morning Mark.

Congratulations on your choice of subject: I look forward to seeing your layout develop.

And, as for D11, well it is such a delightful little model that it's nice to see it anywhere, which is why it appears regularly on my Kaprun (SLB) layout, hauling a single rollwagen + van, despite never to my knowledge having been on the PLB.

Good luck with your layout.

John

Good morning John,

Thanks for those kind words, Now I've sorted out the dreaded wiring-my least favourite area of building a layout I can get on with the scenery.

As for D11 working on the PLB wasn't she loaned out from the ZB for a period? ;) Or is my memory failing me? :D

Is your layout Kaprun on here by the way?

Cheers,

Mark

[Mark Branson]

As promised a few update photos this morning.

I've posed the Baguley's with a few wagons. I've added the insulation foam scenery formers I'd carved and sanded but need to build the concrete unloading point that is buried in the hillside. Once this is done I can finalise the shape of the insulation board in the centre section, Also I've placed the Caboose Industries Point throws in situ.

Later I'll solder in the isolating section on the recently laid siding-check electrics once more then glue the track down with a diuted PVA mixture.

Then ballasting can commence. :)

Here's a few shots of the Baguley's at work. Sorry about the quality.


RNAD TV 21-11-13 001 by kettering15b, on Flickr


RNAD TV 21-11-13 002 by kettering15b, on Flickr

And for a bit of fun I'd wanted to see how these ran over track! ;)


RNAD TV 21-11-13 006 by kettering15b, on Flickr


RNAD TV 21-11-13 007 by kettering15b, on Flickr

Thankfully everything ran OK. ;)

Cheers,

Mark

The ZB stock is for my next project once this layout is finished. :-)

[croquy]

Hi Mark,

great progress, very impressive! Obviously you're a speedy builder.

With more photos from different angles at hand, your engines look nothing like the Malcom Moore locos. Sorry, should get my eye sight checked...

That Malcolm Moore loco looks like an interesting prototype. Thanks for the link. ;-)

OKay, I am lost. Do you mean a link (i.e. mental connection), as I did not provide a "link" in the common sense of internet usage. Probably am a bit slow on the uptake, sorry...

Keep us posted about your progress, pls!

Cheers,

Patrick S.

[Mark Branson]

Hi Mark,

great progress, very impressive! Obviously you're a speedy builder.

With more photos from different angles at hand, your engines look nothing like the Malcom Moore locos. Sorry, should get my eye sight checked...

That Malcolm Moore loco looks like an interesting prototype. Thanks for the link. ;-)

OKay, I am lost. Do you mean a link (i.e. mental connection), as I did not provide a "link" in the common sense of internet usage. Probably am a bit slow on the uptake, sorry...

Keep us posted about your progress, pls!

Cheers,

Patrick S.

Thanks once again Patrick.

Sorry I should have said photo and not 'link'. My mistake. ;)

Progress is varied at the moment-with fits and starts. I start a 7 day stretch at work tomorrow so things will slow down ;)

Cheers,

Mark

[teetrix]

Hi Mark,

interesting subject and nice built diesels! I like the unobtrusive but efficient weathering of the locos. Is the van with the peaked roof scratchbuild?

The only thing I'm a little sceptical is the water tower... "visual interest" would be the first thing the royal navy would avoid
Maybe a rock formation or a crossing road (additional providing access for service staff) is better.

I would concentrate on the bunker, and you seem to be able to do a very adequate weathering on it too.

Btw, here's a couple of additional pics:
http://www.flickriver.com/photos/tags/t ... teresting/

regards
Michael