New narrow gauge layout - NG11 - first paint

Finley and Charlie helped to paint the groundwork ready to add the narrow gauge track. I have used tester pots from B&Q for the colours and tried to have a darker colour where the Peco O-16.5 'Crazy Track' will be laid.

You can also see (very faintly) a white chalk line for the centre line of the 16.5mm track which will act as a guide when I come to glue and pin the track down.

Tony

New narrow gauge layout - NG11 - We now have a name for the layout

I have continued to add home-made paper mache over foam or toilet roll card to the base. In addition we now have a name for the latest narrow gauge project.

RED LION

LUMBER

Co.

I have also been experimenting with the building mock-ups and placement although I have now been told by my grandson's that these are two big and I will need to be cut down.

Tony

New narrow gauge layout - NG11 - starting the groundwork

I have used a mixture of polystyrene foam and card lattice to in-fill the corners and then covered this with home-made paper mache made from shredded toilet paper and plaster of Paris to which I have added a drop of PVA glue

In the final image you can see Finley and Charlie helping with the work. The only problem I have encountered with the home-made paper mache is the variation in drying times. Some mixes can be fully set in 48 hours others take longer. This maybe down to the fact that I have not been methodical with the quantities of plaster of Paris vs. toilet roll paper. The good news is that it does eventually dry to a solid crust.

Tony with help from Finley and Charlie

Adding colour to your miniatures bases - Miniature Wargames 511

The latest issue of Miniature Wargames, issue 511 for December 2015 has yet another article written by me, this time showing how I have used a wide variety of different materials to add miniature flowers or 'colour' to some Burrows & Badgers metal and resin figures. For full details pick up your copy from your local newsagents or friendly gaming store. Or better still take out a subscription.

Tony

New narrow gauge railway layout - NG11 - Pizza layout update

I have used second-hand battens to frame the layout base. These battens were glued in place and then nailed with small wooden blocks in the corners. I later glued the central circle back in place but slightly higher up than the track base. Two sections were cut and glued lower than the track base to give some variety and undulations to the groundwork. 

I didn't like the fact that the track was so close to the edges of the frames and decided to add another layer of MDF to give a wider layout footprint and make more room between the planned track loop and the edge of the layout. This MDF frame was glued and nailed in to position with 10mm spacers to the bottom edge which raises the whole layout so that wiring can be fitted underneath. It also makes the layout larger.

The right front edge was 'hacked' apart to model an even lower front edge drop off. The slot opening to the front is for the built-in controls which will be added later.

I should also admit to one very silly mistake.....

The plan was for the new narrow gauge railway layout to be easily transportable in the back of the car. With these new additions the layout does NOT fit in the boot and to transport the model back and forth to Leamington Spa so that the two grandsons can help build the layout, I now have to fold down both seats in the back of the car. Oops!

Tony

New narrow gauge railway layout - NG11 - The Pizza layout

With the IKEA Lack table firmly glued, it was time to add the Pizza track base. The ring was cut from MDF with my jigsaw and with a track centre of 600mm. I thought 600mm was about the minimum I could get away with without compromising performance of the Hornby 0-4-0 or 'Smokey Joe' chassis on the tight curve.

As you can see the track base just fits on the extended Lack side table.

I used small wooden blocks to raise the track ring as I wanted to have the groundwork extend below track level as well as above it. The wooden blocks and ring were glued and pinned in place which allows me to lift the whole assemble by the MDF track disc.

The plan is for the engines, wagons and buildings to be scratch built to the scale of 11mm = 1 foot or 1:27.7, hence NG11. The same as the OSO Salt diorama and Yellow Pelican layout (see earlier posts for more information).

I would expect more updates soon.

Tony

Christmas 2025 Project - NG11, the LACK table base

The new NG11 narrow gauge layout (11mm = 1 foot or 1:27.7 scale) will be a simple PIZZA LAYOUT based on an IKEA Lack side table.

I have used the table top and the four legs to model a layout base slightly larger than 650mm x 650mm. The edges will be clad with MDF at a later date but for now, I have a strong but light surface to start adding detail. The cut out to the front will house the built-in control panel. So far all construction was done with a mix of PVA and superglue.

I still don't have a name for the layout but the plan is for it to be a lumber or timber yard. Expect more updates soon.

Tony