amazing how much difference platforms make, found with mine (Metcalfe N gauge kits) it made a huge difference. even with the rest of the layout being utter pants for reliability it looked better while on a technical level what you have is quite crude I suspect once you stick a bit of basic weathering on, have the ballast done its actually at normal viewing distances going to look remarkably good to the human eye, throw in a moving train and the eye follows the trains - which its already doing here at which point the platforms even as they are now look very good and have made a massive visual difference. one point I'd note, keep something to identify where any screws in the structure are, just so if you decide to add platform lights you don't try to drill through them
Thanks Dale - that's exactly the point really, something representitive of platforms. I will try weathering them, detailing them, once they're properly finished off. And at some point, if I decide I want better looking ones, I can rip them out and try something else - good enough for now though! Thanks, really useful tip with the screws, I will note that. Regards, Chris
I'm running N scale and I was considering making my station platforms from balsa wood, both my platforms are curved. BUT then I discovered Peco NB-26 Platform Edging - Brick type. Thank you Peco 👍
Rather than a ramp, you could just put a set of steps at one platform end, maybe the other could terminate with a metal rail. The main reason to include ramps is to allow track level crossing, but you have a subway, so carts can cross platforms that way, if you have a ramp at each end of the subway! You could skip modelling the subway on the nearside platform by hiding it under a station concourse - waiting rooms, cafe, news stand, WH Smiths! You could include a lineside hut at the bay end of the platform. And maybe a solid buffer-stop on the platform at the end of the bay, with a sand-trap to stop runaways.
Thank you - that's really helpful. My lack of railway knowledge comfortable stretches to why ramps are at the end of platforms in the first place ('they just look right' is about the limit of my knowledge on the subject!). So actually based on what you've said, no ramps might actually be more suitable - and less work! Thanks, Chris
As for your binding issue with the Mk3 coaches, you could do what they've done at Birmingham New Street at the crossovers - shave a little bit of the coping stones on the platform edges.
Ha, have they really?! Thanks, that did make me chuckle! I'd never have dreamed of doing that on my own platforms, 'far too amateurish'! But if it's good enough for Birmingham, it's good enough for me! Chris
@@WirenwoodModelRailwayare you also aware of self-printed cardboard kits? Once you pay for the kit (a few quid), you can print them off as much as you want. In regards to platforms you can get them in stone, brick, concrete and wood with various colours of stone and brick.
Ah I'm going to have to now! It surely can't be going to rub, it didn't when the platform went all the way along, but I'm going to have to try it now! Chris
@WirenwoodModelRailway I was talking more about the sloped ends of platform instead of cutting the little bits of wood the filler is great it covers a lot of sins.😂
Regarding your problem of platform clearance from your Mk 3 coaches, instead of shaving your platforms down why don't you just pull your track over 1 or 2 mm. Also re your rough jigsaw cutting problem it is because jigsaw blades cut on the up stroke, you can get blades that cut on the down stroke like most saws do, which will give you a neater cut.
Hi - what an amazing coincidence - I've had a bit of a break from the layout but was back up today and finally cut the holes in the platforms for the stairwells. I'd been advised to get very fine toothed blades, which I did, and it worked out just about OK. But I did notice while cutting the hardboard that both drilling and cutting seemed to churn the hardboard upwards. Anyway, a bit of paint and filler and it's all looking pretty good - I'm waiting overnight as I've now glued the top layers of platform down so hoping it'll all have stuck in the morning. Thanks for taking the time, and for the good advice. Regards, Chris
amazing how much difference platforms make, found with mine (Metcalfe N gauge kits) it made a huge difference. even with the rest of the layout being utter pants for reliability it looked better
while on a technical level what you have is quite crude I suspect once you stick a bit of basic weathering on, have the ballast done its actually at normal viewing distances going to look remarkably good to the human eye, throw in a moving train and the eye follows the trains - which its already doing here at which point the platforms even as they are now look very good and have made a massive visual difference.
one point I'd note, keep something to identify where any screws in the structure are, just so if you decide to add platform lights you don't try to drill through them
Thanks Dale - that's exactly the point really, something representitive of platforms. I will try weathering them, detailing them, once they're properly finished off. And at some point, if I decide I want better looking ones, I can rip them out and try something else - good enough for now though! Thanks, really useful tip with the screws, I will note that. Regards, Chris
A little tip i was given when using the jigsaw ,use at full speed with a blade that has a lot of teeth the fewer the teeth the rougher the cut.
Thanks - I think you're absolutely right there, I'll report back on progress. Chris
I'm running N scale and I was considering making my station platforms from balsa wood, both my platforms are curved. BUT then I discovered Peco NB-26 Platform Edging - Brick type. Thank you Peco 👍
That's definitely worth looking into! Regards, Chris
great work and progress and lot of problem solving with the ramps
Thank you! I'm pretty happy with them really, as long as I don't look too closely! Regards, Chris
Rather than a ramp, you could just put a set of steps at one platform end, maybe the other could terminate with a metal rail. The main reason to include ramps is to allow track level crossing, but you have a subway, so carts can cross platforms that way, if you have a ramp at each end of the subway! You could skip modelling the subway on the nearside platform by hiding it under a station concourse - waiting rooms, cafe, news stand, WH Smiths! You could include a lineside hut at the bay end of the platform. And maybe a solid buffer-stop on the platform at the end of the bay, with a sand-trap to stop runaways.
Thank you - that's really helpful. My lack of railway knowledge comfortable stretches to why ramps are at the end of platforms in the first place ('they just look right' is about the limit of my knowledge on the subject!). So actually based on what you've said, no ramps might actually be more suitable - and less work! Thanks, Chris
You have a nice bit of space look forward to see your layout develop. Try do a couple of levels my mistake at tge start was mine was to flat.
Thanks yeah there are a couple of levels on there and I'm hoping to bring in more linking up between them as I go along. Regards, Chris
As for your binding issue with the Mk3 coaches, you could do what they've done at Birmingham New Street at the crossovers - shave a little bit of the coping stones on the platform edges.
Ha, have they really?! Thanks, that did make me chuckle! I'd never have dreamed of doing that on my own platforms, 'far too amateurish'! But if it's good enough for Birmingham, it's good enough for me! Chris
@@WirenwoodModelRailwayare you also aware of self-printed cardboard kits? Once you pay for the kit (a few quid), you can print them off as much as you want. In regards to platforms you can get them in stone, brick, concrete and wood with various colours of stone and brick.
Coming along nicely. I think it's OK but just try a Mk3 coach on those points near the end of the platform. Just to be safe.
Ah I'm going to have to now! It surely can't be going to rub, it didn't when the platform went all the way along, but I'm going to have to try it now! Chris
Little tube of polyfiller would have done the trick.
Ha, thanks - lots of places on those platforms need some filler I think! Regards, Chris
@WirenwoodModelRailway I was talking more about the sloped ends of platform instead of cutting the little bits of wood the filler is great it covers a lot of sins.😂
Regarding your problem of platform clearance from your Mk 3 coaches, instead of shaving your platforms down why don't you just pull your track over 1 or 2 mm. Also re your rough jigsaw cutting problem it is because jigsaw blades cut on the up stroke, you can get blades that cut on the down stroke like most saws do, which will give you a neater cut.
Hi - what an amazing coincidence - I've had a bit of a break from the layout but was back up today and finally cut the holes in the platforms for the stairwells. I'd been advised to get very fine toothed blades, which I did, and it worked out just about OK. But I did notice while cutting the hardboard that both drilling and cutting seemed to churn the hardboard upwards. Anyway, a bit of paint and filler and it's all looking pretty good - I'm waiting overnight as I've now glued the top layers of platform down so hoping it'll all have stuck in the morning. Thanks for taking the time, and for the good advice. Regards, Chris