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**mark_dalrymple** · 2022-05-10T23:40:54

Your benchwork is really looking good. My spring time chores are getting in the way of my modeling these days, too.

Thanks, John.

Yes - Autumn (or fall as you guys say) and spring always seem to be busy times outside. I like to get myself organised for a nice big wintertime project. Last year was hand digging several hundred metres of trenches and installing irrigation for the three 'good' lawns and the woodland and formal gardens. To give you an idea of the scope of that - it included running 1.1km of dripperline. This year is the formal rose garden. This will include a paved circle, 4 curved steps, concrete retaining walls, and lots of paving. There will be 16 plots for the roses, all framed in box hedging.

Cheers, Mark.

**mark_dalrymple** · 2022-05-10T23:52:31

You’re really on a roll. Looks like you’ve accomplished a lot and your workmanship is excellent.

Thanks for your kind comment and for following along, Mike.

I started work on the next module this morning. Last night I had a think about things and it dawned on me that if I continue working backwards towards the first module I built in Shadowlands - completing the ceilings (which protrude an extra 200mm into the room), I would not be able to build the long module along the back wall in the other emptier room, and then roll it in after it is completed. I drew up a plan on a scrap piece of MDF and made a cutting list. This morning I set up my Triton and ripped up some 45x19mm and cut lengths of 90x19mm for the L-girders and joists. The joists are all a smidge long so I can create a nice flowing curve for the frontage and then cut the joists to suit in situ. Of course many if them will have mitre cuts to suit the curve. The plan was to get all this benchwork (and backdrops and ceilings) completed before the end of may so that I can clean up and put my car back inside for winter. I'm fast running out of time!

Cheers, Mark.

**mark_dalrymple** · 2022-05-11T21:54:08

Hi guys.

Here is a photo of the next module taking shape. It is upside down here, so will get flipped 180 degrees. The module is 3668mm (12') long and will range in width from 580mm - 900mm (23 - 35 1/2") wide.

More soon, cheers, Mark.

**mark_dalrymple** · 2022-05-13T19:35:58

Hi guys.

Next was to add the legs, bracing and the feet. Wheels will go on next before the module is flipped up the right way.

More soon, cheers, Mark.

**mark_dalrymple** · 2022-05-13T21:10:58

Continuing...

And here we are with the wheels added and the module flipped. You start to get a feel for the shape of the isle. Next up will be to add the studs for the backdrop and bolt the two modules together.

More soon, cheers, Mark.

**mark_dalrymple** · 2022-05-14T05:45:35

Hi guys.

Today I attached the wheels, flipped the module and got most of the studs cut and attached for the backdrop and ceiling. I decided to curve the backdrop around the step in the walls between the two rooms. I was going to just put a square step in (a lot less work) and hide it with mountain scenery, but after studying my plan and model of Shadowlands I realised that behind the scenery in front of the step is a valley. A large bridge will transverse the river and rail below and I think a painted backdrop on MDF will look best. I have marked and cut out two pieces of MDF for the curved top plate to cut up as dwangs in between the studs (half of which are shown in the forefront of the photo).

More soon, cheers, Mark.

**jsiekirk** · 2022-05-14T21:45:42

Mark

You are making good progress, especially with all the outside work you are trying to get done. I keep trying to visualize what that benchwork will look like with a backdrop and scenery and all those structures that you plan to build.

Did you get the second issue of the S&S RR Gazette?

**mark_dalrymple** · 2022-05-14T22:12:48

You are making good progress, especially with all the outside work you are trying to get done. I keep trying to visualize what that benchwork will look like with a backdrop and scenery and all those structures that you plan to build.

Did you get the second issue of the S&S RR Gazette?

Thanks, John.

Yes - I have the model of the model to help with that. For this section picture Squawbottom river and you'd be pretty close. At least - that's the picture I have in my head! I still have to try and execute it! I have one more small section of benchwork in a kind of wedge shape that I want to build to the left of this section before I call stage two complete. This will allow me to complete the valley scene. Timber supplies are running short...again! I'll need more for the wedge section and for the backdrop and ceiling for the first module. Screws too. I've almost gone through 1200 40mm screws doing this section! I'll have to buy another box of 1000.

Yes, thank you. I have received and read volume two. Just haven't got around to replying yet. It did take my old computer 5 minutes to download.

Thanks for following along with my progress. I've been having trouble posting here of late. I seem to get an error message pretty regularly. Hence the short posts.

Cheers, Mark.

**robert_goslin** · 2022-05-14T22:38:54

Excellent work Mark. You sure have been busy.
Must be exciting to see the new work all coming together. The L girder system, although developed decades ago, is still an excellent benchwork method.

**mark_dalrymple** · 2022-05-15T01:14:47

Excellent work Mark. You sure have been busy.
Must be exciting to see the new work all coming together. The L girder system, although developed decades ago, is still an excellent benchwork method.

Thanks, Rob.

Another rainy Sunday here so have been busy again this morning. Back out to the model room after lunch. Yes - it is exciting to see it come together. I also enjoy working on the timberwork. I've got into the zone now, and there is a lot less time spent thinking about how best to do things, as its just a case of rinse and repeat. The L-girder system works really well - especially for adding a backdrop. If you can keep the back L-girder the thickness of the studs off the back edge with the 'L' facing inwards, you get two surfaces to screw and glue to, which supports the studs both ways and makes it easy to get things square and plumb. You get good fixing for the joists by screwing up from underneath - and if you do this with the assembly upside down it is easy to both line up and do. I find attaching the legs at this point very easy, too. I'm not an engineer, but I would imagine the 90x19 and 45x19 screwed and glued together has the equivalent strength of a piece of 109x45mm, which is more than a piece of 4"x2" and at a much cheaper cost. So many advantages!

Cheers, Mark.

**mark_dalrymple** · 2022-05-20T00:01:33

Hi guys.

Well - I started working out the shape of the fascia for this new section - which is intertwined with the shape of the track, the shape of the benchwork on the other side of the isle and my isle width limitations. It soon became obvious that I needed the next layout section in place to give me the continuity of the shape. It also made a lot of sense, as the extra module will let me finish off the valley scene - at least in my minds eye for the time being.

Photo 1 - shows the new module upside down with legs, shoes and wheels attached and the legs braced. There was a bit more work involved working out the compound mitres for the braces and checking out the legs for the diagonal bearer.

**mark_dalrymple** · 2022-05-20T00:09:14

Continuing...

Photo 2 - shows the long view into the alcove. The view under the large viaduct will be a bit longer that this.

Photo 3 - shows the view a bit more from the side. the sheets of MDF on the long module are some of my 50cent sheets and are just for planning. I mark the curves on this and, when happy, attach it to the 16mm MDF and cut out with my jigsaw.

Photo 4 - shows the view from the end of the alcove. You can see the pieces of brown paper on the MDF - these are my different radii for designing the layout edge.

More soon, cheers, Mark.

**jsiekirk** · 2022-05-20T13:01:40

Really looking great, my friend.

**mark_dalrymple** · 2022-05-21T02:10:04

Really looking great, my friend.

Thanks, John.

I had to buy another 210m of 90x19 pine, 4 sheets of 3mm MDF, 3 sheets of 4.75mm MDF and 1200 more screws. Hopefully that should kill it! It is expensive (although all that cost me around $700NZ, which at todays rate is $450US). All up, I've probably spent $2,000. You do get a lot done for the money. That's like 4 Christmas craftsman kits. And I get a ton of satisfaction watching it come together - as well as the bones of a whole new world to build - another 20+ years of fun! I'm looking forward to my friends expressions and comments when they come for our 2fatpossums modelling weekend in the beginning of July...

Cheers, Mark.

**Michael_Hohn** · 2022-05-21T07:46:12

Mark,

Seems like money well spent and worth every penny for the enjoyment you’re receiving.

I have to say I don’t remember seeing a layout on wheels as you have built, but it makes perfect sense.

Mike

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