Sorry its not a CGI I-Max special showing you a horror movie based on a make believe Ghost story from Rowfant House. Mind you as I progress it may turn into my own horror story but time will tell. It is in fact a brief up date on the building of the DC Kits model of the 3D Demu unit one of the major pieces of equipment needed for a model of Rowfant.
So far the bodies have been made. I need to adjust some of the sides but in essence they are complete. The next stage is to look at the underframes. I am also considering building the interiors on a piece of Plasticard adding the seats and partitions and painting before they are installed. There is a need to cover over the top of the power bogie. This is located in the engine compartment so I am going to build a higher false floor with a representation of the EE 4SRKT. I want to install DCC so will find away of locating the de-coder in the roof this may need a false ceiling as well. I have not as yet decided the colour scheme there are a couple of options or I may just have to have several units instead.
Sorry for the short break but we have just been off for a cruise around the Med. However did manage to see trains in both Cadiz and Venice. Thank you Mr Cunard!
Now back to the project in hand. Whilst on-board I was able to get from the ships library and read a couple of books. One was Pete Waterman's "Just like the real thing" about his model of Leamington Spa. A good coffee table book. Its a little light but has some good suggestions and thoughts and some very good photography. His layout is magnificent but its not the kind of layout I would like. To run it properly he needs a team of operators which he has of course but what about when he's on his own. I am a one man band and therefore just want a layout that I can be comfortable with. Yes I would love to model say Redhill or Southampton Central but I could not operate it as the moves would be too complicated. However could we see in the future DCC control operating some of the moves. It may be that instead of programming a chip for a loco the chip now becomes programmed as a train describer. Could you then have a computer set the train departing as per the timetable with the operator acting as a signalman setting up the routes etc. In my mind this could be ideal for Rowfant.
Well back to the model now that summer is over more time can now be spent on the final planning. The model is going to be located in my garage so a little tidy up is called for and then baseboards can be built. I will also be getting to work on the 3D kit that is partially built. One scenery item that I am try to find out about is the Scotch Derrick that was located in the timber yard. I have been trying to find one to look at to see how it works. At long last I have now located a derelict example. This is in a garden features supply yard next to the A4 at Hungerford. So next time we are off to Southampton there may well be need for a brief comfort stop with the camera! Thank you Mr Cunard............
