Auvergne Mining Project

Motivated by exhibiting at Chatellerault last weekend, and in discussions with Carl, the idea of having another module that can integrate with both Carl's and MOMI exhibits is very appealing. Without giving away too much at this stage, Carl and I have discussed a new approach that could still integrate with both layouts.

Having done some very preliminary research, here are a couple of pics from the "mood board" to show which way this project may be developing...

Decauville ?????

a project may develop?

tram47 wrote:

a project may develop?

Bien sûr

Early planning meeting...

Another hint...

we will be patient, but also eager to see the first shots.

nous serons patients , mais aussi impatients de voir les premiers plans .

First efforts at fabricating the mine cars for the 40cm gauge rail

I don't like the exposed wheels and will build outside frames, and make the hoppers tip, like the decauville prototypes...


Stages of hopper fabrication from left to right...

Brian that's great.

I love the exposed wheels they look right to me. There is a lot of French 40 cm and 50 cm stuff like that.

I would just file off the axle ends thats all.

Very nice idea. Looking forward to your progress.

Carl Hibbs wrote:

I love the exposed wheels they look right to me.

The inside frame was my first attempt, but I've now found these better drawings of Decauville type 24 mine cars that ran on 40cm rail. I think with an outside frame the axles will turn better (less friction) and I'm thinking of possibly making them tip !!

Assembled the external shell of the module this afternoon....


Front Panel


Carcass

That's really biting the bullet Brian.

I shall be a long way behind you this time but I like the idea of this 40cm line and wonder whether I could do something too.

How big is this new module?

this is a very original project, congratulations!

Carl Hibbs wrote:

How big is this new module?

It's 120cm long 90cm Wide to standardise with MOMI and both our Cognac and/or Normandy modules

It's 37cm deep with the mine and a river at lower levels

I shall keep the upper 45mm tracks and surface clear of permanent scenery for ease of transport, any surface scenery/buildings will be removable.

My only concern is the viewing height when mated with MOMI etc, but I will try and design things to be viewed from above. It will be great for kids though and I'm thinking about seeing into the mine tunnels with lighting etc

see pictures of mine Catalan friend

http://trenscat.forosactivos.net/t606-construccio-d-un-circuit-miner-en-iip-gn15

After several attempts at building outside frame mine wagons, I've finally decided that Carl is right and the exposed wheels on an inside frame do look better at this 40cm Gauge. But I have added a tipping function...




I've also completed all the major structural elements in plywood with the river bed and valley floor. I plan to add all the future elements in polystyrene to save weight



The 16.5mm (40cm gauge) track is in and wired, just awaiting a suitable donor HO motor block !!!

Excellent....

I will give you a motor block at Railexpo. I have a couple of old OO motor bogies lying around.

How did you make the track? It doesn't look (the) HO track you bought.

Great concept Brian.

Carl Hibbs wrote:

How did you make the track?

As well as the flexitrack, I also bought some secondhand Jouef HO set track from the guy opposite us at Chatellerault for a couple of Euro's.

It's a slightly cruder profile and I've chopped out most of the sleepers and spaced them apart in the visible sections, the flexitrack was needed to get a tight radius behind the backscene, but will be out of sight!

Thanks for the offer of a motor block, I'm also on the lookout for a 12 volt controller if anyone has a spare?

Hi Carl
I'm planning to build a girder bridge, LGB style for the module, but want to make sure it can accomodate the largest of your live steam and diesel models.
What would be the minimum loading gauge required?

The maximum width of the stock I have is about 120 mm even the big old green diesel.

And the height?

I would allow 180 mm for the height (from the track) as I have this big 030 German tank.

I think the LGB bridge will be ok but what are you going to make yours from?

Probably brass U section or plastic!

It will in fact only be a cosmetic add-on to the upper module, all the detail and animation will be within the module itself for ease of transport, just planning ahead at this stage!

Cheers