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This page describes where some of the materials, equipment etc has come from. Most of this has been purchased through normal retail arrangements at normal retail prices: this page isn't here to tout for freebies! Instead, it provides a guide to what can be obtained where, and a reminder for me when I need to re-order.
Tools
These have come from many places; few are specific to modelling.
Baseboard Construction
Most of the timber has come from "normal" DIY suppliers. This needs to be sourced locally, because of the bulk. Make sure it is straight: much of the timber available - even supposed constructional stuff - is warped and some would be good for building around corners. Store it flat, and preferably in the railway room for a few weeks before starting work.
Joints are glued and either screwed or nailed. Don't skimp here: it needs to stay solid through its life. Most of the screws were from Screwfix, as were the brad nails where used. PVA wood glue is readily available from DIY merchants in gallon containers, and it is much more cost effective in that quantity.
I used adjustable "feet" under all the legs. as constructed, the railway would be robust and stand flat outside the shed; it is attached to the wall at the very end to prevent accidents more than anything else. The feet, and the threaded inserts into which they screw were obtained from an Internet supplier (Ross Handling Limited) for approximately 50 pence per leg. Leg part number 38SG-100; the matching threaded indert part number 250817.
Track Laying and Wiring
The trackbed is cork sheet, obtained from Quality Cork Supplies in Wednesbury (0121 567 3140). They advertise in Railway modeller.
The track is readily available from most model shops. We deliberately buy from a variety of suppliers, rather than just one.
Wiring supplies have come from many suppliers. The following table gives some ideas:
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Dropper wire |
22SWG tinned copper wire. Obtained from Rapid Electronics part number 05-0315 per reel (140m) |
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Bus wire |
I've used quite thin bus wires, simply because the power is zoned into several zones. The maximum fault current at any point is 3A, guaranteed by the power manager; so smaller conductors can be used. I've settled on 16/0.2mm stranded wire from Rapid electronics.
Red part number 01-0935 |
|
Crimp tool |
This came from TLC (an electrical wholesaler with branches around the country) but they are widely available. |
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Butt splice crimp connectors |
Many suppliers; shop around but don't but packs of 10: they are far cheaper in quantities of 100, and you'll use them eventually. TLC, Rapid Electronics (33-0680) and Farnell all supply these. |
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Sleeving |
This was (surprisingly) hard to find. Farnell red part number 105-7926, black part number 105-7925 |
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Splice Connectors |
These are used to make joints from bus wires to dropper wires. They are widely available so shop around. Rapid Electronics part numbers: Tap Splice part number 33-0165 Blade Splice part number 33-0190 Mating connector for blade splice part number 33-0665 |
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Junction Strip |
These are like a "chocolate block" connector, but jointed in the middle with male and female push together parts. I've used these widely, to make the wiring modular and testable. For example, whole sections can be lifted off without cutting wiring. Rapid part number 21-2496 (mated pair); Farnell 787-5061 (female) and 787-5070 (male). |
Control and Electronics
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