Climb to Kurama ( eizan Mini layout)

[Bubule]

Hello all !

 

I start there a topic to show you my project to build a mini layout oriented to fun with japanese short line theme.

 

The inspiration come from this FANTASTIC video 😍 :  I love the end, with the travel betwin the two last stations. The nature is awesome, and the arrival at kurama is very exiting !  WOW

 

 

 

 

It wil not be a strict prototypical build, but a freelanced inspiration of the atmosphere of the line. The rolling stock will be Kato of course, with Kirara 900 serie. I will also use the mobo 101 and 631 from modemo, because i love these cute cars. 🤗 The power will come from a tomytec TCS J.N.R. Series 101 for the best driving experience : I enjoy so much driving models with this amazing power supply ! This item will maximise the contact with the public in exibition because in europe this kind of features are very rare.

 

https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/image/10209284/30/2

 

So let's go with the plan and the concept :  The aim is to have a small exibition layout (fit in my car), dedicated to the driving experience.

 

 

The size is 130cm large and 75 cm deep.  The track is Peco code 55 with mix of Wood ant concreate ties sections like the real line.

In the front at the lower level i have placed a two track station. The first track is connected on both ends to an oval (almost hidden). It's allow me to do continuous run when discussing with public or having a drink without the fear of an accident ( never happened ?😁).

 

At the end of the station take place a beautifull peco Cisor crossing from Peco track system. It the same switch that the one witch take place at the outside of the Demachiyanagi station.The station will be urban tram station from greenmax. After that there is a grade crossing and just behind the small city. It will be composed with Sankei paper kits : three houses and two restorants.

 

The second track of the lower station is connected to the line that climbe to Kurama sation on top of the layout 12 cm above the lower level. This line is 5 meter long and the slpoe is betwin 2 and 2.5 % grade. Curves are sharp to respect the Kurama line atmosphere : 20cm radius. It is not a problem because rolling stock admit a 15 cm radius.This part of the layout is used in point to point mode.

 

At the top the the temple station will be a rural platform from green max and a sankei kit :

 

https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/image/10366234/20/1

 

On the top of the layout the temple will be the fujimi  Byodoin  with some sankei and tomytec accessories :

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Fujimi-Mokei-Plastic-model-1-150-Uji-Byodoin-Temple-Kyoto-Import-Japan-F-S-/122058064829

 

So now you know all the project, see you soon for the next chapiter witch will be the bench work.

 

Best regards.

 

Jef

 

 

 

 

[Kiha66]

Looks like a good plan!  You could also use the Tomix tcs automatic control unit to automate the mountain line for exibitions too.  

[katoftw]

Sounds interesting.  They only thing I would suggest is to think about the upper Kurama station.  You currently have the station platform turned away from the viewing area at the front of the layout.  Okay for you operating the layout from behind at shows.  But those viewing from the front will miss some of it behind the Station building.

[Bubule]

Thank's all.

 

So let's go and start the framework !

For this new layout i wanted to test new technics of building. So i decided to build the bench with a mix of the modular and the L grider ways to build.
The exterior of the frame is made with 21mm pine jointed wood panels. The panels are screwed and glued togever. In the center i have use a grid built like the L-girder frames but ligther because the rigidity is almost given by the exterior frame. All parts are cutted with circular saw to have precise dimentions.

 

This grid gaves me the possibilty to use 10mm plywood risers to trig easily the higth of the subroadbed.

Subroadbed is made with 5mm thick plywood witch is very bendable to fit the slopes of the track. They are cuted with an alternative saw in three pannels at the size of the layout (130cm X 75cm).

Here is the frame :

 

 

Here the first Stage, directly screwed in the frame. It will be conciderated as the Zero level :

 

 

Here is the second stage. Witch is the intermediate way to clim enough hight to have the first track to track ovepass at the left :

 

 

 

Here is details under the frame :

 

 

And the last third stage have been cutted and place for test. It is not at the correct higth yet, because i need to trig percise higth of lower stage to fit to the bidge and the tunnels portals :

 

 

 

To be continued !

 

See you soon, best regards.

 

Jef

 

 

 

[valkyriepm]

Wow! That looks great! can't wait to see more!

 

Martin

[Ken Ford]

A very creative approach to modeling a delightful station - I’m looking forward to seeing your progress!

[JohnG13]

I also happen to be doing a layout based on the Eizan line! It's probably my favourite Japanese line, with the mix of urban and rural mountain in a fairly short line - it's a beautiful journey. I was lucky enough to be in Kyoto when Tomix sold the limited edition Tetsudo collection model of the original Eizan cars, I don't know if it's still sold but you could do some looking. Good luck with it!

[Bubule]

Hello all ! Thank's a lot for your comments !😆

 

To trig the correct higth of my different levels of subroadbed, i nead the cuved bridge. So i am blocked in the capentry since I have this brige. I have not find exactly the model i wanted on

the market. It is curved and sloping.

 

My inspiration is this :

 

http://funini.com/train/kansai/kansai_misc/eiden/03full.jpg

 

So let's go to the work bench and scratchbuild the bridge  : Banzai !

 

 

First i need to draw and cut the deck in a big sheet of 1mm thick evergreen  plastic card :

 

 

 

Test with some track :

 

 

Second stage is to cut the lateral panels of the girder and the internal Braces :

 

 

 

Let's start the putting toger of the braces (long and repetitive job 😀.) I use a steel square to get the correct alignment :

 

 

When this fascinating job done i can glued the first flange. You need to be very carefull at this stage the precision is contitionning the quality of finished work :

 

 

 

Here is the result :

 

 

To be continued ... see you soon guys !

 

Best regards.

 

Jef

[cteno4]

Nice work jef and thanks for the Picts and description, really nice of you and very helpful to folks!

 

cheers

 

jeff

[Bubule]

17 minutes ago, cteno4 said:

Nice work jef and thanks for the Picts and description, really nice of you and very helpful to folks!

 

cheers

 

jeff

 

Thanks Jeff! You're Welcome, it is in my use to achieve descritions of work details . So the readers can easily use the technics for they own layout. It's the objectif of forums to share ideas tips and tricks.

 

I have also worked on the upper kurama station. I have choosen this kit for the building :

 

 

And this one for the platform :

 

 

I have start to Kitbashed the platform kit to integrate the building in the alignment of the platorm roof. I also have done two lateral extention to the platform like the real Kurama terminus station :

 

 

The base of the sankei model will be glued on the white CP base :

 

 

 

To be continued ...

 

Best regards.

 

Jef

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Ken Ford]

Jef, are you aware Sankei do a kit for the actual Kurama station building?

[toc36]

Jef,

 

What brand of track are you using?

 

Thanks,

Toc

 

Peco...........

Found the answer.

Edited June 18, 2018 by toc36
discovery

[Bubule]

5 hours ago, Ken Ford said:

Jef, are you aware Sankei do a kit for the actual Kurama station building?

 

 

Yes Ken, i am ... i would have choiced  whithout hesitation this kit, if it was not sold out everywhere ... did you know a place where this kit is still available ? I have searched a lot and have not  found ... i feal a little bit sad about this, but i need to go on !

The layout is awaited for exibitions in France. I need to go on and finished the layout since summer 2019 for some great train shows i whant to join at the end of next year. I need to have some parts of layout ready to september 2018 to send my registration forms and to show to the organzers wath they would have with my layout for theyre shows.

 

So i switched to a standard station building available. It is a compromise i know. But in France they does'nt know anything about Kurama line. They will just see an exotic  japanese layout with traditional japan buildings on it.

 

It is not a real problem because i have to do much more compromises to accuracy on this project, one more about the station is not a big problem. A layout is a toy, the aim is to have fun when building it, to have fun when you use it and last to give fun to public in exibition. I think this targets can be rearched without beeing totaly prototipycally exact. It's the "spirit" and the over all atmosphere the most important points in my opinion.

 

 

Edited June 18, 2018 by Bubule

[Bubule]

4 hours ago, toc36 said:

Jef,

 

What brand of track are you using?

 

Thanks,

Toc

 

Peco...........

Found the answer.

 

 

Yes  ! Streamline code 55, mix of Concrete and wood ties. Points powered by Tortoises switch machines. LOVE turtles !😍

 

It's a very reliable track system, i have some great experience with this track, all the models run smooth on it and it's a such beautifull track.

[Kiha66]

Great progress Jef!  I'm loving the kitbashed station, it really matches the feel of the prototype.

[Ken Ford]

Jef, I found mine two years ago at Rakuten.  It seems to be a hard one to find.

[Bubule]

Thanks Guys for your comments, it's much appreciates ! ☺️

 

Ken : It was what i've expected ... so i will go with my Station, it is not a big problem i have to made so more conscetions to build this layout. The target is to get the atmosphere of the kurama line not to reproduice it exactly. I am not a revet counter eventhougth i a fan of detailled layouts ! 😋

 

The work is going on, I am currently "oppening" the deck of the bridge. I need to drill and cut the 24 cells to have a "see thouth" aspect like the prototype. It is very long and need lot's of concentration. I will post some views of this job when it will be finished, but it  will take some hours of work.

 

So to keep some interrest on the thread during this long and frustrating work, i can show you some of the buildings kits i have ordered for the Kurama station project. So you will have a better idea where i will go.

 

First here is the buildings of the very small city that you will find at the botom of the bridge, at the rigth end of the lower station :

 

 

Now here are all the accessories to go with the Fujimi temple on the very top of the layout . And i am not a sankei addict 😅... but i alway need more and more of that exiting modeling stuff .Yes !! Need more, more, more ! ! ! 🤤 😍🤣  Keep cool Jeff, keep cool.   :

 

 

 

And here is the stuff i will use to kitbash the Lower station and the bus station just behind (some  inspiration coming from Kibuneguchi station) :

 

 

So works i still going on stay Tuned !

 

Best regards.

 

Jef

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Bubule]

Big day of work today ! Very Happy ! 😅

 

I worked during 8 hours today on the girder bridge.

 

The second side have been sticked :

 

 

I also have sticked the vertical reinforcements on the side of the right girder. You can see on the photo the strip reference : I need to do the lef side now.

 

 

Starting the holes in the deck, First  i draw the guide lines with a 0.3 mm Criterium. Second stage  i drill four holes of 2mm with a hand mandrel on each corners:

 

 

Third stage, cut carefully the deck with a fret saw ( swiss made hight quality fine blades) :

 

 

Last i files the hole with flat needle file. Repeat that four stages ... 24 times ! Drill Baby, Drill !

 

 

Job done ! And happy with the work done, because it was not won to have regularity in size and in shape on all the holes ... and the result is not so bad : 😋

 

 

Big day of work tomorow again, a big delevery of plastic is scheduled to start the poles ... Stay tuned !

 

Bests regards

 

Jef

 

Edited June 21, 2018 by Bubule

[MichiK]

Excelent craftmanship, Jef!

I have to admit that I wouldn't have a fraction of the patience necessary for those cutouts...

 

Michi

[JR 500系]

Wow that is amazing skills! The girders looks very realistic indeed! Great job! Are you going to paint them eventually? 

[Bubule]

2 hours ago, JR 500系 said:

Wow that is amazing skills! The girders looks very realistic indeed! Great job! Are you going to paint them eventually? 

 

Thanks guys for these two great comments ! It's gaving courrage to go forward. ☺️

 

Yes of course i will paint it. I will airbrush all the girder in light grey like the propotype, and will probably do a little bit of weathering too.😉

 

But lots of work remain before painting. I need to had the internal structure ( i have began on 3 cells), Had the vertical reinforments on the left side, had the longitudinal reinforments on top and on botom of the girders, and had the supports for catenary pole (they are a little bit complex to design and realize).

Edited June 22, 2018 by Bubule

[Ken Ford]

Exceptional craftsmanship, Jef!

[Lina_Blue]

Wow! That already looks amazing! Good work there!

[Bubule]

Hello all, Great thanks again for the comments ! It is much appreciated ☺️

 

So another day of good work ends ! The parts counter have been blown : 125 parts had today on the bridge.  I have attached the 25 vertical reinforcements on the left side.

 

And i  have started the inside reinforcements. The main reinforcements are made with .040"  ( 1mm) evergreen square strips. First need to mark the midle of each cells :

 

 

Second cut the 24 booms :

 

 

After that, attachement of the beams under the deck :

 

 

Now you have a gap on top of that beams that needed to be filled. So i had a second  beam on top of the first one. I have chosen this size of square beam because it has the same thick than the 1mm card of the deck. So if you do neat adjustemts the result is that part fill very nicely the gap :

 

 

Take a big respiration ... Expiration ... And do that 24 times again : Banzai !😜

 

 

We are now ready for the master pieces of the reinforcements  ... The ones witch will gave the complexity touch. The diags !

This pars are made with a finer profile than the other beams : .030" (0.75mm). It gave more finess to the over all design. They are attached from the bottom of the deck. They are not visible from the under side. So you do not need absolutly perfect ajustments for those, unlike the .040 beams that are seen from upside. But you nead to keep a correct alignement along the bridge, because a difference of alignement will pop to your eyes by braking regularity.

 

 

 

And do that ... 24 times. But it's not so boring at this stage because you see your model changing rapidly of shape and getting more interesting details.

Here is the result :

 

 

 

 

 

Of course i will be continued ... see you soon !

 

Best regards.

 

Jef

 

 

 

 

[valkyriepm]

Wow! Amazing work! Can't wait too see it finished!

 

Martin