Hi.
It’s been 3 months since I last updated this blog, so please bear with me if it’s a little longer than usual as I believe I’ve made some progress in several areas.
Before Christmas I decided to conduct various tests and trials to establish the coupling system for the layout. Much as I like the look of 3 links, the width of baseboards needed to accommodate the area being modelled, and the significant amount of shunting which will dominate activity on this very operational layout make their use totally impractical. I used DG couplings on my 2mmFS layout and enjoyed the experience once I’d learned a little about how to set them up and use them properly, so I decided I’d give the 4mm version a try. Dgs are available in 2 sizes for 4mm, one being for 00 and the other, significantly smaller, for more finescale use. As my layout is to EM track and wheel standards, with less sideways slop than 00, a minimum radius of 45” and B8 turnout geometry as standard, I decided to try the smaller ones first. On receiving them I was amazed to find they’re almost the same size as the 2mm version, which caused some doubt regarding mounting, projection etc. I shouldn’t have worried; after some fiddling about and experimenting with mounting positions etc I now have DGs fitted to my entire fleet…..which currently amounts to a class 26, 4 ex LNER non-corridor coaches and 5 goods wagons, so it didn’t take too long. I also have a test and setup track specifically for the couplers, with an electromagnet, coupler height setting block and the necessary electrics to connect the NCE Powercab and operate the uncoupler. So I have no excuses if any of the stock fails to behave in an exempary uncoupling fashion on the layout; maybe I shouldn’t have mentioned that!!!

I’ve also been attempting to progress the conversion of a Hornby K1 to EM gauge; a little nerve-wracking as it’s my first attempt at anything remotely similar and I don’t want to ruin it. It’s making progress but is currently awaiting the manufacture of a couple of necessary bits; I’m getting lots of help and good advice from local modellers who meet once a week at my workshop where the layout is being built, so I’m confident the end result will be worth the wait. I’m looking forward to seeing what was probably my favourite North Eastern steam loco leaving Spittal and powering up the hill to the mainline before heading off up the branch to St Boswells or to Alnwick via the A and C route.

Most of my progress has been with the layout itself. Needing to get the section along the back of the end baseboards finished so I could move them into their final positions, the first job was to extend the track towards Berwick to the point where it disappears behind the Tweed Dock landscaping and runs along to the storage yard at the far end of the room. I then needed to finish the scenic work on the outside of the curve, including a fairly major exposed area of rock where the cutting side was cut steeply away when the track was laid.

This has been done, and has paved the way for the fitting of the backscene on this section, prior to moving the boards back against the end wall into their final position.
The backscene has given me much to think about. It can’t really be left plain as the land slopes up away from the riverbank round the whole stretch of the model, which totals about 85 ft. Photographic backscene wouldn’t work as photos from 1960 of this area are few and far between, and ones of the area I would need are non-existent. So I’ve decided to resuscitate a hobby I tinkered with as a teenager and give painting a try, with water-mixable oil paints so I have lots of time to change things as they take about a week to dry. The fact that I gave up back in the 70s as I was no good at it wasn’t going to be allowed to get in the way…………..
So I’ve had a go at it, and am reasonably pleased with how it’s progressing, though there’s still a lot of detail to add on some of the buildings, particularly Allan Brothers’ sawmill, in the middle at the back. I’ve even added in the embankment fo the ECML; it needs to have some detail added to identify it as a railway line which WILL NOT be a passing train as my painting skills would definitely not stretch to that. The junction signal for the south end of the Kelso branch, perhaps, and maybe a telegraph pole or two; maybe even a permanent way gang readjusting the odd lump of ballast while concentrating on the important job of watching the shipping and salmon fishers on the river.



I’ve also built the next baseboard in the sequence along towards the Spittal terminus of the layout. This will contain some of the station throat trackwork, the coalyard and the start of the Tweed Dock branch, which, from here, will curve back around in front of the track already laid, to enter Tweed Dock on the opposite side of the room.

Although the area of track is only about 2ft wide, the board is 5 ft wide as it will incorporate an accurate representation of the Carr Rock jetty, an iconic and historic landmark I cannot leave out if the model is to do justice to the area. Before Tweed Dock opened in 1876 it was the only deep water berth in the estuary.

Completing the trackwork on this board is the next job, and will allow me to then work back around the layout to Tweed Dock, or to continue building down into Spittal; decisions, decisions!!!

And finally, a couple of shots of the Kelso branch passenger train drifting down the hill into Spittal; this photo actually makes me think I’m getting somewhere with this somewhat ambitious project!

Regards

Ian