RMweb Gold Barry Ten Posted March 23, 2011 RMweb Gold Share Posted March 23, 2011 Big thumbs up from me; I like the fact that the scenery colours are all quite muted, too - nothing stands out too much. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
richard60098 Posted March 23, 2011 Share Posted March 23, 2011 Nice layout, Luv all the 50's and the scenery aspect to keep the pics coming fela. Cheers. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparxD428 Posted May 7, 2011 Author Share Posted May 7, 2011 Hi All, Westquay has somewhat been in the dark for the last couple of weeks.. literally. Our downstairs lighting circuit has failed, and whilst I am actually training in my spare time to qualify as an electrician I don't have the test equipment yet to find what is going to be a short, nor the time/budget to rewire the whole circuit. Hoping that I can get someone in this week so service can be restored. I had just decided on the final blank of what to do in the corner as well and was looking forward to continuing progress. Due to hot weather and work haven't really done any tasks away from the garage either, so still lots of detailing/weathering jobs to do. However, tomorrow is a new day Stu. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparxD428 Posted August 3, 2011 Author Share Posted August 3, 2011 Work has resumed again after a long break, thanks to some low level lighting. Finally sorting the troublesome layout corner. Also, was lucky as we had a flood due to leaking dishwasher pipe. Had visions of having to dismantle the layout if it was a mains fracture. Anyway, will update with some more pics later today. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparxD428 Posted August 3, 2011 Author Share Posted August 3, 2011 So finally I decided that seeing as I already laid the main line and storage roads, to revise this at present to "bank" the main line would have been a bit too much of a headache, so instead I have decided to have a slight gradient on the branch within the branch, to run along a small section of Sea Wall (well, more like a cove) - as well as a single loco headshunt siding splitting the lines between the levels. Some pics (again apologies for quality due to lighting - also lost Paintshop Pro so only basic brightness/exposure adjustments made to improve the pics). 1. Template for track laid out with gradient estimation. 2. Work commenced on extending the hillside and the road layout into the goods yard 3. View of the lines running by the sea wall and into tunnel mouths to storage yard. 4. The road to the goods yard. 5. Some random station shots on the existing scenic area. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beresford Junction Posted August 3, 2011 Share Posted August 3, 2011 Hi Stu I'd wondered where you had got to - glad to see you back an liking the latest photos. Phil Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
QRModeller Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 Great layout. Had to do a double take then, could have sworn that the last image was the real thing!! Matt. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparxD428 Posted August 10, 2011 Author Share Posted August 10, 2011 Thanks guys. Work has continued this week on the curve area with some more scenics and the beginning of the sea wall stonework, although only a small amount has been completed on that front. Also, a few months back I started an experimental timetable for a Summer Saturday morning , and had an opportunity to put it into practice to see how it translates from the paper theory to practical operation - just a bit of fun and an excuse for more pics anyway. Haven't put exact times / headcodes etc. , all that will come in the future, but have a little snapshot of what activity is expected early saturday mornings. 1. Local DMU is first to arrive on a Plymouth-Westquay service train. The unit will be running the 2 hourly local branch within a branch services for the day. 2. 47513 after shunt release on the morning Bristol vans. 3. 50044 runs round load 4 after arriving on the overnight from Paddington. 4. 50020 passing the fuel point arriving with the overnight from Manchester. 5. 45103 rests in the shorter platform 1 with a reduced load overnight Newcastle. 6. Looking a bit full now, waiting for the first early morning holidaymakers to take their return trains. Thats all for now, hoping to make more progress this weekend with scenics. Cheers, Stu. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparxD428 Posted September 6, 2011 Author Share Posted September 6, 2011 Hi All, Scenic work has continued on the branch sea wall. Progress is slow but getting there a little. Also tidied up some snagging brickwork in the fuelling point. However, yesterday I got completely distracted as I was working near Southampton so popped into Ron Lines shop for a browse, and got a good deal on a Hornby No. 11 . Within hours it was in the paintshop (aka the dining room table), emerging with a black roof and red beams. Took a couple of shots of her too below. She's not finished yet, but I took a tip from vac_basher to make the marker lights look more realistic. I used a very thinned down white gently brushed over the lights - gives it a more realistic look. Also I will be repainting the ETH / Jumper boxes in a more soft orange as I think the Hornby colour is too dark (Oh No.. turning into a rivet counter!!). Will also need plates with crests for this revision of livery. Also below a few pics of old Lima 44 on a test run up the seawall. Cheers, Stu 50011 arrives at Westquay for the first time Showing the curved lines and seawall under construction Close up of 44 going up the bank 11 again. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beresford Junction Posted September 7, 2011 Share Posted September 7, 2011 Hi Stu Really good progress on the sea wall and hills. 50 011 is looking great too. Keep it up Phil Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pitbull1845 Posted September 8, 2011 Share Posted September 8, 2011 Nice era, locos and layout... I like the headshunt between the lines too, for some reason I have a thing for short sidings to pose a loco. The same goes for bay platforms on stations. I'm weird like that.. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
P.C.M Posted September 8, 2011 Share Posted September 8, 2011 Hi Stu, The new senic section is looking great, certainly brings back a few memories of watching trains on the sea wall. 50011 looks good too with the black roof. The backscene really brings thing to life too, excellent. Cheers Peter. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparxD428 Posted September 24, 2011 Author Share Posted September 24, 2011 Thanks again guys for the comments and encouraging words. Pitbull - It took me ages to decide how to fill the corner and try to add something extra, eventually I decided on the headshunt as its a nice focal point for holding a loco. I must admit I like bay platforms and headshunts , those little features that give you something pleasing on the eye. Anyway, work has continued and the ballasting is nearly finished now and the upper seawall is nearly complete. Have a few hours now to continue the progress, so hope to post some more pics later today. Also risked using the thinned white paint on the main headlights on my Vacs, and I'm quite happy with the results. Cheers, Stu. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparxD428 Posted November 18, 2011 Author Share Posted November 18, 2011 Hi All, After nearly a couple of months of nothing, a burst of effort this week towards finishing some of the major jobs on the layout. So much so had to have a little running session tonight after the weeks work. This week I have weathered and completed the tunnel mouths, as well as a "bank" between the main and branch seawall line. Got some more backscene to complete this part as well as Wills brick and stone. Budget now so low that this weeks scenery has been a traditional scavenger hunt in the offcuts box for any old card, polystyrene, cork etc. Due to the lighting situation (I have now qualified as an electrician, know where the fault is but have to cut away the ceiling to access the "blob" of wires that i can feel just bodged together by whoever installed the electrics! - but I digress) , there are not many good pics to be had of the new scenery, so I thought I would take some pics of the little cameo's appearing on the layout, as well as a few from the running session for those who prefer to see traction. Cheers, Stu. 1. Single Railfreight Wagon (old Hornby used for testing) sits in the yard. 2. BR Vauxhall Viva (yet to be weathered) emerges through the magic tunnel into the fuelling point yard. 3. "Where's my train then?? If it's shunting duty and it's that Bachmann 08 I'll be waiting here a long, long time..." 4. The first signal has arrived, although not operational - this was my tester and showed up my skills of just how not to build it! 5. Early morning passengers wait the first train. 6. First DMU service on the branch for the day 7. 50011 slows past the signal box 8. ...and finally, 33004 is a surprise working on a return InterCity service Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparxD428 Posted November 18, 2011 Author Share Posted November 18, 2011 Also, a status update on traction in use (and occassional use) on the layout for anyone interested. Current generation: 08243 BR Blue (Bachmann, needs constant attention and renumbering to an LA or BR example) 33004 BR Blue (Heljan, needs weathering and detailing) 50011 Centurion ,LL Black Roof, (Hornby, needs weathering, going to go for a medium to heavy look) 50020 Revenge ,LL Grey Roof (Hornby, needs light weathering) - both vacs have had headlight and marker lights lightly whitened to improve appearance Old generation, still reasonably operational: 20130 BR Blue (Lima, just serviced this week and running OK. Not exactly a west country loco but for now it's doing a better job as layout shunter than the 08) 45103 BR Blue (Mainline, runs just about OK) 47513 Severn, LL, small numbers, yellow cabs (Lima, has bogie frame issue, stored waiting attention) 47628 Sir Daniel Gooch, GW150 Green (Lima, runs OK) 50010 Monarch , LL Grey Roof (Lima, rarely run now as I prefer the Hornby Vacs) 50013 Agincourt, LL Grey Roof (Lima, rarely run, also body was in poor condition so used to practice painting skills) 50044 Exeter, Original NSE (Lima, run more often than the other 2 lima machines, nice to have a bit of NSE livery on the layout) Class 117 DMU, Blue/Grey (Lima, runs reasonably well for it's age and condition) In the dead pile: 08946 BR Blue (Hornby, actually runs like a dream after 30 years but just looks so oversized) D1062 Western Courier , Maroon (Unfortunately I cannabalised this as a teenager and it's missing too much to really try and return to service as a preserved visitor) 43172/43011 HST Blue/Grey (Power car is beyond repair, also even a shortened HST on this layout would be half the length of the layout). Cheers, Stu. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparxD428 Posted December 15, 2011 Author Share Posted December 15, 2011 Hi All, Getting back in the groove now, have almost finished the scenic curve section, tunnel mouths to storage roads completed as well. Started weathering some stone for the sea wall and hope to have most of the big jobs completed by new year. Also finished the weathering on 50011, done some light roof weathering on 50020, and started on a couple of mineral and TTA wagons. Painted another lineside hut ready for the yard, but I'm beginning to think I've got too much green scenery and not enough buildings. Took a couple of pics tonight. 50020 enters the main line tunnel 50011 idles in the yard Thinking seriously about signalling now, might scratchbuild something as a tester soon. Cheers, Stu. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparxD428 Posted December 16, 2011 Author Share Posted December 16, 2011 A little experiment tonight. The Vac Bashers have found Westquay. Made some slight modifications to a Hornby Mk1 to add a "flailer" and what suspiciously looks like BR staff using the Priv card in uniform. They look good on the Up workings out of Westquay, but the flailer looks somewhat in need of men in white coats on the down. My excuse is he likes waving at the track! Hope you enjoy. Stu Saluting Revenge already off the blocks Still bellowing round the curve Mind the tunnel - It's OK there is clearance BR Staff joining in a bit of window hanging Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
modeler123 Posted December 16, 2011 Share Posted December 16, 2011 Nice layout Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparxD428 Posted January 18, 2012 Author Share Posted January 18, 2012 Cheers for the kind words Modeler123. Sorry been so long, have been busy on various aspects of the layout, but mainly continuing the scenic modelling of the curve to tunnels, including ballast snagging. Have been making headway on some other snagging jobs, and have bought some rocks so will be able to nearly complete the mini seawall. But digressing, on motive power I have got the old Lima 50010 running well again, renumbered using proper font numbers, have made scratchbuilt headcode boxes to resemble something more like the original. Had a bit of a Vac fest over Christmas, only 1 pic though. However, looking through some old photo's of a Vac bashing "holiday" in Scotland, holiday meaning chasing 37's and I have to admit 47's, came across some pics of 47593 minus ploughs at Perth in October 1986 and thought, Hmmm... So 47513 has been rebranded as the Princess and has found its way very far from home. Still needs some more detailing and heavier roof weathering, but as with most of my old loco's, all in good time. Have finally got round to properly logo and numbering the old mainline 45103, and also been botching along on another spare Peak body, results of which to either a) follow in the future or B) to be despatched to the Vic Berrys in our kitchen cupboard. couple of quick pics 1. Vac festival over christmas. Lima 44 & 10 paired with 11 & 20 also in attendance. 2. 47593 Galloway Princess makes her Westquay bow. Cheers, Stu. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparxD428 Posted January 27, 2012 Author Share Posted January 27, 2012 Been working on a few scenic parts again, slowly slowly... but got distracted by trying to design and run a new timetable. Had a little running session this evening of the first few booked turns on the timetable. 50010 Monarch on 2C01 02:35 Bristol TM-Westquay, a mixed vans/passenger service, based loosely on the good old 01:40 Waterloo-Yeovil Junction. 50011 Centurion emerges from the tunnel on the second arrival of the day, the overnight 1C01 00:11 Paddington-Westquay 08243 (soon to be a proper LA loco 08941) starts the first shunt duty of this busy Summer Saturday 50010 Monarch departs with its return working, the 2B06 06:30 Westquay-Plymouth. That basher is out again ! 47593 Galloway Princess arrives on the overnight 1C07 23:14 Manchester Piccadilly-Westquay, having worked the train from Bristol. Bath Road enjoy keeping hold of this Scottish Loco. Moved to stabling after shunt release 45128 moves to stabling before refuelling after working throughout on the overnight 1C05 21:53 Newcastle-Westquay Finally, a change in diagramming as 50020 Revenge sits ready in plenty of time for the 1E22 09:07 Westquay-Newcastle, whilst 50011 is about to depart on 1A08 08:30 Westquay-Paddington That's the overnights dealt with (most of) , still have to work on further timetabling issues for Summer Saturday trains, I am trying to get a good balance without overdoing it, or under using the station! Been so long since I knew anything about headcodes (vaguely remember the basics), although some listed will clash with real trains, please let me know if you think I have any glaring errors, no offence will be taken. Cheers, Stu. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparxD428 Posted February 3, 2012 Author Share Posted February 3, 2012 Finally got the lighting situation sorted earlier this week (amongst many DIY jobs I have achieved this week) so have some proper 240V lighting in the garage again. Had some electrical issues with a point and 2 rail joints yesterday, so out came the soldering iron to bodge a connection and return current to the rails. Today I have been applying more weathering to the track, as I am beginning to dislike the fact it looks too "buff" (as well as oversized ballast but too late now). So I have been using an acrylic mix of brown and black to create a sludge to apply around the tracks. Have done 2 lines into the station and some pointwork so far, I think it gives a more realistic effect to the trackwork. Took a couple of uninteresting pics.. Trackwork looking a little more realistic 33004 at the edge of the weathered track on Platform 3. ..and unrelated, a better pic of my latest detail victim with reworked marker arrangement, respray and weathering effort, 45128 (ex Mainline 45039) If I don't manage to get out down the local tonight, may make more track weathering headway! Cheers, Stu. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Temeraire Posted February 3, 2012 RMweb Premium Share Posted February 3, 2012 Evening Stu Trackwork looking better with the muck added. I'd give all the ballast at least a light coat to tone down the brightness of the stone and it will help make the large size of chippings less obvious. Is it time for more class 50 photos yet? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomJ Posted February 4, 2012 Share Posted February 4, 2012 Even with the cruel close up that weathered track looks superb. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack00 Posted February 4, 2012 Share Posted February 4, 2012 Looking amazing!! love the bashers, love the 50's and spoon's. Don't tend to see much Lima stuff around now still looking great though. Jack! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparxD428 Posted February 12, 2012 Author Share Posted February 12, 2012 Thanks for the kind words guys. Ian, managed to sneak maybe one or two more vac pics. Beginning to think I need to expand my stock as people must be bored of 11 & 20 by now Track weathering continued for a few hours today, finally getting to like the new colours and have taken a lot of the "too buff" away from the station area. Cleared all the station furniture to avoid any hoover (as in vacuum cleaner, not 50 related) incidents after working on the track. Ran a couple of trains after a big track clean. Also tried to add some home made bodgit detail to 47593 tonight, well got an ETH box and jumper done anyway. Some pics below with different lighting conditions tried. Cheers, Stu. 1. Overview of station on a Sunday "afternoon" 2. 50011 on the Sunday Waterloo service 3. 47593 & 50011 4. Trying different lighting with close up of 11 & Mk2B to see if I can improve the pic quality as still only using Smartphone. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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