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  • SouthernRegionSteam

    Coastguard Creek - 15 months of planning!

    By SouthernRegionSteam

    Hold on to your socks - this is going to be a lengthy one! (In fact it's so long, I've now split it into 2 separate posts - the next will be up soon...)   I think it's fair to say that you are all long overdue an update on Coastguard Creek. Due to other commitments, no real progress has been made since the last post way back in March 2021; almost 15 months ago! If anything, things went backwards for quite a while, as I kept finding more and more inspiring locations that I really wanted
    • 8 comments
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Learning Curve

I'm going to need a bigger magnifier! and burn cream

I want to use block detection so I can automate trains running on the layout but the cost of block detection from off the shelf suppliers is not cheap.  I watched Rob from Little Wicket on YouTube and he talked about MERG and the cost of kits that can be ordered and self built.     Well, the Royal Navy supposedly trained me in electronics…a very long time ago; I’m about to find out if any of that knowledge is still rattling around in my head.  I still remember how to drink too much and
Learning Curve

Learning Curve in Electronics

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Swindon Works at 53C

GWR Excursion Stock

This project is a culmination of two fascinations. First, to model some of the GWR’s excursions stock of the 1930s. Second, to dip my toe in the water of brass side/RTR coach conversions.    The GWR entered the world of dedicated excursions stock in 1935, identifying the need for dedicated coach sets to take fans to the football, and families to the beach. The first (non-dining) open coaches built by the GWR since the clerestory period, open thirds, open brake thirds, and buffet coaches w
A Sussex countryside model railway

Is there anyone still there

It would seem that I "fell off" .. well .. lots of stuff, not least keeping this blog up to date, so perhaps it's time for a brief update.   Lyghtondown continues forward but it's hard for me to tell where we had got to in the blog, all the old photos have been 'archived' (euphemism for deleted).  I know I was playing out with electronics (I still am) and that some success had been witnessed regarding actually getting things moving.   Anyway, we've been a little more focused
jeff_p

jeff_p in 00

2
Leeds (London Road) Stock

Passenger locos

The layout will require a lot of passenger locos.. from both  the LM and the NE Regions in about 1960.   Looking at Jubilees.. kit built ones include:   Leewrad Islands.. now weathered an loaned for use on Shap.   Sea Horse also used on Chapel en le Frith Bothe of these are Ks Kits with some modification     This is a weathered/shed cleaned Bachmann jubilee Sturdee.   Baz
Barry O

Barry O in Layout locos

0
Windy Mill Lane - 009 'pizza' layout

Introducing 'Windy Mill Lane' - a 009 pizza layout

Ever since I bought the lovely Bachmann 'Dorothea' to compliment my existing loco 'fleet' of 2 on Sandy Shores, I've realised that I need a way to run-in locomotives. (I moreso need one in OO now that I've been buying multiple locos for Bramble's Boatyard, but that's another matter entirely!).   Still, a simple roundy-roundy would be nice; but y'know what would really be nice? Having a scenic one! More specifically, using this opportunity to try and catch up on some of my BRM projects
On Ravensers Bookcase

A Boxing Post.

I don't think I've ever done a product review on here before, but here goes....   A fortnight ago I went to Railex. Most of my purchase list was 4mm stuff, even though I don't seem to have done any 4mm for about a year because of the N gauge project (which is why my annual review and resolutions post for 2023 hasn't happened). But the previous weekenmd I went to a local show - only my second show this year - and picked up the body of a Kirk Gresley 61' full brake for a quid. Everything
CJM - Rokeby Street and Central Road

Another light test on the Odeon

Well, the LED's have been soldered up, and seem to work well with a 2032 battery, and I've tested the LED's for over three hours without a drop in the brightness of the light.  The photo does seem a little bright.....but the LED's are attached to a small piece of plywood, in order to ensure they are in the right place when I add the awning and sign. Bit more painting to do, then to weather it....to add the rot...etc. 
CJM

CJM in Low relief buildings

0
Atherington Victoria & East Yard.

52. "The train on Platform 2 is the 07.55 for London Bridge..."

Atherington Victoria station's tarmac platform is laid, and more viaduct parapets are made (if not glued in place yet).         I am unsure where all the photographs of the platform's progress are, but pleased the task worked on over several weeks is better than expected.  My heart-felt thanks to @simon b and @Wheatley for giving their expertise on a previous post (no. 40) about making tarmac surfaces.  This is just the basic structure, with more work needed to vary
C126

C126 in B.R. blue goods yard.

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DBC90024's Blog

loco update - 9th June 2023

This morning 90031 has arrived at his new resting place, with the assistance of DB yard mate 66065, having had the necessary wizardry from @railtec-models to create the artwork to replicate as near to what 90031 actually looks like now. Thank you Steve.   It was then the turn of Jerry  @Squirrel Rail to create a significant aged look inspired by the actual example but not necessarily every blemish - the 90 in my world would likely have worked more so would be less aged now :-).  
Learning Curve

Honey i shrunk the power tool.

The basic framework is complete and the big tools are now tucked up in bed.  I moved a desk from the office out to the workshop and began opening boxes that contain my Dremel tools.  Why did my wife let me buy all this stuff?, it's not my fault, I'm addicted.  I obviously needed them at some stage or maybe they were offered at a special price...anyway she has lots of shoes.  I also have lots of bits and pieces in a couple of racks that i just KNOW are useful but can't remember why.   N
Barry Ten's Blog

Paynestown - a bit more scenery.

Nothing very dramatic here, just a bit more progress in the general direction of scenery. I've begun adding some additional fencing along the road, and developed it more greenery on the right side of the layout. It all helps with the feeling that the layout is slowly knitting together.     These rustic wooden fences were made using Peco plastic sheets, cut into short lengths with scissors, then suitably abused along the top to suggest a degree of creeping dereliction. As with
Barry Ten

Barry Ten in GWR

8
Learning Curve

More Peco than Picasso

Painting of the scenic break.  When we moved to this house a year ago there was, like most of the houses i've moved in to, a collection of paints that the previous owners had left in case colour matching was required.  i grabbed the first can that said 'three in one' and on opening was suprised it was a perfect sky blue, lucky for me.  Some filling and sanding and three coats later.  I just know that my wife is going to say at some point "well if you can do that then you can now paint the laundr
Fen End Pit's Blog

Excellent day out with the Norfolk and Suffolk Narrow Gauge modellers

Yesterday we took Fen End Pit out to the Norfolk and Suffolk Narrow Gauge modellers open day in exotic Beccles and an excellent day was had by all. It took us a few minutes longer to put the layout up than it should. I'd forgotten which way around the legs went after nearly 3 years since the last show (must label them better!)  I'd checked each baseboard out and cleaned everything and everything worked pretty well.  We seemed to be appreciated by the public (several children not old enough to kn
Fen End Pit

Fen End Pit in Fen End Pit

2
Learning Curve

The world might be a stage but it needs a fiddle yard

The electrics begin to go in.  i want to be able to plug the table in and so an extension lead was fitted.  i wanted power at the desk and a USB  to connect to the Arduino.  I also fitted an isolation switch so I can use the desk power and not have the layout powered up.  the Main DCC bus cables are not installed as are the 3v and 5v circuits.  These circuits will all be running to various terminal blocks to allow easy access.   Time to put the table top on and following some detailed
CJM - Rokeby Street and Central Road

Painting, and more painting continues

Quite slow progress at the moment with the layout buildings, however the corporate base coats of blue have been applied to the frontage, and I'm quite pleased with the finish of it. I've also fabricated another sign for the front awning which lights up very well indeed. I however have to set up the internal LEDS for it first.  Once the blue has dried I intend to lighten it up considerably as part of the weathering process, along with finishing the window ledges etc.  So, not long to co
CJM

CJM in Low relief buildings

0
Chesworth - Horsham MRC's 00 Finescale project

May's Progress

The vagaries of the calendar meant that the month of May had five Wednesdays, and as a result three of them were so-called Long Wednesdays when the club meets from 2.30 in the afternoon through to 9.30 in the evening. The work this month was pretty heavy on the carpentry front, which can really only be done on the meeting days when there are enough hours to make it worthwhile setting up.   Our carpenter, Lee, delivered the third baseboard frame at the start of the month meaning we now
whart57

whart57 in Monthly Reports

0
Learning Curve

Cut cut screw screw

I'm lucky.  I have a reasonable tool set, lots of Ryobi power tools and other rapidly spinning death machines.  After a bit of thought i framed the base and added some castor wheels.  I have now decided i need to add more castors, you'll see why later.  Once the super sized skateboard was complete (yes, i did scoot around the garage a bit, silly fool i am) i sat back to enjoy some smugness and then planned the height of the finished table so i could cut lots of timber and make some frames.
Learning Curve

The high level plan

I had my first layout a few years ago but a house move meant it had to go.  I decided to keep the loco's and carriages but the rest was given away...oh how i regret that hasty decision today.  Plug and play lighting, power supplies, buildings, figures, 100's of trees, scenic sounds etc etc etc   I retired recently and have a bucket list, sitting near the top, just after 'Get some bees' is build another layout, written next to it is 'But this time plan properly and don't just go buying
Playing with 1/50 scale

The 1/50 project, A Tank wagon, part 1

I’m slowly painting 263 but some setbacks mean it is a bit of a waiting game. So as a background project I have been making this tank wagon.   It all started when I came across a foot of 38 mm o/d waste water pipe about to be thrown out. I squinted at it and thought that it looked about the right size for a tank wagon in 1/50.   Some styrene sheet and a bit of glue later and I had a tank.         I put it on a card frame and sat it on the track w
Coastguard Creek - New Forest Coast

Bramble's Boatyard - Baseboard Design - Pt.1

As many of you know, my modelmaking comes in fits and starts. On personal projects, that usually means 1 or 2 months of modelling a year, and that's it. On BRM projects, it is usually more consistent year-round, however, this year I've fallen behind by about 4+ months due to a myriad of reasons; S.A.D being a big part of it, but also struggling with a build that I initially thought would be straight-forward that turned out to be anything but! Instead of moving onto another project and coming bac
Marlott - N Gauge Billy Bookcase Layout

New Roof for the Coal Office

I am working on a new roof for the coal office. I have succumbed to the point of view that says, "a viewer sees more of the rooves than anything else" so I have decided an upgrade is in order. The tiles are 2mm wide which makes them 12" to scale. I have tried to make some of them slightly uneven to make it look more natural by slipping some by 0.1, 0.2 or 0.3mm. This is the effect so far:      I still have the ridge tile, painting and a new sign to do.   If this wor
goldngreen

goldngreen in Yard

2
kyle of lochalsh

Kyle Railex 2023

Just an update on the back of this weekend's superb RailEX 2023 in Aylesbury. Great show with nice mix of quality layouts and trade - honoured to be amongst the line up and to have made the front cover of the show guide.   Thanks to Tim, David and all the team for hosting and looking after us all weekend.   Thank you for all the kind comments and it was great to finally meet some people who have either been following my diatribes on here and/or saw the layout in Model Rail ma
bcnPete

bcnPete in General

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