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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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Control

MERG DCC Controller

The build of the fitted iron mink, featured in my last post, is progressing rather slowly - a combination work projects, being away for a week or so, and the current heat. The room that serves as both my home office and modelling room is in our loft conversion, and gets very hot in the current kind of weather, which rather puts me off doing anything. So, to fill the gap before the mink is finished so I can write part 2 of that post, I thought I would share some pictures and notes on the DCC cont
magmouse

magmouse in Control

4
GWR

Paynestown - exhibition lighting

I'm the worst for leaving the boring jobs until the last minute, but for this layout I was determined not to be caught out and to try and get ahead on the less exciting tasks, including sorting out the fascia and the lighting rig. It'll still be a mad rush at the end I know, but at least the presentational aspects should be reasonably finished.   This view shows most of the layout, with a start made on the fascia, and also with the LED lighting in place for the first time. The latter d
Barry Ten

Barry Ten in GWR

7
Ivatt 2MT

Progress on an Ivatt kit

I've been working on a chassis and detailing kit for a Bachmann Ivatt class 2 2-6-0 tender loco for several years now with my friends from Brassmasters. Progress has been sporadic but we recently received another set of test etches from PPD and this time we got two copies, one is being build by one of the Brassmasters team using the full Easi-Chas approach using the Bachmann motor and gears and mine is being built using a High Level gearbox and motor. This later option allows you to fill in the
Fen End Pit

Fen End Pit in Ivatt 2MT

1
Swan Hill

GWR N5 Horsebox No 88 (7mm scale, scratchbuilt)

There are still a few things to add to the model - trumpet vent on the roof (I can't find a drawing and my attempts from photos don't look right) and lamp brackets: I'm sure there should be a groom seated in the end compartment, reading the Racing Post.  The challenge with this model has been the braking assembly.  I eventually gathered together enough information about the Dean era, outside linked clasp system to make a reasonable stab at it, I don't have an undeframe drawing for this particula
kitpw

kitpw in Swan Hill

9
The 1/50 scale project

The 1/50 project, A Tank wagon, part 2

Given that it is just a background project the tank wagon has come on well.   I spent a bit of time faffing about wondering how to make something that looked like the clamping straps and hawsers that hold the tank on. Eventually it dawned on me, at 1/50 the simple answer is just to make some straps and hawsers and hold the tank on with them.   So I splashed out a tenner for 50 m1 nuts and bolts.   Some bits of brass and m1 nuts and bolts. Five strands of 5A fuse wir
B.R. blue goods yard.

53. D.E.M.U. Show-case 2023.

Thought I would add my two-penn’orth of praise for D.E.M.U. Show-case 2023 with some photos of my favourite layout there, @sf315 ‘s ‘Hillport Goods’.  All the models were to an enviably high standard I thought, but this one beat the others by a whisker (and a few of my resulting pictures are presentable), having the liveries I like best and capturing an ‘atmosphere’ I find so evocative.  Thank you to the operators for letting me distract them with my photographing: I was trying to reproduce the
C126

C126 in B.R. blue goods yard.

3
Layout Wiring

A return to the lower deck - part 3

First semaphore signal installed and working.   2x front crossover points all wired up and working, have installed microswitches for frog polarity.   Now I know the wiring configuration the rest should be straight forward enough although I need to build a daughter board for the CANMIO to enable 16 outputs for the servos.   When I took the photo of the signal I had power to it but had wired the relay up wrong so that it wasn't moving but it is now. - (Its a CANPAN, t
MattB

MattB in Layout Wiring

0
Layout locos

Black 5s.. you can't have too many of them!

Mixed traffic locos are a must for Leeds (London Road). I have plenty of kit built Black 5s (plus a Hornby one not shown on here).   Ks Black 5 with a Mainline tender and Comet front bogie - a Namer! Lancashire     A Model Loco Black 5 with Portescap motor and gears fitted     Another Ks Loco Black 5  - it needs to have the gears cleaned out as it is getting to be quite noisy. It is probably 45 years old and was built by Nicktoix  
Barry O

Barry O in Layout locos

0
Electronics

Welding with candles

As expected I did manage to touch the soldering iron to one of my fingers, however, there is no lasting damage and no hurty cream was required.  Once I got used to the VERY tiny components and the proper soldering method it was straightforward.   The MERG kits have excellent instructions and even a hints and tips page was included with recommendations on additional tools that may be of use…so I have been on the Internet shopping again!   Once the kit was complete I tested usi
Learning Curve

Learning Curve in Electronics

0
P4 layout

Cheddar P4 - June 2023 Update

Afternoon peeps. progress has slowed a bit and been limited to detailing of the station building. The train shed has been adorned with signs, posters and timetables and after a couple of attempts, I’ve got some representative gas lighting installed and working. These came from eBay and are of Chinese origin. They just need painting and tweaking a bit. The platform lamps are from Kytes Lights and are the best I could do to match the original GWR gas lamp columns and replacement hea
ullypug

ullypug in P4 layout

3
General

Caledonian No. 263, a rebuild, part 2

The body needed a fair amount of sorting out, a lot of bits fell off when it was being stripped. It isn’t the best paint job, but painting is not my favourite activity. As ever with the CR a lot of awkward brightwork but I have tried to tone it down a little to give a practical in use look. I also simplified the lining a bit.                 The main reason for the rebuild was to improve running. So a bit of video showing 263 on a trip worki
Dave John

Dave John in General

6
Electronics

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

2
GWR Coach 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
00

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
Layout locos

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
Layout Design

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
Mercia Wagon Repair

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
Low relief buildings

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
B.R. blue goods 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.

0
Loco update

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 :-).  
Setting up the workspace

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
GWR

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

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