Modelling (well model planning/ design ) has continued in the background during the last few months. Time for blogging on the other hand has been another question. Today however I have the dreaded lurgy so Im taking some time to update the progress thus far.

At the end of the last blog, there was a paper track design in place. Since then there has been a whole heap of conceptualisation progress with the trainz program. The aim of the program was to get an idea how it would look in 3D as well as how all the elements would fit together. Once happy it was possible to do some testing ( or playing ) before starting up templot. The other advantage is its a really quick way to get an idea of how well a concept will work

This is a top view of the layout. The area of the spare room was ruled up to give a definitive space to work within. ( its approximately the same space as empire basin for those following that blog )

Once the area was a defined it was a simple case of putting track and then scenery in. One of the things that has changed since the paper plan is that the down line goods yard now has a head shunt that runs parallel to the station.

Here is a view of the proposed station layout.

And another of the proposed goods shed and small loco facility. The turntable in trainz scales to a larger size than the peco one I plan to use. The other good thing about using trainz is that the buildings are scale size and a realistic size at that.

The other advantage is an immersive 3D view. I can place trees and buildings and see how they will affect my ability to see different areas of the layout. This is going to be an issue as the layout is designed to be just under eye height. It also gives me a good reason to have undulating terrain and not just a flat board on the layout. This will give me a better view of trains in different areas. (and hopefully some good photography)

Once I was totally happy with it, It was time to migrate to Templot. To get a nice flowing nature ( plus most turnouts are on a 4-5 ft radius) using Templot is a must. I have sprouted the moto that if you can do a double slip in Templot then you can do anything.

The double slip was the first part that I completed. Hats off to martin because once you get used to the idea of creating custom sections of track, the program is really easy to use.

Eventually I have come up with this. Pretty happy with it since this is the first time that I have used Templot.

So I now know where all the point motors will go and can start designing and building my boards.

Here it is printed out at 1:1 on the lounge room floor. Dog tiptoed around the track plan very carefully to get onto her bed. Good dog

On a side note there has been other modelling happening in the background. Work on the 4mt tank and 5MT have been progressing well and I have started putting the airbrush to use.

I now need to get pressfix transfers and do all the lining etc before weathering. I will also give the tender another coat of paint as the last one was thinned out way to much and has gone funny. ( yay for metal work, because if it all goes to pot then there is always paint stripper )

Oh, and some people have been placed in coaches.

Any case, Ill sign off here with a few more pictures from Trainz.