Hi

Today I've been working on removing the excess ballast from the track, and then cleaning it to enable the running of trains. I also adjusted the platform, there was need to taper the ramp and reduce the platform slightly where the platform near the station building.

The photographs below shows a mixed train stopped at the platform. Note that the clearance between the train and the bridge is about 2mm all around the train.

I have installed a checkrail in the middle of the platform, this was there on the prototype, and on the model is keeps the train away from the platform. This is required because OO gauge wheels allow the significant slop, allowing the wheels to move about 2mm from side to side. I want to get the gap, between the plaform and the train to look correct and at the same time keeping the train for hitting the platform.

I have also painted the Modrock the correct earth colour, and this makes the look more realistic.

I have also started to work on the bridge which carries the railway over the stream. The stream flows East, towards the upper river Severn. At the point it joins the Severn, is up stream of Welshpool and less that 7 miles from the start of the Severn proper, at Llanidldes where the Clywedog joins the Tylweh rivers.

The layout is modelled as it was in the Summer of 1947. The stream then had a depth of 18", in the spring and autumn it often had a depth of 48", and the water level was only 9" from the bottom of the timber baulks. On one occasion, the stream depth was 60", only the rails were not under water.

Julie