So with christmas upon us let me first wish everyone well with the festivities.

Its been a fun and changeable first year with Leith Central. Going from some drawings and photos to having the first board progressing nicely and also an expansion of the fleet in both Steam era and for Leith Central. 

Highlights of the year have been having my first exhibitor experience with the Edinburgh Miniture Railway Club at Model Rail Scotland, which i especially enjoyed the engagement with fellow modellers and seeing behind the scenes of the show. Personal modelling wise i am very proud of the platform end area i kit bashed for Leith Central platforms 1 and 2, this took time and developed slowly over a few months around other work and was always fun to come back to and currently forms the centre of the expanding work on the layout. Model wise my favourite projects have been the renumbering and weathering of 92019 and the V3 fleet project i did. Iam really happy with the way these models turned out as my first renumbering projects and look forward to moving forward with further projects like these.

As for what has joined the fleet i was blown away by the Accurascale Silver Queen Cement Tanks, i intend to add to the 6 i have to complement my rake of Presflo wagons which has now grown to 15. The presflo is really underrated model from Bachmann in my book and one of the most interesting short wheel base wagons on the market and produced to a really high standard. I only hope the forthcoming prestwin will match these 2 wagon models.

Loco wise the Duchess i reviewed in November is one of the nicest models ive seen in a while and i do like the appeal of the more utilitarian modification to the rear pony truck. Hopefully ill get to further enhancing this model with weathering, crew and lamps in 2020. I will always be a class 37 fan and the fleet is now at 6 with a good few more on the wish list for the new year. Adding scottish classics 37403 & 427 in scotland specific liveries has been nice as has the addition of the Maroon RTC class 47 early in the year. Looking forward to adding more to the fleet and hopefully starting on operation 08 in 2020, which i intend to have one of repaints done of all the Haymarket one off livery 08s, more on that as i get to it.

My Winners of 2019 are:

Manufacturer: Accurascale

Steam Loco: Hornby final design Duchess

Diesel Loco: Bachmann Class 37

Wagon: Accurascale Silver Queen

Coach: Bachmann MK2 DBSO

So what for 2020

With the experience gained on Leith Central and as a means to have something for running sessions i intend to start on 2 mini-layouts, one in 00 and one in N after coming across a supply of new N gauge track for free locally. These models are also going to be used to explore the light weight baseboard theory and see if i can produce a model for under £100 using available track and bits from around the house. So a Reuse, recycle, recover approach. Maybe one should represent a recycling centre  

The 00 layout will be built around displaying the New Bachmann breakdown crane with the idea being the layout must cost less than the Cranes RRP when complete. So a complete model railway reading to operate for £245.

Things im looking to get, have preordered or excited about in the new year is a long list but heres the top 10:

1, Accurascale class 92

2, Bachmann Breakdown Crane

3. Dapol Class 21/29

4, Bachmann VEA van

5, Bachmann Scotrail MK2s

6, Bachmann Prestwin

7, Accurascale ore hoppers

8, Bachmann Blue class 47s (435, 711)

9, Accurascale Deltics

10, Bachmann Narrow Gauge Quarry Hunslets

Now that all important wish list

1, More Provincial liveried stock mk1 & 2

2, Class 82 in intercity rerelease

3, Class 308

4, Class 320/321/322

5, MK3 sleepers in intercity

Anyway have a happy christmas and i hope to get some modelling done over 2020 once the hand is back in business fully.