Hello everyone, 

 

First keep safe during these uncertain times and look after yourselves! Anyway...time for some more modelling!!

 

So what has been going on since the very short update in part 4? 

 

A lot has changed for the layout, in the sense that I've been able to do far more on the board and prepare for further work, planning is in place for all the wiring to go in plus the placement of all the isolating sections and wires which will carry the current over when running the layout in full swing. 

 

Coaching Stock

 

61'6 to 52'6 Stock

 

Interestingly I was with members of my model club before the social distancing and other measures were put in place, myself and other members of the club looked on as my LNER J15 7649 pulled a pair of LNER 61'6 Teaks along the layout  ( set on an M&GN Layout in the 30's) A discussion broke out about the correct type of LNER Gresley's which would be used, I brought up 61'6 & the GE shortened variant. As I've seen photo's of Cambridge in the 30's with 61'6 stock behind Ex GER loco's bound for Norwich. However looking through my documents, websites and books. Asking questions and receiving answers from some better clued in people other than myself. ( I'm very much learning on the job as it were) I found and have interpenetrated the information this way...

 

Because of the GE's signaling system it was designed around vehicles which were 54" long only. Which meant that anything longer would not fit in the track circuits between signals ( This was particularly around Liverpool St and the surrounding Suburban area. So LNER 61'6 stock tended to operate in other area's such as Cambridge - Norwich etc. Which was rather annoying but also a relief, simply because I currently only have 2 Hornby LNER 61'6 stock ( 3rd/1st Comp brake & All 3rd ) Which meant that I will need to get some kits and begin building a series of coaches to form short trains for the layout. Fortunately Isinglass, the chap who made the LNER Late Quint Art Set, has almost got a full set of LNER 52'6 kits already done, which means I can just order and build a kit very quickly. 

 

The fantastic bit for me is Isinglass has almost built the full set of 52'6 LNER Teaks, the 1st Open being the last on the list to do, in my case I would like to get a full brake to add to the LNER Parcels/ Milk train which the layout is due to have. The plan will be to order 2 kits to begin with, those being the LNER Full 3rd Compartment & the Full 3rd Brake, that way I can slowly build up the standard passenger stock for MEP and overall have a larger fleet of LNER GE stock which would be far more appropriate for the layout, of course the LNER Early Quint will sit on the fence for now as I plan to work on a few of these 52'6 Teaks. However, I am hoping (no doubt someone will correct me) I can run a set of 2 61'6 stock behind a D16/3 as if it's on a stopper train from Cambridge to MEP.

 

After what I've learnt...Perhaps an in-accurate scene for a layout on the LNER GE section...But it does look nice - Although you can see how long this photograph was taken as the track, and layout look far my sophisticated. 

 

Wagons 

 

With the 2 Parkside LNER Fish Vans & LNER General Good's van complete, I thought it was about time I looked into weathering this stock, at the time I owned 2 LNER RTR weathered wagons by TMC, and I thought I'd look to do the same level, only that weathering on vans wasn't as clear cut as TMC make it look. Which is why these results came out...

 

 

For those interested this is the full 5 Van set of the LNER Fish Train I wanted to set up I was given an extra LNER Fish Van to do to complete the train meaning I could finally complete the set and make these vans look used because after even a few months of work they would have been weathered and certainly not look as good as they once did. I also wanted to make it appear as though the LNER was phasing the older LNER 10ft Fish van out ( Bachamann model) for the 12ft variant ( Parkside kits) 

 

Following the vans I moved to my very clean Private Owner Coal Wagons, using a bit of dry brushing and some weathering powders I was able to get a fantastic effect on the model which was also added to when I went to weather the LNER Fruit vans, again following phoot's from the W&U Tramway, to get an understanding for the layout. 

 

 

 

Finally ending withe a two in one, photo. Here you can see the undercoat showing through the Bauxite paint here on the final LNER Fish Van, not to worry a second coat will solve that problem, but in the background you can see the LNER Horsebox which has now gone into Gloss Varnish, while I apply the transfers, I hope to get some transfers with the words " Return to Newmarket" and a few other little bits, if anyone can help with locating these that would be grand. I may go do Old Time Workshop as I did for the LNER wagon decals.  

 

 

Layout

 

This has taken a massive step forwards, with the cutting and fitting of the backscene. Doing this with a good sunny afternoon. The back scene was cut to size very quickly and I was able to get the best out of the wood I had, and cut and fit the tunnel mouth backscene. After a trip to hobbycraft (possibly for the last time in a while, I was safe while doing so being sure to keep my distance ) I picked up some grey paint and a few brushes and gave the backscene a good coat of grey paint. Doing so has given the layout quite a bit of life I must say. 

 

Following this trail fitting the retaining walls began, the following day I then using some Gorilla PVA glue I fitted the back scenes into place for the last time. While leaving the back scenes to dry I put the tack back down and put some locomotives down for creating and setting the scene for the look which Mile End Park is looking to produce. I have to say I'm very happy with how it's gone for the layout, the rolling stock & locomotives do really give a good view for the whole scene. 

 

Track work wise, the only addition is the second to last point I need for the layout being a RH point coming off the loco road running onto the mainline. I have increased the size of that yard space so I can fit a B17 & N7 or a pair of J15's together. Of course the head shunt is designed with the 1500 & 2800 (B12 & B17) in mind as they were the biggest engines the LNER (GE) had to operate the line. So it stands that the head shunt and yard are not big enough to fit more than 3 locomotives on duty at any one point. 

 

 

J15 7847 brings in the market goods train into Mile End Park 

 

 

N7 7993 Departs on the Morning Quint service for London Liverpool St.