Leaderboard

Morning I have now got the trackwork on the first board to a standard that I am happy with. Its taken about a week to get it to this standard but I really feel it has been worth it. The trackwork on any layout its so important, is there any point having a layout that looks fantastic but has no end of problems running anything? The above photo shows pretty much the work that I have done, it has been a case of tweaking and tweaking again until I could get my pannier tank engine with a couple of wagons around all the track without any stalling, derailments or sticky bits. The crossover has been the most awkward, getting it so that things could pass over it in any direction without changing tracks has taken several attempts but it finally seems to be behaving. I must admit now that I am glad I built the trackwork by soldering the rail to PCB sleepers as it has made the tweaking quite straightforward, I now actually feel quite enthusiastic about the layout once again as I have been happy shunting the wagons around. There is a couple of options now though, do I continue with this board and do the ballasting (another potential problem area) or move onto the second board and tweak the track on that? Hmmmmm... Missy

A little progress tonight - the front end of the tender is taking shape (roughly) following the instructions... The toolbox section states 'fold up the toolobx and solder to the front plate' - the impression is that it is soldered to the *footplate* side - but the section is *before* adding the footplate. I suddenly realised it goes inside the coal hopper! There is also a 'front door' which should (in the MSWJR period) be sweated to the front of the front plate. Apparently in the GWR period it was blocked up because the brake standard when moved to the correct side of the footplate, blocked access to it. I would have thoguht that the toolbox itself would have been removed in that case... I know - the steps are a little 'wonky' - Ill leave them until the work is complete - they might get knocked out of position again! I also have an apology to make to Roxey. In one of the early posts I said there was no brake standard.... I was going off the contents list. Nice surprise tonight to find a whitemetal one in the accessories bag! However I'll probably change it for a brass one if I can find one! Full day off tommorrow, so hopefully the tender will get finished, then I can start on the bit that pulls it! Regs Ian

Hi Have finally started to build my shed for A4 Union of South Africa. Thanks to help from other poster (Cheers Richard -Ben Alder) I was given drawings for the original shed. While not building a shed exactly the same for my layout I wanted it to be based on the prototype. 60009 was kept in a shed at Markinch station during my period. My shed will have two roads in it as opposed to one but most other features will (I hope) be the same. Slate roof and wooden sides with small outbuilding. Loading doors(at ground not platform height on mine) on one side.This is my first effort at building my own and so far I am quite pleased. Here are a couple of photos so far. long, long way to go mind...... Chris

The Steelman Royale chassis is looking good there Paul and I like the finish on the tipper and container. Tinted varnish coats are useful aren't they, well worth experimenting as you say. What's this varnish you mention? Something airbrush specific?

Looking superb Paul Can't wait to see the Steelman Royale progress