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Just a couple of pics to show progress on goods shed. A fair bit still to go but I'm still sane ish watch this space I will post again next week

Under the locomotive will be the chassis I have commissioned to save me the bother of cutting six identical frame sets and so on... So, back from the etchers via Justin Hewitt who did most of the hard work, came these; Which, after about five minutes of clipping from the fret and four bend later, becom this, an 'instant' fold-up P4 chassis; After another ten minutes (I kid you not...) and the frame spacers are in place; Those among you with better eyesight than mine may also like to note that the spacers have been designed to be in the correct places for CSB- based suspension and fulcrum points in the form of etched holes included in the spacer - no calculations to do and no mucking about with handrail knobs... ...and looks like this sitting under the bodywork; More anon once I have cleaned up the bench a little and had my lunch... Best, Marcus

This will be just a quick entry - as it's rather hot in the loft at the mo! - Hence the reason this operating session will be short... Decided to run a couple of parcels trains, mainly trying to sort out some reliability issues with the B.K. couplings system that is fitted to all the stock used on Sproston. The locos are a Bachmann 43XX mogul and a Collett Goods, both now capable of displaying the correct npccs train headcode and tail lamps. Parcels stock are a couple of Bachmann ex SR pmv's and ex SR 4 wheeled passenger brake( van BY ) A 64xx pannier tank stands in the bay, awaiting departure time with the next up autotrain, - it appears the crew have not yet changed the lamps over! A horsebox can be seen standing at the loading dock (alongside the bay) brought in by the previous parcels train. The mogul will be engine for the up milk, which can be seen loading in the creamery siding behind the signalbox. Until next time, Regards SIGTECH. (Steve)

The Parkside GWR 10T Open has now had its 'G W' transfers replaced with correct scale 25" lettering, and the load and tare markings put on. It joins the Mink in awaiting only its 5-digit number on each side. The first two photos show the Mink van, with the "before" for the Open, while the last photo shows the "after" for the Open. The Mink D, as far as I can tell, should retain the smaller 'G W' lettering, but awaits its turn to get the load and tare weight markings, plus its suitable vehicle number.

I've finally bitten the bullet, bought an NCE Powercab from Coastal DCC and a sound decoder equipped Lionheart pannier to keep me going while Coastal DCC fit decoders to my 48xx and 4575. The Powercab and the pannier are incredible! In spite of the not very ergonomic design and the not very intuitive menus the Powercab gives fantastic control, and the Lionheart pannier is wonderful. I've fiddled around with the sound levels having read the old threads on here from Martyn Welch, touching on the need to moderate the noise of the coal shovelling (which sounds more like a bulldozer demolishing an old warehouse with its default setting) - now it sounds very convincing. The most exciting bit for me is shunting, where I can now inch the loco backwards or forwards to relieve the tension on my slightly modified Spratt and Winkle couplings. One of the photos shows the couplings in this postition. I can honestly say they are now 100% reliable and shunting wagons is very satisfying. When I have time, I'll make a video to show off how well it works. Happiness is a train set