Brian D

Thanks Steve. Now the layout is substantially complete and the build is finished progress reports are pretty much at an end, unless I change or modify something and think it worth recording here. Whilst there are still some aspects of the layout that I am less than chuffed (pardon the pun) with and I could improve, I have also been mulling over the "nuclear" option of building a new layout (replacing the current Deneside with a roundy roundy layout in the shed, station and colliery on one side of the shed, fiddle yard on the other). If I did this I would try to salvage as much of the buildings and structures as possible. I have a track plan in mind. Food for thought. Regards, Brian.

Recent activity has comprised of the construction of a couple of old Dapol/Kitmaster kits, the Lowmac wagon and the JCB so I thought they should star in my latest video, see below. Regards, Brian.

As promised, here is the link to the video of my BR early emblem version on a passenger turn on my layout "Deneside". Regards, Brian.

My early BR crested version arrived a couple of days ago with a misfitted cab (as described by others here) but was easily sorted. In all other respects it looks and performs splendidly without any bogie/pony truck derailment issues. Pics below taken after the cab issue was sorted. I've also taken some video of the loco on my layout which I need to edit and upload to you-know-where. I'll put a link here when it's done. Regards, Brian.

Is the brdatabase.info website of any assistance? It gives loco shed allocations but not "turns". The following is a screen shot for a defined snap shot for Heaton loco allocations for January 1959. Regards, Brian.

The latest video, just published, is available below. Regards, Brian.

Hi Tony, Apologies if this is a bit off topic but I had the huge pleasure yesterday of travelling south from Edinburgh Waverley to KX on board an LNER Azuma. To amuse myself enroute (when I could tear myself away from the view out of the window) I was tracking the journey on Google maps on my phone and monitoring the train's speed using a speedometer app (decent wifi being afforded on the train). You will be pleased to know that we flew through Little Bytham at 122 mph according to my app. It was a truly exhilarating journey completed in 4 hours 20 minutes. The ECML is still a high-speed connection between the two capitals. Regards, Brian.

Good to see you back Scott and I'm looking forward to seeing further updates on your fantastic layout. All the best, Brian.

"The Rambler's Rest" perhaps.

I have enjoyed following your thread. My 60s spotting days were sometimes spent on the Durham Coast line at Easington. I remember the V1/3 hauled pidgeon train and a streak once (must have been a ECML closure that day). But the usual fair was J27 and Q6 hauled hoppers too and from Easington Colliery and of course DMUs on the Newcastle - Middlesbrough hourly services. Really enjoyed your video above. Best regards, Brian.

I love the way your viaducts and bridges result in such realism and knowing now how you build them (and every individual stone) you must have the patience of a saint which I clearly lack. Keep up the excellent work. Regards, Brian.

That looks a decent effort Andy, not unlike part of the Scalescenes creamery shown below. The scenic mock up beyond the junction looks really good too. Looking forward to seeing this one progress. Regards, Brian.

Me and the Mrs visited Bodmin in 2017 and I took a few pics. Here is one showing the platform which might be useful. Not a nice day as you can see. Regards, Brian.

Ah, found it, the "it" being this thread, what with the recent non availability of RMWeb. Anyway, all caught up now and following. I'm so pleased to see the kettles are coming back on your latest endeavour, and green diesels, right up my street. I think my favourite of all your layouts was Pencarne and this new layout is right in that mould I think. Looking forward to seeing this one progress, especially the scenics. Regards, Brian.

The latest video can be seen here... ..and features the KR Models/Rails of Sheffield Tyne Dock/Consett iron ore wagons and various motive power. Regards, Brian.

Well done Andy for sorting this potential (or was it a real) IT doomsday scenario. You deserve every credit for restoring the forum which gives so many of us a fantastic resource.

The latest video is available here... ...and features the rake of 21 ton coal wagons. Regards, Brian.

Thanks Chris. I have a couple of videos planned, one will obviously feature the B12 Regards, Brian.

The latest video has just been uploaded and features the recently released Oxford Rail Pilchard bogie wagons. Enjoy it or otherwise here... I know I shouldn't but I couldn't resist. I have always thought the B12 a handsome engine but it's not very BR NE Region. When Hornby brought out a model a few years back, there was no way I was going to pay circa £150 for one but an email from Hattons prompted the purchase of this beauty all for the princely sum of £79 plus postage. I really must build a BR ex GER layout sometime. In the meantime the B12 will be seen at Deneside on the odd excursion from the south. Regards, Brian.

This is probably the wrong thread to comment but well done Andy regarding the great article in this month's Hornby Magazine about Seven Mills Sidings and Bench Road. Mike Wild's pics really do the layout proud. Regards Brian.

Thanks Pete, glad you enjoyed the article and thanks for the info about your layout. I'll check out the links you mentioned. Regards, Brian.

The coal loads are now complete. The carcases were firstly glued to an expanded polystyrene ceiling tile, allowed to stand until the next day, hot wired off the tile and shaped before covering with Adsa's finest ready mixed filler, smoothed over an hour later, left over night to fully harden before being painted glossy black, again allowed to dry before coating in pva glue and sprinkled with "coal". The following pics show the sequence. In the above picture, the 6 coal loads I've made are arranged in parallel alongside an Accurascale version. The recently completed kits were then united with these coal loads, coupled up and added to my 3 Accurascale MDO 21T wagons to form a rake of 9 vehicles. Here they are on the layout (transfers still to be added to the kits and all 9 yet to be weathered). The MDOs stand out like a sure thumb being almost white in colour. No derailments so that's a bonus. Regards, Brian.

I have now completed all 6 kits bar transfers and weathering so I have turned my attention to the carcases for the coal loads which are basically various layers of different thickness and sizes of card. The pics below will hopefully show what I mean. More news as things progress. Regards, Brian.

Many thanks for the tips Baz. Ian Kirk kits! Strewth, this kit is really old. I built a few Kirk Gresley suburban coaches and full brakes probably about 12 years ago just before they disappeared and they were a real struggle. Now we have Hornby versions RTR, whoopee. This experience hasn't put me off Parkside Kits but I might take advice as to any future kit's provenance before purchasing. Thanks again for your continued interest in my ramblings. Regards, Brian.