Jobs

Finally got some of the other photos uploaded, including 'bypass' road bridge. Heljan OAA, despite being 'S7'd', bumps through the point work. I think it might have deeper flanges as the wheelsets are not my normal Slaters. There is always something..... Am thinking this layout might end as 'drive-thru'; with longer fiddle yards either end that will allow sizeable trains to traverse thru' scenic bit.

Moved on a little way; pylon now with first coat and transformer housing completed. Nuneaton's 08 068 potters around. Have some more photo's, but struggling to upload.

Delays, delays.... Total length of plank is 50 inches. Looking for a decrepit coal/industrial spur feel. Footbridge partly finished, as is the pylon. Slight realignment of main line, and I've made a bit of a mess of the flat bottom rail/concrete sleeper section. Need another plan for that in future!

I have been following some of the excellent modelling around micro-layouts, so thought it about time to add my 'plank'. It is actually a test bed to help me get to grips with DCC, but is designed for an 08 to shunt a wagon or two about without having to unpack 'Southam & Long Itch'. Having built track from standard C&L components, I also wanted to see about modelling more modern track work, and track fixings, such as concrete sleepers and flat bottom rail, in S7. Anyway, simple layout and I will post as it develops!

With added wheels; can now play trains. In order. Shabby Class 20 brings a coal working in. 08 068 waits in the run round, then sets onto the rake. Trio of MCO's cut from the main rake.

More indulgence on my part. Trio of Dapol models; the wagons awaiting their S7 wheels. The 16 tonner has thin plasticard attached as repair welds and both await warmer weather for a quick underframe airbrushing. 9 more minerals to go.

Hi all. After a productive weekend, the middle board is now complete. Big scenic work pretty much finished, but more detail to be added. The siding is all that remains of the Southam goods yard, which originally was a fan of 4 sidings, I think. It is modelled fictionally as a stub OOU, with some evidence of re-ballasting. Just need to wire the point motors and finish some stock.

I had an equiry about the back scene from mattymoose, so if anyone is interested, here are some photo's of the end board back scene being created. I've included a shot of the paints, more for colour purposes than brands. Most rattlecans seem to work, and have omitted to include the matt black, but any matt black can be used, from my experience. Distant hills painted in dark acrylics. By the way, this is the view looking towards Rugby!

Short update; back to 1980/81. Nuneaton Abbey Street's 08 068 has been drafted in as temporary replacement for the failed Southam shunter. First of the rake of unfitted minerals has been completed. These will be in their 'end of days' condition, and all based around wagons likely to have worked in from Newdigate Colliery. A vacuum braked rake will also be completed, for the East Midlands coal traffic when Newdigate closed. Have also got the loop line completed, and have spent some time on the trees, which I thought lacked realism. Happy New Year, all.

A few more photos of progress. Main running line now wired up; the rest now needs completing and that will be a challenge as I can't find my original wiring plan. I'm starting to plan the addition of detail such as the redundant telegraph poles. This is a bit confusing. They were there in the late 1960's, but not in earlier photographs, when the station platform loop was still laid. I assume they were needed when the route was either singled, or truncated at the eastern end. I quite like the height they give to the front of the layout, but they only really fit with the very earliest time period modelled. Does anyone know by what date there wouldn't be any need for line-side telegraphy? What would be the latest date that telegraph poles could still be seen? They also appear to be linked to the removal of signalling on the line. If I'm not careful I will end up with a real mix of visually interesting paraphernalia that does't work with the 1975-1985 time period being modelled. Still, a nice problem to have.

Thanks, I'm really pleased with the effect. As you say, It has made a real difference to the 'plank'. At most it is about 4, maybe 5, inches out from the wall, allowing support to be maintained from the wall brackets, whilst providing some extra space for run round and train length. It definitely helps the 'less is more' approach to modelling that seems to capture the space of a real railway. It also replicates the geography of the original real-life location, with the necessary compromises. Just awaiting the Heljan 25/2, 25/3... then we can add some real sulzer motive power.

Third board taking shape; main line wired and working. Bit of work needed on the loop. Managed to assemble a rake of Dapol 16 tonners, so will soon have a bit more variety on the rolling stock front. 08 068 also in the workshops for weathering. The Dapol shunter is a real gem; needs to be to navigate my self built point work.

Latest addition to the fleet, 20 165 running as photographed in 1984. First photograph shows middle board now ready for track.

Hi, sorry for the delay; been away. Yes, the backscene is by hand. Rattle can white, sky blue and grey primer. Built up in layers, starting with grey at the base and blue at the top, & gradually overlaying the colours. Finishing with a thin layer of white. And I have a middle board to make a banana shape. Have included space for a siding that was once part of the goods yard. Thinking of modelling it OOU, as I think it would have long gone by 1980. Might be a good photo diorama. Class 20 & 16t's give a sense of scale.

Kind comments, thank you. Straying into new territory may involve a third (middle) board. At Southam, after the loop turnout, see turnout lever and the join above, the actual tracks swung round to the east (or left if viewed from the Southam station bridge). Just looking tonight at a middle board that could represent this and give a 'banana' shaped layout, with the benefit of a larger run-round. Hhhmmm...... Somewhere for a small rake of Lionheart/Dapol 16 tonners to be shuffled? Decisions, decisions.