Ian_B_68

Right, so I started compiling all my 55 parts, bodies etc to see where to start. I have a brand new No18 Ballymoss with sound, Complete No002 KOYLI, spare chassis and 2 more spare bodies so enough to be getting on with. I purchased the etch sprung suspension kit from Ian at Penbits and whilst on the internet at the weekend I noticed that Hattons had No12 Crepello going cheap with a broken chassis so that is where it all begins. Crepello arrived today so I have taken it apart to see what I've got. Straight out the box. Body open and a view inside, both ends of the chassis are damaged but that is it. End result. I already have a chassis that I converted the other week to house the speaker for the sound, this has had the ends cut down ready to take the etch buffer beam assembly. Once that is done it can be painted black. Its now on with the assembly of the bogies and the etch sprung suspension kit.

Its been a while since putting anything up on my Finsbury Park thread but the layout itself has been put on hold. However, due to a temporary house move until our house has got to have some extensive work done our temporary house has a spare room ideal for my modelling. So its time to get on with the first of my Deltics for the park. I have acquired some spare bodies, chassis etc over the past few months and along with complete locos the start of my first Deltic will be No 3 Meld. I will post photos from start to finish, plans are to use etch detailing, add sound and possibly the addition of Penbits sprung bogie suspension all in P4.

Update on this project is slow at the moment as I've been busy with work, volunteering on the NNR, decorating the new arrivals room who is due in 7 weeks and doing the kitchen!!! I have hopefully a good update regarding the inside of the depot as Pete Harvey at PH Designs is in the process of designing something for me, so watch this space in the next month or 2.

Thanks for your comments, I love to hear from people who worked at the depot, I've had a couple of drivers recently tell me about visits they had and one in particular who drove out of the cross whilst doing my second man stints on the NNR recently. Love that, your are one lucky person to have that. I need to find myself a scale plan of the area that diagram covers.

Hi Alistair, I used clear sheet which was shaped to the front of the depot building, then applied 1mm strips all cut to length and glued on to it. It was made easier having a copy of the plan underneath. I have made a little more progress but am awaiting some parts then will update the post accordingly once that's done. Would be good to see photos of your depot. Ian.

Many thanks Ian thats superb, Its less than I worked out as I seemed to get to around 40 or more each time I tried it working it out from pictures.

Thanks Ian, Ive made a start on some trackwork and hopefully will get some pictures up over the easter weekend after I get a bit more done, I also need to get some P4 wheel sets so I can try out a loco before ballasting the track as ive got some wiring in as well. Bit of a long shot, But does anyone off the top of their head know how many pillars there were supporting a road inside the depot at all? I know it may be impossible to answer but you never know, ive tried counting them from pictures in the book and have a rough idea but it would be nice to get a more accurate number. Im still after pictures as well if anyone has any. Many thanks.

Thanks, its a bit flimsy at the moment as its just the glazing with the bars but as I add some of the framework behind it, it should strengthen up. Forgot to add to last post that Im going P4 route with trackwork as the plans are virtually coming up at the gauge spacing for P4, I was originally going to do OO-SF but then thought about EM before going P4 and as I will be totally reworking all my engines then I might as well change the wheelsets as I complete each one anyway so more work to take on.

Its been a while since I last posted as Ive been busy decorating every weekend and also had a few turns on the NNR as second man on the 31 and 25 we have, so finally today I have had a go at starting the depot building. Its a bit hit and miss but the first attempt to do the front has resulted in this effort so far.

Absolutely awesome Jon, an absolute credit to you.

Hi Clive, It sure is a big building, I will not have the problem of transporting it anywhere so it will probably be constructed with a removeable roof to gain access to track, lighting etc for maintenance. I will construct the office buildings so thay can detach, all being well should start construction in the new year. Will put pics up in due course.

Just to show how big plan is out on the dining room table.

Bit of a tight squeeze but a 31 and 47 fit well and the 45 is almost same length as my deltics to give an idea of how it will all fit.

Im going to have a go at scanning the copy in small parts to make templates up to work from whilst constructing it, when I can fathom how to upload pics that are not massive Mb files to this site then I will take a photo of the plans that I have to give you an idea.

Its been well worth the wait, but today (with great thanks to my brother) I now have the plan of the main depot buildings I obtained from the Network Rail Archives scaled to 4mm. I now have something to work from to help me construct it and its only now that Im realising how much work is going to be involved in constructing this one building alone, secondly, is how big it is when its rolled out in front of you, didn't seem that big when I penciled the footprint of it on to the board initially but now I have an idea of height etc I cant wait to get started.