misterscrubb

OK I will do.

After completing the baseboard, I sealed up the MDF with diluted glue about 90% glue 10% water, I would advise this as MDF is very absorbant. I then glued the track plan down and using it cut the track to size. For this a pair of heavy duty wire cutters and a metal file were used. It is much cheaper than a xuron track cutter or dremel multi tool, it took longer but got the same result. After that the track was put together and the edges of some sleepers were cut to make then fit. Before laying the track, I applied a coat of grey paint, over which I will ballast eventually. It just stops any annoying white patches showing through. Next up, Track laying and wiring.

I used 9mm MDF for the baseboard, it is a material I have used before and have not encountered any problems. A piece 6ft 4in by 22in was cut then 2 strengthening lengthwise beams were screwed on. No widthwise beams were added due to the layouts thinness. I then rested the whole thing on 2 more beams until a more permanent home is found.

Using pieces of spare track as a guide I have completed Goosehill's Track Plan. Not much has changed from the initial sketches. Just a few of the smaller details have been decided upon and planned around the track. Almost all of the track has been sourced apart from a few Peco turnouts. Next job is to make the baseboard, hopefully there is some wood knocking around somewhere...

To distract myself from the job of track planning, I decided to start work on Goosehill's Signal Box. I used an old Hornby Signal Box as the base. And have so far stripped it of the old signs and painted it in a gloss red (for the doors) and cream (for the top). The next job on this would to get rid of the Hornby stick on walls and replace it with some quality brick/stone paper. As well as some tiles for the roof, find some replacement steps and finally put the windows back in. I may then do something with the interior and possibly look at lighting it. Any suggestions for any of these things and I would be very grateful.

Inspiration came from 2 places, 1) Scale station in the Peak District which provided the rough setting for the layout and 2) Bodmin Station, on the Bodmin and Wenford heritage railway in Cornwall. It gave many ideas such as the platform encasing the track, making it at the end of its line. Although an ex LMS area, it has taken inspiration from places up and down the country. As well as some ideas of my own- which have come about from my requirements of the layout, such as a station terminus and also a small yard area. The small tunnel heading of towards a mine allows room for expansion on both ends. But space available has also shaped what it can and can't have. As with most independently built layouts.

The Updated Track Plan now features 1 small extra siding, that can be used while shunting to allow more complex maneuvers, a signal box has also been given a place, as well as a small cafe hut to welcome the many tourists/walkers visiting the surrounding countryside.

The initial Track Plan features a station with a double and single platform. One for strictly goods from/to the mine through the single tunnel and the others for mixed traffic. It also features 2 sidings and a small single lane engine shed. The main line will disappear into a double tunnel going to the main fiddleyard. Due to a lack of space the train length may be limited to just 2 carriages. However the main action will be the shunting of rolling stock as this is a end of main line Passenger/Goods Station which gives it a wide range of operating potential.

Goosehill Central is a 00 gauge layout project. It is a based in a real location but a fictional railway. It is an ex-LMS BR layout in the 1950s. Set in the Peak District it is located near a mine, to which a tunnel leads too. It also has 2 platforms and a small yard area. Watch this space for future developments as they happen...