Dbr1295

Hi Andy, How did you fare with Gabrielle? We had tree come down on the drive and there was a few trees down around the district but on the whole I think we missed the worst of it. Not much mention of Tauranga on the news so hopefully you came through OK. Not much happening here. I bought a couple of wagons at the show which I need to weather, been adding little bits of more foliage and made a cable drum to sit in the goods yard and that's about it. Been doing a little bit on the NZR stuff, currently have a Ur wagon under construction. Enjoyed your video clips on Facebook the other day. Enjoy the UK and the trip to Little Bytham. Cheers, Les

Hi Andy, Sorry I didn't have a chance to catch up with you at the Tauranga show. I saw you there, busy encouraging the next generation of operators! What a good show this year, well done to the organizers. Cheers, Les

There are metric coarse threads, M6 x 1.0 pitch if that's any help

You definitely can make a small layout look much bigger with careful photography. Though saying that, it can be difficult to achieve this at times without including too much distracting background. I think when planning a small layout you do need to take into account how to make it appear larger. I did this by keeping the track plan simple and using small and few structures. Also, though the platform can accommodate a tender loco and 3 coach train limiting it to 2 coaches helps the illusion of size, same with keeping the length of goods trains short, typically no more than 6 4 wheeled wagons plus van and loco.

For those that are interested, here is an overall view of the layout, all 3.6 meters of it. It stands 1 meter high and the scenic section is 2.67 meters long. There is a 4 track traverser for a fiddle yard. I do have some ply put aside to eventually add a facia to it to tidy it up. Cheers, Les

Early summer 1955 and small prairie 4673 approaches the terminus of the Wyd Valley branch with a goods train.

Looks good Andy. Boat shed is great idea.

Here's a pic of 4573 arriving with the pick up goods, taken from the field along side the station. And a bit later in the day 5796 is seen sitting in the platform with a passenger plus attached van.

Today the stone train is in the hands of a 2MT no. 41241. Not sure how it's ended up on the branch, but makes a change from the usual ex GW motive power. Seen from the embankment as it's about to disappear under the road bridge and into the fiddle yard. Thanks for looking Les

2MT 41241 runs around it's train. Les.

Hi Andy, Looks good. I particularly like the last picture. Keeping well I hope? Cheers, Les

Thanks Mr Wolf. The strainers also serve a practical purpose like in the real world. As I use Ezline elastic cord for the wire and without the bracing the posts will pull over. Cheers, Les

After shunting it's out bound train, 7754 waits in the loop as 9028 arrives with the midday passenger service. 7754 eventually departs with it's short train. Thanks for looking. Les

Pannier 7754 shunting a trio of vans into the goods yard for unloading at the warehouse. And another view taken along the goods yard approach road.

Goods yard scene. Grounded wagon body from a Ratio iron mink kit. Underframe bits hacked off and mounted on some strips of wood. The sacks are from a US brand, I can't remember who though. Stone wall Wills, as are the granite sets. Wheelbarrow and spade Cooper Craft.