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I've now painted and therefore completed the station building. For the most part I used Humbrol acrylic paints and was pleased with how I got on with them. I've had problems in the past but I like the matt finish (unlike some so called matt enamels), the way in which you can mix the paints and the ease with which they dilute with water. I collected a number of greyish acrylics whilst I was at Gaugemaster at Ford but didn't realise that some are a satin finish, this is not shown on the container. As a result the first coat of paint was with one of these, my puzzlement answered by reference to the Humbrol colour chart. My conclusion is that acrylics are great for painting natural colours, for representing painted surfaces such as locos and coaches, enamels are best. I would have liked the underlying brown to show through a little more though. The results of my efforts: Photographs of the end without the extension seem to show a lighter patch of stone in the middle of the wall with darker patches either side. I had thought about trying to represent this but thought that if I did anyone looking at it would say that I got the weathering wrong! As you can see, I have added a couple of notice boards. Photos of the station show boards in the position I've fixed them although these disappeared in the "goods only" days. In part 3 of his series of books on modelling GWR branches, Stephen Williams suggested putting a raised border round the edge of the board to better represent prototype practice. The flat surface of the Tiny Signs boards are just that, flat. I didn't feel able to cut out a square in paper as he did so used the finest Microstrip instead. I also fixed the boards with two battens each, if I was presented with the job of fixing a flat board to a rough surface that's exactly what I would do.Also, as Stephen Willaims suggested, both boards were given a coat of matt varnish. I really must refer to the Stephen Williams books more,they are full of simple ideas that can make such a difference. The roof has turned out well, if a little irregular, but I didn't do too much weathering. We had Sunday lunch at a local pub yesterday, the service was slow and I found myself looking out at a house opposite with a slate roof. It had been raining and the roof looked new, pristine dark grey with no staining at all. We probably forget the cleansing properties of rain and the Welsh border country has plenty of that. I'm now looking at the edging of the platform. I recently visited an excellent little model shop in Salisbury and found a sheet of moulded Plasticard with a very small diamond pattern. This is perfect for bricks (or slabs) that formed the edge of the platform. If I had felt like it I could have scored the strip to represent the separate bricks but balked at the thought. The separate bricks are hardly noticeable and bearing in mind my complete inability to consistently measure the same distance each time I thought it would probably look worse. If anyone would like to see photos of the prototype Google "Westbrook station" and any number will come up. Take out the photos of Westbrook station in Canada, there's no mistaking them, and you're left with fewer than half a dozen and only some of these show the station building. It's a gloomy looking station overshadowed by trees but did have quite a floral display. With two trains each way a day (three on Thursday, Hay market day) Station Master Knowles had plenty of tinme to ensure the gardens were tidy. Attached thumbnail(s) View the full article

Well, you'd have thought I'd have spotted that way before I got to wiring up the turntable - HND Electrical & Electronic Engineering pah! Of course having the two entries to the turntable and the desk permanently live means a dead short when you align it to one or the other entry roads. Something had to be done, I thought about insulated joints etc but decided to remove the problem altogether by making the longer curve entry into a siding and removing the RHD point leading to it. New plan is now this: and it looks like this in reality Wish I'd spotted it before I bought that extra RHD point, cost me £6.50! Wiring is almost complete, just got the station area left hand side to do, should be done in another evening, then I can get on with the Boxfile for a bit Attached thumbnail(s) View the full article

In April of last year I said not to expect frequent posts here and there has only been one post since that date. My 4mm finescale modelling has not completely stopped but I've done little worth writing about with any of my EM or S4 layouts and stock. There has however been big progress on building baseboards, mounting them without soil connection and then track laying, through most of last summer and autumn. No electrical wiring required because this is all live steam with remote radial control or battery driven electric with radio control Therefore I'm happy to report that I now have a garden railway of sorts, albeit devoid of buildings or scenic features, but with a passing loop on the main line, a secondary 'roundy-roundy' and two turn-outs ready for siding connection. A few pics of the garden below. I spoke about the special train 'Diamond Jubilee', and work on that is slowly progressing. A few goods wagons are built, but no guards van! My first loco has been built but still needs the livery completing, it has however done plenty of work, mainly test hauling rolling stock, both passenger and freight, all of this giving test running all over the layout too. This loco is a small, freelance diesel, radio controlled, battery driven. The electronic part of that was yet another learning curve but I can see a future for this type of control in the smaller gauges - I understand it has already been applied to RTR N gauge with success! Think about it, - no track wiring, no track cleaning, absolutely no pick-up problems, loco control like the real thing, - like being in the real cab, - that is individual control (feed in the loco address) and then, with a wireless remote control, beautifully smooth speed control from crawl at less than walking speed to "eat your heart out Mallard"! All the builds have so far been from kits but those little grey cells are already starting to itch! As a closing giggle I will tell you that the larger baseboards out in the garden are based on the baseboard design I started this blog to talk about - extruded pvc insulation foam, light as feathers but much, much stronger. Oh!, for those considering this a doubtful idea, particularly outside, the largest of the boards has now spent two winters out there and shows not a hint of twist or decay. Random pics of the full route. Attached thumbnail(s) View the full article

Since "finishing" the board, I began to become less and less happy with the board so began editing the model. Scenic's Having completed the coal merchant area, I began working on the area next to the track, this had been planned to be just black ballast but it was recommended that I cover the area in green foliage, with the intent of covering it with some static grass work. The end result was sort of gone the way it was recommended, but I have to say I'm a lot happier about it now. Then when I first did this a few months ago. With that, I finally set about weathering and re-applying the figures to the model. I managed to find a figure which I've had for a long time. With his bowler hat, I thought, that's a manager. So I set about fitting him just outside of the building so he'd stand out and look important. Point Lever The next minor piece was to add a pull bar on the point, to allow the fireman or shunter to pull the point over when the loco is either collecting or dropping off wagons for or from the coal merchant. This was fairly simple in cutting out, undercoating and painting then fitting, I took some of the sleepers from the track which I had cut away previously on the rail to get the accurate sleeper spacings, to form an extension of the sleepers from the point then I glued the pull bar onto the model. Horse & Cart Another little job, using an old white metal kit which I cleaned then super glued together I was able to get this into the primer and paint fairly quickly as shown this was done at the same time as the point leaver. to paint the horse I cheated using similar wood paint but mixed in some varnish, as horse coats tend to be shiny when properly looked after. The cart I painted a set of different coloured woods to show that the cart has been repaired a number of times with a good number of different types of wood around the frame. Finally** So here we have it completed again, it's taken me a few more weeks but I think I've cracked it and it looks 10x better than it did a few months ago. As I said, a layout is never finished. But I'm looking to do another board in the future but this will be finished off with the J70's finally getting onto the layout. In addition Board 5 has progressed well and this has been the progress so far, the layout is planned to be at an exhibition within the next few months so time is ticking for N&SBLR to be completed with the latest board, hopefully, the LNER J70's will arrive in time to operate the layout. Thanks for reading Cheers Attached thumbnail(s) View the full article

A nice weekend down south for the gang at the Southampton show and a good chance to catch up with Jerry and Paula. A good show all around and nice accommodation too. We were also happy to be awarded the Founders Cup for the best layout by the organisers. No major issues with the layout but no show would be complete without a few niggles to put on the fault list and give us something to do when we get back to base. The black surroundings of the drama studio worked pretty well with our night scene too. Our thanks to the organising team for an enjoyable weekend. Some photos... Marie Celeste? That's better Someone brought along some St Ruth appropriate reading material. Attached thumbnail(s) View the full article

Hi, I am wanting to make a fiddle yard using cassettes. I am totally confused why there is 100% mention of using aluminium. Why not use a piece of Peco track???? Before I go far into this, perhaps somebody can please answer that question? I have seen the latter system whereby bull dog clips are used to link the main layout to the selected cassette. Does any body know where I can find pictures of this system, please? From what I have seen at shows there is a mass of ideas! However, please let me have your solutions using easy straight forward words, exclude the word inter face. Thank you all so much for your valued help. Best wishes. John Modeller of `Halwill` on YouTube View the full article

<p>The second vehicles lighting unit is wired up so just some photos of the set as it is now. Still no directional lighting fitted - I can't put it off too much longer though.</p><p> </p><p><br /><span style='font-size: 10px'>Both vehicles with saloon lights on & BILs illuminated</span></p><p> </p><p><br /><span style='font-size: 10px'>Cab light on</span></p><p> </p><p><br /><span style='font-size: 10px'>Inter-vehicle wiring</span></p><p> </p><p>I think that the inter-vehicle wiring needs a bit of a rethink - possibly with a couple of holes in the floor and running some of them that way rather than having them all running through the corridor connections.</p><p> </p><p>Looking at the photo of the cab, I think a bit of rebuilding of the desk is needed to make it fit better - the original is rather undersized.</p><p> </p><p>Cheers</p><div id='attach_wrap' class='rounded clearfix'> <h4>Attached thumbnail(s)</h4> <ul> <li class=''> <a class='resized_img' rel='lightbox[21868]' id='ipb-attach-url-1108155-0-56909800-1548618540' href="http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/uploads/monthly_01_2019/blogentry-7028-0-52980900-1548617750.jpg"title="20190127_185628.jpg - Size: 101.86KB, Downloads: 0"><img src="http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/uploads/monthly_01_2019/blogentry-7028-0-52980900-1548617750_thumb.jpg" id='ipb-attach-img-1108155-0-56909800-1548618540' style='width:800;height:228' class='attach' width="800" height="228" alt="Attached Image" /></a> </li> <li class=''> <a class='resized_img' rel='lightbox[21868]' id='ipb-attach-url-1108156-0-57817700-1548618540' href="http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/uploads/monthly_01_2019/blogentry-7028-0-19293700-1548617763.jpg"title="20190127_185639.jpg - Size: 145.84KB, Downloads: 0"><img src="http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/uploads/monthly_01_2019/blogentry-7028-0-19293700-1548617763_thumb.jpg" id='ipb-attach-img-1108156-0-57817700-1548618540' style='width:800;height:747' class='attach' width="800" height="747" alt="Attached Image" /></a> </li> <li class=''> <a class='resized_img' rel='lightbox[21868]' id='ipb-attach-url-1108158-0-57822400-1548618540' href="http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/uploads/monthly_01_2019/blogentry-7028-0-11594200-1548617776.jpg"title="20190127_185654.jpg - Size: 236.26KB, Downloads: 0"><img src="http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/uploads/monthly_01_2019/blogentry-7028-0-11594200-1548617776_thumb.jpg" id='ipb-attach-img-1108158-0-57822400-1548618540' style='width:800;height:690' class='attach' width="800" height="690" alt="Attached Image" /></a> </li> </ul> </div> View the full article

I cut my DCC teeth using Digitrax. Much of the basic kit was bought on various trips to the USA. I like the system with its two control nobs on each handset and 5amps which allows power to spare for the sound decoders I wanted. I use a DS100 with a DB150 as a booster I was an early purchaser of Cobalt point motors and found a few troublesome. But DCC Concepts have been very supportive. Their latest Cobalt IP is great and saves the wiring involved with separate stationery decoders. The photo shows the Digitrax 64s I use for the older Cobalts. The aim is to move all the control equipment off the baseboards. I have recently bought a couple of Cobalt SS surface mounting point motors and they also seem very good. I did consider the MERG route and although I admire their work I do not think I am quite up to grasping the intricacies! Attached thumbnail(s) View the full article

The basic design is a double track continuous run (LSWR/SR mainline to the West) meeting the S&D The latter has terminus platforms and the former through platforms. The S&D climbs on partly hidden tracks until it emerges on a viaduct which leads to a raised cassette fiddle yard. After various experiments with different gradients I decided to aim for 1:50. Attached thumbnail(s) View the full article

<p>Peco point templates were used to plan the track layout </p><div id='attach_wrap' class='rounded clearfix'> <h4>Attached thumbnail(s)</h4> <ul> <li class=''> <a class='resized_img' rel='lightbox[21864]' id='ipb-attach-url-1108004-0-99969700-1548604141' href="http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/uploads/monthly_01_2019/blogentry-4181-0-93937000-1548603620.jpeg"title="F2102EA7-DD55-40CB-99EE-B737F4788685.jpeg - Size: 353.69KB, Downloads: 0"><img src="http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/uploads/monthly_01_2019/blogentry-4181-0-93937000-1548603620_thumb.jpeg" id='ipb-attach-img-1108004-0-99969700-1548604141' style='width:800;height:600' class='attach' width="800" height="600" alt="Attached Image" /></a> </li> </ul> </div> View the full article

<p>The 9mm ply baseboards were braced with 3x1 timber and covered with cork tiles.</p><div id='attach_wrap' class='rounded clearfix'> <h4>Attached thumbnail(s)</h4> <ul> <li class=''> <a class='resized_img' rel='lightbox[21863]' id='ipb-attach-url-1108003-0-01514500-1548604142' href="http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/uploads/monthly_01_2019/blogentry-4181-0-22395700-1548603278.jpeg"title="EC447A3B-364B-497C-8073-6854CEC353A7.jpeg - Size: 191.33KB, Downloads: 0"><img src="http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/uploads/monthly_01_2019/blogentry-4181-0-22395700-1548603278_thumb.jpeg" id='ipb-attach-img-1108003-0-01514500-1548604142' style='width:800;height:600' class='attach' width="800" height="600" alt="Attached Image" /></a> </li> </ul> </div> View the full article

A somewhat belated Happy New Year to everyone, the latest blog entry is a general look into the nooks and crannies of the layout, and it could be easily retitled 'where abouts can you put a compact camera'? Anyway enough of that malarky - on with the photos. The first depicts the business end of platform one - looking towards the Stationmasters house. Unfortunately the noticeboard cannot be read on this shot - but it says that 'The New Summer Timetable is available from the Booking Office'. - Useful information for the travelling public. The second shot is the same area, taken from the Bay side. The photographer is standing behind a couple of empty Horseboxes waiting at the loading dock. For the third shot of the same area the photographer appears to have climbed onto the roof of the parcels lock-up (I hope he had permission to do that!) Next comes a full frontal view... of the Signalbox, not much can be said about this, except the Signalman must have been called away whilst busy sweeping up spilt coal around his coalbunker, as he has left his broom behind. Now we move to the 'Loco' - this is the back of the shed, lots of 'railway clutter' dumped round here, as its hidden away from prying eyes and authority. We follow this with a view into the shed - the auto fitted pannier is busy elsewhere, and the Depot is bereft of Engines, only a lonely 16t mineral wagon loaded with coal sits on the spur beyond the turntable. Looks like the Shedman is busy emptying the ashpit - rather him than me... Now comes a visit to the other side of the tracks, and a glimpse into the Sproston Creamery loading siding, taken from behing the box. The private siding is unusually empty and the gate is open allowing study of the overhead tanker washout pipes, beyond them is the white milk filling hose,with above that a water hose hanging at the near end of the loading platform. Following this we move to the Goods yard, Starting with the coalyard, which has no coal wagons in it at present - though the coalmerchants lorry is fully loaded,so maybe we should have been here yesterday. Next view is the other side of the wagons, and here there is much activity, most of it involving a Coles 6 ton mobile crane. A couple of staff seem to be having a disagreement regarding the unloading of the open wagons. For our last photo taken on Railway Property, we go to the back of the Goods Shed behind the cattle dock, with a view into the shed just showing the 10cwt internal crane. The final photo is of the 'Station Garage' prop.S Dingle,this is just behind the station goods yard,and the staff are still working on what appears to be the main bearings on the front end of an old steam roller - its obviously a long job...so we had better leave them to it. Well, thats the end of our little photo trip around Sproston Station - do come back for another... Comments, good or bad always welcome, Regards, (SIGTECH) Steve. Attached thumbnail(s) View the full article

<p>A small dedicated room was painted sky blue and a faux wood floor laid. Cantilevered brackets were added to support the baseboards</p><div id='attach_wrap' class='rounded clearfix'> <h4>Attached thumbnail(s)</h4> <ul> <li class=''> <a class='resized_img' rel='lightbox[21862]' id='ipb-attach-url-1107910-0-37386400-1548599415' href="http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/uploads/monthly_01_2019/blogentry-4181-0-67571600-1548598816.jpeg"title="EF91AC46-9909-430C-8DA3-9E106EF86FFA.jpeg - Size: 199.6KB, Downloads: 0"><img src="http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/uploads/monthly_01_2019/blogentry-4181-0-67571600-1548598816_thumb.jpeg" id='ipb-attach-img-1107910-0-37386400-1548599415' style='width:800;height:600' class='attach' width="800" height="600" alt="Attached Image" /></a> </li> </ul> </div> View the full article

<p>Having recently taken delivery of an extra Class 33 (1990s railtour condition), SDJR Jinty, and West Highland liveried MK1 (Fort Bill-Mallaig mid 80s), I posed some little cameos.</p><div id='attach_wrap' class='rounded clearfix'> <h4>Attached thumbnail(s)</h4> <ul> <li class=''> <a class='resized_img' rel='lightbox[21861]' id='ipb-attach-url-1107621-0-51588300-1548533942' href="http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/uploads/monthly_01_2019/blogentry-18087-0-09406900-1548533349.jpg"title="IMG_E0308.JPG - Size: 211.74KB, Downloads: 0"><img src="http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/uploads/monthly_01_2019/blogentry-18087-0-09406900-1548533349_thumb.jpg" id='ipb-attach-img-1107621-0-51588300-1548533942' style='width:800;height:463' class='attach' width="800" height="463" alt="Attached Image" /></a> </li> <li class=''> <a class='resized_img' rel='lightbox[21861]' id='ipb-attach-url-1107622-0-52625000-1548533942' href="http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/uploads/monthly_01_2019/blogentry-18087-0-73605600-1548533371.jpg"title="IMG_E0304.JPG - Size: 242.34KB, Downloads: 0"><img src="http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/uploads/monthly_01_2019/blogentry-18087-0-73605600-1548533371_thumb.jpg" id='ipb-attach-img-1107622-0-52625000-1548533942' style='width:800;height:497' class='attach' width="800" height="497" alt="Attached Image" /></a> </li> <li class=''> <a class='resized_img' rel='lightbox[21861]' id='ipb-attach-url-1107623-0-52630400-1548533942' href="http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/uploads/monthly_01_2019/blogentry-18087-0-62034500-1548533388.jpg"title="IMG_E0305.JPG - Size: 188.38KB, Downloads: 0"><img src="http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/uploads/monthly_01_2019/blogentry-18087-0-62034500-1548533388_thumb.jpg" id='ipb-attach-img-1107623-0-52630400-1548533942' style='width:800;height:455' class='attach' width="800" height="455" alt="Attached Image" /></a> </li> <li class=''> <a class='resized_img' rel='lightbox[21861]' id='ipb-attach-url-1107624-0-52634800-1548533942' href="http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/uploads/monthly_01_2019/blogentry-18087-0-65056600-1548533410.jpg"title="IMG_0302.JPG - Size: 213.36KB, Downloads: 0"><img src="http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/uploads/monthly_01_2019/blogentry-18087-0-65056600-1548533410_thumb.jpg" id='ipb-attach-img-1107624-0-52634800-1548533942' style='width:800;height:383' class='attach' width="800" height="383" alt="Attached Image" /></a> </li> <li class=''> <a class='resized_img' rel='lightbox[21861]' id='ipb-attach-url-1107625-0-52639100-1548533942' href="http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/uploads/monthly_01_2019/blogentry-18087-0-31725300-1548533424.jpg"title="IMG_E0307.JPG - Size: 199.67KB, Downloads: 0"><img src="http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/uploads/monthly_01_2019/blogentry-18087-0-31725300-1548533424_thumb.jpg" id='ipb-attach-img-1107625-0-52639100-1548533942' style='width:800;height:475' class='attach' width="800" height="475" alt="Attached Image" /></a> </li> </ul> </div> View the full article

Regards Charlie View the full article