Arpleymodeller Posted February 3, 2019 Author Share Posted February 3, 2019 (edited) Construction recommenced during Summer 2018 with plenty of time and more money being available to spend on the layout. So far the track is wired, weathered and ballasted with a start being made on the structures and scenery. The first buildings on the backscene have been added, these use a resin structure sold on Ebay that has been repainted and weathered. The trackwork is completely hand built using a mixture of C&L and PECO components. The main running lines are flat bottom rail construction using a mixture of timber PECO sleepers and pandrol clips and C&L Costain concrete sleepers. Edited February 3, 2019 by Arpleymodeller 14 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arpleymodeller Posted February 3, 2019 Author Share Posted February 3, 2019 (edited) The layout will feature prototypical working signals, the first, this RATIO LMS home semaphore, has recently been fitted. The current view towards the Fiddlers Ferry end of the layout. Coal trains arrive at MONKS SIDING to run round using the loop which was built in 1988 on the site of the former BSC Monks Hall Steel Works. They then return to fiddlers ferry to unload and then return here to run round and back to LBT to reload. This is a fictional scenario that imagines that Latchford Sidings were closed and the Low Level line joined Arpley Yard via a curve at Slutchers Lane. As can be seen the base for the scenery has been made from painted plaster cloth, track ballasted mainly, and scratchbuilt yard lamps added. These use RATIO telegraph poles with RATIO ladders and brass loops. The lamp itself is a pin point bearing! The one nearest the camera still needs painting. Edited February 3, 2019 by Arpleymodeller 4 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arpleymodeller Posted February 3, 2019 Author Share Posted February 3, 2019 MONKS SIDING signal box itself, a repainted Bachmann LNWR product with a Wills modern movable storage building located to the left. 7 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arpleymodeller Posted February 3, 2019 Author Share Posted February 3, 2019 (edited) EWS No.60071 Ribblehead Viaduct is seen running round its train of HAAs before coupling up and back to the Bulk Terminal for more imported black diamonds to be sent to Fiddlers....2007. Edited February 3, 2019 by Arpleymodeller 9 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
d winpenny Posted February 3, 2019 Share Posted February 3, 2019 Great update looking good David Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southwich Posted February 3, 2019 Share Posted February 3, 2019 Very nice Lewis - now following! looking forward to some more progress kind regards, Will Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium richierich Posted February 5, 2019 RMweb Premium Share Posted February 5, 2019 I like the plain line built using components. A nice layout in progress. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arpleymodeller Posted February 6, 2019 Author Share Posted February 6, 2019 Thank you for the replies ! Thanks Will definitely will be plenty of updates this layout is definitely getting built been doing bits almost everyday! Thanks rich yes it was built using Peco Il-111 wooden sleepers and Il-112 pandrol clips to represent timber sleepered FB track . The concrete sleepers are Exactoscale . These are soon to be available again now Exactoscale is a separate company again. C&L used to sell them that's where I got these from . Cheers Lewis 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Departmental203 Posted February 11, 2019 Share Posted February 11, 2019 Completely forgot to read the new update here, I was too busy counting wagons!! Nice work here Lewis, as usual, and I think your move to go EM was worth it. Looking forward to more progress! Jules Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arpleymodeller Posted February 12, 2019 Author Share Posted February 12, 2019 Ahh it's okay mate! Cheers thank you! Well I do too it really looks so much more "right" when compared to 00 and it saves the hassle that moving to P4 brings. It's a happy medium. And the extra effort is applied to everything to try and create a realistic overall scene. Well got some updates coming been laying static grass, ballasting and also made a small 2ft scenic extension! Cheers Lewis 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold MarshLane Posted February 16, 2019 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 16, 2019 Hi Lewis, Looking good. The Liverpool - Fiddlers Ferry traffic was always interesting, back in my days working for EWS, I was responsible for planning all the services, at that time it was 60s with the former National Power hoppers. Got a couple of site visits which were good, and a couple of years ago had a cab ride with GBRf out of the biomass terminal (about 300 yards from the coal loading bunker!) up the grade to Tuebrook, then down the WCML through Warrington. Even today, its still an interesting area for operations. Shall be following your progress with this having now come across the layout build! Rich Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arpleymodeller Posted February 21, 2019 Author Share Posted February 21, 2019 On 16/02/2019 at 21:10, MarshLane said: Hi Lewis, Looking good. The Liverpool - Fiddlers Ferry traffic was always interesting, back in my days working for EWS, I was responsible for planning all the services, at that time it was 60s with the former National Power hoppers. Got a couple of site visits which were good, and a couple of years ago had a cab ride with GBRf out of the biomass terminal (about 300 yards from the coal loading bunker!) up the grade to Tuebrook, then down the WCML through Warrington. Even today, its still an interesting area for operations. Shall be following your progress with this having now come across the layout build! Rich Hiya Rich thank you very much! Fascinating to have your professional insight on these operations! The layout is intended to typify rather than replicate the exact line but hopefully when the scenics are done it will have the atmosphere of the "Low Level" line . Been doing an extension after I realised I had too much fiddle yard space so scenic section is now 9ft split on two boards. Got more photos coming tomorrow ! Cheers Lewis 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southwich Posted February 21, 2019 Share Posted February 21, 2019 Looking forward to some photos! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arpleymodeller Posted February 23, 2019 Author Share Posted February 23, 2019 On 21/02/2019 at 08:01, Southwich said: Looking forward to some photos! Been busy but big weekend update coming !! Lewis 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arpleymodeller Posted February 24, 2019 Author Share Posted February 24, 2019 Time for an update! The majority of the basic ground cover has been applied using a mix of Hornby coarse turf and Peco 6mm long static grass which has been layered over the plaster cloth to create an overgrown and uneven texture. Also the freight terminal siding which serves the remnant of what was BSC Monks Hall Steelworks (purely fictional-real one closed in 1986) has been ballasted and Wills granite setts added to represent cobblestones as this was a feature of the old works. Pleased with how it's going together! The extra scenic area extension has added around another foot to the original 7ft and adds to the feel of space. Always careful to to make a scenic area "cramped" and too "busy". Added another section to the North Light factory just needs weathering and detailing. And finally....a taste of what this layout is all about ....MGR coal trains! 60039 waits to depart back to Liverpool Bulk Terminal with its empty HTAs.....Ahh the memories! That's all for now! Got plenty more thing I'm working on more photos to come in the new week. Regards Lewis 11 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southwich Posted February 24, 2019 Share Posted February 24, 2019 Stunning work sir! You said you'd been busy! The 60 looks superb on the HTAs - I'm way out of the area of their operation but I think an exception may have to be made Keep up the good work! Will 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arpleymodeller Posted February 24, 2019 Author Share Posted February 24, 2019 Thank you very much Will! Yes the winter nights are great time to get jobs done! And glad you like it I love the combination of 60 on EWS HTAs just as I remember and photographed them between 2010-2015 on the Fiddler's PS duties. The slab sides of both seem to naturally go together! Plenty more to come! Cheers Lewis Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wild Boar Fell Posted February 24, 2019 Share Posted February 24, 2019 On 03/02/2019 at 18:23, Arpleymodeller said: The layout will feature prototypical working signals, the first, this RATIO LMS home semaphore, has recently been fitted. The current view towards the Fiddlers Ferry end of the layout. Coal trains arrive at MONKS SIDING to run round using the loop which was built in 1988 on the site of the former BSC Monks Hall Steel Works. They then return to fiddlers ferry to unload and then return here to run round and back to LBT to reload. This is a fictional scenario that imagines that Latchford Sidings were closed and the Low Level line joined Arpley Yard via a curve at Slutchers Lane. As can be seen the base for the scenery has been made from painted plaster cloth, track ballasted mainly, and scratchbuilt yard lamps added. These use RATIO telegraph poles with RATIO ladders and brass loops. The lamp itself is a pin point bearing! The one nearest the camera still needs painting. The second photo definitely has the feel of the Slutcher's Lane bridge when viewed from the former Arpley Station side. The lamps look spot on too. Regards, Wild Boar Fell 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arpleymodeller Posted February 25, 2019 Author Share Posted February 25, 2019 Thanks Wild Boar Fell! Ahh I haven't thought of it like that till you said it but I see what you mean! Yes I'm including the old steam era gas lights as they definitely add to the atmosphere Arpley junction retains quite a few amazing considering how long they have been redundant. These model ones are made from Ratio telegraph poles modified with brass strip and a bearing for the lamp and Ratio ladders added instead of the footsteps which were cut off. Cheers Lewis Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arpleymodeller Posted March 3, 2019 Author Share Posted March 3, 2019 (edited) Hello and time for another update! Been working on the scenery I've added some spare flat bottom rails to the permanent way, cables to connect to the trunking and orange cables, and a hard standing for the relay room building. MONKS SIDING Progress by Arpleymodeller60059, on Flickr MONKS SIDING Trackwork by Arpleymodeller60059, on Flickr Work is also progressing on the other end of the layout the extension part, backscene fitted and landscaping has begun. 66207 arrives with more coal empties to run round. MONKS SIDING Extension by Arpleymodeller60059, on Flickr An overview of MONKS SIDING in its current form! As can be seen the foamboard shells for new industrial low relief structures have been added! MONKS SIDING February 2019 by Arpleymodeller60059, on Flickr Also today I've created an Instagram account for the layout under the username monkssidingemgauge Ill continue to post here of course in addition to my Flickr page Arpleymodeller60059 That's all for now! more updates coming shortly, Regards Lewis Edited March 3, 2019 by Arpleymodeller 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
d winpenny Posted March 4, 2019 Share Posted March 4, 2019 Looks great brilliant modelling David 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arpleymodeller Posted March 4, 2019 Author Share Posted March 4, 2019 2 hours ago, d winpenny said: Looks great brilliant modelling David Cheers mate! Been doing a bit more detailing and scenery today I'll get some more photos up soon. Trying to get everything looking right as possible so that it all goes together well. Lewis 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
saxokid Posted March 8, 2019 Share Posted March 8, 2019 (edited) Coming along great Lewis!! looking forward to another update now.. thanks neil. Edited March 8, 2019 by saxokid Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arpleymodeller Posted March 18, 2019 Author Share Posted March 18, 2019 On 08/03/2019 at 04:24, saxokid said: Coming along great Lewis!! looking forward to another update now.. thanks neil. Cheers mate! well its been quite a while but here is an update of whats been going on! Most work has been concentrated on detailing with some new relay cabinets via ANYSCALE MODELS these are excellent value for money only £2 for 10! MONKS SIDING MARCH 2019 by Arpleymodeller60059, on Flickr MONKS SIDING MARCH 2019 by Arpleymodeller60059, on Flickr Also been building a couple of RATIO LMS semaphore signals ... MONKS SIDING MARCH 2019 by Arpleymodeller60059, on Flickr MONKS SIDING MARCH 2019 by Arpleymodeller60059, on Flickr The extension end of the layout has also been half ballasted and the embankment has had static grass applied. MONKS SIDING by Arpleymodeller60059, on Flickr A nice little addition is this Hornby hut which will function as a shunters cabin. MONKS SIDING MARCH 2019 by Arpleymodeller60059, on Flickr First speed limit sign from Sankey Scenics... MONKS SIDING MARCH 2019 by Arpleymodeller60059, on Flickr And for fun 66019 on the HEA rake! currently have 11 of these hoppers would like to build it up to 20 for an alternative to the HAAs! MONKS SIDING MARCH 2019 by Arpleymodeller60059, on Flickr And that's pretty much it since the last update! Been working on my wagon stock too check my workbench thread for new updates soon! Thank you to all who view and like this thread! Cheers Lewis 11 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris56057 Posted March 19, 2019 Share Posted March 19, 2019 Lovely work here Lewis. Keep us posted with further updates. Interested to know how you did the road over bridge? 1 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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