SparxD428 Posted October 3, 2016 Author Share Posted October 3, 2016 After almost the entire month of September away due to work commitments in Belgium and Holland tonight I dusted down the controller and ran a few services on the layout. Couldn't remember if I had posted about lights wiring but have got the first sets of lights done (station & road bridge). They are OK and add to the atmosphere for morning commuting or the last train hour but will be better when I get some more planted and get the signals wired. Hoping to have some time this weekend to do a bit more before off to Uckfield Show over 15th/16th October helping Ian (Temeraire) with Tidworth. If anyone's coming along to Uckfield come over to Tidworth and say Hi. Took a few obligatory pics. Cheers Stu 50020 waits on a stopping evening commuter with the headhanger coach returned to service HST crawls through on the up main Back to daylight HST and 50020 pass by the western end scenic break which is still awaiting development 13 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparxD428 Posted October 18, 2016 Author Share Posted October 18, 2016 Whilst helping out on Tidworth at the Uckfield show this weekend picked up a couple of new items. Not pictured but now in the parcels rake are a new weathered Bachmann GUV and NCV BG. In terms of motive power, picked up an ex-Lima 73 which had been repainted and detailed as 73137 Royal Observer Corps. Hard wired a standard Gaugemaster DCC26 chip last night and it runs OK, just needs a little wheel and pickup attention. Also picked up the Ark from the show. One of the older ones which needs the chip wired in backwards but no great issue just have to remember that Forward is is backwards etc. Weathered the roof a little and painted white on the marker lights , headlight and ETH jumper The basher is happy he has a new beast to follow too. Hopefully will get some more time this weekend to progress with the lights and street scene. Cheers Stu. 7 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Revolution Mike B Posted October 18, 2016 RMweb Gold Share Posted October 18, 2016 Ah Ha!!!!! Found you!!! Jeez mate, I've got so much to do to catch up with all this. Looks really good Stu, I'm properly impressed. Mike 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparxD428 Posted October 22, 2016 Author Share Posted October 22, 2016 Ah Ha!!!!! Found you!!! Jeez mate, I've got so much to do to catch up with all this. Looks really good Stu, I'm properly impressed. Mike Thanks Mike. After last week I have the bug now to really crack on and get the layout closer to the finishing line. Although the trains do keep interrupting me ! Cheers, Stu 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparxD428 Posted October 22, 2016 Author Share Posted October 22, 2016 Trying to avoid running trains this weekend and actually do some work on the layout. I have had a rethink with the corner of the layout and found a suitable image with perspective which lets me place the Snooker club in a better location. Also I have done a bit more detailing on the newer flats with door buzzers and railings crudely added. As well as a street sign for "WEST EALING ROAD W3". They look OK in the background but close photography shows a few imperfections but they'll do for now. New location for Snooker Hall. The grey card represents where the buildings will fade in to the perspective image on the other side of the road The flats with their extra embellishments. Think a couple of plant pots would go well tucked in by one or two of the railings. Cheers, Stu 8 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium JDW Posted October 23, 2016 RMweb Premium Share Posted October 23, 2016 Those flats look quite good, they'll certainly "do for now"! That backscene picture looks excellent though, the angle is perfect (OK, I know the angle you took the picture from helps too!) but it works very well. The cars and people are maybe a tad on the large side if you look really closely, but it looks great, so much better than most I've seen, photographic or painted. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparxD428 Posted October 23, 2016 Author Share Posted October 23, 2016 More modelling today with so many things buzzing in my head to get started/completed/changed etc. I have concentrated again on the upper street scene today and spent many painstaking hours making roadsigns and printing out drain covers and double yellow lines as well as cutting up some photo paper for white road lines. Most of the items have been drawn in paint or downloaded from the internet. The drain covers and yellow lines just printed on to A4 and stuck down as I think they look better than me trying to paint them on. The Road signs and white lines are printed onto/cut from glossy 6x4 photo paper and I have tried as best as possible to scale them without being too exact although the large road sign may need slightly lifting. Also was going to start a Zebra crossing as I bought some belisha beacons a while back for this purpose, but do you think I can find where I put them?? Also did run a couple of trains after a track clean. As well of the obligatory picture taking. Keep Left signs to highlight the sharp bend and the first white line markings are now down. T-sign as well as double yellows and some drain covers just about visible. Also have a few manhole covers and small drain under the flats guttering. Give Way sign now in place Roundabout up the hill now has sign showing which way is which. Close enough geographically to reality for my liking And finally a couple of trains. 50031 on the fueller 73137 parked up for the weekend as well as L419, which now has Oleo sprung buffers, so the detailing of this continues steadily. Have a couple of days off at the end of next week so hoping to get more time on the layout whilst the bug is infectious. Cheers Stu 11 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparxD428 Posted October 27, 2016 Author Share Posted October 27, 2016 Instead of spending my time off so far this week in the pub, I have spent it creating a pub for the residents of Acton Green so they don't have to go thirsty. They also now have a record shop, a clothes shop, a model shop, a jewellers and a chippy to improve their spirits although the residential side of those businesses needs a little bit of work. After dismissing the obvious "Royal Oak" pub name I have opted for the Golden Lion, although The Three Horns was considered based on Illustrious' crest. Here's the finished article on the workbench. Construction is from mount board with Wills flexi brick sheets and a lot of download & print images gleaned via Mr.Google in order to create that pub look. I opted for the hideous green over a more sober Blue or red paint scheme, and think I have overdone the weathering a little on the brickwork/windows, so the window frames will be getting a fresh lick of enamel to tidy them up at the weekend. Went for a net curtain look on the upper floor based on some images researched on the web although I'm not so sure now. This is the position on the West Ealing Road where the pub will sit although it hides the very nice low relief side view. You can see the larger parade of shops taking shape next door A thirsty punter heralds the arrival of his new local. On the traction front Old Oak Common have some work to do as 50011 has developed a squealing issue (probably the fan belt) and 50004 has actually decided to limp and stop altogether so I imagine this is a drive or shaft issue that needs investigating although for now they can wait. In further news I have detailed the dummy car of the 117 unit with buffer beam pipework , lamp irons and windscreen wipers built from offcut plastics. Will get some pics later probably after the drive car has had the same treatment Cheers Stu. 8 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
vulcan product fan Posted October 27, 2016 Share Posted October 27, 2016 love the photo of the pair of hoover sat under the road bridge . Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
P.C.M Posted October 28, 2016 Share Posted October 28, 2016 Hi Stu, The layout is looking great, I really need to pull my finger out and get some more buildings done on Llanbourne. Sorry to hear about your class 50 reliability 004 was always a bit of a shed back in the day. Good job you have 035 on the roster. How many class 50s do you have now? Cheers Peter. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob D2 Posted October 28, 2016 Share Posted October 28, 2016 Looking good ! Class 50 reliability issues = ultra realist ! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparxD428 Posted October 28, 2016 Author Share Posted October 28, 2016 Hi Stu, The layout is looking great, I really need to pull my finger out and get some more buildings done on Llanbourne. Sorry to hear about your class 50 reliability 004 was always a bit of a shed back in the day. Good job you have 035 on the roster. How many class 50s do you have now? Cheers Peter. Thanks Peter. My Class 50 roster which operates on this layout is up to 5 now , these all being the Hornby ones nos. 50004 / 11 / 20 / 31 & 35. I still have 3x Lima ones although these are not currently chipped, last seen running on Westquay about 2 years ago. Still on the lookout for some more of course and will try my hand at renumbering on the next couple I can get my hands on as I have the plates for Renown and also fancy transferring Agincourt plates from the poorly Lima one to a proper version. I am hoping when I open up 50004 this weekend it will be a simple fix. I always rated Number 4 back in the day over 35 although that may have been the familiarity of 35 turning up on me everywhere. (38 recorded runs behind the Ark - coincidentaally I was looking through an old moves book yesterday). I have the bug for getting these buildings done at the moment and am constantly adding little bits and making little changes here and there. I feel more satisfied looking at buildings in the background or at least the base structure rather than half cut up backboard and sky. Cheers Stu 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparxD428 Posted October 28, 2016 Author Share Posted October 28, 2016 Looking good ! Class 50 reliability issues = ultra realist ! At least I don't have enough 47's to upset the 50 bashers so will just cancel trains instead !! Going to have to make a side project of Doncaster Works to keep up with all this intermediate attention required. Cheers Stu 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparxD428 Posted October 28, 2016 Author Share Posted October 28, 2016 A small package arrived today containing some more road vehicles and a pack of dustbins and covered skips. I have also been messing around yet again with the printer trying to create a better skyline behind the flats. Still not 100% happy but will do for now. Hoping to get the next 8 streetlamps planted over the weekend and maybe wired up, along with the signals, although with my wife organising a Halloween party for the girls and their friends I have a feeling Saturday's modelling time will be restricted. Number 4 has been towed away to works leaving 11 on its own waiting to run up to OC under its own power for attention A few buildings have popped up behind the flats. "New" road vehicles include a Moggy Traveller, a Triumph Herald convertable, Black FX4 Taxi, Black XR3i and Golden Capri. Liquid lunch has been had at the Lion. Don't think this chap is catching his bus back to the office any time soon. Whilst at the station 73137 waits with a short parcels for Eastleigh, with 117 and DPU on local services and 50031 idling on shed. Cheers Stu. 13 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob D2 Posted October 28, 2016 Share Posted October 28, 2016 The town skyline is looking really realistic. I like the drunk as well ! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparxD428 Posted November 27, 2016 Author Share Posted November 27, 2016 Been a while but not much progress in the last month although today a little work was done adding some more to one of the shop buildings and tidying up a few bits of scenery and ballast. 50004 has been released from Old Oak after repairs to the drive shaft. Evening test train run tonight 50004 Arriving at Acton Green Whilst 50035 tanks past The RA is given and 4 is about to depart Cheers Stu 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparxD428 Posted December 18, 2016 Author Share Posted December 18, 2016 Progress has been slow again due to work etc. but a visit to the model shop today for a few bits n bobs has woken me from my modelling slumber. Still finishing the shops and have a few items that need painting. A couple of BDA wagons purchased today as well as a few figures and a couple more chips and a couple of kits and accessories. Hoping to have a productive evening but did enjoy running a few trains again today Long range view of station from the central overbridge Rare view of the shed road with 55991 in residence A trainspotter has arrived on the layout trying to view the (out of shot) shunter under the bridge as 33004 idles. Cheers Stu. 11 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparxD428 Posted December 19, 2016 Author Share Posted December 19, 2016 Had the soldering iron and the spares box out yesterday and this evening. Gave an old friend a service and hard wired a DCC chip in to her. She's a little noisy but actually performs quite well given I had to remove expanded old traction tyres. Tried my hand at a little extra detailing one end as well as flushglazing with an old SE kit and making some wipers again from wills railing offcuts. Last seen on Westquay welcome back to the Galloway Princess interloping from Scotland. Although I was a 50 man had a soft spot for Scottish LL black headcode 47's and when I originally repainted/weathered/renumbered this example I was very pleased with the outcome. Obligatory photos of course.. 47593 waits for the road on the Gloucester-Paddington vans Off and passing through Acton Green Cheers Stu 10 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparxD428 Posted December 23, 2016 Author Share Posted December 23, 2016 The Traction & Maintenance department have been very busy these last couple of days. The Lima 117 is now almost completed having had extra pickups fitted, final detailing and numbering added, destination blinds, wipers, lamp irons (all made from bits n bobs) and painting completed. Just needs a driver and driver door windows on 51398 as well as proper couplings to finish. Currently running really well at slow speed with the extra pickups for 30+ year old motor. 4 of the 50's had been exhibiting minor ailments and have all been serviced today. 50011 had the fan drive removed to resolve the squeal. The squeal on 50004 was caused by an axle bearing. 50031 & 50035 also serviced and running smoothly and quietly. In building progress the brickwork and windows on the parade of shops has been completed, so just needs the brickwork weathering before the roofs and minor detailing can be completed. Hope to get a few new photos up tomorrow. Merry Christmas and a happy new year to all. Cheers Stu. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
P.C.M Posted December 23, 2016 Share Posted December 23, 2016 The layout is looking great Stu, Love that Scottish Duff. Merry Christmas Cheers Peter. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparxD428 Posted December 24, 2016 Author Share Posted December 24, 2016 (edited) As promised yesterday a little update with the work on the buildings and a few loco pics. The row of shops completed. Just a few minor detailing bits to add as and when The Zebra crossing is now complete and with railings (silver painted trimmed GWR fencing). Just the last buildings behind to be designed and constructed to finish this corner now. On the rails, 47593 finds itself working a short freight back northwards 50004 waits the road as L419 rolls past 50011 thunders down the main on a Plymouth Christmas additional whilst a Paddington bound service passes on the up. Cheers, Stu. Edited January 1, 2017 by SparxD428 8 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparxD428 Posted December 30, 2016 Author Share Posted December 30, 2016 (edited) A busy couple of days enjoyed working on the corner of the layout and it's nearly complete. I have a Co-Op and a shoe repair shop in the last two units, and also I decided to have another tube station in the corner to try and blend the buildings in to the road vanishing point. Based loosely on pictures of Perivale station this will be Horn Lane, a ficticious station on the Central Line, based on a real road name around Acton ML. Just need to complete some minor detailing such as the signs, roof, and re-do the closed cab office print to better scale as it looks a little large now I've planted the building on the layout. Took a couple of pics (for some reason they didnt come out too good today) This shows how I am trying to blend the corner so the eye doesn't immediately see a 90 degree turn ! Hope to have added detail to the final shops and tube station by the time I go back to work next week. Then need to construct a building of some sorts on the speedlink platform where the 08 is currently sitting. Cheers Stu. Front view of tube station #2 Corner views of the road Edited December 30, 2016 by SparxD428 12 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparxD428 Posted January 1, 2017 Author Share Posted January 1, 2017 Firstly,a happy 2017 to all rmwebbers and here's to a healthy and prosperous new year. I have been busy again the last 2 days with completing the tube station and planting the street lamps. The 3 yard lights have now been wired and the faulty double platform light replaced with a working one, as well as dropping a single one in to the bay. A Bus stop has been added to add to the chaos of the street scene which just now needs minor detailing adjustments. In terms of what I wanted to achieve this holiday I am right on schedule, which now leaves me with 3 major areas to complete, namely Wire the remaining street lamps Construct th speedlink platform office/canopy Build something in the final corner and tidy up the track/ballast in that scenic break. And of course some minor detailing, as a layout is never complete. Then it will be on to Phase 2 - The Underground - all in good time though. Did also run some trains and get some pics of the finished works. Flat view of the corner of the street parade Tube station signage completed (although I am not 100% happy with it so may re-do it in a spare moment) as well as showing the new co-op and bus stop 47593 on the main 33004 idles on shed - yard lamp is illuminated although the picture taken under lights 55991 trundles by towards Paddington Fuelling point under light Wider views of station when illuminated All the best, Stu. 10 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pitbull1845 Posted January 1, 2017 Share Posted January 1, 2017 Hi Stu, You've worked wonders on the layout, it looks really good... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brush47337 Posted January 2, 2017 Share Posted January 2, 2017 Great layout Stu. Thanks for sharing. The back scenes and perspective photos make a huge difference and are well worth the effort. Stuart. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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