mason Posted March 19, 2015 Share Posted March 19, 2015 Neptune street yard has been around a bit, it appeared in railway modeller in 2008. I aquired it through a customer of mine while building him a new łayout, he told me he had Neptune street from its original builder and that he would be looking to sell it on once the new layout I was building him had arrived. After I couple of negotiations I took delivery of Neptune street. It's a lovely łayout and what attracted me to it was how it was built with a scenic sector plate. This is quiet a unique feature and I think will be great to operate as it takes some thinking of your manoeuvres as there is no fiddle yard to hide behind with the hand from above Given the łayout is 7 years old it is in very good condition and just needs brightening up with some more modern scenics like static grasses. The buildings have come detached in places but easily rectified. The front fascia needs a tidy up but nothing major. The track work is very good, and built from C&L components There is only 1 point on the łayout which is controlled via a push rod system, simple and easy and works perfectly. So what are the plans for this łayout Firstly I wanted to turn the łayout into dcc operation This literally took 20 mins with a soldering iron and some snips Prodigy plugged in and the łayout running fully in dcc I was concerned that the point would be an issue, but everything ran nicely through it so I think I will keep the push rod in place. I did have the thoughts of making it dcc but there isn't much room for this and is like to keep some of the łayout original. I will run the łayout in BR blue as I have found myself drifting into this era lately and have a bit of blue stock, but it could lend itself further a field. Next jobs are to make some trestles that will fit properly Re fix the bridge and update the scenics. I will post measurements etc tomorrow of the łayout I would love to hear from anyone who has seen or photoed this lovely little łayout. Here are a few pictures but I will take some better ones as time goes on 14 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AireValley1962 Posted March 20, 2015 Share Posted March 20, 2015 I remember seeing this in Railway Modeller quite a while ago - a very nice layout. I look forward to seeing what you will do with it! Cheers, William 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
class"66" Posted March 20, 2015 Share Posted March 20, 2015 Looks nice little setup 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew P Posted March 20, 2015 Share Posted March 20, 2015 Morning Neil, I remember it from RM and had it in my folder until a short while ago as an inspirational project. Good luck with the transformation. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
50030 Posted March 20, 2015 Share Posted March 20, 2015 Superb little layout there Neil, I like that a lot. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
big T Posted March 20, 2015 Share Posted March 20, 2015 Nice one mate, what do you plan to do to it? Will it be venturing out to play?! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ABOGauge Posted March 20, 2015 Share Posted March 20, 2015 As the original builder of this layout I am gratified and amazed that it is still out there and creating pleasure. This was my second excursion back in to modelling after the build in an Easter Egg box 00-9 layout which started me off again after a 30 year lull. See here..... http://www.carendt.com/small-layout-scrapbook/page-48-april-2006/ Neptune Street is also on the site at..... http://www.carendt.com/small-layout-scrapbook/page-71a-march-2008-mid-month-bonus-edition/ as well as being in Railway Modeller. You may also have seen Skipsea and Pusteria in last June's RM and CM as a double hit. This was a U shape with two layouts in one and has now also been sold off in its two parts. Neptune Street was based on my recollections of a small yard in Hull by the docks and named after the real freight depot which was a little bigger! Track is SMP as is the single point which is operated using peco 3rd rail rail and connected to both sides for operation. Have to say it is still looking OK despite its age and some of the techniques used. The Steel works is named after our family name and the warehouse after my sons initials. I gave a CD of all my photos to the chap who bought it from me so if you are still in touch he may be able to give you a copy. I am in the process of making a very similar layout in O gauge but without the point using only three sidings and a similar sector plate. This is a 6' version just to try out O gauge before I'm too old. Hope you enjoy this little layout and perhaps we'll see you pass it on further at some point. Look forward to seeing how you spruce it up. Cheers 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mason Posted March 20, 2015 Author Share Posted March 20, 2015 As the original builder of this layout I am gratified and amazed that it is still out there and creating pleasure. This was my second excursion back in to modelling after the build in an Easter Egg box 00-9 layout which started me off again after a 30 year lull. See here..... http://www.carendt.com/small-layout-scrapbook/page-48-april-2006/ Neptune Street is also on the site at..... http://www.carendt.com/small-layout-scrapbook/page-71a-march-2008-mid-month-bonus-edition/ as well as being in Railway Modeller. You may also have seen Skipsea and Pusteria in last June's RM and CM as a double hit. This was a U shape with two layouts in one and has now also been sold off in its two parts. Neptune Street was based on my recollections of a small yard in Hull by the docks and named after the real freight depot which was a little bigger! Track is SMP as is the single point which is operated using peco 3rd rail rail and connected to both sides for operation. Have to say it is still looking OK despite its age and some of the techniques used. The Steel works is named after our family name and the warehouse after my sons initials. I gave a CD of all my photos to the chap who bought it from me so if you are still in touch he may be able to give you a copy. I am in the process of making a very similar layout in O gauge but without the point using only three sidings and a similar sector plate. This is a 6' version just to try out O gauge before I'm too old. Hope you enjoy this little layout and perhaps we'll see you pass it on further at some point. Look forward to seeing how you spruce it up. Cheers Thank you so much for replying, it's great to hear from the original builder of the łayout and what s lovely little łayout it is I have to say I think it will stand another 6 years as it's very sturdily built. I was wondering if the names on the buildings had any meaning and I don't plan on changing them as they fit lovely. I like that it is set around hull to as it gives me some geographic reference for locos etc. Look forward to seeing your future projects and please stop by to see how the łayout is coming on 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mason Posted March 20, 2015 Author Share Posted March 20, 2015 I remember seeing this in Railway Modeller quite a while ago - a very nice layout. I look forward to seeing what you will do with it! Cheers, William Thank you William I hope I can do the łayout justice Looks nice little setup Thanks mate, it's a lovely little łayout to play on Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mason Posted March 20, 2015 Author Share Posted March 20, 2015 Morning Neil, I remember it from RM and had it in my folder until a short while ago as an inspirational project. Good luck with the transformation. Cheers Andy It was in my box of inspirational layouts too alongside kingsmill too It's great having a łayout I saw as inspiration as my own and I can't wait to get cracking on it 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mason Posted March 20, 2015 Author Share Posted March 20, 2015 Superb little layout there Neil, I like that a lot. Thanks Neil Nice one mate, what do you plan to do to it? Will it be venturing out to play?! The plan is to rejuvenate it, add some static grasses and redo the details to newer upto date products, the structures will stay and I think I will add some lighting too I haven't thought of it venturing out, I might give it an appearance at our show in June if it's looking good enough. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew P Posted March 20, 2015 Share Posted March 20, 2015 Thanks Neil The plan is to rejuvenate it, add some static grasses and redo the details to newer upto date products, the structures will stay and I think I will add some lighting too I haven't thought of it venturing out, I might give it an appearance at our show in June if it's looking good enough. Mansfield next Year perhaps, and more SOUND 47's in Blue to have a play with? 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mason Posted March 20, 2015 Author Share Posted March 20, 2015 Mansfield next Year perhaps, and more SOUND 47's in Blue to have a play with? Hmmm that could be a plan:) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
class"66" Posted March 23, 2015 Share Posted March 23, 2015 Looking forward to some freight videos... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
georgeT Posted March 23, 2015 Share Posted March 23, 2015 Hello Neil, Like the new project, looks the bizzzzzz, small and simple, great stuff. george Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mason Posted March 23, 2015 Author Share Posted March 23, 2015 Thanks George and Class 66 I have had a little time today to start on renovating the scenics, to be honest there isn't alot to do I have added static grasses in most areas, using s summer mix to uplift the colour of the łayout and brighten it a little I did this using my tried and tested method of spray mount and pinch and pushing the grasses into the sprayed area. A couple of layers then a good dose of cheap hairspray to give it some hold I also picked up a large sheet of ready made weeds, these were a bargain at £5 for 117 various colours. These have broken up the static grass nicely. I think next I will get the airbrush out and give the track a light coat of track dirt and then I will start on renewing the details like barrels and pallets etc I am also going to look for some lights that I can wire straight to the dcc bus. I especially like the small office area and it needs a little light to highlight the details as it is at the front of the łayout. I can hopefully get the łayout on the kitchen table tonight and have a little play with some stock. 9 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold mudmagnet Posted March 23, 2015 RMweb Gold Share Posted March 23, 2015 Nice little project there Neil! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mason Posted March 25, 2015 Author Share Posted March 25, 2015 Thanks Richard Few more bits done today A new mesh fence has been erected on the sector plate to keep the sheep in I have added a ground frame lever for the point for some scenic interest Also some men have arrived in hi viz jackets to start work I have also started replacing the roof on the small rail fed factory as it was croaked and coming away. 10 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew P Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 Looking very good mate, I like the fencing, very clever. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mason Posted March 25, 2015 Author Share Posted March 25, 2015 Looking very good mate, I like the fencing, very clever.Thanks mate, the fencing is very good indeed, it's a Jarvis product, 72inch for £1.30 is superb all I added was the matchstick postsI will varnish them tomorrow to give them a better finish Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
class"66" Posted March 26, 2015 Share Posted March 26, 2015 More impressive modelling!!! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mason Posted March 26, 2015 Author Share Posted March 26, 2015 Day off today so I did a few little bits The roof is now finished and painted and weathered and looks really good and sturdy. I have added a few signs around the łayout, just the odd no smoking and office signs I also found a few lights in my bits box so I have added one next to the office so it adds some light to the area to make it more visable. And a sand and stone pile has now replaced the coal pike at the front of the łayout to lend itself more to engineers trains. 11 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southwich Posted March 26, 2015 Share Posted March 26, 2015 Looks superb Neil! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mason Posted March 26, 2015 Author Share Posted March 26, 2015 Looks superb Neil! Thanks mate, it's coming on nicely Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ess1uk Posted March 27, 2015 Share Posted March 27, 2015 Looks good Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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