Lee m22

I agree with Ian regarding lids being missing etc. Really quite shocking how much sometimes. Where they are making hardstandings for the signal containers (unsure what they are called) I mentioned above, they have used cable troughs as an edge restraints On the trackside, I guess this makes it easy to run cables out of the container and up the embankment, but it's been used to large effect. The WCML past my estate is quadlined, and trunking runs along the external sides of the track. It does seem to run as far as I can see mind. At bridges and restricted areas, the trunking tends to rise into a more narrow format, fixed to retaining walls and in metal trays...It also seems to split into multiple runs. I do wonder if the density here is due to the renewal works being carried out. Regards Lee

Bingo!

Hi Trackside details are looking great. Only thing I'd suggest is toning the red down on the cable tubing. It's normally an orange plastic that fades to quite a pale colour (for being exposed to the sun I guess). Network Rail has run through Bletchley on the WCML recently, replacing old signal gangtry's with new LED signal gangtry's and come rather hefty systems to support (Several large containers full of signalling computers I guess all fenced off and installed around the embankments) This has mean't a lot of work to signal trunking and relay boxes. Interesting how often they leave the trunking uncovered or how many sectons of trunking lay discarded around the lines. I walk my dogs along the line regularly so if you want pictures of any more of the clutter, just shout Anyway, once this is scene is ballasted, the details you've added will really set the scene Regards Lee

Excellent! Looking great Simon!

Thanks guys. My mission is to work on weathering while I wait for stuff to arrive Regards Lee

Hi All! This is my first Blog celebrating the fact that I have found the light and currently making a return to my modelling after nearly a year out. I've got a new project on the boil atm, involving a 12'x3' roundy roundy layout based on Rhyl, North Wales. I chose this location as it offers a masive variety of traffic passing by, interesting trackwork and a mix of signals that I hope to recreate. I'm not tryingto model Rhyl exactly, but rather use it as a source of inspiration and influence. I'm targeting the 70's and 80's so mostly BR blue traffic, but I can see a few grey locos on the roster too! While I wait until I've finished painting the new rail room and built the boards, I've been buying some 'inspiration' in the form of Mk.I carriages and a pair of the N guage society's Inspection saloons. Nothing like seeing a train form up to get motivated! Class 24's will be the mainstay of my early traffic, along with 47's. Freight was so varied along the North Wales line, I'll look forward to forming up my freight trains Using that motivation, I did break out the airbrush for the first time in months! I wanted to see waht I could do about weathering carriages. Attempt one below! Not too dissapointed with the first results, but I can certainly improve on this I reckon. Suggestions welcome! I tried spraying a couple of other wagons that were laying about. Poor Seacow is a long way from it's original paintjob now! Finally, I'd been playing with the Dapol magnetic couplings before my hiatus, but now that i'm back, I thought I'd try the NEM pocket conversions that have since been released. The conversion was quite simple and the jig in the pack was rather good and easy to use. Can't say I've had better luck getting the couplings to function as they ought, but the coupling height and centerline match that of the NEM fitted wagons so I can safely say the conversion went well. Just need to figure the trick to make the couplings work properly now! Anyway, thanks for reading my ramblings if you made it this far! Hopefully I'll have a bit more on the go soon! Regards Lee

Hi, That looks fantastic Regards Lee

That scrap van is superb! A nice little original touch Looking forward to seeing that office Lee

Hi Simon, I'm just catching up on Gresby after my hiatus. You've sure been busy!!! The buildings are just amazing! Your thread remains on my emergency 'scale wobble' list......every time I get drawn to bigger scales I come here and remember why I love n gauge! Looking forward to being a regular visitor to your thread again . Regards Lee

Looking Great, and good to see a fresh update Thanks for the info on the couplers. I've since discovered the Dapol Buckeyes for closing the gap on my GF108 Really enhances a model to see the gap as small as poss. Ballast looks brill in the station Lee

Looking great Simon! Reminds me of doing my tunnel lining. It was HELL!!!!!! Although mine didn't curve, it met the portal wall at a skewed angle, so getting things level etc was horrible. In the end I built a square box shape tunnel surround the width and height of the lining. I boxed off the end minus a portal big enough for the trains to pass through. After painting everything black, it was much easier to get the lining in and looking right, as I could just turn it upside down and fiddle with it , while using bulldog clips to hold it in place. Bit late to be of any use to you now I'm afraid mind. Cable run looks a neat little detail there Regards Lee

Hehe, Know that feeling! I'm currently having a week off the layout, which has turned into two! I'll be sure to get a sudden rush of enthusiam again soon...something in alignment with payday! The levels of detail and accuracy you are working to, I could only imagine how frustrating things can get some times.....That wheel lathe and conveyor still stand as one of my favourate scratch built images on the forum! Good to hear you've started making progress again:D Lee

Hey Harking back to the last time I commented, them doors are looking much better The Downpipes are looking great, though you're right about them angles. From memory the angle would be the other side of the 45degree mark. Some could be near half that again and almost flat, but there is plenty of variety out there. I remember well that downpipes and gettering were the bane of my life on terrace, when I was a conservatory designer....Always in the way! One thing is for sure, and that's how fantastic the terrace looks, and how well the downpipes really finish off the scene. As always, an inspiring couple of pics there! Regards Lee

Fantastic photos and brilliant progress! Love this layout Lee

Nice progress Simon! All looking very neat and well planned Lee

LOL, If you're feeling brave in March, they sell fine brass wire n rod at the local shop and I've got a stash of blades that will see those existing rails taken clean off...

Things are looking good here! Think there was some dutch liveried hoppers in my local model shop so perhaps you can bolster the fleet in few weeks time! I may have to get on and weather my seacows, else they'll look stupid next to your lot!!!! Seriously good to see some more photos. You'll need to pick up a few scenic details for that plank...I reckon once you've done a couple a hedgerows and maybe a scratch built thingumy, you'll have a proper itch for the layout!! One step closer to the master plan I'm gonna point out good weather more often now Steve!

Hey this looks amazing!! I recently saw a picture of this location in a book I'd nabbed from work. A fantastic and unique scenic piece indeed Look forward to hearing more of your progress. Lee

Great to see the videos! Really can't wait to see this in the flesh at the AGM Lee

Excellent news! That's an impressive fiddle yard too:D What's next then? Lee

That Video is a real eye opener! Coal mining formed a major part of my Education so a big interest to me and fantastic to watch. But men on conveyors...Never seen that before! Not sure HSE would be happy with that these days On most layout's your rapid loader would be an impressive, overwhelming structure that draws the eye, but in your case I'll just stick to an impressive structure surrounded by many equally impressive structures, and really setting the scene for a major coal mine. It's great to see updates on the thread again as this is one of my favourate projects and your buildings and structures and breathtaking! Look forward to seeing more Lee

Great little alterations on the bus stop...It's good to see a kit and be able to think of ways to enhance it The 86 pair is brilliant! I tend to get a daily dose of the real thing walking the dog, and I'd love got get myself a pair in the near future (that would mean another layout though ) Shame the lettering isn't as strong but I guess a light dusting of weathering will distract people noticing the shortfall. It's not rare to see one clean (yes they do exist!) and one dirty around here. Looking forward to seeing these two additions on the layout Regards Lee