Gilbert

Quite a lot of the background buildings (among other features) were replaced as the build went on as well!

You'll see as the thread continues I do tend to change my mind as I go. The narrow arches were fun to build but I caused a bit of damage to the card during building and later heavy handed weathering and it was not recoverable. Chris

I'm not sure if the layout will see much 40 action....but I do own 3 of them....

You could with a few sheep in there - keep the grass under control...

Clearance testing...

and more work on the signal box. ..although its a Midland box the layout is really inspired by the Liverpool area. However such boxes did appear as at Exhibition Junction at Edge Hill - this photo is from the excellent 8D Association page. It looks like a Midland top on an LNWR base to me... http://btckstorage.blob.core.windows.net/site3376/Doug.B - 8A Rail/L&M Pics/8D.243.jpg and Liverpool Central had a CLC box which I also liked. Again from the 8D Association http://btckstorage.blob.core.windows.net/site3376/Lpool Central Box LF 1971.jpg

Looking good Rob Chris

A wider view with work a bit further on.

The scenic break at the left. I'm using a full size plan of the board so I can do all the work on the bench. The two buildings are based on US HO DPM modules - the red one is almost completely from the kit parts and the white one just uses windows with SE Finecast brickwork.

First project was a simplified retaining wall made from SE Finecast sheet and Evergreen sheets and strip sub-structure. A replacement bridge for the right hand side then followed..

I didn't get on very well with the retaining walls and bridge...I was not happy with the finished appearance so a bit of a re think was required...

The big picture - the RH FY board is not necessary at all times but will add some interest at exhibitions.

As work progressed I toyed with the idea of making the rear track a through line. I have a number of DMUs and it would be nice to give them a run. A bit of rebuilding ensued. A new board was constructed. The complete board. I have now revised my plans so the two RH/LH Fiddle yard boards are to be slightly altered so they become dual ended and can be used as LH/RH FY boards for the next project.

A bit of weathering

Another update. I had used Lcut kits on Dock Street and decided to try their very nice retaining walls. I wanted a high urban environment so an over bridge was also included. This time styrene sheet and Wills girders.

Very Pecketty...

I am most definitely a SLW customer (2 +1 on order, regular chats with Phil at York and highly delighted by the post sales support from Jamie et al) but I do have a TTG Bachmann 25 with factory fitted sound which is a regular and relied-upon performer on my small (shunting) exhibition layouts. I know some aren't keen on the profiles but it works well and is therefore always in the show stock box..

Can you expand - is there a problem fitting the flanged wheels?

I'm waiting for shorter turnouts but I'm tempted to just get one as a trial...

Interestingly I don't think I've ever had a problem with a Halfords nozzle (and very few with Humbrol or Testors Dulcote) . Sadly I can't say the same for all brands.

They all are....sadly

My apologies for the repeat.......

Given the reputation of the product I'm a little disappointed by the coupler droop...

and west too.. Chris

The Finetrax 4mm products may be an option - the problem with Peco is that the short Unifrog - needed to make "Unifrog" work - leads to the shorts with the wider wobbly wheels. I tried my Sir William Stanier with the Flangeless trailing wheels - same issue. I should of course get round to installing the flanged wheels supplied! I can't find any current replacements for the 31.