jcarta

Been an interesting few weeks on the railway, first up I purchased a Skytrex Class 40 quite a few years ago and one afternoon I was picking up some bits and bobs from Skytrex. Dave gave me a guided tour of his extended workshop and I noticed he had a split headcode version body sitting on a shelf gathering dust so another purchase was made. The body was in green and stayed like this for the next 2 years, that was until 3 weeks ago where it received a new lick of paint and a sound chip. Although the model is not as good as the Heljan version it will still have a home on the railway. Next up my colleague Ray and I have been re-laying some track in the garden around the sidings area as it wasn't working for us when operating the stock so a 3 way point was purchased from Marcway and installed as this has allowed us to increase the siding lengths. The cross-over on the main has be relocated further down as this will allow us to enter the sidings directly from the main. Original layout. New Layout Lastly, the sun has arrived so this means next doors cat has its own sunbed ....... His mate is hiding behind the shrub by the bench Hopefully another update in a day or so. Jim

It's been a bit quiet on Ayr Road of recent due to work commitments... Over the past month or so we have extended the station area and simplified the track work. Last weekend was spent tidying up the layout and working on the yard area which included building some porta cabins. As you will see that the depot building has been rebuilt and i have started ballasting the mail line.... Boredom will set in at some stage.... Jim

Matt Have a look at this page Jim

Steve Good to see you back mate..... The layout has come on leaps & bounds.... Looking fantastic... Jim

Evening Rich Looking good..... Get that track down so the peak and the shunter can stretch their legs plus you will enjoy it as well. Jim

Well, i hope all is well and enjoying our warm climate...... As I said about 2 months ago I purchased a Heljan Class 47 is two tone green with issues..... The issues were the usual 'cracked gears' vents missing etc.... New gears ordered from Howes and then got Ray out to make the new vents up using his cutting machine and hey presto spending a few hours replacing the parts and then fitting a DCC chip she is up and running... Here are the pictures how she arrived... Lots of bits to sort before her maiden run on Ayr Road Jim

Evening Gary As promised .... I have had a look in to your page to see if you have an update but more importantly how are you?...... I hope there is some light at the end of the tunnel with a prognosis as to your health issue... Hope to hear from you soon.... Jim

Still looks the bee's knee's though...... with / without the horn grill... Can't wait to see it painted & finished Jim

Morning New track work has been laid for the throat of the depot and station allowing Ayr Road to accept longer trains if necessary without the need to constantly shunt the stock around. Today will be spent finishing off wiring the frogs up and then the signals, so get a move on Mr Ray, I'm sure I can find you some more jobs too do with a soldering iron under the layout... Next on the agenda will be to extend the platform and start the ballasting of the track. Jim

Afternoon Just a small update ...... Ayr Road has had to close for a week or so whist the PW gang get in to relay a section at the station throat ..... Even the shunt is clear ...... Road To Nowhere....... Jim

Stunning .... just stunning.... So much attention to detail Keep the pictures coming please .... Envious Jim

Afternoon You have to gently prise the buffers from the loco and the buffer shanks will come adrift so be careful not to lose them.... Once the buffers and the shanks have been removed place the snowplough behind the buffer beam and insert the shanks through the snowplough holes and push the buffers back into the bufferbeam. Jim

I see your point .....(ssssh don't mention 'point', there'll be another one added soon) ...... I had plans for this weekend as well ....................... Oh well, looks like some more good quality reading... Jim

Hello Rich Sorry too hear of your plight but I'm glad that you are on the road to recovery and I concur with Andy P's statement.... Glad to have you back.... Jim

Andy Finally....... You have settled on a great plan.....It only took 61 pages to decide.... Mind you I did enjoy the trials & tribulations of building a layout..... Well done and enjoy Jim

A Happy New Year to all Not a lot to add at present but I did spend my festive time wisely..... Work, Club & a spot of Weathering....... Of course following you guys on here. Well, first up was my Class 25, giving it a run out at my local club.. I spent a few days weathering the MGR Hopper And finally I managed to get my hands on a Heljan Class 47 that require some work i.e. new gears, lights & generally tidying up and finally giving it to my guru Mr Ray to make it a DCC loco, photo's later..... Jim

Considering this is your first venture.................. well done ...absolutely stunning Jim

Morning All Yesterday I spent a little time weathering a Heljan OAA wagon and I thought I finish off today or tomorrow only to find that it has now been utilised as part of the missus's Christmas display so I wont see this until after the New Year ....... Lucky for me I have a few more sitting outside waiting for similar treatment.... Merry Christmas to you all and I hope you all get lots of railway orientated gifts. Jim

I believe the breakfast reference is something to do with the headlamps behind the grill..... Although I may be wrong..... Jim

Rod They also do the Land Rovers as well...... Jim

Rod I've found this on the internet, I hope this helps https://www.oxforddiecast.co.uk/products/dennis-rs-fire-engine-greater-manchester-fire-brigade-76dn003 Jim

Nothing major....... You certainly been busy with the stock and they do look good..... The PCA's are great kits and they do go together very well, I've got another 3 of them to build. The ETHEL paint scheme is starting to take shape and of course looking good, looking forward to seeing the others painted up and taking their place on the layout. Jim

Ade Well welcome to the site and welcome back to the railway scene..... I'm glad that you have chosen to model in 7mm, personally I don't think that you will ever look back and I have modeled in 2mm & 4mm but I do like the 7mm scale and Andy's layout will show what can be achieved...... Jim

Brian I thought you had gone on holiday..... Anyway that Tractor does look stunning.... you do need to have a word with the maintenance depot as the poor driver may have a SpAD and blame it on a lack of a missing wiper!!!! Cracking conversion and paint job though.... Jim

Chris Great topic and will follow with interest. I didn't know Heljan done that, bring returned loco's to the show, do you get a good discount and do you have to ask them to bring the items to the show or just take a chance they have what you want? Looking forward to seeing the ETHEL's..... but I'm sure there were only 3 converted. Jim