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andyram

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Blog Entries posted by andyram

  1. andyram

    Derby

    By andyram,

    Well it has been that time of year again - the Derby show at Moorways. I always look forward to this event as it is practically on my doorstep. I have been visiting each year since I was knee high to a grasshopper and the show was at the Assembly Rooms. It is a little smaller these days since the switch to the new venue, but at least it does have a free on-site car park which is an improvement. The new date (May instead of April) also ensures that it avoids clashing with any Rams home games and this year it avoided clashing with the FA Cup Final too!
     
    The show did not disappoint. I thoroughly enjoyed it. There was a good mix of layouts and trade stands and was able to pick up a few items for my ongoing modelling projects, acquiring a point motor and some more ballast material which should allow me to get back to work on Skaleby West. Time is ticking towards our show in November!! On the subject of which I did drop off a large pile of advertising leaflets for this event, fingers crossed a few of them went during the weekend!
     
    Onto the layouts and I was pleased to see again three excellent layouts which I had first seen at previous shows. The 009 gauge layout "Crumley" is superb. Dad thought the scenics were a bit too "brown" for his liking - but he is notoriously picky!! To me it gave the perfect impression of a day during a long hot summer (I believe we used to have a few of those). The layout has a strange view. You sort of look at it from one end, at an angle, allowing you to look up (or down) the valley as the trains make their way from one station to another. Excellent!
     
    The other two layouts have also appeared in the Hornby Magazine. The 00 gauge "Kirkby Stephen West" is an excellent model of the S&C. It has a constant stream of trains and lots of great detail. I love the tv detector (Rivett Counter detector van!!) and the bonfire. They are nice touches. The O gauge "Hospital Gates" is also truely superb.
     
    There were many other excellent models, including a lovely micro GWR branch line station which I think was called Aylett End! This gave me plenty of inspiration for my own modelling project.
     
    Sadly during my time there I did see a number of layouts which seemed to be static displays. I am all for realistic operation, but people do need to see something move from time to time. One layout in particular had nothing moving (other than a few bells) for five minutes!
    Despite this I really I did enjoy the show, and even considered making a second visit the following day. My wallet won the argument though.
     
    Congrats to all involved.
  2. andyram

    The hunt has begun

    By andyram,

    Now I appreciate that winter services into Skaleby West are rather infrequent, but is that really an excuse for a couple of members of the local gentry to use the track bed to exercise their steads? I wonder what those passengers, sat on the platform waiting for the next service, thought about the arrival of a couple of members of the Skaleby Hunt as they passed through the station in the "four foot".
    Considering Skaleby West station is built on land within the estate of Skaleby Manor, perhaps Lord and Lady Skaleby feel that they are within their rights to use the line in this way.
     
    In truth the errant horse riders are actually a pair of pre-painted Langley Models figures - purchased from the Stafford show last weekend. I just could not resist them. I do like the Langley Models goods and was looking for some figures to add a little more life and interest to my exhibition layout. Their presence on the track was actually because I had just glued the riders onto their horses and wanted to keep them upright whilst the glue dried. They have now taken up residence in their planned location - on the dirt track which crosses the top of the tunnel - see the pictures below.

     
    The Stafford exhibition began a run of show visits with Allestree, Sileby, Trowell, Mansfield and Nottingham all coming up in the next few weeks. This will begin my own hunt - a hunt for layouts for this year's Weston on Trent show.
    In my last post I appealed for layouts, sadly no offers came. I am not worried however. After all I did not start planning the 2012 show until February anyway. This year I do have a number of things sorted for the show already.
    6 traders have confirmed their intention to attend. I just need one more and I am looking into that.
     
    Several layouts have already been sorted with several exhibitors from last year agreeing to return with other models. This week I have confirmed another layout. At the latest count I have organised 8 exhibitors bringing up to 10 layouts. This still leaves space for 7 or 8 more. During my upcoming show visits I will be on the lookout for a few more layouts for the show - and if there are any RMWeb users out there who are interested in attending please get in touch.
    Meanwhile I am still working on the planning consent for the extension to Skaleby West - will the powers that be (the wife) pass the application?? With half term approaching I am hoping to finish the repair work to the layout and add some more detail. I have a few more Langley items awaiting attention.
     
    Until next time...
  3. andyram

    Stafford 2013

    By andyram,

    And so it begins! The Stafford exhibition begins my model railway show expeditions for this year. Stafford is always one of my favourite events and I have been looking forward to it for a couple of weeks now. It always promises to be a big event with three halls packed full of impressive layouts and trade stands.In many ways it did not disappoint again this year. There were many large and impressive layouts to view. Just a shame my digital camera has decided to have a mood and won't let me download my images from the day.
     
    Having arrived, just after 10.30, my father and I spent a good 5 hours looking around the halls. Amongst the exhibits were some old favourites. These included "Romley Midland" which features a regular procession of trains to and from its small terminus station as well as trains from the colliery branch. This enters the line from a fiddle yard at the rear of the layout. There is always plenty to see. The scenics are excellent, although everything does seem a little too clean and perhaps the layout would benefit from more weathered stock - just a personal opinion though. The layout was up for sale and I am sure it will give its new owner many hours of pleasure.
    Poole in Wharfedale is another layout I have seen before. It featured at the Derby show last year. This is a lovely through station on a Yorkshire line with a wonderful scenic station, regular traffic and the added action of a working road way across the rear which adds to the scene. This was one of my favourite layouts in the show. Well done to Tim Couling and Harvey Whitmore for an excellent model.
    Another familiar model was Mike Kelly's B.R blue era OO gauge layout - "Everbury". I have seen three layouts built by Mike - Cromer, North Bridge and Everbury. All are excellent. He has great skill in adding little cameos and set pieces to the scenics to keep you interested - and there is always a train moving too. I tried to get Mike to bring a layout to my Weston on Trent show last year. Sadly he was away. Maybe I will have better luck this time around! Despite not being a diesel fan - I liked Everbury and spent quite a while watching the action.
     
    Everbury did seem to be part of a theme running through the Stafford show this year. One criticism I have of the event is that it seemed to be "top heavy" with diesel layouts. Not being a diesel fan this was disappointing, but I am sure that the modern image fans had a great day.
    Now I do enjoy some modern image / diesel layouts and I admired some of the many such layouts on show. Grange over Sands was another excellent model. Lots of detail was packed into this N gauge model, and my father was able to vouch for the authenticity of parts of the layout. The search and rescue helicopter "hovering" over the coast was a nice touch, as was the camera hidden away in a diesel which transmitted images of passing trains to an adjacent screen.
    Loch Tat was another excellent N gauge diesel model. I have seen it several times and it always brings memories of my honeymoon in Scotland a couple of years ago. The Loch itself is beautifully modelled, and the boat is very similar to one I photographed on Loch Linnhe during my stay. This layout won the best in show award. Congratulations to Adrian Lambourne.
     
    Of the "steam era" layouts I enjoyed the North of England line in N gauge. This featured in a recent issue of the Hornby magazine so it was great to see it in the flesh. Lots of scenic detail and set pieces in this layout too!
    The Lancashire and Yorkshire based "Calderwood" was another finely detailed model. This was also seen at Derby last year. I was pleased to see a lot more action taking place on the layout this time around and it was much more enjoyable to view as a result.
    Another excellent layout was the narrow gauge based "That Damn Railway". This depicted the building of a dam in Wales around the turn of the last century. There was a massive dam wall, with working cranes on the top, a narrow gauge line which zig zagged up the hill and lots of action on the steep gradients. The scenics were superb, with an excellent depiction of the worker's village. In my opinion this was the pick of the show.
     
    Two other layouts stood out for me. Firstly St George's Quay. This O gauge model was extremely detailed and included a working depiction of the coal being loaded into the waiting boats.
    Secondly was the "Somewhere in Belgium" model. Ted McElroy's shunting layout had lots of First World War detail. Now many people turn their noses up at shunting layouts, especially the "shunting puzzle" type. Here the operator worked to sequence five of the wagons onto the number 1 road in the order given on printed cards. I have tried something similar on parts of my home based layout and have thoroughly enjoyed it. Whilst watching the operator I was trying to second guess his moves.... I reckon I may have solved the puzzle quicker than he did...but then again, maybe not!
     
    All in all an excellent day out. I managed to pick up some Langley models stuff for my own exhibition layout. I can't wait for the chance to add them to Skaleby West later this week.
    Well done to all who organised the Stafford 2013 event. I did enjoy it. Can we have a few more steam, and less diesel layouts next year though!
  4. andyram
    On Saturday I enjoyed an all too brief visit to the Great Central Railway's winter gala. What a spectacle. A constant stream of trains on the double track main line section with a good mix of passenger, freight and TPO workings. Gorgeous sunshine and snow lying on the ground made for great photographic conditions. I am sure those who are lucky enough to have a lineside pass enjoyed the show, especially those who positioned themselves around Swithland Sidings. Here trains were looped for others to overtake and, in the case of the TPO, were terminated here. I certainly enjoyed watching the Swithland action whilst sat in the looped DMU. Just a shame a couple of grumpy old men behind me didn't stop complaining throughout the time we were stationary. According to them the DMU was looped due to late running and the timetable was well behind. Shame they hadn't read their timetable booklet as the train was actually running on time and the stop at Swithland was planned!
     
    The GCR put out a number of locos on the day - star of the show was the blue King 6023 "King Edward II", looking immaculate. It was joined by visiting GWR 2-8-0 3802. From the home fleet there was:
    King Arthur 777 "Sir Lamiel"
    Standard 2 78019
    Ivatt 2 46521
    Red 8F 48624
    Jinty 47406
    N2 1744
     
    That is 8 steam locos and a DMU. A pretty good show!
     
    Just a shame I couldn't stop long. But here are some pictures from the day.

    Ivatt 2 46521 waits on the Mountsorrel Branch.

    Red liveried 8F 48624 waits to depart Loughborough Central with a short freight.

    The King at Quorn.

    6023 departs Quorn.
  5. andyram

    3 weeks to go!

    By andyram,

    Another update on progress with the Weston show and some more layout pictures!
     
     
     
     
     
    At the end of last week I sat in my classroom enjoying a rare moment of peace whilst the children worked quietly on a writing task. The tranquillity did not last long. All of a sudden the silence was shattered by loud music drifting through the wall from the adjourning infant classroom. My class’ concentration was shattered by the strains of the Hokey Cokey! I sat there, cursing my inconsiderate colleague, as the children were instructed to put their right arm in, and right arm out etc. As I sat and listened I felt that it did rather mirror my recent work on the model railway exhibition. As I worked on finalising the floor plan I have constantly been putting layouts in, taking layouts out and moving them all about!
     
    It had all been going so well. Everything seemed to fit perfectly. Well it did on paper! I just had a few small gaps to fill. Then a couple of people pulled out and things became complicated. Although, thanks to RM Web, I managed to replace the lost exhibits very quickly; the replacements were not an exact match. They didn’t quite fill the new spaces exactly, and so I have had to juggle things around. In fact I spent several days juggling things around and still I couldn’t get everything to fit. I have had so many kind offers of exhibits, the last thing I wanted to do was to let somebody down. I went to bed on Wednesday night with serious “brain ache” and with the problem still not sorted. Then as I opened my eyes on Thursday morning I had one of those Eureka moments, and the solution suddenly came to me. Problem solved and everything is now in place. There is also still space for the layout I provisionally booked at Butterley, should its owner actually get back to me before the event! So things have now been sorted and the floor plan is almost finished. Now I just have one recent layout offer to sort. I would really like to incorporate it into the show, it is just whether or not I can shoe-horn it into the remaining space I have available.
     
    The week has seen one or two more positive developments. After moaning about the lack of response from local preserved lines, I received a raffle prize from the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway. Their kind offer of two free adult tickets is much appreciated. A big thank you to them, and the Midland Railway Centre for their kind response. Now what about the rest of you?????
    We have also, this week, reached an agreement with the local pub for the use of their car park. On the day we will ask all exhibitors to move their vehicles up to the car park after unloading. This will allow us to free up the school car park for the general public. The pub agreed, in exchange for a free advert in the show guide, so if any helpers fancy a good pub meal after they’ve loaded up at the end of the night – I will certainly recommend the carvary at the Coopers Arms. You may want to book in advance to guarantee a table. Anyone who needs the contact details can message me.
     
    And so as I write this, with just three weeks to go, I do feel things are coming together with the show. Now we just need the people through the door. More leaflets have gone out, and there is also a poster in the local branch of Modelzone. If I can sort out publicity via the local newspaper and radio station I am not sure I can do much more.
     
    Yes there is just three weeks to go! I can’t quite believe that the event is that close. Of course I also have a layout to get ready for the show. What is worrying is that the last week has passed with no more scenic work at all. I really can’t leave it much longer! The card kit remains “flat packed” on the coffee table and that annoying “gap” is still there. At least the layout is now back in working order. Some vigorous work with the track cleaning rubber brought life back to the station area. I tested it with a small Hornby “Terrier” tank. It ran as sweet as a nut! If something so small can run smoothly over the points then surely anything else will! During the test running I took the opportunity to take a few more shots of Skaleby West. These are included below. If anyone is interested, the loco is an Isle of Wight, Southern liveried “Terrier”, number 13 “Ventnor”. I do have a soft spot for the Isle of Wight and although Skaleby West was not planned to run as an I-O-W line – you never know!

    "Ventnor" is glimpsed through the trees as it enters the station.

    "Ventnor" stands in front of the station building in a shot, taken through the gap between signal box and lamp hut.

    Departing the station past the incomplete goods yard.
     
    Hope you like them.
    Until next time….
  6. andyram
    Another week has passed and the show is now just one month away. Here is the latest update!
     
    This week has seen more changes to the show line up. Sadly the Hockley Goods diorama has had to withdraw from the event. A big thanks to its owner, Don, for giving me as much notice as he could. Nothing he could do and just one of these things. A big thanks to him as well for all of his help and advice over the last few months. Fortunately I have managed to secure a replacement exhibit with a small layout from the Mickleover show agreeing to attend. This will go nicely with some of the other smaller layouts in the show which seem to be forming a display all of their own. We now have a collection of layouts built in suitcases, box files and even a television - perfect inspiration for the space starved modeller. Now has anyone got anything just as "different" which could be displayed on November 10th???
     
    The week gone by has also seen the publication of a small advert in the Hornby Magazine which hopefully will attract some more interest. The headteacher was quite pleased to see that one. She then uttered those immortal words..."perhaps you will need to have an advert next year as well...." Let's not run before we can walk please boss!
     
    Work on the raffle has also begun. This had been passed onto others. Unfortunately the contacting of the local preserved railways for potential prizes came back to me. Last weekend I sent off emails to several railways asking for help. These included the GCR, Churnet Valley, Battlefield, Foxfield, Peak Rail, Midland Railway and even the SVR and NYMR. I didn't expect them all to respond with offers of help. and I was right. Sadly I have received only one response so far. At least this did herald the offer of a prize. A big salute of thanks to the Midland Railway Centre!
     
    Meanwhile back to my layout. Things have been a little quiet again on Skaleby West. Sadly it has been too quiet. The reason for this has been the arrival of the dreaded gremlins - or could that be very dirty track? I tried to use the layout last night to test run a loco which I intended to sell on EBay. Everything was connected up, the engine placed on the Peco loco lift ready to run onto the scenic section and.......nothing! I tried other locos and none of them breathed any life or movement at all. A quick check of the controller proves that it is working so there is something wrong with the layout. Not what I need at this stage! Now I admit I have been a little slack in protecting the track during much of my scenic work, and it has not had a clean with a track cleaning rubber for quite some time. Hopefully a good clean up of excess scatter with a hand held vacuum cleaner and a good dose of treatment with the track cleaning rubber will bring life back to the layout. If not then it may be time to panic.
    As for the scenics I have at least made a start on the Hornby magazine kit. I sneaked onto the school's colour photocopier on Friday and copied the kit onto card. This was then cut up over the weekend with the intention of starting the build. Unfortunately family commitments has prevented this, but hopefully I can get started during the week.
     
    Until next time...
  7. andyram

    4 months to go

    By andyram,

    July brings many things including, it seems, lots of rain! The bad weather has allowed more time to get stuck into the scenery on Skaleby West. The time has been most welcome, as July sees us enter the final four months before the model railway show. The show is beginning to appear on the horizon and I really need to get things done!
     
    During the last few weeks I managed to further develop the fiddle yard entrance on the left side of Skaleby West. The cutting was built up at the front of the layout with further layers of screwed up newspaper, with a small embankment also built up across the top of the tunnel in the same way. All of this was then given a generous covering of plaster bandage. This was then painted with brown poster paint, with the footpath and farm track painted in grey to provide a base for the scatter material etc.

    The painted scenery can be seen here with LNER J72 no.9819 on test prior to sale.

    The top of the tunnel seen here, with a Skaledale cottage test fitted on the top of the enbankment.
    I like to build the scenery up in layers. Once the paint had dried I covered the brown with a sprinkling of some dark green scatter material. A mixture of grey and cinders was added to the footpath, whilst a mix containing mainly cinders was then sprinkled on the farm track.

    Following the scatter application, compare this picture with the first shot.

    The farm track and cottage viewed after the scatter has been added.
     
    July also brings the start of the six week school summer break. This should give me some serious modelling time. I will need to make use of it too. I really need to get the main scenic detail close to finished before I return to work in September. I will also need to make a start on the show guide, sort out advertising and finalise any further layout bookings. This week I have sent off details to the Hornby magazine for their "Show Diary" section and with leaflets sent out I have at least made a start on publicity,
     
    Until next time......
  8. andyram

    Setting the scene

    By andyram,

    I had expected that the return to work would bring the progress on Skaleby West to a grinding halt. Not so! This week has seen more work, and the layout is now really beginning to take shape.
     
    Of course, my first job of the week has been to tackle the jammed points. Using a combination of cocktail sticks and a small screwdriver, I worked through the inside of each point, removing all stray ballast which I thought may have caused them to jam. This did at least start to loosen them a little and all four points did begin to move once again. I still have an issue with one of the points not changing fully, and none of them run smoothly so it looks like I will have more work to do here.
     
    Next I started work on some of the scenic items. The station building was put in place to check its location. Polystyrene was then cut to size and glued behind the platforms to build the baseboard level up to platform height, allowing the building to sit in place. Further polystyrene blocks were then glued in place around the sides of the fiddle yard entrance on the left side of the layout. These will form the sides of the tunnel which provides the scenic break. One of the blocks has a recess on the inside which is perfect for hiding the wires from the set track power clip. This method is being used to power the layout at present and, due to its hidden location, will be kept in place as a spare power source once the wires for my main controller are soldered in place.
     
    Once the glue had dried the tunnel sides were painted in black poster paint. The tunnel entrance was then super-glued in place and a cardboard was then glued across the top of the tunnel. This will provide the base for the farm track which will run across the top of the front of the tunnel. Further polystyrene blocks were then stuck down at the rear of the layout and screwed up newspaper added to create the cutting side which runs from the tunnel mouth down to the platform. A small strip of cardboard was then shaped and glued on top to provide a base for a footpath.

     
    The show
     
    Not much to report in the last week. A couple of traders have reported that their supply of leaflets is starting to run out. That is encouraging. I had better get some more done.
  9. andyram
    It has been a few weeks since I last posted in this blog and that rather reflects the lack of progress on Skaleby West recently. At every turn work seems to get in the way. First it was school report writing. Then it was parent’s evenings and more recently it has been SATs marking. If that was not enough the local authority have chosen our school for moderation this year, resulting in yet more work as I compiled the evidence for the “dragon†of a moderator who will be visiting me just after half term.

    The half term holiday did give me some modelling time, in fact more than I originally expected as the bad weather caused several cancelled trips out. On the first Friday I had planned a trip to the Severn Valley Railway whilst my wife was visiting her mum, only to postpone the trip due to bad weather. So a full day’s modelling then!

    First I tackled that troublesome final point motor. I finished filing the hole to open it out, and test fitted the new motor. Thankfully the arm moved freely, and after a large amount of “jiggling†I managed to get the motor to fully change the point in both directions. New screw holes were drilled and with a real sense of achievement I screwed the last motor into place. I couldn’t resist a quick picture. The fitting of that motor has been a long time in coming!


    No sooner had I fitted the motor I moved onto the station platforms. These were placed in-situ and then clearances were tested with a Hornby coach, initially propelled by finger power, and then by my recently purchased Bachmann 3F. I couldn’t resist running it! Once everything was in the correct place I marked this on the baseboard before marking and cutting out the cork base. This was then glued down, with the platforms placed on top, with tools on top of them to weigh down the cork whilst it dried. Things were then left overnight to dry.

    * Gluing down the cork base for the station. My home layout, Skaleby, can be seen in the background.
     

    * Checking the clearances for the station.
     

    * My Bachmann 3F on test. The rough floor plan for the show can be seen in the background.
     
    During the following week I moved back to the track. I painted the sleepers and the track sides with “Deck Brown†acrylic paint to provide some form of weathering. Although at first things looked a little bit messy, the result was quite effective once the paint had dried.

    On the final Thursday my wife was off to visit her mum again and I had once more planned a trip to the Severn Valley Railway. Sadly the weather beat me yet again. Even heavier rain forced me to cancel my trip for a second time and so I was left with a second full day of modelling. This time I finally turned my attention to the ballasting.

    For the ballast I mixed some Woodland Scenics medium and fine grade grey ballast with some coarser material purchased from “Brickyard Modelsâ€. To this mix I added a sprinkle of Woodland Scenics medium brown gravel. This was applied to the main running line and brushed into place. More brown was added to the mix before I repeated the process for the run round loop. A sprinkling of Woodland Scenics “fine cinders†was added to small patches of the main running line to indicate where a steam engine may stand when trains pause at the station. The cinder ballast was mixed with the brown and a small amount of grey and this was then added to the sidings. I was quite pleased with the effect, especially for a first attempt. My final job was to glue the ballast down. I followed the instructions given in many issues of the Hornby Magazine. I made up a 50 / 50 mix of PVA glue and water, with a few drops of washing up liquid. This was then dropped onto the ballast via a pipette. Prior to this I wet the ballast with water from a Woodlands Scenics “Scenic Sprayerâ€.
    I found the water / glue mix didn’t cover well out of the pipette, but patiently covered the whole layout. After leaving for a couple of hours to dry, I then mixed a second batch of glue, water and washing up liquid. This was then added over the top from the spray bottle. Things covered much better this time and the ballast looked very similar to those shown in the magazine’s “How to†guides.
     
    * Unfortunately things have not run quite as smoothly as I had hoped. Once the glue had dried I found that the points had also stuck fast. I know I should have covered them when spraying the second coat of glue, but never thought that the weak glue would stick them!! Looks like I have to get my "problem solving hat" back on to try and sort this out!
     
    The show

    After a quiet spell things have also moved forward with the show. I have begun the advertising for the event. I updated the leaflets to include directions to the school. These have been sent out to some of the traders who have already booked their tables. A supply of leaflets was also left at the Derby show last month. My mother and father have also been displaying leaflets and posters on their stall at various local toy fairs. These have proved useful already, as it jogged the memory of one of the model groups who had yet to get back to me. A quick phone conversation and I have now been able to add another layout and a trade stand to the list. The layout is a Thomas the Tank Engine one which will cost the children 50p for a chance to control the engines. The group have promised to contribute all money raised from this to the school funds. Great news indeed!
    With these additional attractions I have now filled the main hall and reckon the corridor areas have now been filled as well. This means I do need to measure up that classroom to see how much I can fit in there.

    Until next time…..
  10. andyram

    More Skaleby pictures

    By andyram,

    I was very pleased with how many people read my first blog entry yesterday. A big thanks to those people who commented. For the member who wanted more pics I am happy to oblige.
     
    Yesterday I described how I had started building my layout, based loosely on the preserved station at Goathland on the North Yorkshire Moors. One of the first scenic areas I have completed is the embankment which carries the footpath towards the location of Darnholm.
    Here are a couple of pictures of the completed the structure.

    This first picture gives an overview of the embankment, complete with trees and footpath. As you can see, some of the stone scatter material wasn't stuck down well enough onto the footpath and it has started to come off revealing the grey paint underneath (see bottom of the picture). I will have to repair this at a later date.
     

    This second picture gives a low level view of the embankment and footpath taken from the bottom of the enbankment.
     
    More developments
    Being a teacher the progress with Skaleby seems to go in "fits and starts". During term time the workload often prevents me from doing any scenic work, although I do find time to run the occasional train. But during the holidays things seem to move much quicker. The baseboards were only completed back in March. The track layout was experimented with during the Easter period before it was finally pinned down during the June half term. The "Darnholm embankment" was completed during the summer break along with the bases for the station buildings.
    As this week is my half term things are moving forward once again. I have turned my attention to the "Pickering" end of the layout where trains will leave the station under a road over bridge. The bridge has been placed "in-situ" and the embankments for the associated cutting has now been started. As before I built up the area using the polysterene blocks from Skaledale buildings. These were glued down before screwed up newspaper was added on top to create a basic shape ( as seen in this picture).

     
    I once again cut out strips of cardboard and stuck this on top of the newspaper to provide a firm base for the road. The whole structure was then covered with plaster bandage.

     
    I also added a cardboard base to the top of the enbankment for the pub which will stand here and overlook the station. I have placed the pub in the correct position for this shot. The building is the Skaledale "Mason's Arms".

     
    This whole area has now been left to dry. You may notice that on one side of the bridge the embankment has a "recess built in" (where the paintbrush is on an earlier shot!). This will house the signal box and a lamp hut. For those of you who know Goathland station you will realise that this is the wrong side. At the real location a water tower sits here. Sadly, space prevented me from placing the signal box in its true position on the near side of the line. Had I tried to put it there I would have had a very short platform or no goods yard, and both were important to me.
    Also I do not like the ground level signal box at Goathland, nor its associated Hornby model. I have therefore used major artistic license and moved the signal box location, and changed the style of the box too. The box I will use is actually Bachmann's model of Highley signal box from the Severn Valley Railway. Ok, ok I know it is not right for the area, but like I said previously...it is my layout so I will choose what I like! Besides as Skaleby is on a fictional preserved line I could easily invent a story to suggest that the original North Eastern box has been demolished!!! Anyway I like the Bachmann model and had to use it somewhere!

    I have placed the Bachmann box in its location for this shot which was taken of a Hornby West Country (Clovelly) whilst on test prior to be placed on EBay. Not sure why I bought this model. I think I had some spare cash and my local model shop was having a sale!
     
    Anyway moving on! With the bridge cuttings drying what is next?? I still have a few half term days left and I am sure there will be a bit of modelling time to be found amongst the decorating of the baby's room! So what are my plans?
    My next projects will be:
    * Permenantly pinning down the track in the fiddle yard.
    * Build a hidden storage siding to expand storage space in the fiddle yard.
    * Paint the cuttings in brown base paint.
    * Begin to add scenery to the rear of the far platform.
     
    Oh and I still need to connect up the track to the main engine shed scene and add scenery around the single road shed too. Watch this space!
  11. andyram
    It has been quite a few months since I posted anything on my Skaleby blog. With my attention firmly focused on the organising of the school's model railway show, and on the building of my show layout "Skaleby West", the larger layout has had to take a back seat modelling wise. There has been no progress on the scenics whatsoever, and even the tidying up of the board has not happened. That does not mean that the layout has been ignored however.
     
    Sharing the spare room with the pet house rabbit may have its problems. The national network may have leaves on the line, the wrong kind of snow and even recently a guard taking a statutory break but these pale into insignificance next to Skaleby's challenge of rabbit fur. The little feller's white hairs get everywhere! Much of my time is spent "defurring" the layout and the locos which run on it.
    But it is not all bad. The need to give the rabbit his daily exercise does give me an excuse to play trains. And so whilst the scenic work has taken a back seat I have enjoyed a daily bout of playing trains and Skaleby has seen a regular service.
    As Skaleby is essentially modelled as a preserved line, passenger trains are very much in the majority. Up until recently these have been operated using a pair of midland surburban coaches. Now these trains operated using an ex GWR autocoach as this prevents the need to run the loco round the train, important time saving when I am combining my railway operating with rabbit watching and paper work. A three coach B.R Eastern region set of Mark 1's is also used and often visits during busier days hauled by a larger loco from my collection.
    At present the operation of the line is shared by a fleet of three locomotives. These are:
     
    Hornby Railroad SDJR "Jinty" 3F number 24

     
    This is the workhorse of the fleet. It was bought for Skaleby's previous incarnation at our old house when the line was plagued by "cat attack" as our pet cat delighted on jumping onto the layout. It is robust and easy to maintain. Despite some problems in February it still gives good service on the two coach surburban set and is seen here on shed at Skaleby.
     
     
    Bachmann B.R Standard class 3 number 82020

     
    My favourite loco of the current fleet. It also runs with the two coach surburban set. It is seen here on shed outside Skaleby goods shed. This is being used to temporarily house locos whilst the main shed ares is under construction. Locos are moved out when freight trains run. In this picture you can see the rabbit hair problem!
     
    Bacmann B.R Ivatt tank number 41324

     
    This loco is currently in service on the autocoach trains. It runs well although sometimes doesn't like travelling forwards over the point work. Care is needed when driving it. It is seen here in the goods yard at Skaleby.
     
     
    Up until recently a fourth loco was part of the fleet.
     
    Hornby B.R "Terrier" number 32636

     
    This loco was also used on the autocoach trains and has been in regular service over the last three weeks. It is seen here with the autocoach in a photograph which is being used on the publicity material for my school's model railway show.
    The loco has just been taken out of service for "defluffing!!!".
  12. andyram
    The last week has been something of a landmark for both the show and the layout as things move forward once more!
     
    The first train has now pulled into Skaleby West as some serious testing began to take place. A Bachmann 57xx, hauling two wagons was run onto the layout from a Peco loco lift, which acted as a temporary fiddle yard! The short train was then run over all track on the board to test that everything was running as it should be.....sadly it wasn't! The loco seemed to stall on a few areas which was rather worrying! Considering that all track is brand new this is not likely to be caused by dirty track so I will have to look at this a bit more closely before I lay the track permenantly.
     
    Having looked over the layout I can see that in a couple of places the cork base has started to lift and thus some areas of track have raised slightly. This could have caused the stalling problems so one of my next jobs will be to re-glue this area.
     
    These pictures show the test train during the first run.

     
    The first shot sees the train in the station area. Whilst the second shows it in the goods yard area.

     
    With the two week Easter break now upon us I am hoping that I can really move things on with the layout.
     
    The show
     
    The last week has seen the gaps on the revised floor plan begin to fill up quickly. Confirmation from another RMWeb user has allowed me to add another layout to the list. This sizeable model will pretty much take up one end of the main hall and that has filled one big gap. Other gaps have been filled too with three traders confirming their attendance. The middle of the hall is now full as well. In fact in this room I only have two or three small spaces to fill, room for a couple of smaller layouts perhaps!
    I have confirmed with another exhibitor which of their layouts I want and this will help me to put together a display of small / micro layouts in one of the school's wide corridors. With a demonstrator also confirming this week and a diorama likely to attend alongside this stall, I may well have filled one of the corridors too! This is very encouraging news.
     
    I have got permission to expand into some of the classrooms so I can still accomodate a few more people. A good job really as I will need the space if the 3 layouts and 3 traders who are still to confirm all reply in the positive.
     
    So with gaps being filled I am starting to breathe a bit more easily. Now all I have to do is start on the posters, leaflets and other forms of advertising.
  13. andyram

    Belper

    By andyram,

    An 8th show in 10 weekends and another new one for me. A colleague of mine is a member of the Belper Model Railway Group and had told me about this show. So after being kind to the wife I was able to sneak out this morning to make it over to the Strutt's Centre, Belper for this event.
     
    This is another small local show, very similar to the Mansfield event earlier in the month. It featured a number of small layouts, many of which I have seen before. Many of these layouts represented the later eras with the B.R Blue "Church Lane Sidings", privatisation era "Bucknell Lane TMD" and the N gauge "Just Four". The latter features modern image alongside a "preserved" branch which runs from the front of the layout, and climbing to a raised terminus at the back of the layout. I saw this layout at the Midland Railex event at Butterley last year and really enjoyed the constant stream of trains, with the operation on the branch adding interest. Today the branch was operated by an automated DMU. Whilst this "hands free" operation was good, seeing the DMU arrive at a station and immediately reverse without pausing did detract from the "realism" a little. Only a slight criticism though as I did enjoy this layout again.
     
    It was good to see Malcolm's "Bygone Model Railways" display once again. He certainly has a good collection of old Hornby clockwork O gauge. I may be too young to remember it, but its great to see these models doing what they were built for. I look forward to welcoming him with another of his layout's to our show in November.
    Next to this display was a small TT gauge layout. It certainly was packed full of things to see. I do like the TT gauge, amazing how this size isn't more popular than it is.
     
    The Belper Group were showing off the progress on their "modular" project. I have heard a lot about this from my colleague, Tom. Each member has a 1100mm x 400mm module to develop as they wish. The only specification being that the track needs to enter / exit at a specific point. This allows the group to build up a very impressive and different layout as each member develops their own section. The modules on show today ranged from bare boards, to fully scenic sections complete with stations. I certainly enjoyed seeing the progress on these. The brewery module looks an interesting one.
     
    I also enjoyed seeing the "What a load of rubbish" display, where the husband and wife team displayed how to make all kinds of scenic items from household junk. It gave me some ideas. This is another display set to attend our show and it was great to have a chat with the people involved.
     
    I did get a brief chance to catch up with my colleague whilst he was supervising the "drive Thomas" layout. I know he was quite pleased with the crowd. There certainly seemed a few people walking around.
     
    I definitely enjoyed the show. It seemed to have a friendly atmosphere again and it was great to catch up with a few people.
     
    Now where is the next one????
  14. andyram
    This week has been another busy week as my return to work saw the date of our show confirmed and a start made on booking layouts and exhibits for the event.
     
    The show
    The date has been confirmed as Saturday 10th November. A big thank you to those people who have got back to me already. So far I have confirmed 5 layouts for the show and reckon I have at least another 5 or 6 layouts as possibles as well as a couple of trade stands confirmed and a couple of other exhibits. Things are beginning to take shape and it is nice to see the show plan beginning to fill up. I have even gained permission to use a couple of other rooms in the school so I do have some more space available to me.
     
    The layout
    As mentioned previously, I have committed to building a layout for the show. This may be a big ask and things have moved rather slowly this week. "Skaleby West" will be a small 4 ft x 1 ft layout featuring a small single platform station, passing / run-round loop and a small goods facility.
    I showed a picture of the track plan in my last entry. I have now tested this, briefly, and things worked ok. Today I have laid the cork base for the track work. My home layout, Skaleby, uses the gaugemaster ballested foam underlay - but Skaleby West will be hand ballested. This will be my first attempt at this. I also plan to install point motors on this new layout, something which Skaleby also does not have.
    The next task will be to install the extension pieces under the baseboard in order to lift the baseboards to allow the point motors to be installed underneath. The back board will then be fitted before I turn my attention to permenant track laying and the installation of point motors.
    One small bit of luck is the offer from my father to take on the woodwork. As someone who is a bit of a DIY "duffer" this will be most helpful.
  15. andyram

    Sileby, Leicestershire

    By andyram,

    Three weekends in February so far and now three model railway shows visited. This time it was the Syston Model Railway society show which takes place in Syston, Leicestershire.
     
    I have to say I really enjoyed this show. Whilst there was once again nothing on the trade stands to tempt me, I enjoyed many of the excellent layouts on show. There were some old favourites such as Rowthorne and Cromer, both of which seem to attend every show I go to.
    I always like to see layouts that have appeared in the Hornby magazine, so it was nice to see Bishops Wearburn. This large N gauge layout always had something moving. The scenery was good too, with an impressive double track bridge over a river at one end.
    Summat Colliery was also enjoyable to watch and looks good too. Can't wait to see it once "Harry" gets the sound chip....Or should I not mention that
    I've not seen a Z gauge layout for a while, but "Nevermoor", set in LNER days was very impressive. So much detail in such a small scale. Just a shame that the owner heralds from Ipswich - I won't be able to afford to book it for my show later in the year.
    Mentioning small scale, the "T" gauge garden layout was also superb. Can't believe there is a working gauge as small as that!!
     
    Finally a mention on the catering. The bacon cobs were delicious, and contained much more bacon than at the Allestree show last wee!!
  16. andyram

    Loco problems

    By andyram,

    As half term approaches I am beginning to plan my next bout of scenic work on Skaleby. As mentioned in my previous post I am looking to work on the rear station platform by adding a dry stone wall to the rear and adding various trees, scatter and other foliege. I am also hoping to tidy up the board as it has become a little bit of a "dumping ground" during the last few weeks as the baby takes priority over everything else.
     
    Unfortunately it looks like I will have another job added to the railway's "to do" list. As I mentioned before, the layout has been hampered by the "flying fur" from the house rabbit that shares the railway room. I have had to clear small bits of fluff and hair from those locos which are stored on the layout at regular intervals. This week my trusty Railroad Jinty needed quite a bit of "defluffing". Sadly, despite my best efforts, it seems that the engine is developing a problem. Whilst running a train this morning the motor sounded quite rough. I can only describe it as a bit of a "croaky" sound. Strangely it only makes the sound when travelling forwards, as the motor is fine in reverse.
     
    It looks like I may have to learn how to do a few more loco repairs next week.

    In the meantime I thought I'd add this very old shot of the engine on the layout. This was taken before all of the boards were in place. The shorter running line resulting in the use of the old coaches.
  17. andyram
    With preparation for the impending birth of our first child, I have had precious little modelling time. But I did find some time to work on the small engine shed area. The track was laid on a cork base rather than on the Gaugemaster foam ballast as before. I want to hand ballast this area with a darker tone of scatter material to represent the ash, coal and general shed area dirt.
    I used rolled up newspaper, covered in a layer of plaster bandage to create some small contours to the ground in order to seperate the area from the main running line. I have purchased a small coaling stage to stand outside the engine shed. My 0-4-0 Hornby collector club loco has been posed in this area for the first of today's pictures.

     
    This weekend I have been using the layout to test a couple of locos ahead of selling them on EBay. The railway has been quite busy. Here a Bachmann J72, number 69022 passes the signal box with a van train.

     
    One of the favourite locos in my collection is the Bachmann Standard 3 tank. Here it stands in Skaleby station with a three coach train of Eastern Region mark one's. This shot shows the progress made in the station area so far.

  18. andyram
    I always said it would happen! Half term holiday over, back to work, and the progress on Skaleby has slowed to an almost standstill. There has simply been too much paperwork to catch up during the evenings and with the birth of our first child also immenent, my weekends have been taken up with decorating!
     
    I have, at least, managed to sneak out to the occasional model railway show. I visited the recent Burton Rail Fayre which took place at Burton Albion Fc's "Pirelli Stadium". Quite a nice morning out, even if the room was a little cramped. I did manage to purchase a couple of items for the layout. Firstly I acquired a set of Noch tunnel portals. One of these has been placed in-situ to represent the entrance to the fiddle yard. This will allow me to build up the scenic area around this location. I have plans for a second cottage which will be located above the "hidden siding". Before I consider purchasing the cottage however, I need to check that it will fit! Therefore, building up this area is one of the next items on the jobs to do list.

    The location of the tunnel opening can be seen in this picture.
     
    The second purchase from Burton was a little bit of a disaster! I purchased a Bachmann model of Ivatt class 4 number 43160. Unfortunately my memory seems to be fading. I have this model already. Doh!!!! I have tested the engine on the layout (see picture below) and have placed it on EBay! Perhaps I should keep a record of my collection! You live and learn I suppose.

     
    And so the progress has come to a standstill. I have managed to run some trains though. The trusty Railroad SDJR "Jinty" has operated each day with a couple of surburban coaches. I have usually managed to sneak in to run the train out to the fiddle yard before I leave for work, and return it in the evening. It may be simple, but it keeps me happy!
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