andyram

Good evening all. I hope today finds you well. Thanks to @leopardml2341 for the good wishes and for noticing my absence. Nothing sinister at all, in fact a very positive reason on this occasion. Since I returned to the shop last month I have not stopped. Things have been very busy. The first week back smashed all kinds of records, becoming my best week’s trading ever and the following weeks have been of similar levels, helped by some people looking to replace cancelled pre-orders from other establishments. It has been hectic but thoroughly enjoyable. I hope things continue in a similar vein and finally p help to vindicate the decision / risk I took almost three years ago. I have been lurking on some occasions although only briefly and note things are not good for Gordon. I hope things improve. My best wishes to you all. I will try and check in as regularly as possible.

Great to see you again. I look forward to seeing the figures featuring in future pictures.

A small update on Kings Morton and the rest of the project. I popped up to the club room during a quiet and wet Bank Holiday. All three committee members were present and their wiring expert was busy on the rewrire of the layout. He praised Andy’s work stating how easy it was to renovate the electrics for analogue control. They hope to have both circuits working by the end of the week. No further scenic work has been undertaken on the layout. This has been due to work on other areas of the building. Beyond the main room, the building has several small shop units from the old galleries. These are being restored as different themed displays. One will be a mock up of an old fashioned toy shop, whilst another will include a display of Hornby memorabilia. The group have rescued another layout, based on the TrackMat. This is now in place and will be wired for a push button operation. Some of the group were busy sorting this room out today and I have been only too happy to donate some former shop display items to the project. At some point, with their permission, I will try and share some more photos.

This is an excellent layout. A real masterpiece. I love the bridge. Glad I managed to catch up on it.

Thanks Polly At the moment I have a clear idea about what I need to do to progress the next stages of the layout. I want to complete the rear of the platform by building up the section with plaster bandage before applying some static grass and trees etc. I then aim to ballast the track and complete the tunnel mouth. Some of the finer details can definitely wait as you say. Overall I am happy with the look of the layout and will be using it for more photos in future as well as enjoying operating it when I can. The first week back in the shop has been the busiest ever which is why I have not had much chance to work on the layout or even frequent RMWeb. Whilst August 6th is a target date, I will not lose any sleep if it is not done by then. I agree, it is important to enjoy it. Andy

Unfortunately the self imposed deadline passed a week ago with the layout some distance from completion. The preparation for the reopening of the shop took over much of my time over the last couple of weeks. I will return to working on the layout soon and my next target is to try and complete by August 6th which is the shop's third anniversary. Perhaps I can display it in the shop on that date. Tommore Bay has seen some visitors today with the station used as a backdrop for photographing some items from a recently purchased collection. The largest visitor was Coronation Class 46256 "Sir William A Stanier". Here it pauses in the platform after a test run. The Coronation was soon followed by Parallel boilered Scot 46165 "The Ranger", seen here entering the platform. Another light engine passing through was Patriot class 45543 "Home Guard" Jubilee class 45611 "Hong Kong" pauses in the platform for checks after the crew were concerned by a clanking sound when running in reverse.

Back at the shop today and I managed to catch up with Pete again. Further work has been undertaken with some replacement track laid and wiring completed. A train can now travel around one of the circuits. Providing government restrictions ease as planned, the group can start to allow visitors into the building in the middle of next month. They are working to get Kings Moreton presentable in time. They are also looking to display other working layouts too but none of their other projects are close to being completed. They may be on the look out for loans or other layouts for sale.

Yesterday, whilst visiting the my shop to complete preparations for today's reopening, I caught up with Pete and had a chance to view the progress on Kings Moreton. The support system has been completed and the layout is now back up on legs at a working height. The regular members of the group have decided to rewire for analogue control because most of them have mainly analogue collections. Rewiring has started and train can now run from the remains of Kings Moreton station along the main scenic section, over the canal bridge and to the smaller station (Dore End?) Here are a couple of pictures of the work in progress state of the layout at present.

A2B Model Railways, Matlock Bath, Derbyshire will reopen on Monday 12th April 11am - 5pm. The shop will also open Tuesday 13th, Thursday 15th and Friday 16th (11am - 5pm) and Saturday 17th from 10.30am, but closing at 2pm as a mark of respect in light of the funeral

Following yesterday’s government announcement, I am pleased to announce that A2B Model Railways will reopen its doors next week. We will reopen Monday 12th April from 11am - 5pm. We will then open on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday (11am - 5pm) and then Saturday (10.30am - 5.00pm) All orders placed before midnight on 12th April will qualify for our prize draw for the chance to win a £100 voucher.

It will no doubt be tomorrow night's bedtime viewing.

11 DAYS TO GO At present there is just 11 days until the likely date the shop reopens. Not a lot of progress has happened this week so completion is looking next to impossible. How far away things will be come the planned finish date remains to be seen. Small progress to report today. The balsa wood has been cut to size to form the rear of the platform. This will allow the main station building to be supported. Hopefully more progress to report soon.

Looking forward to seeing some of these locos featuring in future videos.

I thoroughly enjoyed bringing my A2B Model Railways trade stand to the 2019 show. After last year’s cancellation, I am looking forward to returning in 2021. It is a very friendly show.

I must have missed that one!

Extend the fiddle yard? Or run out into the garden!

19 DAYS TO GO Small progress to report. With the platform glued down, I have begun to build up the rear section to fill the gap between the platform and back scene. Some of the off cuts of balsa wood have been used to form the base.

Evening all. A very quick check in. I would stay longer, but all this recycling talk has made ER’s a bit rubbish. Hat, coat, gone (before anyone talks anymore complete garbage). Sorry...I just can’t help myself....someone has to fill the waste land before anyone writes any more trash. And please do not accuse me of recycling old jokes. Andy

Lazy Joe would be too lazy for anything that energetic.

Very nice, although sad to see the heritage one leaving the fleet. I finally watched the latest video last night too. Very good again (although were you slightly out of focus in the introduction?) Could have been my eyes - I tend to watch them just before bed - and no they are not a cure for insomnia, they are a perfect way to wind down with a drink. Enjoyed it again.

That looks a bit suspicious to me. I hope what ever he is holding does not have any smell of chloroform! With the dark glasses, he looks very sleazy! I would not be surprised to see the Old Bill turning up at Seven Mills tomorrow!

Evening one and all. Very late on parade today. The day began with an escape from the house after a 7am DPD alert announcing a shop delivery between 8.10 and 9.10. An early morning run up to the shop got me there just five minutes before the delivery arrived. No need to wait around so no issues with parking today. On the subject of parking, the complaint email has been dispatched to the council this evening. I expect no positive response. The rest of the day was again spent in a brain fog. It appears my brain never really caught up with the rushed start to the day. Marking was completed before Amber was collected from school. A small amount of modelling was then achieved. News was mainly full of the lockdown anniversary. Thoughts go out to all who lost loved ones to this dreadful pandemic. Thoughts likewise with those impacted by the terrible events in the USA. Night all. Andy

20 DAYS TO GO Another day, and some more progress to report. The platform has been glued down this afternoon. This will allow the ballasting to be undertaken perhaps later in the week. The platform pieces can be seen, held down by various heavy objects whilst the glue dries. To the left of the platform I have the lamp hut and the signal box. I am not sure that this looks a bit cramped against the track and whether the space on the opposite side would be better for signal box location. Thoughts are welcome.

I refer to rule 1 of railway modelling! Nice to see you another video appearing. I will catch up on that later.

Enjoyed the latest video Andy, finally got chance to catch up on it. That class 66 looks very smart. I could just picture it sat in the stabling siding at Bench Road.