D86

What a fantastic layout in the making...love the OHLE....I've not been brave enough to add the wires as my 6 and 10 year old son's help me "operate" the layout. Did I notice a Catenary post at the end of a siding.......I need to make a few of these but can't find any prototype photo's. If so, how do you make the wheel's that the wire passes over? (If you know what I mean!) All the best Steve

Time for a little update and a Merry Christmas to all of the RM Web community!! Since the last update, I'm now fed up waiting for Dapol to release any more Catenary post's so I've made my own although I still need to do a little more work to them. All the best...Steve

Thanks for the comment's....Scott, the fleet keep's on expanding when I should be buying scenery bit's instead!! Ian, no worries, your layout is set in a great location.....wall to wall 50's!! Next on the list for me is a Large Logo 50009 Conqueror which was the first Hoover that I remember being hauled by, back in 1983 from Bristol TM to Birmingham New Street.<br /><br />Cheers<br />Steve

As it's been a while since the last update, here's a few more shot's of the layout with a few bit's & bob's added, mostly Rolling Stock!! Hopefully, I can justify a few more Class 50's! Thanks for looking, Steve

Thank's Class "66"!! Please excuse some odd formations of stock from time to time....all down to my 5 year old Son!! Cheers Steve

Here's a few shot's taken last night......I've now added a Knightwing Fuel Storage Tank kit along with a fuel loading/unloading kit at the loco stabling point. I need to add to the backscene but most of it is up and I've started on a Multi-Storey Car Park over the tunnels at the south end of the layout. The big trouble that I'm having is cutting the Ratio Security Fencing material in a straight line!! Any tips would be gratefully recieved!! Steve

Thanks Jack....I'll have to buy one (of each) first!! Cheers Steve

Having been on the Valentine's Day Railtour around Kent last year behind "Black 5" 44932, I just had to get the Hornby West Coast Pullman train pack with said Loco.............Finally, I bought one this morning...... Steve

Thanks for the comment's, they are very much appreciated. I've learned so much about Railway Modelling since joining this forum....I'd have never attempted weathering or scratch-building had I not signed up!! I'm now in the process of building a low relief Warehouse complex with much inspiration from the fantastic Exford Park layout. Photo's will follow when it's in place. Cheers Steve

Here's a few more shot's...nowhere near the high standards set on this forum but it's a start!! Hopefully, the roof will look better when it's glued down! Thanks once again for looking. Steve

Thanks Scott........I've done a bit more today so I'll post some more shot's over the weekend. Cheers Steve

Having toyed with the idea of purchasing some fantastic West Coast Minatures station buildings, I noted the other day that they are unfortunately, no longer made. Having never scratchbuilt buildings before, I've decided to give it a go, based around the West Coast model. Hopefully, they will turn out OK..........only time will tell!!! Here's a few shot's of my progress so far... Regards Steve

A little update as I haven't done one in a while. I've added a tunnel on the preserved line and changed the track plan slightly. I've also ripped up one of the loco sidings adjacent to the station. I shall add a road and a bit of a car park in it's place, when I get round to it, along with many other job's to do!! On the loco front, I've weathered a couple more.......still practising with the powders!! A Bachmann Class 85 has also arrived at Walstead Green.....and what a fantastic model it is too!! To me, it captures the look of the prototype a treat. On with the photo's... Thanks for looking Steve

Many thanks McC....I'll keep on practising my weathering!! Here's my Heljan 37 with a little weathering powders added........I'm looking forward though to having a go with an airbrush though. Cheers Steve

Artizen, I'm not sure of the temperature in the loft, it's been about 24 degrees C. outside. There was no breeze the other day so it did get a bit warm. Back to my "messed up 1st attempt at weathering", I bought some clear matt laquer today. Here are the results although, the pressure from the can seemed to blow most of the powders away!! It hopefully won't be so bad when I get a compressor!! Thanks for the advice so far!! Steve

Thanks Andy...I popped up there earlier to do a bit more to the 20........Even though I've lined it out with the Silver insulation, it was like a Sauna!! Yet again, a couple of sections of track have buckled in the heat but all in all, it's not been too bad!! Cheers Steve

Thanks for the feedback, I'm pleased so far with the results (thanks for the previous advice Grafarman!).....Graham, regarding the size of the layout, it's probably too large for me!! I'll just carry on and gradually build up the scenery aspect of the layout and update accordingly.........I have learnt quite a bit since joining this forum from the many outstanding layout's that are shown on this site. If I can get this one half as good, I'll be over the moon!! Cheers Steve

Just had a little play with some Carr's weathering powders on the 20 to cover up my failed first attempt........I just need to tidy up a few bits and brush off a couple of large deposit's that I've only just noticed on the photo's!! I also need to matt varnish the finish (spray can until I get hold of a compressor). Fingers crossed that it turns out OK..... Thanks Steve

Thanks Rob.....The red lights came from Express Models. Cheers Steve

Thanks...I'll get myself a can but in the near future, I'm going to get myself the proper kit!! Just need to raise a few pennies...... Thanks again Steve

Thanks for the reply Grafarman.....I shall be keeping well away from now on!! I bought some weathering powders earlier on so, as you say, I'll make it really dirty (certainly have a go anyway!!) My only problem is not having a compressor to spray the matt varnish afterwards.. Cheers Steve

Here's the offending Class 20......the dye seems to have turned the Grey slightly green which has then affected the white!! I'm not going to use that again on my Loco's! Leave it to the Pro's I say although, I may try some Carr's weathering powders at some point in time. Thanks for looking.. Steve

Thanks Paul...it certainly will when I can get hold of some longer grass!! I have this evening though, managed to ruin my Bachmann Class 20 in an attempted weathering incident with some Modelmates acryllic dye spray!! It's supposed to wipe off when wet but it seems to have dulled the BR double arrow somewhat.......back to the drawing board methinks!! Cheers Steve

Having just made myself a Static Grass applicator (So many great layout's on here with said effect, I just had to have a go myself!...thanks for the inspiration!!) using the Fly Swat & Tea Strainer method, here's a couple of photo's taken around the sidings. I would like longer grass but I'm pretty pleased so far. I also need to have a go at weathering as most of my stock is "off shelf"........a little courage is needed before I let loose on my Loco's!! Thanks Steve

I too have also only just come across your layout.......lot's of nice detail and at least one Class 50 which can only be a good thing!! I can't offer any criticism as I'm very much, in the learning stage. I really need to learn how to weather my layout!! Keep up the good work Steve