Backtor

Been a couple of weeks since i've posted an update in here. First things first the layout will be going to the Modern Image O gauge Exhibition at the end of March so there's a bit of pressure on to get stuff finished off! But we're making headway on stuff now. We're ticking jobs off but also adding jobs at the same time; First off we've now finished laying the track in the fiddle yard at the tunnel end. Still to construct the bridge end, but that wont take long now we've got all the timber. Between myself and Al we've also acquired a fleet of PCA tanks off a friend to help bolster the fleet of wagons available for the layout during exhibitions and running. These are the skytrex ones we've got a rake of 9 built with kits to complete another 4. 60092 is also a new addition to the fleet, this has had sound fitted, drivers & just needs the weathering and its good to go. We're almost two boards complete now, bar the odd extra details; We're just awaiting a loader kit to appear from one of our friends to allow us to progress onto the Fuel Point board, but we've had a mockup building that Al made out of foam, and couldnt resist this cheeky photo of the 08 with the PCA's poking out of it. I've attached a copy of the MIOG Poster below but I believe Al has created a thread for the exhibition. Where all the details for can be found here All the best. Cameron

Just a quick snap of 31466 which tonight has rolled off the workbench. Sound fitted & Weathered to its end of life condition as it was in Early 2000. 31466 is seen counting down its final few weeks before storage, whilst working for EWS seen preparing to depart with a single PCA tank bound for the wheel laith. Fitted these with some Northumbrian Painting Services figures to finish it off. Regards Cameron

Happy new Year to you all! Whilst its been a busy one over the Christmas Period, New Year was a little quieter whilst me and my little boy somehow managed to test positive for COVID and are now serving an isolation sentence! There was a bit of progress before Christmas as my Uncle managed to help get the Transverser at the quarry end of the layout up and running before we got struck with the dreaded virus! So in between feeling rough I've been chipping away at this. We've opted for an 8ft overall fiddle yard, with 6 roads to store trains on, with a total length of 76inch. This will give us a decent length of train but wont be too small that you'll think that looks un-prototypical. Or at least I think anyway? Plan is to have another Transverser at the box end of the layout, but this will be a smaller 4 road one, which will simply for storing a couple of sets of stock, and turning back locos that are running round trains to go into the quarry. I've managed to lay 4 tracks so far, and 3 of the stabling roads. Its a been a bit slow going due to having to stop every so often to rest up, or halt due to my Son sleeping!! It needs some supports putting on, to help support the weight when its been slid across to the closest road, as the weight of a £500 loco and stock tipping off the edge doesn't excite me in the slightest!! I've also had an interloper on the layout in the form of 60092! I couldn't resist posing it for a quick shot on the layout. Hopefully have a bit more to report over the next week or so as there isn't much else to do in Isolation for the next 5 or so days before I head back to work! Please excuse the mess in the background photos that's another mission whilst I'm off is tidy up the Railway room/Workshop area to allow me to work a bit better!! Kind Regards, Cameron

Bit more fuel point work has commenced we’ve now got the hard standing in place so you can see what it’s gonna start looking like once it’s completed. Also added more trackside details at the bottom end outside the box etc, We posed some early 80’s behind the box to see what it would look like. Hope you all have a wonderful Christmas. Regards, Cameron

I’ve spent the last few evenings finishing up the greenery and weathering the track and the addition of another Dapol Signal going in along with more ballast. Alongside that I’ve also started to add signs and trackside detailing. I’m hoping over Christmas to make some more progress with a few days off but we shall see! Cheers for now!

Not much progress in the last couple of weeks as I’ve been waiting for modelling supplies and that tied with being on nights at work somewhat curbs my enthusiasm. I’ve carried on working with the grass and now made it along to the stops, including fitting s couple of tree’s and thicker foliage. Regards, Cameron

A bit more progress this week mainly at the same end. I'm sure you'll get fed up of seeing this end of the layout. But we're making sterling progress. Ballasting on this board is now complete, we've also added the green to the boards and filled in the gaps between the rocks that were originally green. The first few layers of Grass & and bushes have started to go on, and I must admit i'm pleased with the overrall look. Regards, Cameron

Been fairly quiet this week, but we’ve had another working party on the layout. Al’s bridge that was posted above has now been fitted in position, and along with the brown paint now added to give the depth of onto the rock faces. We’ve also started adding Ballast and it’s really starting to finish the scene off. Regards, Cameron

Julian, They’re Resin/White metal chassis. They were made by Impressionist models. He only did a run of them. And I had them all off him. They’re MHA’s that run on a skytrex chassis. Regards. Cameron

I must admit I do like the look of the more modern liveries that Heljan have done this time, but as much as I like a good 60, I’m afraid they’re too modern. I might be tempted by another triple grey one at some point in the future. Regards, Cameron

Another working party with Al last night resulted in a rather productive evening. Bridge at the stabling end was fitted into place, so we can start adding the hills in to fill it all in and complete that end ready for covering and filler. We've also started adding trackside detailing in, cable trunking ducting & lineside boxes. Alongside this we fitted the first of the Dapol semaphores signals into place. With the Box that Al has been building its really starting to come together and create the scene we set out to create. That tied in with the layout lighting thats now in place it really does finish it off. I've attached a few photos so you can see what we've been up to! Until the next time..

Thanks 37114, it’s been a fun project so far. Modelling the era that I grew up in. Took 60059 for a Spin out at Al’s garden layout tonight to give it the chance to stretch its legs. Loaded test run complete, it’s onto the next one. Here’s a couple of shots of it after darkness had fell.

Small bit of progress tonight on the layout, started to add a bit of colour onto the Filler thats above the stabling siding. It gives an idea of what its going to look like when its finished. This is only a base coat to start giving it some depth. Where the white bits are will be given a coat of brown & then we will be static grassing etc them to blend it all in.

I do believe the lack of my paint shop has been holding a few bits up for Al, So I’ve managed to grab an hour with some paint tonight to get a few bits hopefully over the line. His Coal Sector 26 & Orange SPT 101 have both had a fresh coat of orange on them.

Yeah it was pretty immersive. Shame I opted to sell the loco. I wish I’d kept it but hey Ho! You win some you loose some. Progress from tonight’s working party. Al bought a few bits back to try into place on the layout so we could start to plan cable trunking, signals & walk ways. First up is the signal box. Al has also knocked up the bridge for this end as-well which can be seen in the background. The bridge for the other end has gone in now and more ground work has gone in at this end finally getting this area something how it should look. This is the depot building and what will be the stores, and fuel point road the building was only placed so you could get an idea of what it’s going to look like. That’s all for now! Regards, Cameron