Backtor

Hi guys, Thought I'd best start getting into the habit of updating this thread. I've had a few projects on going for a few people as well as my own stuff. So I've uploaded a selection of photos of what I've been up to. First up I've weathered a cross country voyager, I'm pleased with how this came out and hopefully its new owner is. I've also converted a set of auto Ballesters from the blue rail track ones to the yellow network rail branded ones that are based in bescot for use on the Cambrian, think these will look great when I get the layout up and running again. For my O gauge layout I've also been working one Heljan class 25/0 this is now numbered 25058 and I'm pleased with how well it's come out this included a full removal of the nose doors, dominos, and complete repaint. I've also been doing a couple of DRS bits namely a MK2 and a 57/0 in the newer livery. Finally I've been detailing up some Kyle line mk2's for a friend, finished these off with a nice weathering That's all for now, I'll try and keep this thread updated the more I do. Regards, Cameron

Hi all, Nearly six months since I last posted an update on this thread, that owing to moving house and having no where really to set up the layout, however recently attended a local model railway group which has somewhat ignited the fire again, and I've dug the layout out. That and the added drive of having someone else to keep me going when the enthusiasm isn't there, D6775 off here has joined the party in assisting the layout, hopefully he Can help bring a different view to the layout, we've had various beers and various discussions about what direction to take the layout in, and we've decided on a rough plan for some station buildings and the signal box. I've also been building up the confidence to take a scalpel to my Heljan Class 25/0 and smoothed the doors out and filled them in, also finished this off with a nice heavy weathering and adorned it with some transfers and numbers to finish it off. To say I'm pleased with it would be an understatement. Whilst finishing that off which has been a long time coming, I've also started weathering the track on the layout. I feel that it gives the layout a much more realistic feel, although I've only done one board I'm intending to refresh the scenery on the layout so to speak as well as dull it down with the weathering. With all that going on we've managed to squeeze in a last minute weekend at Leek & Rudyard Railway, this has allowed us to work out what faults we have with the layout and create ourselves a list of jobs so to speak. But other than that we've had two good days running from the layout which I wasn't expecting, we did experience some wiring issues. However these are in hand and I'm hoping they'll be an easy fix. We've also received an invite to go back in September for there steam gala, so I'm hoping then layout will have progressed nicely by the time we go back then. I've attached some photos of this weekends antics below. Hope you enjoy, more updates to follow soon Comments and suggestions always welcome, Regards, Cameron

This loco looks familiar! Keep up the good work mate Cam

Hi guys, I've started a new layout in my attic before Christmas, and decided that I'd set up a thread for my workbench. My stock ins mainly DRS, but after buying a Rainbow Railways Class 37403 in Large logo, I thought I'd have ago at converting the 37401 from the 1980's guise to the current DRS guise. However I've come across a bit of a stumbling block before I have even started? Just wondered if anyone can tell me where you'd be able to source out the different deeper set tail lamps that 37401/402/407/424 all have? Is there an alternative nose? Or is it a case of pre-drilling the holes out and filling them in with some red plastic? Thanks in Advance, I'll post some pictures in due course. Regards, Cameron

Charlie, Pre ordered one of the spot-rail ones with sound similar to the one posted above, but still says pending on the website. Presuming there's some sort of delay on the sound fitted ones? And if so do you have any idea of any sort of timeframe? Keep up the great work, and hope you've had a great Christmas. Regards.

Thanks for all the help with the questions, at least I can start ordering some track now! Many Thanks, Cameron

Guys/Gals Really interested in starting a project with these new style track, but I was just wondering if you can use the Bullhead with the Code 75? Or do they not fit together nicely? And has anyone tried it, obviously the new points are massive in comparison to the smaller radius points that you can get in Code 75, and with only having a relatively small space to try and play with, wondered if that would be a feasible option. If not do peco have any plans for the smaller radius turn outs in the not so distant future? As i'm itching to start a 00 project Thanks, Cameron

Hi all, Its been a while since i've posted an update on this topic, mainly as the layout we started best part of 2 years ago has not really had a proper home until now, which hasn't allowed us to work on the layout properly. We've finally managed to re-start work on the layout, and we've been slowly trooping away through the layout doing scenic works, finishing the ballasting etc. We've nearly completed a re-wire of the layout that has improved the running of the layout. It visited the Leek & Rudyard Railway last weekend for there steam gala, and as you can see there is still a lot to do, but it was a good excuse to play trains, and find out some faults on the layout. Granted we probably came away with more than we anticipated, but hopefully you guys will be able to answer some of the questions that i've been left scratching my head over. We've been using the Peco Standard points on the layout, and now we've finished ballasting the layout we seem to be having a lot of trouble with the frogs and dead spots not going live properly. I've fitted and wired Gaugemaster PM-1's which auto switch the frog when the point motor is thrown? But for some reason it doesn't always seem to throw the polarity over. I noticed on a couple of the points that the case was that when the switch was thrown it wasn't touching the metal strip on either side of the motor, that obviously powers the frog? But on the points that it does, it still seems like theres not a continuous power flow going through the frog? Just wondered if anyone else had experienced this and if theres any way to over come it? Other than that there were a few tiny niggles which should be easy fix's I've attached a couple of pictures below of the layout in its current state. Thanks, Cameron

Afternoon all, Been a while since we've posted anything on here so I thought its time we posted an update. So sorry to anyone thats broadband will die from the amount of pictures on this post, but pictures show it better than a description of what we've been doing. Since the last post we've started adding the backing boards on (at the moment we've only done 3) but we've fitted them and painted them into a nice pale blue which I think looks great! This is just to give you an idea of the sort of colour we've gone for. Since our last post, we've started work on the Goods shed at the fiddle end yard of the layout, we've put in a hardstanding area around the shed entrance and we achieved this by using filler. I was pleasantly surprised how well it actually worked and how sturdy it has become. My main worry for doing it this way was that the locos wouldn't have the contact with the railhead required, but it seems to look and work fine! After finishing the outside, I painted the inside of the hardstanding black, to give it that dark look, and I've then added a wall that will run along to the next board and then eventually to the bridge. The next thing that we've been working on is the bridge on the entrance to the fiddle yard. As this is such a big update, i'll make another post in a few days. Regards, Cameron

HI all, Been a while since i've posted an update on here. The layout hasn't really progressed much as i've started a new job which now takes up a lot of my time, but the majority of the wiring is now finished, just need to wire the points in, but they will be done when the backing boards are put on. Also started wiring the cassettes up. Although the method we've tried is a bit of a trial, will probably get adapted the more we play. This shows the cassettes and the way in which we've connected the two up, its a bit of a temporary thing as previously mentioned but you get the general idea. Then it was time to try the layout out, and make sure my wiring had worked properly. 47596 sits in the newly painted headshunt awaiting its next duties. Whilst building the layout i've also been working on the Easy Build coach I picked up at the O gauge show in Telford earlier in the year, after mashing my brain over the instructions which just confused me even more, I finally took the plunge and have started to build it. I've only done the underframe but you get the Idea, Eventually will be a Breakdown Train tool van! Comments welcome, and will try my best to upgrade the thread more often Regards, Cameron

Hi all, Been a while since we've posted an update, so thought I had better. We've been busy finishing off all the track laying, and have now started on the wiring, of which 6 of 7 boards are now finished, bar the points, which will be finished once we've got all the track wiring done. We've also now finished making all the cassettes that we require for the fiddle yard. Although going to be trial and error getting them to work, as its our first time of trying this method. Sorry for the massive amount of photos, but I thought it best to show, rather than waffle. Have now fixed the leaking on the head code panels. Comments always welcome, Regards, Cameron

Hi all, After setting up the baseboards and finally putting all the hinges onto them to hold the entire assembly together, and squeezing up and down the house underneath the baseboards, we have finally started to lay the track (exciting stuff for us after 8 months in the planning) We've started at the far end and are working our way up to the station. As you can see we haven't done much, but its a start! It took us nearly 4 hours just to lay that small part (think we were being a little bit too picky with our track laying, but at least we can safely say that our trains will run smooth as a baby's! Any comments are welcome, back to drinking tea and more track laying today! Its not gonna lay itself!

Mark, You should get involved in it, I'm sick of building them now. Before this I was a 00 ready to run freak, if I could avoid building anything I'd buy it just weather it up! Certainly trying my new set of patients that I didn't know exsisted. was thinking Dutch, but wasn't sure if any In that actually exsisted many thanks for the pictures I will get to work spraying that today! Will post some pictures once I've finished it. Regards, Cameron

Hi all, This is the latest of the slaters kits that I have been building this one was a little bit more tricky than the Van that I previously built as the instructions didn't seem to be very clear and again made very little sense? Since taking the photo I added the medal hand rails over the fronts of the Brakevan. The ones that run the door to the buffer beam. The next thing to do will be paint it, I haven't decided on a livery for it yet so any idea's would be welcome. Obviously the roof is still to be attached, but you can get some sort of idea, of what it will look like when its finished. Regards, Cameron

Many thanks for the kind comments. We've taken on what you've said Peter, and we will varnish the MDF to give it a bit more strength! Yeah the floor where we're building it is should support all the weight (fingers crossed) if not the layout will be in my friends front room. There is two of us building the layout at the moment, but always looking for eager volunteers! Regards, Cameron

Thanks for the kind words. The baseboards tops are made out of MDF (Don't ask me what thickness) would have to ask to find out for you. They are going to have a Plywood top added on top of the MDF, to raise the boards as we will be using cassettes on this layout. This means we won't have to drop the boards by like 1/4 of an Inch. The plywood will give us the drop required. The frames are sturdy and solid frames, especially once the legs/braces are put on. They're also to have backing boards put on, but we've opted to leave these off until all the track is down and the wiring is completed, to make for easy access and allowing us to flip the layout upside down with ease. Regards, Cameron

Were back! Progress has been made at last on our layout albeit slow! This is a photo heavy post! Just warning you if your loading it on your dog and bone. The wagon works here at Russell Street has been in full swing pumping out some more of the Parkside Dundas Grampus kits, of which we now have a complete rake of 8. We've also been busy trying our hand at a Slaters van, of which we've included a picture of the result. Not too bad for a first attempt with a kit that has picture instructions and no real detailed writing about what goes where. My head was well and truly mashed by the end of the process! I've still got a brake-van to start from them, but haven't plucked up the courage to start this yet. Especially when i'll probably need a 1 way ticket to the hospital for the insane. So wish me luck. This is our rake of Grampus wagons, (Minus 3 we ran out of table space) but they're coming along. Hoping to get these finished with ballast loads that will be fixed in place. Also hoping to fit a flashing tail lamp to either end of the rake at a later point. This is the van in Primer, after spending hours scratching my head working out how it went together. This is the finished version. I have chosen to do a version of the van which didn't carry any of the Rail-freight Branding. As the era that we are modelling these particular type of van were being faded out for the larger VAA/VGA wagons. The next big update to our Rolling-stock, is the arrival of 20118. And if I dare say so myself. It looks rather mint! Its been fitted with a LegomanBiffo V4XL Class 20 sound chip, which sounds particularly good with its two speakers that make that distinctive high pitched whistling. (Also good for driving the neighbours scatty for hours on end!!) Also had etched plates fitted as per the real loco. However some of the additions of the spray doesn't resemble in its late 80's guise I still think it'll look smart with its partner in crime when that returns! We've final managed to get all the baseboards set up and get some track out to play with so that we can start working out our track plan of which I've included some pictures of what happened when we did this. We've gone for a 1 platformed station with a bay platform, for shunting parcels trains into it, and then a run-round loop and sidings with a diesel fueling point this will only a light maintenance point with possibly a pit road. Not really sure whats going on with this photo, some photo bombing or selfies as they call it these days. We've also finished wiring the point motors up so that when we start laying track we can just plonk them in and connect them up. I've attached a picture of the Front & Rear View of the point motors. Were using the Gaugemaster PM1's we've used these on previous layouts and never had any trouble with them. Thats all for now. More things to do and hopefully not such a big post next time we post. Any feedback is always welcome, especially about the track plan!

Were back again, Bit more progress on the layout today or pile of wood (depends which you'd prefer to call it at this stage), despite our gymnast being on restricted duties and not allowed off shed, he has been progressing well with the baseboards. We now have all 7 frames built and fitted with the tops on, and we are now working on getting the legs fitted to these boards, so it starts to look like a layout, rather than a pile of wood sat in the dining room only fit for burning. Because the sun was shining thought it was only appropriate to get the first board set up outside for a few snaps. Meanwhile we've been handy with the paintbrushes and glue getting the wagon kits built that were sat on our work bench. We've had two of the Parkside Dundas Grampus kits. Must admit these are cracking kits and look great once they're finished, a real credit to them for producing such an easy and cheap kit to build. We've given one a rusty affect and painted the other in Dutch but with rust showing. (Bit like us behind the camera) Must admit this is our first attempt at kit builds, so any feedback would be great as we are still very new to all of this. Whilst still on the subjects of paintbrushes we've been getting rusty else where! We obtained some ModelMates Rust paint, which is a waterbased paint that we got from our local model shop. Would highly recommend it, as you will see from the pictures the effect it has is something that were really pleased with. Meanwhile i've received a picture back of our Class 31 that's away getting a rather run down, and in need of some love look. (Bit of a theme occurring here) Please bare in mind the weathering on this is not finished. Will post some more pictures when we get them We'll be back soon with more goings on very soon!

Hello all. Us again, Your all probably thinking we've gone a bit delirious, and I wouldn't dis-agree. After a long lengthy conversation between the group of us, over a few ciders and light ales, we all came to the conclusion, that we fancied a gauge change, to something of the larger variety. So after hours of bickering, and a lot of convincing, we managed to convince the elder of the group that changing gauge was a good idea. So we set about selling the 00 Stock that we had acquired for the layout that we had been building over the past 12 months, called Black-oak. (Which can be found somewhere on this forum, somewhere...). Once the majority of the stock was sold, we were then approached by a group of lads who were interested in taking the layout off our hands. The layout has since been sold and moved to its new home in Liverpool. Once this big headache was out the way, yet more ciders and ales were consumed, and after a lot of head scratching we had come to a decision about what we wanted the new layout to Include. The layout length and Width was decided and set at 28ft Long x 2ft Wide , this would be made up of 7 4ft boards, that could be built into fold up compartments for travel of the layout (Should it be so lucky when its finished to get a show invite). After some serious discussion we all decided that 2ft down the entire length of the layout would be too wide for its current home, and would mean we'd all have to become stick insects to be able to work on it. We changed the last 3 boards down to 18" these would include the fiddle yard entrance which would be track, with a scenic section on the front. We have chosen Cassettes rather than a conventional fiddle yard. This would make it easier to run longer length trains and store the trains away from the main operations of the layout. I know your all probably falling asleep at your computers reading all this text, but I promise you, there will be some pictures later on in this post. After a visit to Warley show late last year, to help us grasp the scale and size of what we could achieve, we ended up bringing our first loco home. In the form of Heljan Class 31. Aswell as a LegoManBiffo soundchip, and a couple of lengths of track so we could have a quick play. (This was the start of the slippery slope, we'll probably never be able to get back up). Whilst there, and after battering the nice man at Digitrains's ear for a good hour or so, about which DCC system was the best to use for O Gauge, he then managed to convince us that the NCE Pro/PowerCab was probably the best system for what we were hoping to do. The picure i've attached shows our first coach, which we recieved in the post about a week later, which is a Westdale Kit Build. Found this on ebay (Was a bit of a Bargin if I dare say so myself) I can warn you that the vodka, and drinks in the background were purely for our consumption, and are not used to help improve our modelling (depends who you ask). After fitting the sound chip, and annoying the neighbours with the sound of the Class 31, till the early hours of the morning. We all thought it would be a good idea to start measuring up and get some wood ordered from our local timber merchant. This was done, and ordered just after Christmas and received just before the end of February. However within this time one of the group decided he wanted to try and join our Olympics Acrobatics team, and ended up breaking a rib. (Somewhat hindered progress considering he's the brains behind the baseboards). So after a traumatic start to the new venture, things were still dead in the water with construction, but our loco fleet had grown considerably with the latest additions being a Pair of Heljan Class 20's, a Heljan Class 37 and also a Heljan Class 47 (All in green, bar one of the 20's) - We don't make things easy for ourselfs do we... These are now well under way to being re-sprayed/weathered up or re-numbered into locos that fit our desired era! Which in this case will be the late 80's the demise of the BR Blue, but just as it was getting interesting with all the different livery's coming out to play! We've also gained another two MK1 SO's which are also Westdale Kits (Another ebay bargin I might add) and various wagon kits. I will post pictures of these later, to save having a massive opening post! Things are now progressing slowly, we've built ourselfs a little workbench with a piece of live track (So if we get bored we can wake the neighbours up) and also do painting/kit building if required. After a couple of months our Olympic Gymnast has almost returned to full working state, and has finally started work on the baseboards, and after buying bulk loads of flexitrack more track than we've got space (I'm convinced) we've now got something that actually looks like baseboards, rather than a pile of wood waiting to be burned... These are now awaiting there legs to be made and attached so then the fun and games can begin! Progress is slow, and hopefully your still reading this, and your heads not on the keyboard... We'll be back soon with more progress and hopefully a finalized track plan. (Sounds like a good excuse for more beer to me) - Think most of the group will agree..

Thanks for that Neil, just a case of trawling through shows, hopefully might be able to pick one up tomorrow at the Buxton Toy & Train fair. Suppose to be rather large, so hopefully be able to find someone with a large collection of duffs! Thanks for all your help. Regards, Cameron

Thanks for your suggestion, I've been trying to get hold of the later livery that they carried, similar to the livery carried by 145, but had the two darker shades of Grey. Regards, Cameron

Looks like a great model, currently looking for some RFD 47's but having trouble finding them, seems like theyre pretty rare nowadays!. Still yours looks great. I especially like the nose details, just how I remember them as a Kid! Keep up the cracking work! Regards, Cameron

Great little layout you've got here, just out of interest is that 47145 the Bachmann or Heljan model? Regards, Cameron