chriscleveland

Any more update this layout is the reason I'm starting o gauge!

Evening all not too much to report as of late as ropley has taken a back burner due to other commitments this weekend will see the extension for ropley starting to come together. Ropley is exending beyond the road bridge to show off all the locos awaiting or under restoration up the headshunt. it will also enable us to more operations on the line adding more interest to the yard as it doesn't see a massive amount of use at the moment. 3 new additions are hopefully on the way 1 being usa dock tank 70075 second being pitchford hall a gala guest to go with city of turo and earl of Berkley and a third being 50027 lion who is on order. hopefully for its next show will see 30828 completed and possibly 30506 too! another loco hopefully going to be built quickly will be 31806 in restoration appearance as well as 76017 who I cant get the guts to do the lining on prior to making it a loco awaiting boiler removal. photos will appear of all this work later in the week but for the mean time here are a few taken not too long ago

Ropley is today being shown at Basingstoke model railway open day pop down and say hi if you are in the area free entry

Ropley is at Basingstoke open day next Saturday feel free to pop over and say hi free entry

When is Ukfield buddy and ropley has open day and mhr gala if your about to lend a hand open day is only scenic boards up Tidworths stock is certainly looking the part..... ill have to up my game hahaha i have hardly touched mine not enough time but with Andover show on this weekend means i can get some flock sorted did you still have access to a static grass maker too i want to try the banks in it ? Chris

You seem to have lots of time have to hire you to do some on ropley hahaha looking good tho Ian the thumper went together well

evening all ropley is slowly starting to re gain momentum mainly focusing on stock again more detail work has happened sorting name plates small detais on platforms and more i will post photos in the morning but for now here is a few shots taken a month ago on the line Chris

so much more to report on ropley at long last unfortunately the camera lead is missing to connect the camera for photos to be posted at long last after brockenhurst much work has progressed on meaning the layout is in full swing of its upgrade so what has happened all the new brass fencing has now been installed along the fron of the layout having been sat in a box for well over 6 months the wheeldrop shed has been re painted and detailing has commenced i just have the window ledges left and gutters and facia boards the signal box is also being detailed with fire buckets steel container underneath gutters and downpipes too the platforms are to be re sprayed with the walling weathered to blend better the plaform tops pained and lined too the grass banks are ready to be freshed up as it is looking dull all the platform details are made except disabled ramps Does anyone make these?? the car park is complete and a few more building items are on the way shed roofs are nearly finished too i hope to upload the photos soon to show the progress chris

Hi mate who did ur budlia again chris

sorry buddy ropley has now returned home of course and is currently getting a new crradle i have ordered wayyyy to much detail accessories to complete off all my sheds before roofs are added ropley also now has the green light for a 6 foot extension to happen making the layout 30ft total now with the option of taking that off too. just means now lots more locos to build got to crack on with 30506 who i keep putting off and finish the paint job to 30828 to start with ropley lighting rigs are also in testing too with the intension of being used with options of some on some off etc the arc welder barrel of burning wood and camera man look good

Ropley is at Brockenhurst show this weekend so feel free to pop along and have a chat! Chris

Ropley had a good outing yesterday after the first of the two new fiddle yards decided to play ball not to long a delay in problems Lots to do for Brockenhurst in 2 weeks but we will manage layout is going back into its cradle today so I can start the next step Chris

morning all pictures are a bit late as work forgot to book my holiday in pictures of progress will be posted when my camera lead turns up currently the boiler shop side of the layout is my main focus the layout is getting ready for the victory model railway show on the 14th shortly followed by Brockenhurst still so much to do but its getting there the pictures show the boiler shop and carriage shed sides are missing these are currently having a new paint job as well as the doors added guttering will follow after the completion of my roofs telegraph poles have been wired up trees are emerging up by the bridge as well as completed hedges water tower repaired shed roofs for wheeldrop shed near completion containers in boiler shop have a completed platform signal box roof repaired building site finished until ordered items arrive I hope to have the boiler and carriage shed details finished by the end of may just need to find who does carriage doors and other small details suitable with the yard almost done just means some more figures and some bulk items to be scattered 30499 looks a bit de cluttered considering the condition she is in so that area will be focused on after the shed then it will be onto the main shed getting that up to spec with more details then the wheeldrop shed made up with details completed and I might get round to building the inner frame which I bought all the materials for yesterday I am looking into a proper backscene too which will be the real thing so that could be good then get all signals in then it will be time to extend hopefully for her show in September and October cheers chris good thing the roofing sheets turned up yesterday only been on order since October must have had a heavy hit on them

So I have decided that over the years of building ropley I have missed out areas in detail etc to get the layout ready for shows. Well over the last few weeks this has changed with the intention now to complete the majority of projects on the line. Lots has happened to make this possible so far the new fiddle yard curves are completed all boards re painted the new scenic board will receive it's greenery tomorrow, the footbridge has had a repair and edge capping added, the building site is now in basics with scaffolding building materials fencing and a few people. Rople Manor has had some junk added into the car park. The carriage shed roof material is finally in stock so will hopefully be ready for Brockenhurst show. My fencing is being made ready for fitting as well as trees. Pictures will follow tomorrow showing all goings on but I hope to complete former projects by July to start others ready for September Chris

pictures of latest goings on more work on the standard 4 has happened and class 27 has had its tarpaulin remade

I Have done a one of jim's toad brake vans and was thinking about his g6

Hi George if I was to start o gauge what kit would you recommend it always seem a massive task

Wow George Impressive modelling reallt liking following your builds only if i wasnt in the process of building my oo exhbition layout i would definately give some of these a go

little update not a lot has happened recently although i can post some photos tommorrow to show progress the extension is pushing on nicely with signals about to be ordered for Alresford end the banks are now carved to take the path that will be laid tommorrow wadebridge has now been made but still numbered as 34001 numbers are due anythime to finish her off Bodmin has now been completed and looks smart 30506 has been started but has a long way to go yet!! more detail has been added to locos as well as more to the sheds which is waiting to be positioned and glued in my 2-6-0 42xx tank is having running issues and will need sorting prior to its next appearance which is over a month away the fiddleyard turning circles have been remade and are awaitng a full test my first yard board has started another wire through where i missed some droppers last time round too will post tommorrow all the photos to show Chris

Looking good tom lots of clutter in there to do its a nightmare aha Looking good tom lots of clutter in there to do its a nightmare aha

So update wise 828 has now returned from having motion freed up and looks good 506 has escaped it's box and sits waiting for me to start. The end board Alresford end has been made ready for the hills this weekend. The water crane for the platform has also arrived and the crossing hut. Wadebridge has a lot arrived in the guise of Bude so some work here to be done.

I wish I had done so too would have been that much better unfortunately live and learn by it I started young modelling ropley and didn't have much idea until now still one for a later dare I guess

Morning all Remember the Basingstoke show is this weekend which I organise with fellow members please come in down ropley will not be there unfortunately but is a standby Chris

Thanks Gary still lots to do with this layout with some very crafty parts to it Chris

Will see you both at the show if not before still lots to plan