Ydna

Good luck with the electrics and scenics. I'm pretty much at this point with my own layout currently. I'm using piano-wire-in-rod point control. Its a lot cheaper and quicker than motors. You might want to consider it if you've never done motors before. I might be doing a tutorial on it soon because I'm almost ready to start installing it.

I see. Well, the longest thing entering my depot via tracks will be the Class 60 I also only have one line because I figured that it wouldn't look realistic to have 2 lines coming in to a TMD which only has 3 sidings and a headshunt. On my fiddle yard I'll probably simply have a 3 way point with a siding coming off each junction. I don't want to pack my fiddle yard, which will be only 1' x 2', because I need decent room for the other equipment like controller and point control, etc. However I don't like picking up my stock to make space for the next loco departing from the scenic section - it'll just slow everything down. Anyways, good luck with the upcoming work on Deeping Lane Depot. Andy

I agree with you. What actually needs to be improved on your fiddle yard? I ask because I'm going to start constructing mine this weekend. Andy

Hi, Thanks. Have you seen my other entries? Andy

Great pictures of this interesting layout. Looking forward to further updates on it

Ok, thanks, I might try it I does look very effective.

I see. Thanks for the info. Andy.

Very nice layout Looking forward to further updates on this project.

Another superb layout of yours, I see I suppose that not having a sky-painted backboard makes operation a lot more clear for the operators. Are the figures wearing the high-vis jackets from the Bachmann range and are the CCTV cameras scratch-built? I'm currently on the hunt for figures (and CCTV cameras) myself. Andy.

Just wondering, how did you make (what looks to be) the high-vis jacket hanging over the side of the brake van in these two shots from a previous update of yours? Andy.

Looks like a project with potential. I wish you the best of luck (especially as it's 2mm scale). Looking forward to further updates...

Haha

Congratulations mate, on turning 1 years old (the layout that is).

I see, thanks for the info. I haven't heard of the white spirit method before, I'll be trying that out. As for my own project, I haven't even started laying the track yet. Thanks again, Andy.

The 60 and 08 look great. Is that the old Hornby 60? Mainline's livery is one of my all time favourites - I've got the ancient Lima Class 37 in that livery I'm thinking of weathering it soon, for use on my layout. Do you use powders and dry-brushing for your weathering or the air-brush?

Thankyou very much for going to the trouble My layout is quite similar to this - with the trains arriving on scene from the fiddle yard under a bridge. However, my trackplan is quite different.

Can you do some night-time pics please? This is a really inspiring layout.

Hi, Not much to update you on the subject of Almere Road TMD unfortunately. Work has been slow lately because I've been spending ages waiting for the varnish or paint to dry on my warehouse units. I've been quite busy as well so I haven't been able to do anything in between waiting for them to dry. However, during last week I decided that it would be a good idea to start a test-area project. I suppose I could also use it as a photography plaque as well, but basically it's currently a piece of chip-board with a cardboard backscene. The idea is, before launching into the scenics of Almere, I can use this test-board to test out my skills of weathering the track, applying static grass and other techniques / jobs. I'm not going to let this mini project slow down the progress of Almere though - its just a little extra. The test-board will consist of a low-relief warehouse backscene (just like what will be on Almere), and a low-relief shed. I've fictionally named this 'test-board' Bexford. You can see my new Layout Topics thread by clicking here. For now, here are some progress pics of the Almere warehouse units as well as the test-project... The warehouses (which need a few more coats of acrylic paint [probably a lighter shade of grey] and a coat of matt varnish). Of course - one of them still needs a first coat of paint still!: Bexlford TMD so far (its taken me 3 days just to make the Jewson warehouse units: Thanks for viewing. Any advice / comments very welcome. More to come this weekend hopefully.

Thankyou for your advice Will. I'll expect the poly cement probably won't work then.

I recently bought a pack of four AWS ramps by Peco after inspiration from the article about painting / weathering them, featured in the Railway Modeller March Issue. I decided that as I couldn't use them on Almere Road (because they're not any use on TMDs as there aren't any signals), I could make some use of them on my home layout. Here is a picture of the product (SL-45) The unpainted plastic models on the sprue. I find that it's easier to paint them on the sprue. The finished ramps... I used yellow and silver Acrylic paint to pick out the appropriate areas. To weather I began by giving the models a complete coat of a very thin black, grimy wash - about 1 part paint, to 5 parts water. That's about it. To fix to the track I will be using poly cement of some sort. Poly cement contains petroleum which (I think) melts the plastic and bonds your two components together in one. Thanks for viewing. Comments and opinions are welcome...

I've been getting excited about exhibiting a layout for the first time. Lucky you, being able to organize an exhibition in your PE hall! Sounds great. These things take a lot of preparation (I'm told)... so I wish you good luck.