Jules

Not strictly layout, but it relates to previous posts... As mentioned in previous posts in this topic, I am lacking wagons from (mainly) the LMS and LNER, so I have started to rectify this! First up is a Cambrian (kit manufacturer not the railway!!) LNER 6 plank open wagon. This is the first time I have built one of their kits and it goes together just as easily as a Parkside or Ratio kit. So here are a couple of exciting pics! I have noticed that the side I have chosen to photo as the E a bit on the piss which is slightly annoying! In the background can be seen a couple of LMS wagons - these are Airfix ones I have picked up for a few quid at shows. I have some Slaters LMS wagons to build, so watch this space for more excitment Just got to slot the couplings into their pockets to complete

Cannot believe it was April the last time I added anything to this! Mind you, I haven't done much since - rather lost my modelling 'mojo' but it seems to be coming back a bit. Anyway, inspired by BlackRats Carrick Road layout in last months ModelRail, I noticed that he had modified the Bachmann goods shed with canopies etc. I had already added advertising posters to mine, but thought I would add a small canopy over the rail side of the shed. This was partly because I only had a small amount of valencing left from building the station building and I also thought a full length canopy was a bit overkill for the location. Anyway, here are the pics, the usual dodgy quality! End on Rail side Road side And a gratuitous one of the general area

Where's all this timber coming from - must be quite a forest thats gone missing

Off the top of my head... there is a passing loop at 'Chard Junction', Honiton and the fairly recently opened Axminister loop, which I believe is actually a couple of miles long.

Excellent bit of work Makes me wish I had made a bit more effort to get down there with a camera when i was younger... Certainly beats the weed strewn empty space that exists now

You could try East Kent Models - they stock Hornby spares.

Not sure how I missed this one - always good to see more chocolate and cream

Nice job Looks really at home in that position. I too had 'fun' with the Ration signal kits on a previous layout - I have some to add to my current one, but so far haven't plucked up the enthusiasm to start them. Looking forward to seeing the continued progress... Jules

I would say yes. Network Rail have a number on the side of their vans for reporting LC jumpers (or they did) so I would have a look at their website as a first call.

Whoa - flashback to 8:25 this morning when I walked out of that front door!! Fantastic model of the real thing. Shame the current station building is some horrible modern (ish) junk that in no way complements the hotel opposite.

Hello Captain Also have a look at 'Frog Lane Colliery Sixty Years On' ISBN 9781899889334 page 76. There is a picture of said loco (although taken at Norton Hill colliery in 1950). Also, on the opposite page is a pic of one of the Coalpit Heath Coal wagons. Hope that helps Jules (a stones throw from the site of said colliery - I remember it when there was still a slag tip...)

Excellent to see this making progress. Just got back from a night in the Great Northern Hotel in Peterborough (work related), looking forward to see it appear on the layout

Slight delay in posting this due to lack of broadband since Tuesday, and a power cut all day today... A 60 approaching Ram Hill (or the former Coalpit Heath station if you prefer) at about 3:50pm on sunny 3rd May Slightly shaky due to not being prepared for it! Just manged to get the camera out and pointed in the right direction as it throbbed by.

Looking forward to seeing this develop. I called in at the old station last monday as I was staying in the area, I recognise the goods shed and thats it!

Cheers Perhaps I'll try the same method

Looking good What signs did you use for the station building (the 'Gentlemen' sign etc) as I am looking for some to complete my station signage?

Hi Chaps, thanks for the interest : Alan - the PECO under frames and details are rather good for their time, the only disadvantage is that the plastic is soft and flexible and a bit 'soapy'. I think it is a bit like the Dapol plastic underframes. None the less, they still beat hands done anything else from the same period. Richard - thanks for the additional information, I shall try to balance my big four wagon stock accordingly. I will still run the rather large selection of local coal firms as I like the variety and history. Point noted about the tank wagons Mikkel - glad I could provide a bit of inspiration for you

Thanks for the comment. Point rodding is on the list of things to do...

Not so much the layout but a wagon update... The subject is a PECO Wonderful wagon from the 70's. It was built by my late Father in about '78 while he was working away from home at Farnborough on some (at the time) top secret items that went bang with a big cloud! To while away some of the time in the hotel he made me a couple of the PECO salt wagons, of which this is the only survivor (not sure what happened to the other). Unfortunately, he built it with the PECO simplex(?) couplings, and as at the time, and to this day I use tension locks (heathen!). This meant it has seen very little use over the intervening years as it didn't really mix very well. Although a salt wagon probably isn't very prototypical for a sleepy GW BLT, I decided to take off the old simplex couplings and add some small Bachmann couplings so I can use it a bit more, and finally give it the airing it deservesafter all that effort and thought all those years ago. So here it is, not the most complex or outstanding piece of modelling to grace these pages but deserving a place in my fleet. The original underside The replacement couplings

Hi Gareth Thanks for the complement. I probably need a few more open wagons from the Big Four to be a bit more representative, but they will come along in due course.. I probably have a far larger selection of Private Owner wagons than would be seen at a sleepy terminus, but i like them for their local connections. Plus, it's my railway... Cheers Jules

Hi Jon Thanks for the comment. There are still quite a few things I need to do, admittedly most are fairly small. I need to add some people; complete the station signage; add some trees or some other vegetation by the cattle dock etc With regard to the signalling, I originally thought of it as a one engine in steam layout (and wired it accordingly), but I think i might add a small box and appropriate signals. I have the Ration small signal box (plus interior) ready to be built, so watch this space! Cheers Jules

There has been very little progress on the layout recently -too busy playing with it! However, I have corrected the painting of the point levers, as shown below. Also, beware of magazines putting ideas in your head! In last months Model Rail, there was an article about GW buses/lorries and 'planes. While in my local shop I spotted the Peco range of kits, so I succumbed and purchased the Thornycroft type PB lorry. Here is the progress so far... The painting need finishing and the transfers added. Beware of the description on the box : it says GWR livery. What it really means is that there are GW transfers inside! It is not pre-painted!! The last two pics are just for interest...the goods yard looks like business is doing well!

Hi Chris Sorry for the delay in replying.. The doors are from Peco, they are sold separately as a detailing pack. I'm afraid I do not have the reference number as the packet went in the bin a long time ago! I think the pack might contain windows and gutters etc, so you might end up with a few things you don't want/need!

That Metro tank is a nice piece of work I'm tempted to do one myself

Nice little diorama. Back to the railway... the etched plates do make a difference don't they? I have added a few to my locos - they seem to give them a bit more presence! I do like the weathering on your Grange and Hall. Makes them look used but but too filthy. That's a task I need to practice them perform on mine, they are all a bit too clean!