Jules

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.

It's already here Jules - just waiting to be put in it's rightful place, which should be soon

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

What's left to do - I'm struggling to see; are you going to add any signals and a signal box or does the layout not need them - one engine in steam?

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!

Thanks Mike

I will add adding a cosmetic trap point to my every growing list of things to do

Hi Mike

Thanks for that.

I have to confess that I didn't really plan the layout with signalling in mind, so I am trying the usual botch of trying to add details after the event. I probably tried to fit too much track into the available space, so didn't leave enough room for catch points, signal posts, ground signals etc. I hope the end result wont be too offensive!

Jules

Mike,

Thanks for you info, most useful.

From your description, I think at least one of my levers is round the wrong way!

I'm guessing that a double slip complicates matters somewhat, as the movement could come from either side on different routes?

Cheers

Jules

Hi

To be honest, I have no idea if there is a 'correct' side for the lever to be located.

I would imagine it is to do with where it is safest to put it, or where there is enough room. Perhaps a question in the 'Help' section would get a correct answer from someone with PW/signalling knowledge?

Cheers

Jules

Morning..thanks for the comments and questions :

Dom - the Duette is not in regular use now, I used it initially before the control panel was complete. I now use a KPC controller for operating the layout The Duette still does get used though for when I lay a circle of track on the dinning room table for running in a loco!

Jon - agreed, a dab of white paint will be easy to apply to the levers. I will just have to remember next time I have the white paint open!

Basset - I added the blocks of wood, from a strip I had lying in odds and ends box (how I hate that when I see it in a magazine!!). I made them the same width and height as the pair of thick sleepers on the Peco points, scored the top to give the effect of planks and painted them with sleeper grime. They were a bit fiddly to sand to the right depth, and they are pure fiction with regard to size and appearance, but I think they look a bit better than just plonking them directly to the baseboard.

The levers are prone to damage...I have alrady had to repair one and its only been in place 48 hours!!

Cracking layout Love all the blue diesels - reminds me of my spotting days when I was a kid. Wish I'd had a camera back them.

Looks like a really fun layout to operate, with the added advantage of just being able to watch trains go round and round - wish I had the space!

Keeping the theme of minor progress...

I have added point levers to the points I think would be manually controlled. The levers are from Dart Castings. I think I have made a bit of a mistake in that the main lever should be white, not just the hand piece as I have done.

The other addition is some fire buckets to the lamp hut. Again these are from Dart Castings.

As usual, some rather indifferent snaps to illustrate!