Jules

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!

I also have one of his wagons - I'm sure a few more will be joining it! He certainly covers the less well known companies. Edit : Here's mine...

Some very minor progress..... Previously in this thread I muttered something about the station still needing signs and other bits and bobs to complete. I obtained some signs, and as can be seen from the attached snaps have attached them to the building. Unfortunately, it is still not complete! The pack of signs I purchased does not have suitable signs for 'Booking Office' and 'Ladies Waiting Room'. Strangely enough, there was a sign for 'Gentlemens Waiting Room', which I thought was a bit strange as I thought that (generally and particularly at small termini) you would only have separate Ladies room. I have attached signs to the doors, so at least intending passengers know which door to use! The pics give a flavour of how it will look when I get the correct signs. Cheers J Compare with the pics in post #80 above to see the vast change!!

Afternoon Gents Robin, thanks for the tip about EZ wire. I will admit that I haven't heard of it previously. It certainly sounds easier than Ratios method or mine! Kris, when I can locate a spare bit of rail (the previous bit I had has disappeared!) I intend to fix it parallel to the table to top vehicles accessing from the side, or driving off at an angle. I will insert two bits of rail vertically, and then attach a long bit on top with the ends bent down. I'm sure I've seen a prototype for this somewhere! As always, thanks for the kind words and encouragement Jules

Another bit of minor progress.... The weighbridge is now in position and glued in place, with a chair, broom and barrel added for a bit of clutter. Obviously there is still work to be done in the surrounding area, but it's a start! Also in picture (but out of focus) is the completion of the goods yard fencing. It is the Ratio GW fencing, but rather than attach the wire to the outside as it is designed for (and how I have done it previously) I drilled small holes in the posts and fed the wire through. Fiddly to drill, but a lot easier to fix the wire in place!

Thanks for the offer. I may take you up on that offer, probably in about six months!!

Thanks for that - I shall keep a lookout to try and obtain it. If anyone has followed the link in my signature to my old layout, you would have seen that it was an Eastern region layout set in the 50s. A reasonable number of the wagons were kit built (all Parkside if I remember correctly) so I thought I would see which ones could be backdated and reused to add a bit of variety to my new layout. By a stroke of luck, I had previously mis-ordered some LNER transfers for two of the wagons so could use those. I scrapped off the previous decals, did a bit of a touch up on the paint and added the new decals to the lowfit and van. I cheated on the steel open by being lazy and covering it with a tarpaulin. I have also been rather lazy in leaving them in BR bauxite rather than repainting then into NE brown, but they will do for now. The tractor perched on the lowfit is also a reuse from the old layout, and as such is a bit too recent (1952 a think) so will need to be replaced with something more suitable. But for the time being, it adds a bit of weight. The two re-lettered wagons need a coat of mat varnish to seal the transfers and to cover the gloss patches under the transfers.

Thanks for the info - I'm guessing MRJ issue 9 is quite old?!

Thanks chaps Number 1420 should have GWR on the tanks to match the rest of my stock - another task to do! I don't appear to have any problems with the pickups on mine, as it only runs out and back it is all over electrofrog points so that reduces the likelihood of stalling. I was/am aware of the detailing kit for the autocoach, although last time I looked (a while ago )it was out of stock, although it is now back in stock. The coach is half way through a ten year repaint! It started as BR maroon as part of an Airfix closing down clearance set (which shows its age!), and as can be seen it has had a splash of choc+cream but is lacking lining, numbers etc. I think I will probably obtain a detailing kit (plus the flush glaze) and attempt a proper job on it. There's a first time for everything!!

This post is just to add some gratuitous shots of a 14xx and autocoach - another tick in the box for clichéd GW BLTs!!! The loco has been detailed with the Mainly Trains kit, and all molded handrails replaced with wire. Just needs a new drive wheel set as the traction tyres have disintegrated so the running is a bit bouncy! Anyway, enjoy the pics....

That certainly is a bit of progress With regard to the ballasting, I would certainly leave it until you are happy with the running and electrics - I think I ballasted mine too early as I have problems with my double slip that I am not now in a position to rectify. Well, not without major work! I do like the pic of the 14xx - might be tempted to post a pic of mine

Very nice - I did one a few years ago, the only thing I didn't do were the hoops on the bunker. Mine looks a little bare now!

Thanks chaps Jon, The grass is one of the Gaugemaster range, I think it is actually static grass, but I just covered the ground in pva and put it on by hand. I have subsequently realised that putting a base layer on gives far better results. For the base layer, I used another pack of gaugemaster stuff - I think this was more sawdust based and multi-colour. Both packs came in a scenic starter pack that was free with a Model Rail subscription a year or so back. Unfortunately, I do not have the exact details of the grass (shade or part number) as I binned the packaging ages ago. Mikkel, Glad you like the pic - it is just a point and shoot camera so it came out quite well.

A small amount of progress has been made...... The area around the cattle dock has had a bit of work done : the built up ground has been extended towards the track, covered in grass (needs some variety adding) and a path with fencing added. I'll let the pictures do the talking! (the changes are not huge so you might have to look at earlier piccies to see the difference!!) These two are looking to escape! Whats so special about this one? It is the first of the lineside signs I have added at the end of the platform. Shane the sign itself is out of focus!

Thanks The control panel is now 'mounted' (well, more like wedged) between the top pf the Ikea trestle and a block of wood below it - so it is now mounted vertically. The basic box was from Maplin, I must admit, I am quite pleased with it! The only thing (still) missing from it is the track layout, but as I am the only one to operate it at the moment, that isn't much of an issue!

Hi Ian Thanks for the complement The backscene is from Gaugemaster. It is actually designed for 'n' gauge, but i thought the 00 would be a bit too 'in your face'. The only trouble is, it doesn't reach the top of the backscene board, so I either need to do some clever paint matching (unlikely!) or buy some more of the same and just use the sky bits. All down to a lack of planning! Cheers J

Hi Gareth As requested, some pics of the Slaters van. I made it 25+ years ago, and have no idea what I painted it with! As I was just a penniless teenager (no change in the intervening years!) I probably painted it in whatever paints I had that closely matched the suggested colours. I have just upgraded (as far as tension lock can ever be) from the slaters ones to the small Bachmann type using Finelines pockets, which are really good. Hope the pics are of use/interest Cheers Jules

Happy New Year fellow modelers! With Hornby releasing a GW horsebox, I thought I would share a couple of snaps of my old Lima one which has had an upgraded chassis. The basic replacement chassis was a heavily modified Dapol loco coal wagon with all the brake gear and under floor gubbins removed leaving just the axle boxes. New brake gear and other bits were added from an etch/detailing kit obtained from mainly trains. Separate handrails and lamp irons were added, as well as roof ventilators. I cannot say it is a true representation of the genuine article, but it looks and runs a lot better than the original. Hope it is of mild interest...

That's most impressive - I think more planning went into your mini model than my actual layout. I wish I had room for a continuous run, there are times when I would like to sit back and just watch the trains go by. I shall be watching your progress with interest.