fishytrains

It has been a while since I last posted here. A change of jobs has meant that I have had more evening and weekend time to make further progress. The gardens in the cottages by Walnut Grove station have fences. Lineside fencing is coming along, as is the fields by the side of the railway. I have been adding some height near the track to provide differing views. Trying to make sure the greenery looks alright. Further greenery added on the right. I still need to sort out the embankment section between the mainline and branch line. Trees will also need to be planted, along with some low vegetation. Might even put in some people along this section. Hopefully more progress soon.

Very slow progress over the past few months. Added cable trunking along with some ballasting. Eventually the tunnel portal will have a tunnel over the top of it. Finally added the advert to the side of the building. Just need to add the wires and then build up the scenery around the edges.

Rather a long time since I last posted on here. Work has continued at a snails pace, slowly working on different aspects, trying to get the mainline reconnected so I can give the track a proper test. As I have not got all of the things I need to complete this yet, I have been slowly building up the scenery side of the layout. I l Developing the autumnal theme for the layout. This shows the branchline where it becomes single track. There has been more work, but the photos seem to want to load upside down! I will sort those before sharing. Mike

All the best for the treatment. Mike

I find it totally different, most of the time it is me on my own with the occasional interaction with a customer. I am thoroughly enjoying the change at the moment, even with the wonderful variation in the weather, a wet and miserable day today, a few weeks ago it was extremely hot! Mike

Since the last post I have had a change of career, after 32 years as a teacher, I wanted to do something different, so now I work as a delivery driver. I enjoy it, but it has reduced the amount of time I spend on the layout. That said, I have been working on the tunnel section for the branch line under the mainline between Digby Junction and Walnut Grove. , Still more work to be done, but first I need to complete the raised section carrying the mainline, which is taking time, although I am enjoying building the Metcalfe kits for this! Regards Mike

Under the roof this morning. Different distances, and crops, which do you prefer? I think both work well. The top one because of the extra light. But, I prefer the bottom one as it shows the power of the loco more, in my opinion. Mike

Finally got round to using the airbrush to weather the track and start the ballasting on the section between Walnut Grove and Digby Junction. I have also positioned some dummy point motors, one can be seen centre left. Ballast yet to be glued down, but temperature in the loft means only short periods of work are possible. Mike

After some time running trains round the layout, i found a section where most trains were derailing. The problem was a point, so I removed the point as it wasn't totally necessary. Modified layout for Walnut Grove shown below. Before the change. After the change. I have also been working on the mainline section in the Lilac Grove station, as well as where it meets the branchline at Digby Junction. As well as laying more cable trunking and fitting signals. I am continuing to work slowly and steadily. So more updates as and when. Mike

A little more progress over the last couple of days. The main task yesterday was fixing a Berko platform signal, as well as refitting the Lilac Grove platform 4. This has also had a little scenery added, as shown in the photo below. Mike

Great photos. Thanks for sharing them. Mike

A bit of track relayed to impoverished the access to Walnut Grove station. The surroundings to the station I am now working on. A view under the mainline showing the cottages in place near the station. More of the sky has been painted and the area behind the station car park developed further. The view showing the road leaving the station with the cottages in place. Still working on this area. Laying more grass. The bridges leading into the fiddle yard have also been built and I am starting to bed them, but more work to be done here yet. Mike

Niece, their website is well worth a look. I ordered four different lots of 500ml of static grass and it was delivered in a couple of days. No further progress, just had a couple of days running trains. One problem area of track to sort out, possibly some others. Mike

Neil, I’m using War World Scenics. I came across them at the Peterborough Show. They work on a base layer, then you build extra layers of 2mm, 4mm and 6mm on top of that. I’m really pleased with the effect. Latest picture, with the wagons in place. Mike

Further layers of static grass added. I will leave this area for a while now, just to be sure it feels right! One final one taken through the bridge arches for the mainline. The only snag is this view would not be possible if the mainline was built as originally intended. Fortunately it is not so making sure there is an arch here is now possible. Still lots to do, but with time to do it! Mike