fishytrains

More progress on the layout, as well as a few additions to my BR Blue fleet. So I thought I should show them off. First up is my pair of Class 20's. The one on the left is the new Bachmann Collectors Club Class 20 "Redmire". A lovely model, not run it yet, not had the chance! Paired with it is my Hornby Class 20. This one will be repainted into BR Blue and weathered and renumbered. They will form a consist once I have the layout up and running again. Second up is the Class 105, also Bachmann. This is on a section of the layout that has been given the scenic treatment. Third up is the Bachmann Class 108 in Blue & Grey. This one is in Lilac Grove station. Both of these photos show the clear need for a backscene, which is something I am hoping to have started by the time I have to leave these shores for warmer climes! The final photo shows the approach section for the fiddle yard (foreground), which needs the viaducts to be built and will hide the track bus wire. To the rear is the line into what will be Park Road station. The first viaduct is already built, but in time will be completed. I am currently working on the fiddle yard, gluing down the track and preparing to wire it up for DCC. I am taking my time in order to ensure that it is laid properly and will be trouble free when running as it will eventually be beneath Park Road station. More soon, I hope. Mike

Small update. I now have a Blue & Grey Class 108 DMU, it arrived today. I need to run it in and get decoders for it, that will happen soon. On the layout I have been focusing on the track bus and putting that in place, although the soldering has still to happen. I have also sorted out the river valley boards that will lead to the fiddle yard (lower board) and Park Road station (upper board - or will be when I create it!!! ) More of an update soon I hope. Mike

Latest update. I have joined the front two spans of the viaduct and placed them on the "river bed". As can be seen, the first viaduct is pretty much hidden. What this view also shows is that my original idea of the river coming under the lower branchline bridge, then under the two viaducts will not work, as the gap between the supports is very small. I am now thinking of a small stream from this direction merging with the river coming from the two arches on the right. The rear viaduct has the Slater's plastikard 4mm brick work. For this front one I think I will go for the 7mm brickwork instead.It will give a forced perspective. I now need to fit the tortoise point motor that needs to go in this area, before creating a shallow valley for the stream - even if most of it will be hidden by the bridge supports. I will know it is there which matters to me! As a result, the front viaducts will probably not get much further this year, especially as I have some track relaying to do and the wiring up of the track. this shows the direction for the river to flow across this section of the layout. I am thinking of two possibilities - one river, or two merging along with the stream from the left. Any thoughts on this would be much appreciated. Mike

Still looks very good to me. Mike

The black and white photos are particularly effective and very realistic. Mike

As promised the viaduct is now in position, although not actually fixed. In the first picture you will see a lower level bridge behind the viaduct, with the DCC bus wires visible. This is the branchline, which is lower at this point. I need to find a way of disguising these. My feeling is to turn them into pipes over the the "water way". Originally I had intended having a river or canal coming under the branch bridge, then the viaduct that is in place, and then under the viaduct that will be in front of this.I have now revised this to two rivers, one from the right and a smaller one from under the bridge, as I think this will be more believable. The second photo shows the more common viewing angle. In the foreground front right is the other mainline track - which will cross on a second viaduct. The basic structure is complete, but the brickwork needs to be added. This section will also have the mainline bus wire running through it. The Cross Country carriages are my track clearance checkers, as they don't really fit into the eras I am modelling, although I do like the colour scheme. Obviously the area on the right also needs to have brickwork placed, as will the area below the baseboard.Still a lot to do! My feeling is that I will have to put in the scenics at the back as I won't be able to reach it once the front viaduct is in place, it is pretty tight in there. I have started placing the mainline track bus, but decided I needed to watch The Ashes instead! Hopefully there will be more progress soon. Mike

Further progress has been made on the viaduct. As shown the viaduct has been painted and weathered. Next step will be installation on to the layout. More photos to follow once in place as well as a further progress update. Mike

I love your technique for the back scene. I was thinking along similar lines for mine, so will be using something similar when I finally get round to doing my back scenes. Mike

Must say I am very impressed. This is not an area I have considered as yet. I will continue to watch your progress and might change my mind in the future about giving it a go. Mike

After what seems like a year of work - I did start the viaduct nearly two years ago, in forming the cardboard base. Last summer I began the adding of the plasticard top layer, I am now at the point where I can paint, then bed in and grubby up the viaduct! To be fair it actually amounts to about a months work, taking into account doing nothing on the viaduct for long periods of time when I am away. As this is the first item I have had a go at scratch building I am pleased with the overall look.I suspect it will look better once painted, and with vegetation attached. AS for the layout - little progress, although all of the rolling stock is now boxed and out the way. I just need some time and temperatures that are manageable for working in the loft. This will be the rear of the two viaducts near to Walnut Grove for the mainline. Beneath it will be some form of water - probably a river, but I am still thinking that one over. i can now start work on the front viaduct, and the ones leading to/from the fiddle yard and the double track one leading to the yet to be built Park Road station! Mike

I like the look of this and think I can visualise what you are aiming for. Mike

Finally managed to spend some time in the the loft today. Managed to run the new Class 105 DMU and chip and run the Heljan Class 128. Both run nicely, especially slow running. Now busy boxing up the locomotives and rolling stock so that I can get on with wiring and some more scenic work. Pictures will follow at some point in the coming weeks. Mike

That whole section looks very realistic now. Those 37's look the business too. Mike

Looking very good. Mike

I am amazed you got permission or not caught trespassing taking those photos. Mike

Looking very good, the first couple of photos I found to be very realistic. Mike

Excellent detail. Just enhances the whole setting. Mike

That all looks very good Jim. The copping should be dead easy! Mike

Those are really impressive and show the level of detail you have managed. Well done. Mike

I really like the latest cameo, even if it is not finished yet. The latest set of photos of the various engines are also excellent and could easily be of the real thing! great work. Mike

Both the triplet and the brake look very good to me. Mike

You are certainly right in that assumption Neil! Mike

Second purchase made and now sat at home waiting for my return in just over 7 weeks. This a Bachmann Class 105. I have a long list of things to try and do when I make it home in mid-June. The main thing to do is sort out the wiring, my least favourite job, but one that does need to be completed if the layout is to run properly. Hopefully, I will also achieve some of the other jobs, providing SWMBO leaves me alone to do so! Mike

I like the combination of both the Metcalfe kits and the Wills girders. GIves me more ideas to work with! Mike

Great photos as always. Nice to see some goods wagons for a change. Regarding tropical fish, two possibilities, the fish have reached their natural life expiration date. The other is that some kind of cleaner might have contaminated the water, I believe furniture polish can have this kind of effect. Apart from that, no other suggestions. Mike