fishytrains

I had to take a very close look at the top two photos here. They look very realistic - well done! Mike

I like the way you have done the embankment foliage - will have to use that on my own layout to improve the appearance of the scrub. Mike

That is looking very good indeed. I recognise the building, but can't quite place it! Must be my age Mike

After a slight hitch I now have the NCE SB5 power pack up and running. It is obvious that the track needs a clean, which it will get in June when I am next back. That is also the point at which I am likely to get more work done on the layout - well possibly, as all my plans invariably end up getting side tracked. Mind you I don't like wiring and even less the soldering, which is partly why things keep getting put on hold. That said I know that if I don't sort it out I will be frustrated with the poor running instead! Mike

So far things are not going to plan. The wire I need to complete the power bus is not available, so I will have to wait to do that when I am back home in the summer. Although the back scene I draw in Kuwait looks good, on the layout it is overscale. So back to the drawing board on that one! Off now to try and achieve some success - if that is possible! More later. Mike

Home for a few days so hopefully, once the weekend is out of the way, I will get to do some more work on the layout. The main job is more wiring of the track bus. Two new arrivals today. A pull-push set to go with the M7, although I will at some point have to add the extra "gear" to the M7 to make it appropriate to the task. The other was the SB5 power unit to add some extra power to the layout. Just got to figure out how to use it! Hopefully some further updates as the week progresses. This may even include my attempt at perspective drawing to create part of the back drop. As I did this whilst away and without checking the dimensions it may not fit! Mike

Some fantastic photos as usual. I must admit I don't bother about the sky or background when viewing them, I am far too interested in the trains, track and station. Mike

An interesting layout. I will be following with interest, even if things are glacial! Mike

Glad the wiring is coming along well. Looking forward to seeing something moving very soon. Mike

Looking very good. Great eye for detail as always. Mike

Great photos. Wouldn't be allowed to do a trip like that now with all the rules and regulations! Mike

There is something extra special about night shots and those you have posted are great. Mike

Those extra trees enhance that road section. Looking really good. Mike

Amazing how much of a difference it makes. Mike

That looks very good. Mike

That looks fantastic. Well worth the wait. I will continue to watch with great interest. Mike

Great progress there. Looking forward to seeing the finished work. Mike

Great selection of photos, keeps bringing back a range of memories from travelling the railways at that time! Mike

Definitely worth the trauma you experienced in getting them on to RMWeb. I particularly like the last photo - very atmospheric. Mike

Andy Good luck with the suitable images. I am researching the drawing of perspectives on the internet at the moment, in the hope I can create something useful and usable. I can see what I want in my mind, just need to commit to paper! Mike

Whilst I am not able to work directly on the layout I still find time to think about various issues and try out different things. One thing I have been thinking about is the question of a back scene, or rather several different ones. At the moment I am considering creating something myself, for the town section I have thought about a High Street disappearing from view. The question is about getting the perspective right. For the country sections it is a case of having something that portrays countryside but sits behind what I model. Still plenty of time to think it through, but it will have to make a start at some point.

Lovely photos of the 37's, shows your scenic work to great effect too. Mike

Fantastic photos, especially the last few. Mike

Plenty of great photos Jeff. Very inspiring and informative stuff. Mike

Well I finally managed to spend sometime up in the loft today. Sorted a few things that needed attention. Also had one failure. My Class 37 has a short circuit somewhere. It might be to do with the DCC chip, but I am not sure. This will have to be sorted next time I am home. I also took some more photos. The first shows the area which will become Digby Junction. Platforms need to be made, as does a shelter for the right hand platform. In the station are the Class 108, the 3MT pulling three of the Hawksworth coaches and a Jinty on the freight in the goods yard. The mainline is to the right of the picture. The second picture shows the right hand side of the viaduct I was building whilst away. This is on the Walnut Grove side of the layout. The area under the arches will become a water feature of some sort. I am still deciding between a river and a canal. Obviously I also need to build the leg supports, instead of using bits of wood! The third picture shows the left hand side (Digby Junction) of the viaduct. This part will be fields. Underneath the arches can be seen the branchline - at the moment I am not sure whether to hide this from view or leave it as it is for ease of access. Behind is the other mainline track, which could be passing over the top of the branch - which could be in a tunnel. The most likely option, in which case there would be a hillside visible. Next up is Class A3 60043 "Brown Jack" trying out the viaduct. A bit of work is needed to make sure that the trains can cross freely and easily, but first will be the wiring, then the completion of the viaduct! It is likely that I will renumber and weather this loco at some point in the future. The screw and wooden block will need to be disguised at some point in the future as well. If I go down the tunnel route for the branchline this will be easy to do! Final photo for now is the rear of the train leaving the high level by Walnut Grove and moving onto the viaduct. Looks like some mighty big spiders have been at work on the rear coach! This is the progress for now. Next lot will be at the end of March when I will have to get the soldering iron out to wire up the track at this point. I will also need to invest in a booster, as the layout is now too large for the original power supply to cope on its own. If this is completed fairly quickly, then I should be able to complete the viaduct, just need to decide what to do with the branchline, which also needs to be wired at this point. As I only have a week at that point there may be no photos, but I will see. Mike