fishytrains

Finally made it home for Christmas. The arches are on the layout in their rough final position. However, I have found it rather too cold to go in the loft, not helped by the fact that I have been unwell for the past few days! If I can I will position the arches properly in the next two days, before returning to Kuwait for the next three month stint. If not, I will do this at the end of March, when I am next at home. I also now have 6 Hawksworth coaches, courtesy of an internet offer. My big problem is that I am now thinking of switching the main focus of the layout from steam to diesel around the 1970's. This is the period I became interested in trains and traveled a lot by train during this time. Having built up a large stock of steam related items I am considering keeping these and running them as steam specials. Possibly with the branch as still steam hauled. Decisions!!!! Part of my thinking here is that I have an mix of locos from different regions as I like a variety of steam locos and having a "preserved" part to the layout would cover this mix of brands. Plenty of time to think this all through though. My list for work on the layout keeps getting longer and working away from home doesn't help with this at all. Happy New Year to you all anyway. Mike

Fantastic photos as usual. The signal box by Crescent Bridge is great and I look forward to seeing how this area develops over the coming year. Mike

I would like to see more. I think the desire for photos of this era is that an increasing number of us grew up at that time and are now returning to modelling and considering this era. Mike

Thanks for sharing these. Mike

Very impressed with the track work. Mike

Those are some great shots and some real workhorses. More please! Mike

The buildings are looking great already. Seeing them in situ helps as well. Mike

Looking very good. Mike

Great pictures really shows up well what you have managed to achieve. Mike

You make the whole process of making a signal look so easy, but I assume it looks that way from a lot of practice and experience over a number of years. Still I guess we all have to start somewhere Mike

Those signal kits still look very daunting to me. Maybe one day I will feel brave enough to have a go! Not sure if I have the patience though. Mike

Just been catching up on the thread. Some interesting wins on eBay. Those curves look a bit tight though! Mike

That photo under the canopy is fantastic and a true testament to the level of detail you have gone to. Left me speechless! Mike

I use Inkjet OHP transparency film, which works very well for printing out window frames. Mike

Very nice looking bridge. Mike

Very atmospheric Mike

Looking good. Keep up the good work. Mike

Excellent extra detailing as always. Not to self to make sure I add these extra details on my own layout when the chance arises! Mike

That looks like a good solid platform. Looking forward to the next photos. Mike

Looking great as always. Mike

Great progress on both the spirals and the station building. Glad you are feeling better. Mike

Ballasting looks good, but that building is rather nice too! Mike

An interesting start, as others have said, I will be following this with interest. Mike

Two photos of the progress I have made. The first one shows the six spans for the one section of mainline at one end of the layout. The spans do vary in height as the baseboards are at different heights . The right hand end will be over a river or canal, I haven't decided which yet. The left hand end will be over fields. The second photo shows the underside of one span. The gap in the middle is for the wiring and will be covered over once the wiring is in place. Mike Not sure how they ended upside down in the post!

I will try to oblige tomorrow for your delight Class 66! Mike