Sandwich&AshfordMR

for you dt... and pictorial update on the TMD refurbishment...

i liked the layout new also but looked all the same over the Sandwich section and i wanted to do something about the fact it looked too full of ballast and not enough scenery. With regard to the 466 networker, i did keep the original chassis, i changed the motor and bogies from Hornby to Bachmann - otherwise it wouldn't move and furthermore kadee couplings are used.

An update on the layout containing footage of how i am improving the layout mainly weathering. Cheers.

Hi dt, 3rd rail siding for class 92s only and the rest of the TMD for diesels. Cheers for all comments.

Improvements to the layout have begun and first up is the TMD area from this.. to this...

Here are lots of pictures I have been meaning to upload to this thread, rather than keep posting links to youtube videos which you have to watch to see the pictures.

Here is an overview of what I have been up to and plan to do..

Below are some running session videos for the layout. Enjoy.

Since the August Layout Update I have spent time playing and observing the layout seeing what looks right and what looks wrong which could be improved. I have ideas for improvements going forward and these will be done throughout winter and into spring to hopefully complete the layout. As I have been operating the layout it means I have been using the Railmaster DCC system to good effect and decided to do an explanation video on the systems main features, viewable below.

Its been a while since I posted because I have been on holiday but here is an update for the layout...

Progress over July has been summed up in the July Update with a few things not previously seen...

Southeastern Electrostar on the layout

In addition to the completion of the project I have uploaded a video to YouTube with a running session at the end of the video! Sorry if the quality is slightly poor in the video as the camera doesn't focus in very well.

On my workbench yesterday and today was the Southeastern Electrostar that I have been working on since April 2013. I can now announce it is almost almost complete! (Requires a spray of satin varnish to the transfers and addition of shoe beams) Only very small things but below are the workbench pictures of underframe boxes and livery application progress. I must also add that the underframe equipment boxes have been added to each car, kindly provided for a small fee by James Makin (original Electrostar creator) [http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/44066-wells-green-tmd-hst-377-electrostars-even-more-dirty-fun/] A huge thanks to James Makin for his creation of the electrostar cabs, without them and his successful projects of the Southern and FCC 377's, I wouldn't have attempted a Southeastern version. Thanks also for his support to my Southeastern 375 project and all those who have provided kind feedback on my progress.

For the past few days i have been busy adding station signs to the layout. The Ashford station nameboards have been up for a while, but i recently added the Sandwich station nameboards to the light posts on the platforms. Platform numbers have been added to the Ashford station with No.1 for the bay platform, then No.2 and No.3 for the bi-directional middle platforms and platform No.4 has been split into 4a and 4b due to its longer length and being able to platform 6 coach trains. In conjunction with the platform numbering i have added 'car stop' boards to the platforms of Sandwich & Ashford stations as i begin to add the smaller details to the layout. Particular things to note are I have created the stop car boards myself including a 395 car stop board for the Javelin on platform 4 and added car stop boards on the ground for the Sandwich reversing siding. The pictures provide a visualisation to the waffle above.

A short break from scenery work has resulted in a running session video. For the first time, the Sandwich TMD is tested out with DRS loco movements. Only small issues which can be resolved through extensive track cleaning need sorting out.

A summary of the corner scenery work and general additions to the layout is in the June Update below. Also attached are some pictures of the going-ons of the Sandwich & Ashford Model Railway taken recently. The Electrostar is soon to receive its decals which are currently being worked on by myself!

Cheers again Bob work is continuing on the corner and I hope to finish in time for the June Update to be released on Monday! Cheers.

Many thanks Bob. The latest works on the layout have been on the Sandwich section and the corner where the entrance to the station is. Plans are for what looks like the start of a caravan site with a chicken coup area and a car park for the station. Progress below....

There are two signal gantries on the layout at both ends of the Ashford platform 2 & 3. The gantries are constructed out of a modern 4-track traintronic signal gantry with traintronic 2 aspect signal heads. This allows for bi-directional working out of the both platforms 2 & 3. Pictures below...

The layout has used a combination of mostly Traintronic signals and a few CR shunt Signals. The Traintronic signals are all 2 aspect signals with some feathers attached. The feathered signals are connected to switches connected to the points to trigger the feather. More recently I have constructed a platform traintronic signal with a cr shunt signal for the reversing siding off Sandwich platform. Also I have constructed another traintronic signal with a cr shunt signal for access to the TMD. All signals work with the Railmaster software and are DCC controlled. Pictures below show all the latest happenings on the layout.

Below shows the finished IHA steel carrier wagons amongst other stock in a Colas Rail running session. Enjoy!

The 'Chocolate boxes' I mean IHA Wagons were dry and fully coated this morning meaning I spent the whole day toning down their complete brown appearance to make them more realistic. Acquired some humbrol weathering powder some time back in preparation and I have used two variations of powder to mix and use them together. After I was happy with the appearance of the weathering I set about adding the detailing that came in the original Roco packs which includes a small wheel, footsteps and handles to be added to the ends of the IHA wagons which are all in yellow which makes the IHA Wagons look much more appealing than the all over brown 'chocoloate box' appearance I did have. One of the finished IHA wagons is below and the whole rake will be within the Colas Rail Special video currently in production.

The IHA Wagons have received their new colour and the original livery removed. The wheels were removed and the bogies taken out also so that they are sprayed individually to avoid the bogies sticking to the main wagon chassis. The bogies have been sprayed into a slightly darker brown than the main wagon body to give a more weathered effect on them. At this stage they do look like chocolate boxes and will be weathered further and detailed.

Network Rail 50ft BG Parcels van engineers yellow modelzone exclusive.