Revolution Mike B

Good progress Ian

I’ve just heard this very sad news through a friend. Unfortunately due to Covid, I never got to meet Geoff in person, even though he tried to get Oak Road to Trainwest 2020, 2021, and then finally 2022. My thoughts are with Geoff’s family at this difficult time and if 2022 does go ahead, I will be there to do him proud. Mike

Apologies for the lack of any content on my thread but I’m now sat in the co-pilot’s seat with my Dad for his final approach and I’ll continue to do so until his plane lands silently on the runway. I’m very surprised to learn that the layout has been nominated in the layout of the year category again, which is extremely flattering considering it’s still unfinished. I will be back, but for now, I need to be elsewhere. Thanks for understanding.

I’m very flattered that Oak Road has been nominated in the layout of the year category for the second time, especially as it’s still a huge work in progress. Thank you for the nomination.

Somewhere within the recent Covid-19 chaos, this happened.... Its really weird seeing my layout in a magazine, and actually looking half decent!! 2020 has been an odd year to say the least, but for me, it’s been a real tough one. As some of you already know, my Father was diagnosed with Advanced Prostate Cancer in 2017, which was a complete shock, and a few months ago, we were informed that the treatment was no longer working. In light of this, myself and Nicky decided that we’d up sticks and move in to his house so that we can look after him. This is quite an upheaval, but one that’s a definite necessity, so the trains are currently being packed away and the garden railway is sadly no more. Oak Road is still at work, and will remain there for as long as needed, or until they need the office I’m currently being loaned. Toy trains, and real ones, have been a huge part of my life, and even more so over the last 10 years, but it’s time for them to take a back seat as I take care of more important issues. I’ll be back at some point, but for now, I want to spend time with my dad.

Somehow, this happened!

Unfortunately, it won’t, but thanks for the kind words anyway

Sorry for the complete lack of updates on both Oak Road and the outdoor layout known as Oak Garden, but unfortunately, everything has had to take a backseat due to my Father's health. The garden layout will cease to exist, probably from the end of this month, or possibly October if the weather stays nice, and Oak Road will stay firmly tucked up in the office downstairs at work for the foreseeable future. Richard from Hornby Magazine is coming down in two weeks time to do a feature on how Oak Road came about, why I count rivets and my association with Meningitis Now, but that'll be it. I've got a few videos to post up on YouTube of the garden railway at some point and I'll pop a link on here for anyone who'd like to see how far it got.

Scott, can you just build something and leave it alone.....I'm struggling to keep up!

Yep, another shout for Montana - they do some other colours too which are really useful for adding different shading to the weathering.

Looking good Ian - I’ve posted you some ear defenders

There’s a load of pictures on Instagram #oakroadmr

Things have certainly been a little odd of late with the Coronavirus Pandemic putting restrictions on the whole country, so I downed tools on Oak Road and moved outside to create Oak Garden....an OO Gauge 85’ double track loop with an 8’ long, foot high viaduct, a triangular junction and a main station based on Totnes. It’s taken a whole month to build the framework and get some track down, and I still don’t have a complete loop! This will give you an idea of what I’m up to..... If the weather holds up I may actually get a whole loop by next weekend

It wasn't me, but I am selling them now if anyone's interested.

Coming along nicely Scott

Yes Grizz, that’s them, and as Jo says. The Revolution ones need the shocks cutting off and then I’ll just use plastic rod to replicate them in the right place. I may not bother flattening the tops though.

The reason I asked about the bogies was that they look similar to the Revolution ones and can be easily modified to represent the other TF25s under the JNA/A i was going to cast the box but I’ve taken it apart - I just wasn’t happy with it, and I’ve since found a 3D print for one in 2mm which I’ve asked if it can be scaled up. That’s an interesting box of wagons you have there!

Where did you get the bogies from on those flat wagons Grizz?

I was a bit disappointed with my first effort, so I’ve reworked it. I’ve replaced the horizontal rib and put it in the correct place. I’ve filed the weld line down and although it still looks way too big, it looks better than it did. The vertical rib supports are the bits that’s killing it because I can’t get them to look uniform. I wish I’d just left them square now and not bothered trying to angle them! Anyway, it’s not a million miles off so I’ll fill in the scratches along the bottom, tidy a few bits and pieces up, and then get casting.

Yep, NACCO JNA/A, but I’ve messed it up a bit. The Roco boxes are too low but almost the right width and bang in the right length. The downside is there’s a whole load of work to do with them so it’s probably just as easy to start from scratch. My issue is I’m pretty useless at making square boxes - give me some weathering to do, or build scenery (if you’ve seen my trainset you’ll see why) and I’m fine, but this is harder than I thought.

I didn’t make the best job of it Grizz! Still, it was good practice. I’m going to start again from scratch and try and build it properly. Cheers Mike

Looking good Scott

Whilst not 100% scratch built, my JNA/A has finally got started. I’ve used a Roco box as a base and built around it. Once it’s finished I should be able to cast some more. Bogies may be available from George at some point but I’m using a set of my Revolution JNA/T ones at present.

I’ve done a few more JIAs but I thought I’d just post a few pictures for people to look at... ...firstly, the China clay train heading towards Westbury.... ...mini me taking a video of the China clay train rumbling though...,with my own tag on one of the wagons... ....an aerial view of the same train..... I’ve got some more bits to do to the station tomorrow so I’ll post some more pictures once I’ve finished. In the meantime, have a look at what Rhys and Ian have been up to with their layouts, Porthleven and Exford in Shed threads

The tail light itself is one of the DCC Concepts Modern ones connected to the TrainTech AL4 modules