BobM

Just a further image regarding track levels to throw into the pot...? Regards always Bob

Hi Taking this as an example (Oswestry), where the track level is seemingly just a tad below the door / platform level? Copyright : Disused Stations Have just raised the track level to about as much as I think is comfortably acceptable to bring these results.. the internal view as much as it will be seen...... will sleep on it for a while and see what transpires. Regards always Bob

Hi I'll have a look next modeling day. It'll probably sharpen the gradient I would imagine somewhat, but as it's only a cosmetic exercise, i may live with it? Regards always Bob

Cheers Phil, This is with a 5 plank wagon (albeit a private one), will probably go ahead and see what transpires? Regards always Bob

Hi just measured it, it is exactly 26mm. Regards always Bob

Hi, Sadly, I don't think I can raise the rail height any further, as the wagon clearance would be extremely tight? As I am only modelling for enjoyment rather than prototypical, and although I would like to make it as close as possible to 'real life' think I'll have to make a compromise on this one? Regards always Bob

Afternoon guys, hope that all are well? With regard to the 'coal stage project' and getting my head around things...... also working on the assumption that I can achieve something similar to the basic theme here at Leamington Spa I have worked out that based on 'fag packet' calculation - - with a rise of roughly 40mm and a base line run from baseboard track flat to stage flat wagon level being 700mm -and if my schoolboy memory mathematics (and that is over 50 years ago) serves correctly that is around 3% or 1/18 slope....? Although it doesn't look overly steep on the layout when just placed into position it is over the recommended? As it is purely a cosmetic display then will probably just go with it...? Is my mathematics correct? Regards always Bob

Hi Must remember to incorporate a catch point at the base of the incline too... again this is Leamington with just an earth bund and a retaining wall a the stage end? Copyright: Warwickshire Railways Regards always Bob

Evening..... Just mulling how the incline may be formed, some images I have seen shows just a continual brick wall whist most highlight a combination of a top earth bund and base wall of varying height? Leamington coaling stage just had an earth bund with a retaining wall. CR, Warwickshire Railways This is how my thinking is taking me......a medium sized wall topped by earth and grass bund...workable? Regards always Bob

Afternoon all, Hope that all are safe and well? This is an indication of what I would like to attempt to include into the engine shed / mpd area? A bit of thought needed to incorporate this but the incline ramp angle doesn’t seem excessive for the distance available? This may well just be a ‘scenic’ addition without the intention to have wagons being propelled up the incline anyway? As always will keep you posted with developments as we go along. Regards always Bob

Hi I did come up with this using the brass connector of a block connector,. Remove the 'pip' slipping a brass block connector over the remaining 'bar' and screwing down to hold, the control wire when slipped into the the end wasn't secure enough without inserting into a brass 'conduit', the screw when made firm then squashing and held both in place, seems to keep fast when I pull on the wire? Painted black may not be too intrusive? I did encounter a problem when using cutters to for tube length as it squashed the end, so need to saw through if I try again? If there's a way of making the wire secure into the block without using the tube that would be better, soldering perhaps? Will have a think...? Regards always Bob

Morning All, Well we had an 'earthquake' in the area to the northeast at 2259 last night, nothing too severe obviously but enough to be noticeable, as whilst working on the layout, just sounded like something was 'slipping from off' the boards behind me and thudding onto the floor, loud enough to make me turn around and look any rate. Just as an update too on current thinking on my way ahead. You know that I have always been open when it come to my errors, many of which have been down to my initial lack of planning and forethought from the outset of Cambrian Street, the greatest error was pinning down the track before installing point motors, an issue which continues to dog my progress. So having tried to use wire in tube, in varying degrees of success, mainly because I cannot get the control wire to access into the central hole or adhere onto the pip of the point - I have for now decided to leave well alone concentrating on the scenic side of the layout, which is providing me with my greatest enjoyment building the layout. All remaining points will be thrown by hand for now as they are easily reached, however if any should fail over time as I replace them, the intention will (if the layout and me) to be replace it and at the same time install a motor? Unless I can come up with an alternative method of attaching the control wire to the pip, then this will probably the best way forwards for me at present concerning throwing the points easily? Regards always and stay safe, Bob

Hi 'Railway Cuttings' is in now position and will be allowed to settle into both the general theme of the area and 'my head' whilst moving on to the next section of Cambrian Street. Thank you so much, you kind guys for guiding me through this and being so patient with me.... Planning to move closer to and onto the loco yard and shed area in the near future... Will keep at it...... Regards always, Bob

Hi Not so overtly there now that I have initially painted them? Can 'cull' them later perhaps? Regards always Bob

Cheers Lez Yes, probably 'over the top' can always remove...? Regards always Bob

Afternoon everyone.... Hope that all are okay after yesterdays 'winter storm'...... Whilst the coffee is on before undertaking a little further work on 'Railway Cuttings'......just 'playing around' with street scene ideas.....'speak soon'..... Regards always Bob

Thank you for your kind comments Started off by putting a layer of pva glue down and spreading with a scrappy brush leaving lumpy, on to which ‘ballast’ was sprinkle and squashed into the mix. Whilst allowing to go ‘off’ but not set sprinkled silver sand onto the top to give a lumpy soul effect, squashing down into the ruts and peaks of a double dug veg patch. When this was resistant and spongy to the touch, painted darker earth and lighter soil tones but allowing the skin of glue to ooze up slightly to create a wet look hopefully? Regards always Bob

Hi The 'drains' are in, the 'veg patch’ been 'dug over and watered' tonight! Stay safe please guys, could be 'rough'... Regards always Bob

Hi Have begun weathering the resin wall and roof surfaces of the cottages and started to create the veg’ plot! A slight tonal change to the walls has also taken place, will look for suitable lamp columns next. Regards always Bob

Hi Yes, they would indeed, hope to gently drill out rather the using a blade, a recess in the cobbles into which the can sit? Cheers my friend Regards always Bob

Hi Got hold of a selection of Langley Products drain covers, arrived today (slabs to be removed and recessed) but just placed to see how they look! Regards always Bob

Hi After using weathering powders to give a rather grimy appearance, (as this abuts and overlooks the turntable), will leave the 'fixing spray' until I can get outside and in 'calmer' conditions as it's far too windy at the moment to undertake this. Fairly happy at the moment, will leave it until tomorrow to see how it looks and make decisions? Regards always guys..... Bob

Evening .... Blowing 'a Hoolie' here, probably with you too..... Took my mind of the potential damage being done outside by working on the blue brick walls..... Will post further as things move on.... Regards always Bob

It's a bit like my dad's crazy paving schemes of yesta' year!

Thanks Bill, Your kind comments are appreciated. Find that if I do little and often, keep going back over something if I am not happy but not overworking things at any one stage, is the way I work on the layout best? Take care, Regards always Bob