CoombeTown

Thanks @Andy Keane @MrWolf, no fence in the yard it is. The plan is to part a hedge along the edge of the track at the top of the embankment and then another hedge along the backscene with a fence in front. I think that creates sufficient boundary to the railway owned land.

This weekend has seen a lot of time spent under the baseboards, putting in a lamp for the ground signal, and wiring for the lamp that will go in the Goods Shed. I have a question for the more knowledgeable though: as my thoughts turn to the Goods Yard. Would a fence have existed between the running line/loop and the yard? I've added two pictures of the yard to try and help those visualise the layout. I envisage a fence that would run from the bridge wing wall, behind the grounded van to pretty much in-line with the V where the two sidings split. Thanks in advance, Dom

Tail lamp added this evening, and coach body placed on until the passengers arrive. i've managed to dim the lights fairly successfully, it doesn't seem too overbearing unlike the Heljan Railcar. And a peak at where a few passengers will eventually sit. Plan is for 4 passengers, then an inspector in the corridor on the opposite side.

It really does make a difference being able to dim the lighting, there is even setting for gas flicker, but I guess they wouldn't work on an analogue layout unfortunately.

A tiny bit more progress this evening, but we have light! I did think I had warm white leds, but obviously not. Ah well. The strip is programmable so I will dim the lights, as well as adding a DCC concepts tail lamp to the coach. Will have to make an emergency Modelu order as well to populate the carriage before I close it all up again...

A good day out supporting Yeovil Model Railway Group at Rail-ex today, a top quality show indeed. I did indulge in a tiny bit of retail therapy, purchasing a Digikeijs digital lightbar. I've had an eye on these for some time so bit the bullet and bought one for my Hawksworth BSK. I've spent the evening starting the install work, filing slots in the top of the carriage. Adding the pickups to wheel sets, including attaching myself to the bogies with superglue! And finally a test fit with the bar cut to length.

Cheers Rob! Enjoyable evening playing testing the loop, all seems to be working well. Couldn't resist posing 5541 with all the signal pulleys/ ground signal in place. Still to be painted, and a small lamp to be added to the ground signal (even if it points the wrong way) And yes, I will fix the lean!

By jove, it works! Glue fully dry, all powered up, flick the switch and after reconnecting the control panel (whoops!) it's running fine! so we zoom out slightly. still got to test out the run round loop fully, but early signs are promising!

It would describe it as mildly terrifying, but so far the thing still moves so there's hope yet!

Well another busy few weeks have passed but I found time to ballast the first point today. Signal Wire pulleys and a Ground Signal are expected tomorrow, so hopefully will be installed next weekend. I am also planning on getting the blocks for the catch point in so I can complete ballasting of the first board next weekend.

Thanks Graham, I am surprised how much difference Passengers make. These are a Dart Castings passenger pack, which are rather good value for money. The article was actually in July's BRM rather than anyway on RMWeb, very well written with clear steps. It's worth a hunt for a back issue or maybe Rob can provide you a copy?

Once again, life events overtook. But spurred on by a free weekend, I have sat down and followed @NHY 581's excellent carriage weathering article. As a result, here is one Weathered autocoach.

Would be great to have the A5 in 00-SF, I've got a plan for a nice micro-layout around them...

Thanks for this Graham, I've been looking at the YMM service for a while for the signal box windows at Coombe Town, but I think I will avoid them. Are LCut producing the laser cutting artwork for you as well in that price?

Hi Paul, Thanks for having a think. Annoyingly I can't find the photos but I'm fairly certain that as you say, they were more complex layouts than mine. To be honest, a single disk would be my preference as they exist as 3D printed products which look much nicer than the cast versions. I appreciate your effort in confirming that it can be done in the real world! Dom

Hi Paul, That's very informative, thank you. I doubt Coombe Town box would've ever been upgraded, so Double it is. Dom

Well after a few days off, and then a manic return to work, which shows no sign of abating. I finally found time to paint the highlights on the postman... And now glued in place on the photoplank, in discussion with Mrs Smith. From the yard across the street And through the bridge Thoughts now turn back to the main layout, and prepping for more ballast. I need a ground signal at the toe of the loop, locomotives can back onto a train in either the platform or the loop, but I don't know if this would be a single or double head in the 50s. Prototype pictures seem to show both used in various scenarios, leaving me utterly clueless. Would anyone be able to provide some guidance?

That looks fantastic Graham! It really is a wonderful scene.

Sounds good Graham! I find that the lighter highlights (main colour mixed with white) are on the raised creases, so easier to achieve with dry brushing to get a full contrast.

Hi Andy, It's probably a combination of the high powered lamp and black primer? Black primer is something I picked up out of a few magazine articles, it adds an element of preshading and you don't load the brush too much. If you want a stronger a colour, like I went for on the lady's dress, then more coats are applied.

Thanks Andy, high praise indeed! To be honest, I think in 4mm that you don't need to include lips and eye brows, the tie is the smallest brush I have which would be too big for either of those, and at a distance you don't notice the detail. Cheers, Dom

Yup, all Modelu. They're very high quality and I find Alan very receptive to new ideas in conversation as well so I'm sure there are more products coming soon. This postman is one of the latest, just need the light blue dry brushing and then he's ready to join the plank.

Yup, that's at least what they're quoting on the bespoke transfers page... https://www.fox-transfers.co.uk/commissions/

First figure complete and in place on the plank, the other five are at various stages of completion...

Thanks Neal, i might get in contact with Railtec to see if it's reasonable. Failing that I may order some transfer paper and print them myself, £45 from Fox is a little more than I'm willing to pay.