Fastdax

Thanks Barnaby!

Thanks Joner!

More Rust Please More is good! Bolt heads by Grandt Line:

Health and Safety I had some point lever etches from MSE that would be (non-operational) goods yard levers. They struck me as very fragile and prone to knocks, so I made them removable. Each lever has its etched base, some footboard planks (coffee stirrers) and its operating rod all in one unit. It fits in place between the extended turnout timbers. While I was at it, I made four identical levers which simply drop in place next to the four points on the lower level: These levers would also be vulnerable to passing goods lorries, so some protective railings were in order: These are made from spare lightweight tramway bullhead rail, i.e. leftover EM Gauge rail. While I was in Elf 'n' Safety mode, I painted some helpful lines across the level-crossing, to help van drivers not end up in the ballast:

I'm fairly sure they were these: I can't remember how I got hold of them. Prolly Ebay.

Many thanks for the kind words Adam!

Thanks Barnaby, you got it!

Signal Box The Offerston Road Signal Box is about finished. The interior has some extra details, including a very rudimentary track diagram and block instruments (whose faces can't be seen from the outside): The box now also sports safety railings with "no entry" chains, security grilles over the locking room windows, wonky gutter downpipes, a chimney, plinth strips, a door handle, and name boards:

Factory Sign I took a break from the signal box to put up a sign above the private siding at the left-hand end of the railway: The laser-cut letters are by Scale Model Scenery (12mm Swindon) on a plastruct frame. Finish is rust colour paint, then hairspray, then white acrylic partly scrubbed off when dried, with lots of water to dissolve the hairspray. The name is a family joke - my grandfather's made-up word for any glue-like substance!

Thanks Kit PW! Lovely flowing trackwork on Swan Hill BTW and I do like the ingenious point servo mechanisms. Following with interest.

Thanks George! I'm glad you like it.

Signal Box Mostly complete now, with all interior fittings: I made a representation of the Midland-style lever frame, complete with bobby's rag hanging on the unused levers: Just a few details to finish off now.

Many thanks for the kind words Michael! I thought the embossing of the setts would never end

Signal Box Got the windows, stove and lights installed: Painting of the interior bits and pieces is under way:

Thanks GWR57xx. I haven't actually started on the station yet as I'm finishing off the signal box.

Nice looking woodwork Malc. A great start! Following with interest.

OK, that's four votes for the Midland pavilion-style building, plus my own preference, so that's the way I'll go! I'm just finishing off the signal box, then I'll get on with the station buildings. Thanks chaps.

Really nice work Dave. I found this thread from your FB post and I spent a happy hour or two reading through it. Great atmosphere and fantastic detail!

Station Building - Opinions Sought! For a while, I've had some basic flat-roofed station buildings knocked up from foamboard: But i have been experimenting with a couple of alternatives. I still want to keep the overall canopy roof as it hides the fact that the through roads aren't. I'll be using some laser-cut roof trusses and I tacked one in place on the end of the canopy to make sure it fits OK. So I made up another couple of foamboard buildings, each with provision to support the edge of the canopy. Obviously, no doors, windows, chimneys or other details yet. These are just mock-ups to give the feel of what could be done. Alternative #2 - Here's a pitched-roof station building with extended gable end: And here's alternative #3 - a Midland-style Pavilion building with two extensions: I gave the new buildings, plus a "gents" block and a nondescript extension (Porters' cabin?) a quick blow-over with red and grey primers. Here's #2 with the footbridge in place: And here's #3: I would value your opinions on which looks better. Personally I'm leaning towards #3 as I have a good picture of Duffield Station, which is a Midland structure in the same vague area that OQ is set: P.S. Not my car although I did pass my test in an Austin 1300 just like that one!

Yard Lamps The finished article: Installed with its two friends in the goods yard:

Yard Lamps I was thinking of some Midland-style goods yard lamps, when I came across @Jon Fitness's posts about his yard lamps. With thanks and acknowledgements to Jon, I used his ideas and drawings to create my version. I built it pretty much as Jon describes. Here's the prototype lamp, lit with a 5mm warm white LED. The lampshade is the snap-on lid of a decorative plastic screw cover, drilled 5mm for the LED. I used Plastruct ladders instead of brass both because they're a bit more "3D" and because that are what I've got! I added conduit and a switch box. the switch is permanently in the "on" position. If the lamp is off, the bulb must have blown ...

Looking good, John!

It's very interesting to see how this feature is evolving, Richard.

Track Painting and Ballasting I finally painted and ballasted the point on the high level. I added short bits of C&L sleeper to act as point rodding stools before painting commenced. This sequence of photos shows my usual method of finishing trackwork: The ballasting doesn't come to the front of the board as there's a parapet wall which hides the nearest bit of ballast. I may add some more ballast if there's any chance of seeing bare plywood from the front. A bit of greenery has also appeared at the base of the back wall!

The weathering looks really good Ade. I wish I had a much space as you to really run a train!