danstercivicman

Thank you for your inspiring track plan- I have re-worked my entire layout to adapt it based on what I have seen here- thank you!

Forgot to mention I now have a Bachmann Class 105 DMU!!! Which needed two blanking plugs for the DCC, bit now runs amazingly well!

I have been making yet more massive changes. The terminus station now leads into a tunnel, then a scenic section where the embankment will conceal a hidden (branch) storage yard. The scenic section then goes into a tunnel and into a large fake through station (actually a terminus) this gives the impression that trains are running onwards to the midlands and London but in fact allows me to turn locos around and acts as a giant scenic fiddle yard! Please view the pics and let me know what you think? Its taken another £200 to get here!!! I have sold some steam locos and now have a Bachmann, 25, 45 and a Heljan 47. I have moved the layout period to 1966. I need to do so much more to finish it and the 'through' station will be boxed in with Scalescene factories to provide an industrial city backdrop!

Cheers, thanks for the kind comments, the backgrounds are ID back scenes. I think a painted one does look excellent, but its difficult to do if your not great at painting (like me), When I get some more days off and when I can get a few spare hours I will wire up the turntable. From what I can see the Peco Turntable is very easy to wire as it has clips that reverse the polarity things.. Every week I edge the layout slowly further- then I remember theres a whole other side and the branch terminus bit to go!!! Still its running great and I can run 8 coach expresses into the main station

Been very busy with work and looking after my daughter- have made some slow slow progress. Awaiting funds to finish it all off!!! I got a Peco Lk-55 turntable which is awesome- just need to build it! I have been working on the main station area. Enjoy! Dan

Good stuff- looks like your making excellent progress

Looks good

I have the ID Backscene (Hills and Dales 206) range on my layout and they are indeed very good

Brilliant work!!! A Lovely layout

I have similar issues- I run an 8 coach rake of Bachmann BR Mk 1's and man they are heavy! I have added weight to alot of my older Bachmann locos- but the Hornby Paviland Grange has zero pulling power!

thanks very much

Today I have made massive progress!!! Enjoy! I have made a track plan- although the branch part is subject to change

Here you go- layout plan. Its not great- please see my blog to see how it has developed Glad you got ventilation- we have a damp walled basement but the ventilation and de-humid have saved the layout

A short video I made, testing the track and running some locos! Enjoy! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1XfVvDESOM&list=UUWeLFowwLoeI3um-761M32Q

Work has continued slowly this week. I have been filling in the gaps between where the flexi track meets and trying to get the angles for the curves right, I have been adding cork under the outside rail side so that I can angle the track so it looks more realistic. Let me know what you think? I have also been playing around in the main terminus so it looks better. Best Dan

Layout plans look awesome!!! My layout is in a basement as well- make sure you have a de-humidifier Love your layout plans, sort of similar to what I am building (but better)

More Pictures Hopefully self explanatory I have re-worked the terminus station- it now accommodates a 9 coach express. It has another two platforms that will take a 7 coach train and then the goods area. I have also decided to move the loco facilities there. I still need to purchase a PECO Turntable LK-55 and a Metcalfe single road shed... and a goods shed... and build the platforms... and finish the track... and do the scenic work... and ballast... etc etc etc... I have also massively re-worked the through station. This now has a goods loop and makes the most of the wonderful ID backscene (need the other half). The goods area is based loosely on Topley Dale from the Hornby Magazine and a layout called Midhey that I found on the web and the Far North Line blog on this site. I need to.... finish the back scene...scenery...platform...ballast...buildings...etc...etc...but it works and allows for trip freights to be shunted easily I have then made a massive fiddle yard bit which will accommodate 2x 9 coach expresses and some smaller workings. There is still space for a small branch terminus which will be the final part of the layout to be completed. This will be bypassed by the main lines and allow me to send freight and small passenger workings to the through and terminus stations. All in all its making progress. The curves are a minimum of 5th/6th radius or larger and this coupled with PECO SL-100 and PECO SL points has removed running and de-railment issues. All the Bachmann BR Mk 1's are now FINALLY happy and do not come off as they did before. Both my Bachmann re-built Scot and Jubilee locos can handle the 9 coach express and finally my layout makes some sense!!! And a brief video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGnoL1Aq5EE Enjoy!

Amazing Stuff

Love it!!!! Great work, very pleasing to the eye!

Well.... I have sold all my WR stock (except the Paviland Grange) I have been very busy over the holidays (amongst work etc and family time). I am concentrating on the LMR around 1963. No branch lines. The layout starts with a double track terminus, this goes into a tunnel then there is a small station where the MPD is located. This flows into another tunnel into a curved junction where the third terminus departs and the mainline curves round into a hidden set of sidings. All in all this should give great operating flexibility and allow me to exploit 7 coach mainline trains!! I have also sold most of my set track and am now using Peco SL 100 and flex track (much better) the curves are all (with the exception of the tight station junction) at least radius 6/7 and the de-railements at junctions have ceased!!! Long live PECO SL 100! Also I have changed the Bachmann brass wheels on the Dapol Period 3 coaches for Hornby metal wheels and they glide along!!! I am glad that I did not start ballasting as it has allowed me to test and develop the plans. I am getting some more wood and flex track this week so maybe in a few weeks another update. It is truly a blessing having so much space!!! Enjoy the pics

Looks great a layout to be proud of

Thats a good idea, I have used 1/16th cork on the track so far. I found John Lewis PVA to be the best as its washable and easy to lift off if you change your mind on the track plan

I have been busy putting the ID back scene- into the town B, C and D together. I am quite happy with how it looks. Lots of progress still to be made, but its running ok and I am now running 6 coach WR and MR expresses in addition to freight and smaller passenger workings. Next steps include, fitting the turntable, building the hills and the dreaded ballasting tasks.... Stay tuned it will be finished in 2016... In the meantime happy Christmas for 10 days time Best Dan

Great layout