Sharky

She's quite nice. Beautiful Scenery. Some Lovely Hills and Valleys to climb up and down. Some Dark Caves to explore aswell.

More Cows?! Just in case you didn't think there was enough variation in 'cows'

Progressing very well. What grades will both lines be built at? 1:50?

Good to see the Signalman will be out of the weather soon. It's no to fun trying to signal trains in the rain. Especially if it's coming down sideways.

It was 20 deg with showers down here yesterday. I don't know why we've been dealt such a dud summer...

Perks of having two people here with an 'Hour on, Hour off' arrangement.

Back to signalbox positions... As the (or one of the) resident signalman I feel my input might be valued. I current work a in number of boxes within Melbourne. These have a wide variety of positions comparative to running lines. Some are located next to running lines, some between them, some on the platforms and some no where near train lines whatsoever (unfortunately the latter is the standard for any new locations built). I can say with 100% confidence, it doesn't matter where the signalbox is located, you're always going to have a blind spot. Whether that's 'behind the box', round the bend or because of some bl**dy infrastructure in the way! My personal preference (both for your model and in prototype) is for the box to be in the middle of the running lines. There's something satisfying about having trains clattering passed you on either side, and being able to look straight down the line to anything approaching. Below are some pictures of the box I've been currently working at for the past few weeks: Caulfield Box in 1933, shown positioned between the running lines. This was taken shortly after the new power box (with miniature frame) had taken over the two mechanical boxes. Sadly the miniature frame was decommissioned in the 90s and is now a 'state of the art' computer panel. And this is the view from the signal box as of 08:09 hrs this morning. This view is looking towards where the photographer of the previous picture was standing nearly 80 years prior. As you can see the position of the box offers a fantastic over view of the Down junction. Back to models, I also think the signal box positioned in between the running lines is more ascetically pleasing. The signaller also has a clearer view of all lines within his control from this location. He would struggle to see what is in the loop or what's in the back platform if the box was in front of the operator. I personally think it would be very difficult to have something 'disappear' behind a box of that size. This is also what Sleeves/collars were invented for and signalman should use them accordingly.

Exciting Times ahead! Looking forward to seeing the first train to run through the section.

Great stuff! Looks like a fairly straight forward conversion. Will have to do this with one of my brakes.

Just like the Original NWR no.2 before the 'Old Iron' chase. 'Just a lot of old scrap iron!'

Some compromise would definitely be needed. Unless you intend on extend the Hall to twice the size for a fiddleyard dedicated to Pass trains... The idea of using Cassettes would be viable for the shorter 'local trains' or 'Semi fasts', probably nothing over 5 cars. Interchanging the cassettes with trains of similar length will save of costly storage room for the Longer Intercaptial and Intercity expresses. Another idea would be to use the same stock for different 'locals', interchanging the locos to give the illusion the train has come from elsewhere.

Hey Doug, It has been a while. I've progressed a little further with the layout by installing the crossover and wiring up the new sidings. Unfortunately it hasn't progress much further as I'm unsure what setting I want for the layout. I'm thinking suburban station with a partial timber platform. I'd like to have a small signalbox aswell and an over bridge on the far right. Looking for some inspiration on suburban yards if anyone has some pictures. Also, hoping to make it fully interlocked and signalled (who would've guessed) using and building a Modratec Frame. But these are just plans and ideas at the moment.

Maybe a helmet? They come with a chin strap to help keep them on.

Well you can always have one in every station forecourt aswell. So there's at least another 3-4 places. I had just got home from afternoon shift and was enjoying a cold brew before bed.

Looking more and more like an operational railway now there's some safeworking infield! Once the "Iron Curtain" is lifted I should try come up for a running session. Would be good to see some operational semaphores. Also looks like the beginnings of a fruitful bus depot in the corner. Hopefully it's not owned by 'Pearce & Crump'

Great stuff Jesse! Love the NE wagon with the load of barrels. Reminds me I need to fill up my open wagons with something other than Coal... Where did you get the tarps for the other two opens?

Sounds like you might need to incorporate some Track Circuits into the Interlocking...

Just a thought for the use of these particular wagons (and those that resemble the ubiquitous 16ton Mineral wagons). They may have been used to transport loose stone and rubble from the quarry to else where on the Island/mainland. It was/is quite common for quarries to try and get money out of everything they can. So why not make money off what would be considered 'rubbish'? Would give you another option for wagon variation, as well as more traffic. Also another factor to be mindful off in reference to this picture. The writing in this part of the story goes something like this, ...."Did you say third truck from the back?" The ball was there, nestling under some straw.... That should indicate that these wagons were also used for the finished stone products and were running empty back to Ffarquhar from the Harbour. I see no issue with having some steel wagons like this, they could definitely take a fair bit more of a beating than the timber wagons.

Apologies for the late response. It takes a while for messages to get down to us here in VIC. It appears to have already been discussed at length but from my understanding the Down siding was mainly used as a holding road for Light engines, either heading back to Hellifield or Carlisle. It probably wouldn't be used for holding complete trains (at least not down trains) as it is not a signalled move. As mentioned, being a signalman by trade I can definitely vouch for always wanting to use a signalled route for any moment where possible. Even in this day and age of computer based interlocking, this is still safest way of moving trains as the interlocking will prevent you from, well, you! Considering the adjacent boxes, Dent & Ais Gill, had the ability to hold Down Trains in dedicated Layby Sidings (both being signalled moves) it seems unlikely that the 'Down Siding' at Garsdale would've been used for holding Down Trains. At least not commonly. So to not include it in the layout design you won't lose much operationally. You could always make it a dead end, getting rid of the down end points and just using it as a holding road for Pilot engines if the need arises. But as stated most of the 'pilot engine' working to Garsdale was gone by the 50s.

Any item of rolling stock that adds variety is worth it. Even if it's only painted on one side. It adds flavour and a unique aspect to the train that you wouldn't get if it was just another "RTR Full Brake" I'm discovering this with my passenger trains. All the 'nice' coaches I own (bar a set of Ratio Midland cars I bought at a BMRA convention) are RTR Hornby Period III. While they are lovely looking cars, it wasn't common to find a full rake of them. I en-devour to get some period II and I (and some pre-grouping cars) to spice things up a bit. But first I need to become more proficient with a soldering iron... As for painting the car or not, I'd say leave it as is. If you're not fussed with it running it so you can't see the unpainted side, then that should be good enough for everyone else. If anyone makes comment of it, ask them if they'd care to paint it for you. Plus as you've stated you've got numerous other task that require your attention.

Following on from yesterday's efforts I cracked on with the laying track. Here we see all the current pieces of track fixed down. The next track laying will be the installation of the crossover for the 'runround loop'. It's approximate position is crudely drawn in red below... I'll have to wait for the points to arrive in the mail, but in anticipation I've removed the track pins and sleepers ready for the sections to be cut out. The Down End point will be installed on the right of this track join. In my track laying endeavour I've come across the issue of my shoddy base board construction. It appears I wasn't as precise as I should've been. The boards are about 1mm out of alignment. So I've had to get some card and pack up the tracks on the left of the join. Seems to work OK for now, but I'll see how badly out of alignment they are when I cut the rails. That will be it for a few days, I need to source some thin wire for track droppers and wait for these points to arrive before I can continue doing much else.

Absolutely! In these time of not being allowed to go outside (or anywhere of interest) most of us are spending more time in front of the computer. The more time you spend playing trains the happier you are, and the more pictures we get to see of your wonderful layout the happier we are. Everyone wins!

G'day all, After years of many false starts with building a layout (having designed something like 20 possible first layouts), I've finally decided to do something about it. A bit of history on the layout to start with... About three years ago the British Railway Modellers of Australia (BRMA) held their yearly Convention my home state of Victoria. I was asked if I could built something for the small exhibition that was being held on the Sunday of the Convention. I agreed and spent a few months designing a smallish layout to put in. Originally I planned to make it a fictional Branchline Terminus set in the Midland Region (1930s). I had built two boards for it and was in the process of building the 3rd of 4 when I realised I didn't have enough time to create what I planned. So I left it there and quickly drew up a plan for an Inglenook-esk layout. I laid all the track, wired it up and exhibited it, bare boards and all. Certainly wasn't going to win any awards but it filled a gap in the hall and I learnt wuite a bit out of building it. After the expo I packed it up and sorted it as I hadn't anywhere to set it up permanently at home. Fast forward to now, With the outbreak of this world wide Pandemic, and the Model Rail club rooms shutting their doors till further notice, I had an itch to something about running trains at home. So I go the old plans for Tadles Lane to see if I could modify it to add some extra operational interest. I wanted to add a Runaround and some extra sidings to place wagons, as the original plan only had the 3 sidings up the top of the layout. A few points were added and one moved, and hey presto a new layout, with the features I was after. The spare room in the house was recent cleaned out. So I measured up the potential available space and discovered I could setup the layout there once I move a few thing around. 2 hours later, Taddles Lane was set up. Here it is in it's original form (excluding the right hand point near the camera) Next step was to check the clearances for the loop. Looks like I can only run a 2 coach pass or 7 wagon goods. Unless another loco happens to be in the yard to release an engine off a train that exceeds the loop. These train lengths will suit me for now. I don't plan to run anything larger than a 4F so I used that to check my Head shunt space. I quite liked the setting of this shot, with the light glinting off the loco. (Will have to do something about the back round though, Pink isn't my colour...) First task on hand is to rip up one of the old "running lines" and replace the left hand point with a right hand. With a few choice words and determination the point was finally removed. Now I had to remove the Peco polarity switch from underneath. My point control is a simple piano wire through the side of the baseboard run to the point and through a PL13 to change the polarity. Nothing elaborate, but it seems to work well (mostly). The lone one of the left is the one to be removed. I originally used contact adhesive to fit them to the underside of the board, this has made it a little tricky to remove. I need to reused this one so I'd rather not break it. So I got out my chisel and attempted to break it away. It came away after only 3 hits on the chisel. Only issue is I took the bottom layer of plywood off in the process Not exactly what I had intended by the switch is reusable, so I consider it a success. That'll do as an intro. Major tasks on hand are: Finish Trackwork. Replace the A frame at the Left end of the layout with simple H type leg. Fit a back scene and lighting. I'll post another update shortly with the work I completed this afternoon/evening. Thoughts and criticism welcome

Glazing isn't that difficult. Just task a bit of patience. Even using the plastic from any packaging will do. Just cut it to fit behind the whole window, use PVA or 'Micro Kirstal Klear' to fix it to the back of the frames. (Using a tooth pick or cocktail stick helps a lot applying the glue where you want it). It will enhance the building quite a lot. And the best part about using PVA is it's easily reversible and easy to pick of the excess.

NCE is foreign to me so this is the only practical advise I can offer...