SRfanJV

The next series of improvements centred around the replacement of the midland signals that had somehow found their way onto the layout over the years. I also used a piece of bullhead rail to attach the nickel silver l&swr sign. The base will be ballasted and static grassed later on. Im planning on putting point rodding and signal wire posts in so it would be better to wait until this is complete. Continuing the signalling theme, I then decided to move the location of the kernow LSWR signal box. In my opinion I felt it was too far away from the running line in that a signalman could not pass a token to the up train, rendering the balcony useless. Once relocated, I then decided turn the steps at 90 degrees as per some North Cornwall boxes (admittedly differently styles) so that i then came straight down onto the barrow crossing. This is a ratio crossing, however I am now going to change this into my own crossing using coffee stirrers to get a better effect.

First post on the work that has been achieved so far: I started off small, by adding some subtle details such as the roxey models lineside hut and ballast bin. This is a white metal kit which did require a bit of filing to achieve a good fit. I followed this by giving it a coat of Halfords primer and then painting the concrete colour on with Precisions paints weathered concrete colour. Once it had dried i started to weather it with some powders a d the use of some dry brushing. The door was painted with in BR (s) green and the hinges also picked out. Finally, it was secured to the layout and some diarama pressepe foliage added to the back as though it was growing up the side. I need to turn the roof 90 degrees as it is not aligned where is should be, but this shouldn't take long.

This model was originally built during the 2011 Hornby Magazine live exhibition as a layout in a weekend challenge. It was constructed by Hornby Magazine Editor Mike Wild, Richard Proudman and Graham Muzpratt. After being exhibited on a few occasions, I believe the layout was sold on and eventually it ended up in Portsmouth. In August 2020 it was put up for sale and this is the point at which I come in. Generally I am 2mm modeller and have been for over 15 years, building N gauge layouts of Bodmin General, Trelill and Wadebridge. I also volunteer at the Swanage Railway, an important point in how I have come back to 4mm (for now). During the Covid lockdown some of my friends from the railway all of whom model in 4mm 'put pressure' on me to build a layout in 00 that could be linked in with their own projects. Eitherway, I cracked, but did not have time to build a layout from scratch myself. not long after, Ashland as it was then called was advertised for sale on Facebook which is where upon collection of the layout, the story of 'Ashlands' begins.

I'm wondering if anyone can help. When building Wadebridge, I have been extensively using a library of photos that were contained within RM web that now seem to have disappeared. This is an absolute nightmare as it contained a huge number of images that i have not managed to find anywhere in published literature. The original link is here: https://rmweb.co.uk/photos/NorthCornwall/ If anyone knows of a way to access these photos, i would greatly appreciate it. Thanks,

This evening has resulted in a tree that now has some semblance of bark on it. This was created by making a very thick mix of artex and glue, followed by dabbing it on with a brush until I became happy with the shape. Once dry it was given a coat of grey primer. the next stage before painting will involve using to sand paper to smooth out any sections that are too rough and not inkeeping with the shape of the tree. It wll then get painted.

A quick coat of PVA mixed with artex this evening saw the whole tree covered. Once dry, I will sand down any areas that are a little thick and then add a final thin layer of a dryish mix to pick out detail and make it look more 'bark like'. More to follow shortly.

This evenings work has consisted of finishing the basic tree shape by using the multicore wire and solder to bend up the basic branches and then shape them together. This was then followed by a thick coating of PVA glue. Finally, artex was coated over the top of the glue to start forming the bark. Once dry, another 1-2 coats will be needed to achieve the desired finish. Once im happy with it, I'll move onto to painting the bark and applying foliage.

Ok, so it might have been a little later than a week or two, but below demonstrates the first part of the process of treemaking. I have used mains cable earth cable for the main trunk. This was then wrapped around with multicore 3 amp wire. I then soldered this up using a 50amp soldering iron. This is primarily for getting enough heat into the metal. It does use a lot of solder, but it makes the tree stronger than just using tape. Branches were then added using the 3 amp multicore wire and some fuse wire. The multicore is particularly useful when creating the small branches. This is the stage that I am currently at. Far more branches still to add. The key is using photos from real trees to help create some realism in the shape that you are trying to achieve. Another progress update will follow soon.

Hi Ben, I know its always difficult to say....but is any update on a rough arrival date for 56xx's at all? Thanks.

Hi there, Thank you for your kind comments. In the next week or two, I will build up another one and hopefully give a step by step guide of how to do them. Thanks, Josh.

Construction has also started on the bungalow that is at the Eastern end of the layout.

In addition we have also been working on the tidal stream towards the western end of the layout. Finally, the track for the 'weighbridge' will eventually go across the new bridge over the stream is in the final stages of construction by Ketih.

My goodness, its been nearly a year since I have posted on this thread. Truthfully not too much has happened to Wadebridge since last year. I do hope to return to it soon. Below shows one of the treesa that has been made up for the Eastern end of the layout.

Coronavirus bites. Unfortunately due to the worsening Public Health situation, our club evenings have now been postponed indefinitely. Therefore, Wadebridge has had to come down and be removed from the club room. This initially is going to put a considerable dent in progress for the time being as space is limited at home and only one person will be able to work on it. I hope to be able to keep providing updates, health being well.

Not much time available this evening but as I'm waiting for more parts to arrive from the 2mm association to finish off the previous van and shoc, I thought I would make a start on the next ones. There will be five more in total. Tomorrow night at the club should see more progress made on the fiddle yard.

A very quick update tonight. A very basic peco shoc open wagon has been made up. This will be enhanced by cleaning up any bits of swarf and then a good clean up in the sink. I will also be replacing the plastic wheels with metal ones and various bits of detailing added such as draw hooks, vac pipes and then finished off with a trip to the paint shop at somepoint. B&b couplings have been installed as well, nothing to strenous for a Monday.

Its not just the layout that is progressing at the moment. We will eventually need enough rolling stock to operate 4 layouts (if and when they all go out together). As part of the drive to fill this requirement, wagon building has been taking place. The wagon above is an SR 12 ton box van kit produce by the 2mm association. The wheelsets are also from the association but have an N gauge profile and the buffers are brass also from the 2mm shop. This was an enjoyable kit the make apart from getting the axlebox covers on. This pin point bearing diameter was too large for that of the box covers and I couldn't ream out the diameter much larger as there wasnt enough material to do so. Having said that, more 2mm association kits will soon be constructed. The second van is from the N gauge society shop but made by peco as a kit. This wascfsr simpler and quicker to build. However, I'm not a fan of the chassis of these kits as they are very 'plasticky' and overscale. Having said that, variety is important so after some underframe mods I will do some more. The couplings are B&B couplings which are far less obtrusive than the regulation rapido coupling. Final detailing such as Vac pipes will be added after painting and transfers have been applied. You can just imagine this as a short Wenford goods, now where is that 1366 tank (progressing slowly...very slowly) or even better a beattie well tank..... Next items will be a Maunsell P set, this is being made up by Andy Cooper for me out of Worsley works kits and 2mm association SR bogies. The next item for me will be a shoc open wagon followed by an SR cattle van.

The p-way gang have also been at work on the track by the turntable. The newly made point has been laid in and the track renewed up to the turntable deck. The next piece to lay in comes of off the point and 'S' bends its way towards the coal stage.

Recent progress has been focused on getting the fiddle yard complete. The covers for the point motor rods have been made and a first coat of varnish applied. pre varnish and labelling for the 3 way point rotary switch. first coat applied. You can also see that the fiddle yard control panel has had a frame made and once sanded down, this will also get a varnished finish. Supports for the fiddle yard roof are also being made (front right of picture), these are needed in preparation for adding the hinged sections of the roof.

More progress this week with the area at the town end of the loco shed seeing work. This involved clearing the old materials out, sanding and filling where required. Finally new cork has been laid. Keith is now in the process of constructing a new point to replace the old one. There is barely any original track left from the original layout now bar the bit you can see in the picture.

Its been quite a while since the last post. So a little update in what has been going on with Wadebridge. To be honest, most of it is not visible. The Bodmin end fiddle yard has seen the most work. As can be seen in the photos. A new point has been made to allow a gentle alignment into the bodmin side of the fiddle yard. A new handle is in the process of being made for the traverser. The last electrical work on this part of the layout has just been completed. The next piece of progress or regress (dependent on how you look at things) is the removal of all of the trackwork around the turntable and Padstow end of the shed. We felt that the quality of the original trackwork was simply not acceptable to keep, so out it has come back down to the baseboard surface. Repairs will now take place, a new point will be made and then all of the new trackwork will go back down again.

We had a good day yesterday with Bodmin General. Hopefully another good one today.

We're at Taunton Rail-ex this weekend with Bodmin General. We have enjoyed ourselves immensely so far at a very high quality show. Come and see us tomorrow if you can. A couple of photos from today below: