Al.

Beijiao's new fiddle yard...?

It’s been a very long time since the last layout update. The layout got put away after Model Rail Scotland 2020 and has pretty much stayed that way since due to a wide range of reasons. It’s now back out and I’ve started slow progress on it again. At the moment the focus is on the far left hand board around the church. Two areas in particular; 1, the Crossing Keepers cottage. 2, the Farm House by the vine yard. The Crossing Keepers cottage will eventually have a garden and veggie patch around it, which the Farm House will be the site of the Kelly’s Heroes cameo with the broken down Sherman.

Tā shì...!

My DF4B ‘Niu Zhaoxia’ missed Tolworth due to me forgetting to bring it. Since last time it was out it’s had DCC sound fitted and a further coat of weathering. It looks thoroughly filthy now. Scrawled in the muck on the sides it says ‘I wish my wife was this dirty’ in Mandarin. But I think I’ve been a bit too subtle and you can barely read it.

It's got door mirrors. That's one up on the VW Golf.

Looks close.

Can't say I'm surprised. Always know I was punching above my weight there...

They're road washing bowsers. Used for dust suppression and road and pavement washing.

There's a prototype for everything.

We'll have people ordering mocha frocha cappuccino from us soon...

Wouldn't the easier and better solution be to replace the points with medium radius, there by removing the need to modify each loco?

You look in danger of doing more harm then good trying to working outside in this weather.

Here you go, Paul. The answer to all your woes. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vehicle_registration_plates_of_China

You'll notice the dump trucks on the motorway bridge already have wing mirrors and correct licence plates for the region.

Van not hitting a QJ? If it can happen, it will happen... What's the plug in the middle of the loop for?

Paul. The wide line around the curve was intended to be that way. The original crane was a bit larger then the red one we're using, and its arse would have been stuck out into the road to where you've placed the car. As the crane is now smaller, we do need to add something behind it. A tut-tut is a good idea.

What's the guy doing stood in the middle of the road?

Sao far I've got as far as ballesting the 4 foots of the yard area, painting the turntable, and started fitting rodding to the mainline points. It's been over 20 years since last time I did any rodding, and that time it was 1:1 scale, but I don't remember being as fiddly as this peco stuff.

Boudica Road is loosely based on the Kings Cross Loco Yard. The layout, measuring just 1.2M x 0.6M or 4' x 2' in old money, is more a static diorama at this time then an operational layout, However it is wired for DCC control and I expect to incorporate it into a larger layout at some point. Pretty early stages so far. The trackwork is down, and ash pit & turntable installed.

That's about right, just don't tell Paul. He thinks it says something completely different...

I've been working on some signage for the top of the good shed that sites front and centre of the layout. I'll be 3D printing these, but they are likely to be quite fragile, not I'm not planning to have these fitted until nearer the next exhibition.

Distinct lack on noodles on the tables.

No one stood behind her is holding their cameras straight either....