Merlin242

Got a fair amount done today. Worked on the sound CV's on Falkland Islands with some success. Added some details to the new Black 5 .

Then stated on the shed area. Replaced the plain point with a 3 way so give access to the coal hole ramp. Put the ramp in position then laid the tracks.. Wired up and fitted the point motors. . Started to paint the rail sides. The coal hole ramp is shorter than I would like as more wagons would be stored on it

Can anyone tell me which side the loaded and empty wagons would be? I never saw one in use just the mechanical ones or the flat version like Lancaster Green Ayre

Mike

Work moves on after a brief holiday with more work round the engine shed and 3 moguls to try out. 42968 has been transferred from Wyremouth to join its sister and  Ivatt classes 2 and 4 to set up. and start to add extra detail, coal etc

The long slog of ballasting has started  with much of the main line done. The loco yard at Hincaster is underway but the point in the centre  has been left as I plan to replace it with a 3 way to give access to the coal siding for the LNWR " coal hole " which I plan to add shortly. It will make a nice contrast with the much larger No.2 mechanical plant based on Carnforth

The main circuit and yard are now functioning so some trains are being run for fun and to iron out any problems. Also trying to get to grips with sound that it helpful to the atmosphere but not just quickly an irritating noise and that is a challenge.

I may hope I have now cracked how to upload photos.

Work on the main double junction is almost complete with just ballasting and the curved lines to cut and fix on the lifting section.

The track is code 75 and bullhead track. Pity bullhead points are not available

Pictures and more information are are here

https://www.facebook.com/Hincaster.Junction.a.00.gauge.Model.Railway/

Hincaster Junction is a new 00 gauge model railway being constructed to cover the time period as a train spotter in my youth in Lancashire. Having sold our steam railway I now have the time and some space to build a representation of what I saw back then. Having looked at several actual locations I decided to try to aim to create the atmosphere rather that model an actual location. The exception being a model of Windermere station.

I was given by first Rovex train set at the age of 2 although not allowed to play with it for some time. This gave me on a lifelong interest in trains of all sizes. I had a model railway in my tean age years but interest in the real thing grew stronger.  I was fortunate to live in the Lancaster area as I left school and steam finally finished in 1968. I moved into railway preservation at Carnforth and the model railway took a back seat. I has heavily involved in preserving industrial standard gauge steam and then with the Bolton Abbey Steam Railway. Finally we bought and developed the Rudyard Lake Steam Railway. I did help George Hinchcliffe along the way with his 0 gauge Invercliffe & Fort Fay railway with is full scale model of Glenfinnan viaduct. So I have experience of a wide range of gauges but reverted to 00 as the best compromise for the space available 20 X13 feet and because I had a lot more of it than 0 gauge. 

The layout is in what was Santa's present store which is a very substantial shed. I has a new roof cover installed and spent a couple of months insulating it and then cladding the inside. finally fitting a laminate floor which is a great success and makes life much pleasenter and lighter when working underneath the base boards.

So far the base boards have been installed round the room and the main storage yard laid and the basic circuit is running. So trains are now being operated( played with)

I plan to record progress and started a gallery and have set up a Facebook page as well  for those with a more general interest in what I get up to at : https://www.facebook.com/Hincaster.Junction.a.00.gauge.Model.Railway/

Mike

There is also a bungallow currently for sale in Hest Bank which has a model of Glenfinnan Viaduct in the garden. My parents looked at it when they were looking to move, gave us quite a suprise.

This was the home of George Hinchcliffe ( Flying Scotsman, Gainsborough, Steamtown) who built a very large 0 Gauge layout which ran right round the garden. The viaduct was cast in one piece and is full scale. I helped build and operate it which was done in the traditional manner with block bells.

Any more photos you can share?. I remember the location well in the 1960's'  in my train spotting days