Edinburgh Junction

Been out today to Crewe to meet up with Danny (trainsrgr8), Richard (60maniac), Fred (JZjr) and Luke for some bashing with some DRS locos and what ever else comes in the miserable weather. Caught 47712 'Pride of Carlisle' with 20301 'Max Joule' and 20304, where they were on the 0Z40 from Crewe Gresty Bridge to Barrow Hill, for the tour tomorrow to Hastings and back to Barrow Hill. Then a Freightliner convoy came in that we spotted running around at the Diesel Maintenance Depot south of the station. They were 86612 86610 and 90046... unknown working, but was good to see them. So, appart from loads of bl**dy voyagers, pendos and 350s, nothing else. Saw a 158 in EMT livery, nice it was too, along with a 156 in the blue EMt livery. More images can be found at http://www.flickr.com/photos/cheekymonkey56

Brings back so many good memories from the old forum... Some of them did go OTT, but those were the best!

Ha ha! My favourite RMweb topic is back! To start off, lets go RMweb, I wonder if the 82s could become EMUs?

Hi Dave! It is a stunning Model! A good runner. the double pack is a ltd edition from RailExpressModeller (REM), and are ViTrains, and are 'Demelza' and 'Rebecca', the other 2 colas duffs. Im not getting them, but they are just a double pack of this.

Here is ViTrains Colas Rail 47739 in all its glory.

Thanks Dave! Merry Christmas! Ill be fitting the duff with its DCC chip and running it around later... I've got a few Top Gear things such as a V8 pencil sharpner, and a stig pen and keyring torch. On the model side, I've got 4x Preiser people (people walking up stairs, climbers, sheep, trainspotters), plus a lovely Woodland scenics bottle of PVA... Also got the DRS DVD from Daventry - Carlisle

Thanks Rich! I know how to! Just a message to say Merry Christmas, and a happy New Year! Hope you enjoy yourself, and I'll be back tomorrow with pictures and videos of Colas 47739 'Robin of Templecoumbe' and what ever comes railway related....

Your welcome Dave! I can get some pictures for you. I will post them later when I get my camera out. I haven't painted it, and won't, as they are prototypically grey, but usually a darker grey, but this is my first layout, so no worries for me. The footbridge just about spans 3, and sits perfectly on the platforms, though to get it 2 track, the path bit that spans across has 2 breaking points, so break off the 2 small bits and it will span across 2, and don't put the plain piece of plastic in either.... you will know what I mean when you get one. I will be painting it a cream colour.... Its ia Dapol kit too.... Thats ok Dave! Better be safe than sorry.

Hiya Dave! Thanks for poping in! Much appreciated! It may look better, but everyone is learning, and at some stage, their layout will be as good as any, though there are people who are extremely good at certain things such as jim s-w who's P4 New Street layout is taking detail to the max! The gantry my friend is Dapol's. Its a plastic kit, and I needed 3 kits to make it. 1 kit can span over 2 tracks, but to make it to 3 track, then you just add half of the other kit to it, so each gantry is 1 and a half kits. Easy to build, but I recommend you use a quick glue such as Loksick (or what ever it is called).... CLICK HERE TO SEE WHERE YOU CAN BUY THE GANTRY Hope this helps, and thanks for commenting Jack

Regarding the point motors, the 2 curved points will have their motors mounted from underneath, whilst the right hand standard point, will have it mounted on the surface. To cover it up, not using Hornby's base for it, it will be mounted inside a metcalfe signal box, another one, which will have a 'dissused' look about it. It will have a bit that sticks out too at the back that I will modify to allow the point motor to fit in the right way. here is the plan of what it will look like

Not been an update for some time, so I need to update you viewers. Today, I purchased a big bottle of WOODLAND SCENICS ballast (one of many) to suit my model railway, and so I could finally ballast my extension hopefully before Christmas. So, with my track now cut and along with the platform, I could finally get some work done. I have placed some cardboard underneath the platform tracks to raise them, so I could get a realistic effect with my ballast, which I have done so. The terminus half of platform 5 is the ballast guinea pig, where I put some ballast out, and placed it where I would want it. To be honest, it looks really good

Well, Im rather glad that Peco are bringing out these budget uk prototype catenary systems... very usefull for all modellers. Wonder what their price range will be.

Me and a mate have just filmed a new advert for Edinburgh Junction, using a 'camcorder' unlike my compact cam, and filmed it in 16:9... looks very profesh! lol

Another update: I haven't cut the platform or track, but the platform is glued in place, and the track is tacked down. So, tinsel around the layout, a big 3f xmas tree by the new platforms, and its all christmasy. Website is now updated, and has changed slightly.

Lol.... Yea, good packaging! lol

Going to cut some track tonight, so the platform track sits on the extension, rather than on the control panel. Also, if I have time, will get the platform shortened for the same reason as the track. For my signals, Im not going to be using wall mounted Eckon signals, so I can scratchbuild a gantry, im going to be just using normal 3 apsect signals, as with the space available on the platform, and how long the trains are on the platform, there is no point. Its normal signals for this extension too! So in the long run, its cheaper. 3rd carriage ordered, and getting it for Xmas. Its the very rare Hornby R4330 'Tourist class' grand central carriage (why they are very rare at the moment, no body knows).... The 10cm gap, will be some sort of a field, with a tractor, cows/sheep etc... a lovely little country scene. Good idea methinks!?

I think this could be a winner for the competition. Good one Jon!

Looks amazing! Really good stuff matey!

Looking right Looking left

Yea, as much as I want to have another platform, do I need another set of points? Mmmm... will look around in the model shop for some inspiration.

With the track being early, it was time to nip out today to the woodies, and collect my ply wood (10mm). Yea, got that, and some timber! Screws, hard work, drill, saw and ta da! I got my extension, a very firm addition to the layout. Got my flexitrack, so I could do my curves to my platforms.... Ah, big problem! Can't put the fishplates on..... sleepers in the way. Track moves everywhere.... AGH! Stuff the flexitrack, use it for spare if needed. Just got a piece of R609, cut it in half (makes 2x R608s), cut about an inch from the end of one of the 'R608s' and do a bit of sleeper swapping and I have my modified track, to put in! I've tested the pendo and 153 over that bit of track, and it runs really smoothly. Just need to do some work on the track, get 2 R608s (proper ones) for the platforms, and im done! Board is 10cm wider than planned, so need to think up on what to put in that extra 10cm.... and ideas guys?

Track-idty track! Yea, something that hasn't arrived in a package for me for ages! Its the track for the extension! Was ordered as a surprise by my parents... He he! Right, its all of the track appart from the curves 2x R608 3rd radius (the shorter ones, its double brother is R609). I have got a video up http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRlb68A3HhA And a few pictures for you to rootle through: An overall view of what the terminus extension will look like The station platforms demonstrated by its units its going to be served with, which are 153324 (right) and 156465 (left) Coal Sector 37239 tests out the loco stabling point opposite platform 5 Enjoy!

Fantastic! Really good! Keep it up!

Bufferbeam coat 2 just gone on, nice and fresh. In the photos, you will see that I've made sure I still have the holes for the detailing pack.... I will be going around the loco once finished all of the painting (which is very soon) with a bit more DRS blue, just to cover up any splodges of paint, or to cover up the cab side.....

What a clever little system! Did'nt know they had interior lighting.