Erixtar1992

Love this layout, Looks so realistic! may i ask where you sourced the signal with pigs ears and the cable arch please? thanks!

Track laying in scenic section, apart from the depot now completed, the 3 way point was a pain, ive had to extend the rails slightly and shape up the copper clad sleepers so that they will work with the angle they go accross the join. once finished and the boards were back together, i think it looked as good as i could have managed, so im happy. ive used gaugemaster DCC-80 autofrogs on the points. My thinking behind this was that i can then keep the electrical side of the points seperate to the point motors, aswell as them being cheap to replace if i have a failure. the added bonus is that i dont need to use point motors yet but the layout is still operational, as the frog switching is taken care of. the boards are now wired up too, i chose to use a solid copper core wire for both the bus lines. Its fairly rigid, so it doesnt flop about under the layout and looks far neater than normal wire. Did the job brilliantly! unfortunately however, my use of the DCC-80 autofrogs identified a flaw in my system, the NCE Powercab. the Powercab simply hasnt got enough oomph behind it to allow the autofrogs to operate correctly. Tried a Hornby elite and worked first try. this lead me to a decision, spend £30 on an uprater power supply for the cab, or upgrade completely. it was a hard choice as i love the powercab controller, IMO nothing matches the thumbwheel/speed controls on it. What swayed me however, was that in the future i want the layout to be automated, which would be a nightmare with the NCE system. this has lead me to buying a Digikeijs DR5000, as i can choose multiple controllers or use my phone, aswell as being easy to expand for automation/points&lighting control. set it up and 10 mins later i was running trains. Happy days!! ive also now laid some of the fiddle yard track, which is going to be insulfrog to save wiring headaches and probs wont be ballasted. So can now run trains again at last pics to follow! cheers, eric

So platform 4 now has track down, thats 3&4 complete! Quickly photoshopped the ID backscenes ‘just trees’ in, i think im going to go for this backscene but have them photoshop a few bits into it for me, such as where the station road would have carried on, aswell as removing a section of trees where the through lines on platform 1&2 are. also in the background i may have them do something too. Want it to properly suit the layout as backscenes make such a difference for photography. messed about with the pic in lightroom also after, adjusting the colours ect until i was happy, i think it looks very realistic! now, i suppose i better get the jigsaw out and cut the holes for stock to come into scene! happy new year all and thanks for following.

Harefield Road

Thankyou Dave, comments like that really mean a lot!

Went lighter on the paving, heres the comparison. I think its a big improvement.

Second platform done!! Just paint left. also a couple pics from a running session at the club last night

Been cracking on and got the platform for 3&4 shaped up with edging installed, aswell as other bits and bobs. here are some pics as the layout stands this eve.

Also ballasted a small section to get an idea of how the respaced sleepers will look ect. Im fairly happy with it.

Chopped up my station building, its going to sit as in the photos to give enough room for platform 4 & bufferstops, as if the station road continued off scene.

Haha no way! Didnt know about that. He would resemble a pancake afterwards!

The best part of the switcher banking the jumbos out, is that it does it without being coupled. When you think (hope) you have enough speed up to make it back beyond the signal, you give the driver a thumbs up and they just stop and leave you propelling back haha! plus there is noone behind the move when propelling which is a bit of a strange feeling!

Hi, yea i did indeed. Made one from some scrap plastic, including a jig for the peco streamline track spacing. cheers

Cheers rich. They are worth the money. have started laying the track now, made the decision to respace the sleepers. heres a couple random pics. Will update properly soon

Can vouch for AGR. Brilliant little shop

Now painted grey and lighting fitted to scenic area (ft pizza)

Boards all complete!! The O gauge even fits ontop in the same place just about! cant wait to get track down and trains running. It looks so smart compared to before.

Scenic boards now up in the railway room. ive now got a 2x2, 4x2 and 5x1 plain board to make so that the track can carry on around the room to give me a fiddle yard. had a small mock up of the rough track plan to give an idea of what i have in mind. The scissor crossover really helps with space. the MDF for the platforms needs cutting to size still also so take it all with a pinch of salt. eric

So here is my scenic area made up of a pair of tim horn 4x2 baseboards. now i need to mount these on the wall and then get cracking!

Baseboards have arrived!! i can finally get cracking with Harefield road. what a brilliant design these tim horn baseboards are, they even hand delivered them to me which was very kind. thoroughly reccomend.