Big And

I can't believe its been so long since I last posted anything here. We were due to be making final preparations now for the layouts first exhibition outing but with that and the other outings for this year now understandably cancelled we thought we would take some photos and film and post it for others to hopefully enjoy. After a socially distanced logistical arrangement of getting the stock from its home to the layout all was set up and full weekend of activity was recorded. The stock used that weekend focused on items that had not been to the layout before and testing and trailing of formations was part of the plan. This first film has some of the Intercity cross country stock showing some options for earlier eras formations, blue grey liveries through to intercity livery. Here also is a film of parcels trains of a similar era.

Back in early March when club nights were still on the cards, I took some photos of the new bridge which Peter had brought to the club for the first time. It was well received and was worthy of some photos which (eventually) I am posting here. The girders below are from the Peco N gauge range and the posts for the handrails are from the Wills range. Other plasticard and strips make up the construction. The timber supports will be clad in brick/stone sheets. Stay safe and enjoy some more modelling.

Hi Andy, It has been most enjoyable to see such a comprehensive sequence of trains and noting each with their prototypical formations. Thanks for sharing as it is appreciated that it will have taken quite some time to compile. Good luck with the multitude of modelling projects, rolling and otherwise - looking forward to seeing the results.

Last year the club had agreed to build an extension to Oakbourne which had been progressing earlier this year. This will see 2 boards added to the station end of the layout - 1 scenic and 1 cassette fiddle yard. This will give the station through running which should will increases both operator interest and frequency of movements for the viewers. I felt some of the members work was worthy of photos and wanted to share them here . Peter has been leading the build and we now have the scenic board with the start of the land form - the board when finished will see the single line railway crossing over a river. These three photos show the card strips being woven together to create the bank leading down to the water.

Thanks John, The track is all C&L except the 3rd rail which is Peco parts. I felt the simple track plan could justify the time and expense. The layout is specifically simple - this was both for the sake of keeping the build as simple as possible allowing me to complete a sufficiently large layout in a reasonable time. I expect it will be enjoyable to spectate if not engaging to operate. Still, looking forward to exhibiting it. Andy

Hi Rich - Thanks for the interest. Not much has happened on the layout recently although a couple new rolling stock projects are underway. We do now have the first exhibition confirmed - this will be for Bexhill Model Railway Club on Saturday 8 August at St. Richard’s Catholic College, Ashdown Road, Bexhill-on-Sea, TN40 1SE. It will be great to finally get the layout out and used for it true purpose! Here are some photos from previous photo shoots,

Had some running sessions this week and took some photos and videos (videos on my Flickr). I polished the glass puddles as they had gone under a film of glues from the scenic works - much happier with these now.

Having been out with the club layout last weekend for exhibiting, I wanted to check how much space Two Bridges Up Sidings and associated kit would take up when being transported. This is what happened! -

Hi Rich, The Gatwick Express mk2s are Lima and have a variety of modifications. They have laser cut flush glazing inserts, some toilet windows infilled, jumper cables in recesses on the outer ends of the sets, buffers removed in the middle of the sets. Underframe has some details removed and some boxes added and the interiors are reworked with luggage racks added and some seating removed. I have included some photos of them on the nearer line for a better view. The GLV is converted from Hornby/Triange mk1 with the sides cut and shut to give the correct layout, with white metal bogies, underframe equipment and a brass sheet for the cab end.

Thank you. Here are some more photos.

We had a running session recently and have a whole bunch of new photos and videos to share. Please find a few here for your enjoyment.

Great weathering for the track, ballast, buildings. the dark sky is good to see as not many of us choose that.

Great looking track plan Mike, and a location with great freight action. Fingers crossed for seeing the project develop.

So here is a track plan as Steve has requested. The scenic section is intentionally simply both for reasons of frequent train movements at exhibition and for ease of construction. The up line and down line are both physically and electrically (the layout is analogue) separate in case of faults, each being run off a Gaugemaster 100M. Each direction has 6 fiddle yard sidings between 5 and 12 coach lengths. The signal for each direction uses an infrared detection and a timer to return through the colour sequence. The timing is just long enough so that the operator has to check the aspect upon approach - I find this quite an enjoyable part of the operation. The operator also has a switch with an override to hold at red should they wish to hold a train in the scenic section. The yard is again physically separate but electrically piggybacks on the up line and uses a Gaugemaster model W. The yard has space for 4 trains of 11 coach lengths plus the loco stables. The idea is to load with 3 trains and then in turn move one to the empty space. Occasional swap of locos completes the operational potential. Mike noted the undergrowth - I was aiming for early autumn colours so most of the trees are green but yellow and red tones are used and one tree has already dropped all of its leaves. Thanks again for the positive response - I shall look forward to looking up your own layouts and rolling stock posts. Andy

Hi Andy, The layout is privately owned. thanks for the comments - hope you enjoy the second set of photos. Andy

Thanks for the positive comments. Here are some more photos starting with an overall view of the scenic section and framing. At this rate of uploading I will need another photo running session soon!

It was suggested to me that I should start a thread for my layout on RMWeb, so here goes. Layout name - Two Bridges Up Sidings. Era – 1980 – 2000 depending on stock being used. Type - Continuous Loop Exhibition layout, scenic at the front with fiddle yard behind. 4.4m long, 2.5m deep, track is at 1120mm above floor. The intention of the layout is to offer a way to run and exhibit the rolling stock that my farther has been collecting, detailing, building and weathering over many years. The requirements of the layout therefore were to be able to run the stock fleet which was southern region and consisted of freight trains of up to 10 coach lengths plus loco. Much of my design time was spent trying to maximise a fiddle yard plan that would give some roads of 11-12 coach lengths whilst allowing the layout to be set up in the available space. The project had to be both simple enough for a first-time layout builder but meet enough of the design wish list that the end result was keep me motivated. “Two Bridges Up Sidings” is 4mm OO, set in a fictious location is the Southern Region. The layout has a double track main line at the front of the scenic section and yard reception siding and loco stabling sidings behind. The idea is that off stage to the left (around the corner and under the bridge) is a junction with another line and a station. Off stage to the right (past the second bridge) is a goods yard. I wanted to avoiding modelling a large station or yard which would have required unsatisfactory compromises as the intention was to be able to run lengthy trains. This would be a location that was good for photographing and filming trains thus promoting the stock. As such it can be said that the operating potential of the layout is minimal due to its simplicity, however this simplicity should mean that keeping a frequent running service for viewers to enjoy should be easy. For a spectator it should take about 10 minutes to see all 15 trains run. The details of the layout should suit a period from approx. 1980-2000, and only the selection of stock being run should close in on a narrower era. Here are some photos of the layout for you to enjoy.