PMP99

Std 4 2-6-4T ‘80097’ sits outside the shed awaiting its next turn of duty.

I wasn’t entirely happy with the teddy bear fur due to the paint clogging it, and a rather too dark colour in places. Therefore I have applied a static grass mix over the top. Need to add more bushes and trees.

The last few months have seen the original fiddle yard taken up, as the design of it was not particularly logical, and the points were not motorised, nor did they have live frogs. The new design is longer, has more roads, points with all live frogs and Seep point motors controlling them. In addition there are six short storage sidings at one end. Completion on this has now allowed all the stock to be brought out for the first time, and a programme of some weathering, fitting lamps and adjusting couplings has taken place.

The ‘retaining wall’ has now been painted to blend in with the bridge.

A small development is the addition of a couple of telephone kiosks. The remainder of that edge of the layout will be tall hedgerow in due course.

There has been little progress as I decided to do a major rebuild of the fiddle yard on my 4mm layout which is ongoing. However I have been experimenting with the low relief buildings behind the wall. As shown in earlier pictures I had printed off some downloadable low relief buildings to try the effect which were to 4mm scale. Taking one of those as an example I scaled it up to both 5.5mm and 7mm to the foot and scratch built a couple of buildings. The larger one to the right was the 7mm one which I then reduced in height as it seemed over bearing, and made it as a ‘factory’. I think I will standardise on 5.5mm scale for further ones.

The new wall construction is complete and has been sprayed with primer.

The original wall along the back of the layout, which was made using brick paper, has been replaced. A new one is under construction which still requires the coping stones added. The embossed styrene sheet gives a better ‘three dimensional’ effect and will be coloured to match the bridge.

A little more progress now that it is too cold in the garage to work on the 4mm layout. Platform lighting has now been added .

Bridge railings and gates in place

Will do thanks

I have paid a £30 deposit some months ago and as far as I can see I will be charged the balance nearer dispatch. Should I be concerned that I haven’t had an email in the last few days? Graham

Toll houses and bridge deck now in place.

A start has been made on the construction of the toll bridge.

I’m sure someone will correct me if I’m wrong however I think you will find the standard GWR brake valves on the larger locos were two position with a separate control for the ejector. You may be thinking of the three position valve fitted to the smaller locos that had the ejector built in. On those vertical is the running position. Graham

Yes, mine has reverted a couple of times, but that doesn’t solve it

I seem to have the same issue now? Graham

Blackened the tyres on mine, I just used a Sharpie which seems adequate.

Green until winter 2007/8 when repainted into black. Repainted to Red winter 2014/2015 Graham

Platforms and shelters now complete.

Whilst I make no claim as to its accuracy gwr.org.uk states. many refer to GWR Locomotive Green as Middle Chrome Green. This is not actually correct. Middle Chrome Green was the pigment colour used to make the GWR Locomotive Green Graham

Yes, 1501 was Southall 1500, 1506 and 1507 had spells at Old Oak according to BRdatabase

Thanks for the explanation, certainly effective. Graham

Can you enlighten me how the tank sides were buffed, certainly makes a difference. Thanks, Graham

Couple of posed pictures on the layout.