Markmiller2008

Two small jobs i have carried out in between the mountain of Re-wiring the layout to DCC are as below The Carriage sidings platforms are being lengthened to allow Four car EMU's to be stabled in the sidings, Sidings 1 and 2 will accomadate the EMU's with Siding 3 being a general use siding as this platform hasnt been extended. Luck may have it that i had two spare Hornby Carriage siding platform legs left over in my bit box so these were duly added and two pieces of Plasticard added for the tops. All thats left is to repaint the platforms to match, but the whole length may be repainted yet. Job number two was a fairly simple replacement of a broken retaining wall, the old one being removed fairly easily and again a piece of Wills Brick Section found to be added. Needless to say i had painted the Bricks in Engineers Blue! Which meant an overnight covering of Modelstrip to strip back to the orginal colour. A replacement top section was also fitted and all was blended in to match. That's all the work so far i have carried out apart from the Rewire to DCC, the next job is to develop the areas above the underground tunnels with an industrial unit and a redeveloped bus station. Mark

I hear you passed 7X09 at Leamington whilst that was sat in the middle road as well. I really should have made an effort to come out somewhere for it but didn't find time.

There's some photos of 4TC's with 33's as power through Leamington Spa on Troop trains from Wool to New Street.. http://petertandy.co.uk/33113_whitnash_17689 the Railtour livery ones made there way to Stratford Upon Avon a few times. Mark

Fuel usage was the main reason behind the replacement of the 67's on Chiltern services, at Notch 8 (Which they needed to use most of the journey) fuel consumption was very high.

20090 stands next to the replaced point.

Hi All Success with the point wiring today, all wired up and checked for twenty minutes by running one of my class 20's up and down. Just need to weather the point when i can get hold of the correct colours to match. Then it will be back to scenics. Im hoping to have the layout ready for exhibition invites by the end of the year, so if you'd like to book the layout please get in touch. Mark

Hi all Disaster struck on friday night whilst i was prepping a point for 3rd rail installtion i damaged the point on the far left by the bridge. I have a replacment which just needs the wiring done on it (which im not entirely sure how to do) and then weathering to apply. Elsewhere the scenery is coming along slowly but surely, the area around the river bridge is nearly complete and the raised area is progressing. Mark

I've had a few days off work and nothing to do so I've ventured down the garage for a few hours most days and finally getting somewhere with the scenics. Ive decided to ditch the office block/factory i had at the back of the layout as it just didn't look right, in its place will be some retaining wall arches which I'm going to make look very run down. Due to clearance issues this will turn into just a retaining wall behind the station but never the less it will look the part hopefully. Ive also nearly finished the street scene above the tracks, with some pavements now in place i just need some streetlights and then one last building. Im hoping to have the layout available for the 2018 Exhibition Circuit all being well so that i can retire Saltisford Lane.

I've managed to get hold of some code 60 rail and started fitting the third rail to the loop line so far. Getting there slowly! Whilst i was in Koln a few weeks back i bought some trees and put these into position on the layout, only to realise that i need a fair amount more now! Rolling stock wise i now have the following Locos: Blue 33, RF 33033, Two Dapol Class 73's (to be 105 in IC and 002 in LLB) 50049 in LLB (Bit of a wild one as it would have been in RF by my timeframe) and 56037 EMU's: Three MLV's (NSE,Royal Mail and Jaffa), 2EPB's (NSE resprayed and Bachmann's Blue and Grey Version.) 2BIL 2090 eventually in its 1980's rail tour guise. I need to crack on with the layout as id like to retire Saltisford Lane in 2018 ideally and Heath End will be its replacement.

The Midland Metro when it was being built had various industrial shunters on works trains so i dont think thats far from being plausable. Great layout so far Simon. Mark

Trust me to be away when you're right outside the office!

Jim, What time are you through Banbury tonight? I'll pop out onto the work balcony and give you a wave if its before 23:00. Mark

You could have a 3 CEP like im getting done! it did happen occasionally. Mark

Looking good Colin, Good to see youve gone Southern. I'll look forward to having a go with some of my Southern stock. Do you need the Fiddle Yard points to be motorised? I dont bother as its easier and cheaper not too! Mark

Oh thats different to what i was lead to believe.

I agree with you Jim, I think the speed sign and arrow shouldn't be attached to the signal. Funny that our H&S walk about didn't pick that up!

There is a Depot Departure road (Where the Slam Door Stock is being stabled) and a Depot Reception Road, Both are seperate sidings currently and not connected to each other. Platform lights havent changed apart from the top end of platform 3 where the new platform 4 is. TBH the whole station lights could do with having the white lights fitted to it. Mark

Jim, You just going to Mantleswood and back or down the whole lot? If your passing Banbury give us a toot in the portacabin as you go past! Mark

Hi Jim, Great shots of your trip around my neck of the woods, had i known it was you id have probably made the effort to go out for it! I think i may have seen you on Monday as well with the Banbury to Bescot as you passed Warwick Parkway whilst i was waiting for 1H04 to take me to work. Mark

That looks like the Chip isnt giving a gap between the PCB and is frying the wires. Ive always put some insulation tape over the PCB on my 47's to prevent that from happening. Mark

Ah yes it worked then! Yeah that would lend itself to a decent sized SR terminus! Lots of 2EPBs and 2HAPs then! Mark

Colin,. That Looks Cracking so far. Keep up the good work! Mark

Hi Jim, I was at Derby yesterday and spotted this, was it you? Mark

Hi Jim, Nice to see you back on Chiltern Turf! Shame i wasn't in work otherwise i would have seen it pass the Office at Banbury. Mark