Markmiller2008

Last night myself and Shane completed the fiddle yard wiring, each board works separately so hopefully when we put it all together it will work as expected. We took down the three scenic boards after we had completed the wiring on the last fiddle yard board and then popped three of them up. As you can see from the photo 50036 looks a bit lost on its own there currently. Hopefully we will get to find somewhere to put the layout up and test it in the next few weeks and then it’s full speed ahead for 9th October! Mark

I had a loco and some coaches out today to test the scenic boards after some electrical work to add D connectors for the board joins In other news, our first exhibition looks like it will now be Cradley Heath in October as they’ve been very accommodating for us to attend. Lots to do before then though! Mark

Some more 3D printed items put onto the layout this time it’s more railings on the pavements. Also we have been pushing forward on the intention of completing some of the fiddle yard conversion to DCC. With the exception of one point which requires an auto frog two boards were completed and tested and along with the two that have already been done we are getting closer to the layout being fully rewired. There is just Four more boards to rewire and then hopefully in the not too distant future the whole layout will be able to be put up and tested. Mark

Really Impressed by this layout, Well done with your work on it. Mark

Hi all latest update is that some lights have appeared on the layout, they are from Layouts4u and work off 12v DC, already have the resistors soldered on which is a plus. Just need to get myself some yard style ones and then also a few more of a different kind for the old part of the dockside. Mark

One Set with 68010 is now back in traffic as 68010 is not affected, DRS have provided 68018 as a rescue loco so that the one loco can be used again.

I’ve had a little bit of a running session this evening after popping some wire loops on the sentinel and 05. Also given the new warehouse and it’s companion at the back a wash of Matt black to give them a bit of a weather. Mark

I think it’s awaiting DRS to make a decision, ultimately they are their locos so Chiltern have taken the safety conscious view of stopping them whilst the issue is resolved. That being said 68018 arrived at Wembley LMD earlier to be a rescue loco so that the one loco not affected 68010 can be used again.

That's my point, it seems an assumption was made that it was the Sockets/Jumpers which its not. I think the Chiltern ones are from the first batch and such the TPE ones maybe differant, its not affecting any others apart from those.

Jim, If that was you on 3Q50 this morning, Bravo for the thrash leaving Banbury! Mark

ETS is electric train supply, different to ETH, its the brackets to the ETS module underneath that have been found with cracks. The reason that the locos are always orientated the same way round is a driver/union agreement to drive from the cab furthest from the rad fans due to noise. The Nature of the faults mean they cant just turn the locos, plus at the moment they cant move anywhere until a plan has been formulated for their repairs. Mark

And just like that after a full afternoons work the building is done bar a bit of weathering. Mark

Progress on Peartree had slowed down not helped by only having one board to work on. Armed with an improvement plan, I spoke to @JSModelsand asked Jonathan if he’d be willing to draw and cut me another custom building based on his range, the intention to make the layout look more uniform quality wise as I was never happy with the LCut Warehouse (if anyone wants to buy it let me know). The kit from Jonathan arrived yesterday and I’ve wasted no time in getting on with it, it’s a bit further than these photos now but as I’ve hit the tedious painting of window frames I’ve not got any others as of yet. Next improvement will be working yard lights to replace the naff PD Marsh ones, any suggestions on lights would be appreciated. Mark

11 units have been found with Cracks on the Jacking point areas whilst inspecting for the Yaw Damper cracks already known about. GWR are running PAD-DID with 387s, DID-SWI/BTM OXF-WOS with Turbos, their service is pretty much next to nothing at the moment. Mark

69001 moved south today for painting.

A few more 3D printed items have been placed on the layout this week. The barriers replace the hoarding that the original version of the layout had which we wanted to change and I think it looks very good like this. Also continued some work on the greasy spoon van area, which is nearly done although awaiting the taxi office portacabin to be finished. Mark

The other side was finished off today and glued into place. Getting there slowly. layout is available for exhibitions when they start up again, contact me for info.

Thanks Andrew, they really help set the scene i think

So I’ve been working on one of the boards with a boat load of Model Railway Scenes 3D prints (no connection just a very satisfied customer) and below are some photos. I decided the fence line in front of the low relief Buildings just didn’t suit the layout but luckily these wall and spear fence combos look amazing on the layout. They are a pig to paint how I wanted them but never the less worth the effort.

Test Coach Mars was delivered to me yesterday and was taken for a spin on the front of an 2 EPB. The EPB then departed to go for conversion to a HAP Mark

Some more little improvements added over the last week, Running in station signs, railings by the pelican crossing, greasy spoon van and the addition of ground signals to the stabling sidings. Hoping to get some more wiring done over the next few weeks. Mark

Mars was delivered to me Yesterday evening by Shane. Doesn’t it just look stunning

Mars then entered the Works Of Shane Wilton for continued progress Shane had to replace the cab as it had changed its shape a bit which meant the cab windows were wonky. Shane then pretty much added all the bits that need to be added before painting so it should only take another couple of years to finish! Untitled by Shane Wilton, on Flickr Untitled by Shane Wilton, on Flickr Untitled by Shane Wilton, on Flickr Untitled by Shane Wilton, on Flickr

Hi all In my quest to find weird and wonderful things to run on Ashbridge and Southgate Park i came across Test Coach Mars. Mars was a converted 501 DTSO and can be easily made (must be if i can do it!) from a Bachmann Suburban Coach and a Replica MLV cab with some fettling. Mark

Hi Rich The Loriot looks very good, Might have to try get an NEM Socket and coupling on mine too now i've seen its possible. I've got a Digger to go on mine from Kibri but i need to get the sprues painted before i can build it as its green instead of Yellow! Mark