philiprporter

Does anyone know if Dapol will be releasing the Blue-grey HST as a 254 unit? If not would re-numbering suffice to produce an Eastern Region version or are there major detail differences? Shame about the twin packs as I have a full rake of MK3's now (aside from the catering vehicle)

Managed to free up some time after a crazy few months at work - the overspill structure is now almost complete and the tunnel mouths have been erected (just visible in background) - apologies for poor photo quality; its a mobile phone image.

A few shots of progress to date - firstly the overspill which is almost complete - the 'steps' need painting the correct colour; I had no idea that Humbrol 'Matt Olive Drab' (number 66) and 'Matt Olive Drab' (number 155) were different colours hence the greeny shade on the lower steps (Matt Olive Drab 155) as compared with the correct shade on the bridge section (Matt Olive Drab 66!). The capping stones are almost done - they need toning down/weathering and those in the foreground won't proceed much further up the wall, as the upper areas of this side of the structure on the real thing are 'concreted' over as part of repairs made when the structure partially collapsed, I believe in the late 1940's. The large concrete supporting struts in this area will be added when the overflow is in place on the layout and sealed against any water leakage. This is a general view of the layout - the bridge over the canal is partially mocked up in the foreground while the 6 road fiddle yard is to the left of the photo.

Thanks guys - its good to be back doing some genuinely relaxing modelling after a tumultuous year or so and great to be contributing to the forum again rather than just reading it and wishing I was doing some modelling! I hope progress will be steady now given that the track/electrical side of things is complete - using foamboard and styrofoam for the baseboards presented some interesting challenges there!! My apologies that I wasnt able to post any pictures last night - will rectify that this evening with a shot of the overall layout and a few other bits and bobs

I thought it was time to begin a layout thread given that I have re-started construction of an n-gauge representation of the Marsden end of Standedge tunnel. The main feature of the layout is the striking canal overflow structure which was originally meant to be an entry for an RMweb challenge a couple of years back as it was to feature 'real' water - the original thread for my entry can be viewed on the old RMweb site here. Sadly a combination of health issues and insane pressure at work forced me to withdraw the entry, but times are happier now so the I'm carrying on where I left off Thanks to some help with electrics from forum members the track is now laid and working just fine after some teething problems getting the transition from superelevated curves on the scenic side to 'flat' track in the fiddle yard area right - hair tearingly frustrating given that only one loco had 'issues' with the transition! The track has been ballasted and weathered and the overspill structure is about 80% complete (a deceptively complex structure and hard to get looking 'right') - will post some photos later. In the meantime here is the track plan:

Amazing as ever - will look forward to the video and some more pics! Is this a 'layout that never leaves home' or is there a chance of seeing it exhibited and/or written up in a magazine?

Thanks very much indeed for this Dave - I would say that this limited time that you have available makes this layout an even more remarkable achievement!! I need to go away now and give myself a stern talking to and just 'get on with it' without any further procrastination of excuses!! I look forward to seeing many more photos of this sublime layout, Best wishes, Phil.

Simply awesome modelling - truly inspirational and as someone who never seems to have any time to work on his model railway, I'm wondering how much time you would need to spend to build something as magnificent as this?! Is it an 'every weekend and every evening' time committment or 'a bit here a bit there'? I'm just intrigued - and frustrated by my own lack of progress!! As other posters have said - BR Blue looks great and look forward to seeing the Deltics