Leon

Brilliant !

ello Peter, Thanks mate for the comment. Your fuel tanks look great. I've had the plasticard here for sometime now ready for the retaining walls, its time or a team of about 6 people is what I need to get things done...lol. Not really worked on the details yet, just trying to get the basics down then I can concentrate on improving and adding more realism and detail. Thanks for the pics. All the best Leon.

Hola all. Thanks Pacer Lover, where in the Valleys are you ? Had 30 min or so in the atic this evening, took a pinta bow with me so go no work done at all, the servicing point is still just trackwork. Going to place an order for some lights for the wagon wks and also the Corus plant. Soo much arriving through the post and not getting built, starting to build up a bit now. Loco inspection platform has been her for weeks but no servicing facility ready to use it... Have got two out of three floodlights wired up, bit tempory wiring at the mo just wires wrapped together. Anyway got a few pic on the Blackberry not cam so quality no great. Not sure when I will get anything more productive done sorry. Leon.

Hi all, Managed to get two of the Yard Tower lights wired up today, The 3rd "blew up"

Thanks Simon, I agree I do need to mix it up a bit. Thanks Grimley I do like the Sector livery but they are grey, a splash of colour is nice either EWS or the older Rail Blue. Not got any steel wagons yet, only got about 6 wagons in total. I was looking at the Railfreight BDA's for if and when I have any spare cash. Thanks Georgie, the 66 is a great model I see now why you like them (maybe one more)lol, the 37 is shown earlier it 37201 in Trainload Matals livery. ViTrains from Hattons. James, Thanks, I did get Mini-Natur that you reccomended sometime ago, I used the Autum tufts I believe, maybe need some more. I also bought a roll of the grass mat which is very green. I have also used the Noch static grass, shows up better in some of the earlier pics. Maybe I need to run a balloon over it again. I will get somemore and mix it in a bit I think. I did buy some Humbrol Matt Varnish instead of the hairspray ? I have picked up a hanging basket liner ready to use as a number of people have recommended, Cramdin Yard use them to great effect. My Fiancee is already anoyed at me taking her tweezers into the atic do I dar'nt risk her hairspray..lol Cheers all Leon

Also put a Hornby chip in the Vi 37, I orderd a Bachmann one off Rails and they sent me a Hornby. What an anti climax that was ! The 37 is slow to respond and make a hell of a noise. Then I ran the Bachmann 66, super smooth and quiet and very very responsive. Not sure if its the Vitrains 37 or the Hornby chip. ??? I have a Hornby 56 & 60 which run well.

Forgive me, I have gone over to the crimson side. Never wanted any EWS but always had a liking for the 59 and 66's. Simon aka Pimanlarger kindly sold one of his 66's to me. This may be the only EWS I will have. Its just off the boat at Newport docks, she was commisioned on the dockside and put straight into traffic hauling empty freightliner wagons to Pengam sometime in 1999 ?? so will stay in ex works condition. It is a splash of colour to the layout which I find pleasing to the eye. Also to blame for the "shed" is mate Georgie who I know is a big fan of them. Not great pics sorry as was in a bit of a rush. Notice that the Yard office is now boarded up. Unsure if the weeds look right, they look a little "Praire" wildwest to me, what do you think ? advice... Regards Leon.

Had half our or so last night so just added some more weeds and washed over the ballast. Then took some pics..

Hi Keith and thank you for the advice, I am some way off weathering / detailing my rolling stock but I will remember this when it comes to it. Not much done recently, cant really get my head into working on the stableing point. Think I need some inspiration.

ViTrains Class 37 arrives. Waiting for digital chip and detail to be fitted. Was really impressed, thought the Bachy would be alot better but I found the Vi sits lower on its bogies than the Bachmann which looks better, also better fan detail. Not added all the details parts yet or run. However first impressions are good. Few more on the way for remumbering I think.

Wow, are these picture of a model or photos of a real station ? Regards Leon

Morning Brian, I was just thinking the same thing. Im thninking what I can make one out of, maybe I need to get some brick faced platicard. I need to "concrete" the depot area first before I worry about buildings etc. Besides, no Transrail here mate...Still British Rail.. Just poped my head into Canton Depot (closed) on the way to work for some ideas. Not been there for years its all Network Rail now.. You cant even have access to the bridge over the line anymore. Did see a large logo 50. Off now to do some real work, (after a coffee, have a good one.

Looking at the tracks I think Im going to replace the card between the rails with filler to give a "closer" concrete look. The rails dont look set in concrete like on the pictures kindly posted by Brian.

The H&S guy (Mick) sugested a barrier so now we got one and some fencing. Thanks Mick lol Also copied the fuel tanks idea from Dave's Cramdin Yard, sorry Dave.

Thanks Neil for the kind words.

Hi Alleras, Looking at this picture now I do think some sort of barrier would work well, maybe an old manual operated one but in a raised position ? What do you think ? I could proberbly knock something up myself from odd bits of scrap.

Hello alleras, Thanks for taking time to comment on my layout and Im glad you like the steelworks. I do intend to add more "clutter" and atmospher. Funny you should mention the colour of the buildings, to keep costs down Im making do with spray paints I already have in the house..Im not sure if this will work when I come to build the servicing shed in the depot area as all I have left now is Silver !..We will see. As for the road crossing it was intended for lorries only, not as a general acsess to the steelworks, I have got the various H&S sinage to go up before the crossing. I did not think of a barrier, however I will know consider this. The area and adjoining track is for loading/unloading from rail to road, hence the lorries, Its copying a scene I often see along Ocean Way, Cardiff of lorries qued up. Intially I did want to model a South Wales Collery as I think there is no better sight than a pair of 37's with a rake of HAA's but I would have be limited to just coal trains. Once again I thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts, I welcome any advice. Thanks Leon.

Christ I I bet nobody knows those wagons are even there....! lol Thanks Brian.

Morning all, Did a bit today on the unseen like more wires...... Not much more to see above the baseboards yet so just added a few pics.

Not really train related but attached a few pics of the work I done on the atic to get it usable.

Thanks Lewis & Mick much appreciated Leon

Hi all, Cut the track to size in the fuel point area this evening ready to be wired up live on Friday. The inspection pit is also ready to be sunk. Once the track is fixed down and wired I will start to concrete then contsruct the sheds and fuel storage tanks. he shed area will consist of 5 tracks, one for fuel TTA's, two for the service shed, and fuel, one for stabling of two locos and one "overgrown" for any depot wagons. Need to crack on as an inspection platform is on the way. Till next time.

A few more pics of the branch along side the steelworks from the docks im working on still. Been adding some grass from International Models here in Wales... At the mo I only seem to have half hour here and there which really doesnt work well. Need a few full days..

Cantons 60062 pulls a heavy petroleum train of TEAs from the docks.

Can anybody help with the photo on page 5 ? I wanted to model the train shown at some point. All the well wagons I have seen seem old, in this pic they seem quiet modern. Is this the case and does anyone know what they are and If I can get them ? Thanks Leon.