magic_monkey09

The layout plan has completely stalled over the past 2 years or so and I've only really been mucking around with stock rather than building the layout. The scenic side to the layout is still there and hasn't been touched in years as I've mainly been using the non scenic side as a fiddle yard/blank canvas. I've been contemplating building a diorama HST depot and sidings on this part of the layout similar to Laira and Long Rock. Ideally I would like a really long servicing shed either low relief or possibly full size as the backdrop with several stabling yards with overhead gantries etc. Space is limited and a full length hst already takes up 80% of the boards length so I'll see what can be done. Anyway before I get started on all that I've been tinkering with the HST's again and I've renumbered and added Rail-Tec nameplates to a couple. Hornby's 43017 is now 43020 MTU power passion partnership and 43192 is now 43056 the Royal British legion. I also have renumbered one 43142 Reading panel signal box but the Cab side numbers are over sized and need re-doing.

Officially you need a TGS, x5 Trailer standards, one buffet and one trailer first in that order. However sometimes GWR sets can be a bit mix and match running short formed with buffet cars missing and the wrong way around. Also first class carriages in place of standard class etc. Green power cars/carriages are often formed with FGW blue sets so you have plenty of variety.

Unfortunately IEP's are done with vinyl wraps and have a more satin finish. They are white underneath. The HSTs are painted though and the glossy finish on the model is superb.

These 3D nameplate transfers are brilliant and alot easier to manoeuvre into place compared to etched and they look just as good . Do make sure you apply a layer of gloss varnish onto the model first though. (I tried to take a shortcut and apply them directly to the model and they kept rolling up so do take care) Here's FGW power car 43142 'Reading Panel Signal Box'.

Nice little shunter. I fancy one myself but they're so pricey for the size of the thing. The 57 and Harry Patch look good there on the depot.

Having had a massive clear out recently I can now focus entirely on FGW stock and HST's. The weathered blue set is sound fitted and has the light lenses correctly painted white on the inside while the Harry patch set has just had the lights done. The other two sets are still pristine for now whilst I fiddle about trying to get all the lights to work on them.

Having a large clear out of stock at the moment via eBay so have managed to get some Mojo back whilst being in the loft recently. Here is my attempt at a high density FGW HST set with the new composite type mk3 combined with a mini buffet and one first class mk3. Plus a pic of a real mini buffet counter.

Liking the HST's. Nice to see a FGW theme also. You don't see much FGW modelled on here considering the ebay value of FGW branded models. Would like to build a HST depot layout myself but a full rake is so long there's not much space to do so sadly . The EWS end to end TMD is a bit overdone nowadays and they all look the same in my opinion. Lovely work keep up the progress.

Hey guys. Hardly been in the loft all summer. Only just now getting back into it. Ebayed the local lines sprinter and voyager a few months back and one of my dynamic lines turbos that i hardly used. But other than that I haven't done any work on the layout. I'll get a few pics up soon of my fleet on the layout which will be mostly FGW HST's and Arriva units. Thank you for you patience

hey sorry Ive only just noticed this post. Yes they are indeed Resprays of the newer Hornby model but good quality resprays. I got them off an ebay seller

its from Olivias trains sheffield. its a professional respray not the usual vinyl overlays

Some more tinkering with rolling stock again on the work bench. 40733 has a CDL fault and has the troublesome door isolated and taped out of use awaiting a fitters attention and slam door test.

Sorry for the lack of updates guys. Literally have done hardly anything modelling wise to the layout for the past few months although I did manage to weather the under frame on my local lines 150.

Just incase Hornby mess up and put a Smooth roof on the FGW buffet you could always convert one of the TSO's into a Mini buffet by painting out the inside of the first window and adding a yellow stripe. Prototypical as FGW have 19 mini buffet cars and 35 full size buffets I believe.

hi guys. will the colour be close to the Bachmann 150 in this livery? hope so as I deliberately avoided Hornby's class 153 as it was a completely different turquoise altogether.

i'm afraid not . although it is quite simply 4 running lines on a continuous loop with only the one side of the layout having a scenic section. Both curves and the fiddle yard are un-decorated. Also a few sets of points on the scenic side link all 4 lines together.

Yes it is quite close to the track, I used to have it at the front but I kept knocking it so I moved it over the other side not to damage it as the brass construction bends out of shape quite easily. But i agree it would be more realistic to give it more space.

great modelling class "66", got a little bit of a soft spot for EWS liveried 37's myself. I've got the factory release of 37114 as well. Although I used a finely tipped permanent marker pen for the black split boxes, saves masking up the thing and waiting for the paint to dry especially if your planning to do more than one black split box nose

in a couple more months the layout will have a very festive feel to it. might have to run a christmas special charter

Trailer First 41143 leaves old oak common on a low loader bound for Kilmarnock to be converted into a Trailer standard as First Great Western looks to increase standard class capacity across its HST fleet.

not sure that last image is prototypical strictly speaking as just thinking about it now i'm pretty sure that a class 57 cannot haul a power car from the van end without the use of a barrier vehicle.

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a quick few photo shots whilst mucking around in the attic.

thanks keith, I thought i would have a winter themed layout as modern snow layouts are rare.