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And a video about the concrete in the depot... https://youtu.be/tI-S0ymPhP4

Recently been playing around with the Hobbycraft concrete paste. Wasn't sure how well it would work but I'm quite happy with how it's turned out, it looks better than the plain ballast I had before! Fair bit of sanding with some course 80 grit paper and it's come up nicely. Not sure I'd recommend it for N unless there's no rails, but I reckon it would be fine for O/OO. Needs a bit of weathering and blending into the surrounding ballast but in no rush to do that now. I'll be adding a video to YouTube sometime soon about it so keep an eye out on my channel... https://youtube.com/@finnbroughngauge?si=G7U_8855xwSacEfq

And in situ on the layout...

Finally got round to making the lift shaft for the platform. Just thinking as I write this I should probably have one for each platform so would have to make another two! Roughly based it off the artists impression of the Eaglescliffe station shafts that will be going in soon. By no means peak railway modelling or scratchbuilding but it's good enough for me! (The lift doors are open as I intend to have some engineers working on it with a barrier around the entrance, it's my job!)

Slow progress still really. The layout is far from finished (if it ever will be) but the bulk of the main scenic work is done so there's not loads to catch up on. Not until I start to redo the hill top fields anyway... So for now here's a few more photos of the layout in general, some more weathered stock and just some trains! Really finding the limits of what a mobile phone can do photography wise now. I've picked up that focus stacking works well if not sometimes a bit bit and miss (I just use an online tool, haven't got time for Photoshop!). I'd love a decent camera but really can't afford one, and when I borrowed my brother's the photos weren't any better than what I seem to get now. No doubt a bit of time and skill would help there mind! The biggest issues I have are A) getting close enough with a big phone and B) keeping the front edge of the layout cropped out (as I think it really ruins the photo). With hindsight I should of made the track further back from the edge and not parallel, but nevermind, maybe next time! Thanks again Steven

To be quite honest when I looked for the Gresley weekend as I said earlier, I must of completely missed that short journey ticket as for that price we would of had a ride. Maybe I went straight to the booking link and was intimidated by the £49? That almost seems like a bit of a trick to get people to pay more, why isn't it possible to book a shorter journey online? Again, they missed our money there (and I know I keep saying that but how many more have said the same!) I think it's a massive shame too as I've been going there since I was my Daughter's age (nearly two, where's that gone!?) and it always had that kind of magical feel about the place, I love the moors area anyway but they have got the whole experience nailed, especially getting the big boys like Gresley in, I'd hate to see the line be a shadow of it's former self but moneys tight at times for everyone! (Little side note, we didn't actually realise Gresley was going to be there that weekend we went, we just went for a walk. Which was weird as it was my Grandads favourite loco and he'd passed away only a few weeks before, spooky!)

This is the issue we had. We went through the weekend Gresley was there. Had it not been so expensive we'd of bought a ticket and had a ride on anything. My 1 year old daughter loves seeing the trains and enjoyed a ride at Llangollen railway a few weeks ago that cost very little. It was only a short trip, but that was enough for her current (limited!) attention span. My wife isn't exactly as enthusiastic about railways as I am and I'd struggle to get her to go back more than once in a year just to have a ride on a train which she finds completely boring, so £99 isn't a good spend for a day out really for us. And it's a shame as we only live 45 minutes away! Had it been cheaper or we could just go for example Grosmont to Goathland and walk back then they would 100% of had a ticket sale out of us, even if we had to pay for little one. Instead they got nothing....

Thanks for the comment :) Not loads of progress recently, busy month and a week away in the caravan means little time spent on the layout. Here's a short video of what's gone on.. You'll also find another video showing my Doncaster show purchases, and another detailing how I think the EFE JIA wagons need modifying to help the bogies go round corners better! Thanks for popping by. Steven

I would have been surprised if they announced a new 37, especially with sound as it would probably require a retool and they only did a "new" run of 37s a year or so ago. It would be nice but I'd be surprised. I'd also be a little bit annoyed as I've paid to have my 37 sound fitted 🙈😂

January video up over on YouTube Cheers Steven

Following the 67s relative success, I tackled one of my oldest and possibly favourite (just runs and runs!) locos, my Freightliner 66. Went for the light approach as there's not many photos around of these absolutely grimy. Also had some more garage time. Trying to focus on completing the canal area(ish) and the potash sidings And a bonus shot of Tornado getting some attention on the depot...

Been doing a little stock weathering. I've done my Chiltern 168, BR 108 and some wagons in the past but wasn't awfully happy with tbem. Started off practising on some old Minitrix mk1s. First one was a bit of a flop but it's ok. Second was better as I used an oil brush for the door gaps and physically did less weathering. Then I moved onto my Dapol dummy class 67. This is mostly in preparation for doing my Freightliner 66 and my BR large logo 37 (the latter I'm very nervous about!) So anyway here's some photos... First attempt Second attempt using the oil brush round the doors and Railmatch frame dirt around the bogies etc Black washed roof on the left and pipes(?) picked out with a Posca pen And onto the 67. Soot around the exhaust was done building up a few layers of tamiya oil stain powder. Same for the bottom frames and fuel tanks but not as heavy round there. A brush over around the doors with the oil pen and some Railmatch frame dirt on the bogies and that's this one complete. Really happy with how it's turned out, it's no where near professional but I'm happy with it!

More "daylight" photography yesterday. Tempted to look for some sort of led with a daylight filter/colour (if such a thing exists?) to try different angles, the sun only comes one way through the garage door!

More December progress... Canal is coming along nicely, ran out of some scenic materials now so that's work paused there for a bit! And had a bit of sunshine through the garage door at the right time, amazing what some natural light can do. The new mk1 from Farish And a couple of videos.... December update Christmas haul...

Love the weathering on this loco, what did you use for the frames etc? I fancy trying to do my Freightliner 66... Also on another comment someone made, focus stacking images is definitely the way forward in N gauge!

More detailing with the Scalescenes sheets, this time on the potash depot. The unloading shed still needs planting properly once I've got a bit more done in this area. The Hornby Lyddle End canal boat and lock, needs more trees to hide the tunnel mouth and some finer details, towpath adding etc. Also need to complete the canal basin in the second photo, the resin water slowly spread out too far need to make/buy some canal edges before doing another pour!

Depot suitably plonked back on the layout. It'll be coming back into the house soon to fit some interior lights. Can't decide wether to attempt a concrete surface for around the depot floor or just leave it as the ballast it is!

Let the Wife do some graffiti on the newly fitted potash area retaining walls. Not a massive fan of graffiti in real life or on models but think it's worked well here! Also tried to colour the potash (ballast!) A bit, it's kinda worked but it'll do. Needs more mounds I think! Plenty of detail to the scenery still required round here. Also detailed the old Farish/scenecraft depot with some signs from scalescenes. Idea being I can turn it around for Freightliner or Network rail (being the main one), as the Freightliner sign usually won't be in eyeshot. No one is ever going to see the emergency exit sign either but I'll know it's there! 😂

Little bit more progress recently, planted some trees and bushes, and more progress on the potash area and road.

Weathering some PCA wagons last night and painted the hand wheels and axle boxes. The heavily done ones are hiding the horrendous attempt I made about ten years ago when I didn't know better! Also a photo of the depot layby I added in the last update

Damp issue seems to be sorted. Ballast dried and repaired and a little oil heater now taking the edge off the garage chill! Fairly steady month on the layout, bits of progress here and there but it's coming together nicely, and finally made a start on the potash sidings. Had a little practice weathering the Farish 108 aswell. Bit heavy in places but the underframes look much better. Might have to tackle some of my preferred locos soon! And a little video update for the month: https://youtu.be/jr-FgJEM0Ss?si=w0eTiKRqxCj-UVHW

So discovered a slight issue this morning... Part of the ballast around the depot has got damp and gone mouldy. Suspect it's spread from the dodgy road area I found on a road part before. Cleaned up and started to dry it off, looks like I need to buy a oil heater to take the edge off the garage temperature. I've had better mornings!