wiggoforgold

5 hours ago, spech said:

This model was the highlight of my day at Manchester; I absolutely loved it. I came back a few times in the hope of expressing my appreciation and asking a couple of questions but you always seemed to be busy having your ear bent by somebody else. I hope you're considering bringing it back this way some time. 

Sorry I missed you at Manchester. We had a very enjoyable time. Who would have thought back then it would be the layout’s last outing for a couple of years? No plans to venture that far north again at the moment. I’m down in the South West, so Manchester was quite a trek. There will be developments reported here though.

8 hours ago, brianusa said:

Good to see an overall picture, Alex.  

 How about a bolt on P/Town branch and the turntable - would look good!😉

   Brian.

Thanks Brian. Behind the curved fascia of the baseboard in front of the up platform building is a substantial girder that another board could be bolted to, and the track bed of the lifted branch is a "proper"  track bed, not just cosmetic scenery.  :)

Alex

I’m building new control panels for

Diddimgton. The plan is to construct them at the same time of the layout with everything being wired up as it is installed, thus the basic panels are being built at an early stage. There will be two panels, the driver's panel which has the section switches set out geographically and a separate signal box panel, where the switches are arranged like the levers in a signal box. The levers will be appropriately colour coded, and numbered to correspond with the signalling diagram.

My model of the “gas house” referred to in the diagram posted by LNER GE

8 hours ago, LDM34046 said:

Excellent weathering Rob.

 

Can I ask what varnish you use to seal the weathering powders?

 

I’ve used Humbrol Spray but it leaves a white tint and the models look ‘dusty’

What Rob says above, but also, might I suggest Mig "lucky" ultra matt varnish. It's more matt than the Huubrol, and dries smoother.

Alex

That fits in with what I remember. I think there was a track in place on the bridge over the Ouse to Godmanchester until August 1961.

Alex.

1 hour ago, LNERGE said:

That's an interesting plan Richard. When is it? After the line between Huntingdon East and St Ives was closed presumably? I remember standing on the old down platform at Huntingdon East looking at a train of road railers that had been parked there.

Alex

5 hours ago, 46444 said:

 

Great news Alex.

 

Hopefully this means some Ivatt action in due course... ;)

 

Looking forwards to a photographic update.

 

Cheers,

 

Mark

Only the class 2 though, not the class 4 which is too big for the headshunt.. I reckon a 78xxx would fit though 😊

10 hours ago, LDM34046 said:

A brilliant model. I’ve had mine sat in the box for two months as I still need to sort out a decoder and stay-alive for it.

 

Initial impressions are incredible. The level of detail is second to none.

 

 

I look forward to seeing your photos and weathering!

I ran my pair for the first time in two years yesterday and they ran as well as they did when first out of the box.

Alex

Upwell Drove hasn't been run since the Manchester show in December 2019, so I thought it was time to check everything. I am pleased to report that after a bit of track cleaning, everything- locos,track sections and point motors worked, so we are in business.

Alex

10 hours ago, MrWolf said:

 

Strange that the mortar hardly shows up in these photos. I do need to blend in the base of the building to the ground.

Anyone know a neat way to do it?

Wrap the building in clingfilm and put it on the layout. Fill in round the base with Das or similar air drying clay. Let it dry. Remove the building and take off the cling film. You should be left with a hole in the .about the building will neatly fit in.

Alex.

10 hours ago, NHY 581 said:

Evening Bill, 

 

Curiosity has got thd better of me so I've popped in for a nose around......

 

 

Rob.

Me too! Having found it, I shall be back :)

Alex

Looks great Rob. I actually have two boxes of bolts. One is for the layout bolts. The other is a spare set (or three) in case I ever mislay the layout bolts.

Alex

I suspect a leaking roof is quite likely :) And what lies beyond that slightly open door?