RBE

They will be welcome to guest any time mate. Its always nice to have variation in stock. As you know my stock list is rather small at the minute so any guest locos are a bonus. Cav

Those trees look much much better. A lot more 3D I feel. The cameras are pretty cool too. Whos are they? I dont think its necessary for them to move really it was just a passing comment. As for the extension as you said I think there is still plenty you can do on this layout without the extension and its easy for thoughts to turn that way when you near a finishing point. Space is an issue when you do that though. Outon Road which started life as a micro layout has grown to 10ft when fiddle yards are added to each end and now the extension is planned will be 14ft!! I wonder sometimes whether I shouldn't just build another layout altogether!! haha. Cav

Cheers Oggy (?) Much apprieciation. The layout is Outon Road, theres a layout thread on here and also the build and summary of the layout so far in the 2010 challenge section. Cheers Cav

Neil that is a million times better. I might have to take a look at the gaugemaster backscenes for my extension. Im considering a custom made one looking down a big yard though for one end of mine. Are you pleased with your new look? Cav

It will die as the Heljan motors are very current hungry! Dont do that!

I have that problem with my Bachmann powered 90 on its Hornby chip. Its very growly and kinda judders a bit at low speed. Horrid. I think its the cheaper chips when used on some locos. For instance the chip in the 90 was in my baccy 20 before which ran like a dream. Weird stuff. Id try it in a few locos til it works then get slightly better chips for the others. Cav

Haha you had the same idea as me. I haven't posted in here for a while so thought I'd add one! I always thought this was a good one and when I showed it to a work colleage the other day (never had anything to do with trains) she said 'what is that a model? I thought you were just showing me a picture of somewhere you'd been.' Cheers Cav

Its all coming together well now and I like the fact you scratch build everything as afterall we're modellers right! Question though which chaps have you used for your depot staff as I'm gonna want a few kicking about on my extension for Outon Road around the road entrance to the main off scene yard. Also do you know of any manufacturers of builders that I can use for a building site scene? Cheers Cav

Thats very unusual as fire doors need to be kept closed at all times (other than going through it of course) even when doubleing as a staff door. I door that opens both ways cant really be guaranteed to close and lock after use. I suspect that there weren't many fire safety inspections made at your old place!! i wonder if its still like that now?

Sorry to disagree but as a designer in the construction industry I have to design fire exits etc all the time and push bars are exactly that push bars. They enable fast exit in case of fire. Hit the bar and the door opens. It can only be on the inside, and only on the side that allows the door to push away from you. If it was on both sides one side wouldn't work as you'd be pushing the door shut. Pulling to open it would just engage the lock more. Still great detail though Neil and not something you would necessarily notice as wrong unless you stood and thought about it. Cheers Cav

Are you planning on a working tram then Neil or just a static? Perhaps in a station? Cav

I rather like this. Simple yet very effective. I would like to see some nice welsh backscenes though to really bring it to life!! Cav

Yeah Neil any extra stock is always welcome. The 09 would certainly be welcome a return visit. Progress is going well on deeping by the looks of it. the compound area is particularly effective.

Railfreight 27's? 26's methinks! Love them though. Nice and small and lots of details to play with. Bit scottish for your area though innit? You'll love DEMU its a great show. Smaller venue this year but should still be a fantastic event plus Outon Road will be there so even better! lol Might even let you guest drive for a bit if you like!! Cav

Ok send me your email address and Ill do you a zip file. I will research the black loadhaul weathering tendancies and weather to suit! Its a good livery. I like the triple grey version though which I did one of a few months back, that one was awsome I didn'y want to give it back to the customer!!

I have a load of sign graphics that I just print out on card then varnish. Works a treat. I'll send you a zip file if you like. Do you have photoshop? if not you can bang em in word and scale and print in there. Is the loadhaul black or triple grey? Cheers Cav

Some good ideas there mate. I like the idea of ditching the fuelling point as there is now a bit more room to store PW wagons or even wagons coming in for repair. Is that not a fuel tank in your shed? As for signals I doubt that there would be any in the area you've modelled. It would all be internal movements. Maybe a stop board as you come upto the three way point to get permission to proceed to where you're going but beast 66606 might be able to better advise. I just think a stop board sometimes adds some detail even if its not completely accurate. I added one to Outon if you noticed! As for the locos I look forward to giving them a dusting so to speak. the Hornby 60 is my favorite model to weather. Is it ews too? they weather up sweet. cheers Cav

Starting to really look the business Neil. Really liking the depot. Are you intending to build up the ground levels anywhere or will it all be flat? The 60 will definately add to it. What livery is it? Cav

Great job on the depot neil, looks really good. I really like the idea of all the lockers and pillar drills etc too. Perfect for some atmospheric sounds i think. Cav

Holiday - Greenday

Thanks for the big up everyone. Im really loving doing these transition liveries. I think i might even get a few for myself. Cheers Cav

Excellent job there I especially like the tyre note! Another tribute to how great the Vitrains 47's look. The best shape of all the manufacturers for me.

Coming on a treat that Neil. I'm liking the depot and inspection pits especially. The 08 looks a treat too Anyway heres a couple of quick photos of your 09 prior to posting back to you. Cheers Cav

Thanks for the shout on the 08, your 09 will be done shortly!! Looking forward to seeing this layout progress. I wouldn't get too carried away with the car thing though. Cars don't move on layouts so don't brake! Maybe a traffic jam would look better, you can add loads of brake lights there!!!! Cav

The Mansfield show was a cracking affair, glad I could help mate. Anyway, looking good Neil, I would use a nice urban photo backscene with this one to give it much needed depth. Will work a treat I reckon. My only concern if any is the fuelling road, looks a bit tight for a really long loco like a 60 or 66. You seem to have a little room to extend it a bit before the road though if you need to. As for the wiring, I would just isolate the points completely at the crossing end and then take extra feeds to the sidings. I always find it better to hard wire the point blades so that you no longer have to rely on the switch rails picking up off of the main rails. Gives better running IMO, the three way is a bit more complex though as there are polarity issues where the two opposing switch rails cross each other. Would be simpler to feed the DCC into the toe and leave the switching pick ups to the point. Any issues being stopped by the isolating fishplates. I just don't like to do that!! lol Whats your plan for the fiddle yard? Cassettes? As for Torkardlanes ideas, anythings possible, except perhaps breeding 1:76 scale foxes!! The moving cctv camera is a cracking idea though which I may have to blatently steal for Outon Road!! Cheers Cav