Northpoint

Here's a very fortunate find - Base Toys lorry lettered for BRS North Derbyshire. It could most likely have been seen at Ashbourne (assuming it is from a prototype!).

Having seen Andy this morning at the Gresley open day busy weatheirng, it inspired me to have a go with a couple of wagons.

Hence the need to replace it with a more Midland looking one..!!

I've been making and adding ground signals this afternoon. Made from styrene rod for the post, square styrene for the lamp, a disc cut out of 20 thou with an office hole punch, arm and balance weight from scraps. Sprayed black, face picked out in white and red decal stripe.

Now we skip forward a couple of years....

I've just discovered this on ebay: Probably more in keeping than the one currently on the layout.

The tank was Fleischmann actually but still excellent considering it is no more than a circular pancake motor. The diesels were Piko and they ran extremely well too.

That's alright, Andy. It's not as if you're the first person to ever do that on this forum!! Back to the comments about weathering and decoders - I wholeheartedly agree, although I was rather pleased with the effect on this one. I would add though that I am still always disappointed with the quality of the running with the majority of UK locos I have experienced. Some of you will be aware that a lot of my modelling time is spent in the realms of the USA, Germany, Holland etc and I'm afraid many of the UK offerings are still a way behind the latest US and Continental models. Strange, given that thye're probably all made in the same factory these days!

I'll look forward to that Andy. US themed after your experience at Nottingham?

Thnaks, William. Yes - the Bachmann 3F factory weathered and factory installed DCC. Still needs its Kadee couplers. I'm pleased to see that manufacturers are at last realising that weathering is more involved than just a spray of earth coloured paint across the bottom half of the model!

Here you go...

I guess it's because the project was always to build a small layout and the terminus suited the space. The use of Ashbourne for the name was more a "stick a pin in the map" and came after the layout had been conceived. I never really considered the history until the other day. I would like to think it is a plausible "what might have been" and I'm surprised the Midland didn't have a go at it. I went to Ashbourne for work this morning and parked in Sainsbury's car park which is next to the station hotel. I could see what appeared to be the parapet of a bridge, presumably from the old right of way.

North Staffs wasn't it? Or LNWR?

... and a couple more photos as requested. That's all I have for now. I'll try and get some more later in the week.

That's a good question. I haven't thought about that in a lot of detail but I have 2 possible scenarios: 1) a junction on the Duffield - Wirksworth branch following the Ashbourne - Belper road via Hulland; 2) a junction on the main line just north of Derby following the A52 via Mackworth and Brailsford. As for Ashbourne itself, again, a couple of scenarios, both close to the town centre. Much of the residential development on the east and south-east side of the town is unlikely to have been there in the period I'm modelling (early 1960s).

Re backscene - whilst I used the Gaugemaster one on the original layout, I noticed it has a curious mix of bare trees and trees in leaf! I have decided that this one will have a minimalist backscene - blue paint with a bit of painted foliage. Although, if we get a decent day in the next couple of weeks, a trip to Ashbourne (not far from here) might be on the cards to see whether there are any useable views of the town that could be photographed and used on the backscene.

I didn't realise it was 6 years ago that I last posted in this thread. A lot has happened in that time.... First, the original layout was sold! I'm not really sure why as soon afterwards, I built it again, but this time as a mirror image. It languished in my garage in a semi completed state for a number of years until I dug it out earlier this year and the appeal reasserted itself. So, here is Ashbourne (Midland) mark 2. It even has a lighting pelmet now: Still a few things to do before its debut at the Sutton Coldfiled show on 23/24 April. It can also be seen at Derby on 7/8 May.

There's a nice drop of Old Peculiar at the pub in the village of the same name.

You had better get a move on, Ray. I was expecting it at TVNAM next year!!

Good luck!

Excellent, Dan. Looking forward to seeing it on Saturday.

I'll put you on the list.

Looking good, Rob. Are you sure you want to go on holiday in stead of bringing the layout to TVNAM?

There's a lot riding on that statement, Dan!

I know all about fitting in the car! My last attempt for our Midlands meeting in March failed and I had to ask somebody else to take Foxley Park. Fortunately, it is only just down the road.