CovDriver

I had a similar layout many years ago and when it was scrapped I forgot I still had the layout plaque and I found it again in the garage. I thought why not it's something different and it fits in with the small station theme. Cheers Colin

Many thanks guys I will have a look while I'm waiting for my units to be prepped on Soho depot tonight but in the meantime the layout now has a name.

Here is a photo of the approach into to the small fiddle yard the points are all peco code 75 electrofrog. I'm not planning on using and point motors at this stage but I simply haven't got a clue how to wire up the track for DCC operation, such as where to put isolating fishplates and feeds etc... Could anybody help me on this as I'd like to get it up and running asap . Many thanks Colin

Thank you for the kind comment the platform is built up from a plasticard frame then peco platform edges have added with brick paper inserts and weathered. The platform surface is just plasticard and painted grey

Hi sorry the original post was a bit misleading I didn't realise exactly how much BR southern region stock I had so it was changed to a kent branchline I really must change the original post thank you for pointing it out as I didn't notice it for looking so to speak. Many thanks for your ideas regarding a name I'll be following that up for certain. Cheers Colin

This could be my last post as SWMBO is going to go mental if she knew I had brought the layout down and set it up in the living room but here's a few pics of the current state of the layout that still hasn't got a name. Please excuse the mess as the joys of having a 5yr old daughter who will insist on playing with every toy that she owns for about 30 seconds then becomes bored until the DCC sound loco's are run on the layout.... Any suggestions please as I really can't think of something suitable. Anyway I hope you enjoy the pics. Cheers Colin

I love the quote stabiliser rail from now on when ever I'm asked about the shoe gear on our 350/1 fleet they're gonna be called stabilisers for our trainee drivers. Some cracking photos Jim. Cheers Colin

I'm really looking forward to this book this is my old stamping ground as a kid and now my bread and butter it'll be great to compare the views from then to today. Cheers Colin

And the law of sod strikes again as I'm on long weekend. I'm not back in until Wednesday morning with a 0526 book on and prepping a 12 car 350 set at Birmingham International.

Great pictures Jim I'll have to keep an eye out for you as from next week I'll be doing a lot more trips to Walsall with the new Rugeley/Walsall to London services starting again after 50 years. And I agree it's great to see the 08's back at Bescot doing what they had been built for. Cheers Colin

Sorry for the lack of updates on the layout/scenic board. I've sort of lost my modelling mojo again on the layout building side of things and I'm currently on holiday up on the Cambrian coast in Harlech. I'm considering moving the scenic board on as a potential project that would need 2 fiddleyard boards to make a small exhibition layout. And perhaps start a micro-diesel depot/wagon repair themed layout as I've taken more interest in weathering and detailing stock now I'm getting to grips with airbrush. Once I return home at the end of this week I'll try and post a pic or two of the scenic board in it's current state which to be honest is about 70%scenic complete. Cheers Colin

I shall be popping into that shop in the centre of Birmingham in about an hour or so I might have to have a look if there's any bargains unless Jim beats me to it again

Anyway trying to get back on topic are there any bargains out there other than that place that shall not be mentioned in Birmingham? I won't be adding anymore updates regarding bargains from that place that shall not be mentioned in Birmingham in future as it only stirs the Hornets nest everytime then we all throw our toys out of the pram because you don't want to come to that place that shall not be mentioned in Birmingham for a bargain. Cheers Colin

The only day I didn't go to Ian Allan on my PnB and there's some decent bargains on well nevermind.

Sssshhhhh Don't mention the Ian Allan bargain table

A new loco to the fleet 37035 waiting the road from the holding siding. I've been after one of these 37's in Dutch livery for a long time so in way of celebration I've also fitted Loksound V4 decoder with legomanbiffo 37/0 sounds. Plus I've started to apply all the small detail on the scenic board of the layout. Cheers Colin

Thanks for the tip I'll give that a go probably next week when I should have a bit more time after work. Cheers Colin

Thank you for the kind comments I've now toned down the 3rd rail and weathered yet more rolling stock seen as I had the airbrush out. The 33 just needed a bit more muck on the roof and the 419 and GUV are straight from scratch by toning them both down on the roof and underframes and a quick pass on the bodysides. That's all for today. Cheers Colin

Well I've had a complete change of era and region now its south of the river out in the sticks. I just need to weather the juice rail now to tone it down a bit.

Just wanted to say fantastic service from Rails ordered a replacement Dapol signal yesterday at about 12 midday and it arrived with me about 30mins ago great service.

There was a load of queen Mary brakevans on the table as well I think about 10 in total at £17 In the satlink western region livery of red and yellow with a weathered finshed. Cheers Colin

Well not much work on the layout apart from weathering the track as I've had an airbrush for the last 5yrs or so I decided to finally give it a go and see what all the fuss is about. The two pics I've added are my first ever attempts at weathering with an airbrush. Hope they're upto a decent standard. Cheers Colin

Well seen as I'm back to work on Wednesday I thought I'd try some weathering with my airbrush that I've had for nearly 5yrs and never used so the photo of the 33 above is my very first attempt at weathering by airbrush. What do you all think for my effort ? The ballast is now dry and to be honest it's not the best but im hoping to weather the track similar to what I did on Ashbridge. Also I'm thinking of removing the lower quadrant signal and replacing with a SR/BR upper quadrant and adding some 3rd rail. Cheers Colin

Jeez was it really November since my last update well a lot has been going on since then unfortunately I had another suicide jumper at the beginning of December and I lost all interest in railways to be honest. Christmas time was a difficult with what happened at work. Then all of a sudden the modelling mojo was back and with time off I've done a bit of work on the the layout. Hopefully I can get the ballasting done tomorrow. Cheers Colin