big T

Nice one Scott, glad to see you've done another one. Cheers Trev

Love it Peter - no RF Coal decals!

Hi Peter Thank you! She looked great when all bulled up! My two particular favourites were 796 (RF Coal, and 798 MLB). I think this will be a nice model once I've fitted sound to it and dulled the bogies down a bit Trev

As I've mentioned before, I am taking the layout to its first show at Cradley Heath in Birmingham on 13th October. So I am now in the final stages of preparation. http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/138003-cradley-heath-model-railway-club-exhibition-2018-13102018/ I ordered some fabric for the front curtain and have advise SWMBO to get the sewing machine on battle stations. The clear perspex I ordered has also turned up, so next week will include the installation of both of these items. I have glossed the external faces of the boards protecting the fiddle yard and station end (3 coats each), which was fun. I have also added a second control panel for my NCE controller, which will enable the fiddle yard user and the points operator to both have a controller. The original idea was for me to be "out front" controlling the up and down mains to and from the station, with the other controller looking after the fiddle yard and WRD. However its playing up a bit as the second controller doesnt always work. I think it may be a connectivity issue with the prongs in the controller and the RJ45 connector from the power cab. Anyhoo thats going to be trial and error at the show - guarantee it will go wrong!! In the meantime I have ordered some new custom length cables from the nice people at DCC Concepts.I have had one before from them and the service was excellent, arriving in a day or so after order. The next few photos show a few recent things I have been doing, including the following; Cleaning up and weathering of the hardstanding (again) - I repainted it as I didnt like the original concrete colour. Adding signs around the layout (limited clearance, stopboards, anti-trespass etc) Weathering and cleaning up of the ballast and trackwork around the WRD Adding the slave fascia plate as detailed above Re-weathered the shed Weathered the compressor and painted the air line to the workmans' Kango hammer I also added decoders to a few locos that previously didnt have them (798 being one). Finally the real 798 at MG rotting.. https://flic.kr/p/9YvG5Y Cheers Trev

Thank you Phil, to be honest Ive actually done it three times now, slightly adjusting the degree of intensity as Ive gone along. Just need to make a fixing system to enable me to secure/remove the roof when I need to get access. Trev Thank you very much! your comments are very welcome and appreciated! Trev

Looking forward to it immensely

A busy few weeks slogging to get passably complete before the Cradley MRC exhibition on 13th October. First of four Virgin mk2's modified: Still lots to do! I made a scratched area on the platform surface. To rectify this I have added a workman and his pneumatic breaker. See further on down for the matching compressor and air hose. I found this - I forgot I had it! bonus! The compressor to suit the workman above Shed door added and more weathering carried out: Thanks for looking! Trev

Cheers Neil mate

Some decent length trains there! Very impressive - I will be looking for further updates! Trev

Good stuff Andy - really like the 58. quality model.

Loadhaul whopper 713 thrashing past the then operational Willington Power Station on 6V14 Hull - Baglan Bay Acetic acid tanks https://www.flickr.com/photos/58806173@N08/ Trev

429 on the Crewe breakdown train at Crewe DMD circa 1998 https://www.flickr.com/photos/58806173@N08/ Trev

37408 passing light loco through Crewe, smoking quite heavily https://www.flickr.com/photos/58806173@N08/ Trev

37676 departing Met-Cam at Washwood Heath, with tube stock, circa 1998. A Didcot job at the time. https://www.flickr.com/photos/58806173@N08/ Trev

37802 37719 and 37892 sit silent at OOC having returned from France. https://www.flickr.com/photos/58806173@N08/ Trev

Top stuff Mal! Of course it would have to be 134! My local depot was Saltley, we got a few grids there occasionally in the 1990's, but it was mostly 47's. Heres 117 in its final EWS days Trev

DB Cargo's 66066 'Geoff Spencer' passes Elford Loop with 6V81 Masborough - Cardiff Tidal loaded scrap.

66724 'Drax Power Station' approaching Portway with 7X08 Breadfield - Banbury through Portway , running some two-and-a-half hours late. 20311 and 132 bring up the rear

Just another quickie for you Mal! Trev

Hi Mal, Loving the pic, thanks for sharing! Im a big fan of 56's but not the engine room.....! (those who have been in one will testify!) I was also shocked at the lack of legroom under the desks. I only managed a trip round Cambois once and Im glad I did. I also did a tour with top n tailed grids and Sunderland Dock shed was a real bonus for me, as it still had plenty of grids. Really appreciate your comment regarding ballasting. I find it quite therapeutic! Cheers for dropping by! Trev Its a real shame we have no depots anymore.

Just over a month till I take LL WRD to the Cradley Heath show. Ill be looking for future bookings if anyone is interested?!! Quick plug to the Cradley MRC show: Thanks Trev

The coaches look mint Peter. I especially love the mk2's - they look 'just right.' Ive gone a bit mad recently and purchased a 26. Don't know why as Ive not seen any pictures of one in the West Midlands! (not after they were transferred up north anyhoo!) Also who doesn't love a single tractor on tanks on a slippery rail? Happy days Trev

I really enjoy ballasting.... is that sad? Its a Marmite subject I think! Trev

Scania R420 8x8 flatbed ive messed with: Trev

Young man I think you'll find its you that is stalking me! Even down to an 00 scale bobby with his slippers on! Looking good pal. The catenary looks mint. Youve got more patience than me..... T