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In readiness for the weekend the stock was cleaned tonight, a job I am never particularly look forward to but essential none the less. My preffered method is to use cotton buds soaked in electrical switch cleaner. An old Hornby trainset controller provides power to the wheels while the buds are applied to each wheel in turn: The cotton buds show how much dirt gets on the wheels over a weekend (the stock was cleaned in the same way before Cheltenham). I use these plastic 4 litre trays from B&Q and Hobbycraft to store and transport the stock. I did my first show with Pallet Lane using the original boxes from the stock and quickly vowed to do something more efficient after it took 30 minutes to pack the stock away.

Good luck with the track building Peter, when you have cracked it you won't go back to Peco!

lovely work, the weathering is very effective.

For the first time in ages I got the layout out of the garage today to fit the new goodies and also to give the track a clean in readiness for Barnstaple in 11 days time. In my rush to have the layout presentable for Cheltenham, I had run out of time to finish some of the finer detail on the upper level, especially the starting signals and associated junction boxes, which have now been fitted. A lot of the starting signals at Temple Meads were gantry mounted although a few were platform mounted and it is the latter I have chosen to model. Part of the reason was as I have modelled the Bristol East gantry as my scenic break for the upper level which in reality was further away from the platform end I felt the layout could look crowded with more gantry mounted signals. A couple of train pictures, firstly 45132 on the sleepers: and 47105 on the newly finished parcels stock which includes a modified LMS BG and 2 CCT's I am looking forward to Barnstaple show as it is a new one for me and Richard and the team have some excellent layouts coming, a particular highlight for me being Diesels in the Duchy which I have yet to see in the flesh. If you do come to the show don't be afraid to say hi, part of the fun of a front operated layout is being able to interact with fellow modellers!

Good tip about the 03 radiator Jon, I will have to try that one myself, thanks for sharing.

Great job on the bridge Peter.

Picked up my copy yesterday, really nice article Chris.

Looks like there will be the aroma of still drying paint and glue in the hall on the 25th then!

Thanks James, look forward to meeting you too. My good lady was out last night leaving me alone with the credit card, tablet and an hour spare, which I put to good use purchasing some signals and associated infrastructure for the upper level, all being well I will get them in place before Barnstaple.

Hi, Thanks for asking, the short answer is no, I started a new job recently so have been away from home quite a bit so other than doing some work on some 21t coal hoppers in the Hotel last week there is no progress. I do need to set the layout up in the next couple of weeks to give the track a clean ready for Barnstaple on the 25th.

I imagine it will be the ford sierra 5 speed box which is commonly used, either with the A series engine or K series. A friend has a much modified midget with 1.8k series, ford sierra box and modified MGB back axle. It is unbelievable to drive.

Thanks Alan, glad you have enjoyed it. Peafore Yard gets a cameo appearance in the latest copy of "Traction" magazine as the back drop for some photos of my motorail flats.

Thanks Andrew, I have a cunning plan to resolve my upper level head shunt problem which will enable me to run the 08 and brake van and a BG from one loop line to the other.... Thanks Andrew, it is getting there!

Always welcome Rob, 47484 is likely to be my next class 47 but will be a while next

Hi Alan, No probs, likewise good to see. Re the underframe weathering it was Humbrol 26 enamel, which I prefer to acrylics but I think I am in a minority. As a general weathering pallette for both the Layout and stock, I generally use Humbrol 26, 29, 33 and 67. The carriage sidings is still on the list for a new layout but maybe some time as I will rethink a few things with my plan having got the experience of hand built track and operating from the front with this layout. Thanks, plenty more to come I need to add some more details to the upper level then will take some more.

Hi Alan, Glad you enjoyed Sunday, you are welcome any time. The bridge is made from photo mounting card which I got from the Wiltshire scrap store at Lacock, I filled a carrier bag for about £3, I have plenty left over so you can have some next time you swing by. I know what you mean by the audible effect but alas it is no different on the bridge than the rest of the layout. I am not a sound expert but would imagine the sound difference is created by vibrations and movement of the bridge which doesn't scale that well down to 4mm. Thin plasticard may work but I would be worried about fragility?

Lovely shot there Adrian, love the trailer by the hut as well, a nice touch

Thanks for all the info on the class 40's chaps, I need to finish off some of the parcels stock in the projects box to run with it. My son has shown a renewed interest in trains over the last week and has pestered me to put the layout up so he and my daughter can play trains. Both have mastered the controller and my daughter enjoyed playing signalwoman and she may yet get roped into helping out at Chippenham in October. First up an Eastern region inter-looper in the form of 55019. This loco probably hasn't run for at least 10 years, and other than a quick renumber it is standard Bachmann (for now). I am a big Deltic fan so despite the loco not being suitable for the layout in anyway shape or form, I fancied giving it a run. Frustratingly having just modified the platforms to avoid the 08 coupling rods clipping the platform face, the Deltic catches on the tight curve near the fiddle yard. A job for the distant future, I also plan to give the loco the full works of the shawplan grilles, noses etc Closer to home the 08 and mandatory brake van shuttle around the station 37240 prepares to head off to Cardiff as the 08 passes by with some vans for the evening Motorail service Meanwhile 03382 brings in a Grampus wagon with some ballast for some planned engineering work on the branch A favourite of mine having racked up many miles haulage behind the real loco is 24081. I think this is the oldest detailing project I own, the loco having had the end doors filled and replacement chassis built without the water tanks. Back upstairs 47105 arrives with a Paddington to WSM train

The Genesis boxes do look much better Neil, I am not sure the craftsman boxes are that great for the class 37/40 as I had a lot filing to do with them when I did 40135. Look forward to seeing the end result!

Good luck with the new baby, life is never quite the same afterwards but in a good way. A little tip for any parents of new borns, buy some "Infacol" for 2 reasons: 1) I nick named it "Easy Burp" as it made winding so easy after feeding 2) The bottles come with handy droppers which is great for ballasting as you have a ready made glue holder and dropper in one

Sounds about right, I used to frequent them when I worked in Parsons Street. They were generally well stocked but their customer service was atrocious and pricing was pretty steep. Derek the owner was at best bearable but the rest of his cronies were just rude. I remember asking if I could pay by Switch at a time when Switch was pretty universal to be met with "aint you got any cash??!!", eventually we mutually agreed on payment by cheque.

Thanks Rob, it certainly is, it would have to be for me to voluntarily set it up and play with it not at an exhibition. I definitely enjoy building them more than playing with them, Pallet Lane had more potential moves and operating scenarios but I actually prefer operating this one.

Really coming on Richard, nice job on the chain link fence which I find a nightmare to install

Thanks Andy, 40135 will definitely be staying unique after the effort that went in to it!

Thanks Peter looks like 40135 will get more use than I thought, plenty of photos on that search. I also found this little delight of 2 x class 24's at Bath Road as well: https://www.flickr.com/photos/fray_bentos/1075443901/in/photolist-2D2W1e-9NJybd-7n8jHW-9M2DZZ-rSccQN-dpRbJX-dpRbEz-98f6rz-63syLg-48Hkec-gB42MB-i7biVd-787i8z-64jfgW-7YByov-odnBH3-eUcjnX-eUoHn7-9QzcVZ-9eXes2-eUoJum-eUc5v8-eUoJ4C-8MCUGP-47ji3h-enXVDJ-4cbrUS-78kxdH-83ejoK-83ehAt-fvXg5F-48vuCt-4fen3e-83dVQB-81JCL1-9NGabs-86pgZs-pZbGRn-hLB1BA-repnR4-odNs8U-4dPmL6-9NvgtE-pvxGwd-dAyGeN-8E8pA3-bncpWP-9NsCbe-gzitqq-dgcTqV