gc4946

I've settled on my final platform design. The platform will comfortably hold a 2-car unit, or a loco and two bogie carriages, and will have a removable centre section so I can change the eras - dilapidated wooden fencing for pre-1930s and cast iron railings post-1930s. The fencing was assembled from odds and ends in my spares box, hence the mixture seen below: I'm planning to build platform shelters to close gaps in the fencing on both central section pieces. Public access will be from the longer ramp where a gate secures the entrance to the platform.

Following clearance testing, especially by locos going through curved parts of both points, I've settled on this platform configuration. To make things easier regarding setting up and future reuse, I made the platform as four sub-sections: the two narrower end pieces with ramps and two slightly wider central pieces, which coincidentally matches the sectional track length between the pair of points forming the run round loop. I narrowed the two central pieces, and with the exception of two small gaps, infilled the platform backs with plasticard. I'm waiting for the glue to set properly before cleaning up excess plastic and glue, filling any minor gaps and addressing details at the longer white ramp (nearest to the front) before painting.

I've settled on my preferred configuration of platform sections. The platform's widest part coincides where the carriages stand, whilst in branch line mode with the loco running round. More filing, trimming and infilling will be required on the non-railside part of the platform. A 4VEP was used to test the longest possible permissible length.

I've started chopping up various platform sections (ex-Bachmann's Underground Ernie and scratchbuilt) to form one long, narrow platform. This is all still at an early stage as I'll need to measure up how long the platform will be needed for the various train configurations in my collection.

The revised layout plan is already proving its worth in testing new purchases because I can run them through series of points for more thorough evaluation.

It'll be interesting if these variants eventually appear: 1. The B12s (GER S69) when they first entered service with decorative valences, Belpaire firebox and in GER lined blue livery; 2. The 1940s rebuilds of the Scottish-based B12s (as B12/4) with round topped boilers, but due to axle loading limits, were built to the same diameter as the original Belpaire-fitted types, smaller than those fitted to the B12/3s. http://www.lner.info/locos/B/b12.php PS - two B12s entered service in the same month as my late gran was born (in GER territory) and both ended their service lives as B12/4s.

Except for loco testing, it's been stored away, but I've altered the track layout to allow more operational flexibility and to integrate this layout with the track geometry of Horniman Park V2.0. It now has a through track with passing loop and track long enough at either end to accommodate (at a pinch) a class 26 or 33 once the 50mm or 100mm linking pieces are added. The runround loop can accommodate one 57' carriage plus another 50' long type without the loco hitting them and the station platform will be located on the edge of the board where the carriages are standing. One of the sidings has been removed in favour of a possible coal yard and there's now room for a signal box. These alterations will broaden the scope of running with more possibilities for sessions covering a wider time period.

I would be tempted if they're producing 8572 in apple green, as I can then retire my older version.

I've come across this artist's impression produced some years ago of how the GCR beyond Ruddington could be reinstated to the outskirts of Nottingham, is this still feasible now? http://www.greatcentraltoday.com/gcrn/rudd2.jpg

Application can be viewed at Planning application no.: 15/00008/EIA/AS http://planning.ashford.gov.uk/Planning/details.aspx?systemkey=101723&pageindex=0

LT Museum's shop sells non-powered end cars, however they're models of the 1992 Central Line stock https://www.ltmuseumshop.co.uk/models/trams-and-trains/product/london-tube-train-toy.html

This is the type of situation where there's going to be a lot of sales potential for the S stock. It's when you want an add an Underground service giving an extra dimension to an existing layout. Only one unit is needed to create this impression, which can be run as an automated shuttle. If Bachmann and EFE join forces to produce motorised versions of EFE's 1938 and 1959/62 tube stock models, I'm sure that'll be another winner for both manufacturers.

A great move by Bachmann/LT Museum. I can see why they opted for the S stock - it's contemporary, and prototypically will eventually replace all the earlier sub-surface types with one basic type. It means a layout using LU sub-surface stock can be modelled with just one type, possibly as an add-on to a National Rail layout with an automated shuttle, without needing to worry about owning the correct type of unit that previously ran (A60/62, C69/77, D). It'll be interesting how many will buy a full 7- or 8-car unit as opposed to the base 4-car set.

After a long time, I got hold of a Railroad R3062 D49 (not the version currently being offered as a concession exclusive). The chassis has now been swapped over with the Margate bodies. However on the loco body, I had to cut away some of the boiler underside to accommodate the motor suppressors. Also I enlarged the main fixing screw hole on the diecast chassis to fit the original Margate screw because its size is different from that of the Chinese version. I've still to buy a pair of etched plates, but the loco runs much better compared with the original Margate tender drive.

Scenic work has began on the first of the oval track boards. This includes a roadway to a planned industrial estate where the roads and infrastructure have been installed, but no buildings have been erected, in the meantime it's being used as an unofficial dump and wasteland. As these boards have to be put back into the cardboard boxes after use, there's little opportunity for modelling scenery which is higher than rail level. Having assessed my scenic materials, I decided to use up my remaining stocks of grass matting and scenic scatter on this board. Any odd-sized pieces of Gaugemaster/Noch grass matting left over have been cut up and soaked in water to remove the grass material from the backing paper. The resulting grass material is then dried and can be used as scatter to represent clumps of grass. I may also cut up odd pieces of card, etc to represent materials dumped on the site.

Very worthy successors to the original Margate versions. I'll buy some in shirtbutton livery, if offered, however they haven't said which GWR liveries are planned.

It's amazing how much one A2 sheet of mounting board uses up when doing the roads and hardstanding. These four boards were intended to be used as doors, so on each board, two edges (the longer sides) have curved edges and the other two edges are straight. However, I've arranged for the roads to cross the straight joins of the boards and imagine the curved edges represent small drainage gulleys. I've still to refine the approaches to both planned level crossings.

After removing all traces of the clear sticky plastic film which was used to protect against transit damage on these four boards and relaying the track, I'm now effectively back to square one as in these images above. I've even tested it and all's now OK. I'm also replanning the scenery, bearing in mind that I still can't fix anything permanently on the boards that's taller than rail level, in order that they can be replaced into their original card packaging for storage and transportation. Possibilities include working on a road layout with cul-de-sacs leading to nowhere imagining that a local council built new roads to serve a proposed housing or industrial development, or even suggesting the ground's been razed.

I knew one day a model of this type of wagon would eventually appear as RTR. However, reading this topic, I didn't know there were differences between the John Summers and the ICI versions. Having lived in the Wirral at one time, if they had announced they were producing the John Summers versions I would have put my name down for a few and invested in a 9F as well!

I pretended the platform had been patched up at various times, indicated by different shades of grey. Here's the back of the platform:

I've made quite a bit of progress on the station - this only needs platform fittings adding. However I'll still need to tone down the shiny grey platform surfaces and glue the platform onto the board.

At last I'm making progress and this is looking more like a station! I'm waiting for the paint to dry now, before touching in any gaps and applying the obligatory white platform edging.

As it is, I didn't finish the station over the Xmas/New Year. However, following storage in my display case I've identified problems with some of my techniques. I was unaware that the board top when purchased had a thin clear film of plastic stuck onto it, presumably applied to protect against damage in transit. When I cut away this plastic film, the paint flaked off! At least I've now painted on the actual board surface and the paint has been covering and adhering better. The Woodlands Scenics vinyl mat pieces curled up and shrivelled when they were painted brown, so they were all taken up and replaced by paper-backed Gaugemaster (rebranded Noch) grass matting, suitably weathered, which sticks better to the board. The only good thing to all this is that I've spotted potential issues, before much work had been done, so the other boards will be remedied to prevent these problems re-occurring.

I welcome Hornby's announcement of modelling the original version Merchant Navies - I'm sure there will be plenty of takers, both modellers and collectors. As with the King and the Warley announcements, we'll now have to be prepared for more surprise launches besides the well-known annual media briefings and catalogues if Hornby catches wind of competitors rumoured or actually bringing out products which Hornby might consider they belong within their "territory". In my opinion, now the supply issues are well on the way to being sorted out, Hornby are much better prepared to revise its development programmes in the wake of competition. The MN's announcement will mean that people will want appropriate matching stock, however, Hornby might now be in a better position to pencil in announcements this December that more Maunsell carriages, especially the long-absent high-windowed types, are on the way, now that tools for these types are no longer at Sanda Kan. Alternatively they could tool up for the 59' multi-door Bulleid corridor composite and brake 3rds.

Decided - I remember them fondly in my youth carrying 77xx and 78xx numbers, and having four first class compartments in every DTC. Therefore, Hornby's supplied unit numbering won't be changed.