EnglishElectricFan

Scenic section is on two 3x2 boards Scenic section is on two 3x2 boards

Nice little job done today. Built the Artitec loading dock. Just given it a quick coat of paint ready for more detailing.These kits are resin and are a bit messy when tidying up the flash once the parts have been cut free from the frets, but worth it as they build into fairly decent looking models.The cold store is also from this company. The kit comes with a cobbled deck, so always thinking of making extra work for myself, I might give it a thin covering of filler, leaving some bare patches where the concrete has worn showing the cobbles beneath. I will also be adding lighting to the dock by using the woodlands scenics just plug telegraph poles with attached lamps. These will be weathered to blend in with the setting.

On the layout

Two of my 4MT tank locos. HAPPY NEW YEAR to all of you on RMweb

Thanks. Haven,t got the bottle to do an Artitec/Langley one yet. I couldnt get the pulleys/rigging right. Not a boat fanatic, just want a couple in the harbour for effect. Thanks for the comment. Simon

This is the loading platform which will sit up against the cold store.

Hi Martyn Yes it looks similar to Kyle. The siding where the 27 is will run into a platform which extends from the cold store. I have just taken a picture of the box cover to show how it will look. The cabin on the end may not be used as I want an old style hut/lamp room. The dockside walls are resin. I need to paint and weather them. Regards Simon

Track plan

Hi Martyn Yes I did have a nice Christmas thanks, did you? I have used the points running on DCC mode before, and a Heljan class 26 ran fine over them. The frog is totally independent from the rest of the point, it will have insulated fish plates on each exit rail from the Vee. I have decided to just have a run round loop in the station now, with a couple of sidings on the dock front with a headshunt / kickback siding. I may make this into a small loading dock for ballast trains. I will post some pics I have just taken, so please feel free to comment and advise. Thanks for your encouragement. Your layout is a good motivator !!!! All the best for 2018

Hello and seasons greetings to you all. I hope you all got the models you wished for this Christmas. I am just posting a quick update of the layout. I have built all the baseboards now, and will need to seal them as they will be in the conservatory on a permanent basis. I have noted that some people use watered down PVA when sealing their baseboards etc in the loft. I will also be painting the frontage, colour undecided (suggestions much appreciated) and then varnish it all off.I have ordered the lights, which will fit inside the canopy hood. These being strip LED's. 6 strips (one for each section). Then its down to track laying. Please feel free to comment and advise as I take note of all your comments. May I take this opportunity to wish you all a very happy New Year. (Model manufacturers please lets have a 104 DMU and a class 303 EMU!).

Good evening all. Just a quick update on the baseboards.I have decided to use LED strips cut to the width of the baseboard (2ft) and stuck to the underside of the canopy top on each of the 3 sections. The wires will run along the supports out of view and through a hole that has been pre-drilled for this purpose. The wires will all be run down the back of the backscene board into terminal blocks, with a connection to a transformer. A remote control will also be made available so as to 'DIM' the daylight into night time which will highlight the buildings that will be fitted with the plug n play lighting system Well thats the theory.....watch this space!

Just a quick update on the baseboards. I have built the board which will attach to the turntable fiddle yard board, and horror of horrors, the 'hole' in the end board isnt low enough at the bottom. It has a lip of about 1.5cm above the baseboard top , which also means the top is too high, being visible over the road bridge which disguises the entry/exit to fiddle yard. (phone call to baseboard company Monday morning). On the whole it all went together very easily when I found out what went where etc (no plans as they are custom made to my requirements). Will hope to complete the other board this week, and then bolt them together. They will be supported by metal adjustable trestles , which can have the height adjusted to suit the best height for showing the layout when viewed. Anyway, enough waffling and hope the photo shows the progress made far.

The baseboards have arrived, these have been custom designed by myself with all relevant measurements sent to Grange and Hodder to fit them around their standard designs. (Im useless at woodwork, you should see the spice rack I made at school, still in use though at mums ! ) They have done a fantastic job with them. No instructions as they're custom made, so took time to see what fits where! Plenty of dry runs before gluing and tacking!!! Heres a few photos of one board so far. The hole in the bottom corner is part of the Harbour, with the 2nd boards harbour section much longer. The boards both measure 3ftx2ft, with a couple of extra inches on the width to support the 'U' shaped cross bracing for the top board, which will be added when all trackwork has been laid and tested.

First video. Sorry for the shaking. It was done on my iphone!

Can anybody help me on this subject? I am using Marcway points and SMP track on my new layout. I want to fit DCC Cobalt point motors to the Marcway points. Has anyone used these in DCC mode on their layout with these points? If so, how did you wire them up up, as the frog wire caused the point to short last time I tried them. I really am useless with electrics and any help would be greatly appreciated. Regards Simon ps sorry about the quality of the photographs

This s weekends projects so far. Re number Heljans class 26 as 26031 , Un weathered the weathering that was on it and treated the roof to a faded grey look. Just requires weathering again ! Next was to re number a Bachmann 37/5 in rail freight red stripe and put correct size double arrows on body side ( my patience was severely tested rubbing down the original arrow which was oversized). Just need to carry the red stripe around onto the bottom of the nose ends now. ( will wait until warmer climates arrive! )

If you were to reduce the 1st building by a few cm's in width (seeing its only half relief) and move things over, you might squeeze them in ! Im looking forwards to seeing this layout develop, You have captured that side of the depot really well. Look forwards to some more !!!! Regards Simon

Will be following with interest........How much space do you have? Regards Simon

Thats some seriously good track laying there! What do you use underneath the track, looks a good fit. Reagards Simon

Just been dabbling with weathering a Bachmann 16t mineral wagon for my 70s scrap train. Im not 100% happy with it, but with a few more touches with some darker rust it should look more lifelike. Only 8 to do so not too bad ! I will replace the data panel with a tops coded MXV version

Please don't send the Port Authorities over to Newton Harbour............I don't plan any fencing along the quayside !

Hi Peter Thanks for the details on the 40 chassis/body. I have tried Peters spares, and others, they are all out of 56 detail bags unfortunately. The scrap wagons just need some rust scratches/chipping to finish them off. Cheers Simon

Two of the six POA wagons finished.