Pilgrimsjulie

Well SWMBO has just got back from yet another weekend of working......to see the about the plans of so many extensions to Smokey/Stinkey Bacon!!!! I really can't wait to see all these additions to the layout....especially all the blue engines!!! and if there are some with smiley faces even better!!! I gather there has been some progress but to be honest I am not sure I fully understand all what I am being told!!

Well SWMBO has just read the post . I must admit I can see a really long wish list in paragraph 2!! I am not sure in how quick these can be got- but I am sure that I was shown a certain page on an auction site......so think that was a hint for at least one of them!!! Not only that but no wonder I am working again this weekend to be able to afford them . The dining room has already changed into the modelling room so trays it is yet again for meals!!!! Mind you I not mind as we can watch real rubbish as we are eating . Well I hope that the modelling goes well and look forward to seeing what comes out of it and how much is done.

Well SWMBO has seen the hint for the birthday present and yes I will get you a Dapol Hall when one is about. Not only that but I will get you the Western as well but I think there will have to be 2 one in green and one in blue - I wouldn't want to disappoint the other RMWeb readers as well would I !! Well with your going to the Abingdon show on Saturday I will let you get one if you do manage to see any!!!! Remember its my money though!!! Well no doubt now that we are back to it being just the two of us the dining room will soon be disappearing to the model room again so the meals will be back to having trays again!!

Well I must admit I am really pleased with the progress . It is so nice to see some more of the track being laid.....I never really realised in how much hard work it is in having something as spectacular as this and I know it will be great when it will see some trains running on it . I will be really pleased when I can get started on the scenery . Well not much will be done on it for a few days as the modelling room is having to be made into a dining room again , but not for long!!

Well I am not sure that I agree about the green being better But then again as long as it is running on the track I don't suppose I really mind. I must admit I not think that he will run the trains that I used to work on will run on it at all!! (They are just far to modern!!)

Captain Ted will be keeping an eye on it for me!!!!

Well that is really great to see at long last my little diesel running and having Captain Ted to keep an eye on it too No doubt it will change to green again soon but I don't really mind though do think that the blue looks good......Keep up the good work and thanks.

Well it certainly is worth having the dining room table hijacked when I see progress like this!!!. It is so exciting to see. Mind you I would like to see my diesel working on the little bit of track too!!. Lets hope there is more progress done today as well.....

Well SWMBO is really pleased to see that there is some work been done on 'our' Smokey Bacon'!! I will be so pleased when I can actually get involved in doing something towards the making of it. With saying that the dining room now becomes the modelling room I think it is more than likely to be more than this week!!! and I really don't mind.....mind you I am uncertain on what the domestic chores are that have been commented on Going to model manics on Saturday really has given me the incentive to try and do some practise scenery....think I should put that on my birthday list!!!! Mind you I am waiting to hear what suggestions to be made for Steves' birthday present (which is only the day before mine albeit not his proper one with him being born on a leap year!!!) :)Though I think that there may be a trip to Swanage soon!!!! though I do hope the big trains will be running!!.

I am really pleased to see that some work is going on and look forward to seeing more progress on here.

Well I am expecting to loose the dining room again for the modelling room.....which I really won't mind as it will be nice to see some more track laid and further updates on this!!!! I am sure quite a lot will get done next week with some well deserved leave off work is due and plenty of time to get some done!! Mind you having to play days at Calne show (albeit for research too) didn't help to track being laid but I know that fun was had and it was really interesting for you to find out lots of information as well as meeting lots of fascinating people and you enjoyed yourself!!

Well Swmbo is pleased that the track work is being started.... I have also seen a little wagon being tempted along the track to test it and that was so exciting. Not only that but exceptionally pleased that I get my dining table for every meal time...thanks for that Wont be long until it will be made into the modelling room again!!

Well this is a message from SWMBO......Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.....

Many thanks for all the suggestions for the Christmas List that I received I think that he was pleased with it all Mind you I also think that I may have to give the dining room up for the modelling room again shortly after the festive season!!!! That is of course if I can even keep it for that long!!

Well yippeeeee only 18 days to go then I be back home in the luxury of having 4 brick walls round me so when the howling winds are rushing round it wont sound like the whole thing is going to take off!!! With regards to the railway (dining) room that will and always has been up to interpretation on what room it is being used for but the railway room nearly always seems to win:rolleyes:. Well I will be really glad to be able to at least start to do some of the scenery.

I hope that father christmas doesnt think that Saturday at Warley means that all his bags needs to be filled:lol: especially as I won't be there to supervise the purse strings!!!

With that in mind I hope that all that are going have a really great time and I will be jealous as getting up at 4am to go to work isn't half as much fun as it would be if I was going there too.

Anyway must admit it is nice to see some work has been made even though very little but this side of things I wouldn't understand anyway!!

Well SWMBO has caught you out then!!!! looks really great though must admit am really jealous at the fact I wasn't there to actually have a play too!!! I don't think you could call it actually serious research work:lol: Am really looking forward to attending one of my first shows tomorrow as I have been allowed to come to the High Wycombe one!! Not long now until I can actually help with it all:biggrin_mini2:

Though guess it will be 'Wycrail'...would like to think I might even be able to pop in and see it!!!

Well I was pleased to see the photos and that you seemed to have a really great time!! Mind you I am surprised that the jelly babies even made it to the wagons knowing how you like to eat them!!!:rolleyes: Guess if there is more coaches needed then my Christmas list will be growing!! So how is 'Smokey Bacon' going...I expect alot will be done this week with the excuse of having to be home with the kids!!!!! Not that I mind...I just look forward to seeing how much you actually get done

Well things seem to be progressing really well and I amso pleased to see it. Mind you it will be more exciting when the track is starting to be laid and to see if Santa needs to get more of the easitrac to go with the coaches...just hope Santa can get it down the chiminey and if there is any more added to his letter...it also depends on if he has been a good boy as we all know Santa only delivers to good children!!!;)

Well by the looks of it SWMBO shopping list could be longer than what she thought!!!! Of course when I am nearer I will be helping and I must admit that I am really looking forward to doing:rolleyes: Must admit I know it seems all one sided at the minute and that your doing all the work on 'Smokey Bacon' though I really wish I could be there to help...then again my working so much is at least helping to finance this:P Do I get a plaque with my name on it as a sponser!!!!

Well I like the photos...all of them including moggy.... It really does seem to be progressing really well, a lot faster than what I thought was going to be happening at this stage as SWMBO was under the impression it wasn't going to be constructed just yet- though she doesn't mind!!!As for the remarks about not much progress being made for all the shows that are coming up well SWMBO is a tad jealous at the fact that she cannot come:( not only that but the visits to her seem to be going amiss too!!! Though she really doesn't mind the fact of your (helping Mitzblue with Witney Euston) though does wish she could come too!!! though guess I must work to aid the finance of the construction of 'Smokey Bacon'

Yes I know the trees need to be planted but in order for me to make some I need to have the bits....I am also hoping to start the buildings too!!! I hope to be there to see the CMRS 11 as well so long as I know the dates and can book the time off!!! I am looking forward to see more photos being posted on this as well to see how much has been done this weekend!!!

Well as SWMBO has seen the post now and Kris has witnessed it then I guess I better start working a few more hours and saving hard then!!!!! So how much more easitrac has been ordered then!!!!Enough to be well on the way for 'Smokey Bacon' I hope....I am looking forward to seeing the next instalment of photos to see how far it has got since I last seen it.... I am still waiting so that I can do some work away from home....waiting for tree ideas etc!!!to wing there way to me.

So is that a suggest of what SWMBO can get 'Smokey Bacon' for christmas then!!!!!

Does this mean that it will be another night out then if he joins this site too!!!!Though I must admit that any help and advice will probably be most appreciated!!!

Well I thought you was suppose to be working from home yesterday not playing trains!!!! Then again I really not mind. Well with Kris' comment about Christmas coming soon.....I really wouldn't mind one of those grass thingys as long as I got a new train too!!!!though think that would be wishful thinking:P Any suggestions what I can get for 'Smokey Bacon' would be greatfully received!!

Well SWMBO actually saw all the progress being made on 'Smoky Bacon' at the weekend for the first time in 6 weeks!! :rolleyes:Well someone has to earn all the pennies so that the 'Copper tape and easitrack' can be bought!!. I was very impressed with what I had seen and wished I could be of more help..I am just waiting for the scenery to be started then hopefully I will be able to do some even if I am away!! I must admit I am pleased to be able to log in again and to be able to make my comments!! Many thanks Andy for your help and assistance it this.....

Track Bed Underside

 

Lots of time and effort with very little progress to show for it! (…and no excuses to give… ). Work has been focused on the track bed for board 2, the track plan and copper tape needed to be fitted to the board before it was fixed to the full framework; this was so that the drawing and electrical connections could run the full length of the baseboard without interruptions/breaks.

 

The underside was primed and sanded; I can strongly recommend the B&Q ‘grey’ water-based primer – this is easy to use (like any normal emulsion), very thick, quick drying and sands off to a nice finish. I have used the ‘white’ primer before but found that this does not have the same degree of ability as a ‘filler’ as does the ‘grey’. The mirror image of the Templot plan was fixed to the now smooth underside with normal Spray Mount and allowed to dry.

 

And now a message from our sponsor – use of the dining room for modelling purposes is by kind permission of SWMBO

 

 

When dry, the whole of the underside was given a very thin coat of satin varnish to fix the track plan in place. Although the Templot printout (from an ink jet printer) had had over 4 hours to dry, applying the varnish did cause the ink to run in a couple of places. It also caused minor ‘bubbling’ in the surface, but as this is for the underside and only indicative of the track above this was acceptable . (When it comes to fixing the track plan to the upper surface (to lay the actual track to) I need to think of a better way to fix it down )

 

 

The track power lines were applied using a mixture of 10mm and 6mm copper tape; the 10mm strips are primarily for the main supply distribution and the additional 6mm strips are to provide ‘local’ links to minimise the droppers from the rails themselves. The track bed was frequently ‘sanity checked’ against the overall plan for the board to make sure that it was going right… …never assume, check!

 

I'm quite happy with how this has worked in principle; I now need to carry out the same process for boards 1 and 3. Then with all 3 boards structurally completed, I can sand the top surfaces true across the length of the layout before fitting the cork track underlay... ...There's certainly no shortage of jobs to keep me out of mischief