So as a result of the whole Covid thing and a couple of other issues, I decided to have a play with the new EM turnouts and track. Result is an inglenook style layout on a 4’6” piece of extruded polystyrene foam. Plan is for a small terminus ams shunting plank somewhere in the West Country. Bit of GW and SR thrown in, possibly in the Plymouth area and an excuse for some ex PDSWJR locos too. Or maybe not. I haven’t decided. I’m also trying to use proprietary kits where possible to use as a potential demonstration of what can be done. I was originally going to have a deciding wall down the back of the platform to have three distinct dioramas. I still may add something. Or I may not... Turnouts are controlled with sliding switches and a home made expansion sprung type thing. Nowhere near finished but it’s wired, it works and it’s ballasted.
Cor! Someone's been busy! My ex-LSWR effort has stalled through decorating demands (and the need to build something for it to sit on before I can start tracklaying). What's the fiddle yard arrangement there? Adam
Morning! I’m sure you’ll find time sometime! The FY was going to be the run round loop originally and the layout just the goods bit but I figured I’d make the whole thing scenic and take it from there, meaning the layout could be one of two halves if I put a dividing wall down the back of the platform
Howdo! Sounds ingenious. I've built most of the turnouts (three will need making in situ - a pair of Ys and the lead from the loop to the industrial line as it's slightly curved). Saturday is booked for woodwork so watch this space... Adam
Small person care and work have to take priority! I don't know whether or not you've seen the thread on Podimore? 4mm - Podimore: landfall! I have made quite a bit of progress, but should update it... Adam
So I’m sitting in a cafe in Patterdale waiting for the rain to stop and realised I hadn’t updated this for a month. I’ve got the other end of the layout underway and just need a bit of a shove to get on with it. The plan was always to use rtr kits where possible so a footbridge, canopy and ticket office have been fashioned into something resembling something like an overbridge station. Need to get the paints out and colour all the stonework etc but we’re getting there. Cheddar has been relocated to where I’m now living so I should be able to restart work on that over the coming months.
Modelling has slowed somewhat of late due to other pressures on time. I have made a start painting some of the intended structures for the layout. As I've said previously, the plan is to use proprietary kits where possible for speed and to demonstrate what can be done with readily available items. I'm using Vallejo acrylics and MiG washes for painting and I'm really impressed with both. Nothing earth shattering to write home about but a little progress is being made. And no, before anyone asks, the platform edges are just masked off while I paint the platform surfaces!
Time for a little update. Bit more detailing here and there and a bit more painting. Some stock has appeared for testing purposes.
Nice looking layout Andrew. Are the point switches attached to the front of the baseboard? I like the way you've done that, I've just built a layout and couldn't work out a way of doing it!
Hi Steve yes, the turnouts are attached to switches which change the frog polarity. Runs in the 5mm foam which the track sits on.
The layout finally has a name! I'd always intended to set somewhere in the Plymouth area. Maybe the prototype was part of a LSWR plan to take over a spur of the little known and undocumented PD&SWJR line which fed Royal William Yard? Who knows. I'm not sure I do either. Anyway, the layout has had a bit of scenic work done today and various yard loads have been painted too. No, the grass isn't that vivid a green in reality. The plan has always been to utilise RTR and readily available kits as well as the EMGS track work to show what can be done. It's also kept me sane this year which has been both challenging from a Covid and personal point of view. Hopefully 2021 will be better on both counts. I really must think about some prototypical motive power next. First up will be a 1361 chassis for the Kernow Models GWR saddle tanks. There are others in the pipeline too including both the o-6-0 and 0-6-2 PD&SWJR Hawthorn Leslies. I must finish off that brake van too. It's still very shiny and needs re-wheeling from P4 to EM.
