I have temporarily tacked the track down and added some buildings and fitting in their potential final position. The layout is moving to phase two, when approved the track will be glued down, the platforms made when the slopes arrive and the electrics added. I am hoping to be test running within a week. Some of the Castings will need trimming slightly to fit into their intended position.
The first phase of the new OO layout is finished. The second hand baseboards have been completely refurbished, the tops have been corked and the back boards added. I have put a 2″ edge on the fiddle yard for extra safety. All vulnerable corners have right angle protectors fitted.
The second hand baseboards have arrived from my friend Ian T, I have refurbished them as best I can, added an extra section to one board and started to cork the first board. I have made the fiddle yard by making back boards and fitting them. I hope the below photos help understand the work done.
The layout overall is 9′ 3″ x 1′ 6″ and made up of 1 X 4′ and 1 x 5′ 3″. The aim is to make a Terminus BR (WR) small branch station and goods yard.
Photos in chronological order.
On Saturday (4/11/23) we are attending the Stowmarket RMC Open Day with a layout. I was asked by a member that will also be attending, to do a quick weathering job on four early wagons that he needs to run on a Club layout, here are the results.
Stowmarket MRC Open Day – 10.30 to 2.30 – 4/11/23
At – Stowmarket Football Club – Events Room
Come and see what the Club does and its projects – we will talk anything Model Railways – any Gauge.
A couple of trains have now run on our N Gauge Layout ‘Coopers Common’. The afternoon started by testing and cleaning all track, then the running of a small cement train behind a class 60, followed by a Class 92 Electric in hope that the overheads will arrive eventually! We did a time trial on the inside track and managed to get the slow running down to 3 minutes 45 second per circuit.
Today at the Whitwell and Reepham Model Railway Exhibition I was given 10 minutes to Examine and run a prototype Accurascale DS88. WOW – yes please – at least two. Very Special thanks to Helen and Anne from GEM for the chance to run the prototype on Little Sefton.
I am now calling the N Gauge Layout – finished. Well when I say finished, I mean as far as the money has gone, second hand bits all used and I need to move on after 5 weeks making it! I averaged just over 6 hours per day and with the longest at 11 plus hours I need a break from N Gauge. All the below photos are new and taken from slightly different angles.
The only thing I would do at a future date is further road marking, but this is not a priority. If the money had not run out, I would have considered further cameo scenes, but to be honest I think it would have ‘over egged’ the overall effect of an open countryside scene. Knowing when to say ‘no’ that’s it, is part of getting it just right.
Coopers Common is due to appear for its first Exhibition at the Stowmarket MRC at Elmswell next July. I hope to take one more lot of photos with stock running in the era 2000 – 2010 when the layout has moved to my Sons home, I just hope John and his children Charlie and Sofia appreciate my work.
The next layout will be in O Gauge – my first love – watch this space.
The Birds have arrived !! All below photos contain birds – either ducks, swans or seagulls! I have also finished the model of my friends narrow boat the ‘dizzy duck’ with Peter at the helm.
Another intensive two days – lots of further bits and pieces added to create some cameo scenes. I should finish the project in about a week – I hope.
Lots of bits and pieces have arrived in the post and I have been making them ready for the Layout. I have had to drop my usual interest in detail as N Gauge is proving a bit of a challenge to my O Gauge brain! I have however managed a few interesting cameos. The camera is certainly a bit unkind in N Gauge!
Narrow Boats on River.
Fishermen
Cows
Track Workers
