Author: Kelvin Barnes

OO Layout named and more work

Kelvin Barnes Uncategorized ,

Ian T has decided to name his OO layout ‘Bowford’ after a combination of two places he has lived. I have now finished the Platform Edging and gluing the track down permanently. I have managed to get another siding into the goods yard, that’s makes four in total and should give much more shunting opportunities. I am awaiting the plasticard for the tops of the platforms, but the next job will be the electrics, four isolating sections and the control through a DPDT switch that changes between two feeds. The track over the baseboard join have been cut and this will be joined by a 10 way electric plug.

It looks like I will need to turn the station building into half relief as in its current form it will not fit and when put on a Peco platform – the canopy is to low and fouls the coaches. I have to say that I am not that impressed with some of the resin buildings – for example the cattle dock has no way to bring cows down to ground level unlike the Ratio kit I have used in the past. I have already taken the razor saw to make the level crossing and the weigh bridge more acceptable for placement on the layout. The yard crane on a platform also seems very contrived and not realistic.

Track Plan for Approval

Kelvin Barnes Uncategorized ,

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.

New OO Project Started.

Kelvin Barnes Uncategorized ,

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.

Two Brakes and two Vans in O Gauge.

Kelvin Barnes Uncategorized ,

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.

Trains run on Coopers Common.

Kelvin Barnes Uncategorized ,

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.

Coopers Common -Finished (19/10)

Kelvin Barnes Uncategorized ,

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.