I have worked about eight hours on Coopers Common today, I have done half the visible track ballasting and weathering, painted the roads first coat, painted the last pond with undercoat and painted distant trees and bushes on the backscene. It is a very slow job making the Kato track look a bit more realistic, under a close look it does not blend well with the ballast, but I’ve done the best I can and I am relatively happy with the result.
I started on this layout in 2021, a N Gauge Layout for my Son, John. Now two years down the line it has been restarted. The baseboards and electrics are complete and some basic landscaping has been done. I now intend to stop all other work for three or four weeks to finish the layout. So there we go – after Covid, lack of money and time I have decided its time to complete what will be called ‘Coopers Common’. The layout is very loosely based on Ely in the 90’s and early 2000’s and is between Ely station and the north junction – I have ‘moved’ the River, the Lakes, the Freight Loop and the Road, but hey its our layout!! The main concept is that both tracks are bi-directional and the loop will be likewise. All lines will eventually have overhead catenary added – I would like to wire them if possible!
Some of you may remember that I discovered this layout in the Spring in a very distressed condition with very thick mould. I have since used mould inhibitor twice and waited two months to see if it was successful. Thankfully it was and I have just taken advantage of the recent hot weather to paint the layout. It would have been terrible if I had to stop this project after all the work done last year. I am trying to do a slightly different fiddle yard, it allows a small degree of shunting in the fiddle yard using the sector plate without the loco(s) moving on to the main scenic boards. The shelves are to stores stock awaiting railing.
London Transport is the reason the O Gauge layout Dark Lane was Built – I just wanted something a bit different. It was also decided to use DCC Sound in all Locos – four Ex GWR panniers.
Recently our group split and we all went our separate ways. Ebridge was owned by us all and it has now been sold to another friend. Ebridge was made by Mike and Graham and did many exhibitions including Warley – I am not sure whether it will remain on the exhibition circuit.
This is my O Gauge Layout ‘Mission Road’ – the views are thro’ and over the top of the bridge. The layout only has two points and the fiddle yard is a three option sector plate. Total size 6′ x 2′ and holds about 12 – 15 Locos depending on size.
Here are a few photos I took of my O gauge layout Mission Road – No Locos about – but thro’ the bridge and over the top.
Mission Road is my O Gauge Steam Shed Layout. We had a photo session this afternoon, running BR(S) locos. Most are recently weathered Locos, they combine well in the Shed environment.
A few photos of today at the Poringland Exhibition. The layout is Little Sefton in O Gauge. Today we had Shaun with us operating for the first time since his stroke and it was really great that he was back with me and Graham.
This is our group layout ‘ASHWELL MOOR’ in O Gauge. Owned by My Son John – made by myself several years ago. Locos and stock owned by John, Graham and myself/
