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.

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

It has been a very busy weekend at Exhibitions and trips out, however I did manage some more detailing work. I have created the 5th green and 6th tee on the corner of my Golf Club scene, added yet more trees and started to add Cars and HGV’s to the road and Narrow Boats to the river, although these need painting to be finished.

I would say I am within a week of finishing the layout after receiving some gifted foliage and flocks. I have now planted another 40 recycled trees and shrubs, that makes over 65 trees now on the layout. About 90% of the railway fence has been completed, but I am running out of wood of the right size and the fine wire I have been using. Anyway below are a few more photos of the last few days work.

A few more pictures from yesterday and today. Over 25 re-cycled trees ‘planted’ on the layout and also lots of bushes added. The right hand cutting that leads to the fiddle yard has also been completed. I have also built the colour light signals, but they are yet to be painted. More reeds have been added in the river on one side.