Spent most of the day working on the Baseboards for the new O Gauge Layout. I have added an extra 30mm to the front edges of the laser cut boards . This does three things, obviously it makes the layout bigger, but it makes it just large enough to have four tracks, thirdly it allows for curtain attachment.
I have extended the sector plate by 150mm, it was originally going to be a OO layout.
The first piece of track has been stuck down on the sector plate and some calculations made for other track laying.
As on previous posts, the next layout was to be my Sons new N Gauge Layout, with boards already made. Well, we decided to enlarge the project to 12′ x 3′ from 8′ x 3′. The new board kits have been ordered but they are not due to be delivered until late May, six weeks away.
I have therefore made a decision on my remaining made up baseboards – they will become another O Gauge layout approx 12′ x 18″. I intend to try and make this layout as a bit of a ‘design clever’ with removable items so that a variety of running eras and locations can be used. For example I intend to have removable buffer stops on a bolt on system, one set of traditional stops and another the up to date RAWIE style. Other changes will be different buildings, yard lights and railway staff to enable quick changes to run different eras.
The layout will be a Diesel stabling point as small fuel points to the traditional style have dwindled over the last thirty years or so. I intend to leave room for Loco fuel tank filling from road transport as used nowadays, but no fueling point or its sundry items will be added.
The layout will be DC as I already have a Diesel DCC fueling point in O Gauge, Merlins Lane. The Sector plate will be extended by about four inches and will probably be ‘pointless’
This Loco is now finished as it was running in the mid 80’s. Overall this is a light to medium application and it certainly makes the loco more realistic.
This is my last Loco of the current batch, it is destined for my Mate in Australia. 37403 Isle of Mull is modelled as newly converted into a 37/4 in 1985.
This was a bit of a challenge as this loco was converted from an ex Western Region loco and retained its regional lamp irons. Adding them was not the problem – finding some was! I eventually tracked some down and duly purchased them.
The nameplates are Fox and the transfers are a mixture of Fox and Railtec.
This Loco will have a medium weathering, more photos later.
This is Thunderer updated to as running for ‘Hanson and Hall’ as a heritage Locomotive. It has been used to transport various items of rolling stock around the country, that included a visit to East Anglia. It is still running now in this condition albeit with some of the owners stickers on the bodysides.
If any transfer makers ever do the ‘Hansen and Hall’ decals then I would add them, but it did run in 2018-19 without them.
The upgrade consisted of changing the O/H warning stickers to the current type, adding kicker plates strips below the doors and painting the lamp irons white. The Loco now appears to be air braked only, but I have not removed the vacuum pipes so that I could move it backwards to the early 90’s if required.
The nameplates are from Proto Neo and the transfers are from Railtec.
Another update on a loco that has now been finished, 37057. I have done some more work on the bogies, adding axle box detail. I have also done more work on the roof, blanking off the now redundant steam boiler port.
I have again done quite a bit of research on whether this loco retains vacuum pipes, again as 37421 it does, so I retained them.
With being used by Colas and purchased from preservation, it is hoped that when their life on the main line is over, they will all return into preservation.
This is again a bit of a repost, but now the Colas 37/4 is finished. All buffer beam detail has been added along with snow ploughs. 37421 is a little different to the DRS 37/4’s, it retains its Vacuum Brake hoses and presumably that capability. I removed all the Vacuum Hoses on the DRS examples as they are Air Braked only.
I am still looking to replace the Colas ‘Hat’ Logo with the latest offering, but still no one has produced the transfers for one!
This is somewhat of a re-post, but a lot has happened to 37422 over the last fortnight or so. It has received a few more embellishments and more importantly a name. It is now named ‘Victorious’ and although it seems a bit different to DRS normal naming policies, it is much welcomed.
The nameplates are Proto Neo and the transfers are a mix of Fox, HMRS and Railtec.
This is another DRS repaint into a heritage livery, this time it is 37425 Concrete Bob/Sir Robert McAlpine. The same detailing has been applied to ‘Bob’ as to the previous posts in the 7 in 7 blog.
The nameplates are Fox and again the transfers are a mix of Fox and Railtec.
This Loco is currently working out of Norwich on route learning and March on engineers trains. Certainly brings back very fond memories.
Here is another of the DRS Heritage repaints, this time it is 37419 Carl Haviland. This Loco is in Inter-City Mainline livery similar to the original variety in the late 80’s.
I have again tried to bring the Loco right up to date and as running now. All the usual DRS refinements have been added and the details are the same as yesterdays post.
Nameplates are again Fox and the transfers are a mix of Fox and Railtec.
