Leaderboard

Hi Griff, many thanks, yes the layout sure is and is my dream layout, Saturday I will finish checking the last station module that has the connector panel on it and the spiral module bus wires be free to start on the last construction stage of the layout, all that decking has being cut out all ready, can't wait. I might even be able to make a start on the bridge needing the arch to span 14 feet, the ship will sit in the middle or just off to one side . With the ship progress I am now working on the main deck sides cutting out to smoke vents , pics to follow, once that is done will start on the section section of the ship will have the access ramp from the top deck . Tony from down under keeping on moving ahead.

The long winter has dragged through into early spring reaching all the way to April showers. Not the weather for our hobby. I have wintered mainly on a diet of my model tramway and building On30 stock, the later is for my next garden railway which will at ground level, below the Amblethorpe shelf. Work on Amblethorpe has been focused on two areas, the conversation of a BR Mk2 coach into a Network Rail DBSO driving coach and prior to that, exhibiting Amblethorpe at a show! My wife, Sarah and I own a small coffee shop. For over a year me and my mate John have been taking about putting on a mini model railway show in the shop. This winter the 3 of us actually did it. We had two layouts, my tramway and an indoor version of Amblethorpe. John provided most of the baseboards and track, I supplied the station and most of the scenery. Colwick station lives on it's own board, baseboards were added to this and a station throat was built. Half a dozen of my scenic sections were then placed around the track. It was all cobbled together, but created a good overall effect, if a little cramped when compared to the normal space my trains run through. At the construction stage, on the lounge floor. Working to a deadline was good for removing procrastination. 1 large and 3 small scenic sections needed to be built, just for this one off show. I didn't have time to muck around getting things perfect, yet still came out with very impressive results. This is a lesson I need to learn in railway modelling (and in life). The event was very successful. We allowed children to drive the trams, which was hugely popular. The magic of the model railway still works on children in the 21st century. There was plenty of awe and amazement from the locals. Several of my scenic sections got a good spring clean for the event, which has them looking at there best this weekend as I finally started the 2018 running season.