87101

Done a bit more on the layout this afternoon starting with a few detailing bits and a bit of balast http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x216/87101/Westcoast/Image5097.jpg' alt='URL>'> The abutment for the road bridge http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x216/87101/Westcoast/Image5098.jpg' alt='URL>'> A set of steps will be going in here http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x216/87101/Westcoast/Image5099.jpg' alt='URL>'> http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x216/87101/Westcoast/Image5100.jpg' alt='URL>'> The concrete bases for the OLE masts have been added http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x216/87101/Westcoast/Image5101.jpg' alt='URL>'> http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x216/87101/Westcoast/Image5102.jpg' alt='URL>'> http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x216/87101/Westcoast/Image5103.jpg' alt='URL>'> Between the tracks will be a small relay room. I have mocked up the position with an old water tower http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x216/87101/Westcoast/Image5104.jpg' alt='URL>'> I have had a rethink about the motorway and im now looking at having a normal dual carrageway instead. One of the reasons for this is the door frame was in the middle of one of the carrageways. I can now cover the door frame with a print of a block of flats http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x216/87101/Westcoast/Image5105.jpg' alt='URL>'> The base of the depot has been built up to the finished height http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x216/87101/Westcoast/Image5106.jpg' alt='URL>'> http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x216/87101/Westcoast/Image5107.jpg' alt='URL>'> http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x216/87101/Westcoast/Image5108.jpg' alt='URL>'> The incline sits between the depot and main lines http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x216/87101/Westcoast/Image5109.jpg' alt='URL>'> http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x216/87101/Westcoast/Image5110.jpg' alt='URL>'> The scenery will extend to the edge of the piece of timber http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x216/87101/Westcoast/Image5111.jpg' alt='URL>'> Plenty of space to model the office behing the loco shed http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x216/87101/Westcoast/Image5112.jpg' alt='URL>'>

This morning I ripped out the timber base where the old heatherburn crossed the path and into the garage. It has come out in one piece and will be reused. Now whilst being outside I have come up with yet another new plan and managed to get permission from the boss ! Above the automated fiddle yards I was planing to build a second station this time a terminus so I could have a bit of operational intrest. The inclines I have started were to have run up to this station but I could do with another couple of inches clearence. I then had a brainwave about taking the upper line outside along the fence and then come back in from the oppisit direction. At nearly 5 feet off the deck the outside section would clear the bins and we can duck under the bridges for access. This would allow me to flip the terminus station and stick it in the far corner of the garage. It would also solve the problem of the CH boiler being in the way.

Both cabs are to the same scale although the 86 cab has no underframe so I might scratchbuild one.

Made a bit of progress on the scenery today. This tree I made a few years ago has found a new home on the layout http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x216/87101/Westcoast/DSCF0412.jpg' alt='URL>'> I have also mocked up the motorway bridge. I have decided to do a two lane motorway rather than a three as it was covering up too much of the layout http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x216/87101/Westcoast/DSCF0421.jpg' alt='URL>'> http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x216/87101/Westcoast/DSCF0422.jpg' alt='URL>'> http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x216/87101/Westcoast/DSCF0423.jpg' alt='URL>'> A 47 trundels past with the charter train stock http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x216/87101/Westcoast/DSCF0426.jpg' alt='URL>'> The brake van has been toned down with acrylics http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x216/87101/Westcoast/DSCF0427.jpg' alt='URL>'> The rockery uses some slate that I found in the garden http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x216/87101/Westcoast/DSCF0428.jpg' alt='URL>'> http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x216/87101/Westcoast/DSCF0430.jpg' alt='URL>'> http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x216/87101/Westcoast/DSCF0431.jpg' alt='URL>'> http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x216/87101/Westcoast/DSCF0432.jpg' alt='URL>'> The waterfall is made from casting resin http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x216/87101/Westcoast/DSCF0433.jpg' alt='URL>'> http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x216/87101/Westcoast/DSCF0434.jpg' alt='URL>'> http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x216/87101/Westcoast/DSCF0435.jpg' alt='URL>'> http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x216/87101/Westcoast/DSCF0438.jpg' alt='URL>'> http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x216/87101/Westcoast/DSCF0440.jpg' alt='URL>'> This is the look I wanted trains in the landscape http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x216/87101/Westcoast/DSCF0441.jpg' alt='URL>'> http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x216/87101/Westcoast/DSCF0442.jpg' alt='URL>'> http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x216/87101/Westcoast/DSCF0443.jpg' alt='URL>'> http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x216/87101/Westcoast/DSCF0444.jpg' alt='URL>'> http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x216/87101/Westcoast/DSCF0445.jpg' alt='URL>'>

A few more pics. Ignore any markings on the panel switches as they were recycled from the old layout and still need changing. http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x216/87101/Westcoast/DSCF0391.jpg' alt='URL>'> Power on. http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x216/87101/Westcoast/DSCF0392.jpg' alt='URL>'> The switched in the depot area are for the isolating rails. http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x216/87101/Westcoast/DSCF0393.jpg' alt='URL>'> The handset is the intercom between the garage and house. Usefull for requests for tea !! http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x216/87101/Westcoast/DSCF0394.jpg' alt='URL>'> http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x216/87101/Westcoast/DSCF0395.jpg' alt='URL>'> The controllers are modified gaugemaster units. One was a panel mount the other was a boxed controller. http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x216/87101/Westcoast/DSCF0397.jpg' alt='URL>'> One switch controles each crossover http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x216/87101/Westcoast/DSCF0398.jpg' alt='URL>'> http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x216/87101/Westcoast/DSCF0399.jpg' alt='URL>'> http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x216/87101/Westcoast/DSCF0400.jpg' alt='URL>'> http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x216/87101/Westcoast/DSCF0401.jpg' alt='URL>'> And a few more of stock http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x216/87101/Westcoast/DSCF0411.jpg' alt='URL>'> http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x216/87101/Westcoast/DSCF0402.jpg' alt='URL>'> http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x216/87101/Westcoast/DSCF0404.jpg' alt='URL>'> http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x216/87101/Westcoast/DSCF0405.jpg' alt='URL>'> http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x216/87101/Westcoast/DSCF0406.jpg' alt='URL>'> http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x216/87101/Westcoast/DSCF0407.jpg' alt='URL>'> http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x216/87101/Westcoast/DSCF0410.jpg' alt='URL>'> http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x216/87101/Westcoast/DSCF0409.jpg' alt='URL>'> http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x216/87101/Westcoast/DSCF0408.jpg' alt='URL>'>

At last some long over due pics. Whilst I have been out of action with the hernia I managed a couple of days building up the base for the housing devlopment. Note the different levels http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x216/87101/Westcoast/DSCF0180.jpg' alt='URL>'> After some paint. The dropped curbs have come out ok http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x216/87101/Westcoast/DSCF0183.jpg' alt='URL>'> http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x216/87101/Westcoast/DSCF0193.jpg' alt='URL>'> http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x216/87101/Westcoast/DSCF0185.jpg' alt='URL>'> One feature that I was going to model on the old heatherburn layout was a rail enthuiasts house with a couple of loco cabs in the back garden. I have also modified an old brake van into a viewing platform. http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x216/87101/Westcoast/DSCF0191.jpg' alt='URL>'> The different levels of the houses give the impresion of the hillside. http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x216/87101/Westcoast/DSCF0189.jpg' alt='URL>'> Bletchfords control panel. I will take some better close up ones later. http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x216/87101/Westcoast/DSCF0387.jpg' alt='URL>'> Spent the past couple of days cleaning the garage windows. Now I can open them again access to the layout is easer. http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x216/87101/Westcoast/DSCF0366.jpg' alt='URL>'> http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x216/87101/Westcoast/DSCF0370.jpg' alt='URL>'> http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x216/87101/Westcoast/DSCF0377.jpg' alt='URL>'> http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x216/87101/Westcoast/DSCF0378.jpg' alt='URL>'> http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x216/87101/Westcoast/DSCF0379.jpg' alt='URL>'> The motorway bridge will fit level with the window frame. I will eventualy be extending the baseboard to the right so I can include the embankment. http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x216/87101/Westcoast/DSCF0380.jpg' alt='URL>'> http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x216/87101/Westcoast/DSCF0382.jpg' alt='URL>'> The different track levels outside the signal box. http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x216/87101/Westcoast/DSCF0383.jpg' alt='URL>'> http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x216/87101/Westcoast/DSCF0384.jpg' alt='URL>'> http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x216/87101/Westcoast/DSCF0386.jpg' alt='URL>'> http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x216/87101/Westcoast/DSCF0388.jpg' alt='URL>'>

Thought it was about time I uploaded a couple of pics so here's the first OLE gantries under construction http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x216/87101/Westcoast/DSCF0098.jpg' alt='URL>'> And heres what im currently working on http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x216/87101/Westcoast/DSCF0114.jpg' alt='URL>'> http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x216/87101/Westcoast/DSCF0115.jpg' alt='URL>'>

Yeh no probs Ian I will take a few later when my camera battries have charged up!

Work on the layout has slowed latley due to my health problems but I have started work on the layouts control panel and also the tunnel entrance. Thankfully I now have a date for my opp so with a bit of luck I should be back to normal by the end of March. I will upload a few pics to the dreaded photobucket later.

Last nights running session 8xSsoGwJIsc enjoy.

3 of the 4 loops now in and im out of track again. Presently got two class 87's running round on the fast lines and hopfully I can get the third inside loop wired and running tonight. Webcam is currently live at http://84.13.71.217:8081/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Just lifted what will proberly be the last sections of usable track from out in the garden. Due to the heatherburns construction I will lose aprox 3 boxes of flexitrack as its embedded in concrete Some of the track recovered has be subjected to the most extreame weathering over the past 5 years and it will be intresting to see if it cleans up ok after a soak in the bath. Peco dont specify if their flexitrack can withstand two german shephards peeing on it !! If I do manage to clean it up I should have enough to complete the 3 remaining loops round the garage.

Last night I ordered some much needed pointwork. Once it has arrived I can get the rest of the track down in the station area. Provided that I have lifted enough track from outside I should also be able to get the other three loops laid by the weekend meaning that I can have a serious running session with 4 trains running at once !!

Cheers Andy. 86401 was the only 86 ever to carry NSE livery and was painted for the inaugraul train to Cambridge. It was returned to NSE livery by the AC loco group and is currently being used to shunt stock about at Willisden. 87012 was painted in NSE livery to mark the end of the use of the class on WCML trains. It was also renamed olympian and the network south east was changed to back the bid. The loco still carries this livery in romania. I was gutted about this repaint as I would have expected 012 to have been repainted in it's 1984 experemental intercity livery.

Happy new year everyone. Well as new year telly is its normal waste of time I decided to do a bit more on the signal box. With the addition of the tower the box is finaly taking shape with just the rear office extension to add. http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x216/87101/Westcoast/DSCF0001.jpg' alt='URL>'> http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x216/87101/Westcoast/DSCF0002.jpg' alt='URL>'> http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x216/87101/Westcoast/DSCF0003.jpg' alt='URL>'> http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x216/87101/Westcoast/DSCF0004.jpg' alt='URL>'> http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x216/87101/Westcoast/DSCF0005.jpg' alt='URL>'> Tonight I have removed the retaining wall that ran across the garage window http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x216/87101/Westcoast/DSCF0015.jpg' alt='URL>'> This has opened up the view into the layout http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x216/87101/Westcoast/DSCF0014.jpg' alt='URL>'> http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x216/87101/Westcoast/DSCF0012-1.jpg' alt='URL>'> http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x216/87101/Westcoast/DSCF0021-1.jpg' alt='URL>'> http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x216/87101/Westcoast/DSCF0011-1.jpg' alt='URL>'> http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x216/87101/Westcoast/DSCF0010.jpg' alt='URL>'>