[will]

I like the moniters It looks very professional.

[KingEdward1st]

Good idea about the cameras. Looking superb.

[87 101]

Fingers crossed the weather holds off this weekend as I’m aiming to get the main lines fully operational in time for next weekend. I managed a couple of night’s work this week aided by some tarpaulin sheeting! So far I have managed to run test trains from lakeside round the garden through parkway through the garage and back via parkway to lakeside. Last night I installed some more relays and a timer unit that will control down trains at parkway. Basically trains exit the garage and run into parkway station triggering a relay that latches on. This in turn automatically switches the track supply from the garage control to the garden supply and also triggers the timer unit. The timer has two changeover contacts one set switches the track supply back on and the other set operates the signal at the end of the platform. A reed switch further up the line resets the system as the train passes. I have tested the system using a royal mail coach fitted with a magnet but today we will find out using an 86! On the up line at parkway the track supply is again automatically switched using relays and this works perfectly. The biggest job to do today is to finish of soldering all the link wires on the return section between lakeside and the storage loops in the garage. Once complete I can then run test trains round the whole layout. Now where that umbrella!

[87 101]

Tonight history was made as the Heatherburn garden railway finally became an operational line with the completion of the continuous run. For those interested the lap time for an 86 with 4 mk1’s is 1:52:46 for the 4.7 scale mile run although my maths isn’t that good to work out the scale mph! After running a few laps the train started to derail at the top of the garden. The reason was traced to snails on the line. One was found minus its house strapped across the rails with 22v up its rear! As for poor 86 401 it had snail guts up the front and all down the bogie sides. The line was given a quick clean before 86 219 took over. This ran for a further ten minutes before the snails struck again!! Admitting defeat yet pleased with the result I retired for the night. Tomorrow night I will be tweaking the track voltages and have a final shakedown before the big day on Saturday. Other developments this week have seen the installation of an overall roof over the railway. Now trains can run as far as parkway whatever the weather! Pic’s to follow in due course.

[Teleman]

Snails on the line ..... makes a change from leaves But i have snail troubles too , i found they don't like gravel .
Can't wait to see the pictures , and the video

[87 101]

how do you get planning permission from Mrs Bentley ?????????

Careful negotiation! The latest addition is the roof over the railway. I told her that it would make a good place to dry the washing!!!





Prototype track cleaning coach.....

[87 101]

This weekend has seen me stuck on call so this has ment spending the weekend working on the railway waiting for the phone to ring. I decided that it was about time I finished off some of the work on the indoor section. Another reason was so I could take a few pics and send them to scalescenes. Anyway work has concentrated on the canal area. For starters I thought something was missing from the area. One cardboard tube some card, double sided tape and brick paper and I made myself a blue peter chimney! The only problem is that it looks great on the layout but I can't fit it in any of the pics!! Heres my best attempts including a Fred Dimnah shot from the top.....

The black cable sticking out of the top is for the red flashing light.
The other main features finished off are the road bridge and second warehouse. The warehouse has had a glass porch added to make it look like it's been converted to flats. The road bridge has had the parapet walls finished of and work has now started on the embankments on the other side.......

[87 101]

The railway is now added to the links page at scalescenes.com with some pic's in the gallery!

[87 101]

Managed to fit in a bit more modelling this weekend. A while back I downloaded some scalescenes houses to use as a back drop for the railway. After much 'kit bashing' here’s the result.........




The pipe sticking out of the roof on the end house is actually the gas pipe that goes to the boiler on the other side of the garage hence the houses to disguise it!

[KingEdward1st]

Looks good, but is there any chance the pictures could be bigger please, so they go one below another. i'm straining to see them!

Thanks,

[87 101]

Sorry Jake more small pic's i'm affraid.......

[87 101]

Hi guys sorry I havn't updated for a while yet hovever work on the railway is still progressing steadely. Over the last month I have been working on the signaling system and also done some more scenic work outdoors so sit back and enjoy all the pics. Dave.





















































































As you can see i've been a bit busy! The walls outside have been painted, track has been laid on the dock extension and the signaling system is starting to take shape. Also a backscene has apeared outdoors today! I have a weeks holiday coming up shortly so more updates to follow soon!

[87 101]

Today I started on yet another project. This time it's the level crossing at Woodham station. I would eventually like to have the crossing 'fully' operational if possible with lifting barriers, etc although how I will do this is yet to be decided! To make the eventual operation easier I have decided to have just one large barrier at each side of the track. The barriers will be linked via a brass rod running under the track bed so the first job this morning was to chisel out the base. The down main at this point had been relayed back in the summer and still required setting in mortar so the track was simply lifted out of the way along with the branch line. The up line however was in good shape so the base was carefully removed from under the track.........



You will note in the pics that there are two brass tubes running side by side. The round one is for the barrier mechanism whilst the square one is for the cabling for the lights. Once the brass tubing had been fitted and the track replaced the roadway was then created using a mix of mortar. The replacement track on the down main was also set at the same time........





Whilst working on this section I decided to fit the OHLE supports as well. The supports for one side of the gantry were set in the mortar whilst the other side was soldered to a screw. At the other side of the crossing the two single masts were made from scrap rail and brass rod........



The addition of the crossing has brought the station area to life and has given a good reason for the signal box to have been retained. Weather permitting work will continue on the crossing tomorrow. To finish tonight's update here's a pic of the signal gantry area showing the two new OHLE gantries in place.........



Tune in tomorrow night for another update.

[KingEdward1st]

The level crossing looks great, but can the trains actually run over it?

[87 101]

They will after I've cut the gaps through tomorrow provided that it sets tonight!

[87 101]

The bigest devlopment today has been me finaly figuring out the problem of uploading pics so heres todays progress......

[Camborner]

Impressive-a lot more realistic than the R-T-R level crossings!

[KingEdward1st]

Very impressive. Looks extremely realistic. Although I think the matchsticks ruin it.

Congratulations on a great looking model!

[87 101]

Although I think the matchsticks ruin it.

The matchsticks are actualy the wrong colour they need to be darker brown. They represent the wooden animal guards found on the real thing. Have a look at some crossing pics and you will see what Im on about. They will blend in better once the barriers are in place and the track bed has been painted.

[KingEdward1st]

They willl look much better as a darker brown. I am really enjoying watching this project progress. You must have the patience of a saint! I am really excited about seeing these (hopefully!) working barriers. Do you know what barriers you will use yet or will you be scratch building them??