Testing an incline

I have added an incline that leads to a high level siding at the back of the layout. After a few trial runs with boxes I have decided that the Woodland scenic incline gives a reliable surface to work with, compared to the boxes I was using before, although I haven't yet pinned it all down or covered it.

Here is a short video of a black 5 attempting the incline with a few trucks in tow.

More new track - Part 2

Continuing with the line at the back of the layout, the video shows how I am testing it as I build it up.

Click here to see the video.

More new track

The plan here is to create a hidden track that runs at the back of the layout, so one train can disappear and a different one can reappear from the same area. I am also hoping to put a high level track over this hidden one. The hidden track connects to the siding without returning to the main line and will be hidden by a retaining wall created from a Scalescene kit.

I have a plan to make level crossing look more realistic which I will reveal later.

One of the Points is on the edge of the board so it will need a surface mounted point motor which I will hide in a lineside hut.

Not sure when I will be working on the model next as I am hoping the weather will improve so I can get out.

Adding the next extension.

I have decided where to extend the layout and have purchased two points to use for the extensions. First problem was removing ballasted track to fit a point. I was able to pull it up and fit the point but the level wasn't right and I have had to pack a few bits of cork in place to level up the track. I ran a few engines over it and although it is not perfect the trains will pass over it without falling off the track. Re-ballasting will come later as it's not my favourite task.

As this point is at the front of the layout I will be able to operate it manually, so no point motor is involved. Here is a picture of a train over the point.

Help - what next

The more I look at the layout the more I realise I'm not making best use of the extra space available, so I am currently looking at alternative track plans which I could use without too much disruption in changing the layout. One plan involves an incline, so I am trying to construct one to see if locos will pull a load up it, or if it is too steep. Watch this space.

Adding the bridge

The Girder bridge is now constructed, might need a coat of paint at some time, trains have run successfully over it although there is not much clearance and a (scale) 60’ coach may be even tighter round the bend as it leaves the bridge. I have also added the under board point motor to the point that leads off to this junction, I think I need to get the electric points functioning next so I don’t have to run round the layout switching them manually.

Building an extension to the layout.

To use up the additional space I now have, a bit more wood cutting has been done and I have created a new junction at the back of the layout that takes trains off the 6 x 4 board onto an extension that leads to some storage sidings. A couple of Fleishman points picked up at a model rail group’s open day give me access from the single incoming track to all four of the sidings. Trains run in and out of this loop without too much trouble.

The scenic views at the back of the layout will have to be changed and there may well be a tunnel and a bridge on the extension piece. I bought a girder bridge from EHattons at the weekend and it came with one piece missing (the bag had split open) but they sent that part in the post today so I can now construct this bridge.

A few locos appear

Unpacked a few locos, and gave then a test run round the existing track, all except one seem to work ok at the moment.

Work in progress

<

A bit more stuff has been unpacked and I have started work on the extension section where there will be some storage sidings and hopefully a turning area for locos.

Adding a few buildings

Basically, I've been unpacking some of the boxes to see what's in them, and have laid them out on the layout temporarily, while I finish off building it. I also found the storage rack I build to be useful for minor items, until all the new tracks are in place.

A small step forward

Lots of other jobs to do around the house, but we have managed to make a small step forward this evening. Everything was packed away for the move, and most of it still is. I have fixed the back of the layout to the wall and have found a few of the houses that were there before. I may have to relay the road they are on, before they can be sited properly, and somewhere there will be a background scene. Remember you can click on the photos to see a larger version.

While opening boxes I found the controller and a loco, so 'Mallard' had a quick run round the track, and survived the trip without falling off or stopping, except at the platform.

Next step will be to get front supports for the baseboard and then we can consider building an extension where trains can be stored when not running. Also finding out more buildings, as they can now stay on the layout all the time as it does not have to be folded away.

Step 2 - stand the existing baseboard up.

Well I managed to stand it up on an old table in the middle of the room. Then I refitted the original legs at the back. I have now moved it into the corner, and have established that if I leave the hole in the baseboard I can access this corner when required. The turntable that used to be in the section of baseboard where the hole is can be moved elsewhere, once I have built an extension piece with a fiddle yard. You can click on the pictures to see larger versions.

I also now have somewhere to store all the boxes in this room, they can go under the baseboard.

Step 1 - repaint the room

Nearly finished, a nice sky colour which I hope will blend in with the backscenes. And the display/storage case I built hangs nicely on the wall.

New house, new beginning

Well we have now moved house, which means the railway is in pieces and has to be put back together. The good news is that I can have a dedicated room, so it will not have to be folded away against the wall, that should help the ballast to stay on the track at least. It is also slightly larger that the room I had it in before so I might be able to incorporate extra track for the trains not currently running.

 Below are a few views of the room, I did lay out a bit of track to see how it was for size.

 Now I have to plan where to start, although I’m told the room has to be painted first, so I will be painting the walls sky blue.

The end of the current layout

Well is all packed away now, ready for us to move house next week. The house we are moving to has an extra room so I am hoping to create a permanent layout in place of this fold away one. watch this space, it may take a while as there is no doubt that there will be other things to do there.

 

One or two loose bits are now away in a drawer to transport separately. Everything else is in boxes somewhere, it will be fun trying to find everything after the move.