May Update

I had aimed to do weekly updates as I thought I would get a lot more done this month. In the end the painting of the Loco Shed and the maintenance of the garden plus a few family events limited my progress.

The Loco Shed

The loco shed had, by the end of the month, received all its basic paint work. Next job is to weather it down ready for planting in the garden.

Only the roof remains to be painted

The paint going on.

After a coat of grey masonry paint in the interior the shed was tried in place. Looking good.

Time for some weathering. First the mortar was highlighted with a wash of white.

Looking ok.

Sleeper Built Buffer Stop

I purchased a kit at the 16mm AGM for a sleeper built buffer stop from Pendle Valley Models and, as it will be needed on the station area, decided to build it.

The parts all washed to remove any release agent and cleaned up ready for construction to begin.

The construction is simple with a box created from the sides

Once the box is created two offcuts of resin are glued at the correct height below the edge and the rubble infill molding is glued onto them.

All ready for some filler

The filler is in, just needs a clean up

Primer is then sprayed on

And the colour starts going on

All ready for the buffer board and the lamp to be added.

All done, now just needs some weathering.

Signal Box

The painting of the walls has been completed so next step was the roof.

Once fixed in place the ridge rod was put in place, a bit of filler and a coat of grey paint and its all ready for some weathering.

Mamod Brunel

Last month saw the first steaming of this new loco and it uncovered a problem with a badly machined wheel. Dream Steam quickly supplied a replacement set of wheels and they were fitted and tested. All nice and smooth now.

Youtube Video of test run

Station Platform

The station gained a platform surface using dry Postcrete that then went hard due to moisture (rain!) in the air. Wiring for the station buildings lights was also added.

The Postcrete is put inside the box created by gluing down slices of concrete block with slate slabs put on the top. Glue is waterproof sealant. The wiring was also added..

Once it was all nice and smooth water was carefully sprayed on the surface to begin the setting process

As rain was forecast the area was covered to stop it all being washed away.

The buildings were tried roughly in position. I am pleased with the look.

The Chief Engineer and Chief Mechanic inspect the work. They were pleased.

 Thats all for this month, the garden gained some extra plants that will hopefully make the garden much more colourful for next month. I aim to do another on-train video in June as well as getting the station area completed.