June Update

The weather has been variable this June but I have been able to get out and do a bit of running however some of the high temperatures at the end of the month led to a broken fish plate that will need to be repaired.

As usual the pictures tell the tale

Getting the lights on

The station building looks good in its new setting

It looks very good once the lights come on

To control the 12 volt lights I am using this little circuit which was built from a kit purchased from Maplins

A sensor detects the level of light falling on it and when it reaches a point set by the potentiometer to the left of the LED the output relay is triggered.

A short operating session

Nice weather saw the line getting an opperating session mainly using 'Timo' on a mixed train.

Here she passes the Mamod in the station

The garden is slowly getting greener

After her days work she has a rest in the engine shed.

Lots of goodies

Its not Christmas but I do like to get a parcel. This one is from Houston Gate Locomotive works.

Lots of goodies

A couple of van kits

A Father Christmas for the model sleigh

A closed cab locomotive and chassis kit

And finally a roof jig to help me with the vans.

Roof Jig

The parts of the kit are separated and a dry run of the assembly is carried out

Now the parts get glued together

And its complete

A quick coat of paint to make it look nice

All finished and ready for use.

Signal Box Base

The base is a simple flat piece of wood with strengthening struts underneath it.

The signal lever base was fabricated from a section of plastic pipe with slots cut in it.

The lever base was located on the floor to make sure the scale looked right

I had purchased an interior kit but it is a bit too big for the signal cabin so it will be used else where.

The base is now painted black and stuck down to the floor and the floor boards added around it.

The base is tried out inside the cabin.

Broken Track

I had a short (very short as it turned out) operating session and the train kept derailing at this point.

Looking at the track I noticed that the top fish plate had broken due to the 30 degree plus temperatures we had. This will need to be repaired before running can re-start.

Fendyke Wagons

I couldnt find the original supplied wood for the roof so I have started to make a new one from balsa wood.

Next Fendyke van to pass through the works will be this brake van.

Workshop Rebuild

The workshop has had a complete clear out and rebuild using old kitchen worktop and kitchen cupboard supplied by a work mate who is rebuilding his kitchen.

The workshop has got more and more cluttered with non railway items being stored at the back reducing the amount of room for working.

My working end is quite small and lacking in storage.

The contents of the workshop was removed and stored on the patio under our shelter.

The workshop looking a lot clearer

Now just the crap at the back to be removed.

Thats it, all cleared

Lots of lovely room.

The contents all safely covered up.

First the kitchen unit was fitted. This will house all the stock.

The worktops in place.

The ceiling being boarded. the gap will house a lighting board.

A piece of the old worktop is put in place at the end, the PC will go here eventually.

Storage in place at the work bench area

Shelving put up and the spray booth is in place

At last, a clear workbench

Thats it, a bit late (the July update will be out in just over a fortnight!), and with a new workshop that just needs mains wiring completed I have a lot of projects to get started as well as getting old projects and jobs done. A busy summer is ahead.

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.