BLR Track Planning

After getting and running the Steam engine for a bit, the parents seem to be on side to let me lay 45mm track in the garden to run it on. Below shows the current plans with the larger loop/sidings already being used to test my engine at the moment.



As the above shows, it's gonna be a large setup hopefully and should give the steamer a good long run. Although, as the its first one i've ever designed, comments from those in the know would be greatly appreiated.

Until next time,

Jon

BLR - Something different

Well, this year, i got something very special for christmas.

Also known as the BLR's first Steam engine. A Accucraft Leader in Maroon. It's been run by me a couple of times although I do have plans (and the support of the landlords) to lay a track around the garden for it but more on that later.

Until Next time,

Jon

Strange Sightings - Explained

'In response to the reported sightings from eariler in the day, the PCRS have released a press release containing several pictures of the causes of the reports.'

After a successful trip to ExpoNG, I managed to get a number of items for use on the 9F club layout at the Bluebell Railway I help maintain and a new chassis for my 'Prince' Kit.

I also painted Linda into its current fully lined FR green which suits it well. As always, comments are always welcome.

Until Next time,

Jon

Strange sightings

'Reports are coming in of strange engines being spotted in and around the shed areas of Blaencwm. All reports are uncomfirmed but witnesses swear that several engines in various shades of green and black have been sighted. Further imformation as it arrives'

All shall be revealed in time......but Blaencwm.....is going Green!

Until Next time

Latest Rolling Stock - 009

Hi,

It seems more logical to upload more photos of my latest stock here rather than clog up the main update so here we are:-

Until Next time,

Jon

Long time no update

Not a lot's happened since my last update with lots of stock work on several fronts.

009

Lots of Stock building/Purchasing to get though the backlog of kits. These include -

2 FR Victorian Coaches from different Sources
Hudson No. 39
3 different FR Corrdior Coaches
Various WD/Hudson Bogie Wagons

16mm

16mm Vale of Ffestiniog on IP Enginering Bogies
Two open wagons

New 009 Stock

Due to a change of location on a layout where I run my longer trains to the SR, a number of SR items of 009 rolling stock have been sourced and at the time of writing are either awaiting collection at ExpoNG 2011 or posting. These should hopefully include:-

One of the original 2-6-2T Tank engines - Yeo, Taw or Exe
8 of the 4 wheeled Wagons
A Ducket Brakevan
Possibly 2 Bogie open wagons

This should hopefully give a nice mix of L&B/FR stock on said layout and giving me something Southern to run with 'Lyd' and 'Axe'

New 009 Photographs

Recently, after carrying out a full stock check, I took a load of photographs of all my rolling stock and part built or under repair items. This was the result:-

Until Next Time,

Jon

BLR Track Laying/009 Hudson

Hi All,

Couple of updates re the BLR project and Blaencwm's stock list. Most of the track for the BLR has arrived and been tested using my single LGB truck from several years ago. It all looks nice together and hopefully should allow some testing/playing to begin soon.

I've also had a chance to build my FR No.39 kit which has gone together fantasically. Just need to paint it then only the WHHR one to go.

BLR Track Work and wagon

BLR Track Work

BLR Track Work

BLR Track Work and wagon

Hudson Coach No.39

Until next time,

Jon

Post Show thoughts

Hello everyone,

Its been a few days since the show now and overall, it went well. Blaencwm was well recieved with a few photographs slowly becoming available on private websites. The layout needs some minor repairs after signals fell off amongst over things. All the stock behaved itself which is a bonus but serious thought will need to go into when I continue the detailing as the clearences in some places were tight.

On the plus side, the layout made it back in one piece as well which was also a huge bonus as there were times on the way back I didn't think it would make it.



In other news, hopefully the two lilliput shunters will gain DCC chips soon so I can play with that feature on the layout using my now redundent EZ Command controller off my 00 line.

Until next time,

Jon

Real world Research - Nothing beats it

Evening all,

With 10 days to go to the layout's first showing, I've finally gotten back from a research trip to the WHR, WHHR and FR railway. Gotten loads of fantastic photographs and films of various engines in action with most of them being of Meridddin Emrys, Blanche, NG143, NG138, Castle Caernafeon and David Lloyd Geogre. Some details on ME and DLG need correcting on the models but they shouldn't take too long to sort out fortunatly.

On the upside, I've managed to aqquire a number of items for the layout. One item won't be ready in time for the show althoug it may appear part built in a siding but the others should all make it:

• A Chris Vetch 'Barn' FR. No 104 Brass kit


• Langley Miniatures 'Prince' Body kit


• A pair of Parkside Dundas Bogie Wagon Kits (one Hudson truck and one flat bed chassis)


• 4 Peco Point levers


• A new Signal Box kit


• Another 10 Bemo Couplings


• FR Ashbury No. 10 Carriage Kit
  

This leaves a few items to purchase when I get a chance to go out and buy them although the end is now in sight. At the moment, Lyd may appear in Black 'undercoat' but I've decided to repaint my model into the current BR lined Black livery its carrying. I'm also thinking about repainting Linda into its current lined green after seeing it in the metal(it looks SO much better in the metal as it were than in photographs).

Photos and videos will be uploaded shortly along with the first photos of the final push to get the layout ready.

Until Next time,

Jon

Layout work - 1st Showing

Morning all,

I've recently be able to look back at the layout and take some snaps of it as it was yesterday afternoon. Just as well as I've got a show to finish it for on the 13th of August. Its a private one but should be a laugh as I've never shown one of my own personal layouts to others before. Just a few jobs to finish first:

• Find, clean up and paint my signal box for the station enterance


• Fit Signals to the platform ends


• Add people, lamps, seats etc


• Finish the water tower and paint it


• Touch up the engine shed


• Find, built and install a fuel oil tank


• Work out how I can possibly fit a pit inside the engine shed or on the coaling road for the steam engines


• Repaint Lyd

Lots to do, not alot of time to do it in. And that's not including the items that'll have to be made if the kits arrive in time.

Comments always welcome especially this close to the layout's first showing.

Until Next time,

Jon

Locomotive developments

Number of Changes have happened to the Locomotive Fleet since the last updates:-

• DLG/Lyd/Blaencwm/Mountaineer have all recieved thier Narrow Planet Name/Number plates


• Merddin Emrys is complete except for FR crests and the second missing smokebox door. For the time being, Merddin Emerys, David Lloyd George and Earl of Merioneth will all share Chassis until parts can be found to complete chassis for the other two locomotives


• Earl of Merioneth II has been ordered from CJ Ward as a 3D printed body. She will be finished in her current Coal burning Condition.


• Arun has been sold to a friend where it now runs pulling my former Roco coaches and VoR coach.

And here's the pictures:

Until Next time,

Jon

New Sheds/Name change

Afternoon all,

A couple of photos for you of the new sheds being built for the LWNN's engines to live in. Its converted from a Airfix Single Road shed kit.

Which brings me onto the new name for the layout. As of the 13th of August, the layout will be known as 'Blaencwm'.

Until next time,

Jon

New Stock Boxes

Afternoon all,

Its been a while so the first in a series of updates re the layout and stock.

Firstly, Ive invested in a pair of KRMultiscale Travel Cases for stock for the layout. These are great units and worth the money paid. Look them up on Google for them as they do several different cases and inserts for multiple uses and styles.

Until Next Time,

Jon

Amberley Rail Gala 2011

Sorry for the delay, had loads on.

A number of photos of the Amberley Rail Gala 2011. You may recogise some of the FR stock in the 009 Society Showcase which was very well protected.

Until Next time,

Jon

9F Club Layout progress

Number of additions to the layout including the rest of the narrow gauge and the new fiddle yard. The first full lenght trains have been run in to the fiddle yard using DLG, the Big FR set with my mate's 9F and BR set.

More updates to come after the working session on the 22nd and after the Toy and collectors fair/its next appearence during which we should hopefully have the run round loop working as well. You may notice the complete set of 4 Boston Largs Works Barn style coaches under test. A more detailed post of them will be put up soon.

During the test, Mountaineer, Lyd and DLG were all tested so hopefully the layout can hold whatever's thrown at it. Again, more photos of them all once my on order Narrow Planet plates arrive along with my FR crests.

Until next time,

FR Barns - 107 and 123

Hi all,

Just got a e-mail from Boston Largs works saying the latest two carriages have been sent to ourselfs. All I can say based on the last two is I can't wait!

Images copyright Rob Waller/Boston Largs Works

Jon