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