The Welcome Mat

Welcome to this Blog. Hopefully you may find it of use (i doubt it but it doesnt stop me hoping does it?). All my skills are normally self taught, and at the moment i'm a lone ranger when it comes to my layout with the occasional help from friends (normally it involves alot heckling).

I've never yet got a layout really past the electrics stage. I normally lose interest which is why i've decided to become involved in lots of things so i can vary my time between different things. All the work you see on Westleigh is my own work and all the photos you see on my fotopic sites are again my own work. I'm amazed i havent started to play with it, perhaps leaving the vast majoirty of the wiring to the end helps.

My main interest in railways is principally the early 90s. Even though i only just got into double figures in terms of age just as privitisation came in, i find it a very interesting period. My earliest memories were at Salisbury, Oxford and Bristol. So to counteract this aswell i tend to model the northwest scene during 1990 to 1994. However i also do the Wessex area during the same period and the scottish lowlands during 1988-1990.

I do have a little interest in the 1996-1998 privitisation period. I'm more aware of this period than the sectorisation period and again i wouldnt mind if it turned into this era.

I also am working on a project of Devizes station in 1963/64 just before alot of the line was rationalised and eventually closed. This however is a very very long term project and probably wont get anyway for many many years yet.

I do spend alot of time in the summer out an about doing photography particularly of civil jet aircraft. I'm certainly no David Bailey but i'm reasonably proud of most of the photos taken.

Anyway i suppose i really should get off the computer and get on with some modelling work, except work has a tendancy to get in the way!

Thursday 11 June 2015

Sounding it out.

I managed to get hold of one of the railroad TTS class 47s today. Firstly ok it is the same Lima class 47 bodyshell (which with a little work isnt too bad) but it has a completely new motor and chassis arrangement. Gone is the pancake and in its place is a newer motor with a dcc plug. The best is yet to come however as that is for £80 you get it sound fitted. Im aware they did the 37 a few months back but having heard the 47 i though it would be rude not to get one. The sound is pretty good although i do think doing something with the speaker for better sound would be an improvement but it does sound very good for the money. To be honest i will probably use the chip in something else as ive seen the locos being sold without their sound chips for around £30 so its a case of decoders for £50 which i have to say when on a budget is a very useful way of sound chipping a fleet. Hopefully many more will be released.....

Monday 1 June 2015

Post showcase review

Well i did say i would start updating this more.....

The lack of any updates has been partially due to the fact ive been busy getting my stock fleet ready for Pengwynn Crossings visit to Burton Upon Trent for the DEMU showcase show. Well its now all back and packed away and i have to say it went rather well all things considered. The main problems seemed to be connected to couplings which wouldnt couple up correctly, Locos still having DCC chips fitted or simple operator error. I have had to withdraw my Jouef Polybulks as they were too light and kept derailing but they will be back for the next time Pengwynn 90 goes out. Ive also got to do a lot work on the locos as there were a few signature class 37s missing but as ive got till October 2016 i think ive got enough time to sort that out. Also hopefully by that time Kernows clay tiger wagon will be out.

Anyway for me the next show is the Chippenham one day show at the end of September. One of our club layouts (Gladstone Road) has been invited but its still far from being finished from its overhaul. The main jobs are on the bridges (one needs painting, the other needs pavements), the station canopy (which is under construction) and the industrial area towards the right hand scenic break. I have the buildings for this but they need to be detailed and "planted". An afternoon would probably knock out a large section of the work required but its a question of finding that afternoon.

The other project im looking at (everytime i look on top of the office roof in the club room) is Llwydd Town. This is due to go out to Calne next January and while it is scenically complete it needs rewiring to DCC along with point motors and also requires legs and boxing up so it doesnt get damaged when being stored or transported to shows. Again a few days would probably get this sorted but its amazing how time dissappears when a deadline is looming.

Anyway im taking a break from modelling for a few days but ive got a few interesting projects on the go and hopefully i will get them on show soon.