Brookwood Signal Box - Part 1

Modeltown Kit 13 - High Level Signal Box

Made from  a resin cast kit and to be painted with acrylic paint, this building will be the signal box for Brookwood Station.

Before fixing the cabin to the base and fitting the roof, interior painting and detail needs to be applied plus a warm coloured light and window glazing.

Below the floor I intend to locate LGB 55025 MTS Switch Decoder for the operation of   four  switches located at Brookwood Station.

Part 2

Part 3

Ffestiniog Railway - Steam 150

Bank Holiday weekend, 3rd to 6th May 2013, saw the 150th anniversary of steam powered locomotives working on the Ffestiniog Railway. Here are just a few shots taken during this special event.

Palmeston No.4, approaching Minffordd Cemetery - east bound.

Taliesin - departing eastbound, Minffordd.

Beyer Peacock, Garratt NG143 - approaching Porthmadog.

G.England, Welsh Pony, No.5 being pushed by Lyd (Southern 190) - Boston Lodge.

Merddin Emrys, No.10 - Penrhyn Crossing.

G.England line-up - Welsh Pony No.5, Princess No.1, Prince No.2 and Palmerston No.4 - Porthmadog.

Stainz - DR Steam Loco, 99 4605

This alternative Stainz steam  locomotive is perfect for delivering freight loads to local industries and passenger consists to local stations.

Model: Complete with smoke generator, sound and directional lights. Decoder 55021 fitted. 

Length: 245mm Weight: 1700g

Brookwood - The Foundations (Stage 1a)

With two and a half rows of blocks laid, the station foundations are almost complete. At the bottom of the photograph another three blocks will be laid at the end of row two for the line to continue to the Ash Pit, Repair Pit and the Maintenance Shed.

The five dwarf conifers will be relocated once the foundations for the Maintenance Shed have been laid. It will be at this point that the building work for the foundations will stop and recommence most probably during Spring 2014 when the foundations for the line to the Engine Shed will be laid.

Looking along the line from where the platform will be, towards Brookwood Bridge which can be seen in the distance.

Cattle Van

Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway type cattle van.

Model: Mainly constructed from injection moulded plastic, with 45mm wheel sets fitted.
Length: 285mm Accucraft UK-BMS: R19-22B
Scale: 16mm to 1 foot (1:19)

HLR Stock: 1

Brookwood - The Foundations (Stage 1)

As the weather continued to be kind I set about laying the first foundation stones for the line into Brookwood Station.

Unlike the rest of the line I decided to use 100mm grey solid dense blocks for the foundations to give a flat and wide area for gradually developing the station and it's sidings, block by block. The initial block was laid at the point where the line ended last summer.

Each block was laid on a mixture of soil and 6mm limestone after the ground had been thoroughly tampered down with a small concrete brick to help prevent movement in the future. Between each block a 12mm gap was left and a 4:1 mortar mix applied. 

Each block was carefully checked for level and after each was laid, the overall level was checked. Any surplus mortar was pointed alongside each stone at the foundations.

Bit by bit the the blocks were laid for the station platform line, all the way to where the buffer stop will be.

The initial blocks were left overnight before the track was loosely laid and engine tested. Now I think I'll leave it a week to settle before adding the next lot of adjacent blocks.

Brookwood - The Location

At last with the weather improving, I can begin to create Brookwood Village. During the winter months, of which there have been plenty, I have managed to collect plenty of track and building supplies ready for the contractors, builders, track gang and their fellow wayside workers to commence.

This is the site for the new village, just in front of the ruins of an old church. Two leveling pegs have already been positioned on the left and middle of the photograph. The current 'end of the line' can just be seen on the right of the photograph.

L&B Corridor Coach Kit Pt.3

The two pieces of each running board were next glued together and the window drop lights prepared.

A couple of coats of Humbrol Acrylic Gloss Varnish (35) were then applied and the parts left to dry prior to their fitting.

Brookwood - The Plan

Based upon Llanfair Caereinion on the Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway, this is what I have planned for Brookwood. There will be just one raised platform for passengers and a cattle and goods ramp behind the Engine Shed.

Track required

10000, G LGB 10000 Straight 300mm. 3
10090, G LGB 10090. Straight extendable 88mm-120mm. 1
10152, G LGB 10152 Straight separator 150mm. 1
10600, G LGB 10600 Straight 600mm. 13
10610, G LGB 10610 Straight 1200mm. 1
16000, G LGB 16000 Curve radius 1195mm, angle 22.5º(R3) 3
16050, G LGB 16050 Right turnout 440mm. 1
16150, G LGB 16150 Left turnout 440mm. 6
18000, G LGB 18000 Curve radius 2320mm, angle 15º(R5) 2

Box Car

Model: The doors on both sides of the model slide open.
Length: 250mm LGB: 94007