Aston Barr

[villan]

So here I am, new to the world of modelling and trains in general. I always wanted a 'train set' but didn't make it known until very late in life. "I never heard you say you wanted a train" so my mother KEEPS on telling me lol

I know little about modelling (did the usual planes and tanks as a youngster) and even less about trains. You could count on one hand the number of times I've ever been on one. In fact, I was in two minds whether to keep the set I had for Christmas. But after surfing the net and looking at all the fantastic layouts, I got the bug.

I was also in two minds whether to post my layout on the forum but I thought that I'm sure I'll learn more if others get the opportunity to post their comments on my progress.

Here we go from the very start.

First the baseboard. Approx 6 x 4 made with 6mm MDF and 18 x 44mm battens



This was my first mistake. In hindsight I should have used 9mm at least but I think I'll get away with it.

Before laying any track I decided to weather it



I know the general rule is to lay and ballast first but I'm so glad I did this at the start sitting comfortably in front of the TV. Now its just a little touching up when its laid.



My first attempt at a layout was basically a Hornby trakmat



I didn't like this and thought it was an awlful waste of space. So I did this......





I've since have changed the points by the platform so they run into eachother.

Had a shot at ballasting on a spare piece of wood



Quite pleased with that.

Oh, by the way, this is the one that started it all off



Started to lay the cork underlay



I did buy the foam ballast stuff but decided not to use it when I saw the effect the 'real' thing gives. So laying cork to ballast over was the choice.

Some of my rolling stock



And another of my small fleet



Next its the points





had to play around with the rod on this since the point was close to the edge batten



I decided on Seep motors and kept costs down by only motorising the points furthest from the controllers (its DC if you were thinking).

So thats about where I'm up to at the moment. Still working on the underlay now that the points are finished then it'll be the ballasting. Hope you like what you see and I will try and keep this updated.

[adiefallguy]

liking it so far, making better progress than me.

[Rail_Fan 15]

Thats looking really good, the second track layout looks alot better than the trackmat based one you were talking about. And that is some really nice ballasting i saw too. Keep us updated!!!!!

PS. I completly agree with you about the Trakmat layout being waste of space, by knocking out the end siding you can add a couple more straights which it looks like you have already done.

[Sprintex]

A good start so far I'd say - keep us updated with plenty of pics



Paul

[Chuffer Chuff]

I think you've made a great start!

I love the painting/weathering you have done on the track, it looks really realistic and your attempt at ballasting is very good I must say! The goods yard and engine shed look the part, are they Hornby buildings from the look of them?

Well done with those point motors, they look like the PECO SEEP variety if I am not mistaken?

The Jinty and the Flying Scotsman look great and I've got some LNER coaches like those!

Keep up the great work and keep posting photos please!

[Sprintex]

Well done with those point motors, they look like the PECO SEEP variety if I am not mistaken?

Really??? Where did you get that idea?

I decided on Seep motors . . .

Ah, that'll be it then



Paul

[Chuffer Chuff]

LOL! Ahh yes I forgot he said that! Now I know!

[villan]

They're Gaugemaster PM2's

[Chuffer Chuff]

Oh..right..got there in the end!

[villan]

The goods yard and engine shed look the part, are they Hornby buildings from the look of them?

Forgot to say, yes they are. I've bought some Metcalfe brick paper to cover them because I didn't like the ones supplied in the Hornby kit. They also don't give you anything to put on the inside walls!

[Chuffer Chuff]

Thanks for the info, they look great!

Any more buildings in the planning?

[villan]

Yeah there will be but I'm not sure how many or where yet.

The only one I know for sure will be an office or weighbridge for the entrance to the goods yard for trucks. I was going to do a village effect for the other area but not sure now whether to keep the buildings to a minimum and do some kind of embankment.

I've already got some buildings. Some Hornby cottages and some Superquick cottages and station masters office but I don't know whether they will all end up in the layout or not. I haven't made the Superquick ones up yet so they might end up on eBay if they don't get used. I bought them when I had one idea but that changed as soon as I changed the track layout
Everyday I wake up with a different idea so I'm going to get the ballasting done then decide.

[Chuffer Chuff]

I'd go for the embankment idea if it was me. I think it would look great on your layout! The weighbridge is an excellent idea for the yard!

A few cottages would fit in nicely though!

[villan]

I'd like to have got a turntable in it somewhere but I think thats for another layout on another day
It wouldn't fit in especially since I do want to get some domestic buildings in.

[Chuffer Chuff]

I would have to agree with you on that...I'm afraid you haven't got the space to accommodate one!