Peter January 5th, 2009
Just a quick update this time…
I’ve finished all the final wiring to the block detection and tortoise motors, and have tested it all using Railroad & Co – it works nicely, allowing you to follow the trains around the layout on the screen and also allows me to set up basic automation, which I will do for the show. I will set up a basic demo to show everyone how it all works and what is possible using DCC and computers.
All the boards are now up and connected, and I have been running trains checking all the joints and block detection. So far only 3 joints needed adjusting, so far so good! There are two places still causing a slight problem with some rolling stock, but I think that is more to do with the rolling stock than anything drastic, so will make sure I test all the rolling stock before approving it for show running.
Now on to the final bits of scenery. I picked up more supplies from Model Junction on Friday, so now have everything needed to complete the scenery. I hope to have all completed by end of Wednesday, allowing me a final sprucing up and then a final run through to make sure everything works.
Another update tomorrow or sometime on Wednesday.
Just a reminder that Rochelle Intermodal will be making its debut at the NMRA BR’s Winter Meet at Benson this Saturday (10th Jan) – more details here > http://www.nmrabr.org.uk/meets.asp – looking forward to seeing you all there!
Peter December 30th, 2008
I’ve installed the yard fencing on one of the intermodal boards, along with some basic weathering around the loco storage shed, ie. oil spills around the oil tank and fuel hoses and oil stains on the tracks.
This view shows the newly installed fencing at the yard track entrance, showing the fencing and the gates:
This view shows the loco shed with some of the weathering and another view of the fencing & gates:
I have also added the Mi-Jack lanes on the second intermodal board, and will be installing the fencing on this board later today.
Here is a shot of one of the Mi-Jacks and the newly added lanes:
I have started with the trees for the farm scene- this I will finish off on the weekend as I need to pick up some supplies from Model Junction as I ran out of scenery cement and realised I need a few more highway overpasses to finish off the farm scene, plus as usual I ran out of white paint, needed to paint the windows of my barn!! Plus I am short of 4 yard lights!! Note to self…next time OVER-ESTIMATE supplies needed! Extras can always be used at a later stage or sold on Ebay…
Last night I put together a list of things still to do on the layout, and realised I had completely forgotten about wiring the tortoise motors to the DAC10 point controller! Doh! I also still need to add the two block detectors to the end boards…
On Monday I will be putting the whole layout together (one of the intermodal boards is out to give access to the garden!), clean the track and give it a run to make sure it all still works…! My task then will be to add the layout plan to Railroad & Co. and to set up a display panel to check that all the point motors and block detection work as expected and to set up a basic automation plan for the show.
Right, time for a cup of hot coffee (it is freezing out in the conservatory!) and then on with the work!
Peter December 28th, 2008
Still on track to finish the scenery in time for the Benson show on 10th January. In the last few days I have finished all the ballasting and have made good progress on the scenery.
This is the latest view of the farm scene on one of my end boards:
and a close-up of one of the tractors on the ploughed field, showing some of the ‘seedlings’ to the left of the tractor:
I have test fitted the yard lights and will be fixing them down and wiring them in the next day or so. I am almost ready to start installing the yard fencing, then will get to work on the road markings and the weathering. There are still two more buildings to come, under construction by two very helpful friends! Thanks Don and Graham! 
Here is a view of the latest progress of the intermodal yard:
and a close-up showing a container stack, the loco shed (with refueling & sanding facility), and the yard lighting.
More updates to come in the next few days.
Peter December 23rd, 2008
Well, it is about time I added a progress update!! I haven’t been able to work on the layout for a while, but finally have had time to get cracking on finishing it off in time for the Benson show on the 10th January.
The ballasting is 90% done, the intermodal yard is finished and waiting for weathering and installation of the yard lights, fencing and buildings.
I have decided to put a farm scene on one of my end boards, and spent tonight starting construction on a laser-cut kit of a wooden barn, my first attempt at a wooden kit! So far, so good…although I have learnt that I should try to dry-brush the paint on, rather than just brush it on normally…warped wood does not look good on a barn!  I managed to get it mostly straight again thanks to a hot halogen lamp – I’m not used to working with wood kits, so am learning as I go!
I also built two Walthers windmills, with one the full height (this will go on the other end board), and the other one down to the lowest level to go next to the farmhouse.
So far I am on track to get it all finished in time for the Benson show – luckily Christmas & New Year give me the free time I need, and it is full steam ahead! Luckily scenery is my favourite part, so I am finally beginning to enjoy building this layout…
Right, time for bed, but will do another update this weekend.
In the meantime, here are some photos of the buildings so far:
Peter August 14th, 2008
I’ve completed ballasting track 1 and 2 on the front of module 1. I have done half of track 1 on module 2, and will hopefully get more done tonight.
The photos below show the progress so far, along with a few photos of a train on the tracks and signals.
I am going to add some detail bits between the two main tracks to make it a bit dirtier…looks a bit bare at the moment.
Right, here are the latest photos:
An overview of the ballasting progress so far…
I still need to put an LED in one of the NJ International signals (the one with the black target), and I need to paint the target on the other signal (which is fully functional with an LED). I am hoping that the rumour from BLMA about their N scale modern signal bridge is true as that would work perfectly on this part of the layout…but will have to wait and see! In the meantime, I am using the NJ International signals for this section of track.
A couple of photos of a BNSF Autorack train going past the signals
An overview shot of the layout
