Friday Update: Four Three Twenty-two...

And breathe... another week passes by and this one at lightning speed. After a long weekend on Anglesey, itself after a week off commission work it is no surprise that I've been busy again since Tuesday...

Creech Barn has been out in the bottom room all week after I enjoyed playing with it over the holidays. It doesn't need much work to finish it off, but I'm struggling to find the motivation to build those structures! Once I cut plastic it will literally come together quite quickly. The concept works really well and the scenes possible through the obstructed views really make the space feel bigger than it of course is, the beauty of a well conceived and executed micro layout.

The big news this week is the Ruston LB project is finally under way as the etched parts arrived and work began on the first pair of models - these will be 32mm gauge and I'm hoping to finish off the chassis construction and fit the motor, battery and digital sound - all being well I'll have some video to share by the end of the day, keep an eye on my Facebook page.

I had a query about availability of the Bagnall 0-4-0st, which I think we may discontinue and remaster for the Percy chassis - but it made me dig out a Bagnall side tank to see how this might work on the Minitrains 0-4-0 chassis - it's a good fit, and the model's cute propotions seem to suit the chassis. Has anyone actually tried this for real?

A walk down to the playing field with my daughter yielded the chance to take a look at the wagons in the sidings at Glyndyfrdwy. One thing I had never noticed was the RNAD marking on the 2 axle open wagon on the right. Although you couldn't tell in this view, the sidings are actually quite empty as the ballast train is currently stabled at Carrog.

This week saw a pair of personal indulgences - a Bachmann Hawksworth auto-coach and a Heljan AC railbus... why? What could I be planning? How did watching the Titfield Thunderbolt three times over the holidays impact my desire to build a home for my collection of BR(W) stock? That story is for another day, but first impressions are very good indeed (although good job my layout will be viewed at eye level, as the floors inside the carriages are terribly obvious! The construction of the railbus is very clever with the windows and upper body moulded in clear plastic the windows are flush with no prism effect in the corners. The downside is the interface between the body upper and the cast metal lower body is a little poor - and certainly more obvious with the lighting I intend to use on the layout. We will see what can be done to improve it when I take it apart to fit a driver and a perhaps a lone passenger.

Let's finish off this weeks update with the view last night of Beaverbrook. I literally can't get enough of this layout, it's like a big Pont-y-dulais, another layout that is completely 100% successful. I must get on with the scenic ground textures but first, the road needs finishing. That's this weekend's plan sorted, lay the tarmac between the rails and seal this section with sanding sealer, to protect the cardboard from warping or delaminating at a later date. The photo is also an unplanned meeting of the three big Canadian railroads in the era the layout is largely set... CP Rail, CN and BC Rail all in one train. I've just finished weathering the box car, so will write about that separately at some point.

What do you have planned this weekend? Any small, or even large modelling tasks? Perhaps an exhibition, a visit to the model shop or just a chance to enjoy your hobby by running some trains? Until next time, more soon...