the shame of not updating

If you're going to have a 'blog' you really ought to keep it up to date. Actually - have been doing a few bits here and there.. started on an American shortline HO layout and Ulthwaite has moved on to pastures new. But we are moving house soon - everything is packed away and modelling time is zero. Once we are in and I have unpacked, hopefully can get on with all the projects. And keep this up to date! In the meantime.. I came across May's Model Rail.. mentioned on Chris Nevard's site.. it features a host of micro layouts and a 3mm finescale! A bumper issue for me this month!

Elston Road coming along

Slowly but surely adding bits here and there to Elston Road... mostly tidying up. I thought it was perhaps time for a quick update though - a couple of pictures of all three feet of the layout (one from each side) to show the overall effect, and one of the shed built by Marshalls Agricultural Supplies.

Running is much improved after a deal of fettling.. but still a bit fiddly.

Elston Road, 3mm Micro in the sun

Grabbed a few minutes in the sun to take some pistures of progress on 'Elston Road', my 3 foot long, 3mm scale layout. (Should have built 'Trewyzes')
I am trying to capture a rather down and out 'end of the line' Light Railway halt. The passenger services ceased some time ago, only light goods and coal accompany regular vans to and from the private siding (shed under construction). the passenger halt is based on one at Ashover, the 'office' is based on a plan in the 3mm Society magazine - a building once at Lowdham. The shed is pure conjecture!
Despite many frustrations and doubts as to my wisdom in trying 3mm finescale over EM, overall I'm quite pleased so far. I've had to replace a couple of tie bars and this has caused some derailments.. much fettling to be done.
Finally, my first ever chassis under construction (3mm again). It will go under a whitemetal J72 one day. Thanks to Phil Parker for some top tips.

Overview of Elston Road, all three feet of it.

The Shed under construction

View of the 'yard' area.

The disused passenger halt.

The office, based on a building at Lowdham.

No signals or gates required on this quiet lane.

A view from the end of the layout.

The line used to continue beyond the camera until a few years ago.

Don't laugh! First attempt ever.

I have been doing things, honest!

I finally thought I should get around to doing some updates and my camera battery died!
I hope to get some pictures of the 3mm layout up soon, and maybe some other bits I've been working on. Meanwhile, I got a few pics of Ulthwaite anyway.. some scenic work has been done.

This is an A1 brass body kit - my first soldered construction. Obviously a bit of work to do yet..

Some scenics at the Left hand side of the layout, entrance to fiddle

At the other end. I found this coal lorry amongst some stuff passed to me by 'Versif' some time ago. Already labelled up for 'Cumberland' - perfect!

An overall view back over the layout. looking a lot greener now.

Finally, the new coach, a recent ebay purchase.. again, a lot of work to do but it 'fits' well I think.

Next up, some 3mm stuff I reckon.

I really must learn how to post properly on here - not keen on this layout at all.

Pot Pourri..

Didn't realise it had been such a long time since the last post. Just a few pictures this time.. Firstly, The latest 3mm 'project' (more on this next time!)



Next up, just a couple of views from Ulthwaite..

Some activity at Ulthwaite..

On the Right hand side, Dawsons Coal & Coke Merchants - hut bashed from a Wills signal box I think.

Bob, the Newlands & Borrowdale Rwy diesel, has had a colour change..blue suits it much better.


Mr and Mrs Harrison just missed the morning train. They're not talking.


A new sheep wagon, bashed from an Egger or Liliput low open.


A Liliput bash created N&BRwy brake van no.1


The local farmer (gone missing for now) is collecting from the small loading dock on the Left hand side.

An overall shot.


Katie arrives with the old four wheel coach for the lunch time train.

Ulthwaite gets some attention

I can't believe it's been so long since I last posted. lots of reasons.
Anyway.. despite a serious think about the future of Ulthwaite. The handlaid track just wasn't succesful enough and the original board could have been better. So, I built a new baseboard and laid the track using Peco 009. At this point I lost a bit of motivation.(should have wired up points etc).. however recently I decided to plough on.It's only small (total layout including 'fiddle' area is only 4 feet long).
Done the backdrop on my own printer - which means you can see the joins.. but I don't mind.

Ballasting and some basic scenic work done so far. It all looks a bit grey but maybe that's not a bad thing. I'm hoping to place a large tree over the exit and another smaller one near the water tank.
Lots more to do yet including small details like people and clutter.

Main thing is - I'm enjoying this layout again.