Gilbert

Pictures from today - about 1pm - at Keynsham. All due to be finished by tomorrow's rush hour I believe.

Probably all part of the housing development on the "Frys" site. While I was on the bridge chatting to other spectators on Saturday I spoke to an old chap reminiscing about how'd he had a ride on a 22 into the Fry's plant, shunted, then back out to Keynsham east - run round and dropped off in the station where he'd left his bike...

More pics from my quick stroll down to Station Road Bridge in Keynsham earlier this evening . Looks like the down trackbed is taking shape - I took these about 3 hours ago so I expect they've laid the track by now - they are not hanging about......

Here are some photos from today - first track relaid. It's very deceptive - it doesn't look 0.5m lower.

Yes - absolutely brilliant

There seemed to be quite a bit of something that looked like a membrane coming out with the ballast that was being removed.

The ballast being dug out today seemed to be very wet and just the top layer - I don't know what is next but it looks as if they will need to dig into the sub layer to achieve the depth required. It is only Day 1 though!

Work is scheduled to go on until 10th so I'l pop down every now and again to monitor progress

I think they are currently "low" but I'm not certain

Works at Keynsham between Bristol and Bath today. The little I know from conversations on the bridge overlooking the site today: The track will end up 0.5m below current level but they need to go down a bit more during the excavation apparently. Platforms are not being lowered during this phase.

That would be very good news for us small layout types...

Take the Terriers off? and then acquire a few appropriate wagons then you have a 2 epoque layout....subject to any building or scenic paradoxes of course - Rule 1 still applies...

Lee The grills came as a part in the box with the loco Chris

Its a Heljan out of the box(with Zimo sound via Digitrains)- just added Railtec transfers (and some nameplates) Cheers Chris

Agree re. the Prestwin - my layout is also based in the south west (most of the time) but it's a nice build....recommended. Chris

A slightly better photo of the Whistler

I'm delighted by what the LLCo is doing but I DO like building things as well - however I'm just glad the 15 is not a 22 as mine dropped on the door mat from JLTRT about a week ago.... Chris

Spent another excellent weekend at the Missenden Railway Modellers Spring event. Did the weathering class. New stock for Bakewell Street now ready for action - although I think they all need just a touch more attention - but not much.

You'll like these then Rob....same paints except in addition I used Humbrol Olive Drab 155 from a can for the roof.

Very easy Rob All cans were warmed before use. Grey primer for the underframe then matt black - buffers were chemically blackened by dipping in Gunblue and rinsing. Silos and all ladders etc were Halfords red oxide primer then red oxide primer! I used their lacquer varnish as prep for the transfers on the silos followed by dulcote from a can once done I brushed humbol gloss varnish - the bottled variety - Glosscote - on the sole bar before the small transfers went on there - followed by coats of warmed, shaken canned dulcote once the tranfers were settled. Yellow bits were hand brushed white and then Vallejo acrylic yellow. the two big wheels on top were kept back, sprayed white and then a Halfords yellow I had in stock - but finished with the Vallejo yellow. then installed. I made up a simple jig from balsa wood (easily cut to shape) to mount the top half while I painted it. Chris

I'm certainly tempted to get the 12' WB version as well Steve - it was a pleasure to build

John The pipework is interesting but with a few reference fots and the instructions it went together very well Two hints if anyone builds one - the axles boxes are a little close together for Slaters axles - as I won't be running long distances I simply shortened mine and the ladder mounting holes in the solebars are a tad low and needed to be made a little higher - the work does not show behind the ladder mounting plate - I assume this is due to resin shrnkage but I have to say the parts were very nicely made. I painted it in two parts which were fixed together right at the end of the job - it means a small part of the chassis around the base of the silos is black not bauxite but I've gone for a neat finish over 100% fidelity - and once weathered it will not be so starkly obvious. Chris

Paul - thanks - by way of explanation I've been around a while but am relativley new to brass kits - and it was a little challenging! Chris

Two shots of the finished JLTRT Prestwin - Paint by Halfords, transfers by Railtec - it's a bit clean at the moment Chris

Thanks Chris it's an M&M Kit - interesting build for a relative novice but value for money Chris