Alcanman

Work on the layout has now begun and good progress made. Track cut and glued in place. The main structures are also in place but not glued down as yet. Next task will be wiring the layout.

Great B&T photos, Dave. Thanks for sharing. I was at Winning and Cambois yesterday, it's no longer possible to get a photo at the first location (the 37 and Alcan empties) as the greenery is too overgrown!

There will be a blanking plate covering the decoder socket. Remove the blanking plate and plug in the decoder of your choice.

Seeing the photo of GBRf 66778 reminded me that it was time to revisit Cambois. Although there has been an upsurge in coal traffic recently I'm not sure how long this will last. I did manage to catch 2 coal trains this afternoon. Firstly, EWS/DBC 66139 passing Freeman's Crossing near Cambois with 14:34 North Blyth - Tees North Yard. Second photo, GBRf 66784 'Keighley & Worth Valley Railway' with 4N80 Doncaster Down Decoy - North Blyth coal empties

Northern Spirit liveried 142 and 158 at Newcastle Central 1999. I always thought these were very smart looking paint schemes.

A couple of Revolution Trains DB MMA wagons recently arrived. They are very expensive but the detailing is quite superb. I'll have to start saving up for more, luckily I don't need a lot for a small layout. I do envy those who have the funds to order them by the dozen!

Having built several small layouts over the past few years, I have been looking for something a bit different for my latest project. When Revolution Trains announced their MMA/JNA modern open box wagons, I started thinking about the possibility of modelling a modern aggregates terminal. However, these are usually large facilities with long block trains arriving with loads from stone quarries. For a small layout , I simply imagined that a few wagons could be cut from a block train and dropped off at a small aggregates terminal. Searches led to this CEMEX/DB Cargo ‘pop up’ terminal at Warrington. https://www.agg-net.com/news/new-pop-up-rail-depot-in-warrington I also found this promotional video of a recently opened aggregates railhead at Ashville Aggregates in the London area, served by GBRf. JNA open box wagons with GBRf and VTG branding can be seen in the video. This also inspired the layout name which I changed to ‘Ashtown Aggregates’. The layout plan includes 2 sidings similar to the those seen in the Warrington photo, where MMA/JNA and MBA wagons will be unloaded. To add operating interest, there is a siding with a hopper unloading shed where JGAs can be unloaded. This can be accessed via a run around loop. The scenic portion of the layout measures 6ft x 15ins plus 3ft fiddle yard.

DB Cargo 66118 at Newsham, Northumberland with this afternoon's 14:34 North Blyth - Tees Yard. The coal is destined for Tata Steel in South Wales. There appears to have been an upturn in coal traffic on the Blyth & Tyne in recent weeks. This train, in addition to running weekly on Wednesdays, has also run on Mondays and Fridays recently. Also, GBRf coal trains have also returned to the B&T after a long absence.

All the PECO Setrack and Streamline code 100 I have is dark brown, not black.

These are the most expensive wagons I've ever bought and my pensioner's budget can only extend to buying a couple at the moment. I hope to buy more later Ordered from Trains for U, they arrived this morning and are excellent with superb detailing. They will look great on the 'pop up' aggregates terminal I'm planning. https://www.agg-net.com/news/new-pop-up-rail-depot-in-warrington

Class 60s continue to be the dominant power on Port of Tyne - Lynemouth Power Station biomass trains. GBRf 60021 'Penyghent' at Newsham, Northumberland with 6N87 14:34 Lynemouth - Port of Tyne empties.

Another great idea and I have some DAS air clay. I think it's time to experiment. Please keep the ideas coming.

I had been thinking of using polystrene packaging material covered with plaster (for the 'core') for an aggregates terminal which will be my next small layout project. However, the egg box idea looks good. I think I'll give it a try.

Back in the 60s schoolkids got really excited at the sight of an approaching J27!

Here's a Northern Spirit 142 at Newcastle Central in 1999.

This looks like a very interesting project. Living in SE Northumberland I've held a great interest in the B&T for many years. Looking forward to seeing your progress. Here is a photo from 1999 showing a Class 37 with aluminium ingots at West Sleekburn

Great Blyth and Tyne photos. Sadly, coal trains have declined on the B&T due to the closure of coal fired power stations that the only regular flow of coal traffic appears to be the (Weds only) from North Blyth to Tata Steel in South Wales.

66109 'Teesport Express' at Newsham, Northumberland this afternoon with North Blyth - Tees Yard. The coal is destined for Tata Steel in South Wales. With the dearth of GBRF power station coal trains, I wonder if this, (Weds only) traffic, could be the last regular coal train on the Blyth & Tyne.

With the downturn in coal traffic, coal trains on the Blyth & Tyne are becoming a rare sight these days. However, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that a relatively new traffic flow is being operated by DB Cargo. Even more surprising as EWS/DBC coal trains haven't been seen on the B&T for some years. 12 noon today and EWS/DBC 66057 is at Winning, Northumberland with Tees yard - North Blyth coal empties. The second photo shows 66057 on the return working (3.00pm) at Newsham.

Superb B&T photos and Winning is still a great location for photographing trains today. Thanks for sharing.

Here's a photo I took at Backworth, probably 1968

The mention of compatibility with Marklin 3rd rail stud contact suggests it wouldn't be compatible with your NCE power cab. The price isn't particularly cheap either. Have a look at Model Junction or Gaugemaster, they occasionally have good priced sound fitted locos.

Emmelshausen at the end of the Hunsruckbahn and a meet at Rudesheim (1998)

The Rhine Valley hasn't changed much since I visited 21 years ago, except the trains. I very much enjoyed my visit there. A few pics at Boppard 1998.

GBrf (ex Colas) Class 60s have been exclusive power on the Port of Tyne - Lynemouth PS biomass trains since inception last year. I have yet to see a 66 on this working. I believe the contract is for 10 years, I wonder if the 60s will last that long. If fact, as I type this another one has just passed by my house.