CVR Arrives Indoors ..

The only space I had was around my modelling desk and rolling stock storage shelves. I managed to fit in a small 'U' shaped layout, but did not I have room for some Gn15.

It will allow me to test new rolling stock and fiddle with locos etc. The layout has a curved passing loop and a short stub siding.

The intention is to add backscene boards and to add details like a small station halt, goods area and if I can squeeze it in (with some extra track) a small engine shed.

Going Indoors ?

Having been given permission to have a small running area in-doors, I've been busy with the tape measure and drawing track plans. A small re-organisation of my modelling desk area and some suitable shelving and simple baseboards should do the job.

Current plan is to have a G scale loco shed and exchange siding to a Gn15 narrow gauge feed. I managed to get some cheap wagons (On30 - but they look just about right for a large Gn15). Fingers crossed, I'll see what I can shoe-horn in to the space available.

Unfortunately I won't be able to connect the in-door track to the out-doors layout, but it will give me somewhere to play with my trains if the weather is bad.

Crane Modelling Project ...

Finally finished the crane. This was made up from
- A toy tank transporter trailer reworked fitted with spare set of bogies.
- The jib is from a large toy road crane, with the jacks added to the side.
- The cab is from an old scrapped bachmann 0-4-0 loco.
(the two men inspecting the crane are from a road work toy set).

Also I've built a mess and tool van. This was made from a Caboose and a Bachmann wagon. The tool store boxes being scratch built from plastikard.

Both items need a visit to the paint shop for finishing off.

Sunshine and Trains ...

At last some dry weather and some sunshine, a quick clean of the track and out come the trains ..

Work on the goods yard ...

Between showers I sorted out the goods yard, adding the ballast to the two sidings. It looks much better than having black anti-weed fabric showing through. I've used a couple of slightly duff wagons (poor runners) as window dressing in the goods yard. I also modified the track layout so I can have a road crossing by the station - some work to do for this yet - I have to make some road sections to fit.

Down by the Farm ...

A view of the farm through the pasture. The pasture is a large green grass effect doormat I bought in a sale at a local DIY store, animals are from the Scleich range.

Down by the stables ...

In order to improve the look of the stables area of the farm I've added some Scleich figures (from the zoo and horsies ranges).

The pink poodle is a bit silly but I think it looks fine, a bit of fun and something for my partners's neice and nephew to spot next time they visit.

In the PipeLine ...

After the first couple of running sessions, it's time to take stock of what needs doing and also any rolling stock additions that are needed.

I've an outstanding list of things to do to outside:
1) buildings maintenance - painting and repairs
2) control panel and associated wiring loom
3) ballasting - another 'finishing' layer of approriate gravel/chippings.

On the rolling stock front I've bought a couple of cheap second hand items recently, and I've one modelling project in progress - a crane and tool van.

A Castle ?

To fill in a hole in the garden border I decided on a castle, a cheap plastic one from car boot was obtained, and duly put in place. Its sits nicely on the other side of the tracks from the miltatry base.

Again it was a lovely sunny day so out with the trains for a running session, the top part of the railway is starting to look rather nice ...

The First Train of 2007 Runs

The passengers are pleased and the first train gets away and off to it's next destination.

Permanent Way Inspection

The permanent way gang have been round and checked the track, and told the station master he can let trains run through this section of the railway again.

Overview pictures

As you can see from the following pictures the railway is now looking more like it is part of the garden.

The railway finds a name

I've decided to name my railway the Canford Valley Railway (CVR).

Some pictures of the railway's construction and previous photo shots can be found at :

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/allan.tidmarsh/GardenRail/GR-index.htm
(under Layouts link from the index)