Progress has slowed considerably for the moment whilst I focus on other hobbies and get some downtime after rushing around between Mansfield, Nottingham and Crewe shows getting the last two extensions done.
Now I'm focusing on fleet and rolling stock projects, repairs to the layout, and detailing projects. Next week I should be able to get the benchwork and tracklaying complete for Harrison and the linking board. Until then I'm taking it easy. I'm hoping to do another layout update video for the YouTube channel, then focus on some project work I've been planning for another YouTube channel collaboration.
For now, the layout has been re-assembled in the layout room and has been tested again to ensure everything works. There's some dirty track to deal with, but the layout should be good to go until October, when it will be appearing at the Derby NMRA convention. As such, here are some current progress photos, showing some damage done to the layout during transit back from Crewe (it barely fits in my car anymore!)
Handy Co - notice the damage to the sign outside of Noel's, as well as the safety railings on the main building at the back, around the rooftop tank.
The oil dealer on West Allen Street - the crossing guard tower has been squashed and will need to be fixed, and you can see the start made on the flagstop depot which may or may not end up in that spot.
Davis Produce - the fence by the trailer shack has been knocked and will need to be glued back down, as will the trash can which sat outside there.
The Davis Elevator - this needs more detail work - pipework, gantries, access hatches, roof details, etc.
The Construction Yard - the cement silo was knocked off the layout when I was setting it back up again, and it's basically fallen to bits. So I need to get it glued back together.
Finally, one of my new fleet - Norfolk and Western SD40-2 #1631
So, since everything has been re-assembled in the layout room, I've started on fleet projects. First up, a very light weathering job on a Penn Central boxcar. The prototype photo I worked from - taken from a google search:
And my attempt at replicating it...
One side:
Other side:
I still need to do something with the roof, but overall I'm happy with it.
Second project is a repaint of an Alco C630 into L&N colours. I've since spotted a few differences between the model and prototype L&N locomotives, but I'll come back to that eventually somewhere down the line. I would have had some photos of it re-assembled, but when I was doing so I managed to pull one of the wires to the front headlights off of the decoder board, so I need to re-solder that before I can put it back together. Then once the decals arrive from Microscale, I'll be able to get it finished.
I've also started work on an F7A repaint, and some more freight car weathering projects, but I've not really got anything to show for those so far.