It's  been a busy first day at Warley for the MRC Test Tracks. A constant stream of locomotives kept the test team busy, with new owners were being reassured to see their purchases successfully  running round the tracks.

A handful of non-runners were identified, these were returned to suppliers for replacement or refunded.

 

 

So we're back from Warley. Setting up was restricted to four hours because of a delay getting into the hall - we need five, to include getting stock on.  Needless to say, our running on Saturday morning was a bit of a trial.  However the big success was seeing the major works at the south end giving the layout a big improvement in its overall ambience.

  

 I thought you might like to see the last bit of work on the centrepiece of Belle Isle, before we crated the layout to go to Warley.

 

Making blocks of buildings is a useful way of checking shape / space requirements. There is no question that Goods & Mineral Jcn. box will need a fully detailed interior, because you will be able to see see right into it from the front.  We should also have all the lattice girder work in time for Warley, assuming Mike's eyesight holds up.

 

Finally, whilst ruffling through Matthew's Brown Box I found the last of Ced Verdon's resin cast buses. These are exquisite works of art and, even if it is completely the wrong type of bus, looks excellent on York Way. Just needs a few bill boards along the parapets to complete the scene.

 Tim

 

Quite a lot of recent progress in the King’s Cross yard. The ramp to the Cally Goods & Coal Yard is now blocked out and in red oxide primer.  It is red brick anyway, but will need detail cladding in our home made brick plastic. In the short-term it will be weathered in its current form to meld it into the scene.