11/05/2020 platform restoration concludes.

Without thinking I left the track powered up whilst tweaking something or other; these metal watch straps get hot when they short out the track.

At last the layout is back together. A surprise early morning visitor on the 7/6/2020 Mr Michael Portillo filming Great British Railway Journeys Series 1001 apparently on D-Day +1 a train pass through Rushmoor station. Time for a few pictured of the refurbished MPD and yard.

  

26/04/2020 platform restoration continues.

26/04/2020 platform restoration continues.

50mm masking tape has been removed misting with a light dust of diluted Wilko Water based blackboard paint. My 3M 6200 Half Face Mask Respirator cost me £8.39 pre COVID-19 now trading at £34.70! Best leave for things dry I have other household tasks so that’s it for today.

25/04/2020 Continuing platform restoration

25/04/2020

All platforms now have their brick face paper attached. Fishplates arrived yesterday allowing me to re-lay the track and paint the rust and sleepers I shall mist a coat of black when the ballast dries out. 50mm masking tape stuck down where the platform will sit trimmed to the size of the platform footprint. This is a better way then ballasting with the platform in situ they don’t get stuck if they are needed to be removed at a later date. Ballast was laid this afternoon wetted and soaked in 50% PVA and water. I only used the cheapest from the pound shop it sets rock hard as my chisel will testify. That’s it for today 

20/04/2020 Platform restoration

20/04/2020

I successfully split the terminus section from the layout and removed the platform sections so I can cut the track and replace the section that had magnets fitted. This is turned into more of a nightmare than a walk in the park I thought just refurbishing the terminus would be easy it's turn into a right can of worms. Are well got another 3 weeks to get though! Stripping the brick paper off the MDF is not as easy as I thought I had to resort to a detail sander. Eventually all stripped sanded and sprayed white. Two sections have their brick paper reapplied.

Western Hills MPD extension part4

18/04/2020 

After putting off splitting the storage yard from the main layout I removed the bolts and separated the board. I took the opportunity to perform a little TLC with the wiring whilst I was able to turn the board over. The modified Hornby turntable can be seen using a small low geared motor from China directly coupled to the pinion [S.9643] that drives the Geneva drive parts [S.9602 & S.9573] are not used. The motor assembly is DCC controlled and works much quieter than the old Hornby motor. Next I plan to remove the terminus section of the layout to fit uncoupling ramps. More of that later

pix valley operational once again

New track arrived and laid secured with a couple of pins whist it was tested 2409 negotiated the newly laid section with no issues as did a couple of larger types. The track was ballasted and the greenery reinstated.

Re-purpose an Airfix OO gauge 20t grey brake van to track cleaner

Wednesday, 8 April 2020

Pix Valley wagon works has been busy repurposing an Airfix OO gauge 20t grey brake van. Using Evergreen strip and plastic card I fabricated a cradle to fit under the brake van some fettling of the inside of the under frame was required. I made a plate from 60thou plastic card weighted with lead flashing is positioned under the frame supported on two 2mm Allen bolts 2000 grit carborundum paper provides the abrasive pad. Additional weights were fitted inside the van to provide some down force and the plastic wheels replace with turned metal ones. I shall try Scotchbrite Scouring Fibral Hand Pads grey #600 in place of the carborundum paper