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28 May 07 No work done on the actual railway today :-(
More internet research into blocks and occupancy detectors, with a possible cheaper solution than Lenz from a company called Littfinski DatenTechnik (LDT) and its product RS8 – a little more research needed.
The rest of the time was spent tweaking the web site (you may have noticed the change in colours). I have identified a better way of displaying the photo’s to improve quality and have also changed the Guestbook page so that you don’t have to leave the site to post comments.
And finally I took some pictures of 37678(S) - Bachmann Class 37/5 Diesel 37678 Red Stripe/ Railfreight pulling a short rake of loaded electron car transporters.
27 May 07 Nothing much visually however much playing with Traincontroller software and wow I continue to be impressed with what it can do - have been playing today at linking signals and points together and switching multiple points at the same time as well as driving trains. The next stage would appear to be setting up blocks or in plain english splitting the track into various independant sections with a sensor in each section to sense the train - this in theory should then show on the PC where the train is and allow full computerised control. I think I am going to experiment on the 2nd Level of track as this is isolated from the main track and unballasted as of yet. This is an area completely new and I must say a little confusing. I have done much searching on the internet and believe that what I need are some Lenz LB101's (these will sense 2 blocks), 4 of which in turn connect into a Lenz LR101 - this doesn't look like a cheap option at approx £80 for 8 blocks (sections). Other solutions seem to be reed switches which would then link into ?? If anyone reading this has a better handle on this area I would love to hear from you. 20 May 07 One of my long term aims when I started this project was to computerise certain aspects of the layout when time and money permitted. A step in that direction was taken today……having recently managed to find a Lenz LI-USB Computer Interface at a cost on EBay that I couldn’t say no too! The interface was connected up using the supplied USB cable to my Laptop and an xpressnet cable (which had come with one of the LA152 fitted around the layout was used to connect to it). Software was installed and a little playing ensued with the supplied Lenz Software – all good so far but nothing great (especially as a great part of the software is in German!)From the Lenz web site there are numerous links to various demo software packages to automate railway workings in one way or other. Obviously I had to give them all a go and spent a few hours experimenting. The one that seems to fit my needs and which I had the best fun with was Traincontroller by Railroad & Co – I have only scratched the surface but to see a visualisation of the track on screen (only part of it so far) and to be able to click on points and see them changing and see whether they are open or closed at a glance and to drive trains from the PC was a good step forward and will undoubtedly give me many hours of fun!  I will continue to play with the demo version (though restricted) for now until I am sure it is the right package for me as it costs 289 EUR! 19 May 07 The second level boards are all down and secured with the majority painted where track will run.
The outside loop has been constructed by using PECO Setrack St235 No4 Radius Curves with the inside loop having No3 radius curves as a minimum. The entire track has been pined into place and wired, point motors have been added to points and connected into the relevant ls150\ ls110. A track plan of the 2nd Level has been added to the track plan page.
Trains have been run on the second level with the Virgin Voyager being able to go flat out!
Additional purchases this week include a couple of shunters:
08585 - Bachmann Class 08 diesel shunter 08683 in Freightliner livery
08921 - Bachmann Class 08 diesel shunter 08921 in EWS livery
Both have been fitted with Lenz 1000A’s and Kadee couplings. 12 May 07 Due to illness not much work completed :-( A little more track pinned into place on the 2nd level, a couple more weathered EWS HTA’s purchased from EBay and a brief video walk around of the layout added to the video clips section.  7 May 07 New page added - VIDEO CLIPS and a few video clips uploaded - this area is very much in its infancy however I anticipate uploading plenty of video clips over the next few weeks. Work continued on the second level with more track laid as the base boards slotted into place. 6 May 07  Well finally the walling (Faller 170860) to complete the section near the TMD arrived. It has taken nearly 6 weeks - moral of the story is to make sure you have enough supplies before you start a job! Other arrivals included: 3 x Bachmann 31 Ton OBA open wagon with high end "EWS". 3 x Bachmann 104 Tonne GLW HTA Hopper Wagon 'EWS' Weathered. The walling was applied allowing the last  section of track in the TMD\ Station area to be ballasted.
Work continued on building the supporting frame for the second level - another job I don't particularly like with woodwork definately not a strong point - I seem to spend numerous hours trying to get things level and whether the two ends will ever meet level we will have to see. Clearances are tight so supporting timber has had to be lain sideways on. 2 May 07 A little more weathering of ballast around the station area and approaches and signals wired in - managed to blow one through not thinking - YOU SHOULD HAVE A RESISTOR BETWEEN LED AND POWER - you would have thought I should be able to get it right by now - oh well have used the blown signal for effect where the presence of a signal is more important that the actual lights.    29 Apr 07 Weathering of ballast continued around the station area and approaches – a mix of black acrylic paint and water. The ballst was added around the signals put in place yesterday. More foliage, an odd tree and some weeds were added and the station car park screwed into place. A street light was added to the car park and wired in and then a Virgin Thunderbird stationed for photo's.    And finally a heavily loaded EWS 60026 passing throuh the station....... 28 Apr 07 A quiet day on the railway front with not a lot of time to spend on it. Last weeks ballasting has dried so this was tweaked, rails cleaned and any proud parts cleared. I received a large batch of 2 and 4 aspect signals from Roger Murray this week so 6 of the 2 aspects were slotted into place (to be wired in at another time). A little detailing near the Signal box was also started, including adding the correct name plate (made on the PC). 24 Apr 07 Car Park painted, fencing applied to posts, barbed wire added, grass stuck into place, Cararama cars parked, Traffic cones placed and Skaledale skip dropped. Not quite finished but good enough for a few photo's.   23 Apr 07 Whilst waiting for the ballast to dry, and with a spare half an hour, work started on the station car park, (another cameo which will be able to be lifted out as required) with 6mm mdf cut, 3cm apart holes drilled and Ratio (436) security fencing glued in place. 22 Apr 07 After yesterday's efforts today has been a quiet one on the scenic front, the street lights for the terrace houses were wired in, tested and promptly disconnected to allow access for balasting, a couple of the loft joists were clad with faller walling to help them blend in a little and another section was ballasted (large white patches are holes (covered with tape) in preparation for some more signals which are on order). And finally 57602(G+) Class 57/0 diesel 57602 in First Great Western livery entered service after having a Gold decoder + Power 1USP storage module fitted. 21 Apr 07 A whole day to spend and a whole lot of work planned……..
Work continued on the raised section with more supporting wood cut and base wood prepared. Then my day was dashed…….my wife had volunteered to make an allotment cameo to sit between the raised section and the terrace cameo made a few weeks ago. She started on the cameo today however in a short space of time it became clear that I would have more involvement than hoped and as they say that was the end of the day………..
All the required extra pieces had been purchased over the last few weeks and were gathered together. The base of the cameo was cut from 6mm MDF and the 6’ fence supports (Ratio (436) security fencing) were stuck into place and the surrounding ground painted.  
Cabbages, Cauliflowers, Lettuce’s and various other vegetables were constructed from two Busch kits (BU/1213 Cabbage & Lettuce & BU/1202 Cornfield) - these were ordered online at Model Masters and arrived within two days of ordering (I was very impressed considering how long some companies take). Constructing the kits was a very fiddly job however the final product made the effort worthwhile. For the ground some remnants from a Busch Ploughed field sheet was used. Scatter was added for the paths, the fencing was stuck to the posts and cotton threaded to represent barbed wire. A couple of Skaledale sheds added and a gardener or two (Preiser), grass and trees placed appropriately and some clumps of weeds (Silfor Tufts) added and apart from placement on the layout and a few finishing touches all done! 
An excellent cameo if I say so myself …………a special thanks to my wife who ably assisted in its construction especially some of the more fiddly bits.  20 Apr 07 A quick hour or two......... The fiddle yard has never worked as well as I would have liked, access to some areas isn’t the easiest and with the second level taking shape time for a change of plan. I have decided that three of the sidings are going to go and an access hole is to take their place.
The town is going to built over part of the remaining “off scene” tracks and I want to be  able to lift this section off (or that’s the plan at this stage!) so that I can get easy access to the tracks below in case of maintenance or derailments etc etc. So the supporting frame has started to be built, screwed and glued into place. More work will carried out in this section tomorrow.
16 Apr 07 A couple of hours spent this evening tidying up a little, and moving the bridge section onwards.  The rest of the Peco Plate Girder Bridge Sides applied, track tacked into place and a little paint to touch up the pillar then a few minutes running trains and taking pictures - doesn't time fly!  And finally a view of everything coming together........slowly. 15 Apr 07 Not much done today as the loft was way too hot and other domestic commitments prevailed! The bridge section was trimmed to the right size, painted and screwed into place. Another supporting wall was cut and a little Faller walling applied to the ends (still needs a little paint work) - can't apply walling to the sides as clearance is not good enough. Peco Plate Girder Bridge Sides have started to be added to the bridge section. 
14 Apr 07 Another trip to AP Models this morning and I picked up a couple of EWS OBA wagons for the Corgi bricks….I know I said I wasn’t going to use them as a load but I couldn’t resist! 
With an afternoon to myself and being as impatient as ever work started on the end of terrace cameo - one day I will finish something.........
After much pontificating on which way the scene was to look, a decision was made and work started. Some 6mm MDF was used as the base, with cork used as the pavements, the cork was painted grey. Street lighting was added, as was a Skaledale post box. The Terrace houses and walls were stuck into place (I have decided not to light these buildings as the street lamps should provide  enough illumination in this area). The cobbled road was made from a piece of Faller decrotive sheet. Some bit’s and pieces were put into the gardens - paths, grass, dug garden, bushes and a couple of trees added. Cararama cars were added and a few Skaledale wheelie bins for effect. All in all I am very happy with the outcome.
 The hedges to the front of the scene have only been placed temporarily whilst I took today’s photos - the frontage will be finished another day!
11 Apr 07 Additional supplies arrived today; 25 yds of code 100 Peco Track which will be used to form the new level and some new Skaledale items, which look great:
1 x Electricity sub-station
2 x Bay terrace house left hand
2 x Bay terrace house right hand
4 x Bay terrace garden walls All the Skaledale items will be used in the coming months for an end of terrace cameo above the station signal box…… Another item that arrived was 10 Packs of Bricks for Corgi Modern Truck's – the scale is 1:50 however they don’t look out of place – these were purchased from EBay for just under £10. The idea came from an article on page 29 of the Spring issue of Model Rail in which Colin Brown, Maidstone suggested they looked great in Bachmann's 'OO' gauge Plasmor Blockfreight OBA Wagons (each wagon will hold 6 packs of bricks). I will probably use them on a building site cameo though rather than a load. 9 Apr 07  The final signal from the track which leads from the TMD was wired in, further wiring in of signals is on hold awaiting replenishment of stock.
Track that was recently ballasted was cleaned and test runs conducted – all working fine.
Work commenced on the supporting wall opposite the TMD where the raised track section will run – wood was cut, screwed and glued. Faller walling was cut, trimmed, stuck and edges were painted.
Some grass, bushes and the odd tree were positioned. In addition the first two pieces of the base for the raised section, which will form the " bridge" which will run left to right in the picture below were cut - work on this section is now on hold awaiting some more track. 
No model railway work today - however trains did feature....... Caught the 1025hrs from from Bishops Lydeard (Nr Taunton,Somerset) for an hour and a quarters trip to Minehead on board a steam train (BR(W) '5101' 2-6-2T No. 4160) run by the West Somerset Railway (WSR).  The journey was great and the scenery fantastic. For full details and some detailed pictures take a look at the unofficial West Somerset Railway web site. After a visit to Minehead it was back on board for a short trip to Dunster and a lovely lunch and visit to the Castle with the day rounded off with the return trip to Bishops Lydeard.
The weather was beautiful and an excellent day out was had. I can thoroughly recommend the WSR if you want to experience Steam travel and have an excellent day out!  5 Apr 07  As the ballasting continued to dry attention turned to wiring in some of the signals near the TMD. The majority of signals on Stafford Central have been sourced via Roger Murray (Roger no longer has a web site but is still accepting direct commissions by email) and are a combination of either two or four aspect. The signals are common positive so that I can connect them straight to the Lenz DCC system if required. The signals wired today are going to change from red to green dependant on whether points 5 or 22 (see track plan) are open or closed - therefore attached to the base of each point motor I have glued (using a glue gun seems easiest) a micro switch. I always seem to forget how to wire them in, so for your, and my benefit, I have drawn a diagram and added to the hints and tips section! 
4 Apr 07 Work continued around the TMD.........  The yellow barriers were removed and weathered with only a couple returning. The concrete had it’s first run in with the “oil stains” and the TMD itself received a coat of grime.  Some small scenic touches were added - some old tyres, a bush or two and some clumps of long grass ( Woodlands Scenics - field grass - an extremely fine, natural hair product that models tall grass, field grass and weeds). 
Ballasting started around the TMD which included the main lines near it and the station approach - lots of point work so care had to be taken and it will need a few days to dry.
Some grafitti (Busch, "Graffiti" rub on transfers) was added here and there, and more work conducted on the walling behind the signal box. 
31 Mar 2007  Work started again on the TMD...... New cork was laid as was new track. I have decided to take advantage of the opportunity and removed a manual crossover which was seldom used leading to the TMD. The new plan called for plastikard to be used for "concrete" - I could only get white so it has had to be painted. To get the right level more cork was added either side of the track, and after much cutting painting and muttering the new "concrete" was laid. Steps and a walk way were added to the inside of the TMD. The TMD was put back into place and some grass added - much more work is needed however modeling time has run out today - couldn't resist placing some appropriate rolling stock and taking a few pictures.
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