New Year, New progress update

Since the last update I've done the following:

• the railsides have been fully weathered (using Railmatch Sleeper Grime aerosol spray),
  
• the trackwork has been fully electrically tested and wire-in-tube point control installed for the rear engine stabling siding, the point controlling access to platforms 1 and 2 from the loco-coach yard, and on the two points at the ends of platforms one and two that control access to the main passenger line. The rods are operated from the rear of the layout but are still operable by hand. Eventually I might build a proper level frame, maybe from the GEM Mercontrol system since this would be more aethetically pleasing for the operator at least!
  
• a bridge has been installed at the end of the layout, built from hardboard and small sections of balsa and pine pse.
• I've constructed both the Scalescenes BR Provender Store and the Signalbox kits for use on the layout. These were quick and easy to build and provided me with something to do in between club sessions.
  

I plan to install further wire-in-tube control for the rest of the pointwork, but this time running under the baseboard to operate the points on the far side of the layout. This saves having to cut up cork or disturb trackwork. For the next couple of weeks however I plan to finish the basic scenic work in the 2ft station extension section:

1. Build the retaining walls from balsa, covered with Wills plastic bricksheets either directly or mounted on card first
2. Install platform sections and secure with PVA.
3. Lightly ballast, using the method detailed at Scenic Model Railways. I think I'll go for a grey ballast, suitably weathered at the bufferstops of platform two to represent standing locomotives.

Hopefully I'll have this section completed by the end of february, with only the platform buildings to be done. This will be quite an acheivement - an extra incentive to complete the layout by Easter perhaps?

Here are some pictures of the layout as it was on completion of the track weathering a week before Christmas. Note the card mockup of the bridge.

From under the bridge, looking 'west' towards the Station.

From the station end, looking towards the bridge (east).