No longer waiting for the points

The points I ordered have arrived. The Peco double-slip (of which I now own two) is truly a thing of beauty!









I am very much looking forward to finalising the track layout next time I can get up into the loft.

Waiting for the points

I'm very excited about the fact that I've ordered my first batch of streamline points for the model. I just had confirmation from the vendor (Osborns models) that they are on their way. When I have the points I will be able to do the final station layout and so decide exactly where the baseboards are best joined at F1-B1 and F5-B5. Because of the clusters of points in the station approaches I need to join the baseboards where the track sections join, not in the middle of a section... hence needing to know how the track lays out before finalising the boards.

I decided not to buy points for the branch line at the moment. I still don't have a clear idea about where the branch line will go, so it seems premature to order in the track and points.

Completing the first incline

The first of the two big inclines on this model is now complete...















The picture shows the finished double-track bed for the feeder tracks, with the final running height at top board level. Most of the bed on boards F3 and F4 will be "above ground" in the final model; the tunnel portal will be somewhere at the right-hand side of F4.

At both ends of the incline I have tried to ensure that there is a smooth transition from gradient to level; the upper transition happens in the middle of F3 (looking at the photo, it seems that it may still need a bit of adjustment). I certainly want to avoid changes of gradient at the edges of the boards at all costs, as here the track will be discontinuous as well.

The feeder track beds are made from 6mm MDF (the remnants of my old table-top layout) braced underneath with battens to increase rigidity. Because the top material is 6mm grade rather than 9mm, I have added an extra 3mm of height to the supports at top board level, to ensure that the surface levels align when the 6mm MDF meets the 9mm plywood further round the loop. As I've gone round I have also been adding extra front-to-back battens to F3 and F4, to provide extra strength and make it easier to attach the track bed supports.

I am pleased with recent progress and am looking forward to completing the loop round to the station approach on B1u. Next comes F2 and a bridge over a river!