Silver Sidelines

As originally envisaged the top right corner was just an empty space: However whilst playing trains it soon became apparent that a passing loop would be useful for the branch line - and if this could be combined with some sort of 'halt' / station for the autotrain, then it would be doubly useful.   The wood work was changed and some track layed: However - why did I cut off the piece of board into the corner?   Maybe the corner of the room was not square? It certainly wouldn't be!   Now two years later the piece of board has been found, reattached and a goods siding laid.   At last I have space for Bachmann's Scenecraft Goods Shed.   As with so many of the resin models, I find them deceptively big. Now that the track has been modified 'let ballasting commence' and then perhaps a backscene.   In the longer term I will have to devise a cut and cover tunnel (removable) to hide some of the tracks for the reversing loops and hidden ...

Back to ballasting!   Managed to finish the track to the branch terminus.   First an atmospheric view: The buildings are the well known Hornby Skaledale, whilst the rolling stock are a Dapol 14xx, Mainline autocoach and a Lima railcar on a Hornby chassis (I don't like the colour of the Hornby body shell). And for comparison, an earlier view showing the layout under construction with an Airfix 14xx and some Mainline wagons in evidence:

Instead of ballasting track, time can be spent playing with trains: This is my 'new' Hornby 14xx.   However as received it was not a smooth runner and it been given a replacement Dapol chassis.   The Hornby model replaces an older and much loved Airfix model. The suspect Hornby chassis has been given to my Airfix model.   As an experiment much time has been spent delving into my 'box of bits' and I have replaced the centre driven axle   (with the traction tyres) with a pair of plain wheels from an even older Airfix mechanism.   It is nearly very good.