So what have I learnt from SHIREBROOKE YARD?
Like most things hindsight is a wonderful thing so if I could turn the clock back what would I do different?
Firstly leave a larger gap between the layout and fiddle yard so that trains don’t de rail by catching the back board. Talking of the fiddle yard, for some reason I cut the connecting power wires too short which meant its very fiddly to connect so had to rewire with longer power feed cables now, you may think why does it matter? Well it’s just an example of not thinking your plan through as longer cables make it so much easier to connect the fiddle yard to layout.
I did find that fixing power drop wires to the point blades made slow running over them much better and given SHIREBROOKE YARD is and engine shed this was a must.
One simple thing was the black paint for the front of the Backboards I did before scenery, next time it will be done last as I found I had to repaint them. Talking of black paint, I didn’t paint the fiddle yard and with hindsight this was a mistake as it just didn’t match the rest of the layout.
Finally SHIREBROOKE YARD is a DCC (digital) layout which for me is fine as I have a digital controller but given this layout is aimed at getting new modellers into the hobby this may be a mistake as DCC controllers, chips and engines are much more expensive so may be the next layout will be analogue that could be converted to DCC at a later date.
My best advice, as your constructing your layout keep check electrics and trains are running well, much better to identity problems now than after all the scenery is in place.
So there you have it, SHIREBROOKE YARD from start to finish, hope you’ve enjoyed reading about its progress and don’t forget if you want to get a foot on the model railway ladder then it could be yours as I’m glad to say you can now purchase it and indeed other layouts in the range of even design your own and have it built.
Will soon be available on EBAY or contact me direct on.
01522 793114/ 07754 676673.
Email: alan_long19@hotmail.com
Twitter : @railwayimp
Next time SHIREBROOKE STATION under construction, re designs and videos.
Alan.
Railway Imp 