Trains, Just Trains

In this short video, we look at the completed build of the two inspection pits and the LED lighting that has been installed on them. Thumbnail Image Photograph: Ivan Stewart Collection

Well, I've finally managed to get round to starting my O gauge layout, which will be Blyth Cambois Depot and in this first video, we show the beginning of the layout and building the first baseboard that will be housing Blyth Diesel Depot. The design of the shed is underway with some modifications still to finish, but at least we're on the way. Baseboard used is 12mm Poplar Ply, which is a light-weight but very strong material and we use this in all of our layout baseboards at DCC Train Automation. Baseboards are most probably the most important part of your layout. Get this wrong and you'll end up paying further down the line (no pun intended) when perhaps its not been made well, using cheaper materials and small battens etc and you have to rip up your layout and start again. Purchasing a professional laser cut baseboard may be more expensive but these will last you a lifetime. If you need a baseboard and don't want to make your own then click on the link belowand this will take you to the different sizes that we do. Need a bespoke board? Then simply drop us an email at:- info@dcctrainautomation.co.uk with your requirements and we'll get back to you with a quote. Please note, bespoke boards do incur a design fee. DCC Train Automation Baseboard Options:- https://www.dcctrainautomation.co.uk/search/for/baseboards/

We have two (at least) foxes that come down our footpath most nights , so we've recently been feeding them some left over food or food that we didn't eat for one reason or another, steak n kidney pie the other night! No wonder they keep coming back. We normally just watch them out of the living room window (1st floor).....we live in a 3 storey house. Tonight, Thursday 20th July 2023, I thought I'd put my video camera in the corner of the porchway and see if it would capture them having their snack. I didn't realise how noisy the main road was, not something that we notice, but the camera did! The main road is about 15 yrds away and there's a nice patch of greenery in front of the house and often hear the foxes in there. I was fortunate a few years ago to wake up early one summer morning and catch mum with her cubs out there. That video is on my channel, so feel free to scroll back a few years to see them. It'd be great to think that maybe the cubs could be at least one of them. No idea how we gave them the names Barry & Rita but its stuck so that's their names. There was a 3rd fox yesterday evening but looked fully grown, so we reckon Barry's got a bit on the side! During this video, about 6-7 mins in, they do have a little scrap over the food that I put on the drain cover. It was handy when Barry came back and made the security light come back on so you can see them slightly better. Love the crunching they make of the dried food........ don't tell Misti (our Springer Spaniel) that I gave them some of her food, along with left over ham and some wet cat food too. A nice evening supper for them. I'm sure I'll record them again soon. Maybe try and get the camera in a different position.

My last day at Acton Bridge before heading back home a day early due to a cancelled depot tour.

After coming back from Chester, I did a short afternoon stint, followed by a break, then back for an evening session and finishing of at Millers Bridge, 100yrds from where I was staying to catch the return of the Network Rail test train.

It had been nearly 5 years since I last visited Acton Bridge and came up from Somerset on the Wednesday morning, to get there for the afternoon freight, check in to the local farm house that I use and then come back for the evening session. A very busy start to the afternoon and then it died down somewhat. The evening wasn't too bad. Called it a night at 9pm and went back to the farm house, which is literally 15 yards from the mainline and freight certainly gets active late at night.. For Thursday, I was going to drive to Chester and catch a class 67 with MKIV's and treated myself to a 1st class return ticket, straight there and back, so I could do another session at Acton Bridge. Unfortunately, Transport For Wales decided to put on a 2 car unit instead and have the heating on in this at around 75 degrees......it was packed and so hot! Thankfully, most people got off at Bangor, so opened all the windows...do you really need the heat so bloody hot TFW? Anyway, nice views out the window but now have a battle to reclaim my travel cost of 1st class due to them not being able to supply the service that I paid for,. The guard on the train wasn't much help and Trainpal don't want to know because I used the ticket...... I wasn't going to waste the 40 minute drive there and car park daily fee and then not go!.

UPDATES:- THE OO GAUGE KIT LAUNCHES ON WEDNESDAY 1ST MARCH 2023 This is the introduction to the 'How To Build Series' of our Brand New OO Gauge Two Road Shed which has been designed to compliment the awesome interior depot kit which is available direct from West Hill Wagon Works. Our new diesel depot can also be used as a stand-alone item. Our 13 part video series shows the build and we hope this will help those who purchase our kit. (Please note:- there may be addition updates and we will add these to the relevant videos under the description tab, so if you purchase this kit, it is recommended to check each update to the relevant video). We will be bringing out an O Gauge version (ETA late March, early April) and the build is likely to be the same. However, we may add some additional videos, should we feel this is necessary. The launch date of our kit will be Wednesday 1st March 2023 at approx 20:00 hrs and we'll be making up some kits available for dispatch over the coming days after launch. Due to a back injury, I am limiting the amount of hours at the unit, so any further kit orders that we haven't made may be subject to a 28 day turnaround. Pricing for the four options of this kit will be added to our web site on Thursday 16th February. Keep up to date with what is happening at Railway Laser Lines by visiting our Facebook page:- https://www.facebook.com/railwaylaserlines/

Keep up to date with what is happening at Railway Laser Lines by visiting our Facebook page:- https://www.facebook.com/railwaylaserlines/

UPDATES:- We will post any amendments/updates here in the description should there be any, so please check here on the description to all parts of this video series Keep up to date with what is happening at Railway Laser Lines by visiting our Facebook page:- https://www.facebook.com/railwaylaserlines/

UPDATES:- We will post any amendments/updates here in the description should there be any, so please check here on the description to all parts of this video series Keep up to date with what is happening at Railway Laser Lines by visiting our Facebook page:- https://www.facebook.com/railwaylaserlines/

UPDATES:- We will post any amendments/updates here in the description should there be any, so please check here on the description to all parts of this video series Keep up to date with what is happening at Railway Laser Lines by visiting our Facebook page:- https://www.facebook.com/railwaylaserlines/

UPDATES:- We will post any amendments/updates here in the description should there be any, so please check here on the description to all parts of this video series Keep up to date with what is happening at Railway Laser Lines by visiting our Facebook page:- https://www.facebook.com/railwaylaserlines/

UPDATES:- We will post any amendments/updates here in the description should there be any, so please check here on the description to all parts of this video series Keep up to date with what is happening at Railway Laser Lines by visiting our Facebook page:- https://www.facebook.com/railwaylaserlines/

UPDATES:- We will post any amendments/updates here in the description should there be any, so please check here on the description to all parts of this video series Keep up to date with what is happening at Railway Laser Lines by visiting our Facebook page:- https://www.facebook.com/railwaylaserlines/

UPDATE: Please DO NOT FIT the safety railings onto the walkway, or glue the walkway into place yet. Watch the next video before doing this. Keep up to date with what is happening at Railway Laser Lines by visiting our Facebook page:- https://www.facebook.com/railwaylaserlines/

UPDATES:- We will post any amendments/updates here in the description should there be any, so please check here on the description to all parts of this video series Keep up to date with what is happening at Railway Laser Lines by visiting our Facebook page:- https://www.facebook.com/railwaylaserlines/

UPDATES:- We will post any amendments/updates here in the description should there be any, so please check here on the description to all parts of this video series Keep up to date with what is happening at Railway Laser Lines by visiting our Facebook page:- https://www.facebook.com/railwaylaserlines/

UPDATES:- We will post any amendments/updates here in the description should there be any, so please check here on the description to all parts of this video series Keep up to date with what is happening at Railway Laser Lines by visiting our Facebook page:- https://www.facebook.com/railwaylaserlines/

UPDATES:- We will post any amendments/updates here in the description should there be any, so please check here on the description to all parts of this video series. Keep up to date with what is happening at Railway Laser Lines by visiting our Facebook page:- https://www.facebook.com/railwaylaserlines/

UPDATES:- We will post any amendments/updates here in the description should there be any, so please check here on the description to all parts of this video series Keep up to date with what is happening at Railway Laser Lines by visiting our Facebook page:- https://www.facebook.com/railwaylaserlines/