Auto Panning Camera Mechanism

 I've been experimenting with a mechanism to automatically rotate a camera to follow the curves on my new railway.

The main line has been extended

 I am attempting to keep the main line level so just past the Salt Works it will enter a shallow cutting.

The Salt Works area under construction.

Harold the Helicopter Inspects Progress

Harold the Helicopter flew over recently and his co-pilot took this photograph. Construction has not progressed much so far this month.

Saltworks Trucks

New trucks for the Saltworks. The trucks are from the Bachmann Thomas the Tank Engine range and the decals were made by Custom Model Decals - https://custom-model-decals.com.

I've customised 5 trucks.

The Saltworks Area

I've not managed to get much done on the new railway over the last couple of weeks but it's been a pleasant day here today in Worcestershire so I decided to have a go at designing the layout of the Saltworks Sidings.

The main line is the double track on the left of the photo. The Saltworks will occupy the area on the right of the photo where the 3 sidings are situated. The loop and head-shunt in the middle is where coal trucks will be held after delivery from the main before being taken into the Saltworks. Full salt trucks will also be parked here awaiting collection.

I've put cross-over points each side of the Saltworks loop so that trucks can be taken out onto the main line in either direction.

Construction Week 2 Progress

Rain this week has hindered progress.

I have cut out a channel in the lawn for the double track section and I'm using bricks taken out of old electric storage heaters under the track. The section from Brookside Station to the top of the garden will be level so will run in a shallow cutting.

The cross-over points in the foreground will allow eastbound trains to enter the Saltworks sidings.

The Main Line

A westbound train heading for Brookside.

In B&W it could almost be taken for the real thing.

Railway Construction Week One

Railway construction week one progress.

The Brookside Station Area

Making the station will be a winter project. Meanwhile I've cut a template for the platform from MDF.

A Dogleg

This will be a short tramway section as it is the main route from the decking to the lawn. As it's a high traffic area it will be concreted.

Converging Lines

I'm very pleased with the results I've obtained with my new rail bender. The tracks from Brookside Station need to converge until they are parallel. I'm using the blocks of wood to ensure the tracks are perfectly parallel.