Moving on

 

The piece has been attached and an initial layer of filler added.  I have also stripped back the rails either side of the new piece to start thinking about the new alignment.  One clear issue is that the water tower base will foul the new alignment so this was removed too.

Another layer of filler will be required once this is dry and then I shall glue down the cork roadbed.

Further progress on trackwork

I now have three points in and the new main line section cut ready.  However I have run out of insulated joiners so there will be a gap (no pun intended) until I can get my hands on more.

No worry though because my spray booth arrived yesterday, so airbrush experimentation can commence.

I also some heavy duty side cutters (for £3) yesterday.  These are immense and make light work of piano wire!  Thanks to David Waller for the info.  Thanks too go to various other people who came up with other methods for cutting.  However nothing compares to these beastly cutters – simple and quick.

Relaying

Relaying the yard with DCC friendly points has commenced.  In order to get good gaps I have decided to also relay the main line between yard and loop points too. So far 2 points are in, with two more and the relaid main line to come.

Hand built versus peco points

Here is a comparison between the modified (DCC friendly) peco point and the hand-built point I bought at Shepton.  The difference is phenomenal and these just must mean better running - I really fancy getting two more (both left hand) for the other main loop point and the yard point.  This would mean that all three points on the main drag would be of this hand built type.  But where would one get more of these/the parts to make these????  any ideas??? anyone????