60026 arrives at Cement Quay Old Wharf with an empty short rake of MFA high sided box wagons. The loco will uncouple and run around the train before propelling it under the screen for loading

59005 'Kenneth J Painter' slowly eases a short rake of MFA high sided aggregate wagons out from under the screen at Cement Quay Old Wharf during the late summer of 2007.

Update 25 October 2009: The new exit off stage on Cement Quay's right had side is in the process of being disguised with another screen. The top half will be finshed in a similar fashion to the existing screen but will have a bare concrete base. More on this to follow later in the week.

Cement Quay extension progress, 25 October 2009: 37422 slowly grinds along the weed infested trackbed with a rake of cement PCAs.

08630 pushes some high sided aggregate wagons into the screen road.

Earlier today, the two boards were offered together on the new higher (4' 3") trestles I share with Catcott. This is the viewing angle for someone around 6 foot high. Total length scenic is 9 foot x 2 foot. I may operate from the front or behind depending on how scary the audience are when out on the road. The open end on the right hand end allows a wider viewing angle for the punters.

Earlier today, the two boards were offered together on the new higher (4' 3") trestles I share with Catcott. This is the viewing angle for someone around 6 foot high. Total length scenic is 9 foot x 2 foot. I may operate from the front or behind depending on how scary the audience are when out on the road. The open end on the right hand end allows a wider viewing angle for the punters.

All neatly tidied up (with top and rear all boxed in too) seen without lighting pelmet. The white splodges in the water is another layer of PVA drying (goes clear when set).

Under construction a lighting pelmet. materials used are 6mm foamboard and 2mm marine ply.

Cement Quay extension progress, 26 September 2009 in the Scaleforum car park at Leatherhead! Bods are PMP, Re6/6 and Captain Kernow!

Tim Maddocks' 'Plantaganet' (from a Mercian Models kit) poses on Cement Quay Old Wharf, 26 September 2009

Tim Maddocks' 'Plantaganet' (from a Mercian Models kit) poses on Cement Quay Old Wharf, 26 September 2009

Tim Maddocks' 'Plantaganet' (from a Mercian Models kit) poses on Cement Quay Old Wharf, 26 September 2009

Cement Quay extension progress, 24 September 2009

37422 pokes out from behind a modified Skaledale cement hopper.

Cement Quay extension progress, 23 Sept 2009: 'Bagnall' 47276.

Cement Quay extension progress, 23 Sept 2009: 'Bagnall' 47276.

Cement Quay extension progress, 23 Sept 2009: 58086 prepares to run around a couple of Dogfish ballast hoppers.

Cement Quay extension progress, 23 Sept 2009: 58086 prepares to run around a couple of Dogfish ballast hoppers.

Cement Quay extension progress, 23 Sept 2009: 43017 poses at the end of the headshunt. Buffer stops still need to be sourced.

A Vi-Trains Class 47 No. 47600 'Dewi Sant Saint David' is captured here at the head of a rake of Cement PCAs on Chris Nevard's Cement Quay.

Heljan 47145 on Cement Quay extension, 14 September 2009

Heljan 47145 on Cement Quay extension, 14 September 2009. Added sky effects.

Cement Quay extension progress, 14 September 2009

Cement Quay extension progress, 14 September 2009

Modified Hornby Skaledale Cement Hopper. Cement Quay extension progress, 14 September 2009

Cement Quay extension progress, 11 September 2009

Cement Quay extension progress, 11 September 2009

Cement Quay extension progress, 11 September 2009

After the initial rush things have slowed down a tad due to the day job and us putting our cardboard box onto the housing market. Anyway, here goes, a couple of shots showing the baseboard which is bodged from what were the original folding legs (It now shares Catcott's higher trestles). The backscene is literally 2mm ply sprung between the two verticals which will support the lighting rig to match in with the existing layout. The section which will be a narrow cassette yard has yet to be surfaced (is will be a lower height to the rest) - that can be dropped in at any stage. The curved ends were achieved by using some 6mm ply. Sorry, I cannot explain here I'm no carpenter, come and see the layout in November.

The bits of foam are just resting in place to gauge the effect of the spoil heaps, I'll probably use aerosol foam filler instead. Some old sleeper barriers between the spoil and track might look good.

The bits of foam are just resting in place to gauge the effect of the spoil heaps, I'll probably use aerosol foam filler instead. Some old sleeper barriers between the spoil and track might look good.

Another over all view....

The stone sheet on the wharf is according to my local Addlestone Models a new ready painted product from Peco. I bought it because that's all they had in stock (it will see use on Radstock Coal and Steam too I'm sure). In the event however the stone and wood will be washed over and dry brushed with various shades of grey, beige and green using my usual matt emulsions. Colouring and techniques will be the same as Cement Quay proper to ensure continuity.

This shot is a recent one superimposed over my original sketch - just because it's possible. The 'water' is from my local canal - again for effect.

We now have trains that run! The pricker is to stop the class 47 going where it shouldn't! A start has been made building up the quayside.

Smooth curves

Update 6 August 2009: further advances in baseboard work. The plywood fascia has just been added. A bit of tidying up and rubbing down required.

Update 6 August 2009: a close up the curved corner. That screw will need re-countersinking or filing down. A scrim of tile grout or such will even out any uneveness. Scissors are great for cutting copper clad strip by the way (for the baseboard joins). The button shaped thing is just a drawing pin holding the thin ply in place whilst the glue sets.

Update 6 August 2009: here's how the new module attaches to the existing Cement Quay. It will get a matching lighting arch in due course.

Update 6 August 2009: exit stage left for the two lines. The farthest reappears on the other side through the stone loading screen road.

Update 6 August 2009: 20119 poses on some temorarily fixed track - the 'fix' being gravity!

The 3ft 6 x 2ft extension to Cement Quay. Being self contained scenically it should be possible to operate this section on its own too.

The mock-up will form another wharf and quarry. I'd like to see several large spoil heaps running right down the the quayside. The hazy blue screen is where the new backscene will run.

Here's a view looking straight down onto the right-hand end. Until now all 3 sidings that previously terminated on the right, now have the option of carrying onto another module. The top right one will go through to a cassette yard hidden by a backscene. The middle one through the screen and the lower one which was a headshunt will now join up on the new module to create a long loop to allow running around of stone trains. The new module is likley to consist of a quarry with and old stone wharf -n the foreground. This idea is not cast in stone yet, but at the layout's next outing Cement Quay will be 3ft 6 longer than it is now. It will still be possible to operate the layout as originally designed though.

Peekyboo!

Here's an angle never before seen on Cement Quay. This is the a new view through the stone loading screen made possible by a the right hand end being opened up in preparation for an extension.

Scary!

Opening up one of three holes to allow the right hand end extension