*Warning picture heavy post!*
Its been a little while since I've posted, but there has been some progress.
I eventually managed to loosely lay all the track, and was happy with the layout and how it looked...
![Image](https://i.postimg.cc/XpjD67pJ/IMG-20230706-WA0005.jpg)
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From here, I removed the track, and laid 5mm thick plywood sheets to cover the gaps between the shelves. There's now only 1 gap, and it's bearly 1mm. This has all been painted grey, as a primer and general base colour.
![Image](https://i.postimg.cc/pycxS7Lg/IMG-20230916-WA0007.jpg)
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Track was then relaid and pinned into place with drawing pins, adding trackfeeds where needed. This allowed to test everything with a free rolling wagon. Holes marked for the location of trackfeeds and points.
There's a few curves in there that weren't quite right, but they were close enough to allow me to move on.
![Image](https://i.postimg.cc/D8qhzzgK/IMG-20231111-WA0010.jpg)
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Now it was time to lay, glue and paint the cork. Its simply being used to raise the track so a good ballast shoulder can be created. I know painting and ballasting it will prevent it dampening any sound. Holes are drilled for the track & frog feeds, plus larger holes for the point motor pins to come up from the bottom.
![Image](https://i.postimg.cc/BtkCZTZX/IMG-20231120-WA0003.jpg)
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Now the track is glued into place using normal B&Q PVA. it's held in position using raised thumbtacks.The tacks allow me to place downward pressure on the rail, and also lateral pressure to ensure the desired curves are maintained. This seems to have held well. The track feed wires are passed through the pre-drilled holes, ready for connection underneath.
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Turning attention to scenic matters, I've started to layout where physical features will be.
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Alongside the layout work, I've started the control panel.
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That about brings you up to date... over the christmas break, I'll be putting in all the wiring under the boards, and completing the control panel, so I can start to run trains! woo!
Father, IT Guy, HO/OO Modeler.