Nadolig Llawen! (Merry Christmas)

Merry Christmas! I’d like to thank the people that have visited this blog over the last few months. And I’d like to thank Colin Lea, creator of Rhyd Ddu (www.Rhydddu.blogspot.com) and Rob Waller creator of Bron Hebog (www.bronhebog.blogspot.com) for advice and constructing carriage 100.
Just to give the narrow gauge modellers a taste of the Ffestiniog in the snow (if you didn't see the picture on the BBC news website). Here is a picture I took of Tanygrisiau Station as I went for a walk up to Stwlan Dam (for the people that don't know, Stwlan Dam is the 'top' Resevoir built for the Hydro Power Station)
If you look very closely, you will see the Baugley-Drewery 0-6-0 Harlech Castle, on Ploughing duties on the 'Up' line, before the Passenger trains.

For the ones that might not be able to see Harlech Castle, It's just to the left of the middle of the photo.

Not much progress :(

Similar to Rob Waller's recent post here, progress has slowed down dramatically due to Royal Mail.
Last weekend I bought a new soldering iron at Warely as my old one (which was my dads when he was a apprentice, 30 odd years ago!) was quite literally on its last legs, a new tip was put in, connections tested etc but it just wouldn’t heat up.
So i bought a new one from Squires, at Warely. To be fair it was fairly cheap, but it was also a 'health and safety conscious' soldering iron (didn't heat up!) So after a phone call, they said that they would replace it, so I’m currently waiting for that.
Also at the NEC, loads of bits and bobs where bought. Wire, 25 pin connectors + connector housing, plastic cement, plasaticard, plastic 'letters' for station name boards etc, and suitable material to make a hoist to go outside one of the workshops / engine shed.
I enjoyed all of the layouts, they where truly of great quality. They gave me plenty of ideas on what I can do on my own. Here are a few things I will most probably be doing.

1) Adjustable feet. A no brainer really, for uneven floors etc, I will need 16, 4 have already been made last Saturday, at the Lodge.

2) Control panel / Stock transporter. This was taken from 'Bridport Town' I'm not sure if it was all a control panel or not, but it was simply a cupboard, with leads connecting to the layout, and two doors at the front for access. I will most likely go for a browse at the local recycling centre to see what they have, but I could make one if I can’t find one. The top 1/4 will hold the electrics, transformers etc, with the mimic panel on the top and the stock will be kept in box files on shelves in the bottom 3/4.

And there’s plenty more ideas whizzing around my head! Hopefully once I get the soldering iron, the track for the station can be soldered together, glued down, then the ‘alignment pieces’ at the joints be lined up, then, it’s test time! The point motors have been roughly fitted, holes have been drilled for Peco uncouplers (yet to be bought) and track feeds.