Let's make a move!

I have decided to close this blog to new posts, though the blog itself well remain to view. New posts on the BGLR are on my personal blog from now on.

Engineering rotation

As the BGLR locomotive fleet gets bigger (though the layout doesn't) we've had to adjust our rotation policy to give more locos a go. We've decided to rotate the position of engineering train motive power, the Motorbahnwagen will share the duties with one of the shunter fleet every six months. Ruby thus has taken over this duty and is likely to continue until the Spring, then the Motorbahnwagen will return until the Autumn when it is likely Tango will take over.

The Bear

Time for a new loco! In the Summer we tried to get the green version of the Roco electric but the order fell through (and got Tango instead). To be honest it was the brown version of the electric I wanted more anyway so it was good to wait until it was available. The Bear (as it obviously will be known as it has teddy bears on it!) arrived today. Once running in is complete it will look good pulling it's rake of matching coaches. Ruby will go into the reserve fleet in a few days, at the start of 2019 Jam will return to the layout so both electrics will then be working alongside each other.

Scenery progress

After some blank weeks I finally got on with some scenery on the layout! The platform of the tram stop is taking shape, and one side now has a wall to stop passengers falling on the tracks below. I've also done some more ballasting.

More advertising

More photos of the Birches Green advertising, including an advert board on the platform.

The scourge

The scourge of advertising has hit Birches Green! Some adverts have been added to the side of the tram viaduct. Unfortunately I didn't realise they were East Germany (DDR) adverts when i bought them (the photo on the website was tiny) but oh well... it adds to the hipster feel of the BGLR.

Coach upgrade

Things have been quiet on the BGLR lately mostly due to the Summer heat, though there has been some running of trains. Today the Driving coach had it's long planned upgrade, it now has a few passengers inside it and a coupler has been added to the nose end to improve operational flexibility.