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.

Tram siding

The tramway has gained a short siding, this will be to store the unpowered tram for now but maybe in future some other vehicle? It might soon be time to fix the tram track down.

Tram 2.0

A second tram has arrived at the BGLR, however this one is not likely to be in use any time soon as it is unpowered! Very nice it is though, a possible future project will be to fit a power bogie but for now it is likely to be just a static part of the tramline. In other news Growler has now gone off into reserve, it will be back next year.

Old and new

Black Beauty has continued it's proving testing and will be handed over to the Operations Dept. by the Integration & Testing Dept this weekend. It is running well, of course the technology is pretty well proven. After all it is the same loco type as Falcon and Growler - the former being the oldest loco on the layout with over five years service now!

The Infrastructure Dept. meanwhile has completed the underlay for the tramline, something more permanent can be laid now.

An anniversary and the tram line extension completed

It is a year to the day since i finished the original board for the BGLR and ran the first test train (behind the Falcon of course). I still hadn't finalised the eventual track layout as can be seen from the photo below. There was a month or so of experimentation before i started sticking any track down.

And today the board has been extended a little. A short board (in reality a shelf) has been appended to the main board to allow for the tramline to be completed. Next step will be to lay some kind of underlay over the track boards so the joins are hidden!

Tramway track laid

New track for the tramway was procured today, though there are a couple of extra pieces needed to finish off. Some test runs of the tram were made and it ran pretty well. The track will not be stuck down yet as some underlay is needed along the bridge and new board first.

Progress on the tramway extension

The board extension has been made ready for (possibly just phase one) of the tramway. The board extension is on top of the back scene and thus also gives stored stock a bit of protection i suppose! I need some new track for the extension, i've been doing tests with some of my old OO track but its pretty life expired!

Planning for the tramway

Today has seen some minor adjustments to the bridge ready for the future tramway extension. There will need to be a board extension which will be above the back-scene storage siding. I've been testing it out with some of my ancient Hornby OO track though i'll probably buy new track for the tram line.

Tram test

Full tram operations will require the laying of a proper line of course but the tram was given a brief test atop the bridge (where the terminus tram stop will eventually be).

Arrival of the tram

The Birches Green Light Railway intends to open a tram service at a later date and ready for that (which will probably have its terminus atop the bridge near the station) a tram has arrived.