Top Shed Update....... the platform now arriving is the 20:10 from Metcalf

Well, progress has been slow, due to the pressure of other commitments. But at last the station platforms have arrived! As the track curves through the station area, this ruled out commercially available platforms, so a scratchbuilt approach was taken. The bases are from 10mm square softwood, tapered at the ends to form ramps. The viewable faces have Superquick brick paper stuck on, although from a distance this isn't apparent. The platform surfaces are from 4mm thick MDF sheet, which is then covered with Metcalf NP111 N gauge paving sheets glued down with diluted pva glue.

The platforms are rather narrow, using the smaller gauge sheet does give an illusion of greater width. Although measuring the slabs, they come out at around 8 x 4 mm, in real life 2 ft x 1 ft. Also, the platforms are lower than they should be, again to give an illusion of width.
It is quite tricky forming the curves on the platform, as adequate clearance has to be provided for all stock. We used the longest vehicle that normally runs on the layout, a BR Mk 4 coach, but then found that some steam loco's valve gear fouled the platform edge, so the track was shifted slightly. And then, one of the shortest locos found on the layout, is also the widest...the Hornby class 06 diesel starter loco..requiring even more alteration.

We left the last update with news of the latest acquisition, DCC sound fitted locomotives. To enable them to run on this layout, all the running lines would have to be converted to DCC, and all the locomotives fitted with decoders. This isn't an option at the moment. Consideration was given to switching just one running line to DCC, but in the end, an electrically separate stabling section has been installed, crossing the DC lines near the diesel loco shed via insulfrog  diamond crossings, and then proceeding to a stabling area. This is enough to 'start' the loco's engine, release the brakes, sound the horn, and then run up and down. Currently the fleet stands at two Deltics, and one class 37.
DC and DCC voltages must never be allowed to meet, otherwise the 'magic smoke' could be released from the controllers or locos, leading to avoidable expense!

Further planned work includes fitting a guard wall from perspex along the front of the layout, to protect any derailments from hurtling 3 feet to the ground. An extra platform isolating switch needs to be fitted, and the existing ones labelled! Adding station buildings and furniture will go a long way to improving the realism of the platform area.
Thanks again to Eric Large for his proficiency with a razor saw, he still has all of his fingers!