Douglas

 This loco arrived this morning, it is similar to Douglas.

Appropriate as Douglas was my father's name, the boys great grandfather.

I have added a face to the smoke box and carried out some repairs.

Signals

 These signals arrived this morning, they will need some work on them.

Since purchasing these 3 signals last November, on 19th February 2021, I managed to get 2 more plus some bits.

I will replace the taller of the single signals with one of the new ones and add the other.

I also replaced the "yellow" distance signal with a red "home" signal on the junction mast which will be more appropriate. 

This completes the main signals I will install on the layout. 

This is the ground signal, I have painted it. 

It is for the goods siding.

Keith

Metal Wheels for the Riding Coach

 This morning a set of metal disc wheels arrived and I have fitted them to the riding coach.

Close-up of one of the bogies with the new wheels fitted.

The complete coach with all 4 wheelsets fitted.

Bundle of Wagons

 This morning this bundle of of 5 wagons arrived, I was specifically after the Heinz Beans Wagon.

I have fitted 3 of them with replacement metal wheels, the other 2 wagons already had them fitted.

Open Wagon for Breakdown Train

 This morning this open truck arrived, it is the final piece for the breakdown train. 

It is to carry the stabilizers for the crane and the Allen key to adjust them.

The complete breakdown train.

Tool Van

 The tool van which goes with the breakdown train arrived this morning.

Here it is with the crane and riding coach.

Riding Coach

 This morning the riding coach arrived in the post. It is used for the breakdown crew to travel in.

This nearly completes the breakdown crane set.

Restoration of the 75 Ton Crane Part 6

 This morning the outriggers for the crane arrived in the post.

These are fitted when the crane is in use to stop it toppling over when lifting items alongside the crane.

The Allen keys in the ends of the outriggers are used to adjust the height according to the terrain.

Outriggers fitted ready for the jib to be swung. 

Jib safely swung. 

Toad and the Other Brake Van Faces

 This morning I added a face to Toad the GWR brake van.

I also added a face to the other brake van.

Restoration of the 75 Ton Crane Part 5

 Newly painted roof on the crane.

Jib end also repainted.

Restoration of the 75 Ton Crane Part 4

 This morning I painted the axle boxes yellow on all 4 vehicles.

The long match truck.

The 1st short match truck.

The crane.

The 2nd match truck.

Restoration of the 75 Ton Crane Part 3

 This morning I fitted chains to lift and lower the jib and to raise and lower the hook.

The jib lowered onto the match truck.

The jib raised and the hook lowered.

Close-up of the hook and both chains.

Restoration of the 75 Ton Crane Part 2

I have repainted the crane and match trucks yesterday and this morning by touching up the paint chips on the original red on the crane, and blacking it's underframe.

I completely repainted the 3 match trucks in the matching red paint and also black underframes.

Restoration of the 75 Ton Crane Part 1

 This morning I started the restoration of the 75Ton crane.

I have primered the 3 plastic match trucks which require a complete repaint to match the crane.

I have also removed the horrible string used to lift the jib and for the crane hook ready to be replaced when the repaint is finished, and touched up the missing paintwork with primer.

It is obvious from this photo that the complete crane has been repainted at some point, but the painter had forgotten to complete it! This will be rectified.

75 Ton Crane

 This 75 Ton crane and accompanying match trucks arrived this morning.

I will repaint it and the match trucks so they all match.

Apparently Oscar and Orion like cranes, I hope they like this one. 😊

Some More Trucks

 These 3 trucks arrived this morning.

From left to right, a cattle wagon, Beefeater Chips box van, and a flat wagon with container load.

I have fitted metal wheels to all 3 wagons.

Fish fingers & chips anyone?

Toad

 Toad arrived today.

It goes well with Duck.

Duck

 Today Duck arrived.

Uncoupling Ramp

 This morning an uncoupling ramp arrived in the post.

Temporarily fitted to a piece of track to show where it goes.

The white marker is to indicate where the ramp is when trucks cover it, but I am not sure if I will use it.

I will decide that when I build the layout.

Metal Wheels

 Today I replaced the plastic wheelsets with metal wheelsets on the 2 coaches,

the brake van, the milk tanker and the 2 troublesome trucks.