Track, Paint and Decals

Since the last post, I've done a bit more on the layout. I've finally finished all the track for Hill Top and it seems to work OK so far. The proof will be when I finish off the wiring and install the DCC system and run some trains. The DCC system will be coming sometime in June according to the Capital Revue Board so I'll have to wait until then to really prove it. I have to install the point rodding but I think I'll wait until I've proven that the track doesn't derail anything otherwise I could be ripping up track and rodding. It'll be nice to have it done so that I can move onto new projects like the station, platform and scenery. This will be my first attempt at making buildings and scenery so it should be interesting to see how that works out. No doubt there will be some tears along the way. Here's the track for Hill Top.

Hill Top

Sydney End points for the Refuges

I've also painted the NIB set in Manilla and masked them in preparation for painting in Venetian Red. I'll also paint my 2 x BKG, KKG, KB and BKD in red as well

Here's one of the FN's

Lastly, I've been working on the decals I'll need to finish off the models. I've never been happy with any of the commercial decals available for NSWGR carriages (Goods and Passenger) so I long ago bought an ALPS printer to make my own. I used MS Word to create the goods decals and have used MS PowerPoint to create the shaded characters that I'll need to letter my passenger carriages. I've managed to fit all of the codes numbers and class designations onto one A4 sheet.....truly death by PowerPoint

The shading has moved in the conversion process to jpg format

I'm also going to attempt to create the artwork for the fine 1930's lining used on the passenger carriages and see if it's practical to print and apply the decals to the carriages. If that doesn't work I'll try a Rotring pen with some BR buff lining ink I bought from the UK many years ago. If that doesn't work I'll toss it all in and go modern.

Maybe not.