Layout Updates | cheekytek

Looking back - December 2022

Well as many know I have decided to rebuild OLD OAK BRIDGE of which would be my 4th layout to date.

I Agree, This is not the best practice to build a layout and when you reach completion that you realise one fundamental mistake of playability is missing, if I am honest was this was never a major factor as I enjoy the builds and tinkering more so.

But that said I knew I would not be happy with the completed layout in its final state especially as I now had sourced a collection of stock during the build.

At the time where was I...

After many long nights of planning and trying to work out a new solution to my problem of trains looping, I found the decision was made for me as I have moved the whole project out of the main Shed into the spare room in the house.

Sadly the shed was damaged from the a joining property from bloody minded people that caused the damp to rapidly deteriorated roof and the boards creating major damp and warping the entire layout.

My heath was the first thing I thought about due to the mould including my mental heath from the whole event.

I redecorated the spare room and laid boards for the overall look of what I wished for.

Back then It took over 6 weeks to work out the best track plans to suit the new home space as the layout was intended for the diversity of 3 different layers of scenery and looping running hidden under the base boards.

Build Start April 30th 2023 - ( with the aim to be in place by April 2024 )

The first ground layer is now in place with a reversing loop (Gaugemaster DCC40 auto reverser unit) so this will bring more playability in coaching sets and freight services on a return of its work load.

Have also have plans in place for the depot which is now elevated above the layout giving lower depth for roads and ground train loops..

Looking at the picture on the right this scene has now moved over to the new layout giving it more life than before with trains running over the bridge from a bigger depot, This scene will mirror from the first layout and a bit more in proportion geographically to the real depot.

At the moment I am focusing on getting track plans in and working whilst building the landscape up where I need it's of which is key before I start all the scratch-builds and layout painting & flocking etc..

But progress is going well and I will keep you updated..

September 2023

I am near completion of the depot area and now finishing of the old oak road scene leaving me more ballesting and scenics to master.

NEW Scratch builds have now taken centre stage adding further details to the layout.

October 2023

I have started scratch building some of the warehouses and depot building out of 1mm ply board.

November 2023

More work has began on the station through top of layout ( a feature I wanted to bring back from the original build. More office buildings are as we speak being constructed out of art board and cut to shape using my Cricut Maker machine - seems to be taking ages - damn wish I never started that feature lol..

January 2024 - March 2024

A lot of focus has been laid out on how to plan the corner Royal Mail parcel depot by maintaining the original look from the old layout. After many weeks of looking and moving things building and removing, I decided to remove the original Parcel Depot from the top right corner and to incorporate this into the Main station platform as the format on an real railway where a main station may be close opperation I.E like WATERLOO / PADDINGTON / KINGS CROSS in the hay days of days gone by.

The relocation of the depot has allowed me the space to incorporate a small subtle town scene with a track tunnel where I can run a 2car passenger DMU (Diesel Multiple Unit ) off scene and hidden in the tunnel. Initially this opens the layout for more bridges and viaducts with a fitting narrative to the layout.