An Update - (Somewhat overdue).

We have now been to two exhibitions with the layout, Railex NE 2018 in July and the Newcastle &District MRS in November. We were well received at both shows and managed to stir a few memories for folks who had remembered the location.

Here are a few photos, some taken at one or other of these shows but others in our temporary home. Please make allowances for the lack of Photoshopping of the background of some shots.

This is a bridge we have used as a scenic break. The bridge actually existed but not quite in this location. The bridge was close to Ouston Junction carrying the Beamish Wagonway. The left hand track depicted here actually went under the same arch which carried the wagonway. 

The right hand arch crossed the ECML just south of Ouston junction. The track that we have going through that arch is our representation of the line to Washington and Tyne dock. This line actually crossed the ECML by a different bridge, if you can imagine, behind the photographer.

 We thought it would make a tidy scenic break. The photo was taken before we completed the ballasting and scenic work.

Here we show a Q7 (devoid of lamps!) hauling the legendary iron ore train towards the signal cabin. The train is obviously going to have to wait because there is no banker in the siding to the right.

Another ore train. As you can see it is 3/4 mile from Ouston junction, but it hadn't come from there. By now the Q7s had been replaced by the 9Fs. on the ore trains.

The Q7s lasted for a few years but on the less glamorous turns. This one, still with air pumps (which would actually have gone when the 9Fs turned up) takes a rake of empty bolster waggons up to Consett.

Another ore train crosses from branch to main, ready to take on the banker. The waggons in the foreground are for the colliery (not on our model, unfortunately.

The 9Fs were kept busy on other duties when there wasn't an ore carrier alongside at Tyne Dock. On this occasion one of the ten such locos is taking coke up to the steel works.

The K1s that were shedded at Consett didn't arrive until 1962. This is a visitor from Darlington.

The weather forecast is grim so the ploughs are given a test run.  The main line here wasn't really this close to the back of the NCB storage shed but we have had to put it closer to keep the model to manageable proportions. This shed is one of the very few features still in existence - though it is in a very sorry state.

The layout is due to be exhibited at the Middlesbrough show on 18th & 19th May and hopefully at Expo EM Autumn in Wakefield 7th & 8th September. Come along and see it 'live'.