13 - Layout Update May 24 at Donnington Castle Model Railway

A layout update for May 24 as I show all the progress made in the past few months at Donnington Castle Model Railway. We look at the new signals, retaining walls, signal box, track laying and some of the work that will be done next.
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[@paulrob86]

Fantastic video, brought back loads of memories. 40+ years ago I used to have a model railway but it had to be stripped down when I moved out of my parents house to get married. I still have a lot of it and had planned on building something when I retire. Had a look at what is about now and it’s not a cheap hobby.

[@DonningtonCastleModelRailway]

I would definitely recommend building something that suits your space and budget. From my own experiences of getting back into the hobby after 35 years, the enjoyment has come from the journey. Seeing something take shape that I’ve had to learn how to create has probably been the most rewarding part. You certainly don’t need the latest and eye wateringly expensive locos and stock to build something that will bring you pleasure.

[@Proper_Chuffed]

This layout is so freaking awesome Martyn! Love how the work is progressing. Agreed with you on taking stock, I found myself overwhelmed a few times, and slowing down is important. Thanks for the awesome update! I really like where the mainline is going and can’t wait to see how that progresses. Keep well boss!

[@DonningtonCastleModelRailway]

Thank you, glad you like what I've done! Its so nice to be able to show people the progress and get more ideas for where to take different bits of the layout. This update has given me lots of motivation to keep going, especially on the bits I'm putting off like track laying.

[@kelvinVAUGHAN]

If you put a level crossing in at one end of the station, that will give you a good excuse for a signal box.

[@DonningtonCastleModelRailway]

That's a really nice idea, thanks! It would allow for a road to sweep down from the upper board to the level of the heritage line station and also show that the road continues into the area in the middle of the layout (to indicate that it serves the main station entrance. It also makes the station area less symmetrical, which I like. I'll have a think about how it could all work and see if I can come up with a plan. Thank you!

[@neilharbott8394]

The signal box could probably dispense with a hole for the rodding - put a slightly raised wooden walkway with the rodding disappearing under it 😀 Also I think they call signal box lids - rooves! 😁

[@DonningtonCastleModelRailway]

That’s a really neat idea, thank you!! Did I say lid 🤦‍♂️ my brain must have been in functional mode. Yes, I’ve left the roof removable …

[@LetsGo_41]

Great work so far. Looking forward to seeing how yours develops. I am currently in the shed working on mine (tidying up). Thankfully it's sunny so I can make use of the lawn to put stuff on it. Tim

[@DonningtonCastleModelRailway]

Thanks Tim! I found tidying up the layout for the videos to be really useful. I ended up finding some stuff I'd lost and it also really let me get organised for the next jobs. Hope you get everything sorted before the rain. When it arrives I'm going to make an effort to do some more track laying!!

[@LetsGo_41]

@@DonningtonCastleModelRailway Yeah, I have tidied up parts of the layout and found a couple of things I had forgotten I had. I ran couple of trains which was nice to see them going round and I have relayed, tidied up wiring underneath. More to do tomorrow. If you want to see what I have gotten up to. Feel to have a look at my channel Scamperton Model Railway (not trying to plug). I will be uploading a video tomorrow all being well.

[@DonningtonCastleModelRailway]

Awesome stuff, I'll have a watch of your videos and look forward to the next one!

[@piccadillymodelrailways]

Fantastic progress, and gorgeous views across the layout particularly in the opening shots around the heritage lines and the tunnels. Your scenery work is beautiful. I will look forward to see how the layout develops. You suggested the station would be a 'mash up' between Reading and Basingstoke. May I suggest a representation of one of them, adapting as apprpriate. When scratching its so much easier to model something you can actually see, visit and photograph, not forgetting google/ apple maps etc and the internet. Food for thought?

[@DonningtonCastleModelRailway]

That's good advice for the station, thanks. I guess I was being mindful of the difference in architectural style between the GWR and Southern. But looking at the history of Reading, the two companies had separate stations before they got merged into one in the late 60s, early 70s. So for my time period it would fit that its very much a station redeveloped by BR, like Reading was. Rather than somewhere like Basingstoke, which still retains much of its original style. That would also make a nice contrast to the GWR vibe of the heritage line. Thank you, that really helped my thinking!!!

[@adrianing4006]

Ex Signalman on the Southern and also a driver for southern . available for any help m8 . Collected all my railway , just need to build it lol great layout and video ....Ade

[@DonningtonCastleModelRailway]

That's really kind, thanks Ade! I'll certainly need some advice on line speed and signalling, especially on the Southern lines. So I'll try and share my current thoughts in the near future and it would then be great to get some feedback on it.

[@adrianing4006]

@@DonningtonCastleModelRailway more than welcome m8

[@johnstephens649]

I always find when facing a huge pile of stuff to do, making a list is a good thing. That way you at least know what you have done and what remains to be done…!? Also as I have only recently come across your channel, I think I am understanding correctly that by “Western Mainline” you mean as in Western Region? I travelled out to Swindon last week and the four track mainlines are actually down fast/up fast and down slow/up slow and not in pairs of down fast/slow and up fast/slow as I think you described? I’m not a slave to being totally prototypical and exact rivet counting and you may be past the point of changing or just wouldn’t work on your layout but maybe a though worth pointing out?

[@DonningtonCastleModelRailway]

Thanks! Totally agree on the lists, no better feeling than crossing tasks off when they're done. Yes you are correct that its the Western region for the mainlines, and that they should be pairs of up and down next to each other (like Richard has on Everard Junction). I did want to do that but the challenge is the main station area. To save on space I need to have the fast lines go straight through with no platforms, so its a compromise I've had to make.

[@georgethomas7814]

A lot of the work you have done is great. The ideas are hard to understand and seem to change. I like the plan to have a station that serves both Regional areas along with a Heritage line. The main lines look tight and the hyper-elevation does not look right. It might be better to have heritage line inside the mains so the curves can be less aggressive. A Heritage line does not have everything perfect. Often there are lots of ground signals and stuff saved from different areas of the network. As I understand it Mainlines dont use local signal boxes anymore. The signaling services have been Regionalised for sometime. I would suggest a representational crossing of the Regional Services. Do not join the Southern and Western Lines at more than one point. Leave more empty spaces on the layout. A small TMD or Industrial sidings are too much for the space you have. The River plan is great. Where is the Castle? Good Luck.

[@DonningtonCastleModelRailway]

Thanks for the suggestions, I'll certainly have a think about all of those. And you are quite correct, I forgot to talk about the progress on the area where the castle will eventually sit. It will be in the back right hand corner, raised up in a similar way to the real one. It's going to be quite tough to scratch build, so I'm leaving it till later in the build.

[@kelvinVAUGHAN]

Good luck with the point rodding it is as fiddly as hell. I tried it and gave up.

[@DonningtonCastleModelRailway]

Thanks! I've been doing some reading and I've found quite a few tales of woe from people trying to install it. So we'll see how it turns out! It gives me an excuse to do a research trip to a preserved railway somewhere nearby so at least that part will be fun.

[@MrVinnyh]

I am sorry to say I think the arches would be wrong from the Wills kit> street scene yes but the preserved line would not have them! also the entrances would onto a running line. Neil Harbolt is right with stating a raised walkway over the point rodding and signal wires.

[@DonningtonCastleModelRailway]

With the arches it might be one of those cases of trying to crowbar something in because I have the kit sat on the shelf. I'll have a ponder but I suspect you are right. Thank you!!