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Updates - ( a website update log )

Below you will find the 2006 site updates. Archived updates : 2005 - 2004

September 2007

07-09-2007
Since 03-09-2006 I've started in a new job, that of Train Driver for Dutch company NS, at depot Lelystad. As this new venture and its training will need my full attention / take full priority, and may take up quite a bit of time, modelling and thus also this site will be on a low for a while. I know you will all understand. Progress on this site will eventually be the adding of some old-ish info of things that occurred / changed over the last couple of months, including a slight change and addition of the Layout Trackplan. All when time allows.

August 2007

21-08-2007
Finally I've made a ( very small ) start with updating the site, after a period of virtual silence. Many things have happened in the last half year, which I hope to publish in the next couple of days. I'm about to change jobs, from bus driver to train driver, on September 3rd. Coming time will be even more hectic as the past months, but I do hope that I will be able to actualize all content to the current layout situation, with a dire hope that actual construction should kick off really soon too.

Envisaged Top 'n Tail Tours 47581 has been exchanged to 50032 " Courageous ", also in Original NSE livery.

March 2007

18-03-2007

The Layout at home drawing has been released in revised form, with the afformentioned curve,forming a full TEST loop option.

10-03-2007

All drawings on the Layout Trackplan page have been updated to the latest Layout version, that allows for a full TEST loop. The Layout at home drawing will soon see an update with the new curve attached.

The Lima Mk6 bogies ( for the centre coach of 901001 ) arrived on March 9, still attached to a Lima Class 73.

04-03-2007
I've activated a small Forum ( in progress ), intended for discussion about the layout. I hope a lot of people will contribute to it.
I'm also working on a slight change of the Layout Trackplan. The top left track will be shifted slightly upwards, and extended behind the shed, with a hidden extension tunnel into the Limestone rocks, to the end of the layout. This will make it possible when in use at home, to link this end by a 180 degree curve to the end of the Fiddle Yard, going over my PC table. I will thus have a continious loop, which is easy for tests and running in.

February 2007

09-02-2007
The design of the Fiddle Yard has been altered ( see Layout Trackplan page ) with the traversers moved BEHIND the stabling tracks and a throath with points IN FRONT of the stabling tracks. The full throath ( board ) is being regarded as picturing the one west side point of Smithick Lane loop. Fully working signalling and the accompanied interlocked use of the motorized points will be present from this throath, up to the five signalled and motorized points of Shedcombe-upon-Frome TMD.

06-02-2007
Altered the Story Idea, with adding HNRC ( and their 20096 and 20905 ) as well as Network Rail ( and their 73212, 73213 and 901001 ) to the story.

05-02-2007
Re-arranging site images into sub-folders ( at the construction side of things ) has made some of those images not appearing anymore on the site. I just found out today myself. Sorry for that. Correcting this on numerous pages took quite some time, but it's now done.
Also took the chance to improve the look of The Layout Stock, by slightly changing the page layout.
Then the stock listing itself, to which a few planned items have been added ( 20096, 20905, 67029, 73212, 73213, 901001 ) while 66704 has been cancelled ( at least for now ). The number of Classes keeps growing, with currently 28 ( including sub Classes ), as will be the variations in sound projects ( currently 15 different sound projects needed ). And that for a layout that initially focused on just Class 59's and 66's.
Bachmann 37426 has been swapped for D6826, which will be repainted by Alan Banks ( Bishopstoke Works ) into 37260 in BR Banger Blue, while 67029 is currently being repainted for me by Richard Bucknall.

January 2007

23-01-2007
Actived two new pages, Video and Webcam, both only showing some basic info so far, no intended content.

09-01-2007

Well, well ,well ......... Miracles do excist !!!! My Christmas 2006 presents 57604 and 57605 finally arrived today. Ordered on December 15th ( by my wife ) it took Rails of Sheffield until January 3rd, to inform us of some mis-information regarding Credit Card details. Having sorted these by phone, dispatch was swift on the same day. I'm glad they're home, and I'm very pleased with them. To my wife and daughter, thanks a lot again !!!!!

07-01-2007

I've made many text alterations on the Story Idea page, unveiled the Top 'n Tail Tours logo on the same page, and updated the GM-EMD UK and Mendip MPD logos with correct matching backgrounds. The old logo backgrounds didn't match the page color exactly. The downside of a shifting background color. Did you ever notice that color shifting before ?

05-01-2007

A new year, new ideas, so I have decided to make some alterations to the (proposed) fleet of Top 'n Tail Tours. The orginal plans of using 31544 in Civil Engineers "Dutch" livery and 37426 in InterCity Mainline livery have been abandoned. The reason for this started with disliking the look of a "Skinhead" Class 31 over the Class 31 with its roof mounted headcode box. Looking for another Class 31 to use, I came accross pictures of Class 31's in InterCity Mainline livery, which I liked better as a Class 37 in same livery. I also would like to have at least one BR Banger Blue liveried loco, so after some long lingering, a decision was made. As a result, my mint and unused 37426 is FOR SALE. It's a renumbering from a Bachmann 37431 and has etched nameplates " Y Lein Fach - Vale of Rheidol " applied. All other bits still on their sprues. Sensible offers are welcome. A Class 37 in BR Banger Blue livery will replace my 37426 in Intercity Mainline livery. It's therefor Civil Engineers "Dutch" livery OUT and BR Banger Blue livery IN !!!!
After checking out all possible options, I have decided on :
31405 " Mappa Mundi " in InterCity Mainline livery, as per its naming in 1991, additionally fitted with snow ploughs. 37260 " Radio Highland " in BR Banger Blue livery, de-refurbished into a skirted loco ( around the buffers ) but retaining nameplates, the Scottish headlight, yellow marker light box and snow ploughs from its BR Large Logo livery.

I've added a few more planned ( thus not active ) pages to the Site Map, about Layout Scenery and For Sale items. On both the Site Map and The Layout Stock page I've added quite a few intended pages for future purchases.

December 2006

31-12-2006

Well, the last site update for 2006, with a good looking future, it�s promissing to become a good 2007, layout wise.
Best wishes for 2007 to all !!!

I have re-arranged some of the pages, and split them into two. And in one go, carried the site migration out on them. The navbar will reveal most them already. The Site Map shows the rest, as well as some NEW pages, intended to come online soon in 2007. Gives you an idea of some progress to look forward to.

25-12-2006

New Christmas additions to the fleet are 57604 and 57605, but both are ( saidly ) still in a delayed transit.

Also made further progress on the site migration ( remember from the orange design to the blue ? ) with further improving and updating information on same pages.

24-12-2006
Completed conversion, and improvement all the same, of the Site Map.

23-12-2006
Received my second 59005 in revised Foster Yeoman livery, destined to become 59001.
Also improved the appearance and info of the Pictures area, to a standard that will be used overall.

13-12-2006
On the The Layout Stock page, stock was already listed, sorted by Category / Class / TOPS numbers. I've made two additional listings. One sorted by Operating Company / TOPS number, and the other sorted by Livery / TOPS number. For conveniant browsing to your own preference.

12-12-2006
Over the last couple of days, I've added a small " site text guide " on top of the Introduction page. And made improvements on several of the individual The Layout Stock pages ( partly as the ongoing site migration and partly because of new info ). Like adding a 59001 in revised Foster Yeoman livery to the fleet ( by winning another auction of a 59005 on eBay ). So what was once the original livery 59001, will now be known as 59004. This makes the Class 59/0 complete, with 59003 and 59004 in original Foster Yeoman livery, 59001 and 59005 in revised Foster Yeoman livery and 59002 in Mendip Rail livery.

4-12-2006
Won an eBay auction for 59005 in revised Foster Yeoman livery, therefor there's now also a 59003 ( the former 59005 in original Foster Yeoman livery ).

November 2006

28-11-2006
New addition to the fleet is 66557, a lucky catch on eBay.

21-11-2006
Added the Layout at home drawing on the Layout Trackplan page.

20-11-2006

Have been playing a bit with HTML commands and Javascript scripts. You've surely noticed the moving light banner on the home page. It's gives a quick overview of names and things the layout concerning. The font is supposed to be a Dot Matrix one. Still working on the embedding of that font into the html of the site. You will now see a font from your own PC, in a not intended way. To be continued ............

17-11-2006
Improved the Story Idea page, with some added info, and better seperation of paragraphs.

16-11-2006
Long time ago, I've started migration of my site from a largely black/orange to the current black/blue ( GM-EMD UK matching ) design. I finally made progress on several pages to convert them. Site content has been updated/changed/improved on many of these pages too. Pages are too numerous to mention one by one, but you should notice changes/improvements when browsing the site. Conversion is NOT finished, but the end is near .......

15-11-2006

Added a drawing of the Layout at exhibitions ( with the Fiddle Yard attached to the back ) and made a high quality JPG copy of the 100 percent size Layout Trackplan BMP Master Drawing available for download, all to be found at the Layout Trackplan page.

14-11-2006
Changed the Layout Legenda drawing. Removed the 32 percent Layout Trackplan drawing ( temporarily ? ).

13-11-2006
Added the Layout Legenda drawing.

12-11-2006

Layout Trackplan. Finally some real ( design ) progress. The drawing of the Layout Trackplan is finished. At 8114 x 2039 pixels ( it's a 47.3 MB BMP file ) it's too big for publication on a page. Two versions have however been published. An 8 percent JPG fitting the page width, but being rather small, detail gets mostly lost. Second is a 32 percent JPG, alo fitting page width, albeit being angled by 90 degrees. Turn it 90 degrees clockwise yourself ( after downloading/saving ) for more convenient viewing.
Also re-written is Layout Trackplan - a little history. About the 3 design versions, of which the 3rd is now FINAL.

7-11-2006
Well, still hardly any progress, in the department of design AND neither with construction. :-(
Just re-written the Layout Trackplan paragraph, but it's an update, so it's mentioned here. ;-)

August 2006

28-08-2006

The house move is largely completed, but as usual, all smaller bits and pieces take more time as one would imagine. Modelling will have to wait for a while, to prevent more important things coming to an abrupt end.
Still, there's a bit of good modelling news, the finalization of a much awaited and appreciated deal. I've created a page for 40445, since it's on its way.

July 2006

15-07-2006
As of yesterday, we're officially re-located in Lelystad ( NL ), with the house move effectively going on until Sunday 23rd.
When everything is settled in the new home, the garage will be MY domain ( and Shedcombe-upon-Frome's ................ ) .

New fleet additions will be added by their respective pages as soon as I can find some time, but for now you'll have to do with this info : 3x Bachmann : 37426 ( InterCity Mainline ), 40445* ( BR Large Logo ) and 57002 ( Freightliner ).

1x Heljan : 47714 ( Anglia ), and 3x Lima : 59102 ( ARC ), 66405 ( DRS - Malcolm Logistics ) and 66704* ( GBRf ).
* sale still pending.

June 2006

12-06-2006

Have made some alterations to the Layout Trackplan page. Uploaded the latest available 8percent size preview. I'm still awaiting some advice to be able to finsh off the designs.

May 2006

30-05-2006
A very small preview of the Layout Trackplan ( version 3 ) is released.

27-05-2006
The last couple of weeks, it seemed nothing's happening. There's a lot happening, regarding the Layout Trackplan Version 3 being made. Much improved in size, scale, detailing, overall layout look and operational interest. The designs are being finalized, and hopefully will be released for publication soon. I'm about to leave for DEMU Showcase coming May 31st, and hope I will be able to upload the design before that trip.

April 2006

17-04-2006

I've re-positioned Shedcombe-upon-Frome TMD on the area map on The Location page. The version 3 ( as will be build in the garage of the new house ) is positioned on the north bank of the river Frome, while in both version 1 and 2 it was positioned on the south bank. This makes the site far more sunny and bright. Viewing the layout will be looking from the south towards the north. The sun from behind, is best for photting. ;-) I've improved the readabillity of the red names on the map, with adding pale yellow as a background colour.
Also edited the Layout Trackplan page, with some information of the upcoming Version 3 design of the layout.

14-04-2006
Did some minor work to the Story Idea page.

02-04-2006
I've made changes to the site-banner ( the logo on top of every page ) and the introduction logo on the home/index page. By trial and error, I've managed to master Photoshop so far that I can make simple flat 2D designs ( that I usually make in Microsoft Paint ) into 3D designs, with some nice lighting and shade influences. IMHO the appearance of both designs has improved immensly. I've also incorperated two additional loco Classes into the design of the home/index logo, and the background ( that's visible on the left and rigthhand side, when your resolution is set wider as 800 pixels ).
To the Layout Story Idea I've added these loco Classes as well, since both the Class 57 ( although "only" a GM-EMD re-engined Brush-UK Class 47 ) and the Class 67 are GM-EMD products. They should feel welcome and well at home on Shedcombe-upon-Frome TMD, just as much as the Class 59 and Class 66 locomotives.
I've also altered the Story Idea page, with the addition of a preservation society ( Top 'n Tail Tours ).

February 2006

25-02-2006

At the moment, site migration has been put on hold. The layout is being re-designed, and will feature ( besides a TMD and a MPD ) also a loco preservation area. Main reason to do this re-design, is the need for larger radius curves as a minimum. Instead of the very tight and highly unprototypical Roco R2 curves, the minimum radius will be Roco R10 ( like the Roco 15 degree points ), meaning trains can negotiate these curves AND still use the prototypically body mounted Romford screwlink couplings without problems. And ......
The layout will also grow again. The fiddle yard will be NEXT to the layout, and NOT BELOW it. One connecting track will make it a U-shape effectively, but for viewing only rectangcular instead of the L-shaped it is now. At home, the operating position will be in front of the layout, and the fiddle yard behind you. At exhibitions, the operation position will be behind the layout, but the fiddle yard will also move behind the layout and its operators. When I finalize the design, and present it on the site, it all will become clear.
The re-design has become possible because of a planned house move, to a house with a heated and sun protected garage, that will become the dedicated layout room.

12-09-2006
Added more info to The Location page.

11-09-2006

Site migration is slowly evolving. As a thumb rule : migration on a page is carried out when you see the " 57/59/66/67 " background on the left and right side ( only visible with a screen resolution set higher as 800x600 ).

Also ( slight ) alterations to ( bits of ) text here and there, and a new way of naming/categorizing pictures ( being more conveniant for myself to keep track ) have been carried out.

09-02-2006 to 10-02-2006

Altered The Location page, with more maps and also aerial photos. Work still in progress, to be completed soon.

03-02-2006 to 08-02-2006

I've finally made a follow up on the sites migration, which is nicely coming along.
Although it's much more work as I has imagined beforehand.

I've altered the Story Idea of Shedcombe-upon-Frome TMD ( by now numerous times ), by removing the idea of the preservation society on site. Instead I've added an EWS Traincrew Depot / Mendip Rail - Class 59 - MPD, with its own Depot Plaque ( picturing Nunney Castle ).

In real life - Merehad Quarry, Whatley Quarry, Westbury and Temple Mills are the home bases of the Class 59 loco's.

January 2006

26-01-2006
Received a new eBay purchase, 59102 ( in original ARC livery ).

17-01-2006 to 21-01-2006

Almost 10,000 visitors since this site was started, a fixed idea on the GM-EMD UK livery, and the feeling that it's time for a change, has made me decide to change the looks of the site completely. This involves a lot of migrating work and will take some time. As the site is staying online, and changes are made on-the-fly, you will see an odd looking site for a while. I do hope the effort is appreciated by the majority of readers/viewers.
A start has been made on the 17th, and is slowly progressing .....................................