Lets get ready to... BALLAST!!!

Saturday 10th February, and I am once again up in the shed, gave the new Pendolino a run and it definitely works however I`m even more convinced now that these trains really do not like the curves on my layout, well at least the ones heading down to and back off the lower loop line. Its not all bad news for the Pendolino though, it speeds along the four track section with ease, therefore when it does the Garden loop there will be no issues at all.

I`ve also at long last tested a magnet-fitted loco (in this case a Class 91) on the Powerbase enabled gradients. The test has proved that even with two magnets fitted, the limit seems to be about three coaches plus loco, however it maybe that fitting additional magnets will increase the hauling power of the loco and this is something I will look into doing.

But apart from a few other minor things, the major news of the month was the start of the ballasting...

I started on the lower loop line in and around Colcester Lower Crossing - this section was chosen due to the absence of pointwork so I could see how the ballast worked - I haven't used this particular type of ballast before but it seems fine, so I extended the ballasting to the Four Track Section. The reason I avoided the points is because point motors are yet to be fitted and it will be easier without having to removed hardened ballast to do so.

So - here are a couple of pictures of the ballasted track sections... there are more on the GALLERY PAGE so please CLICK HERE for that, or watch the latest VIDEO for the February Update and CLICK HERE for that..