New Junction EP27 

Very nice update Richard!!! Thanks for sharing mate! Cheers Onno.

Fascinating. There is always a frisson of excitement when I see there is a new New Junction episode. In this one I especially liked the introduction of ‘concretey and hard core-esque’. Something we all might aspire to. Nice one.

As an armchair expert, I am not convinced by the gradients on the bridge. Can you have the road coming under the bridge to the left continuing off the scene, with a rural style gate giving access to an off-road route that leads to the new bridge. Then, with the new bridge, can you make it so that it originally had a straight road going across it, with it having an abandoned feel. Then the off-road route can go up the embankment to this bridge, as if it is an ad-hoc shortcut, put in by whomever owns the heritage railway. Mud from the off-road route can be shown on the aged tarmac of the 'new abandoned bridge'. Similarly, the route at the top of the bridge turning left can be an improvised affair, with the original tarmac being taken over by weeds and blocked off at the fence of the mainline. I would also like to see 'National Cycle Route' signs as it is common for old railway infrastructure to be used, keeping cyclists off main roads. Hence the 'rural style gate' could have an access 'gate' for bicycles, with hurdles to stop motorbikes getting through. The top bit of road could also be marked up as a cycle route, obviously it would need to continue off the scene rather than just stop. Sometimes you get benches and odd sculpture things on cycle routes, with signs that tell you about the history of the area. As a motorist you would never see these things but they exist on the routes near me. By making it improvised bicycle infrastructure, the tight turns and gradients can be realistic, whereas for motor vehicles, it just is not really convincing to me. I think there is a lot of Sustrans National Cycle Network stuff that uses old railway routes. By bringing a bit of this into the scene, I think you will be able to add to the realism and interest for anyone that sees it. I have not seen cycle infrastructure on model railways before and it deserves to be represented.

Richard, you have spent so much effort on appearance and authenticity but I would urge you to think about the road section how it emerges from under the heritage line and climbs 2 levels in 3-4 lengths of the articulated lorry you have there. Thats a steep climb, dont you think?

🚂WOW

Always a joy to watch your videos.

That was a gooden 😂😂😂😂❤

Currently watching this on the train up to London for the exhibition this weekend! Hope you have a great time there. Great video mate

I think moving the siding track to run parallel with the running track is great idea and will look better. What it needs then is a nice breakdown crane and associated wagons to be stored there. Great video as always. Cheers, Michael

Looking good. Another great video on the built of New Junction. Mike HO Australia.

Looking Good Mate!

Good call on the tile grout, I have used it on my OO layout for yards etc. Don't forget you can get coloured grout as well which offers even more possibilities (I used a black grout to good effect for my station approach road.

There's some abandoned sidings near Longport train station, and they've been abandoned that long, they have trees growing between the sleepers! And not just fresh saplings, but obviously trees that are years old.

Great video

Heritage lines often have brand new workshop/ sheds. Also old locos awaiting their turn, sheeted or very rusty! You need more sidings!!!!!

Another very enjoyable video, Richard. I've just watched it with my grandson, and he's very much enjoyed watching you weather the track and experiment with the ground cover...looking forward to seeing your next update...Cheers James 🙂👍

Richard when it comes to dry brushing the sleepers try using a light brown or buff colour rather than a white - I think it will give you a better finish on the wood grain

Really enjoyed this and such a clever use of the grout which has potentially past it's best. Whilst I can see the attraction of portraying the heritage line as a former double track, the section which goes under the new line doesn't lend itself to that theory. What if, you could even argue the original line having never been built to full capacity, strengthened the case to build a new mainline above it? Was a pleasure to meet you and briefly chat to you on Saturday PM at Ally Pally, even if I don't yet (in your words) model in a proper scale! 😂.😂 Thanks again for all the continued inspiration! 👍👊

Overall good video here Richard, more great work from the looks of it, nice to see the mainlines also working, hopefully one day we can see 4 trains running on them because that would look great.

Taking shape mate👍

Two thoughts, if you put the tile grout through a sieve, like you do flour you can get rid of the clumps. Also. Tile grout comes in many colors. Go for a cream or a light grey next time. Great video, I always enjoy your videos.

I love watching the progress that you are making and think you have an excellent layout as it stands. As another poster has commented, I'm really not sure about the proposed bridge over the Heritage Line; for a start, that lorry, currently about to go up the hill, would never get over it. Secondly, the gradient seems far too high at the top end, suggesting that you may need to begin the road at a higher level lower down thereby reducing it overall (the gradient, that is) or maybe put the floor level of the bridge on a gradient, too, whilst allowing goods wagons etc. to pass underneath or you somehow move the bridge further towards the signal box before bringing it back downwards, and the fact that you say you might move one of the sidings so it goes under the bridge, might give you a bit more room to play with. As for the 'new surface' it may need some weathering like oil spots/leaks a few puddles maybe, that sort of thing. Anyway, best of luck, my friend!

Great work Richard, layout looking good!

Brilliant as always I am really enjoying watching the progress of this layout.

Hi Richard, looking good. The siding nearest the front of the heritage line might be better moved back slightly as you have to have an access from the road at the side of the bridge ramp for your visiting Locos etc. Have to get myself some Chinchilla sand for ballast😅

Always love a new junction update currently waiting for Elizabeth line so makes it much more enjoyable

Nice video once again. The layout is looking great. Enjoy your time in London and have a happy St. Patrick’s Day ☘️ ☘️☘️☘️

I think that some powders in the foreground will tone down the look and make a more varied surface while keeping the texture. A bit of scrub and a well-worn track from vehicle entry and exit. Heritage lines always have sidings full of stuff in progress or waiting. You could model that here. Regards, Stephen.

Brilliant idea to have a heritage line. it may possible to run the odd steam excursion. cheer's Tony.

A great watch, thanks for sharing your progress.

Nice progress and think I will give that a go around my engine shed. As you say, if it fails can always scrape up and start again, all part of the fun.

Looking very good Richard, Enjoying the progress. ATB Stuart

Legend !

Good seeing you on Saturday mate…. Hope we’re still mates after our talk on grass. All the best Craig.

I like your attitude of trying new things and if it doesn't work, well just start again. I need that sort of encouragement as I'm a 'get it right first time' type person which can lead to no progress!!! It was good to say hello and talk with you at Alexandra Palace yesterday (Sunday), All the best, Phil B.

Great work, cant wait to get back into the hobby later in the year.

Wow! Great! Molto bello!👍🏽

Wonderful video New Junction

Nice video Richard. That gravel parking lot in front of the sidings came out great. Will have to give it a go.

Nice one pal

Nice progress

Tile grout works very well, I've used it as a concrete/tarmac surface for may dockyard. It's best to look for different colour tile grout, I used a dark grey. Fantastic layout - keep up the great work! 🙂

I was just thinking where you have the caravan and guy working I'd like to suggest a small old shipping container or two reused for parts storage from the old coaches and stuff you'll have on the siding lines. It could really bring that scene up

Looking nice

Rhis looks fantastic Richard! I will have to try the yard technique, it looks properly brilliant!

Richard you definitely read my comment on the short you made asking what to do

A suggestion that i think would be good is mabye a steam engine on a trailer would be better if a kit for travel purposes

Looking great

Just a thought what about a allelys low loader style loco loading point

That whole section is as long as a beginner's 4 foot by 8 foot layout.

Hi Richard. Nice update on the layout. I have heard of people using tile grout to make up hardcore/rougher areas of ground, but I haven't actually seen it being used 'in the flesh' as such. It does look good, although it might need toning down slightly as you say. It was good to meet you in person at Alexandra Palace on Sunday by the way. Best wishes. Mark.

I love watching your videos but I wish you would put bottom picture behind the tunnels straight. 😀

He listened to me 😂

I've been thinking about heritage line-style ballasting, because i'm going to model a less-used industrial area "soon." I'm thinking about mixing actual dirt with ballast. I haven't used chinchilla sand yet, but I've been using Arizona Rock and Mineral ballast and I'll probably use it again.

Very informative again Richard, and some unusual ideas for groundwork. I certainly like the idea of a deadened siding from what was at one time a double track on the heritage line only I can see a slight problem. With the current siting of the heritage track, there would not be space for the second line over the road bridge and the tunnel entrance looks a bit tight. There is space to move the existing line over slightly but considering all the work you’ve put into that section so far, it would be a shame to undo it all. You could possibly have an abandoned point where the “now” siding would have joined for single line working. That said, I’m impressed with how your layout is progressing and getting some great inspiration for my own build. Great video as usual 👍

It's been fascinating to see this layout planned and steadily take shape; very enjoyable and great at showing exactly what needs done and how it is done - great job! BTW, a complete aside: I've always wanted to ask does anyone know why we don't have concrete sleeper points? Is that just the way it is or is there a reason?

I’m new to all this and this Chanel has been great for me to learn.. question though, do your carriages have DCC Sound too?

Can understand why you'd want the scene around the sidings visible for an exhibition layout but having buildings, trees, bridges etc. that 'spoil' the view of trains as in the real world would be more realistic. Model railway layouts to a large degree allow the viewer to see a train on the full extent of its run over the whole length of a layout, that in itself doesn't happen at 1:1 scale and the view of any train is always going to be obscured at some point.

An entertaining video as always Richard. Yes that grout works a treat, but colour wise maybe dark and grimy bearing in mind it’s old and has for most of its life been used by steam engines. Do you have a new microphone?. Sound has never been an issue in your videos, but in this one it’s very ‘tinny’ with Ss and Ts ringing….. never had it before and the music is perfect as always. Enjoy AllyPally and I’m intrigued as to what’s on your shopping list.

You mentioned code 75 bullhead for the heritage line, which track do you use for the main line?

Liked the video, quick question, you spread PVA and covered it with ballast, then covered the ballast with grout, did the PVA provide enough adhesion for the grout? If you use a wash to darken down the grout will the wash change the texture of the gravel scene? Thanks for this whole series.

Maybe grey tile grout?

Apologies if this is a daft question or has been answered previously. Why are the sleepers on the main line points different colour to the track sleepers?

Never heard of Bathing Sand. What is it?

When are you going to sort out the points on the main line

Hi, I'm building a N gauge layout in my garage which suffers from damp after I put a false ceiling and a stud wall in to make it a train room. I've fitted vents and an extractor fan that has a humidity sensor in it, which works-ish. How have you stopped damp? Thanks for the content, it's very interesting and helpful.

Now then, if the heritage line used to be twin track, how come the bridge under the main line is single track? Details, details...

Darrenbury Central Hi you could do a scrap yard somewhere. Tatty bi

Is it 00 or o

Something is going on with the comments here, they look like Bots...

Out of interest and this is a genuine question as I don’t have a layout, I just like watching the channel. You go to great lengths to replicate realism with the track, painting rails, airbrushing the ballast etc yet you leave the track in the points area black which sticks out like a sore thumb compared to the rest of the track. It just looks odd. Why don’t you colour match the track in these areas?

Heritage lines often have brand new workshop/ sheds. Also old locos awaiting their turn, sheeted or very rusty! You need more sidings!!!!!