#branchline — Public Fediverse posts on home.social

Phil Haigh @[email protected] · 2026-08-04 · 21:49 UTC

This evening I installed the second baseboard across the end of the existing layout. But before I could do that I had some final helix work to do.

First off, the last bit needed ballasting, and then where the ballast stops I painted the track bed black.

The helix emerges from a tunnel mouth into the station. I wanted to install a section of tunnel wall over the top of the last 120° of the top of the helix so that the train really does emerge from proper darkness. There are a lot of LEDs under the boards, some flash, some are just bright. I don’t want any light leakage.

So I 3D printed some formers that clip onto the helix, then cut sections of shaper sheet to fit over the top, the insides painted black. It’s not super neat, but it works…

#ModelRailway #BranchLine #Helix #Progress

#modelrailway #branchline #helix #progress

Phil Haigh @[email protected] · 2026-08-04 · 21:49 UTC

This evening I installed the second baseboard across the end of the existing layout. But before I could do that I had some final helix work to do.

First off, the last bit needed ballasting, and then where the ballast stops I painted the track bed black.

The helix emerges from a tunnel mouth into the station. I wanted to install a section of tunnel wall over the top of the last 120° of the top of the helix so that the train really does emerge from proper darkness. There are a lot of LEDs under the boards, some flash, some are just bright. I don’t want any light leakage.

So I 3D printed some formers that clip onto the helix, then cut sections of shaper sheet to fit over the top, the insides painted black. It’s not super neat, but it works…

#ModelRailway #BranchLine #Helix #Progress

#modelrailway #branchline #helix #progress

Phil Haigh @[email protected] · 2026-06-04 · 19:46 UTC

Some more model railway progress. Trial fitted the branch line boards with buildings so that I could put all the track and power wiring in and then check the track, points, etc.

Wiring completed except for lighting and signals. Track tested, some issues fixed, a couple still to do. Some point motors to be adjusted.

Before the boards go back in for good I need to… put up the backscenes, wire in the signals and lights, and do some scenery work in the far corner because it’ll be difficult to reach once the boards are in.