outcastjack

and one more because I ran out of space:

@tomparry I don't have an Aberdare (sadly) but I do have a Dukedog which being outside framed should be fairly similar. Hopefully the attached photos make some sense. If your wheels are the D type attachment like my Dukedog then they are not great. It might be worth checking Alan GIbson etc to work out what you will need to replace them if they don't survive.

Just an update, I was in recently and it is still excellent. Great selection of models, scenic supplies and track (and plastic kits and even some radio control stuff if that is of interest), the prices are good. They are perfectly happy to order stock in if they don't have it. I no longer live anywhere near Northampton but this remains pretty well my favorite model shop.

raised coal staithes on the platform would look good. I think scalescenes do staithes as part of their free weigh-bridge kit: https://scalescenes.com/product/r024-weighbridge-or-coal-office/ the kit is a good starting point for structures and because it is a download, you can keep printing off new ones until you are happy with the result. For other bits, hobby shop acrylic paint like you have already used makes a decent base for the road (and any areas of grass/bushes) Hydrangea heads make nice easy trees, just top them with some teased out teddy bear/pillow stuffing (typically a few pounds for more than you will ever use) and spray paint them, before gluing on some flock/ground foam. A similar thing with hanging basket liner teased out works really well for bushes and hedges. sandpit sand or just dust from your garden makes a nice gravel effect. And remember if you don't like the result, either start again or hide it with a bush! Unlike much of model railways, this bit does not cost a huge amount.

Thank you for posting all of this, I am building this as my first brass loco kit, and without this blog I do not think I would have a hope of succeeding.

Wow! Do you have any more photos of this? As the others have mentioned the mountain is stunning and the LGB stuff looks right at home on it.

This is a captivating layout please keep the updates coming! Did you finish the new depot?

This work is excellent! I love the yard track and look forward to seeing more!

It did occur to me that 00 was a pretty good compromise at a scale 4'1.5" In other 4mm 3'6" news one of the layouts at this years Australian Narrow Gauge Convention is a 14mm gauge layout and from what little I can find online it looks very lovely.

Thank you South_Tyne, that is very kind. The unusual always appeals to me and I love the idea of being able to run full length "trains" for once. Keith thank you for that, I have seen your BR layout somewhere but hadn't realised you did some African modelling too. P4n14 it is!

Thank you for all of the suggestions, as it happens Stephen Freeman has offered to make a set of 14mm gauges for me at the same price as his usual gauges so my problem is now solved. I have ordered a set of 14.2 and 14.4 mm gauges too, to allow for gauge widening on the (extremely tight) curves. The outcome is that I have the tools to do this to ~ P4 standards. I figured there must be people in for example NZ modelling 3'6" in 4mm scale, but I can't find any so I think this may be unique. I am finding it really intoxicating doing something so unusual (daft?), I got oddly excited when asked what flange way gaps I wanted! I am also not sure what to call the scale/gauge combination; oo-14?

I think ironhorse hobbies down in NZ have some. The postage to the UK costs nearly as much as the model though.

Thank you all,some useful suggestions there. I think i will cut a basic gauge for my test section and get some roller gauges turned if i start in earnest. To answer the question above I am looking for gauges to build track rather than for consistent spacing, although i will knock up a jig for that too. I do like the idea of 3.5mm scale on tt track but as David B has already pointed out the availability of 00 gauge HK trams is appealing.

Hello, I fancy making a Hong Kong tram based micro layout in 4mm scale and as a result needs to make some 14mm gauge track. I can't find any track gauges for this although it seems there used to be some support for 7mm scale 2' gauge modelling. Does anyone know of any? If not i am torn between using 3mm fine scale track gauges at 14.2mm or making my own gauges

Thank you so much for posting this, it is facinating! We have some friends in Montréal next time we are out I will make an effort to find some of the route myself!