So, a sort of summary of the project so far with regard to the objectives I set myself.

I mentioned at the beginning of  the blog that I wanted to go a size bigger than 1/76 but perhaps without some of the restrictions of 0 at 1/43.5. Something easier to see and use in my dotage. A couple of photos for comparison.

1/50 does give me a bigger chunkier model, essential since I wanted to use off the shelf batteries and radio gear. I doubt I could have got them into anything smaller and still had fully open cabs. Even with 20 mm track it doesn’t feel small.

It will happily negotiate a 600 mm radius curve since it has axle hung traction motors. The buffer / coupling design means it can operate with wagons at that radii. If in the fullness of time if I end up with a 1/50 layout it won’t be large, so that gives 1/50 metre gauge a distinct advantage over O gauge, and possibly over the more scale varieties of OO.

I am pleased with the remote coupling system. Again, looking to my dotage with failing eyesight and short arms do I really want to be messing about with 3 links ? Ok, I accept that the buffer/coupling system might be a bit overscale and not to everyone’s taste but for my purposes I shall put operability over appearance. I could even fit a bigger push button to the controller for it if I have to.

Availability. If I am going to play with 1/50 th for some time then I don’t want to be stuck with special stuff becoming unavailable. None of this “I must buy all of these locos before they sell out” sort of thing. Well, since it is all scratch built using basic materials we will be in serious trouble if they can’t be got. I have also made a lot of jigs to help with future projects.

Cost. I have no idea what my financial future will be in these uncertain times but I have a nasty sneaking feeling affluence will not be a part of it. I have spent about £60 buying stuff, perhaps another £30 or so for material I had in stock.  Oh, and £8 for a hundred figures  So, let’s call that £100 for about 4 months of fairly intensive model making. Less than £7 a  week in real terms. Ye cannae get a fish supper for that these days.

How far I go with all this will depend on time and resources. My main interest is still Kelvinbank, but we shall see.