Episode 3 - Here’s one I made earlier!

Anyone who’s read my previous blog post might think I’d be content with a larger test circuit to run trains on.  Not so!  Many of the layouts I check out regularly here on RMweb and elsewhere are beautifully finished with amazingly detailed scenery, and quite often in finescale too.  I don’t aspire to such standards myself, but I do want to have a fully-sceniced layout.

 

Our hobby teaches us a whole range of practical skills, as well as how to have fun operating a railway.  Before I review various ideas in my project list (in my next post), here are some of the practical things I do - and don’t - enjoy when modelling:

 

Building baseboards - up to a point I enjoy building baseboards (it’s just I’ve built too many that have gone no further).  It’s an outdoor task here, and the arrival of better weather in April allows me to re-open my baseboard factory:

 

 

Track Laying and Wiring - I don’t enjoy track laying much at all.  When I was modelling in OO, I spent some time laboriously cutting and re-spacing the sleepers on track for a small BLT test layout.  It looked much better, and used up some old Setrack, but for me it was the least enjoyable bit of modelling I think I’ve ever tried (sorry):

 

 

 

It didn’t help that I then covered it with over-sized ballast I was using up.  It’s why that project went no further.  When it came to HOn30 I followed plenty of advice to make the task easier, but I still couldn’t say I enjoyed it:

 

 

As a result, any track plan I actually think about building now is likely to be quite simple.

 

As for wiring, I’m happy with two wires (DC) from a controller to the track.  I can follow traditional DC cab control wiring, but am easily flummoxed when it comes to live frog points, anything to do with DCC, or powered accessories.  One day I’ll use the soldering iron my wife bought me, but as it’s over thirty years since I last held one I’ll need plenty of practice before I feel confident (or even just safe).

 

I’m not an exhibitor, so I can live with hand operated points - it’s not a cop out: often on American Switching Layouts it’s a point of realism to have the train crew (our “heroes”) operate switches as they come to them.  An interesting idea, which I quite like.

 

Scenery - I’ve only ever tried basic ground cover, but I really enjoyed putting it down, and the transformation is well worth it:

 

 

 

Scenery is something I’m happy to try more of, and I’ve bought a couple of beginners’ scenery and tree kits to help with this.

 

Rolling Stock kits and scratchbuilding - I’ve made some Dapol ex-Kitmaster and Airfix static models, and more recently had a go at Narrow Gauge kit building and scratchbuilding, but there’s still plenty of room for improvement:

 

Dundas Kits:

 

 

Scratchbuilt:

 

 

Resin on Kato chassis (weathered):

 

 

Structures Kits (kits of buildings) - interestingly,  this is what I’ve found I enjoy most on the practical side of the hobby:

 

 

I’m not a prolific builder, and I’m also quite happy following the instructions when assembling a kit.  I just enjoy it.  The significance for layout planning is that the scale I’ve found I’m most comfortable / enjoyable is HO.  I like making kits big enough to have presence, like the Swiss station above and this American one below, but I also find the fiddly bits don’t get too small (2nd below):

 

 

 

I have also made a start with TT (1:120) and found that similarly OK for me (I don’t have great eyesight, and can be quite clumsy):

 

 

My greatest area of weakness when it comes to kits is painting, but with structure kits I find I can work around that by painting most parts or sub-assemblies either when they are still on their sprues or at least prior to assembly.  Again, in HO or TT the parts aren’t too small (these are TT station lamps, clock and benches):

 

 

I’ve only properly scratchbuilt one building - the small Santa Fe Combination Depot shown in my first blog post.  While it didn’t cost anything (its cereal packet card), it took three months - mainly because of the need to design and make each component of the building.  When I can afford to pay someone else to do that heavy lifting first by using a kit, I can focus on the assembly I enjoy more.
 

We each have our own preferences when it comes to what we most enjoy.  This review shows mine.  As I turn towards my next post - the fourth and final part of my introduction and background - I’ll look at various layout options I have.  Of course, there’s nothing wrong in principle with making models in one scale and having a layout in another, but with limited space (and budget) I note the practical part of the hobby I get most pleasure from draws me towards HO and TT when it comes to a choice of scale.

 

Until next time, I hope you have fun with whatever you most enjoy, Keith.

 

(Note: the Models and some Photos in this review have been shared previously on RMweb)