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What to do next


johnteal

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As the title says "what to do next"

 

Some modellers spend a lifetime dedicated to one thing, others of us flit from one thing to another and I'm the latter. As the nights start to draw in and the garden becomes less hospitable my thoughts are turning to change.

 

This is my shed as it is now.

 

SDC17524.jpg

 

On the main level a folded dogbone of modern image scenic N gauge that crosses over what, for N, is a massive curved viaduct. The work surface in front of the viaduct is removable and the theory was it only gets put in when working, but in reality it hasn't been out all summer, while big locos have been built on it. On the right is my G scale indoor module that sits over the non scenic half of the N gauge.

 

Under the left bench, 2 On30 modules are hiding and haven't seen the light of day since a show in Dukinfield.

On the floor under the viaduct is some more G scale stock. On a pull out shelf under the right baseboard is a stock of OO locos coaches and DMUs, but I don't have a OO layout at the moment !

 

Its all getting a bit out of hand and I have more unused stuff than used stuff !!!

 

My thoughts are forget the N, I've tried it and it does fill a need to watch a train in the countryside running non-stop with no intervention, but doesn't offer much modelling potential for me really.

 

The On30 is unlikely to get used now I have retired from the On30 module based forum, so could go.

 

Since enjoying building large G scale locos, the idea of a small indoor shunting layout in G is a bit redundant as it was designed for 0-4-0 s really !! and again I cant see me ever exhibiting it.

 

So going forward what am I to do.

I'm tempted to get rid of the viaduct and make a large permanent work bench across the back wall. I could then have an end to end layout from one side of the shed to the other connected by a hidden curve section under the new work bench. But what scale, OO perhaps. A modern image station on both sides, non DCC so I could have an automated reverse and return for DMU's so I could watch and not play ?

 

Shelves on the back wall, to display my growing G scale stock..

 

So many ideas and such a limited space and budget !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I'm posting more to help me decide but any thoughts are always welcome :)

5 Comments


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  • RMweb Gold

I'd suggest 'play to your strengths'. I'd been building bits of P4 and 7mm narrow gauge when I built Fen End Pit in 16mm. The thing that was clear was that there was not anything quite like it on the exhibition circuit and I got a great response to the layout because it was 'different'. It is pretty clear that your work to date on the G diesels has got a great following on this blog. How about building some thing more to demonstrate that stock? Could you build something which actually 'uses' the locos rather than just having them running in and out of a shed? In G you should be able to do something that actually loads or unloads? How about a shunting yard with something like a wagon tippler! shunting 16ton minerals and unloading them in G would be quite something!

 

David

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  • RMweb Gold

Why not building an G gauge indoor shuntinglayout in the place of the N gauge layout. Here you could use your build locos and stock, when the weather in the outside is horrible.

If you build the layout modular, you could, if you want take it to exhibitions. Maybe build something that did something with your wagons, e.g. a working tippler, or a working wagon turntable. with working capstans.

 

Markus

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I agree that the G scale deserves a wider audience- Its amazing and has some real budget innovation in an expensive scale which has clearly inspired quite a few people. The big diesels look great, give them some running room, there are loads of OO layouts around but your G scale stuff is unique.

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I can understand the temptation of OO gauge as it's what we all come back to eventually and the choice of products in that scale is now just overwhelming but don't give up on your scratch-built G scale which as everyone else has already mentioned is truly amazing. However, you have to do what interests you most and gives you the greatest satisfaction at the end of the day. I've really enjoyed following your progress with the larger scale even if I haven't always made it clear that I've been visiting your thread.

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Thanks for taking time to share your thoughts, I can see the logic and appeal of an indoor G scale shunting layout, my only concern is if it would be big enough for anything other than very small locos and stock. The G scale board that sits on the right hand side in the picture above , is as long as I can fit in and in plan view it is obvious a 20 or 25 wouldnt even fit in the passing loop !! :)

 

SDC16083.jpg

 

Then take into account I would loose a minimum of 2' off the length for the radius to get to the other side of the shed..

 

It was originally designed for tiny locos like this

 

SDC16414.jpg

 

it starts getting a bit crowded with a 25 and single suburban...

 

SDC17304.jpg

 

John

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