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How to get carried away...


SouthernRegionSteam

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... or, 'Yes, it's me, Mr Indecisive!'

 

It's fair to say that I have not exactly made any sort of progress on the layout for well over a month, probably more in fact. I've had far too much stuff going on lately to even comprehend touching the layout let alone working on it.

 

So today I wanted to change that and find some time to do some modelling. Unfortunately, things didn't go to plan and I couldn't find my mojo! Suffice to say, nothing got done.

 

I think that the reasoning behind this is because I am getting a bit bored with the layout. Perhaps even fed up. Fed up that it's still not working that well, fed up that I have to prod locos every 15 seconds, fed up that I can't uncouple automatically and fed up of problems that I generally can't solve!

 

So, I wrote a list of some of the annoying things that hadn't been completed:

list.png

I straight away ignored no.1 and focused on no.2.

So I decided to start fiddling with Paint.NET. The original plan was to just add a fiddle yard on. However, as you will see I got a bit carried away and built a whole new extension. This came about from the simple desire to both portray more of Calshot, and run trains for longer than 5ft and make it look as if they actually went somewhere. I've always absolutely loved little branch lines - you know, those quiet little backwater lines with ageing coaching stock and diminutive little tank engines pulling short freight trains with flanges squealing and couplings clattering.

calshotunlikely.png

So I've added in a little bit more SG. I've also added in the fiddle yard design and also a beached seaplane. The hangar has been extended to behind the control panel and there is a NG loco shed with trees forming the scenic break. So I ask the question I always seem to ask you folk - What now?! Perhaps I ought to just learn to reign my thoughts in a bit...

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It looks a wonderful development of the plan, and I know thoughts of Calshot or similar have been with you a long time Jam - so perhaps not giving up is the best idea...

 

However your description of narrow gauge flange squeal and coupling bashing would be much easier to achieve in a larger scale... perhaps taking the Calshot concept up to 0-16.5 or even larger? Perhaps even G? ;)

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  • RMweb Gold

Oh, no, I couldn't possibly give up on it - I've come too far! And besides, I've got exhibition bookings wink.gif

 

I'm glad you like the plan though, even if I did design it on a whim.

 

(Although I meant standard gauge flange squeal and coupling bashing it is still relevant. biggrin.gif)Oh, and if I had the money and the space I probably would create it in a larger scale, what with 3 links and all that! wink.gif

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What coupling system are you using and is Calshot DC or DCC?

I ask these questions to address number 1, which I think will help your enthusiasm. The extension looks great! Maybe build the baseboards for it as a temporary diversion from the other little jobs on the list? That way you can get it rolling and have a break. I was very impressed with the speed of your build, I am still trying to get a whole layout with track.

Good luck!

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  • RMweb Gold

Calshot is DC.

Coupling was with reference to the narrow gauge. I'm using the Peco OO9 variety. The wagons seem to be at just the wrong height for the coupling to be at the same level as the rest of the stock. rolleyes.gif

 

Currently I'm just doing some more work on some of the buildings.

I'll need to think about the extension a bit more before I commit to it, but it will be a good diversion!

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Loving the idea of the extension even if it just helps the general enthusiasm and remains at a planning stage for a while. I'm afraid I don't have any ideas for the technical issues but from a scenic perspective I think it is nice to have other bits to plan and play around with while you tackle some of those other jobs.

 

I think I am almost ready to start on the first board for Marchwood now but am planning to do a board at a time so I don't have too much to do at once. I'm intending to get the boards, track and wiring done on the whole thing first so I can just run things up and down but keep the scenics mainly to one board at a time. Could you do similar and start on the basics of an extension whilst focussing your scenics time on the original?

 

Love the beached plane by the way!

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I would look at changing your couplings for an aftermarket alternative. DG or similiar Spratt & Wossname's seem to get good reviews here. Having run both DC and DCC with short wheelbase 0-4-0 on 2-6-2 locos I can say that running DCC was more reliable and the wiring involved was not a major headache. In addition it improved my wiring practice generally, which should aid reliability. Can't wait to see the extension!

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