Jon020's Layout Blog

Looks like you're off to a good start Jon. FWIW I reckon four roads are a bit busy in the space you have available, for a couple of reasons: In real life I think having a bit of space on each side of the shed road on the apron would be important for working on the locos. And in the model I reckon a bit of vertical scenery (fence, lamp hut, low wall, maintenance catwalk, etc. etc.) would be good in the background, especially with the main lines behind it.

 

If it were me I'd keep the front 3 in the positions you have them and delete the back one, or (maybe) have it peek out from behind the shed and then stop about halfway into the scene. That'd net you a nice buffer stop which adds a bit of interest as well, and allow a wagon or part of a loco to show behind the shed which I reckon would look good.

 

Just my 2p.

Hi Jon. Looks good so far, but I'd tend to agree with Will: there's a bit too much track. Personally I would probably loose the front one and put a couple of view block sheds (or similar) at the front, and have a fairly "heavy" background (embankment or similar) to balance it off. But that's a matter of taste of course.

 

If you decide to stay with the four tracks, it would probably be good to have a relatively clean look of the ground, and figure out a few other viewblocks (like the fuel point, or other delicate upright vertical things) to disperse round the diorama, so as to increase the sense of space.

 

I like the look of that shed. Bachmann are making good progress in the building department, I think.

A good start Jon - good to see that one day's holiday put to good use (I used to do the same when I was working in London...one thing I couldn't stand was to lose holiday entitlement especially if I had been too busy to take it...usually came at this time too - end of financial year?)

 

Just to offer a slightly different option to Will's interesting 2p, my 2p would be move the two tracks slightly over to the front and imagine these were your main line and then spin the diorama 180 degrees so the short road and shed are in the foreground, Nimbus is on show in all her glory with your TTA's etc and perhaps have an extract of an express train passing by in the background (even if you haven't gotten around to modifying any of the stock for it) set against a backscene...be it blue sky or photographic montage.

 

Just a thought - feel free to ignore...

Looks like you're off to a good start Jon. FWIW I reckon four roads are a bit busy in the space you have available, for a couple of reasons: In real life I think having a bit of space on each side of the shed road on the apron would be important for working on the locos. And in the model I reckon a bit of vertical scenery (fence, lamp hut, low wall, maintenance catwalk, etc. etc.) would be good in the background, especially with the main lines behind it.If it were me I'd keep the front 3 in the positions you have them and delete the back one, or (maybe) have it peek out from behind the shed and then stop about halfway into the scene. That'd net you a nice buffer stop which adds a bit of interest as well, and allow a wagon or part of a loco to show behind the shed which I reckon would look good.Just my 2p.

Hi Will, thanks for the comments. I think the photo's probably not as clear as it should've been then; I'd intended to leave space either side of the shed as you suggested, and that was why the 4th road, the rear one, stops short rather than run behind it. If I let it run behing the shed, it would all be too tight... as you suggest. I think you're right about it being nice to have something behind the shed; that was my first option (not shown) but I thought that having two lines in front of the shed might give more interest. The verticals are needed yes.., I was intending to look at Whitemarsh yard for some pointers there - I see you've done some more to it recently... or are those just more pics from a while ago on Flickr?

 

Hi Jon. Looks good so far, but I'd tend to agree with Will: there's a bit too much track. Personally I would probably loose the front one and put a couple of view block sheds (or similar) at the front, and have a fairly "heavy" background (embankment or similar) to balance it off. But that's a matter of taste of course.If you decide to stay with the four tracks, it would probably be good to have a relatively clean look of the ground, and figure out a few other viewblocks (like the fuel point, or other delicate upright vertical things) to disperse round the diorama, so as to increase the sense of space.I like the look of that shed. Bachmann are making good progress in the building department, I think.

Thanks Mikkel. To be honest, I think that the clear look might be one I end up with for two reasons: allowing me to add the rear running lines later, and; time.... there's not much of it. Vertical blocks will be added... just need to find some time to get them built... along with finishing this plan. I will think again about loosing one of the front roads, although I'd intended them all as loco storage roads... and always liked having the ability to sit locos side by side... but yes, there aren't many locos to do this with as yet.

A good start Jon - good to see that one day's holiday put to good use (I used to do the same when I was working in London...one thing I couldn't stand was to lose holiday entitlement especially if I had been too busy to take it...usually came at this time too - end of financial year?)Just to offer a slightly different option to Will's interesting 2p, my 2p would be move the two tracks slightly over to the front and imagine these were your main line and then spin the diorama 180 degrees so the short road and shed are in the foreground, Nimbus is on show in all her glory with your TTA's etc and perhaps have an extract of an express train passing by in the background (even if you haven't gotten around to modifying any of the stock for it) set against a backscene...be it blue sky or photographic montage.Just a thought - feel free to ignore...

Hoildays - spot on there Pete... still lost part of a day, but that's that! I can see what you mean about the rotating, but I think that this will probably loose me too much storage space; I'm trying to think beyond just the current loco... and consider what's in build now, so that there's a locoation for locos to sit alongside each other. I'll give it some thought though, thanks.

 

Right now I need to give it a rest though as this throat virus (or whatever it is) is beginning to get the better of me... over a week now and still can't talk properly without squeeking... and that irritates the throat which (as last night) left me hacking away for over two hours - not a recommended way to sepnd the early hours. The result of which is a little feeling of jadedness. As I'm away for the next few days too... always nice to be away when feeling unwell (not)... I'll be able to give all of this some more thought. So, thanks again for the comments... and I'll aim for some clearer thoughts... as soon as the head stops spinning that is.

Thanks

Jon

Looking good so far, but there's another vote for less track from me as well, it's going to look far too busy with the 4 tracks on there. The one stopping by the shed is a good idea, but I think you should lose one of the front tracks and space everything out a bit more. You can get a bit more scenery in there then too.

3 roads it will probably be then... with servicing shed in the centre so that I can sit locos/stock behind the shed, and some in front. I now plan to built the refuelling point to check clearances between the roads... as/when time permits. Thanks for all the comments.

Jon

 

UPDATE:

A little time this afternoon allowed me to run the board down and give it a coat of halfords primer, which I prefer... and dig out the fueling point and stick a couple of bit together. I also have the de-fueling point.. or rather a bag of bits that should make the item... but no pictures or instructions (Don't suppose anyone has a set of instructions spare do they???)

 

Anyway, lets see if this picture loads up

 

Thanks for the suggestions, I think that with the architectural bits in place, this will be sufficient.

Jon