009matt

So, after moving house and having the layout in storage, we are now back up and running. Lots of testing, purchasing of new Baldwin (not in pics). Now just need to scenic the layout.

Thanks - that is really interesting. For my 009 cameo layout, that is 4'6" viewing, it may be useful, although even then, the sound might feel a bit static, but I will have a try.

I have been building up stock. I have a 2-6-2 minitrains Baldwin, I have a o&k outside framed diesel. I picked up a leek and manifold kit and a kit for converting into a railbus. This should be more than enough stock but I do like the look of the Bachmann Baldwin due to be released soon.

That sounds quite a neat trick. I take it that you put a small speaker in the layout somewhere to amplify make the sounds produced come to life. It may be a good approach for me in 009. I will have a play myself when I get time. Will be interested to see how this thread progresses. Matt

Some further progress today. All wired up track down and electromagnets in place and working. They are selected by the rotational switch to operate one at a time http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/gallery/image/82440-img-0863/

Ok, baseboards complete. I am now planning the track layout, point motors, uncoupling etc. I have acquired 4 cobalt motors from a friend, but need one more. Unfortunately I need one more operating wire etc. for one if the motors. I was then looking at uncoupling electromagnets, to see what was out there. I saw a photo of the peco version. I thought it looked like a point motor cut in two. So I grabbed an old glued up point motor cut it in two and hey presto, a working electromagnet. I will superglue the core into the hole so it doesn't drop out during transport. However, it does mean I save a few quid.

I have begun constructing the board http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/gallery/album/4243-009matt/ Need to do the legs and a plug in fiddle yard. Thinking of cassettes that are slotted in from the left hand side. Track plan will be based upon Elan in Iain Rice's finescale in small spaces, shrunk into 57" long and 18" wide

Hi all, I have bought the book and I am reading it in great eagerness. I love Ian Rice's writings and musings and have been inspired by his and others in the wild swan series. About 10 years ago or so, I built a 009 layout that was circular, called the East Hants Light Railway. It depicted a narrow gauge light railway that connected the market towns of Petersfield and Alton. My skills and attitudes towards modelling have changed dramatically since then, as has my exhibition experiences. I have come to the conclusion that I lack the finesse to make superb rolling stock. I am great at detailing etc, but I just can't get the blighters to run smoothly or efficiently. There are only so many kits that you can throw in the bin. Therefore, highly detailed rtr is the approach I now take. Fiddling around with couplings is also a bugbear, so will be using tried and tested methods. Track building is also a problem for me, so I will be using detailed rtr. What has come a long way is my scenic efforts. I happened to be at an exhibition where the Gravetts were giving scenic demos. They have now hooked me on postiche and static fibres. What I am proposing is a depiction of a terminus on the line. I want it to run superbly. I want it to look as if I have built the stock and track myself, but have cheated, however, the heart of the cameo, as mr rice so clearly puts is that exquisite and intricate detail within the scene. It will be 009 and the line is a 2'3" gauge. I hope that this is ok and in the spirit of the competition, whilst allowing for my modelling skills and limitations. Matt

Unfortunately I have already posted pics of the early construction. It has not progressed since then, still a lot to do.

Hi, I have started building a layout that fits the cameo type, can I enter this or does it have to be built from new?

Hi all, I attended ally pally on Saturday. I hadn't been for a couple of years due to commitments elsewhere. I have to say, I was not disappointed. I quickly scanned around the hall, butterflying from trader to trader, picking up some bargains (£35 manors on the Dapol stand ) and grabbing a front row view of Copenhagen fields enforce it was 10 deep. I then managed to tick off every layout. I think I saw movement on almost all layouts. If I didn't, I didn't care, because I enjoy looking at the quality of the scenic work, often with the chat about how it was made. My favourite layouts were, in no particular order, the North American HO/HOn3 timber/logging zig zag layout, leysdown and Eaton Gomery. I also enjoyed the impressive might of the American modular. Hats off to that team, it is nice to see a modular layout that doesn't look like modules. I have exhibited layouts (not at ally pally mind) and it is great fun to show them off, but sometimes it is hard to balance a cup of tea, a chat with a member of the public, running trains without derailments, overcoming electrical faults etc. I had no qualms about any of this on Saturday. Well done to all for a fantastic show

That's incredible - well done that man! Looks just like it

Last night managed to grab a may 1967 RM on ebay so watch this space

Thanks for the info Adam that should help

Anyone have a copy of this? It would be interesting just to get an idea of the driving wheel diameter or other dimesions as I have a chassis that looks bout right, but I want to make sure before plunging in any deeper.

Hi there does anyone know where I can obtain drawings of the locomotive? I fancy making a version in 00 Matt

If I have seen further it is only by standing on the shoulders of giants. Newton Amazing!

The Dapol figures don't need PVA priming as they are made of Hard Plastic (polystyrene). You can give them an undercoat of thinned black/white acrylic, this will maintain the detail, unlike painting with PVA. I use Citadel colour paints with their black spary as a n undercoat. Matt

I like the 20x11 challenge!

It all happened back in September. Four of us took a road trip up to the N gauge show, Leamington. A few weeks before, I ahd purchased a KATO SP Daylight GS4 and Coach set and was looking for inspiration. Don was new to modelling and was bowled over in amazement at the variety of layouts, especially the large modern image ones of 20 feet plus, allowing the long rakes to vanish into the scenery. A week or so later, we went with JohnDMJ down to the N gauge group at Sompting to have alok at their modular layout. Don and I were really taken aback by what we saw (John, being a meber had seen it all before and wasn't phased!) Here, before our very eyes, we saw a masive layout that we could achieve (and very quickly) Modular ideas Looking at the N gauge groups modular layout, we were impressed. The layout was made up from small blocks/modules that individuals had constructed, each depicting a scene. These were then bolted together to make something that was about 35 feet by 20 feet and allowed a very long run. 3 main tracks looped around, with other bits of track on the individuals boards. We could do one of these modules we both thought. Then our thoughts turned toour own layouts/stock. Well, I would need to build a few, I said. Don agreed. I said, I am not sure about the nature of the scenery, I would need it to be more uniform (than the patchwork effect of modular systems). Ok said Don, what about making long thin boards that connect together and then just bolt scenery boards alongside, that way, we get something running quickly (with basic track and minimal scenery). We did some measuring and later that week popped down to B&Q. After some cutting and sawing and spending about £40 each, we had 4 square corner sections (600x600mm) and 12 long rectangular sections (8" x 4') giving us each a run of about 30'. We then ordered track and fishplates and waited. Research I had heard of modular systems in the states and came across Ntrack. I also had heard of FREMO. When I looked at the Fremo site, it seemed that they had built their modules on similar proinciples - in that scenics would use a given set of colours to give a sense of uniformity - just as we wanted. My part of the layout will be USA, Don's will be UK and Joh n is (an expert in this area) building the fiddle yard (at least 3m in the roads to hold the 18 car daylight and GS4) he is adding trainsafe connectors and I am certain that we will have some Swiss inspired modules at a later date. Track laying The track arrived and I then started to evaluate how to connect track/boards etc. I built a hole drilling jig and drilled out all of the boards, John supplying bolts for the sections. I started by making up a master module, so that all other tracks would align. The dimensions are all governed by a Kato track gauge/railer. The first track is laid 50mm or 2 Kato TG widths from the board edge. The gauge has 3 sets of spacing, used to put in the other two lengths and maintain uniformity. Ends of the rails at the board edge are soldered to copperclad sleepers, pinned to the baseboard. A chamfer will be filed at the board ends like the FREMO AmericaN standards. I have finished all my straight boards and have done 1 of 4 corner boards. Connections between an individuals personal boards will be with bolts, where possible, these will also be used to connect two peoples boards will use G clamps if alignment is out. Electrical connections This is still to come. Check back soon! Matt

Well done to Eldavo! it was good fun entering the comp and I had fun building the layout. I hope everyone else had as much fun etc as I did as they are all great in their own ways. It would be really good to have an exhibition with all of the finalists involved. Matt

Progress looking good. I have not been too good this week, hence the no show! Hope to be there on Fri Matt

could you describe the process of how you achieved such a great finish on the tiles please. Thanks Mtt

seems like you were working very late....