Phil Copleston

Exquisite Jerry! Your 2mm traction engines are a delight, but appear to be quite different from each other (different boiler, cylinder and wheels). Were these based on the same Scalelink kit? Can't help you with a Foden steam lorry - scratchbuilding seems to be the only option. But I particularly like steam road rollers, and the sight of one of these towing a living van and bowser would make a nice cameo on Queen Square. I think Scalelink already offer a road roller and living van kits. (Hint, hint, Jerry!) And your vegetable patch seems to be based on a prototype very close to home... Well observed Mr Good!

Is there an RMweb app icon for Android phones? It would be very helpful to check on updates by touching an icon, rather than going via bookmarks or Google search every time. If not, someone please make available! Phil Copleston

What's amazing, Jerry, is that it's very hard to tell from the photos what scale these models are, with no scale give-aways. In my book that's always a good sign of modelling excellence. And I like your approach to a modelling magnum opus - break it down into sub-projects and seek out variety to keep stagnation at bay. Good advice.

Superb, Jerry. You seem to have at least half the scenic side of the layout already done in sections and waiting for instalment!

Good to hear that, Martin. Next step is to try it for yourself. The thing about S scale is - you'll know if it's right for you!

Me too! Very inspirational models, Jerry. I particularly like the little Bath Single Line Junction Box. So evocative, I can almost hear the wall clock ticking and the line bells 'dinging' just looking at it. With full interiors, are your signal boxes illuminated perchance? They remind me that I must try harder. Many years ago I scratchbuilt a MR box in 2mm finescale, completely out of plastikard (though nothing to compare with your exquisite models) which I was very proud of at the time and with which I even won a few prizes. Sadly though, it melted away one evening after an unfortunate spilt MekPak-related incident on my workbench. Boy, was I gutted! Which reminds me to make one of those multiple holey paint pot holder thingies before it happens again... Anyway, keep up the inspirational 2-mil work. And take no notice of my disparaging remarks about tree-trunks at Taunton - I was only teasing! Can't wait to see it all come together on Queensquare in the not too distant future.

S SCALE EXHIBITION DIARY - where you can see S scale at forthcoming shows (regularly updated): S scale layout bookings and events for 2015-16 are shown. If you haven't seen a working S scale layout before, get to see one at the following exhibitions! 2017 S scale layouts are a bit thin on the ground this year (after retirement of several other well-known layouts). But I do know that more are under construction! Nevertheless, this is how the S scale diary currently looks... Listings for 2017 being updated... (please check back later. Ta.) NOTE: THIS LIST IS UPDATED REGULARLY AS NEW EXHIBITION DATES BECOME KNOWN - so please tell me of corrections and check back frequently! LATEST DIARY UPDATE: 19/12/2016, 02:02

Sure thing, Neil. We'll catch up on S-scale things tomorrow, no doubt! I'd like a peek at that broad-gauge coach if poss. By the way, didn't I catch you on this video lurking around Maurice's S scale layout at Exeter show last year? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Rxzwkqz4K4&feature=player_embedded Be warned... S scale is addictive!

I'm with Jerry on this one - Queens Square sounds so much less prosaic than Green Park, although the locals were delightfully pragmatic by simply referring to it as 'the Midland station'. Frustratingly, English Heritage have it Grade II Listed as 'Green Park Railway Station, Bath' http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/Details/Default.aspx?id=442586 and Wikipedia as 'Bath Green Park' http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bath_Green_Park_railway_station . But hey, what do they know, ha ha! Phil

Frank, I believe you only need three coaches to replicate a 'typical' coast passenger train - a brake second, open tourist second, and a compo (or similar). My observations from many dated photos from the mid-50s to the mid-60s is that the basic Cambrian passenger formation for ordinary summer/winter trains between Shrewsbury/Welshpool and Machynlleth was a six coach formation, made up of two sets of the above (usually with brakes outermost), plus stengtheners tacked on as required in the summer months. The formation would then split at Mach or Dovey Jnc with the two three-coach sets (plus any strengtheners) going forward to Aber and Pwllheli respectively. The set with the Mark 1 choc-cream "auto buffet" going forward to Aber. These sets can be seen made up of either BR Mark 1s, or ex-GWR/LMS coaches (but rarely mixed, due to incompatibilities with corridor connections). Maybe this is a well-known fact, but I've never seen an explicit description of this formation written down before. However, you can consistently see this in photos of the late steam period. (Not sure if this applies to the CCE.) Has anyone else observed this "standard" Cambrian train formation make-up? So Frank, maybe you don't need all six coaches after all - you can get away with an authentic coast "stopper" hauled by a Manor at the head of just three coaches. Wasn't the Cambrian a delight! Phil

I'm not a great fan of backscenes - especially if they compete for attention rather than compliment the forescene - but they can work on small scenes. I like your plan for Morfa Bach of a simple backdrop showing just a blue sky and clouds. Neil (Rushby) just about had it right on 'Shell Island', methinks. Inspiring Cambrian modelling, Frank! Phil

This layout just gets better and better - captures the essence of the Cambrian to a 'T'! Well done, Frank. Phil

Delightful, Frank - it's veritably the Cambrian Coast in microcosm! Keep it coming, I'm enjoying your posts.

The Gronk in the video's looking good Tim, and sounds subtly like one too (or maybe that's me!). I'm enjoying following progress with the layout and am loving the muted brick paper colours - those Howard Scenics terraces look fab! Phil

Hello all, sorry for my late reply. I'm sorry if my earlier comments saddened you Tiptonian, and if I annoyed anyone else. I didn't mean to offend. I'm a 3mm Society member too and believe 3-mil is a great scale. My only reason for bringing up the subject of Scale Three is that I think it's a great concept worth reconsidering, and therefore a valid topic for discussion in this forum. Proto standards are proven to work well in 4mm scale and in 3mm the absolute measurements are no smaller than the established 2mmSF dimensions, so Scale Three should be quite workable, I think. Just to clarify, I'm not suggesting we add another gauge to 3mm modelling, as Scale Three is not specifically a 'gauge' as such, but a set of standards derived from prototype practice that can be applied to modelling any prototype gauge. I have nothing against the other 3mm standards or gauges (although seeing it from the perspective of the rest of the hobby, 13.5 feels like a retrograde step to me), if that is what you choose to suit your modelling, but I see a lot of good reasons to have a positive debate about moving 3mm modelling closer to the prototype by exploring the possibilities of Scale Three. Phil