steveNCB7754

Great weather for steam effects!! BTW, did you just photograph them, or did you travel behind steam as well? Did they have carriage heating in 'Hard Class'? Steve

Fear Ye Not, it is possible to achieve the 'Garratt sound', with only one decoder. I refer you to a post some time ago.... https://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/92527-zimo-chuffs-for-articulated-locos-such-as-garratt/ Steve

Talk of Roye England, reminds me to mention (perhaps to any younger viewers) that the countryside we see (and photograph) today, is naturally not the same as it was, at the time period we may have set out various layouts. Rural and farming practices have changed over time and these changes affect the way the countryside looks (it didn't get to look that way, by accident). Crop types have changed (not many grow oats now, for example, and the yellow of an oilseed rape field would be unheard of - although problems with Charlock could give a similar affect in badly affected fields). Fields would also have been ploughed and tilled differently and sometimes, at different times of year than today. Leaving 'fallow' fields was also common, whereas today's technology and techniques, allow all year round cropping to be achieved. Classically, until the advent of the combine, wheat remained 'stooked' in the field, before it was brought in to be processed into grain and straw. Over time, the size of straw bales has increased, from the originals which one person could lift, to the giant 'Hestons' of today and silage is now prominent in the countryside in large plastic-wrapped stacks, instead being mostly closeted in on-farm pits. Hedges would have been more widespread and 'laid' by hand - the use of tractor-mounted hedge trimmers/flails, did not come into regular use until long after WW2. Woods and copse would have been managed differently and even hedgerow trees would have been more abundant and 'managed' for both fodder and timber. As someone born in Warwickshire back in the 1950's, I can still remember seeing Elm trees in hedgerows, as far as the eye could see - another visual clue to 'place', which has gone. More roads are now tarmacked and, of course, road signs and street furniture has changed. On the farm again, livestock has changed - the introduction of Friesian cows for dairy (replacing native breeds, often dual-purpose ones such as the Shorthorn), the way breeding changed the size of animals (witness the change of the Angus, from a short breed (almost as small as the Dexter), to a giant, and back down again to today's stock). Making silage (including the use of Maize), instead of just hay and the sheer number of people involved on the land - I could go on. Suffice to say, there is a wealth of information out there, if you know where to look. At least we, as modellers, can avoid those film 'continuity' moments, where someone says, 'that car wasn't built when you say your layout ran', or 'if your layout is set in [insert name of county here], why have you laid that (model) hedge [insert name of entirely different county] style?'. Remember though, 'no one likes a smart-arse'. :-) Anyway, too much time and so much to do... Steve

Just an update: the frost-affected Ash and Oak trees on my regular walk, are now coming into leaf. Not sure if that is a result of new bud formation, but good to see nevertheless. Steve

Safe bet that those 'domestic' buildings on the left, have also been swept away by development?

Very nice. The 'May' is just emerging properly here now, but I am still watching to see whether the Ash and Oaks, which were unfortunately 'nipped' by the two frosts we had recently (burning all the emerging leaves and flowers on them), will recover and produce a new 'flush' of growth. Anyway, here is a photo of an Ash on my walk, in case anyone needs a reference for making one...

That is very good - the viewer's mind can fill-in the detail of what is actually behind that shutter. Looking at the 'locos in action' photos you posted recently, reminded me that I had a VHS cassette of China steam squirreled away somewhere (all my books, DVD’s and VHS cassettes are still packed in boxes, following my relocation to Mid-Wales just before the present ‘Lock-down’). Luckily, I had a reasonably accurate packing list and as luck would have it, it was in a box on the top of the pile. ‘Steam And The Dragon’ (The Locomotives of North East China) from 1987, was duly watched last night (a bit grainy now, after 30+ years) - you can still get it (on DVD) from 'TeleRail'. Apart from the jangly ‘Chinese Orchestra’ music used during some of the sequences, it was fascinating to see it again. Have never been to China myself of course, but one or two operational things stood out (that I had forgotten); double-heading QJ’s tender-to-tender (so the second engine travelling in reverse) and even the banker QJ in reverse; steam locos sounding their horns (as on a diesel), as opposed to a steam whistle; loco depot labourers having to constantly clear away frozen water/steam (as opposed to ash) in the Winter, from around the locos (and locos standing at the depots, in steam, and still covered in icicles!) and also how 'brown' everywhere looked (e.g in Harbin yard, although that might be from all the industrial pollution!). Amazing to see 1985/86 built locos, running in 1986 - a sight never to be seen again.

A potential triple-header departure from Cwm Bach - better not be wash day!!

Great pictures. I took some photos myself on my morning walk on Saturday, but I have hesitated to post them, for fear that all this was beginning to hijack your thread (or someone demanding that it all gets moved to a 'Scenery Reference Photos' thread). As I looked at my subject trees, I was reminded of a Monty Python sketch from way back; 'How To Recognise Different Trees From Quite A Long Way Away', "No. 1 the Larch (Photo Of A Larch Tree), The Larch, The Larch".

The trouble with the Ferrocrete one, is that eventually it will rust-out from the inside and the whole van will have to be scrapped (historical note there) :-(

Yes, its looking lovely here in Llangurig too. Talking of the Ash, I notice on my morning walk here (next to the River Wye), that the Oak and Ash are 'out', pretty much together, whereas talking to a farming friend a bit further north (Llanidloes) and near them (at a 1000ft mind), the Oak is definitely out first. Whether, as in the old rhyme, that actually has any significance, I guess we will have to wait and see. From a modelling perspective, it is interesting to see that the odd fragment of Hawthorn has flowers, whilst most are showing no signs yet. Blackthorn flowers (similarly white) have already come and gone here, whilst there are a few apple blossoms (Crab Apple?) on the odd tree. The river has gone back down again now (since a spot of rain a few days ago) and the canny ewes (taking their lambs with them) are walking around the end of the fence that goes down into the water at one point, to access the better grass on the verges. Have 'encouraged' a few back into the field they are supposed to be in, if I meet them on my morning walk, but from the 'signs' I can see on the road, I am probably wasting my time. More lovely weather to come and then it's back on with the thermals on Sunday, by the look of things. Steve

Superb model, of probably my favorite of the Welsh tanks (mean-looking and purposeful). Mind you, the Barry railway Class H 0-8-2T, gives it a run for its money (LOL). Steve

Yes, I know it now - used to be a factory of some kind, if memory serves. Coincidentally, I 'bumped into' (not literally of course, that would contravene the 'Social Distancing' rules!) a friend's partner at the Llani Co-Op yesterday (just next to the Hafren Furnishers store). They live a bit further up that road, at 'Rock Terrace', and she confirmed the location (but wasn't sure if you could physically visit at the moment - probably not). Steve

Hi Nigel, Thanks, have duly bookmarked 'Shelfstore' and will investigate. Steve

My research for that scenario, has focused on Mountain Ash - lots of good reference photos of it in its latter days accumulated, and scope for a variety of steam (hence my user name including GWR/BR Pannier #7754) and the odd 0-6-0 DH. My modelling area here now, will also be my 'office', so space will be at a premium. I have boards already, but they were built for a much larger space and were built like the proverbial brick outhouses (the two scenic boards were capable of being winched up to the ceiling of my previous garage/workshop). They will have to go unfortunately ('to a good home' probably, if anyone wants such things - they weigh a ton!), as there will be no room to put them up here. Have most of what I need for the US HO layout, including an imported Athearn GP38-2 w/DCC & Sound (as CSX #2743). As an admirer of the work of US modeler Lance Mindheim, a shelf layout around the office walls would be 'doable' (servicing local businesses such as bakery, wood-yard, etc.). Yes, I hope to go again, I was at the Welshpool Show last October - what a wet day that was!! Due to the flooding, only just got though Garthmyl coming up the A483 and decided that returning that way (from what others were saying about their journeys) seemed unlikely. So coming back, I headed west along the A458, all the way to the A470 ('Brigands Inn' roundabout), down the '470' to Cemmaes Road and along the same, to Talerddig, Carno and Caersws, to get back to the A483 and then down through Llanidloes and on to Rhayader (where I was living at the time, whilst house-hunting)! What a contrast to the weather we are experiencing at the moment! Hafren Furnishers, yes, I know them - my friends tell me they also have a secondhand unit elsewhere in Llanidloes, so I shall have to give them a look (their showrooms are closed of course, but online is still in operation). Steve

Hi Jonathan, Ah yes, weaning. At the moment, those lambs around here are starting to dash around in large 'mobs', playing 'King of the Castle' (enjoy their freedom whilst they can). One of the fields I pass on my walk, houses a large 'mob' of rams and ram lambs - you can just sense that, 'my work here is done', as they munch their way through Spring and Summer, before the return to work in November (or there abouts). At the moment, any modelling seems a long way off. Have large stacks of packing boxes I cannot really open at the moment (including all my modelling reference books and file system). Problem I have, is that I need to clear some space, by getting rid of a lot of (especially, bulky) stuff that I brought with me, which is difficult under the present restrictions. Going to need some extensive book-casing from somewhere as well (I ditched the hotch-potch of various units/shelving I had accumulated at my previous address), but I need to find time to sit down and plan it all. Still, its not like we don't all have a great deal more time on our hands these days (LOL) As for a railway modelling subject - I am a 'confused' modeler at the moment. No doubt about it, the property I am in now, has less space for such things than I would have liked (so I will need to scale-back what I had hoped to do). Maybe that isn't such a bad thing (given that, at soon to be 63 yo, time is not exactly infinite). Definitely want to do a Welsh subject (whether in 'OO' or 'O') but I think it may well be more of a 'Cameo', than a full-blown affair. Probably also need to sell-off a bit of stuff I have acquired over the years, once I know what it is I am going to do. Manchester & Milford? I am more of a Taff Vale or Rhymney man myself; or 1980's NCB in South Wales; or possibly narrow gauge; and what about all that US 'HO' stuff I bought? - see what I mean about being 'confused'? Steve

Unless lambing 'on the hill', farmers will try and have the ewes close by (on the 'in bye') in fields near the main farm (for convenience and these fields tend to be the better ones, in terms of grass and drainage). Once they've lambed and are doing well, they will be moved on to fresh pasture, kept free of grazers, to take advantage of the first flush of Spring growth (and allow the 'in bye' fields to recover). I am regularly getting out for a 'morning constitutional', from my new home here in Mid-Wales and lambing is all but over - all are doing well, in what must be the best weather for lambing that most have probably seen in their lifetime. Lets hope that there is a viable market (and demand) for them, later in the year, after all their hard work.

Wow, now I feel jealous! Actually, when I saw the fabricated top feed you had made, my first thought was - ideal subject for 3D printing. On the other hand (apart from the necessary skill(s)), you would obviously have to be careful that all hot soldering was finished, if it was printed in plastic, rather than metal! Brilliant work though - always look forward to your latest posts. Steve

These pictures take me right back to 'the good old days' - when there used to be sunshine!! (LOL)

I agree with JimFin regarding the tonal variation. One other thing to consider, and that is the lighting under which the layout is likely to be seen (at an exhibition), as opposed to the lighting we/you are viewing it in your workshop. Probably 'nitpicking' and difficult to assess (or for you to recreate), but I thought I'd mention it anyway. Great job though. Would like to get to 'Ally Pally' this time (not been for about 4 years), but now I have 'decamped' to Mid-Wales (from Dorset) it feels a little less likely unfortunately. Steve

Maybe do something with 'QR Codes' as well? Needless to say, I have no idea how it is done or the, no doubt, large amount of work involved. Just a suggestion.

Thanks guys ('valleymodeller' and 'Ed-farms') for the info and advice. Not sure exactly what I will be doing (or expected to do) that weekend yet, but we will see. Turns out (unbeknownst to me), that we are going to see Wales vs The Baa-Baas the weekend after that, so my weekend 'freetime' might well be curtailed (LOL). Thanks again though.

Came across a flyer for this event, at the recent Cardiff Model Railway Show. Does anyone have any information about what is actually going to be at this show, because the Museum's website just says, 'Come to our annual exhibition celebrating all things trains! There are model displays and trade stands on two floors of the Museum'. Have been unable to track down anything more. Having retired now to Mid-Wales (Rhayader), I am venturing out to as many model railway venues as I can (Swansea, Cardiff so far, with Welshpool on tomorrow). Pontypridd would be an easy drive (closer even, than Cardiff), but I am loath to go that far 'on spec'. Anyone been to a previous event or can point me to some detailed info? The event is at the Museum (Bridge St, Pontypridd CF37 4PE) on Sat 23rd Nov (10:00 - 16:30) and Sun 24th 10:00 - 16:00) . Adults £2 Children/Seniors £1. Regards

Really enjoying your progress on this one. Are you sure about using masking tape for the roof? Experience of adhesive tapes of all sorts here in the UK these days (and especially masking tape), is that I would not trust it to stick to itself, let alone stay stuck to a model for very long. Who's tape are you using?

Wow! Great photo. But never mind the loco, just look at the brickwork involved in the gable end of that (North Light?) roof behind!