Ross34

Whatever you have or if you know of any shop or UK supplier. Thanks in advance.

I've seen LLS at a number of north west shows and primarily my admiration is for the discipline needed to build something conistently of a high standard on that scale. As to it being a layout I'd stop and watch for while - well, no I wouldn't. But...that doesn't just apply to LLS. And this is obviously were personal preferences become apparent. Generally, I'm not a fan of very large layouts. I'm not sure where that boundary between "large" and "very large" is exactly but I just know that the majority of the latter don't hold my attention for long. In fact quite a few of the grand affairs that seem to get referred to as "must see" end up with me shrugging my shoulders in ambivalence....despite the fact they are obviously built by highly skilled modellers. (I wont name them ..unless your curious...the layouts, not the modellers!) I think the main ingredient missing on these opuses(?) at least from my standpoint is atmosphere...and to a certain extent, presentation. I also think smaller layouts are slightly harder to make atmospehric, retain operational interest and look convincing. Maybe thats why layouts built by people like Chris Nevard or Iain Rice (for example) are popular? Wouldn't do if we were all the same I guess..

Hi Jim I model South Australian Railways (1980s) in HO scale based in the UK. I did build a large-ish continuous run layout and it attended one show last year. Unfortunately due to a number of circumstances I (rather reluctantly it has to be said) scrapped it. Too big to put up at home was the deciding factor. So now I'm half way to completing a smaller switching type layout based around Port Pirie in South Australia. I'll start a layout thread when I get chance. To obtain stock I deal direct with various model shops in Adelaide and I've been fortunate to have been to Australia twice in the last 10 years so made sure I did plenty of shopping! Postage and import fees can unfortunately be expensive when buying from Australia though. (Thanks to HM Customs!!) Occasionally I'll pick up some stuff from eBay. There are some good forums in Australia similar to RMweb worth joining too. This is a great film about shunting at Darling Harbour in Sydney that fits in with the end of your time period - plenty of inspiration. Hope that helps.

You'll be looking for a buyer then??

I'm still a bit wary of using acrylic in my airbrush but I found the Com-Art range to be very good. https://airbrushes.com/product_info.php?products_id=20811&osCsid=9bv15t1mrfdk1g0lnu90r75rg0

Really...is that possible? Your fuel bill must be huge! If I go to an exhibition in winter to avoid being cold ..I err, take a coat. Having said that, maybe cloakroom facilities at exhibitions is an idea?. Unless they do I've not noticed?

I'm lucky enough to have travelled on the IP in each direction (Adelaide - Perth. Perth - Adelaide)..but a few years apart. The first time, hauled by a couple of Commonwealth Railways GM's, it stopped quite a few times meaning you got to stretch your legs a bit - second time (in 2009) it was Kalgoorlie and Cook, oh & Port Augusta in the middle of the night for a crew change. It stops in Kalgoorlie long enough to allow a midnight bus tour of the town - highly recommended. Cook is for a shorter while - interesting but the place is all but a ghost town now. My dad rode the old 3' 6" gauge Ghan from Adelaide to Alice Springs - http://www.australiaforeveryone.com.au/nt/search-old-ghan.htm - its was a real adventure! Its a shame it had to go in a way. Some of the old carriages where wonderfully decorated and quite a few railway towns effectively disappeared overnight when it closed. Another great train was "The Overland" (Adelaide - Melbourne) - http://www.railpictures.net/photo/264258/ - often with a couple of beautiful maroon and silver 930s up front. Hearing them climb the Adelaide hills is a great memory. It still runs but its a shadow of its former glory. The east coast had "The Southern Aurora" (Sydney - Melbourne) - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_Aurora - being an Adelaide resident I never had reason to use it - it sadly stopped running in 1986.

As an avid chess player I used to look forward to the BBC Master Game programmes .. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Master_Game It was really ground breaking TV at the time and in fairness actually turned chess into an interesting spectator sport (no really..it did).... Channel 4 also covered the Kasparov - Short World Championship match in 1993 with male/female commentator combo (Daniel King & Cathy Forbes) and it worked quite well. So if chess can be turned into good telly, I'm sure railway modelling should be a doddle...

I don't model UK but how about The North London Group team responsible for Heckmondwike?... a bit of a mould breaker that one. But now I'm reminded of Geoff Williams. Also as somebody has already mentioned.. Alan Wright. And.. is there room for Ross Pochin, Tom Harland & Richard Chown?

'ow do mate.. What layouts are appearing this year? BTW.. the phone no. is my dads, not Steve Jones (Is dad still secretary?... I cant keep up!)

Same here Spikey.. double action maybe a bit trickier at the beginning but I find they are much more controllable.

Just curious but is it a single or double action?... and what are you using for air? Oh and if you haven't already - fit a moisture trap. I have a double action Iwata Neo which I'm still getting used too .. I must admit setting up & cleaning down is a bit of a faff but the effects possible with an airbrush make it worth it. One last tip . I use my brush in a garden shed which at this time of year can get a bit nippy - I noticed letting the paint (and airbrush to a certain degree) get a bit too cold had an effect on performance - flow, mixing of the paint, and drying etc..

I've been doing some experiments with my new airbrush recently and weathered some of my rolling stock. I like quite subtle effects - I often think weathering can be over done at times. I've used washes followed by light dusting with the airbrush and rust effects using sponges and weathering powders.

The backscene is on the "to-do" list Bob.. I'd like a Haskell Backscene but obtaining one in the UK is proving trick. I might try Brunel Hobbies. Thanks for the tip about Ralphs book.

Hopefully I'll be there this weekend - its not a bad trip by train from Newton-le-Willows and get off at Deansgate..at least I think it is..have to check. Having said that me n the missus have fallen victim to some horrible flu bug hovering around Leigh & Wigan - normally I can battle through 'em but this one is a monster..but with a bit of luck well be ok for weekend. Manchester is a special show for me - first taken there by my dad, I remember hanging on the barrier for what seemed like hours watching Alan Wrights "Cheviotdale" (1977) and thinking ...."one day" (Its always been my favourite & I've often thought about recreating it with more modern techniques) Another layout that left a lifelong impression was Richard Chowns "Rackrent" - what a masterpiece!

Me and the missus are agnostic so don't "do Xmas" at all.. no tree, no presents, no cards, no giant turkey, not even telly, oh and certainly no shopping (not with the sales 2 weeks away - I aint that dumb).. oh no hugging, kissing and wishing everybody a Happy Yuletide or whatever the current correct PC phrase is now....these very same people I might add who wouldn't spit on you if you were on fire come February. I'll have a nice meal with friends on Xmas day - cause I like a nice meal and we'll spend some time with my old fella who isn't very well ATM - but I'll probably do that a few times before 25th Dec. I'm happy to see the back of the 21st of Dec then it starts getting lighter - and most importantly to me signals the start of the gardening year. And of course then comes the 31st - where its become basically a "who can spend the most on pryrotechnics contest" because to have a damp squib of a fireworks display just wouldn't do now would it...oh no.Sad acts..all because the date changes - oh well, roll on Easter when I can pay over the odds for chocolate - cause its egg shaped!

I'm really lucky - the missus has no real interest in trains but will support me in any way she can. She recently helped me set up, operate and packup my layout at a recent local show. She used to accompany me and my dad to shows quite a lot before entrance prices rose above a fiver and could appreciate a nice layout (her method was to form an opinion without trains being present)but equally would let it be known if something on display wasn't, in her opinion,up to scratch - subtle she aint. Having said all that she still tells me I'm a "sad act" for watching model railway Youtube videos - I think she's kidding tho.. When I'm not playing trains I play chess on Chess.com a lot (my avatar is a clue)- and she thinks this is actually quite cool - go figure!! ... I'll never figure out women!

I don't mind sound - anything that adds to the atmos must be good I suppose. But.. it is way too expensive IMO and the sound of steam doesn't have the impact in model form that diesel has. Also, and this where sound fitted locos sort of fall down is that they highlight "what isn't there" .. wheel noise on rails, doors slamming, voices, road traffic sounds, weather and environmental noise (rain, wind, streams and rivers, livestock or animal calls etc)... I'm sure there are many other incidental noise sources that spring to mind. For me a stationary diesel loco ticking over (which is what most often springs to my mind when I think of sound) doesn't seem to be fulfilling the potential sound has. The Americans have extras like the shunting and grade crossing bell noises but little else that I can recall. I guess what I'm saying is that to make sound appear realistic you need to go the "whole hog"... include all the other sounds I've mentioned above with the inclusion of layout lighting effects that simulate day and night (plus building and street lighting)- the layout almost needs to be like a theatre production. Kind of thing I'm thinking of.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rw8VMLLlH4

I was going to say "why should railway modelling be a competitive activity" but other modelling genres definitely do compete in many categories - a visit to the plastic model show in Telford will confirm that (and worth attending ) The "issue" with railway modelling as a sport is that unlike plastic modelling (for example) there are no universally accepted categories or standards - and there would need to be very many and equally as many "qualified" judges. Also any meaningful accolade would only be presented on an annual basis. Getting an award at an exhibition is quite a pleasant experience I guess and there is certainly no harm in it (unless it "really" matters to you) but honestly doesn't mean much IMHO - there a too many variables and like it or not is subject to peer pressure and (more often than it should) whether your face fits or if you belong to the right "gang"

Well, how about "Basingstoke in the early 70s" - at least that still tells me I'm not going to see steam. Or "Basingstoke around 1970" then it perhaps justifies the odd aging steam - just. IMHO 20 years is too big a gap to create a convincing model ( a good layout isn't just about the loco or the stock). Personally, I don't want to see an exhibition layout with a big time span that allows that much variety of stock - it smacks of being a bit "train-setty"... but hey each to his own. To be perfectly honest I'm not sure why D + E needs to be given a label at all; the first mainline diesel was when? 1948 with 10,000-10,001 - that's almost 70 years!.

I think that sums it up. Why not just use the year? for example - Wigan 1980, 4mm scale. .. or Wigan 1880, 7mm scale. The former tells me I'm likely to see diesel or electric traction - the latter steam (obviously). A layout labelled "Wigan 1960" tells me I'm likely to see a mix of diesel and steam traction. (again, perhaps rather obviously) If you are unaware of what traction ran when I'd suggest generally you wouldn't be that bothered either way. But giving a layout a year tells me more than just what's hauling the trains - building design, road transport, signage, the fashions of the day (a detail often so overlooked its criminal).. plus the many small details that give a layout a sense of place.

What did you think of them as an airline? I'm contemplating a trip to Adelaide next year and worked out Royal Brunei can get me there via Darwin (then Qantas to Adelaide - or The Ghan!)

Stopped using 'em years go as sometimes it wasn't the nozzle but the top of the can that bunged up. There is whole host of hobby spray paint available now. I get a surprising amount from Wilikinsons - great for basic colours (white, black, brown etc)

At exhibitions - lack of layout lighting. I always wonder why somebody spends hours making a great layout then when they show it I can barely see it - especially as I've paid to. Actually I get a bee in my bonnet generally about the standard of layout presentation - its a vitally important bit that often gets neglected (which if I'm being truthful, I have been guilty of myself?!?) Off the top my head - a layout I think is excellently presented is Diesels in the Duchy.