john flann

Andy, I agree the practicalities of operating even single handed are very important. If we are to spend enjoyable time at it we need to be comfortable. As to ripping things up I have no problems with that. It's no good glossing over things that aren't right for they remain at the back of one's mind as a constant irritation. Get them fixed as soon as you can. You have a goer, Go!

Andy, that light from under the canal bridge is very effective. It brings the scene to life nicely.

Well thought out Andy and you will make it work. You've firmly stuck to your concept and another "Buckingham" enters the field. As that old saying goes, time spent in preparation is rarely wasted. it will be interesting to see how it goes and I wish you well with the build.

Martyn, just listened to and watched your musical interlude. Thank you. I can't say I'm particularly keen on either the Fen country or RVW's music. But I'm sure for those who do so it must be evocative.

No John, you are not alone in flitting from one job to another. Actually I think being able to do so is one of the joys of the hobby. it is a hobby not a production line. On the other hand when I have some ballasting and rail painting to do I get stuck into it so as to get it over and done with. As to temperatures, I stick to Fahrenheit, here its been consistently well over 90F and into the 100's through July and looks to continue into August. Working outside, or even sitting in the shade is impossible during the middle of the day. I rely on air conditioning to provide comfortable indoor conditions.

Hoping Andy, you don't mind.

Andy, it's not for me to preach and I do sympathize. If it's not right it will annoy you for evermore. But as you know on Port Bredy I used polyurethane and had none of these problems, in fact you commended me on my results It's never too late to have another go with a new approach,.

All this negative criticism and comment leaves me cold. And, yes irritated too! Having been modelling for a long time I can recall when I was well satisfied with a Dean cobbled together from a Triang 3F with an Airfix City of Truro. tender. I'll probably be criticized for this attitude but all I ever attempt is a representation of a railway-and I think my Hintock thread shows I do that quite well-and if the Dean looks "right" in my eyes and runs well I shall be content. In fact I do have an Oxford one in the less ornate GWR livery, on order.

John, a touch of nostalgia there too for me concerning the Southport-Liverpool (Lime street) trains, in the 1950's when i was working in the Liverpool District Estate Surveyors Office (in Lime Street chambers) after a business visit to Southport I would when I could, use that service to return to the office. Once reaching the environs of Liverpool it was a much more interesting run around the back side into Lime Street rather than the straightforward run into Exchange on the electrified service. You tell a good tale and your Granby has a glorious fascination about it. Your locos look good too.

Alan, I never mind altering/improving/ripping up my layouts. Usually the next one is always better. Agree with you about size, that's not all it's more preferable to have it workable-and comfortable to operate. I think my current/future Port Bredy is about right. For me. Whatever, I have always enjoyed visiting Kingsbridge Regis and wish you well with the new build.

Andy, yes, dabbing is not the way to do it. And, as you have discovered. You need a flow. Glad that, so far, things are looking good.

Andy, I hope you do not mind me posting this.

Andy, I just pour my varnish and let it settle.One gets a nice depth that way. Of course, you have to ensure it can't leak out.

Andy, I put my trees in clumps along the back scene and there I'm never troubled by shadows. A look at any of my images will show that. In any event trees along the front get in the way. There I use clumped vegetation.

Andy, I think you are more likely to get an answer if you posed this question in the Help section. John.

Running trains is what it's all about Andy. And the better the running and ease of doing so makes it all that the more enjoyable. Whilst my Hintock is being worked on the joy of playing trains (trials) the fun can still be got.

John, Sorry to learn of your problem. All is well now it would appear. Good. May better health remain with you. And yes, I agree, the 14XX looks the part and that it runs satisfactorily is better still. Always a pleasure to see the latest news of Granby. It's an impressive layout. My regards,

AndyR, we all have to accept at times a quart won't go into a pint pot. Don't forget too PD filled his space and the way he did was because he had it. You don't. So may I suggest and assuming your prime objective is a terminal, you identify the key elements of PD's Buckingham station that you would wish to adopt . It would then be a question of what can be fitted in. Then would follow how best to use the remainder of your space available, and see what can be done with that.. It's likely you will finish up with a conventional U shaped layout. What's wrong with that? One further thing, as we get older a walk-in access is preferable-rather than having to crawl beneath a duck under. For some reference my Hintock is basically a L,10'x10' giving space in the middle to move around in.

Andy, that scene looks familiar. Work in progress is always chaotic with bits and pieces all over the place. I can put up with it for so long and then I have a tidy up and a lot of stuff goes in the bin!

Andy, I've been out, and driving back home I was reminded of an immediate though that had first struck me on seeing your plan but I forgotten about was this:when working the station area I would feel penned in by the staging yard. What's left is triangular and not I suggest a comfortable space. At my Hintock and even more so at Port Bredy I have unimpeded access along and to the whole of the scenic area(s) as well as the staging yards. I can move along readily and loo step back. You don't appear to have that facility. I think PB had more space in his railway room and was able to site his rotating staging yard in the centre of it. Even there I think it must have been a nuisance.

Andy, i have had another look at your plan and my only direct comment is that within the station area the only loop I can see is short. It looks possible to lengthen it and that I would suggest. As I understand it, you want to use Peter Denny's ideas, have seen Tony Gee's recreation of Buckingham (twice), given thought to what was available to you, and made a plan. What else can follow other than you build it? What works, will. What doesn't you can fix. Make a start and enjoy the build. Keeping us members posted, please. I'm pretty sure Peter didn't get there in one go. I doubt if you will either. It's not that I doubt your abilities but what looks good on paper, as in life, doesn't necessarily work in practice. My regards,

Andy, looks good. I'm sure that in working any improvements that suggest themselves could be made and the inevitable snags that arise will be sorted out satisfactorily. The turntable I accept because Peter Denny used one and you have thought it through, but still retain that nagging feeling about the concept Whatever, you now have a plan, enjoy the build and interim running..

Snap Martyn, those Wills bits make up nicely don't they.

Caddy, my Hintock/Port Bredy layouts are operated to a sequence where like your timetable running reliability is a prerequisite. The M7's as you say are that and I'm very satisfied. In fact I'm relieved the 02 is off my hands.

And in a further attempt to get this thread back on topic.... ...a colour image of my last post of the S&DR at Port Bredy in 1937.