bcnPete

Nice work! Big fan of mock ups myself prior to starting as it helps flush out any problems which are cheaper to correct in card than timber! Would be inclined to agree that proportion wise you could increase the proscenium arch a little 👍🏼

Very sorry to hear this - remember Ray always being helpful and friendly at shows. My condolences to the family.

Many thanks Andrew…I agree (am back on a 2FS one now 😉)

Yes this is still a problem in the senior scale! But moreso when you are standing at the Fiddle yard end looking back. I decided that this was a small compromise to make though and some people at the show didn’t notice it was a mirror until it was pointed out!

Many thanks for your kind comments Mikkel. As I was explaining to visitors at the weekend, the mirror was introduced to give a hint at the length of the building as they are so long I could probably have modelled another board of it however I didn’t think that would particularly add anything to the layout…hence the mirror gag! I did want to capture a slice of the different treatments to the openings along it’s length as I thought that would provide some visual interest. Many thanks also Hal Nail - I think I have that photo too showing the BV special! The layout started as a 7mm toe dip using one loco…I now have accumulated about 9 so I best hold off on the 03! Many thanks also Halvarras - TBH I was quite enjoying just running the layout with the 08. The sound gives a micro layout a little something else and I was only too happy to get the 37 out of the box! Would love to bing it to Camborne so I could actually visit the branch myself although I think the van hire is the sticking point. Many thanks Rab - Indeed, Rule 1 was administered at the weekend! Many thanks also Rob, Being an Architect, the Less is More approach is something I subscribe too in my day job! Very kind of you to say so and I appreciated being located alongside yourself exhibiting the fabulous Ewe layout which is very inspirational.

I would just like to echo my thanks to Adrian and the whole UMRC team for hosting a fabulous exhibition and looking after us so well. So nice to have help both unloading and loading the van and checking in on us for drinks throughout the day including any cover required. A great Saturday night social too including my first attendance at the famous pub quiz prepped by Adrian. Food was great all weekend although now it’s back on soup and salad to offset the puds from the indulgence over the 2 days. It was my show debut for Wenford Dries and overall I was pleased how it ran and I received some very nice comments both days. I have updated my RMWeb blog if of interest rather than take up too much real estate on this thread. Thank you to all that helped out and to my neighbour Rob (with the fabulous Ewe layout) for our chats and banter throughout the duration. Finally, great to see friends and make new ones at the show. Thank you, Pete

Afternoon all, Been quiet here of late as I tried to get Wenford Dries ready for it’s debut at the (always) excellent Uckfield MRC 2 day show. Detail had been added including handrails to some of the bays (yep they were pretty twisted bits of metal sagging in places) signage to the doors (not a typo, that is what the sign said for Lorries 🙄) moss to roofs, some shunters ( huge thanks to Mark B 46444) for painting these Modelu figures, the additional shed lean to and finally some white to the buildings and track areas. Also, presentation included a ply track plan showing area modelled, iPad installation showing prototype photos of area modelled and fire retardant black drapes to the front…although they are not as opaque as I would have liked, looking like something from an Ann Summers catalogue 😳 Trust me when I say I had not applied any white to the model until about 3pm, two hours prior to leaving to set up Friday evening 🫣 I had been putting it off and finally tried Talc (didn’t take to card/plastic) White weathering powder (again didn’t adhere) so resorted to good old fashioned dry brushing with white acrylic paint. Was hoping to not overcook it and just give the flavour. Set up the layout Friday night and did a quick test run. Next morning all was ready for the 10am kick off. My thanks to Andy Stroud (Oldshaw, Blueball Summit) for making the trip to help out and give some lunch cover. Likewise to the UMRC member who also did so on Sunday (sorry, we never swapped names!) The layout ran smoothly and I have to say the only real problems encountered we’re getting used to 3 link couplings. Some work first time, some take twenty attempts! I received some very nice comments all weekend and hopefully it demonstrated that a small but interesting 7mm micro can be undertaken. The 08 did most of the weekend as per the prototype however the 37 did stretch it’s legs a few times and pulled over a few extra people who heard the unmistakable sound of a tractor! A very enjoyable weekend and thanks to Adrian and his team who looked after us so well. A few pics of the layout… There was talk of a possible show invite to Camborne although I understand train’s don’t stop there 😅 A very enjoyable weekend and I do like the big stuff! As always, comments welcome… Pete

Many thanks for your kind comments Jackie. Glad you had a good turnout - it seemed busy throughout the whole day. Hopefully some new recruits to the hobby! Will report back on the 7mm…

Thanks for your kind comments Mikkel. I will do a blog post for Wenford on Friday after set up! Many thanks Mark - Kylie in the flesh is a different forum I think 🤭 There were a few Karate kid moments - Glasses on, Glasses off 😂 7mm in Kyle will only start when I have the space for it…really do need to find a home where I can put a shipping container in the garden as a modelling den… Many thanks also LBRJ! Blimey, not sure I can live up to that comparison 😳 But as you know with my layouts I do like to consider presentation as a whole. Infact I had some interesting discussions on this topic at the show with a theatre designer and also some graphic designers…

Evening all, Kyle was invited to the one day St Neots show yesterday. Jackie and I had been trying to find a date when there were no clashes after a few email exchanges and 2023 was when the planets aligned! Set up the layout Friday night to test run and very glad I did as two roads in the FY were dead - turned out to be dry joints after some detective work. Soldering iron administered with the England footie game on in the background 🫣 Once sorted, car loaded that night for a 06:00am start. Good trip and arrived just after set up doors open time. Staff were on hand to manage deliveries and even helped me unload which was very kind. Layout behaved itself most of the day…aside from a few multi tasking incidents of talking to the audience once driving trains 😵‍💫 😅 Some nice conversations with people and received some very nice comments on the layout - a lot regarding the size…thought it would be bigger than this! That’s testament to Chris Nevard’s photography 👌🏼 A big thanks to Mark Branson (46444) for driving down from Leeds to lend a hand. Was able to grab lunch, comfort breaks and quick look around the show. Mark quickly grasped how to run the layout although questioned his varifocal glasses on any future 2mm projects Thanks again to the St Neot’s team for their hospitality, including helping me load the car and tell me where EV charging points were located. Show closed at 16:30pm, loaded and on the road 25 minutes later and home around 7pm - A very enjoyable day out. Attached is a pic I took of the layout with my camera phone that I was pleased with as well as the guest operator in action! Right, 7mm mode now as I try to complete works on Wenford Dries as it makes it’s show debut at Uckfield next weekend… Thanks, Pete

Many thanks Adrian!

Another nice output from the MB workbench Mark 👌 Thanks for the tip off re the CLR’s…describes the scones as fat rascals on the side of the box 😳

First time at the show for me but know the venue as have exhibited there when it was Wycrail - easy to get to from London and no problem parking. Fabulous selection of layouts with high quality modelling. Nice to have chats with various people I bumped in to. Many thanks to all those who organised the show. Look forward to the next one, even though I model in 2FS and 7mm!

Was hoping to see something Scottish and blue in the background...😁

Can’t help with the kettle info am afraid Mark but nice work all the same. Will it get the Branson weathered look or does your friend want it as is? PS: is that a LT Pannier in the background? 😳

Only just stumbled across this Mikkel! Any progress on your turn to the dark side? 😜 No turning back after 7mm…

Fabulous and entertaining (as always) read Mikkel. Thanks for sharing 👍🏼

Smashing stuff Andy - keep em coming! 😀

Excellent work as ever Mark - can't believe this has all come together in about 3 weeks 😳 Cracking set of photos as well - lighting and colour blends looks spot on. Good luck with the show - hope you have that can of Lynx packed in the modelling box 🫢 Look forward to the show debrief...and to hear about your next layout plans.

That looks absolutely fabulous Mark 👌🏼 Backscene works well as muted (as it should) and the overall presentation looks great with the name too. A cracking example of what can be achieved in less then a month (albeit I think you said you built one of the buildings offsite beforehand?) Look forward to see the pics when the lighting is installed and I hope the show goes well 👍🏼

Fabulous progress Mark and another gem from the Branson collection. Look forward to see it once that backscene’s in place 👌

I see that finally a clay tiger is available in 2mm scale 😄 This may be the catalyst to fire up this project again as it has been on the back burner the last few years whilst I dabble in the senior scale 😳

Watching with interest David. I too remember Ian”s Lochside (still have the article!) and how it was finally something I could relate to in the Railway Modeller mag. I look forward to see how you breathe new life into it and see it on your inspirational layout 👍

This is already looking a nice project Mark and one to follow 👍🏼 Can't beat a Lack shelf - what's the overall scenic section when you subtract 2 x FY's? I believe you have a imminent deadline on this so it will be a great example of what can be built in a very short space of time. Watching with interest...

Great to see the layout at DEMU and have a quick chat - very inspirational and demonstrates 7mm in a relatively small space is achievable 👍🏼