hlfritz

John, Thank you very much.

John, Thank you for the advice. Do you actively model UK railroads?

Thank you all. Will take all into consideration. I do like the Peco code 55 (pseudo) and have been considering it for a US layout as well, but I know it does not look like prototypical US rail. But I still might just use it even if I do a US based layout. The Atlas code 55 looks pretty good, but there is the issue with larger flanged wheels, the flex is a bit more difficult to get to stay in place, and I just despise the ends on the set track and switches. Something about those squares just sets me off; I guess that is my model railroad pet peeve. David, Thx. for that link to BRMNA, I did not know they existed and have not run across them.

Thx. much to the two of you. I believe I would want a post-grouping period in the 20's. I will check out Isle of Wight as well; for now it probably does not matter where I place it as it will be a smallish switching layout, hopefully with a return loop at each end for some continuous running. I imagine I will be semi-freelancing the actual layout. Also the idea of the independent isle has crossed my mind a few times as well. Any thoughts on Kato Unitrack? I am torn between ease of setup/changes vs appearance. As far as manufacturers of rolling stock, how does Graham Farish rate? I am not sure if they are comparable to Bachmann Spectrum (I believe Graham Farish is by Bachmann) and that has a good reputation here in the US now.

Hello all, very new here, somewhat new to model railroading. i found this site via a search for Isle of Sodor model railroads and ran across Tom's thread and the good work he is doing. i find it very intriguing, and have thought about a more realistic Isle of Sodor (or portion of it) layout several times. To be clear, not the Thomas show with the faces and all, but i am interested in modeling the rolling stock and environment as they might/would/were in reality. along those lines i have a few questions if you all might entertain them and provide information, opinions, etc. please keep in mind the N gauge context. 1. does anyone know if there are US outlets for UK rolling stock, especially of the 1920's or so? i really like steam and am not that interested in the more modern periods. what about specific rolling stock for this idea? is RTR readily available in N? or at least close for some minor kit bashing (i just do not have the available time for scratch building or extensive modifying - and in general I am ok with close enough stand ins - not a rivet counter). 2. the same questions for track, but i think that is more accessible via Kato (i know Japanese but still 1:150 which is awful close to 1:148) or Peco, both of which seem to be fairly accessible here in the US. 3. an opinion question: would it be horrible to use Kato Unitrack? i do want to follow T-TRAK standards (I could potentially modify this to suit my needs and I do not intend to go to shows/meets) but have been considering using Peco code 55 instead of Kato as the standard calls for. I would like to be able to take the layout down, move it, etc. Kato seems fairly easy. i know this is really up to me, but i would like to solicit opinions with starting a brawl. 4. perhaps i am biting off more than i can chew for a first N gauge layout in selecting UK equipment? i do know a lot more about US equipment, but i also see it as a learning opportunity. any opinions that I should perhaps stick to US rolling stock, etc. this time around? i may think of more questions, i thank any and all for entertaining me. Helmut

Hello all. I stumbled upon this thread today from the internets as I was researching a bit on a model railway based upon the Isle of Sodor background. I find this very interesting and have a few times considered such a model railway (I read somewhere that if an idea keeps coming back it is probably worthwhile doing). I am new to model railroading (and rmweb - i do occasionally participate at freerails) although I do have a G scale outdoors start to a layout, am a technologist (my G scale loco's are wireless controlled with android app via JMRI and Stanton S-Cab bits all functionally cobbled together by myself), and want to start a N scale switching type layout indoors. I am not sure if the RWS would be a good background as I am across the pond as we say, from the US of A. Hence a few questions if you all might entertain them, but should I start a new thread somewhere so as not to pollute this? EDIT: thank you all, i have started a new thread over in Modelling Questions, Help and Tips.