Graham T

Thanks for all the advice gents. Lots to think about! I will need to do plenty of research when I get onsite before I commit myself. @Nick C, do you have any idea how much the building expands and contracts by? I'm wondering about having the layout free-standing on adjustable legs. So it would fill most of the space up to the walls of the structure, but not actually be attached to them.

I've now had an offer accepted on a house back in Hereford. I did find a 30 x 16 foot garage for sale, with a house attached, but decided not to go for it... The one I'll be moving to - inshallah - has an 18 x 8 foot garage, which has distinct possibilities for the reincarnation of Chuffnell Regis, but also has a large garden with some hardstanding in it that might be a good site for a dedicated layout shed. Something like this would be rather nice, space (and funds) permitting. Recommendations for garden buildings that work well for layouts gratefully received! Phil, @Harlequin I'll be pestering you for ideas again before you know it!

That’s a nice touch. I’ll certainly be buying something from you once I’m settled back in the UK.

You are David Attenborough and I claim my £5!

That gave me a chuckle Mr W!

That might be more of a challenge, I suspect...

Really nice that you can get your kids involved Scott. And the groundwork looks good!

A shame to see this one go, and having just dismantled my own layout, I know how it feels! But looking forward to seeing the next one.

How long before @Neal Ball is asking for a Saint? 🙂

It’s better than the alternative though…

I'm also very tempted, but probably have (more than) enough on my plate at the moment...

This looks interesting. Maybe add a headshunt to the terminus, if you're going to operate some freight from there?

Great - thank you for the explanation.

And an Aberdare sounds interesting too...

Can I ask how you drilled your level crossing gates for the horizontal brass rods? There might be a very simple answer but I couldn't figure it out! Lovely modelling by the way 🙂

I’m also a big fan of Pressfix transfers, but do find adding tare and wagon numbers a bit of a challenge!

I've used etched ones from Light Railway Stores and 3D transfers from Railtec - both are excellent in my opinion!

Glad you have found my thread useful Rob 🙂 I can't overstress the value in planning everything very carefully, and spending a lot of time on getting the track-laying and wiring just right. A for three-links - to be honest I find them reasonably easy to manage on freight stock; using a magnetic link at the end of the coupling makes things far easier. I've found that they don't work so well for corridor coaches though, as I haven't been able to figure out a way of getting my coupler/uncoupler to them underneath the corridor connections. So I'm now using Hunt couplings for coaches, with a screw link only for coupling to the loco. I also think it's a really good idea to make mock-up buildings too, gives a good feel of how things will look, and helps you to plan, and with clearances and sight lines and so forth. By the way, I know a chap who could make some finished buildings for you if you like! 😀

Thanks very much John.

Thanks! From little acorns and all that ... Hopefully!

In other more positive news I'm pleased to say that I have my first customer for some buildings 🙂 I won't say who as that seems a tad unprofessional, but just in case they read this - thank you!

This is where Chuffnell Regis used to be. But I'm optimistic that I'll have made a start on Mk II before the summer!

Well done on the run Neal!

Thanks Clive, I think those are probably my favourites as well - but don’t tell anyone!

Danke sehr Herr Wulf!