Andrew Duncan

Thanks John thats really helpful. Andrew

Hello John Maybe I've not been concentrating enough, but I don't immediately see where the new track you've just installed fits into the plan? Is the new area at a higher level than the surroundings and is it at the back of the layout (admittedly it looks like its an island...jealous of you space!). And actually I've been meaning to ask you if you'd post a current plan of the whole layout, so that I can get a real sense of where everything is. And sorry the last question, i noticed youve plumbed for copper paxolin for the point work, was that for speed, boredom with threading tiny bits of plastic onto lengths of steel....? Kind regards Andrew

Hello John What a mammoth undertaking, and now its really beginning to look like a station, very exciting! What is going on down at the front of the layout at the lower level, and what are the rectangles of 2mm MDF(?) with a circle of the same and a screw through the centre, for? Sorry if I've missed the reason before. Incidentally I'm hoping to start building the odd signal for Yeovil in the nearish future and so start to use your natty bases! Kind regards Andrew

Of course silly me, had to be something out of the ordinary!

Hello John That is VERY impressive and I'd have thought way beyond the call of duty on a layout of this size. I see that you are using one of your favourite mediums for the paving , laser cut MDF, one or two mill thick? And the thought of cutting them all for each location rather boggles my mind , but you really have produced a beautiful result. To avoid the back breaking part have you considered making the platforms removable (at least at a construction stage) so that you can sit in comfort at the kitchen table, glass of wine in one hand scalpel in tother ? As to signals I fear not. I was making pretty good progress at the beginning of the lock down as i was working not much more than half days. But we are gradually returning to something like normal now at work and this has eaten into my modelling time. On top of that I've decided that I cant put off constructing the the trackwork that passes under the station (out of sight) that leads to the fiddle yard and this is complicated by gradients , clearances etc etc, so signalling has had to take a back seat for the moment. As soon as I make even a little progress there I'll let you know. Thoroughly enjoying watching your progress Kind regards Andrew

Lovely work John, what are your plans for the platform surfaces? Kind regards Andrew

Hello John Love your videos and latest photos and am very much looking forward to see scenery and building springing up all over the place! And I'm glad you mentioned the rail cleaning on the inside of the rails. I discovered eventually, the hard way, with Yeovil Mk 1 that this needed doing otherwise very intermittent running was the result. In the end I used a piece of brass shaped roughly to the top profile of the rail to do the job, which worked quite well. I've yet to use one of your signal bases / towers in anger, but will let you know as soon as I do. I have made a lot of progress of late though so the signalling moment may arrive sooner then I expected, and that will be a turn up for the books! All courtesy of a virus. I hope your keeping sane and healthy. Kind regards Andrew

Hello Shellshock This looks like an interesting build and I’m intrigued that your going to put lighting in it as well, I’ll be interested to see how you do this. I’ve got a Wills 1854 pannier which has a coreless motor in it with a Zimo sound decoder. I seem to recall I had some trouble to begin with but with some help, on this forum, from Nigel Cliffe I manage to get it going well. Good luck with this build, I’ll be watching with great interest. kind regards Andrew

Ok I won’t hold you to it ! Well done on getting the best layout at the show by the way. Well deserved ! Kind regards Andrew

Hello Dave Very good to meet you today, I enjoyed our chat and was very impressed by the look of the the layout, the detail, very convincing colours and it’s smooth operation all of which was a real joy to see. Even the runaway wagons which I thought was deliberate, until you “ spoiled it “. I’ll look forward to “the other side” of the bridge coming into being shortly! Railway modelling at its best and I think the most convincing layout at the show. Kind regards Andrew

Hello Yes thanks for the reply, I have read right the way through Steve's essay on signal building and your right a very good and educative read it it is. Kind regards Andrew

Hello John, IMG_1123.jpg IMG_1124.jpg Experiments with smaller digital servos for signal operation I've been following you post with great interest and am very impressed with how much you've achieved in the six or so years since you started. I am building an as yet fairly embryonic model of Yeovil Pen Mill (GWR) set in 1922 and have been thinking of how to construct my signals. I want them to be unpluggable from the baseboard and to be able to set them up (with Servos) away from the layout so that they're ready to go when plugged in...no fiddling under the baseboard if I can avoid it! I've posted my progress on the Templot forum under track building if its of interest? Having just seen your images of the servos held in laser cut MDF(?) made we wonder if you are thinking of making these frames available commercially as they look just what Ive been looking for. Like you I've just come across some very small and rather neat miniature digital servos which I think will fit the bill. Apologies for my cheek in asking and well done for achieving what you have so far, its very impressive! Kind regards Andrew