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Sam '43003' Tanner

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  1. Sam '43003' Tanner
    I think I may be back in the 2010 Challenge.
     
    "The Mall" is too far gone in my head. The concept is a good one and has proven popular, but the trackplan is lacking some interest and the operation as with a modern terminus, albeit space saving, is undeniably dull. So, been having a doodle..
     
    The plan's are the same, except for scale:
     
    4mm, 4' x 1' (48" x 12")

     
    7mm, 8' x 2' (96" x 24")

     
    The intial concept is that of a small terminus on a short estate Light Railway, linking the private residence with a mainline connection. Stock is rundown, locomotives are in need of some serious attention, the permanant way is overgrown and the buildings are in a shabby condition. Operation's are mixed formations, comprising a Loco + 4-wheel coach + a wagon or 2. Trackwork for the simplicity of it all, is Peco (Code 75 + Code 124). Not my personal preference, but I need something running to keep my morale up.
     
    I have in my head how I feel this should all look which I will sort out in due course.
     
    Essentially the basic's then, seeing as I'm tired and in need of some sleep. I'm tempted with the 7mm version, being "chunkier", as well as being an exercise to prove to the infinate number of modellers who insist that you need a barn extension to model in the scale, that you actually don't, but I have a spare 48" x 12" board in my room, so the 4mm version could provide a platform to prove the layout's concept, then maybe upgrade to 7mm afterwards.
     
    Thoughts and comment's are always appreciated, the usual T&C's obviously applying.
  2. Sam '43003' Tanner
    Morning all,
     
    So, I'm blogging. Let's see how this turn out.
     
    As the title suggest's, I'm on the plain of indecision. I get so many idea's that I feel swamped, then I decide on one, get to the point of starting something, then change my plans again. Permit me to elaborate..
     
    I have "The Mall" in the pipeline for the 2010 Challenge..
     
    "The Mall"
     
    Now, this has kind of stalled due to a constant lack of funding and time. I may as well just admit defeat with the project and get it off my mind.
     
    On the plus side of things, with the recent 2mm release's from the likes of Dapol and the apparent ease of use with EasiTrack, 'N' gauge is definatly a route I'm considering. This plan based on a combination of St. Margarets and Rye House on the Hertford East branch is definatly one I keep looking at..
     

     
    The layout is 12' x 1'6" (144" x 18"), of which 7' (84") is scenic. What I'm not sure on, is where to set the layout. One thought that keeps popping up is the Cumbrian Coast, between Barrow and Sellafield, giving me the excuse to run a range of DMU Classes and a few 'Nuke' workings. Other than that, my fancy takes me to East Anglia, the South West and the South East. If anyone would fancy picking one for me, I'll gladly oblige. B)
     
    Then, of course, there's my interest in Narrow Gauge, 2' gauge in particular. This is represented by 7mm stock running on 14mm gauge track, known as 0-14 or 0n2. A major supplier is KB Scale I have a spare board laying about in my room, 37" x 15" iirc, and this could form the basis for a trial in 0-14 using a simple 'fork' layout, such as the North Pole Railway This simple layout would be fun to operate. A loader at the rear would load a few hoppers with sand/gravel/coal, the loco would then drag the hoppers to the spur at front left and propel them into the siding to be tipped into a waiting truck. To break things up a bit, a line of tree's would run between the siding and rear trackwork.
    An alternative is this little layout, an idea from Ian Holmes.
     

     
    The whole layout is 16" at it's widest and 10" at it's deepest. The trackplan is drawn using 0-14 templates, available from KB Scale as a .pdf file
     
    So that's pretty much the extent of my toils in the hobby. Hardly nothing compared to what some modeller's seem to go through, but enough to grind on my doo-dah's!
     
    If you've got this far: Congratulations! If you have any thought's or comments, as always, don't hesitate to leave something. Let me know what you think regarding which direction I should be taking.
     
    ttfn,
    Sam.
  3. Sam '43003' Tanner
    Morning all,
     
    Firstly, I must change this blasted song in my ears! Ahhh, Free - Wishing Well. Thats better. :)B)
     
    Anyway, I'm starting to wonder if someone high above my position in this life is playing silly thingys with me. I finally have the hours at work to get the money and crack on with my 2010 Challenge plans, but I've had an invite for Embranchment Particulier to the 28th Annual Festival of Model Railways & Hobbies in Southend towards the tail end of November. This is good news, don't get me wrong, but EP needs a serious dust down and stock needs to be purchased and fitted with Kadee's. I could theoretically still have a bash at the 2010 Challenge layout, but don't expect much if I do. This is EP:
     

     

     
    But back to the challenge. I've been having a little play around with the plan again. I do like the minimalistic feel to the first that I posted, but I do like the flow of this recent idea:
     

     
    Following Neil Rushby's blog and seeing a small glimpse of his Avalon Tramway, I've become even more engrossed with the smaller, obscure railways. As you can see by the plan, it utilises a pair of space saving Wye turnouts and a large radius right hand turnout. The run-round is complete offstage, a thought that I'll consider later. Total size on the plan is 48" x 14", but I may increase the depth to 18" to provide some foreground interest, maybe a beach scene à la the Selsey Tramway.
     
    As I said before, I have to focus on EP so this may not happen, but any feedback would be more than appreciated either way. I do like the plan though so I may end up giving this one a bash, for the challenge or not. If it's for the latter, then I may ramp it up to EM or P4.
     
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