[I have a cunning plan]

Looks good David. I like it.

 

It kind of looks like a vertically flipped Addiscombe. B)

[Further drawings from the note book...]

Thanks Sam. Probably something similar to the S4 Society armchair modellers challenge - though perhaps a touch longer and a shade narrower (so around 600mm long, 400mm deep - but more like 650mm x 300mm).

 

Unless my tape measure's decided to play some trick on me, that's an impressively small layout.

[Further drawings from the note book...]

I like James, I like.

 

It's simple, it's achievable, it's industrial. I do like the concept drawings. Wish I had the artistic skill to try one for "The Estate".

 

Apologise if you've already covered this, but what are the general dimensions you have in mind?

[Cold crisp mornings on Paxton Road]

Good 'cop' there, James. Still eluding me..!

[2010 Challenge]

If you are going for a light railway there is a lot to be said for 7mm. Light railways often had small locos some 0-4-0ts. The extra size and weight helps with these small locos. If trains are short space is not such as problemand there is plenty of opportunity for details.

 

DonW

 

 

Thanks Don. The train's are most certainly short, so it would be a good basis to jump to 7mm. I've been eyeing up the Connisseur Models Starter Loco Maybe not prototypical, but a perfect kit for a first attempt at 7mm and kit building. It's the small details I like and the gauge would also be a nice atempt at this, what with everything being that bit more obvious.

[2010 Challenge]

It sounds like fun and the idea of a 4mm 'prover' might be quite a nice one... imagine exhibiting them both back to back!

 

What locomotive are you planning? You could also get away with a Heljan railcar when they're ready

I'd recommend trying C&L OO bull head flexitrack through, or you can use something like Fast-track bases and Code 75 bull head rail from the P4 track company (they do OO bases too)... this will give it the real 'light railway' theme that I don't think code 75 will - as the bull head rail has that characteristic 'air' between the ballast and the rail. You can still use the points through for ease and hide with clever ballasting and vegetation.

 

I'm wondering about switching projects myself! Gah indecision.

 

That thought of operating them together sound's appealing. Definatly one I will be looking into.

 

I was planning just some basic 0-4-0 loco's, more than likely a tatty old Manning Wardle or something. The W&M Railcar from Heljan will definatly be on the list however. B) Thanks for the tip's on track. I suppose that I should go for the bullhead option, as you say, giving a better 'Light Railway' feel. The option is that if I'm going with the bullhead track, I'd prefer to do the same for the turnout's, but I'll cross that barrier when I get to it.

 

[How many of us feel like this..?]

I can fully share your dilemma , having at one point found myself actively pursuing 4 layouts (and that's ignoring the stalled light rail project , the half forgotten ambitions for Ravenser Mk2, and the bits of modern N I started acquiring)

 

But with one exception, all of them were 4mm/OO (provided you ignore the large padded envelope stuffed full of 3mm wagon kits)

 

At least there was scope for me to reuse stock originally intended for one project on another project.

 

I think the first step may be to try and sort out which scale you want to commit to. You've mentioned 3 scales above: N , 4mm, and 7mm. Once you choose one scale, you're likely to find you stick in it for most or all future projects

 

A useful second way of approaching this may be - what models/stock/materials do you already have? Using what's on hand is a cheaper and faster way of getting somewhere than starting completely from scratch in a scale, with absolutely nothing, not even a sheet of brickpaper

 

A further suggesting is do do some rigourous scoring and analysis as a way of clarifying your thoughts and choices. The Americans like to do this, and I found it very helpful when deciding what to attempt for the last challenge. Draw up a list of things you want out of a layout , and a list of constraints (cash, space, skills, trade support etc), and probably a list of other factors like stock/materials on hand . Score each possible project against each category , say on a scale of 0-3 (0= doesn't do this at all, 3= perfect fit)

 

 

Add up the scores for each project , and you should get a feel for which one is going to suit you most. If you have any other ideas you've toyed with , even if abandoned, score those too.

 

Hope this helps

 

Most useful. I like the scoring system. I'll get a-writing. :)B)

[How many of us feel like this..?]

Start one - whichever takes your fancy... as you progress you'll end up starting the others too - it's not necessarily about finishing them in any order. I've got two on the go with a third waiting in the wings. The hardest thing is starting but once you do you wonder what the problem is!

 

So it's a case of booting myself in the backside, saying "Get on with it you tart..!", and get a move on..

[How many of us feel like this..?]

Hi Sam. "The plain of indecision" - nice way of putting it!

 

I guess we all know what you mean. I don't know about you, but in my case it helps if I give up on the idea of making the perfect, now-and-forever choice, and instead simply say "OK, I'll build that layout first, then later on I'll build the other one, and then later still I'll build the third one".

 

That way, it doesn't really matter which one you choose as the first, and it's not so terrible if it fails, because you know you'll get around to the others eventually. It also allows time to let the other layout ideas mature at the back of your mind, including possibly discarding them eventually.

 

Personally I'd go for the simplest, quickest build as the first of these layouts, just to get something running. If you're experienced in kit-building, I guess that would mean the NG layout - if not, then a simple N gauge solution maybe?

 

Some sound advice. Very much appreciated Mikkel. I've no experience with kit-building. I'd be in a better frame of mind to try it if the loco kit's were of whitemetal or resin construction, but seeing as they're brass, I'll hold that one for now. B)