south_tyne

Good to see track down already, you're motoring ahead! It's the reason I love micro layouts, as just 20 minutes work or so and you can see progress. Small manageable tasks that aren't overwhelming. I find this really useful as I don't get too anxious. Being 'demountable' is a really interesting concept - so the 'base' will theoretically be able to support a number of different layouts? How will the scene be attached to the base?

Exactly. This is a fellow human being we are talking about. I know anything regarding money can provide a lot of anguish but ultimately these are toy trains. Steve's well-being is the crucial thing at the moment. Everything else will come out in the wash in due course.

Thanks for that explanation Mike. Those buildings really are superb!

Bill, Fantastic to see that you have started a layout thread and that you have made a good start. What an ingenious and resourceful baseboard! I do tend to think we massively over-engineer things at time, making layouts heavy and unwieldy. However you have shown this doesn't have to be the case and with a little lateral thinking here are alternatives to the traditional methods. The low-cost is another great benefit!! Looking forward to following your progress. Keep up the good work! David

I am pleased if my comments have helped, even if only in a very small way. It is a cliche, but it definitely is good to share if we feel we can. If you said to me 12 months ago that I would write so starkly in a public environment, on a model railway forum at that, I would have thought it was April Fool's Day. However, my recent experiences have done more to convince me that we shouldn't be embarrassed, we shouldn't bottle things up and we should be open to talking. I actually find the process quite theraputic. I find that just as much (if not more so) with he written word as I do verbally. I also find the support and encouragement offered here, from folk I have never met and am probably unlikely to do so, of great help. There are so many who suffer but always know you are not alone Bill. I am really pleased that you have started a layout topic. I will swing by there for a peruse! Take care, David

I agree with that. Most importantly, fingers-crossed for Steve's recovery following treatment and that there are brighter days ahead personally for him in the future. It is a sad way to end, particularly after such a positive and successful start for LLCo through the Class 15. I am no businessman and certainly not any kind of financial expert, but from the standpoint of a total layperson, the offer to give the company away seems a very generous thing to do. Unfortunately, I just doubt there is anyone out there who can afford to plough the kind of investment talked of above into the company in order to rescue it. As a result, whilst I hope to be proved wrong, I think it is unlikely that either the Ruston or class 22 will ever come to fruition. Sad times for everybody involved.

Pete, Interesting memories there..... The rose-tinted glow of nostalgia! I am from Tyneside but most of my family is in Norfolk and Suffolk! I had a spell living and working down in Ipswich, which I loved. I am very fond of your part of the world, having spent many happy times staying with family in Beck Row, within sight of RAF Mildenhall! So I'm sat in the North East pining for East Anglia! Anyway, enough of my waffle and back to railways...... I really look forward to seeing what you do. Thanks for sharing, David

Bill, I am sorry to hear that you have had a difficult time recently and hope things improve. Your post has certainly encouraged me, someone who is in a very similar position with regard to health issues. With my particular physical health issue, I am trying to take the positives - I am being treated and looked after, even if there are restrictive implications for the rest of my life. Hopefully you will be able to feel similarly in due course. You are right, making models can be a great release and therapy. I too have gone did the micro layout route and have found that competing small tasks and realising short-term goals, in short bursts, is really good for my mood and mental health. It is great for the confidence too, helping you recognise that you can do things. We don't have to give in to anxiety. If you feel it would be beneficial, please share some details or photos of your layout project. I for one would be interested to see what you're doing! Take care, David

I suppose it is just a 12 month a year game now. I like a bit of a break over the summer and absolutely love my cricket, so I've been glued to the World Cup on TMS over the last 6 weeks or so. However football is always there, rumbling on in the background over the off-season. However, as you highlight, if you really want a break there are plenty of other sporting spectacles to enjoy at the moment. Well yesterday I took the plunge again and renewed my season ticket. Should be an exciting season ahead, in spite of our enforced relegation...... Haway the Super Heed Army!!!

Cheers Phil. Actually that sounds really interesting. I don't mind a bit of electronic work. I'm no expert but it might be an interesting challenge and learning experience. Cheers Nigel. That is certainly another option. I'll look into what is out there.

Interesting idea! Not great but it may be of limited help? Won't be long until I am back up there, so can take some better photos next time if you need them.

Thanks Colin. I knew NIR had mk2s but hadn't realised they were second hand rather than being built new. I think I know the answer to this, but just to confirm, am I right in thinking that the NIR 'multis' based on the Sprinter were purchased new? I'm sorry for asking what probably come across as extremely basic and simple questions, I'm just very sketchy on my NIR knowledge when compared to what I know and have read about CIE/IE.

Another cracking and hugely impressive building there Tim. Your techniques really are superb and so effective. I'm going to give your brickwork method a go on a couple of (far smaller) industrial buildings I have just commenced working on. Love the coopers too! Very nicely finished, they look the business

Thanks that is interesting. Yo be honest, given this is such a small layout, anything north of your lower figure would probably be a no go. Having said that, the intention is to make a 'proper' layout in due course if this is successful, so longevity is an issue. Bearing in mind the current cost of the project is zero, as it has been out together entirely from recycled materials and bits and pieces I had accumulated over the years, I might need a rethink. Cheers for that advice. I must admit I am a complete DCC novice and have probably been quite naive in looking at this. It may be worth a rethink as I say. Hmm, I have a number of things to consider.

I have always said bull-eyed but probably have been saying it wrongly all these years!

Sorry for coming to the party late but this is an interesting proposal and fascinating discussion. Pardon my ignorance, but, in modern times, is there any precedent of IE importing stock from the UK and re-gauging for use on the Irish network?

I am hoping to make it down, tying in with a visit to the NYMR. Particualrly looking forward to seeing Pawson's Pickles, a layout I have long admired on here and have drawn great inspiration from in my embryonic 7mm scale journey. Good to see Croft Depot will be on tour again.... always good to see those reprobates!

Johnster, I am very sorry to hear you are having a low spell. I fully understand how something like this can trigger a relapse. Even things that can seem fairly insignificant from the outside can have a major impact on our mood and self-confidence. Although not comparable to your experience, a very minor thing yesterday, which most people wouldn't have even noticed, had a huge impact on my self-esteem. As a result I had a real setback after what had been a fairly good spell. All I can say is that this low period and those associated feelings will pass. Even as a fellow suffer of metal health issues, I would never be so condescending to glibly suggest that 'I understand'; putting it simply, each individual is different and suffers and copes in a different way. None of us can fully appreciate what is going on in someone else's head, even those that are close to us. However what I will say is just to hang in there. Try to find something that is a distraction, even if it is a minor task or interest, to offer a displacement technique. As you highlight above, reading can definitely help. It certainly works for me sometimes, although at the worst times I cannot concentrate enough to take things in as my mind is racing and the anxiety can be crippling. Another thing I do is to go out walking - I particularly like to do this early on a morning, around 5am, when the world is a more peaceful and very quiet place. By the time I get back, the world is just starting to work up but I feel as though i have already achieved something positive for the day. That really helps to clear my head, albeit often only temporarily. Critically, remember to keep sharing here and keep contributing to our online community. There are great benefits to be gained from socialising, even if it is just online in this manner. Personally, it certainly helps me to realise I am not alone. My own struggles are certainly not unique and together we can help each other climb out the other side. Hopefully you will be able to find some comfort or support here. Hang in there Johnster, it will get better

Thank you to each of you for the very helpful responses offered. It's been suggested it would be useful for a bit more context...... to be honest I am new to DCC. I was a 4mm scale modeller but sold up my entire collection. I have since 'gone 0 gauge' but only have the one locomotive and a handful of wagons. Until now I have not had anwhere to run my DCC sound fitted loco, just running it on friends layouts when I have had the opportunity, so have no control unit of my own. However, I have just started a tiny micro-layout and therefore would need something to operate it! It's just a diorama really for shuffling a few wagons. Having read the above, the option seems to be a basic unit, such as the Bachmann one for around £100, or paying more for a more fancy system, but one which would have longevity and could be added to. Now the former would do for this micro-layout but I am planning a (relatively) larger shunting layout in due course, if this current test project proves to be successful. My uncle is a big fan of the Lenz system, so I have been exposed to that, but apart from helping in operating his layout at shows, I am a complete novice. It's a conundrum...... of course, for the purpose of a micro-layout and with only have the one engine, I could just revert to simple DC control and look at DCC options in future, when my plans and collection are more extensive. It might not be worth the expense investing so heavily for the sake of one loco and this tiny layout. Thanks again to all who have contributed.

Nah.... I was just trying to put an optimistic spin on things. He's just a self-publicising megalomaniac! (I hear he speaks highly of me too! ) Oh, but keep your hands off Mike Williamson.... you can't have him! The way they're going there will be no one left!!

No need for thanks Rob, whilst we may start off modeling for our own enjoyment, the work of others can have a big impact in the wider community. That is equally so whether it is at an exhibition or through an online forum such as this. Osney, The Shed and Bude Quay (I think that is the right name?) have all been wonderful inspiration to me personally over the years and have been a big influence in me finally taking the plunge and going down the 7mm scale path. The atmosphere and character you create through your small projects is top draw - it's the care that goes into the creation of the overall picture that I most admire. I know what you will do next will have that similar impact. Keep up the good work. David

Allardyce!?! Allardyce!?! Allardyce!?! Honestly sometime I think Ashley is just playing with the Newcastle fans and wants to sour the relationship even further (I didn't think that was possible!). Is he purposely antagonising them? The Big Sam experience was a disaster first time round and the dynamic never worked. Thankfully the talks didn't really get off the ground as he didn't want to go back. Second coming? He is definitely not the messiah that the fans crave for......... Brucey is now the favourite. I really like Steve, he's a good manager with a proven track record, a Geordie boy and, so in most circumstances, he would be the perfect fit for the Toon job. However, I just worry that he will be stepping into a poisonous atmosphere, without any support from the club management and hierarchy. I would also be concerned that if there is a miracle and the club is sold that new owners would want to bring in their own man. His heart might rule his head though, which ultimately is understandable as it is his dream job. Right man, wrong timing? Then again, is the timing ever right at St James. Anyway, the saga continues. I feel for the Newcastle fans though and offer hands across the water from the Super Heed Army

Love it! As Melmerby says, no expense spared mind.... first class travel! Did you have to book a seat for the layout too!?!

I am very much of this mindset too. Love the variety offered by micro-layouts and if it all goes wrong then very little is lost too. I am intrigued to hear you haved travelled to exhibitions on the train, taking the layout with you, it's always something I have wanted to do!

Yes an impossible dilemma. Such ideas can be daunting as well as aspirational. I am in the opposite camp at the moment, having completely sold up and changed scale, I now have one loco and about a dozen wagons! Having pared right back, I'm much happier with my lot now to be honest.