Jan 2016 issue

[rue_d_etropal]

Suppose I better start this thread again.

Another excellent issue. I think RM and CM have big advantage by using mainly contributor articles, rather than inhouse ones. Boths mags do do inhouse ones if needed, but this approach results in a good variety of articles. Of course there are always going to be those who don't like some articles, but then they can always write their own and send them in.

Nice to see Portpyn again after so many years. It inspired some of my efforts, in particular the use of Fleischmann 25cm radius curves with a slightly increased gauge to improved running.

The free Metcalfe kit attached showed that it is not necessary to put plastic wrapping around magazines. Although I am not a fan of printed card kits these days, I found it very useful as a basis for a 3D printed version. Took rough measurements off the kit, just to get a feel for size. I plan to do some variations on the basic design with different ground floors and various different floors which can be mixed and matched. I can then also do different scales, from N up to G1 possibly.

The Metcalfe kit will find a home, probably as part of a backscene, where lack of 3D effect is less obvious. I also tend to find toning down colour also helps. This is something I have done with printed backscenes, to create a smoggy effect, common for the period I am modelling.

[Isambard Kingdom Brunel]

I didnt get the free Metcalfe Model, but, am not worried as it doesnt fit in with my Model.

 

I really enjoyed this Magazine, In fact I am still enjoying it.

 

Llanfair Goods Shed looks really good, I am modelling llanfyllin, so admire his version of the station. Millanford , a beatiful GWR Layout

 

Always fancied making a Narrow Gauge Layout, and PortPyn seems to have the ideal Track Plan, I am sure that could be turnd into a continuous run, with the fiddle yard on one end instaad of the usual back of the layout.

 

I am thinking a Station in the foreground with the track then making its way 180 degrees through some streets to appear along the back at a wharf.

[ELTEL]

Another advertising for rue_d_etropal

[cp409067]

.....

 

Always fancied making a Narrow Gauge Layout, and PortPyn seems to have the ideal Track Plan, I am sure that could be turnd into a continuous run, with the fiddle yard on one end instaad of the usual back of the layout.

 

I am thinking a Station in the foreground with the track then making its way 180 degrees through some streets to appear along the back at a wharf.

 

*

 

I am delighted that "Portpyn" is found to be so inspiring.

 

May I ask in what scale and gauge the resulting layout might be built?

 

 

 

CP

[Nearholmer]

CP

 

I've been a quiet fan of your work since it first "hit the exhibitions", and well remember Portpyn first being shown at St Albans - in fact, it gave me a nasty shock to read how long ago that was! I recall you showing a mining-themed layout in the foyer there one year, too.

 

So, thank you, Sir, for some jolly good stuff.

 

Kevin

 

(Coincidentally, of the same surname)

[cp409067]

*

 

Kevin

 

 

It is very kind of you to comment in this manner - thank you.

 

Over the years two of the things that have encouraged me to keep building layouts are the opportunities to publish articles and appear at exhibitions.

 

The St Albans event has a very special place in my affections for the following reasons.

 

[1]      I started exhibiting at small and specialist narrow gauge events in 1990. Over a couple years I did seven of them.

 

[2]      In 1994 I took the newly completed "Portpyn" to Narrow Gauge South at Sparsholt. There I met David Crossley the exhibition manager of St Albans and he persuaded me to exhibit the following January.

 

[3]      That was very much the beginning of my career on the exhibition circuit for it led to a number of other invitations, which in turn led to others.

 

[4]      Next year at St Albans will be my 16th time and 203rd exhibition. Over the years all my layouts have appeared there, many of them as work in progress as well as when finished. There was even a showing of the layout that got away - it was in construction at the time and has never since been completed. Perhaps one day I will return to that project. There have also been a number of demonstration stands. In short I am much in debt to David Crossley for his initial and ongoing confidence in my work.

 

*****

 

As has been noted elsewhere -

 

http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/105803-st-albans-model-railway-exhibition-1617-january-2016/

 

- 2016 will be the last time the annual CMRA exhibition is held at St Albans for in 2017 it moves to a new venue in Stevenage. For those of us who have participated at St Albans so many times, the venue has come to have a significance like a friendly old garment. That said I hope, wish, and expect the move to Stevenage to be a success.

 

 

 

CP

 

[Isambard Kingdom Brunel]

I am currently building a 4mm GWR Model of Llanfyllin in P4 Gauge, but, think I would like to build an 009 model. However as I get older it may more interesting to build it to a larger scale, 0-165 or On30.

I've still got a long way to go with my 4mm layout, s it may never happen - But - You never know

[rue_d_etropal]

I was at RAMMA exhibition with Christopher back in 2013. I was therefore pleased to see that he was still exhibition some of his older models as I know that when you look back on earlier models you sometimes feel they are not quite as good as your latest. Having said that, I can see nothing wrong with fine detail on Portpyn. An important part of the way Christopher built the layout, and others, was to use standard mechanisms , not some fancy expensive kit. When there is a problem, it is easy to 'plug in' a new chassis, although the cheap suppl of chassis has dwindled since Barry Marsh(Modelspares) retired from the spares business.

 

As for comment about me advertising, I have not mentioned anything about commercial side, deliberately. Many of the modellers here do probably do something commercial, even if it is just building kits, professionally for other people. Without people doing this, then many of the quality layout we see, would not be around. I am just talking about what I am doing. I enjoy the challenge of designing for 3D printing, and if that helps others then that is even better. Many here seem to think the hobby is some sort of 'closed shop' where you either buy r2r models from big companies(and happily give then free publicity)  or build everything yourself(scratch build or complex kit built). I used to run(or try to) the old model shop that Barry Marsh had originated set up, but sold on( it was a second set of owners when I was there), and I probably have a better knowledge of how that side of our hobby runs than most people. I just ish some would properly support the hobby, and those who are actually putting something into it to keep it going, than to be negative and knock everything. I know from experience that that actually does more harm and more often than not puts people off .

[ELTEL]

I was at RAMMA exhibition with Christopher back in 2013. I was therefore pleased to see that he was still exhibition some of his older models as I know that when you look back on earlier models you sometimes feel they are not quite as good as your latest. Having said that, I can see nothing wrong with fine detail on Portpyn. An important part of the way Christopher built the layout, and others, was to use standard mechanisms , not some fancy expensive kit. When there is a problem, it is easy to 'plug in' a new chassis, although the cheap suppl of chassis has dwindled since Barry Marsh(Modelspares) retired from the spares business.

 

As for comment about me advertising, I have not mentioned anything about commercial side, deliberately. Many of the modellers here do probably do something commercial, even if it is just building kits, professionally for other people. Without people doing this, then many of the quality layout we see, would not be around. I am just talking about what I am doing. I enjoy the challenge of designing for 3D printing, and if that helps others then that is even better. Many here seem to think the hobby is some sort of 'closed shop' where you either buy r2r models from big companies(and happily give then free publicity)  or build everything yourself(scratch build or complex kit built). I used to run(or try to) the old model shop that Barry Marsh had originated set up, but sold on( it was a second set of owners when I was there), and I probably have a better knowledge of how that side of our hobby runs than most people. I just ish some would properly support the hobby, and those who are actually putting something into it to keep it going, than to be negative and knock everything. I know from experience that that actually does more harm and more often than not puts people off .

More Waffle

[Linners]

I loved Port Pyn, and I was pleased to see it again. There were so many areas of inspiration that were triggered by Christopher's modelling articles appearing in the RM magazine - scratch building the Hunslet  style loco prompted me to have a go, my first attempt at building anything from scratch in Plasticard. The compact nature of the layout inspired me to build a compact (Narrow gauge) layout, and it introduced me to narrow gauge railway modeling, something that I continue to dabble with to this day. I was also fascinated by the "Puffer" prompting me to read more about them and actually have a go at building the Caldercraft RC kit - they still remain one of the most fascinating type of commercial sea going vessels for me! Many Thanks Chris, I feel that I owe you a great deal of thanks and gratitude for helping me to find my way through the railway modelling maze, and it's lovely to see that Port Pyn is still going!

[grahame]

Many here seem to think the hobby is some sort of 'closed shop' where you either buy r2r models from big companies(and happily give then free publicity)  or build everything yourself(scratch build or complex kit built).

 

 

Hmmm, somehow I doubt it is as polarised or as simple as that - it's certainly not in my experience.

 

Personally I'd credit most people with more sophistication than that.

 

G.

[cp409067]

*

 

Linners

 

Thank you for your very kind remarks about "Portpyn". To be told that one's work is liked is very satisfying. But to hear that one has inspired and encouraged others in their modelling is the ultimate compliment. Thank you.

 

 

CP

[Barry Ten]

I thought there was a particularly excellent and informative letter from the chap talking about his double-deck layouts.

[Nearholmer]

The double-deck thing is very interesting, and there seem to be some good layouts around based on the idea.

 

However, some of what is proposed in RM confuses me a bit, because I can't, for the life of me, work out how the outer spiral tracks will be accessible to deal with the inevitable, with the layouts in a room-setting.

 

K

[JimF51]

Eltel, your posts seem nothing more that trite negatives to build your post count up.

 

Why not take the time to explain your comments?

 

Just sayin'..

 

Jim F

[Bruce Depot]

Looking forward to my copy arriving, thought the December edition a bit boring so hopefully this one will be

back on form!

[dajt]

I bought this one rather than just borrowing from the library. I haven't bought RM in years. Good to see they're still putting some good issues out.

[Dan Griffin]

could someone possible post a screen shot of the article on how to modify the metclaf kit to a two storey building please? thanks in advance