Wright writes.....

[Tony Wright]

I have often thought about this, when will I get to the plateau? I would like to think I have not reached it but then I always want to do it better next time. When do people think the sweet spot is between age, ability , eyesight, etc.

please tell me it is after mid forties, but my eyesight is disagreeing with that.

Richard

I think you'll know, Richard, but you're taking your time (which is wise).

 

I reached my particular 'plateau' in the late-'70s, just after I turned 30. As I once said to my good friend, Bob Essery, 'I've never looked forward since'. 

 

 

 

Here are two A3s from that time. Both are built from Wills kits on scratch-built chassis, with Jamieson/Nu-Cast valve gear. 60048 has a Jamieson coal-rail tender. You, in fact, have another I built from the same sources, at much the same time. 

 

 

Here's my latest A3, now complete. I started it on Christmas Eve, spent Christmas Day and Boxing Day with the family, watched old B&W movies on the 27th, did a bit more on the 28th and yesterday, and completed it this afternoon. The bodywork is essentially the same as the 40-year old ones, but this one has an etched chassis. I part-substituted Comet motion for the SEF type supplied, because I think that the slidebar/crosshead assembly is easier, and quicker, to erect. 

 

Speaking of quicker, this latest one was much quicker to build than the earlier ones. In fact, it's taken me no more than 20 hours. The big difference is, of course, I'll have this painted by Geoff Haynes. I've never been entirely-satisfied with my own painting, and it's part of a barter as well - I've taken the photographs for Geoff's forthcoming book on painting and finishing models, to be published by Crowood Press. 

 

What does all the above prove? Well, firstly, that my work is as 'fine scale' as it'll ever be (though that's open to interpretation, and I certainly don't use the term as a boast) and that I definitely can build nothing better than 'layout locos'; nor wish to to be frank. What else? I certainly haven't slowed down yet, in fact I'm probably as fast at building locos as I've ever been - because of an impatient temperament. I could be that 'speed' is a consequence of my eyesight not being what it was, and I'm not now able to really see at really close-quarters how 'good', or 'bad' my constructions are these days. Thus, some less-than-acceptable work (than in the past) might get through. What I would say, though, is this new A3 goes like stink, on test whirled 14 heavy bogies round with ease and is nicely quiet, sweet and smooth-running. I haven't compromised on that. 

 

More than anything else, I hope 60111 is in the 'spirit' of this thread. Though I admit the painting will be farmed-out, it's been built by me and is not the result of a commission, and it's certainly a bit more than the product of just being able to open a box. I hope it, like much of the work of others on this thread, encourages folk to have a go for themselves. 

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

[Killybegs]

I am rapidly approaching 60 years of age but I still like to think that I am learning new tricks and developing my skills and techniques. I may not improve much on what I can do now but if I can stay at this level for a few years I will be happy.

 

I'm the same age as Tony. I don't think the quality of my work has fallen off but the quantity certainly has. Despite, in theory, having a lot more time on my hands, things seem to  take me an awful lot longer (unlike Tony)

[Clive Mortimore]

Surely the most important thing is that as an individual you are modelling to the highest standard your ability can obtain and gaining something positive from the experience.

 

I am so glad I model diesels in plastic and use 00 gauge......no one can accuse me of trying to be better than myself.

 

I just enjoy my modeling and my layout train set.

Edited January 1, 2019 by Clive Mortimore

[D.Platt]

Twenty hours Tony that’s some going, what tablets are we on

 

Dennis

[Lecorbusier]

Enjoyment is everything.

 

I find in other areas (sport for example) where ability has fallen off, enjoyment still remains. I will continue I suspect until I find the process no longer enjoyable. Pride in past achievements remains.

 

Having said that I am lucky ... being a mere 54 and also only 5 years into my model railway journey ... the learning curve is still steep with hopefully much improving left to do.

 

And then of course there is always playing trains 

[MikeTrice]

Tony, painting aside what would be the physical cost of the A3 build assuming all parts were bought in?

[nerron]

Tony, painting aside what would be the physical cost of the A3 build assuming all parts were bought in?

Sore eyes,tired hands and the odd soldering burn/blister?

[petrovich]

I think you'll know, Richard, but you're taking your time (which is wise).

 

I reached my particular 'plateau' in the late-'70s, just after I turned 30. As I once said to my good friend, Bob Essery, 'I've never looked forward since'. 

 

A3 60039 Wills.jpg

 

A3 60048 DONCASTER.jpg

 

Here are two A3s from that time. Both are built from Wills kits on scratch-built chassis, with Jamieson/Nu-Cast valve gear. 60048 has a Jamieson coal-rail tender. You, in fact, have another I built from the same sources, at much the same time. 

 

60111 12.jpg

 

Here's my latest A3, now complete. I started it on Christmas Eve, spent Christmas Day and Boxing Day with the family, watched old B&W movies on the 27th, did a bit more on the 28th and yesterday, and completed it this afternoon. The bodywork is essentially the same as the 40-year old ones, but this one has an etched chassis. I part-substituted Comet motion for the SEF type supplied, because I think that the slidebar/crosshead assembly is easier, and quicker, to erect. 

 

Speaking of quicker, this latest one was much quicker to build than the earlier ones. In fact, it's taken me no more than 20 hours. The big difference is, of course, I'll have this painted by Geoff Haynes. I've never been entirely-satisfied with my own painting, and it's part of a barter as well - I've taken the photographs for Geoff's forthcoming book on painting and finishing models, to be published by Crowood Press. 

 

What does all the above prove? Well, firstly, that my work is as 'fine scale' as it'll ever be (though that's open to interpretation, and I certainly don't use the term as a boast) and that I definitely can build nothing better than 'layout locos'; nor wish to to be frank. What else? I certainly haven't slowed down yet, in fact I'm probably as fast at building locos as I've ever been - because of an impatient temperament. I could be that 'speed' is a consequence of my eyesight not being what it was, and I'm not now able to really see at really close-quarters how 'good', or 'bad' my constructions are these days. Thus, some less-than-acceptable work (than in the past) might get through. What I would say, though, is this new A3 goes like stink, on test whirled 14 heavy bogies round with ease and is nicely quiet, sweet and smooth-running. I haven't compromised on that. 

 

More than anything else, I hope 60111 is in the 'spirit' of this thread. Though I admit the painting will be farmed-out, it's been built by me and is not the result of a commission, and it's certainly a bit more than the product of just being able to open a box. I hope it, like much of the work of others on this thread, encourages folk to have a go for themselves. 

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

Hi Tony

 

As I keep trying to say, but not very eloquently I admit, yours and others modelling work over the decades has not deteriorated in the slightest because you have all that experience to call on. I am lucky like Tim L in that although a decade older than him I am new to this journey so therefore I am trying to catch up in terms of learning from the masters on this thread. I am absolutely fighting at the door too spend some days of tutelage with the likes of yourself and others on here to learn the craft and get fresh ideas.

 

A prime example is this afternoon I have come in to cook dinner at 3.30pm rather than later (disturbing her ladyships Netflix routine) because I am finishing my baseboards and don't know wether to go round and round or end to end as per Buckingham style.

 

Don't have anyone to talk to who likes this subject, bit of a "Billy no mates" really   . Still onwards and upwards   .

 

Regards

 

Peter

Edited December 30, 2018 by petrovich

[Northmoor]

Finescale/Fine Scale cannot be quantified as all modellers have different skills and standards.

 

I used to think much the same of the terms Detailed/Super-detailed.  Looking back through old magazines today, some modellers seemed to consider the latter to mean "I've cut the tension-locks off".

Edited December 30, 2018 by Northmoor

[grahame]

some modellers seemed to consider the latter to mean "I've cut the tension-locks off".

 

. . . . but isn't that removing RTR detail rather than adding new detail as in 'detailing'. 

 

G

[Tony Wright]

Tony, painting aside what would be the physical cost of the A3 build assuming all parts were bought in?

An interesting question, Mike,

 

Now retired from full-time writing, model-making and photography, I don't really 'cost' my time out on a professional basis. In the past, my rates were £25.00 per hour for loco-building, plus the cost of any materials. Thus, even with my dodgy maths, that would be £500.00 for my time in the case of the A3. The cost of the kit is around £100.00, drivers now are near £7.00 each (Markits), maybe more, plus axles, crank pins, carrying wheels, say, £4.00 per axle and a DJH motor/gearbox over £60.00. Screw-link shackles, plus lost-wax items such as vacuum standpipes will add more, and then there are the 'plates. Professional painting would, obviously, not be cheap, so not far off £1,000.00 complete for the A3. If it were a DJH Pacific (which is more-complex to build because of its mix-media construction, though an exceptional kit), then, at least, a further £200.00 would be needed (I usually build a DJH Pacific in between 30 - 35 hours).  

 

Which raises an even more interesting question, at least to me. How, when there is an RTR equivalent, can over £1,000.00 be asked for a kit-built A3? What's a Hornby A3 cost - £150.00 - £200.00? There's no way one I built could be seen as over five/six-times better. Or, any better? So, what's the appeal, if at all? Fiscal considerations apart, I much prefer to make my own locos, anyway. I know the A3 in question will pull a lot more than a plastic equivalent, the gearbox arrangement won't fail and metal fatigue will not occur. How it works is entirely up/down to me, and not some far-away factory. Not only that, it's unique, which might count for something. I think one can own myriads of RTR locos (almost as a status symbol?), but that's it - they're possessions. They're much more than just possessions if you (the generic you) have personally altered/improved/detailed/renumbered/renamed/weathered them, otherwise they really are just possessions. 

 

At the Peterborough Show someone asked if I still would undertake commissions. I declined, though I asked him (out of interest) what he required. 'I want some RTR locos renumbered/renamed/detailed/weathered/etc' said he. I replied that, even if I were still a 'professional' model-maker, I didn't do that sort of stuff, suggesting he ask TMC. 'Oh no, they ask silly money' he said. I wonder what he'd have made of my rates! 

 

These days, I make models for mates, usually as barter for modelling work they do for me. As far as I'm concerned, it works. 

 

One final point; if a model is commissioned by a client, one hasn't a hope in Hell of recovering anything like the commissioned cost should it subsequently need to be sold-on, unless the model has a 'provenance'. I've seen too many, really well-built locos, go at auction for less than their component parts. 

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

[Tony Wright]

Twenty hours Tony that’s some going, what tablets are we on

 

Dennis

Dennis,

 

I think, at 72, I'm very lucky to be on no tablets of any kind, at all. 

 

I'm also very lucky in having the most understanding and wonderful wife, who accepts my disappearance into the workshop/layout room for hours and hours on end. I'm not hindered by modern man's domesticity, either. I use our kitchen as a thoroughfare, and I know it contains many large objects, some of which get hot while others get cold. Several make whirring noises as well, but the rest is a mystery. 

 

I have no dogs to walk, my sons are independent (not that I had much to do with them when they weren't) and my needs are quite simple. Aged relatives are no more (for the time being) and as long as I can retain my faculties and, most-importantly, my motivation, then I'll carry on making models, take pictures of them and write about them - there's another account of mine in the latest issue of BRM. 

 

Who needs tablets for that?

 

Regards,

 

Tony.

[MJI]

Some people even work out their hobby times and apply values to it.

 

They then work out if it is worth doing!!!!

 

IT IS A HOBBY!

 

I ONLY use this for car repair work, is it likely to cost more than I would get paid to overtime for same time. So something a specialist garage can do quickly but take me a day, I will farm it out and if money an issue overtime.

 

I model because I enjoy it, and enjoy seeing the end results.

[MikeTrice]

An interesting question, Mike,

 

Now retired from full-time writing, model-making and photography, I don't really 'cost' my time out on a professional basis. In the past, my rates were £25.00 per hour for loco-building, plus the cost of any materials. Thus, even with my dodgy maths, that would be £500.00 for my time in the case of the A3. The cost of the kit is around £100.00, drivers now are near £7.00 each (Markits), maybe more, plus axles, crank pins, carrying wheels, say, £4.00 per axle and a DJH motor/gearbox over £60.00. Screw-link shackles, plus lost-wax items such as vacuum standpipes will add more, and then there are the 'plates. Professional painting would, obviously, not be cheap, so not far off £1,000.00 complete for the A3. If it were a DJH Pacific (which is more-complex to build because of its mix-media construction, though an exceptional kit), then, at least, a further £200.00 would be needed (I usually build a DJH Pacific in between 30 - 35 hours).  

 

Which raises an even more interesting question, at least to me. How, when there is an RTR equivalent, can over £1,000.00 be asked for a kit-built A3? What's a Hornby A3 cost - £150.00 - £200.00? There's no way one I built could be seen as over five/six-times better. Or, any better? So, what's the appeal, if at all? Fiscal considerations apart, I much prefer to make my own locos, anyway. I know the A3 in question will pull a lot more than a plastic equivalent, the gearbox arrangement won't fail and metal fatigue will not occur. How it works is entirely up/down to me, and not some far-away factory. Not only that, it's unique, which might count for something. I think one can own myriads of RTR locos (almost as a status symbol?), but that's it - they're possessions. They're much more than just possessions if you (the generic you) have personally altered/improved/detailed/renumbered/renamed/weathered them, otherwise they really are just possessions. 

 

At the Peterborough Show someone asked if I still would undertake commissions. I declined, though I asked him (out of interest) what he required. 'I want some RTR locos renumbered/renamed/detailed/weathered/etc' said he. I replied that, even if I were still a 'professional' model-maker, I didn't do that sort of stuff, suggesting he ask TMC. 'Oh no, they ask silly money' he said. I wonder what he'd have made of my rates! 

 

These days, I make models for mates, usually as barter for modelling work they do for me. As far as I'm concerned, it works. 

 

One final point; if a model is commissioned by a client, one hasn't a hope in Hell of recovering anything like the commissioned cost should it subsequently need to be sold-on, unless the model has a 'provenance'. I've seen too many, really well-built locos, go at auction for less than their component parts. 

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

Thanks for the detailed reply. There was a time when I had a similar viewpoint to your own, however having reached (ok exceeded) retirement age I no longer have the same amount of disposable income and it does change one's viewpoint. The Dynamometer Car and Stirling Single are my last BIG purchases having ordered them when I was working. I have some kits put aside that were purchased when I was earning and I will tackle them when I am in the mood however I suspect the majority of my future modelling will involve scratchbuilding. I bought the Silhouette Cutter promising my wife that I would be able to save a lot of money by not needing to buy etched kits any more. Time is not really an issue for me (unless it runs out) but purchasing of components does make me think twice.

[MJI]

Dennis,

 

I think, at 72, I'm very lucky to be on no tablets of any kind, at all. 

 

I'm also very lucky in having the most understanding and wonderful wife, who accepts my disappearance into the workshop/layout room for hours and hours on end. I'm not hindered by modern man's domesticity, either. I use our kitchen as a thoroughfare, and I know it contains many large objects, some of which get hot while others get cold. Several make whirring noises as well, but the rest is a mystery. 

 

I have no dogs to walk, my sons are independent (not that I had much to do with them when they weren't) and my needs are quite simple. Aged relatives are no more (for the time being) and as long as I can retain my faculties and, most-importantly, my motivation, then I'll carry on making models, take pictures of them and write about them - there's another account of mine in the latest issue of BRM. 

 

Who needs tablets for that?

 

Regards,

 

Tony.

 

Kitchens

 

Spent this Christmas repairing the washing machine and repairing the floor.

 

I do know whats in it as I have to look after it.

 

My ideal time off is modelling, interspersed with shooting aliens in the face, not dismantling our washing machine!

 

Our children ask why our PC is hanging out of its case.

 

Because I fitted a water cooler (fan failed and it is so quiet) and that since I spend all day programming I don't want to spend leisure time on PCs, (not even alien shooting, so I get consoles from my TV and Video Camera manufacturers.), working on PCs to me is work and that to me means being paid to do it.

 

Look I have about 10 hobbies and I will pursue them, and some merge.

 

Sometimes I will look at real trains, sometimes model them, I enjoy travelling to new places and exploring, I love reading, I enjoy gaming, I take pictures and video, I even like working on my car when weather is nice and job is not too awkwards.

 

I find doing different things keeps things fresh and more enjoyable, some of my hobbies do get some flack, like why waste time on a TV shooting aliens when I could be watching soaps?  (My answer is why waste time watching soaps - usual reply from people is nothing else to do.)

[Lecorbusier]

Which raises an even more interesting question, at least to me. How, when there is an RTR equivalent, can over £1,000.00 be asked for a kit-built A3? What's a Hornby A3 cost - £150.00 - £200.00? There's no way one I built could be seen as over five/six-times better. Or, any better? So, what's the appeal, if at all? Fiscal considerations apart, I much prefer to make my own locos, anyway. 

Presumably the equation changes when modelling in gauges other than 00.

 

For EM you would presumably be looking at a new chassis and so also replacement motor, gearbox and wheels? ...for tender as well as loco. That being the case the £150 - £200 purchase would essentially be for the moulded plastic body?

 

Also ... presumably if you are seeking to model a specific loco there will be an element of adaptation to the said body?

 

It would be interesting to know what such a process might cost by comparison with a kit.

 

What would be the additional cost for the paint finish ..... presumably one could omit weathering as this would be required on the RTR body as well.

 

Of course if (rather than commissioning) you take pleasure in and have the skill to build things yourself ....such that the labour is irrelevant or an actual positive (it is in my case) kits are still an acceptable outlay - though as I have said before, my slow progress means that such outlay can be well spread out so that it becomes slightly less painful!.

[Northmoor]

I'm sorting through old magazines to dispose of, noting the articles I want to scan first.  Here's some post-Christmas nostalgia (or possibly not?) for you Tony.

 

Practical Model Railways, May 1985, "Fordley Park - The End of Operations", by one Tony Wright......  

 

I particularly like this quote: "A lot of modern proprietary motive power leaves a lot to be desired in terms of performance.  We have found it better to build our own mechanisms".

 

No change there then!

 

 

Rob

[t-b-g]

Hi Tony

 

As I keep trying to say, but not very eloquently I admit, yours and others modelling work over the decades has not deteriorated in the slightest because you have all that experience to call on. I am lucky like Tim L in that although a decade older than him I am new to this journey so therefore I am trying to catch up in terms of learning from the masters on this thread. I am absolutely fighting at the door too spend some days of tutelage with the likes of yourself and others on here to learn the craft and get fresh ideas.

 

A prime example is this afternoon I have come in to cook dinner at 3.30pm rather than later (disturbing her ladyships Netflix routine) because I am finishing my baseboards and don't know wether to go round and round or end to end as per Buckingham style.

 

Don't have anyone to talk to who likes this subject, bit of a "Billy no mates" really   . Still onwards and upwards   .

 

Regards

 

Peter

 

As the present custodian of the aforesaid "Buckingham" I would say that it all depends!

 

It is a good question and one that has taxed my brain for many a long hour of doodling layout plans.

 

There are really two schools of thought on layout design. If you like to sit "by the lineside" and watch the trains go by, then a continuous run is the way to go. If you enjoy shunting and marshalling trains, then a terminus gives you more opportunity. It is possible to combine the two and have a through station, perhaps a junction, where you can have trains running round a circuit plus an amount of shunting etc.

 

There were plenty of real places where plenty of activity took place at what was really a through station and there is no reason why that shouldn't apply to a fictitious location.

 

I enjoy operating Grandborough Junction on Buckingham very much indeed. The main lines go to another station or a fiddle yard but it would be just as good to operate if it was part of a continuous run as long as you don't just run trains round. there are the two branches to Leighton Buzzard and Verney Junction, the marshalling yard, the goods yard, plenty of trains that terminate there and there is much attaching and detaching of vehicles on through trains. So it really gives the best of all worlds as a layout to operate.

 

Very often, what makes a layout fun to operate is not the number of points, platforms and sidings but what you do with them.  

[petrovich]

As the present custodian of the aforesaid "Buckingham" I would say that it all depends!

 

It is a good question and one that has taxed my brain for many a long hour of doodling layout plans.

 

There are really two schools of thought on layout design. If you like to sit "by the lineside" and watch the trains go by, then a continuous run is the way to go. If you enjoy shunting and marshalling trains, then a terminus gives you more opportunity. It is possible to combine the two and have a through station, perhaps a junction, where you can have trains running round a circuit plus an amount of shunting etc.

 

There were plenty of real places where plenty of activity took place at what was really a through station and there is no reason why that shouldn't apply to a fictitious location.

 

I enjoy operating Grandborough Junction on Buckingham very much indeed. The main lines go to another station or a fiddle yard but it would be just as good to operate if it was part of a continuous run as long as you don't just run trains round. there are the two branches to Leighton Buzzard and Verney Junction, the marshalling yard, the goods yard, plenty of trains that terminate there and there is much attaching and detaching of vehicles on through trains. So it really gives the best of all worlds as a layout to operate.

 

Very often, what makes a layout fun to operate is not the number of points, platforms and sidings but what you do with them.  

Thank you t-b-g for the reply, after watching a DVD of some popular layouts this evening I am going to insert a 2ft x 2ft board across the entry area and at least have a couple of running lines plus the two terminuses. I now need to look up draw bridge construction or leave it as a crawl under. 

 

One day after some lessons I hope to get started on some locomotive builds and show the layout on here 

 

P.S. Approx what size is the Buckingham / Leighton Buzzard layout as it appears to be smaller than imagined in the images available, but then dependant on the photographer who took the pictures and his angle of view.

 

Regards

 

Peter

[DougN]

I find all of this cost benefit analysis rather like work! I would hate to think what my locos would be worth if I applied my hourly rate. As MJI states above we do this for enjoyment not as a form of work. If it was work would our enjoyment still be there?

 

Yes I enjoy my day job but the models and challenges I have set my self are there for enjoyment. I a wise person said it is the journey that is our enjoyment not the finish line, which joins the other comment I hear... your a long time dead! So I have collected a number of kits I am enjoying, in fact my current model is the recommencement of a finney A4 tender. I have spent about 2 hours battle with the brake gear! It is comming together. I guess I did add to the challenge by asking it to have removeable brake gear.(still working on that! )

 

So should I spend 2 hours working in the office on the construction program for a 44 apartment block or build the kit... both enjoyable in some senses but the finger burning fun of the soldering iron will win! I still have 2 weeks of holiday so it is nice to be able to choose what activities and order I can do things in!

[St Enodoc]

Don't have anyone to talk to who likes this subject, bit of a "Billy no mates" really   .

That's why our "virtual mates" here are so valuable.

[t-b-g]

Thank you t-b-g for the reply, after watching a DVD of some popular layouts this evening I am going to insert a 2ft x 2ft board across the entry area and at least have a couple of running lines plus the two terminuses. I now need to look up draw bridge construction or leave it as a crawl under. 

 

One day after some lessons I hope to get started on some locomotive builds and show the layout on here 

 

P.S. Approx what size is the Buckingham / Leighton Buzzard layout as it appears to be smaller than imagined in the images available, but then dependant on the photographer who took the pictures and his angle of view.

 

Regards

 

Peter

 

The total size of the whole layout is 17ft x 14ft give or take an inch or two. The main terminus could be copied in around 12ft x 8ft in an L shape as there is a pretty much purely scenic extra 3' board added onto the end with the town scene with just a couple of sidings extended onto it.

 

Grandborough could be built in 14ft x 2ft but had an extra scenic extension board added at the far end with the Leighton Buzzard Branch modelled to extend it to 17ft. Previously it went through a hole and ran through a box room next door. Leighton Buzzard itself was around 6' x 1'6" but had an extra 3' scenic board added when the layout was moved, which included the gas works.

 

If there is anything else you want to know, please ask and I will help if I can.

[St Enodoc]

The total size of the whole layout is 17ft x 14ft give or take an inch or two. The main terminus could be copied in around 12ft x 8ft in an L shape as there is a pretty much purely scenic extra 3' board added onto the end with the town scene with just a couple of sidings extended onto it.

 

Grandborough could be built in 14ft x 2ft but had an extra scenic extension board added at the far end with the Leighton Buzzard Branch modelled to extend it to 17ft. Previously it went through a hole and ran through a box room next door. Leighton Buzzard itself was around 6' x 1'6" but had an extra 3' scenic board added when the layout was moved, which included the gas works.

 

If there is anything else you want to know, please ask and I will help if I can.

That's interesting Tony. I had always thought of it as smaller. I didn't realise it had expanded so much following its move.

[petrovich]

The total size of the whole layout is 17ft x 14ft give or take an inch or two. The main terminus could be copied in around 12ft x 8ft in an L shape as there is a pretty much purely scenic extra 3' board added onto the end with the town scene with just a couple of sidings extended onto it.

 

Grandborough could be built in 14ft x 2ft but had an extra scenic extension board added at the far end with the Leighton Buzzard Branch modelled to extend it to 17ft. Previously it went through a hole and ran through a box room next door. Leighton Buzzard itself was around 6' x 1'6" but had an extra 3' scenic board added when the layout was moved, which included the gas works.

 

If there is anything else you want to know, please ask and I will help if I can.

Thank you Tony, the images are deceptive as I thought. As an aside it must be the equivalent of a cable harnesser's jigsaw puzzle, I like to think I know what I am doing electrically and from what I have seen in the images that must have taken a while to sort out.

 

 

Regards

 

Peter

[petrovich]

I'm sorting through old magazines to dispose of, noting the articles I want to scan first.  Here's some post-Christmas nostalgia (or possibly not?) for you Tony.

 

Practical Model Railways, May 1985, "Fordley Park - The End of Operations", by one Tony Wright......  

 

I particularly like this quote: "A lot of modern proprietary motive power leaves a lot to be desired in terms of performance.  We have found it better to build our own mechanisms".

 

No change there then!

 

 

Rob

Hi Rob

 

What magazines are you disposing of ?

 

Regards

 

Peter