well filled baps The Sheep Chronicles : These are the adventures of a Sheep, the Works Forecat and Naughty George,

[Gilbert]

Just now, Stubby47 said:

 

Yep, a 5-car Pendelino is what's needed.

You beat me to it....

[Donw]

would one fit in say Ewe?

 

Don

[mullie]

1 hour ago, Donw said:

would one fit in say Ewe?

 

Don

Isn't that illegal?

[NHY 581]

1 hour ago, Stubby47 said:

 

Yep, a 5-car Pendelino is what's needed.

 

No. 

 

 

[NHY 581]

1 hour ago, Gilbert said:

You beat me to it....

 

Stop it. 

[NHY 581]

Morning all, 

 

Thank you for your observations. The issue, is not necessarily that of subject or gauge. 

I have quite eclectic tastes but the common denominator is that I tend to like the  backwaters and byways of this ( in places ) fair isle of ours. That accounts for the ongoing Great Eastern adventure and a real fascination with East Anglia. The GWR and it's constituents had them and for someone who doesn't model railways within the Welsh border I can think of a number of inspirational locations therein. Of course there were more than a few in the L&SWR/ LB&SCR/SE&CR area and the current albatross is evidence of that. Anything in the portfolio of Col. H Stephens obviously ticks the box as well. Look to Scotland and again there are many wonderful lines. Should Bachmann, for example, do a Caledonian 0.4.4T then anything could happen, Killan/Loch Tay immediately springs to mind. 

 

No, the lack of a suitable subject is not the issue. I'm not lacking in inspiration. Frankly,  I have more than enough. It's how I go about it all that I want to change. As I mentioned to Martyn on Sunday, Project W has two dates for this year. Once these are completed, I can see it going to one side for a bit. I need to take stock of what I'm really trying to do. 

 

As I said in yesterday's waffle, I need to take a more measured approach to it all. By removing the urge to sprint through a project, I can pay more attention to getting things as I really want them to be and in doing so, raise the standard. 

 

Rob

[MarcD]

That is exactly what I'm doing at the moment. I have a number of deadlines though P4 jubilee competition entry form has to be submitted in August but then I have 2 years to build it. In the meantime I have a number of layouts that are already built that will be going to shows. What it's going to be is still up for grabs but there needs to have potential for a few jokes in it.

Marc

[Captain Kernow]

13 hours ago, mullie said:

Or did you mean this GWR?

 

https://www.gwr.com

 

Certainly not!

 

[NHY 581]

49 minutes ago, Captain Kernow said:

Certainly not!

 

 

Quite right and proper. 

[Geep7]

I'm currently taking the slower approach with my current layout. Whilst I am building it with possibly exhibiting in mind, i'm not going to offer it out for shows until it's at a level of progress where I am happy to, and that it all works correctly. If that takes 1-2 years from now, so be it.

 

The reason? My last 2 exhibition layouts, I promised them for exhibitions whilst they were still in the middle of being built, which gave totally unrealistic timescales for completion, and I had to rush things. Even more the first of these, an American HO layout, as I was suddenly sprung with a deadline for a photograph session, for it to go into a magazine. I'm pretty sure there is still glue drying in some of the photos in the May 2011 CM.

[Izzy]

5 hours ago, NHY 581 said:

 

As I said in yesterday's waffle, I need to take a more measured approach to it all. By removing the urge to sprint through a project, I can pay more attention to getting things as I really want them to be and in doing so, raise the standard. 

Yes, it does seem that in not wanting to say no to people in response to exhibition invites, being the kind of person that you are, you have rather ended up on a kind of treadmill, or perhaps a case of the tail wagging the donkey. This is a cleft stick because this is simply as a result of your layouts being so good, both in looks and operation, and thus an inspiration to others.

 

Not an easy situation to find a way through, although having faced similar problems decades back in another sphere ( P4 loco construction to commission) I eventually had to start saying no simply because there seemed no other solution. I feel you may have to do the same to get back to having the horse before the cart.

 

Bob

 

 

[Schooner]

7 hours ago, NHY 581 said:

...raise the standard.

 

Steady on mate, not too much higher please - can barely see it from here as it is!

 

Sound plans all round. FWIW I'm finding 7mm quicker to work in (broad brush - detailing will be infinite!) than 4mm. Having both on the go at the same time actually helps me pace the work on each to avoid rushing, too.

[gwrrob]

Nice to see Ewe in this month's BRM Rob @NHY 581 😎

[PaulRhB]

10 hours ago, NHY 581 said:

As I said in yesterday's waffle, I need to take a more measured approach to it all. By removing the urge to sprint through a project, I can pay more attention to getting things as I really want them to be and in doing so, raise the standard.

I think t’internet is partly the problem, you post images, we go coo, baa etc, (there’s bound to be pigeons as well as sheep), and then the show managers amongst us give you an invite to have a fun day out!

Disgraceful situation really 🤣

 

So maybe all you need to do is refuse invites for the new projects until you are happy rather than working to deadlines?  Your existing ‘field’ of layouts have plenty of life left in them and even ones that have been around maybe are the best place to try out some of the new ideas because they give much shorter deadlines and new life to them? Adding fun back in for you too. 

 

I agree totally with trying stuff out, sometimes you can do the familiar paint by numbers though if it’s other aspects you’re trying out. I’ve used it to try new scales, operation and things like couplings. 
I once dug out a lump of scenery the week before a show to give myself the incentive to get off my backside and finally do it! 😆

Also I’ve been known to apply judicious ‘extreme prejudice’ to try out new stuff . .

 

 

One laminate of ply left 😉

 

 

 

 

 

Edited May 14 by PaulRhB
Adding fun in

[John Besley]

23 hours ago, Asterix2012 said:

I thought for a minute you were talking about the GWR again.

 

Love to see a broad gauge layout... found an intresting track plan of Broad gauge Newton Abbot... just saying...

[NHY 581]

14 minutes ago, John Besley said:

 

Love to see a broad gauge layout... found an intresting track plan of Broad gauge Newton Abbot... just saying...

[New Haven Neil]

I don't see a change of gauge adding much to a small, short layout that is viewed predominantly from the front - you can't see the difference.  Unless you go 7mm of course, which....LOL.  However, maybe better track standards, yes, bullhead as someone mentioned, proper sleeper spacing etc I see would improve the view.

 

Now, as for subject, well are your backwaters always rural?  How about urban grot of equally forgotten branchline somewhere, dockside maybe, or canal....or just retaining walls, rubbish, filth, weeds and old rusty engines tottering about the place?  I'd do that myself but my modelling skills don't come up to it, (my layout's one building is courtesy of Stubby 47 of the parish, sterling man!) so it's just weedy country freight lines for me I'm afraid.

 

 

 

Just a thought!  Gagging to see what you come up with to inspire me further.

 

[NHY 581]

Evening all, 

 

Thank you all once again for your kind thoughts. It seems to have got a few of our little grey cells ticking over. 

 

The speed at which previous layouts have been built hasn't always been influenced by a deadline and I'm certainly NOT bemoaning the exhibition side of it all. I find the social aspect of taking a trainset out is more than sufficient reward for a sometimes frantic few weeks leading up to it all. No, it's my desire to get things built and done that I think I need to alter and manage. I always say I enjoy the build as much if not more than operating but if that's the case why don't I take my time ? 

 

Absolutely right those who say I don't have to say yes to exhibitions and I think that may be the case going forward. There will be exceptions of course but I already have two for 2025, at opposite ends of the year as it happens. 

 

No, I will simply adopt a more considered approach. I've built and exhibited five layouts between 2016 and 2022. All have been featured in comics in that period as well. You must bear in mind there were many false starts prior to that with no layout actually being finished prior to Sleep Lane. I see those six years as an apprenticeship. 

 

Rob. 

 

 

[Gilbert]

20 minutes ago, New Haven Neil said:

I don't see a change of gauge adding much to a small, short layout that is viewed predominantly from the front

I agree we can all keep making improvements in our skill and projects but this is very true for a lot of us in "cameo" mode....much as I appreciate the efforts of those who choose to broaden.....Peco BH has made a major difference to my own approach FWIW...

Chris H

[New Haven Neil]

Going to 7mm helped me move on, I have lost dexterity due to illness, and it allows my clumsiness more latitude, the bullhead (ish) track looks better too I agree.  Odd how my layout has some echo of sheepy-ness about it......

 

[PaulRhB]

2 hours ago, NHY 581 said:

I find the social aspect of taking a trainset out is more than sufficient reward for a sometimes frantic few weeks leading up to it all.

Yes it’s very much my favourite bit and seeing stuff in the flesh where you can see, ask and ponder is why virtual shows just weren’t ticking all the boxes. 
 

2 hours ago, NHY 581 said:

No, it's my desire to get things built and done that I think I need to alter and manage. I always say I enjoy the build as much if not more than operating but if that's the case why don't I take my time ?

That’s where the ideas mused online can be a great help, a daily trip to the pub for the same group input can fog the memory 😆

I love planning and re-planning, sometimes you’re going whoa! glad I hadn’t started building that before I realised 😉

 

 

2 hours ago, NHY 581 said:

I don't have to say yes to exhibitions and I think that may be the case going forward.

Just delayed yes 🤞

 

😁

 

I suppose the penchant for backwaters rules out a model of Wool? Maybe the Bovington military railway to Wool 😗 . . .

[Siberian Snooper]

Wool was an exhibition layout around in the 80s.

 

 

[NHY 581]

Morning all, 

 

A bit more time was spent on the new layout last night, rubbing down some of the more flamboyant imperfections on the newly laid clay. It's quietly coming together. 

 

Because of the decision made to add a bay, I now need to finish the rear face of the platform. The old plan, sans bay, simply meant that the rear of the platform would be buried within a low embankment. Operationally, it will be worth the current one step forward, two steps back approach this requires and cosmetically, it's not too much of an imposition. 

 

Just need to push past this intial stage. I never thought I'd say this but I really cannot wait to start painting and weathering the trackwork and laying the ballast !!!!!....

 

Rob. 

 

 

[AdeMoore]

14 hours ago, NHY 581 said:

Evening all, 

 

Thank you all once again for your kind thoughts. It seems to have got a few of our little grey cells ticking over. 

 

The speed at which previous layouts have been built hasn't always been influenced by a deadline and I'm certainly NOT bemoaning the exhibition side of it all. I find the social aspect of taking a trainset out is more than sufficient reward for a sometimes frantic few weeks leading up to it all. No, it's my desire to get things built and done that I think I need to alter and manage. I always say I enjoy the build as much if not more than operating but if that's the case why don't I take my time ? 

 

Absolutely right those who say I don't have to say yes to exhibitions and I think that may be the case going forward. There will be exceptions of course but I already have two for 2025, at opposite ends of the year as it happens. 

 

No, I will simply adopt a more considered approach. I've built and exhibited five layouts between 2016 and 2022. All have been featured in comics in that period as well. You must bear in mind there were many false starts prior to that with no layout actually being finished prior to Sleep Lane. I see those six years as an apprenticeship. 

 

Rob. 

 

 

You’ve given me a lift there Rob I’m where you were prior to Sheep Lane! Many False starts! I’m 6 years in no layout ever finished, I’ll never manage to produce what you achieve but I’ve an empty train room. All taken down to dispose of then a small Sheepesque start again! 

[NHY 581]

2 hours ago, AdeMoore said:

You’ve given me a lift there Rob I’m where you were prior to Sheep Lane! Many False starts! I’m 6 years in no layout ever finished, I’ll never manage to produce what you achieve but I’ve an empty train room. All taken down to dispose of then a small Sheepesque start again! 

 

Morning Ade, 

 

A tricky decision to arrive at but I'm sure it feels good though. 

 

A blank page. 

 

The only issue I take is where you say " I'll never manage to produce what you achieve". 

Dare I say it but you've already popped a bit of an obstacle in your way with that thought. 

 

I'm truly not sure that what I achieve is that special and therefore why it's seen by some as any sort of dizzy height to aim for and I'm not saying this to gather comment. 

 

I use basic bits and bobs. I keep things as simple as I can, too simple at times. 

 

Do the same. Basic track plan. Simple flat scenics. Simple electrics. By all means crib a trackplan. Build an identical layout to say, Sheep Lane. 

 

You'll see how simple it all is. Just smoke and mirrors. A bit of track nailed to a shelf. That's all you need. 

 

Rob

Edited May 15 by NHY 581