Dzine

Hi Folks As promised, here's some f the bits that didn't make it into the magazine. Brading Signal Box (see attached photo) was built for the Isle of Wight Railway 1882 and closed in 1988. It contains the original Stephens lever frame, with the building noted for its unusual scalloped valance. I can recommend visiting Brading Station, Isle of Wight. Thanks to a group of volunteers and a little bit of careful photography it’s so easy to imagine that you’re way back in steam days, waiting for a connecting train along the branch. My plan in the issue uses a point at Bembridge Station, supporting the entry level theme, rather than the prototypical segmented turntable. However, for those wanting greater realism, there’s an excellent description, by Peter Marriot, of Noch’s segmented turntable in Model Rail Issue 1st May 2018. In terms of the Rowntree's layout design there's a fab PDF on the internet; SYO1317_Rowntree_Cocoa_Works_BLDG_REC.pdf It has an extensive history of the site, with maps that show the railway and, best of all for me, elevations of the principal building. Issue 283, contains the second part of 6' x 4' Solutions and has two of my favourite branch lines; one with three stations and the other more linear route than you might expect in such a limiting space. Kind regards Paul

Hi Folks, Just a quick message to wish everyone a Happy New Year and to say thank you for your kind comments, especially those relating to the long battle with Covid. Kind regards Paul

Hi Folks, One of my railway friends, Peter Salmon, advised me of a Channel 5 (My5) programme, KIngs Cross Then and Now, screened this weekend, which contains the following; One shot early on, showing an end loading ramp and that goods shed roofs had been covered in box section corrugated sheet. The shot, in a slightly more lengthy scene, is repeated around the 30/35 minute mark. Unfortunately, these are the only two clips and, in true TV style, makes a glaring mistake. Much of the historical goods sequences refer to the main goods shed, further out from the station, and not the subject of my article, which describes a much smaller facility alongside the station itself. However, it does give an historical feel of period, particularly working conditions, customers and trade and so on. The relevant images are in colour and therefore really helpful for scenic treatment and weathering.

Hi Folks, In the prototype photo some of the yard buildings are immediately behind the loco tender and you can just get a glimpse of the mitered goods sheds between loco tender and the Class 20, Photo courtesy Peter Salmon. Kind regards Paul

My layout design in this issue was for a small goods yard that once existed near Kings Cross Station, focusing on a pair of nearby mitred goods platforms, each one similar to Peco's LK 82. For speed I bought mine from Ebay and whilst they had a few rough edges they were perfect to use as a proving ground for the idea rather than a quality finished model. That said, I hope you find the the structure interesting and unusual in appearance and a great way to make your layout different from everyone else. Like all my work, I am guilty of providing more info than page space permits, indeed I often reduce material before sending it for editorial treatment such is the way I work. It occurred to me that unpublished 'Extra' bits might have an interest to readers and therefore when space and time permits I hope to include such items here. I want to start by signposting you to two previous post, from some while ago; Main posting by slipstream, Gasworks Tunnels Kings X, a signalling plan in response by The Stationmaster February 23rd 2014 Posting by Pete 75C, King Cross York Road & Suburban Platforms, a track plan in response by Clive Mortimore, 15th January 2018 Have also attached several images. Regards Paul

Great to see activity again and wow it's looking really great. The ship and finished Dapol crane set it all off fantastically. There's an overall composition starting to come together now... well done you. Kindest regards Paul

Hi Booking Hall, How's the Milford Haven project going? Kind regards Paul

Hi Folks, I,m working on a minimum space O gauge design at the moment and want to check that an Heljan Class 25 will go round Peco's 40" radius curves and points without binding or coupling issues. I suspect it's a big ask on such a tight curve but would welcome advice from anyone who's had the relevant experience. Kind regards Paul

Hi Folks, Reusing material in Model Rail is always going to be a fine line, sometimes it's relevant to new narrative, to illustrate a particular point, sometimes it's aimed at those who might have recently become involved or have found time to become more involved, due to Covid for example, and this certainly relates to my work in issues 275, 276 and to a lesser degree in 277. That said, I'm passionate that my work doesn't get irrelevant over exposure, but you'd be surprised how many people have asked if I'd do an omnibus series with everything in. Always one to take on constructive criticism, I thought I'd have a look at the content of my articles from issue 259 to date and the next 7 articles to come. They are as follows, with ANA indicating all new article and MNA mainly new article; 259 Scotland 1 ANA 8 new format plans 260 Scotland 2 ANA 9 new format plans 261 and 262 Falmouth MNA 2 new plans 263 and 264 Longmoor ANA 3 new plans 265 Narrow Gauge mock-up ANA 266 Making Industrial Track ANA Modelling Feature 267 Minimum Space 3 new plans 268 Harry Potter ANA 4 new plans 269 Got it covered ANA 4 new plans 270 Railway Garden ANA 4 new plans 271 Bargain Shunt ANA Modelling Feature 2.5 month build 272 and 273 Cement Works ANA 3 new plans 274 Building a layout round a garage column ANA several variations on one plan 275 Layout planning and design 2 new rough plans (see opening comments) 276 Paul's Top 5 (see opening comments) 277 MNA with all new narrative 278 ANA with several track plans 279 Break 280 MNA with 3 new track plans 281 ANA Building Makeover 282 ANA 4 new track plans 283 ANA 4 new track plans For obvious reasons I'm unable to provide any detail for as yet unpublished articles 277 to 283 You'll have to make any judgement on the basis of the list provided. One last thought on the 'idle hands comment', I know the team have been doing their level-headed best to cope under very difficult circumstances and for myself, besides writing and drawing, for the most part sat up in bed, I've been fighting off the most horrendous virus known and whilst it's gone now, I, like many others, have been left with post viral chronic fatigue disorder....you know sometimes a comment can seem really insensitive! So here's to more all new material. Regards Paul

You're absolutely right Andy and the model theme continues further on I think with some, possibly Basset-Lowke, O gauge items. Kind regards Paul

Hi Alex, I've had a quick look and there isn't a Modern Depot Design in Micro Layouts. I did however do something quite recently for Model Rail Issue 253 which comprised of the end of a depot with wash plant based on the Sleeper trains out of Willsden. It was only 4' x 2'-3", with an additional 2' non-scenic section to the right hand end. If you think this might help I can post a copy of the track plan and indeed am happy to discuss variations or adaptations with you in due course. Kind regards Paul

Hi Booking Hall, Many thanks for your kind thoughts and concern. Pleased the photo's might be of help. I don't know if you're aware there was a scheme for preservation planned using the shunters and track, plus a museum in the stone building near the loco shed. Unfortunately, a marina was deemed a better option and the scheme was lost for all time. Kind regards Paul

Hi Booking Hall, I've been hoping to post a few photo's, thought they might help with the layout or just for interest sake. Unfortunately, I've been really ill with the virus, and continue to be so, and it seems that even afterwards it takes forever to recover. Worst of all brain and organisational skills seem to be severely affected. Anyway have managed a bit of scanning this morning and here are the results (only low res I'm afraid). Kind regards Paul PS Hope they help

Hi Folks, You may remember this little layout appeared in a recent Model Rail article, Bargain Shunt and was then put up for sale with all proceeds going to the Derwent Valley Light Railway. I've recently been speaking to Jonathan Stockwell at the Derwent Valley Light Railway and it looks like there have been no offers received as yet, although it is possible, that due to Covid, mail might have been picked up by another volunteer there. As a result, I've decided to extend the last day of bidding (currently 30th April) for another couple of weeks to the 14th May. In the meantime here's a few photo's to remind everyone. Kind regards Paul

This is looking really good, I love the proportions of the various heights, just how I imagined. Kind regards Paul

Hi Liddy, Looking forward to see what happens next. Kind regards Paul

Hi Steve, It's worth remembering that slate can be quite different depending on where it comes from; some quite dark, some light, some very blue-ish and so on. It might be worth doing a bit of research based on the location of your layout and then think about where slates might have come from. Don't forget you might get patches of other colour where a later repair has taken place or a chimney taken down and so on. Hope this helps, apologies if I'm telling you what you already know. Kind regards Paul

Hi Jerry, Don't worry about the embankment, make the trees that are going on there a little bit taller and add undergrowth and this will increase the visual height volume, you'll hardly notice the low embankment. Keep up the good work, Kind regards Paul

HI Larry, Wow what a lovely message and so great to hear from you. My biggest hope in model railways is to influence other people and to help wherever I can, and I am pleased that you like my work. Looking forward to seeing the 6'-00 x 4'-00 solution, if you need any advice, please ask. Kind regards Paul

Hi JohnR, You're absolutely right, it would have ended up being a series of articles over quite a period of time. So for example material for the Hornby buffer stop makeover will include a blow-by-blow account and a selection of variations. Converseley, I hope to be able to cover sprayed backscenes in more detail. Of course, there'll be more on baseboards and the like and I hope by then to have tackled a smaller layout on the same eco friendly basis. It's an exciting year, I'm looking forward to the challenges. Kind regards Paul

Hi Johna, Looking forward to seeing your progress, if you need any help or advice please ask. Kind regards Paul

Hi Johna, Here are couple of photo's to get you started. Mock-up your layout, put the bridges in your chosen position, draw round them at the base in case you accidentally move them. I used some scrap plastic and made a sort of boomerang shape. Once glued into position and left to dry you're ready for the next step. Make brick fillets for the gap on either side of the joint, I used Wills Stretcher Bond (nearest match to Hornby although the course lines don't match up perfectly) and glue in place. I then packed the centre 'trough' with scrap card (second photo) and made a further card cover (not shown in either photo) to go over what would become the roadway. For tarmac I used cheap fine grade wet and dry paper. Hope all this helps. Kind regards Paul. PS Isn't it great that you can now get model railway baseboards at your local supermarket!

Hi Johna, I've got some photo's that tell the story, will upload them soon but think it will be Monday or Tuesday before I get time. Hope that's OK, Kind regards Paul

Hi Steve, I've always seen the design as truncated at two ends, station and scenic headshunt, and in 'real life' a run-round loop would have existed where the fiddle yard is, then going on to the rest of the rail network. Thus a loco hauled coach would come in loco first, go off stage and come back at the right end for departure. Kind regards Paul

Hi Tim, You're absolutely right and, whilst some card is of a poor quality, the big trays I used from Sainsbury's were fab and even better when strengthened on the underside. I'm looking forward to the next two possible projects; one smaller one bigger and I'm already pulling in suitable materials, particularly damaged and used structures. Kind regards Paul