Lee m22

Yep green is a popular alternative to the 'naked' galvanized look. Though the school ajacent to the railway where I walk me pup is black pallisade.... It's nice to break away from the layout progress photos and see some with the trains running The silver bullets look great. Saw them for the first time last month passing out of Bletchley (92 hauled) though it must of been a one off- as I'd never seen them before or since. The 156 looks quite smart too. How are the units coupled? They look pretty thight unless its the camera angle? Enjoy Florida (you may get bored but I'll still be jealous LOL ) Regards Lee

Hi Jerry, I certainly don't intend to apportion the blame "constantly" at the stockists or shops - in fact I make a point of supporting this one by driving 50 miles twice a month to go looking for the couplers I keep asking about! It would be cheaper and easier to just order it from the internet, but I am a loyal customer of this model shop and have been using them since I was 9 years old. My comment is made of frustration as I know people come from as far away as me and further from the north and west to go to this particular shop as it holds a top quality N gauge range.They have a major N gauge following. This sort of product and development is revolutionary in N gauge for the mainstream modeller, and I'd like to see it do well and I'd like to buy it from my local instead of mail order. I'm sure Dapol has it's failings in the orders and dispatch of products to suppliers as well, but I can clearly see Dave working to improve it - hence in this case, I have faith in Dapol Thanks Dave but I think your inbox is full (I imagine thats the case anyway) Regards Lee

Ha, yeah! I bet you didn't need my post as an excuse to get the trains out though My dream layout is one with nice long trains like that, but it will be years before I have the layout or the stock! lol The RMC hoppers and the cement wagons remind me of when I lived near Kettering and could pop down to the line between there and Wellingborough. Got some great photos there, unlike now where the knitting gets in the way on the WCML and its all intermodals. It's good to see some real freight trains modelled in N and I hope they will be rolling by at the AGM! Regards Lee

I did get an improved result when using two sheets, but the mole grips and G clamps....I'll bare that in mind if I need to try this again in the future! Regards Lee

I could imagine it did! I tried initially using full size sheets (the ratio ones have the moulded multiple layers per sheet I only made it one layer high, but full width). When that wasn't working out great, I did try full sheets, but the creases were not uniform enough, so I made a jig (like it suggested in the MR mag) and cut the sheet down in to smaller sections (like the size you have done) Baring in mind my building was about 400mm long and with the roof, about 200mm high, I gave up quite quickly in favour for the sheets themselves. A more expensive approach and the thick sheet looks rubbish at the ends, but so much better over the width. I would have had to have spent a few days making everything in foil! I did originally try using tinfoil but it didn't pan out so well so I brought some of them thick foil takeaway dishes in the end.....They have now been upgraded to become balast and flock containers!! I've gotta say you have got the creases much neater than I managed, but its the getting it all stuck down neatly and aligning the panels without damaging the creases that put me off fully in the end! Top marks to you for pushing through to the end with it! It's not as easy as the mag suggested! Regards Lee

You had better patience than me then! I tried this myself a few weeks ago, but got fed up with the foil not being accurate enough. I was making a rather large building mind so it would have taken hours! Look forward to seeing the end result! Regards Lee

Stonking progress Simon! Look forward to seeing that fiddle yard full of rolling stock! The viaduct will look brilliant with those last finishing touches you mentioned. Regards Lee

Would you believe it, I asked the manager of my local-not-so-local model shop about Dapol couplings yesterday, and he directed me to the rail guy I have spoken to since December. I was informed that Dapol haven't put them on their stock lists yet. (they clearly don't realise that Dapol talk to us directly via Dave) Dave, perhaps you need to take the water to the horse in these case...perhaps with a nice gullet-sized hose and fire pump! That or talk the listeners into doubling their stock orders, because it seems your customers will have to migrate to whoever is taking note of your stock listings! Either way, my wait is nearly over Regards Lee

Hey Dave, That's excellent news about the spare springs and certainly a decent example of listening to feedback! The 5 pair pack has arrived just in time for February too so I now know what I'll be treating myself to for me birthday:D I hear what your saying about stockists. It's really annoying that my local-not-so-local hasn't even started to stock the single packs yet (for the record, they have always got the catenary packs in stock and I'm now itching for an electric layout!). I do like to support their business, but if it's one of the big e-shops that's on the ball, and p&p is the same as my fuel cost to Northamptonshire - then hopefully in two weeks time I'll be showing off some Dapol magnetic couplings in my layout thread! Regards Lee

Looks good to me!

Thanks for the info David. The start on the building under construction looks great Regards Lee

Flying along now! The signal is tiny! It's good to see it though and all the related cable trunking lookds great Wish I could work at this speed and maintain the subject looking this good! You'll have time to spare this rate! Regards Lee

Definatly looking great there! I also like the overview shot. It is certainly is coming along very well, and the cityscape is something that you just don't see often in model railways. Your buildings are fantastic and it's certainly refreshing to see some more-modern buildings! Out of interest, if you don't mind - where did you get the mesh fence from? (the one by the washing machine) I've found a couple of up suppliers now but I'm asking everywhere I see Keep up the great work. I would have to add this layout to my list of layouts to see on the exhibition circuit! Regards Lee

Looking good to me! In fact, thanks for leaving the bag in the shot so I know what I meant to buy last week! Lee

I'm sure they do! LoL, but fair play...I'll certainly have a pair later on. Regards Lee

Oh go on! Make that ground signal work and give the rest of us hope it can be done! Your transfer dish looks a convincing start to modelling the "popular tags" widget on the forum homepage! On a more serious note, look forward to seeing the end result of your roadstone wagon! Lee

That certainly does show the improvement, and also just how good your static grass is! Much agreed, it is important to be able to review and redo parts of a layout. (Most) are a long time in the making, and it's only logical that our skills or techniques improve over that time. I've still got a couple of weeks before I can order the right static grass for my layout, but I'm going to have a read through your thread again and try with some old stuff today. I'd be one happy bunny if I can replicate something like what you've got there. Regards Lee

Hi Peter That Terrace run looks great, though I can see what you mean about that door....think maybe it's a tone thing......The door is a little clean & bright considering the rest of the buildings Could just be the photo though. The downpipes will round off these houses quite nicely I reckon! Look forward to seeing the finished article Regards Lee

Hey and welcome to the forum! Some interesting trackwork there. I do like it when lines have rather fluid curves like yours there. Certainly a lot of operating potential too! Will be looking forward to seeing more of your layout Regards Lee

I really do love the end result of your static grass! Such an enhancement of the scene. Regards Lee

The thing with 20's is you've always gotta have two LOL I can't wait for them to be released! Really miss having a pair of 20's since I moved to N gauge. Regards Lee

Hey Graham, I'm really impressed! The layout's crammed with variety, yet so well composed. This gives me a lot more confidence on my future plans for a busy layout - coming from a newly qualified 'Less is More' follower. I imagine an hour watching the trains go by here can certaily be action-packed! Very much like indeed! Regards Lee