Kelly

Excellent, could do with several of these

There is the aspect that these days we live in a world where 'warfare' is more likely to be cyber in nature than ships or tanks facing each other and more and more drones will be used rather than manned planes for a lot of missions. That and the threats faced by most of the big powers would not be stopped by having more ships/carriers/planes etc due to the very nature of how the terror attacks work. So perhaps the thinking behind the scenes has been one of putting more money towards fighting cyber warfare and terrorism than surface/air conflicts like we've been used to over the past 60 years.

Went along this evening to their Thursday night running night. Wasn't that many people there due to most members having gone on Tuesday as they had a visit apparently from the west Bromwich club. Even though it was quiet, I found them friendly and welcoming and I will look to get along again sometime soon.

You may find a recent post here about a small cheap usb led light useful for the fiddle yard, or underneath for emergencies perhaps as only needs 5v.

Looks good. Saw it briefly at the GCR event. As for transport, a Mondeo estate is rather massive and (at least for the mk3 (upto 07 plate)) has fold flat seats and whilst it curves down at the back, it is long enough not to be a problem probably.

It would be a shame after all the lovely work you've done to see it scrapped. Perhaps offering it on Gumtree or eBay for a quick sell might work after taking other bits that are easier to store off it? or an advert in magazines perhaps?

That was my thinking too, with a bad back, stretching over a baseboard would be less than ideal for me. So being able to sit more comfortably at my desk is much preferred.

I've not seen the ideas that Natalie has been thinking of as yet in full, just her comments by email that something small that could use an m7 and push pull or demu /emu There'll be wagons of some description I'm certain. I'll have a look at what you suggest, thanks.

I suspect I'll be forced due to space in my flat to some extent to build points at my desk and transfer them, I'll just have to be extra careful. I was thinking of using closed cell foam for track underlay rather than cork, so what I may well do is build points on the foam, so they have some support before being transferred to the baseboards. An inglenook is the plan I suspect, Natalie has said she's come across a few possibilities, either involving a 2 car DEMU or EMU, or a push pull set (M7 + maunsell push pull).

A fantastic little layout

I had given some thought to an inglenook type arrangement. Though I prefer if I can to model real (or at least close to/inspired by) locations, as it gives a reference point to work to I find to some extent. I'll take a look at what you have come up with, thanks.

So having gotten a plan in place (well mostly, still tweaking and thinking on it a bit) for the Woolwich layout, I have turned my attention to producing a small (3x2 probably) layout that I can use for a few learning exercises before using them on the main Woolwich layout. It will feature the following: P4 DCC MERG DCC/CBUS Probably 3ftx2ft or 3ftx1ft. Might even end up 2x 3ftx1ft boards. Tim Horn laser cut baseboards Set around mid to late 1960s, and feature BR green and BR blue period. Probably feature Bils/Hals/EPBs in 2 car units, and possibly pushpull sets. I have no set plan in mind atm, but I'm thinking something small and simple, maybe industrial in nature, perhaps a docks. Natalie is currently researching possible plans, but I'll listen to suggestions if people wish to give them here. The primary aim is to use it to figure out getting the MERG CBUS/DCC working on a layout and learning to build P4 trackwork in a smaller, less daunting layout plan than the current woolwich one offers (which is currently looking at 15ftx2ft scenic, but curved boards round to a traverser to run 2,4,6, 8 or 10 car trains depending on how many modules are set up). A small industrial setting or docks appeals for using small diesels or tank locos (I don't really mind if it is steam or modern image to some extent). I think doing this feels a sensible first step in getting the woolwich layout built. Thoughts?

Another option to consider is if there is a local hackerspace to you. They often co-operatively buy things like laser cutters and 3d printers and for a monthly fee you get access to their workshop space.

If you are looking at joining the scalefour society it is best done at shows as you get a load of past issues of the journal. Really depends on what you want out of the society. The scalefour society has a much better Internet presence than the emgs, but the emgs has useful items in their stores (as does the s4 society).

Thanks for posting such a helpful and informative post on this will come in useful when I get around to attempting P4 pointwork soon.

Might be interested in one. I was going to use 466 cabs left over from the 465 conversions I've been doing to try to make my own, but if one comes available it'd save a fair bit of time, price dependant.

Thanks for posting those. Slightly before the date of what I'm working on initially, but still of interest.

I've not put much more thought to the layout plans as have been busy with the soldering iron. After a bit of trouble shooting, have gotten the first MERG kit finished. It's just the CANUSB4 module, so nothing particularly special, but the first of a few hopefully. Next are the CANACC8 and CANCMD/CANCAB (more complicated with SMD parts). Then I'll have a few basic units for control (and DCC) available for less than £100.

Been a while since the last update. Not a great deal to report to some extent. I've bought the MERG CBUS and MERG DCC kits to have the basis for a CBUS/DCC system, this will be used on a test plank I think. I've worked out roughly what modules will be needed now at least, so can start getting the kits and other bits together slowly now. The plan is evolving a bit, with the plan change Natalie suggested rejected (though it is considered that off scene there is a loop, which might later feature on a possible extension). I've been looking at changing the plan to more of an L shape to save length, but I've yet to get it looking how I want or how I am happy with. The first thought was a 90 degree bend. But it doesn't look right. Next a gentler curve was tried. The crossover isn't right, nor is it on the left where it joins to the slip. Some more tinkering and thought when I'm not sleep deprived is in order. The only issues with this arrangement are the loss of the hidden sidings and consequently a lot of unused space on the left hand side, It also makes it harder to operate without the curved board. For the modular nature to work with this arrangement a special board would be needed, which would allow the crossover to join to the single slip in a straight fashion, probably needing a small board to link them to account for the differences in track locations. The reasons for wanting to add the curve is to reduce the length a bit, but keep the length overall. Another option is to have curved end boards that link to the traversers so it isn't 4' traverser + 11' scenic + 4' traverser in one long length, though the need to keep the radius gentle enough for stock would add almost 4' each end anyway most probably. Back to the drawing board to some extent maybe. Thoughts appreciated.

Exactly. I suspect I'm going to have 'fun' storing the woolwich p4 layout as it is lol, never mind the other items planned (LT steam depot, military exchange sidings and a few others, though they're more diorama/small sized compared to the woolwich plan).

I'm sure it'll sell. It looks great. I'd offer, but a) I'm building a big layout of my own b) I'd have to rip up the track and replace it with P4 c) I'd have to move it to SR 3rd rail territory. So not a lot would survive

A couple of years ago there was a layout idea in an issue of Model Rail that inspired a plan for Lillie Bridge LT depot (steam shed) based at the end of steam. Its slowly been bubbling away, acquiring items etc, but not managed to finalise the track plan yet or think about boards, initially it was envisioned as a diorama (with ability to be expanded and operated). Another set of articles in Rail Express Modeller and another in a Model Rail I think it was inspired an interest in DRS/BNFL flask transport and a plan was formulated roughly for a small flask terminal, again it'll happen eventually and probably be like the Lillie Bridge project, initally a diorama.

Morning all. Hope everyone is well and in good spirits? Bright and sunny here, though I'm feeling somewhat bleary eyed due to not enough sleep.

TG was tired about 5 years before the 3 amigos got the boot, with the way they were carrying on they'd have gotten themselves fired or the show cancelled with the negative political problems they'd have likely continued to generate, and the BBC being state funded the government would have put more and more pressure on them to change it and calm down (it no doubt has been made abundantly clear to them before the relaunch). What is sorely needed is a total refresh of the format and style. Its likely the new Amazon show will be more of the same, but likely that will be rather flat as there's only so many times you can act like clowns in cars like they've done for 22 series!

Sorry to see you being forced to sell rather than complete this. Hope you find a good home for it.