Kelly

Thanks for that. It has potential perhaps. This is what I am referring to btw: RH 194784 by rustonregister, on Flickr

Afternoon all. Another miserable day in Coventry, though I've not actually gotten up to look properly outside as not been feeling too good last couple of days. But weekend is here, so happy times ahead. Tony's mention of cars reminds me, I neeed to get on wth trying to find a suitable replacement car for my aging Skoda... finding a decent estate diesel with an automatic box is proving a pain! at this rate I'm liable to just go with a Mondeo/Focus or Passat/Octavia with a manual box but at least i'll have the space in the back of all of those choices for the needed mobility scooter ... and at a later time layout boards...

The LSWR did some strange experiments... tho most likely wrong photo uploaded by mistake.

Impressive!

Hmm, I could have it in 'storage' at Chlmark (not being far from Salisbury) and back date Chilmark to the 1940s ... oh don't tempt lol However a diorama of one would be nice, or of the German/French guns from WW1.

Doesn't matter where you go online, you'll always get Trollls and keyboard warriors. Golden rules are never feed the troll and ignore best you can the keyboard warriors with nothing better to do. No-one likes rules generally, but they help keep order and so on. Personally I've always found RMweb a very friendly place, so well done the Mod team. Now for another cuppa and some quiet time in front of the telly... at least I managed to get some sleep in the end!

I'm looking at building a narrow gauge layout based upon RAF Chlmark, and whilst Narrow Planet and cwr do the main loco stock and brakevan I have identified, I'd like to try to recreate the fire train, which I believe was pulled by a Ruston 44/48HP. Does anyone do a model of this loco?

Another insomnia felled night. Now for some cereal and back to reading more of Southern Electric Vol.1 ... hopefully sleep will come a bit later on.

In the previous entry I posted that I'd mothballed this plan, and whilst that's still true for the majority of the plan, I've had a few thoughts on one aspect of it. If you'll ecall there was originally 3 parts to the plan: Narrow gauge bunker/exchange Standard gauge sidings/exchange Main line running from Waterloo I still ish at some stage to see the 2nd and 3rd parts realised, but it isn't going to be possible at the present time without some alternative location for storage and more funds available - this is why i turned to the london 3rd rail plan. However recent micro-layouts on RMweb have inspred me to look arond again for suitable stock options for the narrow gauge part. I've found that cwrmodels do a Hunslet 60hp loco that would be a good fit, and Narrow Planet do a 3D printed 99hp Baguley-Drewry deisel, ith a 60hp model planned. The 60hp model will be just right for the plans I think. Also Narrow Planet have a brake van in development that is also a good fit for the Chilmark system. The plan hasnt been figured out yet, but a small single track line, with a siding going into the bunker will be about right I think. Possibly with the standard/narrow gauge transfer shed at one end and the line going off scene the other end towards other bunkers. I think this plan is certainly viable for using foamboard wihtout much issue or worry due to the size and storage shouldn't be an issue. As long as it's left feasable to extend later to model the exchange sidings on the other side of the transfer shed it should be ok, I have a WD diesel shunter etched kit (i think from Mercian) that will go well for that and a Hornby J94, which whilst not entirely accurate will suffice as I just like the look of them.

Following on from my previous post I've been thinking on stock for this layout. As it is planned to run Networkers as test rains and on shadow timetables alongside the EPBs a translation vehicle would be of use. So to that end I've pre-ordered the pair of limited editions from Invicta models, interestingly I used to live not far from the shop in Barnehurst 78-00. The translator vehicles will allow a 465 or 466 to be on a delivery run to Slade Green depot, which as the layout is being based on the Woolwich Dockyard area, is the right lines for Slade Green. The question then is what loco to haul. 33? 73? 47? I've also ordered some underframe parts to go with the two bodies I have from a networker, still missing bogies tho and the bodies have their cabs missing so I'll have to build that bit back up again or take it from another body. Stock I think will initially need to consist of: 2 4EPBs 1 465 - maybe two 1 466 1 2EPB - maybe two Networker Translator vehices Suitable Diesel/Electric loco(s) to haul the translator vehicles and other departmental stock I think this will be a good start sock wise. I already have the following: 1 blue with yellow ends Bachmann 2EPB 1 set of body shell/cab parts from Replica for a 4EPB conversion. 1 Hornby Networker - runs well considering how poor these tend to run 2x Networker Translator vehicles - on pre-order In the coming weeks I think I'll be adding a Bachmann 4CEP and another Bachmann 2EPB to that list, the 4CEP will be surrendering it's chassis for the 4EPB conversion. If that proves a success a second will follow so 4EPBs can pass each other for extra interest and appearance of a busy SE London commuter line. Natalie, aka Chief Research Manager, is researching other departmental stock information and other items. Hopefully at some stage the NSE Polar Bear train can be modelled, as well as other departmental stock, such as a de-icer. The chosen time period falls within a period of very harsh winters (especially 1987). Thats all for now.

Afternoon. No rain in Coventry today, hurrah! finally got cooker wired up in new flat, so no need to live via the microwave

Ian, I mean the 3-10mm card version as available from www.foamboard.co.uk. Had considered getting hte dense stuff, but only real options round here are B&Q, Wicks etc it seems.

Sadly some assume it is just for the old, when it never as been. It's always been for people who are vunerable to it. From things like athma, to immune disease, to cancer to old age. So really it can be given for most age groups if they've a condition that needs it. Besides, the doctor decides not a man in a queue! Strangely she wasn't on stage, or at the Convention to say... but I believe there is some truth behind it lowering blood pressure, quite ho much I cannot say as I don't drink so pay no further interest.

Poor cat sorry for your loss. I never seem to need to pre-book. My GP usually asks me if I've had it then jabs me there and then. Saves me a lot of hassle too. Hopefully hen I find a ne GP having moved they'll be as good...

It seems to be the consensus that protecting it with thin ply against knocks is worthwhile. As well as to add rigidity to the structure to prevent warping/sagging. I suspect I'll do sections in something like 2' size and find a way to then store them on top of each other, another reason why removable scenery items will be a good and useful thing to plan into the ideas.

Thanks Allan, My trouble is i have too many creative ideas andnot always the ability (physically due to health) to realise them, so a lot of ideas get thought about and then forgotten about. But something will happen soon probably 3rd rail electric, followed by narrow gauge military, then maybe followed by 4th rail

Impressive shed. Does it lift off etc to access in case of derailments etc? Nothing of my own to share at this stage, though I'm working on plans for a LT steam shed which will eventually get done...

Thanks first order is to look at maps some more and work out lengths needed (minimum 6' length for a 4 car unit i think with fiddle space at each end as well). It'll probably be a slightly curved layout i suspect (the real area is). Trying to decide on what baseboard materials to use as well. Foamboard or ply. I need to keep it light due to my back, so multiple small modules i think. So maybe foamboard with ply siding/top for warp prevention? Next is to get Templot and SCRAM up and running and see how I get on with each of them as to what track type i go with (peco 75 or C+L).

And I thought Coventry was bad for potholes! they break suspension springs round here regularly i find! hope your claim goes well and sounds like you had a lucky escape from idiot carnage, out of the possibilities i'd prefer i think two blown tyres to the possible collisions.

At one of the previous Discworld Conventions, Terry Pratchett told a story of his mishap involving a sandwich, the resulting effects being blood pressure medication. His wife apparently found out that 1 beer halved the need, and 2 beers removed the need for the medication. There after he said she insisted he have 2 beers each evening, even ordering creates for him, very sternly insisting too according to him!

Sorry to hear your plans have been curtailed hopefully you can move forward at a later date when all the stress is over.

Liable to be another wet day in Coventry I suspect. I'm up early with back pain keeping me from getting a good nights sleep again... oh well time for more telly!

The majority of hobbies all have the potential for being expensive, there usually is a lot of variance in them. For instance huge difference between running and restoring a old Viva compared to a Stag, or OO guage vs O or 11 gauge perhaps. Similarly for military modelling, 1.76th can be reasonably cheap, 1/35th not so much, same for aviation 1/72nd or 1/144th can be done cheaply, but 1/48 and 1/32nd can get expensive quickly!

It's an interesting idea. Certainly gives you scope to have more running options and later more than just the dock and store perhaps if you wanted to expand the stock options further.

So, with putting other plans on the back burner after a recent move I've started to think on what is more feasable in the shorter time scale compared to the other ideas I've had (or Natalie's had). So with that in mind I've decided to start looking into a layout based upon the woolwich dockyard area. Why Woolwich Dockyard? well I was born in Woolwich and grew up in Barnehurst, so have an affinity with the area. Mostly I recall Networkers over EPBs as I wasn't relaly paying attention to trains back then! computer games and aviation modelling had my eye far more (still do to some extent). But I've always loved looking into the history of where I and my family grew up. I'd use the North Kent lines almost daily in the late 90s and they were the only option if going further than Bromley or Eltham usually. In my final year at University in London, I lived in Woolwich, not far from Woolwich Dockyard station, so Networkers and other traffic were familiar sights. For ease of stock buying/costs initially I think it'll be easiest to go with the late 1980s to early 1990s period when 4-EPBs/2-EPBs were common and 465/466 were still in testing. So a couple of 4EPBs and a single 465 should cover running needs initially. I've one 4EPB on the 'workbench'* and the Hornby Networker awaiting attention. At some point back dating to the 40s/50s/60s would be nice, to have a mix of earlier electric units (4SUB?) and steam (C class?), but that's a longer term goal. But with it in mind I'll be aiming to make buildings etc removable (which will aid storage). Features will be: Time period initially late 80s/early 90s - i.e. just before privatisation. EPBs main units with one 465 or 466 on trial runs. No stations. Just simple track work running lines. Level crossing for interest (based upon sand street) Junction off to the dockyard Cassette fiddle yard Portable/modular to allow easy storage - thinking about IKEA INGO tables or old dresser draw fronts for main boards to save money. I've still to finallise a plan and have been discussing it with Natalie for advice/input. I've already got one Hornby Networker, with parts to hopefully make a 465 unit. I'll likely add another 466 to the fleet. I might look at remotoring the Networkers as the Hornby unit isn't that good at all really. Wondering if spuds or similar would work, or using a 73/bil/better power bogie and changing the sides? I've also got a Bachmann 2-EPB, and have the parts to do the Replica 4EPB conversion plans. At some point I'll source iether a Bachmann 4-CEP chassis or get a Replica powered chassis for the 4-EPB. That should give enough stock to start with. Thinking handbuilt/C+L/SMP track with PECO code 75 off scene. Thankfully idea only really has 2 points excluding any off scene! With this in mind would Templot be best bet to plan with? * My 'workbench' is currently unusable due to having moved recently sadly.