Kelly

Like the design, black stands out quite well to me, really 'grabs'. The grey is nice too, but a bit less intense, so may be a better option?

Like the look of this quite a bit. It sort of mirrors thoughts I've been having for one of the layout ideas I've got/am working on. Except I had the thought of it being a 'lift' rather than a fiddle yard, with the fiddle yard under the layout. I did have crazy ideas of it being multi track and able to move side-to-side, but think that might be pushing my luck somewhat!!

Nice modelling there of a interestingly unique subject

Prompted by this post on rmweb I got thinking about a couple of things. Firstly in that post, it was discussed about restoring 18000 and her history. I have a fascination with the prototype and the oddball. For those who don’t know, 18000 was a gas turbine powered locomotive ordered in 1946 by the GWR [...] Source

that would make a very interesting and unique diorama/boxfile layout! Just as well I don't have much interest in the GWR or I'd be going off thinking about it... (I've enough barmy ideas in my head as it is!!)

Ah, thanks for clearing that up

thanks for that. On watching one of the videos, I noticed the taxi keeps going when in the station, wondered why theres no pause, or is that not possible? That loco does look great I agree.

I only linked to both becaus eof the difference in cost. With 3 APA boxes I'll need potentially 6 of the Artur trestles, or a couple and a table perhaps. Not sure on operating height, as cos of my back/health I find I can't stand for very long, so a lower height might be fine for my use. Those chest of drawers do look rather useful, an APA box would sit quite nicely on top

Yep! A nice good size, and lightweight I'm thinking. Have yet to get any mind. But at that price its a no brainer really. As they're designed for childrens storage they're going to be pretty simple I'd of thought too, and hence smaller. To go with them perhaps these though ? or a cheaper option?

Yes, I came acros that. WIll have to check dates and find out what LT locos were at Lillie Bridge when. Have a feeling they might well of all gone by about '60 though as LT standadised on the Pannier around then iirc.

They're a small, cheap, storage box solution by IKEA. These.

Not sure yet when I'll get one, as other things to make sure are paid for first before I can go get stuff. But in the next few weeks or so perhaps. I was thinking of a bit of ply to strengthen the base, but till I see the finished thing I can't be sure. As I'm going to be having a retaining wall to depict where the district line would be below (and under the bridge) i'll likely be raising the height a little, so a bit of strengthening should be possible with that in mind.

Thanks for that Steve, I was just thinking about how you were doing the car movements. I've looked a little at the faller system in the past, and might look to make use of it at some point as moving cars/buses/trams for me adds to the scene that little bit more.

There are at least some that exist though, rather than none at all. It was just how it was I guess at the time they were scrapped, it was all steam, steam, steam at that time I guess in preservationists minds. Would be nice if the APT-P cars that still exist were brought together and restored also mind!

Recently I've been giving thought to what to use for the boards/storage for West Cromwell Road. I had initially thought about using a combination of plywood and foamboard. Whilst this would be very light, with my health, it'll require more effort and time. I intend to use it for the Chilmark layout however as the IKEA APA boxes I've decided upon wouldn't be suitable for that layout. So, yes, I've decided to go down the IKEA APA box route. As they're cheap (£10.99 each) and not very big they seem like they could be the idea compromise between size and convinience for me. And if they don't work out I get extra storage for my flat The plan is to use two APA boxes for the scenic portion, and one for the fiddle yards/storage. They should be able to be stacked on top of each other in a corner out f the way when not in use also. When I get around to ordering one I'll have chance to look and see how easy/difficult to use they might actually be before taking a saw/drill to one. I rather like the idea of the layout being a few seperate modules that are mostly self contained. The idea with West Cromwell Road is to keep it fairly simple anyway. Basically it will be the steam shed, based upon Lillie Bridge (2 roads), with a coal staithe etc and a 4 road electric car shed, which is opposite the steam shed. It will be fronted by a retaining wall, which the District Line would pass beneath, but won't be modelled. Natalie is working on plans at present, and one will be uploaded when she has finished it.

Yes, I guess it does a bit. But there were engineers trains and LT steam at Lillie Bridge in the 50s and 60s, so it s feasable. Partly depends what stock is available really and what I feel like trying to scratchbuild. It isn't going to be a very big layout, so whilst I've highlighted a range of stock, not all of it will likely get used much i suspect. The layout is planned to use 2 IKEA APA boxes and a 3rd as a fiddle yard. Though I'm thinking of using cassettes with set formations of the ballast/engineering trains.

Been giving some though to West Cromwell Road again today, whilst not being able to get much else done due to being too ill. The main stock/train movements is going (possibly) to consist of: LT pannier tank (ex-GWR 57xx) Rolls-Royce/Sentinel (0-6-0DM (Judith Edge Kits) [3 aquired by LT 1971, one a Lillie Bridge, replaced Panniers] Ballast motor/battery loco with engineers train stock (ballast hoppers, crew carriage) Pilot motor Weed killing train/de-icer Breakdown/recovery train? Track replacement train? Other LT steam stock as I determine what stock was around at the time chosen (early-mid 60s) Possibly some underground stock, forget what stock exactly, as in later years the electric shed was used to house stock as well as engineers trains coal wagons for loco coal delivery from BR There are probably others, but they espape my mind presently! In the case of the LT pannier, I have a Mainline 57xx I plan to convert to the LT L9x type. It'll need the following doing: Trip cocks adding Paint stripping and repaint in LT loco red Renumbering as L9x (not decided on actual number) Cab roof/profile altering to match LT version Other detail enhancements to bring the model upto scratch Replacement wheels to cope with finescale track Some might say 'why don't you buy the Bachmann one?' and I would agree if I could afford it. Besides, doing the conversion could be a fun excercise. I may well get a Bachmann one at a later date to complement the fleet and relegate the Mainline one then to a lesser role on the layout however. There were other steam locos that LT had, but I'm not certain which ones are available in model format or if they were at Lillie Bridge '60-'65? more research is needed on that.I know they had a few Peckett saddle tanks, and maybe a hunslet tank. They had a few other oddities stock wise, which I might well try to model. Such as this! I'm not sure if there was any of the former Metropolitan Railway locos/stock at Lillie Bridge at that time or not, but some models of some of them are available I believe. EDIT: Seems all apart from the E and F classes of the A-K Met classes had gone before the early '50s. And the E and F went by '61/'62. Not sure about the Met Peckets though, think they might of gone about the same time or sooner, need to research a bit more.

That 18000 is lovely. I rather like the prototype diesels (and electrics), and suspect I'll end up modelling various of them over time, just for the hell of it.

One day I may attempt to make my own track/turnouts... good work

I have a PDC LU pilot motor kit to build at some point. The printing is crisp and depending upon how I get on with putting it together I may get others, as LU stock really does appeal to me especially with West Cromwell Road being planned.