Kelly

Tomorrow sees Natalie and myself heading down to Taunton for the members day. Very much looking forward to it, will be first time I've been to one as well. Looking forward to seeing various items people have said they're taking. Recently I've been inspired a little to think of a very small format layout other than the Chilmark or Hilsea ideas that myself and Natalie are going to be working on. [Hillsea is Natalie's layout plan/idea, I was getitng myself confused]. I've come up with a few possibilities: Some kind of small London Underground layout, using some of the EFE stuff and a yellow battery loco for other traffic, undecided on whether surface stock/deep tunnel or cut & cover, but something that does appeal as the layouts of similar scenarios at the Acton open days I've seen have been very pleasing to the eye personally. Some kind of industrial layout, possibly narrow gauge. This partly inspired by Mr Nevard's layouts of a similar theme and Claverton Engineering equally has inspired me. There were a few other possibilities I came up with, but think the above are the most likely to keep my interest. Other things I've been giving thought to recently having been creating a semi-scratch build Bulleid 4DD unit. Possible ways I'm thinking of are either self-etching or using plasticard or card to do the sides. The biggest hurdle being the curvature of the roof. More research is likely needed, but I shouldn't have much issue getting hold of some plans I suspect. At present it is a bit of a 'mad cap' brain idea and may well be ages before I attempt any kind of build of such a unit. One way I was thinking was using something like old Lima Mk1s as base donor vehicles and then making the sides and ends (and roof) on top of the floorpan and then changing bogies/under equipment. But again haven't thought much of it in much detail yet. Think I'll leave it there as my brain is craving more Earl Grey! Kelly

That cinema coach look nice! and unique too. Looking forward to seeing them at Taunton Sunday

Added layout plan no. 6 to the post as per natalie's request.

Bill, Nat came up with a few alternatives that featured the points non-facing, but I was thinking it'd be more likely for traffic to come from salisbury for the military traffic. I'll have a word with her as she did that trackplan based upon a South Eastern area (Crabtree iirc). As for second niggle, nowt to do with me, signalling was Natalie's input, I'll nag her about it though! Thanks for the comments, it is still a planning stage thing, these sort of things have to be considered and ironed out Kelly

Both eras appeal for different reasons. ' I know Belvedere well. Same for Dartford Power Station... went on a tour of it as a kid once. Both eras appeal for differing reasons. '66/'67 for Warships (gotta have D827 'Kelly'!!). '53/'54 for the early diesels and the Bullied pacifics, and maybe a stretch of reality Leader... Kelly

Seems I got a little confused previously. The chilmark based layout is to be a joint effort between myself and Natalie. Natalie has taken the rough plan I did and reworked it (see attachment). Its starting to come together I think now. Thinking of '39-'45 or early/mid 50s or maybe mid-late 60s as era. Attached image done by Natalie. Thanks! Kelly

Will have to have a look out see if I can pick up a copy of that issue Bernard. Thanks for the heads up.

Olddudders: Yes the mainline is purely for trains to go by! just to add a little extra to it (actually based on the prototype to some extent). The exchange sidings aren't quite right, but as a rough drawing they're ok. As for era, I'm thinking WW2/50s or late 60s. Not fully decided on which yet, but all will give interesting options.

Had a play with AnyRail just now to put together a rather rough idea of the trackplan. Its pretty simple. The idea that it'll be in two phases. Phase One: Exchange sidings + Exeter mainline Phase Two: Chilmark Depot Still rather rough and might well change depending upon input from Natalie who I'm liaising with on this. The nice thing about the area/plan is that it allows for similar stock to be used on this layout and the one Natalie and me are planning together (Hilsea/Portsmouth), which might cut down on costs a little. Again subject to change. Kelly

Whilst searching for more info on RAF Chilmark for a layout plan I'm thinking about I came across the following: RAF Chilmark visit by 28dayslater site Another visit report The photos show some interesting aspects of the Narrow Gauge railway in the facility. Not sure I'll model the NG stuff, but interesting non-theless. Kelly

Yes you've done a reasonable amount thus far will have to send you to Kew

Having discussed a little with Natalie possible locations to model, I think a WW2 or 1960s transitional era Chilmark based layout might well meet my needs. Will need to do more research when time permits, but from looking at the plan Natalie showed me seems to be small enough and with enough interest for me to be interested in doing it. Kelly

Nice looking layout

I've been wanting to make a start with making brass (and white metal) kits, and theres been a lot of helpful suggestions on the forum here - thanks! - but I'm wondering if it might be better to start getting some scraps of brass sheet and try my hand soldering that rather than risking a kit for a first attempt. So have a sort of shopping list forming: Soldering Iron (have an 18W Antex CS) - 15W and 25W (£13 for Antex XS25 from Rapid Electronics) should cover it? or 15W overkill? any higher than 25W needed I wonder? Solder - 140/188 i believe? and 70 for white metal flux - phospher? Brass strip White metal - can you get seperate bits of it to try with? -- Kelly

Today I've been browsing the rmweb galleries and blogs and came across Tanis 1937 by Will Vale. Whilst that is pre-war German setting, it has given me some thoughts of what to do myself a little. Something along similar lines perhaps, but with a post-war British setting. Quite what setting and so on I'm not sure, but it seems about the right size for what I want to do perhaps. Due to costs I suspect I'll stick with OO. N is just too small for me and whilst I've worked in 1/48th before with aircraft, it would just be too big with my current abode and space therein. So need to do some research and find suitable locations that might lend themselves to this. Ideally a Lightening on a dispersal pad ready to fly up to intercept a encroaching Russian Bear, but doubtful that any railway would of been near by for that to feature, although a diorama of such a scene is certainly one I wish to do at some point [of a English Electric Lightning on alert readiness that is]. Kelly

I'm kinda thinking of a smallish layout about 3' max (cos of lack of space) that could either be a diorama or something else. Not sure I can work an airbase dispersal pan and a railway into the same thing (unless I used a NG railway too).

Yes as it was a port area, its reasonable it would of been more RN than RAF, though I believe there were a couple of RAF bases near to it. As for the period, yes theres a lot to model in that timeframe, although I think a bit earlier would be a bit more interesting for me, but the idea is to try to make it possible somehow to 'float' the period of the layout so it can go from 40s/50s to 60s/70s perhaps. Either way, plenty of choice of stock at least. kelly

It depends if they took them anywhere near the runways/dispersal areas (where the Lightnings or Vulcans would of been stood ready), or if they were off site and brought onsite by truck? None of the books I've looked through (aviaiton) have given any hint of this and the photos therein don't show any hint of trains/railway near the runway/dispersal area/hangers. Kelly