Barnaby

Thanks Ray For the frogjuicer info. That's good to know I wont need to buy another 6-way unit should one switch fail needing only a single unit to get back up to a full 6-way compliment again. Regards

Yes I will get hold of a copy. I like IAR Books/drawings as they set a layout in the real world which is something I'm poor at. I have several of his books on layouts kit bashing and plastic building making but he seemed to disappear when the demise of the Digest mag occurred. Sadly missed that mag by me at least, or though I still have the full set and re-read them from time to time.. I've obviously not been looking in the Rice places, the one on urban railways looks appealing too. Regards

Wow Colin you put my puny beermat scratches I call my layout plan to shame. It's great to watch it all happening in real time. Making me rethink mine already to instead of FICTICIOUS to being based on something real even if foreshortened somewhat. Regards

A-ha yes I had missed that bit of text Osgood I probably should have qualified my remarks a bit better but I was expressing my opinion not criticising PGH's modelling ability. Don't know about dirty dirt though PGH maybe add a little more or add some of each colour to the surrounding area which as you say will be in the final detail of weathering and untidiness? I'm looking forward to viewing it in all its glory when the finals are done, that is if we ever say our models are complete. When I get mine to the part built stage I'll have to post some pics up so people can tell me mine is too dirty. etc. Regards

Hello Osgood. I have read this topic particularly PGH's comments see below which says finished. The finished result after painting and ballasting To me individually each bit the track, the grass and the ballast are fantastic but they need blending in together to bring them to life IMO. However the modelling skills displayed are excellent and most likely to be far better than my own efforts. For instance I could never run a loco or a wagon straight from the box they all would need weathering first, but that is my way. Regards

Some interesting bits there Ray. I've been wondering about FROGJUICERS as I'm about to lay some new track for a new layout. I was wondering about MERG but will probably go with the FROGJUICER ones, well there's no point in re-inventing the wheel and they seem to work quite reliably. My only thought was should I go for a 6-way version, I need 8, as it would be cheaper but not sure if 1 of the 6 fail if you have to bin the lot and buy new again. If so single or double units may be a better option. I'll speak to the main man at Digitrain for clarification. http://www.digitrains.co.uk/ecommerce/dcc-accessories/circuit-protection-and-power-management/ Regards

Yup great model but even the dirt is clean which makes it look a little strange to me. It doesn't appear to be lived in blend in some grubbiness and it will come alive. But there again it's your model and as they say Beauty is in the eye of the beholder so if it's good for you.... who cares. Well done Regards

I like this idea very much. Colin, is it going to be a bit like Captain Cook's diaries, a tale of obsession and discovery, respect and brutality, courage and madness, from the pomp and splendour of England to death on a beach on the far side of the world. Well hopefully no deaths on a beach nor drowning in the cellar. Looking forward to the written words describing your railway journey. Regards

Start at the top and continue in that way. I'll look out for you there. Good luck. Regards

All very snug and cosy Mike yet very workable. Not sure if I missed it but when is it on show? Ahhh just spotted your visiting Telford tomorrow will your layout be with you, Checking my Guild guide doesn't list you so probably not this year. Regards

......... ............. ............. Is that the beginning of another story Mike, the other one was reely grate. Sounds very painful if not.

Sorry Rod but my earlier reply seems to have got lost? Anyway thanks for the show-me-pics of your ballasting. I'm about to start mine and I've been doing some tests substituting copydex for the PVA as this makes for a more deadening mixture. My test trials show it to be a bit more tricky to remove off the sleepers and to drill holes through. If you cut a X with a knife drilling works ok but if you forget you'll wind all the ballast and copydex mixture around the drill bit. I'm also laying my ballast directly onto the 9mm birch ply baseboard as adding cork of foam underlay really doesn't do anything for sound deadening. I'll add some foam or similar underneath the baseboard as that seems to be the better way. Regards

Enjoying your laconic comments on model railways Mike intermixed with some superb modelling. As a scouser, keep calm keep calm, not too sure about the layout name Reely Grate but behind that name is a REALLY GREAT little model railway. Keep it up, got it tagged as one to watch. Regards

I'll be interested to see which ballasting method you will use so please take plenty of pics. Looking very good Rod Regards

That's looking good John. Regards

Hello Dave great work again with your stencilling. I assume you applied the spray mount to the back of the stencil so as not to dirty up the frontage....................... mind you if you wanted some dirty on there you could have done. Regards

Hello John this may help. http://www.smservices.net/acatalog/Test_Units.html I use the 2nd one down on this page to test my old R/C aircraft servos. You can also use it to work the servos without the need for a Rx or Tx if you are using them for static use like point control etc.. Note there is a DATA sheet that has some useful bits of info on it. Hopefully Giles will respond to your request shortly.

Hello Dave once more your efforts are brilliant. You inspire me not only to shift my butt and get some modelling done but also you create the desire on things that were subliminal to me. eg your attention to detail like waste, spillages reading the newspaper all create that lived in for real atmosphere which is something that strikes a real accord with me. I'm mainly a RTR out the box modeller but do build most of my rolling stock and some min soldered locos. Your ideas & how to's on finishing are helping me to have a go at enlivening my stock and will follow on through the layout when built. Always trying to remember less is MORE while acknowledging doing nothing is soulless. Once again many thanks for sharing your efforts. PS do you ever take your layout to shows I've not spotted any but I would very much like to see it come alive. Regards

No the lincs seems to be a waste of time. desptie all the promises of soon, shortly, just checking the proofs, next week nothing has ever appeared. I and others seem to have given up on this particular manufacturer ever bringing them back into production and made our own versions or use something entirely different..

Amazing great work Giles.

Hello Rod. That's a great read and one I keep coming back to for an update. Keep them flowing. Regards

Very nice indeed Dave. Regards

Tremendous work Sandy all this while Wimbledon is on too, how do you do it. Regards

Any chance if John of Scalescenes could tick a read up to here just so we know the WISHLIST is being reviewed and actioned for say BIN - THINK ABOUT - MUST DO or something like. I have seen some comments by John but that was some time ago so some feed back would be good. Thanks & regards

Nice touch there Ruston Dave, tell me do you spray or brush paint your models? It looks like you have sprayed them as the paint looks light and "real like" and not like a painted toy, oh joy! Very well done again, you do have a light touch and a VERY keen eye for detail for the whole scene from the locos through to the quiet corner of the yard. That in my opinion brings the scene to LIFE. I constantly look at your work for hints on how to make the scene look real, it's not just about how many rivets the loco boiler has, but also about the yard cat or the gaffer having a sly read of his newspaper or that pile of junk & litter, all helping to bring the model scene to life. Great stuff indeed. Regards