Chris M

Nice to see Sir Daniel on duty, looks good. It makes a nice change to all the banger blue and is very smart. I was tempted to get one of these for my 1980s set and very nearly ordered one this morning but I resisted. Instead I’ve ordered some filthy JIAs to provide a current day clay service to Stoke. Next job is to order a Revolution 66 in DB red.

I am inclined to agree that N is at it's best when running long trains through open countryside. My next layout, which will be for my own entertainment at home will feature shunting. This layout is very much under construction but this video shows a system test of the shunting. The shunting all worked without hands but obviously needs to be done a little slower when running properly. Like I say this was just a system test to prove it would be ok before working on the scenery. I'm using Gaugemaster electro magnets with staples drilled into the shanks of some of the wagon couplings. I like this solution because it is cheap and simple - rather like me! Bringing in a goods trains, shunting the wagons into the right place and then re-assembling a goods train from the yard into a formation of fitted wagons to the front and non fitted to the rear is satisfyingly hard work. I think I shall enjoy doing this when the layout is finished.

In my experience of five N gauge layouts mostly using Peco code 55 but also some Peco code 80 is that Peco track is very reliable and does not cause derailments. These layouts include crossings as seen in the video posted earlier and single and double slips. In my experience, if the track is laid well there is absolutely no problem with derails. In over 30 exhibitions running N gauge layouts all day for two days I can honestly say I have never had a problem with Peco points, crossings or slips causing derails. Sometimes Peco points don't naturally lie flat and have to be pinned down to make them flat. I would never use foam underlay as this, INMHO, prevents laying the track correctly and doesn't look all that good anyway. I do recommend avoiding R1 curves and set track points as these items do not mix will with large steam locos. They also look really wrong on a layout. Yes they are great space savers but they can be a cause of running problems. Wagon bounce over the frogs can be an issue but I would say it was an aesthetic one rather than a cause of derails. Because Peco points are designed to be universal some bounce with modern 4 wheel stock will inevitably happen. I expect that building British Finescale points would overcome the bounce issue but also restrict the stock that you can use. The same bounce problem is evident in 00 as well. Because I tend to run quite long trains on scenic layouts any wagon bounce goes largely unnoticed. You can see the wagons on this train bouncing over the frog as it leaves the platform line but the wagons never come off the track. Also, when just watching rather than filming, the bounce isn't all that noticeable and doesn't "jar". Well it doesn't for me anyway. Yes I could do with fitting new wheels to some of those wagons as they wobble on ordinary track. Again though, it doesn't really show up when you watch the whole train passing by. The only item that does bounce (but never derail) and looks wrong is my Dapol Skipper unit. There again the real ones gave quite a rough ride.

But surely every Castle was excellent in every way.

The start point is to measure your car. Then build boards that will fit. You then of course will change your car before you take your layout anywhere, but that's life. I built a 7ft by 3ft 6in N gauge layout on two boards that would fit most hatchbacks. One thing to watch out for is the width between the wheelarches. That is usually the narrowest point of a loadspace and if you make your layout boards wider than that you will have a problem. You will also need to have room to carry legs, controllers, stock, tool box etc. My current layout is 12ft long and needs a transit to move it. Most exhibition managers were ok with that but I haven't done any one day shows. The great thing about N is that you can get so much more in than you can in 00. Many years ago I used an Allergo estate to move my 9'6" by 7'6" 00 layout around. Because of the shape of the Allegro (a bit like a hearse) and the wide space between the wheelarches the layout fitted fine, tight but fine. So all of this lot can fit into a car if you buy the right one - an Allegro is probably not a good idea nowadays though! The one I had was old and used as a second car and to take the layout to exhibitions. It did it's job well enough.

Engineering tolerances do mean that you will get some great and some not so great. I expect locos are just like cars. I have certainly driven identical cars that performed quite differently. I once picked up a new car which was the same as the previous one. The new one was so good that I stopped on the way home to check I had picked up the right car. I always like to be gentle with a new car for the first 500 miles or so. I found it very hard to keep her below 70 on the way home from the garage.

I always thought my 3/25 was pretty fast - well 0-20, it ran out of steam after that. The great thing about a Regal is that if you hit anything gently the body would simply bend a bit and then go back into shape. Useful when you are 16 and just passed your test.

You 00 modellers don't know you're born

I've had my toaster for years....

The Hornby HM6000 works fine for me, and is reasonably priced. I connect my controllers to the layout using what used to be called a four pole CB connector. That way I can quickly and easily change controllers. So I can run plug in my Gaugemaster for most use, my H&M Walkabout (from the 1980s) for great inertia control or my HM6000 if I want to control trains away from the control panel. I think it is well worth making all your controllers plug in to a standard socket on the layout.

She ran with a yellow panel one end and yellow buffer beam the other for a while on the SVR. She was in the condition when I drove her, ands what a great day that was. The yellow buffer beam end was pointing south at the time. The best way to see the SVR There's me in the drivers seat. I'm at the north facing yellow panel end.

Yes I recall the clutch was either in or out with almost nothing in between. Not good if you are learning.

I had a Regal 3/25 in blue too. I passed my test in it when I was 16 which was legal because it was technically a motor tricycle. Cost me £50. I survived it and learned a lot about how to drive safely. Rule 1 - never brake and turn the steering wheel at the same time. Rule 2 - watch out when an artic overtakes you on the motorway. Back to the plot I used that Deluxe Materials Glue n glaze on the 3D printed cars I have.

At Stratford upon Avon Christmas market

Viewing these photos is most enjoyable. Great modelling. Well done!

Hmm. I might argue that not having 3rd party insurance is a way of ensuring cyclists are more careful. If they get sued it comes out of their own pocket. Works for me. Two problems with some of the suggestions - 1. a bike can go to being dangerously badly maintained very quickly, especially when people tinker, so an annual MOT would not be often enough. 2. Police aren't allowed to chase, or even follow, anyone on a bike who isn't wearing a skid lid in case, merely by following them, the police cause the rider to do something stupid and injure/kill themselves. How would the police enforce any rules?

I just hope Hornby can get back into profit and go on to reduce their debts. I don't buy Hornby because I model N gauge these days but I can see that the Hornby brand needs to be in good shape for the health of the hobby overall.

Following the long term success of the Warley National exhibition the club is keen to encourage modelling and of course new members. Here is a bit about where we are and what we are doing next year. Warley Model Railway Club one of Britain’s premier model railway clubs with it’s own extensive premises in the Heart of England, with easy access to the M5 and wider motorway network. All types of railway modellers are welcome at Warley Club. We have newbies, bodgers and many members with a wealth of knowledge and experience which they can pass on to other members. We have layouts in gauges N to G including British and American based layouts. Come along in 2024 to our new Saturday morning modelling sessions from 10.00am to 1.00pm at our clubrooms. The first three Saturday morning sessions will be on 1st February 2nd March 13th April Over the months we will be showing you how to l Start planning a layout and building base boards learn the techniques and get top tips. l Lay track, points & wire for operations, it’s easy when you know how. l Demystify soldering by watching experts, then having a go - surprise yourself. l Understand the difference in control methods of both locos and points operation - have a go. l Find the best and easiest way to ballast track - try it and learn. l Get your questions answered on making a scene, you will be looking at buildings and landscaping. In other words, you will learn a lot. This is hands on and you will surprise yourself as to what you can learn. We will have a test track for you to run your stock. Why not photograph your train on one of our club layouts? Come along, have fun and learn from the experts. Suitable for both newbies and those having some experience in the hobby. Come alone or with a pal, Dads & Moms bring children say 10yrs plus. Sorry but we cannot allow unaccompanied children to attend. You will be made welcome at Warley MRC. Too book up for the first of these events got to https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/warley-model-railway-club-free-training-sessions-tickets-755709977887?aff=ebdssbdestsearch&keep_tld=1

I would say great and be happy to have inspired someone else. In reality inspiration always leads to something similar but different enough rather than a slavish copy.

Speaking personally I always feel quite flattered if someone decides to publish a photo of one of my layouts.

The premature removal of stand numbers was not good for the "washed" either. A number of club people were trying to find their way to various layouts to sort out a few things on Sunday afternoon but suddenly finding a layout was taking a lot longer than it should due to the removal of stand numbers. The Warley club chairman agrees that signs were taken down too early. In fact the Warley club chairman was one of those visiting stands on Sunday afternoon without a plan of the hall because he could navigate from stand numbers. Suddenly he found there was no clue as to which stand was which and he was not happy, no not happy at all.

I have the utmost respect for Mike and the whole Key Publishing team and I look upon Mike as a friend. They do have a lot of experience and have achieved a lot of good things at GETS. It will be interesting to see what they do at the NEC. I expect it will be very successful and wish them all the best. I'm pleased that Warley club are able to be represented at this new show.

Hmm, I think Mike Wild and his team at Key World may have just a little experience. They put a little thing on called - what was it? - ah yes the Great Electric Train Show.

That is along with all the other one and a half jobs that have to be done in the lead up to the exhibition.

Yes. A much smaller show with the financial backing of a publishing company. Organised by paid professional staff with guaranteed great editorial coverage in Hornby Magazine. The show will include items covered by Airfix magazine as well. It should have plenty of “shine”. Warley club will be supporting this new exhibition with a couple of layouts.