CaptainBiggles

Thanks @Flying Pig, I did notice that about P2. Forgive my ignorance, but how does a "departure-only" platform work IRL? A train needs to be marshalled there so it arrives empty from somewhere - possibly in pieces I assume. But in Tower Pier, where do the coaches come from? That said (and this is what I love about this thread - the debate!), my query stands: Minories has 2 roads at the RH, 3 at the LH. The bottom half of Tower Pier (as drawn) has 2 RH / 4 LH. Reversing it would tessalate it much more neatly, no?

Loving the photos and plans of Geoff's Tower Pier, I'd not really seen / studied it before. I think the concept of two separate lines is novel and creates interesting operating potential. Noting that the top half is essentially a straight Minories, if it were to retain the natural kink of CJF's original, would the lower part of Tower Pier work betterif reversed? I.e. the two sidings ran along the throat and entry to the station rather than parallel to the platforms. (Geographically St Katherine's Dock is in that direction too tbh!) Not got Anyrail on this laptop - anyone want to sketch it up for me? ;-)

I wonder if the reason for this forum-based civility is is because Railway Modelling, by its nature, is a research-based hobby? Cycling, photography (et al.) are hobbies where we DO. Railway Modellers RECREATE (and share, and advise...)

Upminster (have I mentioned that already) has the shuttle to Romford where Harlequin’s parcel bay is. It actually isn’t connected to the lines at Upminster, only at the Romford end of its single-track branch, but I can’t see a big problem in imagining it ran “wrong line” for a few hundred meters before branching off. This might also allow the platform to be used for other traffic provided turnaround was fast enough (a round trip to Romford takes 30 mins)

Well, referring back to my previous comment about Minories (Fenchurch St) / Upminster a few pages ago, I stand by Upminster being an ideal Seironim. Upminster is the terminus for the District Line and the push-pull branch to Romford as well as a stopping point to Shoeburyness for the old London, Tilbury & Shoeburyness line. So plenty of urban-style operation & variety. You could either imagine it as a terminus or even extend round the fourth side of the shed (lifting section for the door) to give a small FY for the LTS trains to emerge from.

I’ve been lurking and enjoying this thread enormously, and other than my brio interjection, it’s finally time to make a few observations / comments Regarding exhibition vs home operation, I have a small N gauge inglenook that I exhibit (search for Boostfine Yard for its own thread on this site). For me it is a perfect combination of entertaining to operate and (I hope) entertaining to view. The shunting puzzle element is self-explanatory, but I’ve also used a shuttle unit for a DMU that runs across the back. So even when there’s no shunting going on there’s the “surprise” of a DMU appearing almost at random. I’ve also used technology to enable me to operate the layout either from in front (at home) or behind when exhibiting. So the only thing I’d want to add to CJF’s Minories is a inglenook goods yard (in the “dead” space near the front”). Secondly, I LOVE the concepts regarding Minories - Seironim and despite other’s comments regarding doing something else with the space this is EXACTLY what I’d do if I had space. It meets all my requirements of operational variety and claustrophobic scenery & trackwork. I note that no-one has considered stacking them and using a helix to join them though. Obviously that increases the width to >3’ at one end but the length would be no more than Minories + FY as originally conceived. I also enjoyed the topic drifting to Tilbury but as I live in Hornchurch in Essex I’d consider Seironim as being somewhere like Upminster - the eastern terminus of the district line but significant enough as a through station on the original London, Tilbury & Shoeburyness. It’s not beyond the realms of imagination to link a Minories in East London with a Seironim somewhere out in the ‘burbs.

DeCiduous

Apologies for resurrecting an old thread, but the whole debate about Minories ends here. For good. I've resolved it, once and for all... ;-) Minories? Completed it mate! Joel

Here are some photos of my previous kit building experience btw. Jim McGowan's LSWR New Van. I'll try and dig out some photos of the G6 I also built from Connoisseur. Joel

I think those are the ones that Emma posted Mark aren't they? Or am I missing some more? Last night I spent the evening trying to work out how the Inside Motion works. I think I got there... I'm worried that I'll end up soldering something that needs to move but I reckon it will make more sense when I start getting the parts together on my bench rather than in my head while on the sofa. Thanks all for your kindness and advice, Joel

Argh, 5 bidders already!

Thank you all for taking the time to patiently offer help and advice. I spent last night pouring over the instructions for the umpteenth time, and now, with your comments ringing in my ears I understood them for the first time. Thank you. The ScaleFour Forum was also a great read. I was given the kit by my best friend back in September, and have agreed to give a demo at the upcoming Ilford & West Essex show in April. Perhaps this was a little foolish given my only prior kit-building experience has been a G6 and Brake Van in 7mm from Conoisseur - both of which were built with no compensation and went together very straightforwardly. I've just ordered the 10" rollers, wheel quartering jig and universal rivet tool from G. W. Models. I plan on getting the Avonside chassis jig and folding bars from Eileen's Emporium at Ally Pally. I already have a temperature controlled soldering iron (second hand Weller unit from eBay, brilliant value!), is there anything else I might need that'll help (I've obviously got a range of hand tools etc). I'd love to wait for the Ultrascale wheels but they'd not come in time for the show sadly. Thanks for the tips on getting extra pins etc, that would have driven me nuts!. I will be using the Hi-Level gearbox with 54:1 ratio as I prefer to see my locos running smoothly into a terminus and so will probably put a flywheel on there too if there's room. Thanks to Serron for informing me of the MRJ build guide, I'll set about trying to get hold of a copy. EDIT - just checked online, Cygnet have sold out. Does anyone have a copy or can scan the article for me please? And to CraigW who asked what gauge - 00 / 16.5 I'm afraid. I'd love to see it to a more prototypical gauge but I've nothing to run it on, nor will I for a very very long time if I go down the EM or P4 route.

I have the Brassmasters Hall and wish to get wheels for it. Ultrascale very handily sell a "Hall" kit, complete with everything I need, but is currently on a 6 month lead time so that counts them out. I've been pouring over the Alan Gibson catalogue, trying to work out what I'll need, individual component by individual component. The wheels themselves are easy enough, however, am I right in thinking I'll also need: Crankpins - there are long and short bushes Bearings - pin point or top hat or something else entirely? Counterbalances - I think there are ones included in the Brassmasters kit Can someone also help me with the (fairly fundamental) decisions I need to make with regards compensation beam and hornblocks please? Is it a choice between hornblocks and compensation, or do you use both? There appear to be hornblocks in the kit, and refers to something called Flexichas, but also compensation beams and I'm terribly confused. Alan Gibson also sells De Luxe Hornblocks, will these be any better than the Brassmasters ones? Out of preference I'd like to individually spring each wheel so that it can move up and down independently, i.e. the weight of the loco is set against the compression of the spring. Is this possible? Or am I asking for trouble? I've not even started on pick-ups yet; am thinking of the Gibson plunger type. With thanks, in anticipation, Joel

Don't mind at all Karhedron, thanks. The same could be said for anything arriving on platform 1 too - that's surely a feature of having in / out platforms, in one direction some form of crossover has to occur. CJF's plan eased this by using the straight section of the point rather than the curve as the transition, (which is what the above does too) rather than a more linear arrangement. But either way there has to be some form of crossing if all roads are deemed bi-directional.

3? Can you explain please? I'm not sure I'm seeing what everyone else is - it's like the emperor's new clothes!

So are we saying that it is the dog-leg through the throat that makes Minories? And I assume that by "reverse curve" you mean to left-hand (or right hand) points back to back? Because by realigning the platform roads the affect of these curves could be minimised, as can be seen below. That said, the board has now grown by 6" to 2' wide and I've had to break the shunting puzzle headshunt to avoid the baseboard join.

So, in the opinion of the esteemed members of this board, would the layout below be considered an homage to Minories, or an abomination? I believe it adheres to to the original principle by having 3 in / out platforms, albeit truncated by using double-slips. Curved medium radius points means CJF's pleasing sweep to the throat is kept. The loco release was added to allow driving a Jinty & suburban coaches as well as E/DMUs, but could be omitted if it caused offence A little shunting puzzle has been added at the front for no other reason than it's a signature of mine on layouts (see Boostfine Yard), and it seems to fill the space near the throat quite nicely. An alternative configuration has been added below the drawing. All boards are 4' x 18" but could fit on a 15" board if wished. I'd be interested to hear your thoughts... Joel

Been following this topic with great interest for several reasons. A) it's awesome B) I'm also a (young) engineer with dreams of a high-tech layout for the "next generation" of modellers C) I was at school in Bath for 10 years near the station and know it well. I am in awe of your work so far & there are so many questions, but one in particular is relevant to my current work. Can you tell me more about your intention to use MERG CBUS & servos as point motors? I'm a member & am using CBUS modules for my points & magnetic decouplers etc, but I'm not convinced there is a working CBUS servo driver without significant modification to the CAN_ACC module. Keep up the inspirational work! Joel

Thanks guys. @Missy. Really appreciate the time you've taken to give me the feedback and suggestions of 2mmFS. I am glad you mentioned it and maybe one day I shall. But my point re: timescales is not that I've set myself one or that I intend to rush it, but I have to draw a line somewhere and making my own track / changing wheelsets is, on this layout, where I'll draw that line. Otherwise I'd never get anything done! I too am the kind of person who'll never say "stuff it" and I know what I'm like. @Rhys. The bridge is there to hide the exit to a fiddle-yard, not because I WANT it in, if you know what I mean. If I could fit just the station in I'd be happy. The lines for the fish sheds etc were all used up until the end, as far as I'm aware. @Everyone who's commented on it looking cramped. I'll go back to my pen-and-paper version of the layout and look at it all again. But I am surprised that something that looked so sparse "real-size" (i.e. on paper) looks so cramped digitally.

Missy, It's not about timescales per se, but about how best to spend the time I do have. 2mm finescale looks stunning, and maybe one day I shall, but (I suspect) in the time it'd take me to do the trackwork in FS I could be sharing my layout with my young nephews, driving trains & taking a scenically developed layout to exhibitions. I guess I'd sum up my feelings thus: remember i am just rediscovering the hobby, if I was starting out in 4mm, would you be so keen for me to do so in EM or P4? Edit: Totally agree that this hobby is about enjoyment, and for me, part of the enjoyment comes from seeing progress & feeling like I'm getting somewhere. That said, I do also enjoy the detailed "engineering" side of things too, so maybe I'll build a yard crane to super-detailed standards!

Thanks for the comments and reading list Andy, I'll take a look. I like the thought of 2mmFS, and consider myself a modeller's modeller, but until I retire in 35+ years time my hobby time is finite! :-( With regards the fiddle yard, tbh that's only a rough layout but I ran out of "bits" in the free version of AnyTrack so that's as far as the design got. Comment about turning trains round duly noted. Tbh I may well put something like a sector plate or cassette system where that kick-back is. There's plenty of playing still to be done with the fiddle yard layout for sure.

A short post this time... With regards to some comments to part 1 of this post, here attached is the plan I've been working to / off. Sort of. Obviously I've added the bridge at the left hand end to mask the exit to the fiddle yard, but other than that it's pretty much the same. Well, to my eye it is, feel free to differ in opinion! I will, as ever, give all comments and feedback due consideration. The map & my plan then: (note one is upside down relative to the other!) Picture courtesy of RMWebber Piskey (I think) who runs this excellent website: http://www.northcornwallrailway.co.uk/ Thanks for the comments, keep 'em coming! Chuffs away! Cap'n Biggles

Missy, Rhys, Thank you for your feedback, it is always read with genuine interest. What follows, then, is my reasoning for having come to the conclusions / design I have, for it is through debate that I learn and my thinking is converted. No need to apologise for being blunt Rhys (I'm off to Lords to watch Eng vs NZ in the cricket in a few weeks time so I'm hoping we'll get our own back then!) Anyhow, to address your points: Firstly, who's saying I'm ignoring 2mm fine scale? ;-) I'd like to know more, however as I said in my previous post, my time to spend on the layout is limited, so I need to achieve maximum progress for my time. That's not to say rushing anything, or only using ready-to-plant buildings etc, I fully e intend Tom build a model railway, not a train set, but is there enough difference between 2mmFS & Peco code 55 to warrant building my own track & changing wheelsets, etc? I await your opinion / experience here. With regards to the comments over space etc, I'm fascinated by your comments. If I can work out how to attach to this post I will, otherwise I'll do another blog entry, but I have a Padstow Harbour Council drawing of the station and you will see just how close to the prototype that track layout is. As Mr RedgateModels will know / see when he visits for the 'Obby 'Oss festival, there is a cliff that runs the whole length across other back behind the station and yard area, leaving a very finite space between it and the sea / harbour. This is one of the reasons (childhood holidays notwithstanding) that attracted me to model the station, as it can be modelled relatively accurately because its depth is constrained. I could, if need be, lose the middle of the 5 sidings without losing too much authenticity, although I think that that was where the spare coaching stock for the ACE was held between return trips if the station needed to be cleared for a local train. There is in fact a good length headshunt that runs across the girder bridge that is a good 2' long, double that if you measure from the start of the sidings themselves. Ideally it'd be longer though, I agree. Sadly the space available in my garage is rather fixed Rhys (various doors & a lathe that I don't fancy moving!) so no chance for a separate fiddle yard. I could of course reduce the size of the one round the back, but really the design process was fit the station on, and fit the fiddle yard round the back. An alternative could be to use a spiral and have it below instead. With regards to running at home, I can work on the layout fully assembled in my garage, but as you point out I'd not have access to the fiddle yard. I could do a limited running session in there, but would obviously have to remember what was where. With careful negotiations with the household authorities I could get temporary running rights in the dining room, that would allow all-round access. The two boards would probably be 4' & 5' long, due to where the point work has ended up. Thank you though, both, for the reassurance that if anything I have gone too far the other way, and I'm unlikely to have trouble with too much space! Chuffs away! Cap'n Biggles P.S I can't upload the pic from my iPad, so will make another blog entry instead. Give me 5...

Since my last post I've mainly been doing more dreaming, and despite the inconvenience of an interruption due to my first wedding anniversary, I have managed to come up with this: AnyTrack is the easiest bit of software I've used for ages, but I suspect you all knew that already. Anyway, I've drawn up my version of Padstow, (just as I had it on the wall paper lining paper in my previous post) and apart from moving the signal box and finishing the Fish Shed sidings in line with the platform (in reality they disappear a long, long way off to the right in a sweeping curve) the plan is pretty much prototypical. I can't vouch for the distances, but the platform will accommodate a 5-coach train which I believe is about as long as the ACE got by the time it reached Padstow. In any case, the boards are already 9' long, which seems awfully long for N, so I'm not going to make them even longer. The width is 2'6" and the fiddle yard will run at the back of the board, however I can fit it in once the scenic break / cliffs are in place. One thing I mentioned in my previous post is that to my 00-trained eye, I'm wondering if there is too much space & not enough going on. I know what Missy meant when she said about putting too much in, but I'm conscious that what the plan really is is a series of 7 long sidings and a turntable. Short of shoving wagons up and down them, with the occasional ACE coming in, loco running round and then off again, is there enough (particularly on the right hand side of the turntable) to attract the eye? I'll be putting a couple of fishing boats in the harbour, and maybe a crane or two. But the rest of the space will be piles of nets, lobster pots... To the extreme left is my cunning plan to disguise the exit of the mainline to the fiddle yard, by using the clutter of a girder bridge hard up against a back scene to cover the track disappearing off through. The bridge will continue to be double-track, even after the disappearance of the track proper, so it looks as though the line just continues off the left, even if nothing ever runs on it. I hope it's a bit clearer now than my last explanation now anyway. Well, I'd love to know what you all make of it, thanks for all the encouragement so far! I suspect my next post will be on the subject of baseboards, but until then... Chuff’s away! Cap’n Biggles April 2013

Allow me to introduce myself, as this will be the first in what I hope will be a series of posts as I learn from you all and experience the trials and tribulations of building my first layout. I’m Captain Biggles, I’m 32, and I’m considering building the first layout of my adult life. I’m an engineer by day but by night and occasionally at the w/e I’m a closet geek, as my wife calls me. I last started a layout aged 14 (that never got finished as I discovered first women, then beer, then beer & women. And a bit of sport. Anyway… That’s me, sort of, but what else do you need to know? Some facts: What? I’m going to model Padstow station, that’s a given. In the latter years of its life, say 1950-65. I’d like it to be close to prototypical, but I also recognise that we model, not miniaturise, so I’m prepared for some artistic licence to be used. This is a skill I’m going to need your help to learn anyway. Experience? I’m effectively starting from scratch. I have no stock, no boards, no track, nothing but a tool box & a head full of dreams. Over the past few years I’ve built an 0 gauge G6 in brass and some wagons, that go around the tree at Christmas, but that’s about it. Gauge? 00 would be my gauge of choice. But space may dictate otherwise (more on this later). Space? I have a space down one side of the garage that is maybe 10’ x 3’ MAX. Ideally it’d be smaller, and I’d like to perhaps take the layout to a few local shows if it’s any good, so I’d like it to be portable too. Maybe breaking down into 2 sections, 5’ x 3’ max, which should just about fit in the back of my car (Audi Q5).? Timescale? I have another life. I have a house that needs doing up and although there are no Jr Ensign Biggleses yet, I’m sure kids will come along in the not-too-distant future. Mrs Captain Biggles is tolerant, but not encouraging, of my subversive activities, and all other demands on my time come first. I don’t expect to finish anything off rapidly then, but I’m looking forward to learning and playing along the way. It’s a hobby, and I treat it as such. So, where am I at with this “project” then? I have found a couple of plans of Padstow, and this particularly useful website here: http://www.northcornwallrailway.co.uk/route.html (which I think is the work of RMwebber Piskey). I’ve got as far as laying out Peco templates on wallpaper lining paper and I started in 00, but without foreshortening the platform length significantly (I think it should accommodate 5 coaches min, from what I have read) and having no room for a fiddle-yard it was never going to fit in the space available. I did consider using a spiral to have a fiddle-yard above or below the layout, but this would add to the width too. So I’m leaning towards N, as the attached photos show. It is currently 9’ x 2’6”, with a fiddle-yard behind the cliffs I’ll use at the back of the station, connected by an off-scene 180deg bend. Please do let me know your thoughts, and at this stage, I have two questions / concerns: Firstly, never having modelled in N, is is the space going to look too sparse in this scale? It’s a large area, and will obviously include docks and boats and fish sheds and so on, but will I be able to make an aesthetically pleasing model and add enough “clutter” to give the eye something to look at. I notice that most people’s N-gauge termini tend to be 1-1’6” and this is much wider. Am I right to have this concern? Secondly, how do I hide the 180deg bend at one end? Padstow is famous for the iron girder bridge over Little Petherick Creek, and I’m wondering if I can use this to my advantage. I’ve sketched it up (close-up photo below) so that both tracks enter the right-hand section, but the rear line then curves off-scene, with a dummy bit of track appearing to carry on over the other two sections of the bridge along with the headshunt. I’m considering using 3 bridge girder-assemblies per section of the bridge, with the middle of the right-hand section being blanked off so the train disappears from view. The middle and left-hand sections of the bridge are fully see-through, and have a backscene behind. Confused? Yes, so am I. I’m looking forward to this project, and who knows what’ll happen. But I do know from having been a closet forum-lurker for some time that there’ll be no end of help available on these pages. I hope that in time, people will find my ramblings and failings of interest to themselves too. Chuff’s away! Cap’n Biggles April 2013