Physicsman

Comparison of Peco code 75 60" turnout and Marcway 60"... a perfect match, rail-wise. The Marcway has a longer "tail". Jeff

Cheers Jam! I was just thinking that if the frogs from my pond were struck by lightning I'd have instant electrofrogs and wouldn't have to buy any!! Umm... Jeff

Mike, it also gave me the chance to sample the Physics of quicksand. Even my frogs are running for cover. Quite extraordinary. But nevermind, us northerners are tough enough to cope with it, Lol! Jeff

Movement of plywood into the bunker has been temporarily suspended by fork lightning, torrential rain then hailstones. Oh, the joys of a traditional British June day! Jeff

Repeat the mantra after me... It will turn out alright, It will turn out alright, It will turn out alright, It will turn out alright, It WILL BL***Y WELL turn out alright... I hope!!!!! You're doing a great job there, Jason. "Keep the faith"... Jeff

Just received my Marcway turnout templates. Jason, you were right. A comparison of the 36" and 60" radius Marcway and Peco templates shows them to be nigh-on identical, though the Marcway has a slightly longer "tail". So it looks like 60" radius turnouts for the scenic part of Kirkby Luneside (I'll need 8 ). Haven't got round to the slips yet... Jeff

Hi Andy, That club layout sounds superb. I'm not sure I could manage 41' x 12' by myself. On the other hand, chance might be a fine thing! I'd definitely be interested in seeing a few of your completed pics of Kingsmill. If you get chance, PM me a few. Always like to look over some of the better layouts - I'm always trying to learn and pick up new ideas. It looks like I'll be ordering my track in mid-July for the start of my hols. I wish I had it now, but finances dictate. Even without a SWMBO I can only indulge myself to a point. Having said that, once I get tracklaying the coffers will open!! Enjoy your fun at the club - I'm assuming it's 00? Cheers Andy, Jeff

Thanks Peter, Yes, I do enjoy a bit of woodwork. To be honest, once I get going I don't want to stop! As for tracklaying, I think we might see some of that by the end of August. I need to check what I need and order the stuff first. And I think I need some of your Australian sunshine to cure my shoulder (we haven't got much here despite the fact it's "flaming June"!!). Best wishes, Jeff

12mm ply makes a good baseboard, but manoeuvring an 8' x 4' sheet through the doorwell and onto the subframe is bl***y difficult! Feel like I've dislocated my shoulder! Nevermind, at least I can start some detailed track positioning when the turnout templates arrive! Jeff

Cheers Alan. I was being a bit facetious in my comments, but fact if often stranger than fiction! And I'd agree re. what Jason is doing. Extremely instructive! Alan - have a look at "Ben Alder" (Richard's) Far North Line - the scratchbuilding there is also cracking! Jeff

Just ordered a set of Marcway templates. £4.20. Guy in the shop was very helpful and hopefully the templates will aid with mods from Peco code 75 plan to SMP. Whatever, it's always fun to play around and plan! Jeff

Hi Andy. I hadn't seen Kingsmill before and didn't realise you'd got rid of it. It just made an instant impression! Is Kingsmill on the forum? Would like to see more. I think my current layout is going to keep me occupied for a few years, though a shelf layout in the (soon to be emptied) bedroom does appeal. I don't know why I'm worrying - there's only me (and the cat) in the house, so no SWMBO to consider (at the moment, at least!). Best wishes, Jeff

Yes Andy, but at least the "small" ones you build are all good! I had a look at your weathering thread. Very interesting, and nice to see Kingsmill. Jeff

Jason, your post of 15.11 today shows the ballasting to be well done, even and, what-the-hell, a few stray bits of ballast make it more realistic, rather than less! I also think your second picture confirms how 2mm ballast is more appropriate for 00 - rather than the mini-boulders that go under the name of "00 gauge". I also agree that the photos can be mis-represented with flash. Tends to bleach out all the colour and give a poorer rendition of reality. Jeff

That is a good question David. I wonder if anyone will come up with an answer? 2mm stuff is fine enough - so maybe N-gaugers just use dust? Jeff

Ha ha indeed! Hell, you would think one layout would be enough - but judging by your experience, it clearly isn't! Cheers, Jeff

Al, you are a star! You are on - I think I can afford the milk! Current layout is being removed - skip will be ordered at the end of July. I'll save what I can - Veissmann lamps etc., but the majority of the scenics are doomed. I'm turning the room back into a bedroom - not that I'm short of space. I may have a little plan in mind for a shelf layout in there sometime in the future! Jeff

No problem! I don't suppose you know anything about Marcway point geometry? Medium radius points will be 36", as for Peco Streamline. I wonder if anyone has any turnout templates on here? (if not I'll ring them and buy some). Jeff

Morning Pete, Glad you found the thread. I've always gone for "permanence" where possible. I'm starting to dismantle the structure I built in a spare bedroom from 2003 - 2011, and it's proving to be quite an effort! The great thing about this hobby is the almost limitless variation in techniques employed. And when it comes down to it, as long as the end product works, that's fine! I can see the attraction of Foamboard and it seems to be getting more popular over here. An equivalent product I used for wall insulation, in 8' x 4' blocks, has surprising rigidity, is light and withstands a lot of bashing around. Thanks for your comments. We will just have to see how this project progresses over the next year or two, Cheers, Jeff

Morning 'CHARD. Many thanks for the generous comments re. the subframe. I'm very pleased with the result, and surprised I managed to build it in 5 days (ironically, I want to take my time to lengthen the enjoyment factor - but I get carried away!!). The problem now is that the next step has to do justice to what went before... I've always just plonked the baseboard straight on top of the frame - easy, but with inevitable consequences when it comes to fit point motors etc - the beams always seem to be in the wrong place. So, risers it will be... when I get round to it. The trackplan has been worked out in detail using Anyrail for Peco code 75, but I really need to "mock" up the plan onto the board before any cutting takes place. I have Peco point "stencils", but my proposed Marcway turnouts could be a bit different, and I know the curved turnouts certainly are. So progress will be slow until I get a stock of track and/or turnout outlines. Marcway do a Layout Planner, so I'll give them a ring. So, after a week of fun (I've spent my hols in the garage) we now have a period of rapid deceleration until the next "surge". Anticipation and planning is one of the best bits of the hobby - isn't it? And btw, a skilled joiner might give my structure a casual glance. Yes, it's level and all joints are square. But some of the cutting is a bit out - it just doesn't show on the photos!! All the best, Jeff

Well. as they say, it's a small world! Though having said that, with nearly 16,000 members of this Forum, I suppose it's inevitable there are a few people who live in proximity to the S&C. No doubt you are heavily into the Waverley with 'CHARD, Max Stafford and the "crew"? Again, a great bunch - I may know a lot of Physics but my railway knowledge is minute in comparison to many here. No problem,,,expertise on tap when you need it. I've been to Edinburgh on a number of occasions - though not recently (1995 for a Star Trek exhibition!!). I'm off for my beauty sleep - hoping to dream-up solutions to the next stage of the project! Cheers, Jeff

Hi Jon, Does your mum live near the S&C? My dad lives in Barrow-in-Furness, and I go over to see him 6-8 times a year. My path takes me past Kirkby Stephen station, so it's like an old friend to me. A mate and I plan to have a good few days on the S&C this summer, driving to KS, parking and away we go! Ian Macdonald sent me a dvd with all his KSW research, photos, past articles, magazine photos, layout development etc. All from a simple remark I made re. the Huddersfield MRS and whether it had any info on "their" KSW layout - which is actually Ian's. Hope I'm making sense! The generosity of people on this Forum has to be seen to be believed, including your very kind offer. If you hadn't already worked it out, I'm retiring soon. I worked in research, and have been teaching Physics for nearly 30 years. Time to get out, so I have. Hopefully this will free-up plenty of time to do lots of modelling, visit interesting places and chat to all you guys on RMW. Best wishes, Jeff

Interesting! My last layout - where I used a 44mm x 44mm half-lap frame - had an 18mm (should we say 3/4 " in old money?) chipboard top and that weighed a ton. I added various bits using 6mm MDF - great material - but for the present layout I'm trying 12mm ply. I got to like the stuff when building the walls for the garage conversion. And I'm convinced I'm going to make a "horlicks" of the next stage too. However, (a) I will do a bit of experimenting first, and ( b ) if I cock it up, do you think I'll put it in the thread? Well, actually, I will!! Cheers, Jeff

That's another new thing I've learned today. I want to be careful about how far I go down the prototypical route, otherwise I'll stop myself and triple-question every decision I make. So I'm going for the "spirit of the S&C" which means homage to a typical S&C style station and the all-important landscape. I've always enjoyed the design and actual build of the project more than the precise detail. But, as your post and Jason's above show, it's very easy - if we choose - to get very close to the real thing. With all the photographic evidence you've provided - and I must single out Ian Macdonald here (his excellent Kirkby Stephen West layout may be familiar to you) for sending me megabytes of photos and research - I have no excuses for not attempting scratchbuilds of S&C structures. But I think I'll be happy with the SMP - and hope my trains are too! Cheers Jon, Jeff

I knew you'd spot the tell-tale glue smears. I don't doubt the efficacy of my joinery, but just to add even MORE strength I added PVA to all the joints I could easily get at - which came to 48 out of 60... not bad! Over a litre of PVA, in addition to 3" screws...I think the garage will collapse before the subframe!! As for the ply...Mike, you've done this thing before. Exactly right! Cheers, Jeff