Physicsman

Hi Andy, Thanks for the kind comments. My dad was a joiner - I chose to be a nuclear physicist!! But the "building gene" got through...I'm adequate at woodwork, I have a go. It's ok for rough work but I'd be stuck making anything half-decent! The garage is converted and the layout can (hopefully) begin! I think you do yourself an injustice. Both Loch Leven and Trebudoc are excellent layouts. I only hope my efforts look as good! All the best, Jeff

I'm glad to hear that as they stock a good range of stuff that's hard to find elsewhere. I must have a check of their website as it's been a while since I used them. Jeff

Btw, the viaduct in your second picture looks like Dent? Jeff

Splendid stuff Jam - don't mind at all. Ribblehead - could have been any of the S&Cs...very characteristic stations. I'm looking forward to a journey or two up to Carlisle this summer. Maybe add the Keighley and Worth Valley at the same time. Happy times ahead! People who aren't "into" this hobby have no idea!! Best wishes, Jeff

Further developments... It may seem like overkill - well it is - but I am using "metric 4 x 2" ie. 95mm x 45mm as the basis for the subframe. A stock of this, in 3.6m lengths, was delivered last weekend. The first pieces have been marked out ready for cutting and, with a holiday approaching (and maybe a new jigsaw and some sharpened chisels) I will start next week. I will post photos in due course, along with a subframe plan. But not until I'm well into the project, as some of you will think it's way over the top (I don't intend the structure to shift!!) and will send for the men in the white coats!! Jeff

Yes, I'd agree with that. Ordered a lot of scenic grass and embankment structures from them when they were in Wales. Service on the 'phone was always excellent. The guy that ran the company used to remember my previous order, even if it was months earlier! I didn't realise they'd moved to Scotland. No doubt the service will be just as good. Jeff

I'm not an ECML modeller, but I do wish I could afford some of those A4s. Very impressive indeed. Jeff

Cheers Andy. I think your "hands-on" attitude is first-class, especially with regard to DCC. A number of my Physics students have had a go on my old layout and been amazed by the flexibility of the system. The more converts the merrier! Best wishes, Jeff

Hi Andy. The photos you posted yesterday are very nice indeed. Particularly like the guy with his cup of tea (or whatever!). Are you planning a backscene for the rear of the layout? I don't normally look at 0 gauge layouts, but, as with Loch Leven, you're doing a cracking job. Jeff

Thanks for the comments Will. They are much appreciated. I should get cutting on the subframe in a week or so. I plan to take my time as the last thing I want to do is rush the job and make a hash of it. There is also the wonderful sense of anticipation and planning! You can't beat it! I'm a bit of a scenery freak - probably because of the area I travel through and the influences I've had from other modellers. The temptation is to cram too much rail into a layout, but the context is what matters to me. You may like to have a look at 60091's excellent S&C N gauge layout, or Ian Macdonald's Kirkby Stephen West to see this kind of thing very nicely done. The first has a thread in Layouts. The second has been in RM and Hornby and, I think, is due again in RM later this year. I shall follow your progress with keen interest! Best wishes, Jeff

Update: Just ordered the wood for the baseboard subframe. Delivery next week. So it'll be out with the saw, chisels, square, power tools etc. Great stuff! Jeff

Well Kev, you are clearly making a concrete suggestion as to what to do with out-of-date models. With 85 018 on the blocks, life's a breeze. Terrible puns, I know. Lovely picture! Jeff

Hi Peter, It's been a couple of weeks since I've looked at Llanbourne - I should be ashamed of myself! Everything is up to the usual standard! I do agree about the rendering, and your backscene "conversion" looks to be a great success - so I would persevere with it. As I've said before, it's layouts like yours that are keeping me motivated while I wait to start mine. Best wishes, Jeff

Carpet now fitted. Room feels instantly warmer! Nothing to stop subframe construction now... wood will be ordered next weekend for delivery early June. Getting excited! Jeff

Hi Sandside, Rather than hijack Alan's S&C N gauge thread, I thought I'd reply here... Thanks for the info on Milliput. I'd never heard of it - yes, I'm a Neanderthal!! - but will now investigate further. Jeff

Michael, the photos in your last post are superb. The black and white suits the grimy nature of the yard to a tee. Either you must be a historical archivist or a persistent searcher to dig out all these photos. I've spent a bit of time on flickr now and can see it's a real treasure-trove. Many thanks. Jeff

Don't get me started Rob!! About to start the S&C layout and simultaneously thinking of ways to build a GWR BLT - however cliched they seem to have become. Maybe Kirkby Luneside (my S&C) could be home to an annual "heritage" regatta of locos...umm! Idea lacks authenticity, but I might have to succumb! Jeff

I'd like to buy one, too, Mike - but I don't think I could justify a GWR loco on my S&C layout. Must admit the temptation to start a GWR-based collection is growing...oh dear! Jeff

Having just spent several hours at the NYMR at Grosmont, the Britannia is most definitely confirmed in my list (with Peppercorn A1/A2) of best-looking steam loco. 70000 in green looked quite superb. 9F 92214 "Cock of the North" in black was pretty good too, but let's not get carried away! Jeff

Very impressive, Simon, and I'm sure the technical spec is superb. But it looks like something the Borg (Trek) built! Jeff

Apollo's photo of the stunning NYC Niagara - which I know nothing about - goes to reinforce Talltim's earlier comment about the parochial nature of the majority of our choices. Maybe it would have been better if we'd had 2 threads running: best-looking British and best-looking World. My non-UK knowledge is very limited. That US "Brit" is very beautiful to my eyes - makes me wonder how many foreign locos I could appreciate (as much as a Britannia or A2) if I did but know about them. Thanks Apollo! Jeff

I find it MUCH harder to choose my favourite "best" looker, as against my "worst" looker. My steam choice is either a Peppercorn A1/A2 or Britannia. My diesel choice is the Deltic. We will no doubt get as many variations of choice in this thread as there are posts. I think it's important to distinguish how we perceive looks as against all round favourites (taking lots of other criteria into consideration). Jeff

Should I EVER have doubted that a miniature army of RMwebbers would provide solutions to my question (rhetorical question). Just had a look on flickr website. Oh dear! So much stuff and so addictive. There is now no excuse for elements of my planned layout to diverge from the prototype. Thanks folks! Jeff

Lol! I'm sure there's someone out there that can answer my question. I think I'll have a look at the flickr site - I must admit it is new to me (shows how little I know). Judging by the stuff you've managed to trawl from it, it appears to be an amazing resource. Jeff

Am I seeing things, or are there maroon coaches mixed in with the Mk1s behind that deltic? Is so, was this a common practice - or is this a heritage railway shot? Any ideas, Michael? Btw, the photo is superb - and well composed. The problem (and, ironically the advantage) of digital cameras is that people tend to just "shoot" rather than looking for a good angle or viewpoint. Agree with MD about the photosharing. An absolute boon to modellers! Jeff