Physicsman

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

Always found their mail order service to be prompt.

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

Thanks Jeff, I am NOT planning a backscene on this one as at home I will spin it around and operate as at shows. Also I like to comunicate with the paying public and find back scenes always a bit restrictive, and with Glen Roy and Loch Leven I operate from the front at the end, and I find this great to be able to not only chat to the public but let them have a go as many people are frightened of DCC untill they try it, also the kids enjoy starting up Diesels and sounding the horns. I was going to do the same with this and I don't know why I didn't to be honest. The main point lever and the on/off switch for the dead section are under the grass embankment along the back. I can get to them from the front but its very awkward and would deffinately be a pain at shows.

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

I share your anguish... the recent Hornby Castle and Bachmann City do rather celebrate some fine steam engineering and fine modelling. Not to mention the Robinson GWR ex-ROD...

 

Rob

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

But at the end of all that what we will only conclusively know is what we see when it arrives. i.e. we will get exactly what we receive, good, brilliant, bad or indifferent (but I'll still be buying one).

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

Nickel Plate Berkshire:

Perfect fast frieght engine.

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

haha dont ask me

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

Just looked through this thread for the first time. Michael's photo of the green Brit, coupled to the blue and grey Mk1s is somehow appealing!

Not a combination I'd have expected to work. Into the layout room to match up said combination and see for myself!

Jeff

Thanks for the S&C pics Michael. Two nice images. The only readily available S&C steam pic I could conjure up was from a Google scan ... an Ivatt 2-6-0 leaving Carlisle with a mix of freight, sometime in the 1960s. Hope the image isn't copyrighted!!

Jeff

Just to agree with those above. I use Woodland Scenics Grey Blend ballast in both Fine and Medium Grade on Eastwood Town. A mix of both gives a good variation of size. By the way, you'll be amazed how little you use if you hoover up the excess after every application, so the overall cost is probably much lower than you expect.

I was about to post almost exactly the same as Gordon when I noticed his post! So-called 00 ballast is too coarse in my opinon. I've used a mix of 4 parts Woodland Scenics Fine grade to 1 part WS Medium, both in grey blend. The mix is a bit rough and ready and adds to the variation. Try it and see.

Jeff

How long have you been building the layout? You have all the basics in place and the potential to produce a sensational landscape. The view of the viaduct, hillside and passing 2-6-0 should be inspiration enough.

Very enjoyable and something I can relate to as my last effort - about to be scrapped - took 8 years!

Jeff