Bino

I plan to use streamline throughout but didn't consider 3-way points as cost is a factor. I'm trying to use the points I already have and I'll have to spend a fair bit on the curved points. I do plan to introduce a connecting crossover between the up and down lines of the fiddle yard.

Here I've revised the fiddle yard design to, not only increase the capacity for longer trains but, increase the number of trains I can park. I know that sometimes a plan on paper (or in this case Anyrail) does not always translate to the boards but I've laid it out using printed templates and it looks as if it will work. As always, comments welcomed

Thanks Ian, all good advice. I’ve had bad experiences with curved points in the past but I’ll look again at the fiddle yard.

Some good progress has been made with the framework. I’m fairly pleased with the results although close scrutiny would prove embarrassing. The short end ‘bridges’ still to be adddd once I calculate the maximum radius I can get away with. The storage sidings will take one loco with a rake of six coaches in both directions. This will be the A4s with various shorter trains taking up the other 8 lines. Next step will be laying the storage sidings.

First steps. The frame for the Storage Sidings is done. It's tempting to start laying track but I'm going to press on with the framework as it's noisier work and I cant really be disturbing everyone into the night.

Procrastination is indeed the thief of time. I say this because this project 'started' 20 years ago and only now as I am in my early 60's that I realise I shouldn't delay much longer. I'm creating this layout topic as an means to spur me into action! As a concept I wanted to represent the Buchanan Street to Aberdeen route circa 1963 with a fictional location somewhere between Dunblane and Perth. The station will be a double track mainline with a loop and branch line. This is very loosely based on Dunblane but I shied away from naming it such. Originally this was going to be a loft layout but my daughter leaving home presented an unexpected bonus (her bedroom). This coupled with growing concern about how much longer i could climb that loft ladder made for an easy decision. The room is approx 14ft x 8ft which is less than I had in the loft but a decent compromise. One side of the room will be the station area (10ft x 3ft) and the other side will be taken up by the storage sidings (10 x 2ft). This leaves an operating well 3ft wide. I'm a little frustrated that half the layout will be taken up by the storage sidings as I would have loved a scenic area for my A4s to storm through. I may develop the branch line to incline and create a scenic terminus above this area but I'm already getting way ahead of myself. The storage sidings will be Peco Code 100 and the Station area I'm hoping to use Peco Bullhead 75 (lottery win permitting). There are significant obstacles that I've identified:- Finance : My wife has recently lost her job so I'm recycling as much wood as I can from the loft and trying to be inventive. Availability: A recent trip to my local B&Q prompted me to ask if they were closing down. Supplies of sheet material were either poor quality of non existent. Skills: I'm no carpenter or electrician but I'm a bit of a perfectionist. Something's gotta give. Time: I'm not getting any younger. I hope to post pictures and maybe video of my efforts but progress may be slow. As i tell my wife, the joy is in the journey! Dave

yes, thank you. I've watched the video from Dean Park and they will overcome my issues. Can't afford them right now. Hindsight is wonderful.

I notice a few videos on YouTube featuring these Elite couplings. They are the answer to the problems I've encountered with the Bachmann Mk1's. I've reverted back to my tension locks and doubt I will fork out another £25 on the Elite version. I'm a bit annoyed with myself.

I agree with everything you say. I hope I didn't sound like I was criticising the couplings. I really want them to work for me but on the Bachmann Mk1's I have a few issues to overcome. Yes, I think you are right but the couplings don't clear the buffer beam sufficiently as the mechanism slides across.

I did buy a set of stepped as well but the 'step' only occurs as an offset position of the magnet.

I received my couplings recently and I thought I'd share my thoughts. I intend running fixed formations on my layout so these seemed ideal. I hadn't had many issues with the TLC supplied with these but I liked the look of close coupled coaches. I ordered Close Coupling set for NEM pockets on my Bachmann Mark 1's and visually they are extremely good. However, I had a few issues.Some fitted well but some were very tight in the NEM pocket and I had to file out the pocket before they would fit. Others were not tight enough and resulted in the coaches uncoupling. Also, the rake made an odd clicking noise on the curves that I haven't been able to establish the cause of. In the attached photos it doesn't look like the buffers are touching on my 30inch curves. The noise may be the coupling rubbing against the underside of the coach frame as in this photo. The Bachmann TLC's avoid this contact with a drop in height rather than coming straight outward. Overall I think these are good and I want them to work for me but it seems I have had more issues than anyone else posting here.

Prob £5 fuel + £11 parking so works out slightly more expensive but more convenient as I don't live near my railway station.

Parking cost me £11 and whilst this seems a lot, it was cheaper than taking the train.

Navigating the exhibition with a rucksack would be a nightmare. Friday will be busy. As suggested, take advantage of the (modestly priced) cloak room.

This may be of interest. I bought one in store today https://www.aldi.co.uk/1kg-fx-dry-powder-fire-extinguisher/p/700885326200800

Any progress guys?

I think this sums up the situation from my point of view. However, how many modellers run rakes of coaches with identical running numbers? Are some of us too critical? I have seen prototypical DMU sets running with different classes at either end and variant centre coaches. Do manufacturers pay too much credence to the modelling media?

I should have said that my interest is in 1st Generation given that my layout theme is Scottish 1960's. The answer is/was that it would not be possible to number the centre cars prototypically. That in its self is not so shocking but when I suggested that to many modellers (ie me) that would be a minor factor I was told that the prevailing criticism from modelling media is a major factor that they take very seriously and such criticism does influence their decision making.

I attended Model Rail Scotland in February and asked the Bachmann team why DMU centre cars were not produced to convert 2 car sets into 3 car sets. To me, it's a no brainer. The reasons I was given frankly shocked me and this has been praying on my mind since. But, I wonder if anyone can guess what they said?

How do I identify which resistors to buy for operating LEDs through 12 or 16v power supply?

What is a smoothed DC controller?

oh well. That's quite a specific topic.

The cover says 'Simple ways to wire your layout' but I'm struggling to find that article.

There's some terrific images of Larbert station available on Ebay just now. lots of Gloucester 100's (might be many pictures of the same one) and a Western Region AC Railbus.

My interests are the Glasgow to Aberdeen mid Sixties route and so I looked at Glasgow North some years ago when planning a layout. Limited for space I would have truncated the carriage sidings but tried to maintain the number of platforms. Ultimately my eyesite limitations mean I am modelling in 4mm and simply couldn't do the plan justice.