NHY 581

Not another thread, another forum, not RmWeb. The thinking and inspiration behind Flaxfield has been taking shape elsewhere since May. I've not felt able to do this on this thread/ RmWeb. Rob

Morning all, Your collective thoughts on this. I am increasingly disenchanted with my own thread, this thread and a thread that will celebrate it's tenth birthday in a little over a months time and one that currently sits at 810 pages, has over 20,000 replies and has received 1.5M views. But........does it still do what I set out to do....as in document my modelling endeavours ? I no longer think it does. Part of this is down to my current lack of modelling, my lack of productivity. Ah! Some will say, thread drift is the way it is on RMweb. But does it have to be that way ? Where do we draw the line ? Is there a line that needs drawing ? Am I being overly sensitive ? Intolerant even ? The thread has become a social gathering point where other members interact, which is fine but rarely now do my own posts generate much in the way of modelling discussion, mainly because there are few and far between and they seem to disappear amongst the other social stuff..........which has the knock on effect that I'm even less likely to post modelling updates...... Are people still interested in it or has the interaction this thread provides overtaken the modelling ? I genuinely don't know which it is. I'm my own worst enemy with this as I am quick to initiate my own thread drift through my own off piste posts at times. I accept that and clearly we can't have it all ways. If I can do it, why can't others ? Mixed messaging ? So, with a new layout build likely in the new year, where does this build get documented ? Here or elsewhere ? New thread ? The thought process behind Flaxfield is currently being documented on another forum. Why ? Well, simply because I felt it couldn't be done on this thread.........It wouldn't be of interest ? Off thread I do discuss things with other members. So, I put this out to you, the 200+ followers ( I know there aren't but that's what the figures tell us ) of these collective ramblings through which runs my last five builds. I am genuinely interested in your thoughts in order to provide an indication of where this thread goes from here. And where it goes does depend on you. Rob

Morning all, A reminder if I may.........Walk on part at Lord and Butler this coming Saturday. At some point , early next year, I'll be doing a weathering demo, focusing on the use of weathering powders. First one will be regarding rolling stock. Later on in the year, I'll be showing how ready to plant buildings can be given a more individual look. Rob.

Better off parking in Maidstone and going to Rapido RailEx then. Rob

My understanding is that we don't have that long to wait, certainly in the case of the Y and the small radius points. Rob

A bit of North Eastern action on Ewe this evening. Rob

A North Eastern interlude. Rob

Turning one's back on the audience, something I dislike doing and apologise to viewers for, is the inevitable consequence of operating from the front and manually uncoupling. Can't be helped. Must say, the more this discussion continues, the more I'm satisfied with my decision to step away from exhibiting my layouts, certainly next year......at least. Rob

It's all down to how you interact with the public whilst operating. Those of us on this thread who regularly exhibit ( and there are quite a few ) engage with the visitor and take the opportunity to explain things, be it about the layout itself or the way in which it is operated. As I said earlier, and seemingly overlooked by yourself, as an operator part of the enjoyment we get from exhibiting is operating in a prototypical fashion albeit at a higher frequency of service. Key to this is the manner in which those services are operated in order to provide a fairly believable snapshot of that which is modelled. Things don't move all the time on my layouts at shows. They're not built for that ( and neither am I ) but when nothing is moving, it's because I'm chatting to visitors. I can't operate and chat so best not to try. Rob

Key phrase here and don't forget we as operators have to derive satisfaction from operating in something approaching a prototypical fashion. The frequency of services may be higher than real life but the manner in which those services are operated is key to providing a fairly believable snapshot of that which is modelled. Rob.

I have to disagree with that. Pausing prior to uncoupling then pausing once coupled is the correct way to operate. It's as essential as a smooth, gradual halt and acceleration. Visitors do like to see things moving but not at the expense of plausible operation. Rob

Hi Dave, IF they follow the Streamline points, then they will be, Length: 185mm Frog Angle: 12 Degrees Radius: 610mm Rob

I'm simply trying to source ONE GER 6 wheeler and ONE SECR 4 wheel brake coach. Thank you.

Hi, Just a gentle reminder that this is a wanted ad............there is a thread on these coaches. Rob

The SWAG RmWeb Members day for 2025 ( aka CAKERAIL '25 ) is scheduled for.......... Sunday, 6th April 2025. That's........ 10AM- 4PM , Sunday 6th April 2025 Where Staplegrove Village Hall, 214 Staplegrove Road, Taunton. TA2 6AL The event is held on the ground floor only and is fully accessible. Serious stuff. ************PLEASE NOTE*********** IF TRAVELLING BY CAR, REMEMBER, THERE IS LIMITED PARKING AT THE HALL ITSELF. THE VENUE SITS WITHIN A RESIDENTIAL AREA SO PLEASE PARK WITH DUE CONSIDERATION TO LOCAL RESIDENTS. FUN STUFF......... LAYOUTS. The Running Shed-7mm-Ian Statham. Ian flys the 7mm flag this year with his 7mm micro layout depicting the interior of a Western Region engine shed and features his lovely builds of Western Region locos. Subtle interior lighting really showcases his locos in a typically gritty but nicely subdued manner. Some lovely figures and interior fittings add to the ambience. If you think you can't fit a 7mm diorama into the house or model large GWR locos in 7mm, think again. Juniper Hill Tip- 4mm 00 gauge by@46444 aka Mark Branson. Mark brings his new London Transport inspired cameo layout along this year. Set somewhere in Hertfordshire, just off the Metropolitan Libe, near Watford, you can find a site called Juniper Hill Tip. Owned by London Transport, waste permanent way materials are brought out of London, along with hot ashes for disposal. Expect Red Panniers and old ex Metropolitan Railway E Class locos shuffling about this quiet backwater.............but beware the sneaky Sentinel waiting in the wings.......The end is nigh for steam, I tell ye !! Helland Wharf-4mm 00 Gauge- by @Mike_Walker Mike, inspired by the work of well known photographers such as Peter Gray has modelled this well known location on the Boscarne Junction to Wenford Bridge line. Mike has devised a rather cunning operating schedule which has rung the most out of what is a very simple track plan, surrounded by a very faithful depiction of the immediate area. Expect Beattie Well Tanks in a protypical setting and no doubt other equally typical motive power appropriate to the 1960s period. Nancarrow Wharf-S Scale Cameo by Maurice Hopper aka @Maurice Hopper Continuing with this accidental Cornish theme for this year, Maurice brings us his newly constructed ( read still under construction at this time !) Cornish mineral exchange siding set in a springtime woodland scene, somewhere in the back of beyond north west of Bodmin. We can expect several LSWR locos (and some strangers) to make an appearance along with typical LSWR stock and hopefully some finished private owner wagons applicable to the area. Trerice-4mm P4 by the late Iain Rice @queensquare. Jerry has forsaken his usual 2mm F/S contribution to bring us Trerice, Iain Rice's well known and arguably seminal China clay cameo layout. A personal favourite of mine and inspiration to many. I don't think I need to say any more than that. Bethesda Sidings-4mm 00 F/S @Captain Kernow aka Tim Maddocks Bethesda Sidings’ represents the goods yard of Capel Bethesda, using the road bridge that carried the lane to Penybont over both the goods yard connecting line and the main line to Rhayader as a scenic break. The layout is goods only and a variety of typical W.R. motive power appears, such as pannier tanks, 14XX tanks, and the occasional Ivatt 2-6-0 or a ‘Dukedog’. As the layout is set in the post-November 1962 period, trains from the Vale of Radnor Light Railway are authorised to run over BR metals from Vale of Radnor Ground Frame into the goods yard, so a variety of industrial and light railway types will be available. Abergain- 4mm EM Gauge by @Abergwaunaka Graham Tierney. Graham will be recognised by many visitors as a member of the Cardiff 4mm Group who have brought us many fine Welsh pre-grouping EM Gauge layouts over the years. This is Graham's own layout which depicts a joint Taff Vale/GWR coastal terminus in West Wales set around 1922. Expect a good selection of pre-groupagery including a rather tasty Taff Vale Railway Steam Railmotor. DEMONSTRATORS. Once again we have a selection of specialists to entertain and advise on really cool stuff. Stu, aka @Stubby47 will be there to discuss your requirements for a bespoke building or two. He'll also be demoing a selection of buildings by Railway Laser Lines, who are localish to Taunton. Stu will also will have some of his own kit designs they are ( or will be) producing . He can offer a custom building service for this lovely range of buildings and accessories. If you struggle to locate him, he'll be once again lost under a mound of chocolate cake crumbs. Martyn aka @mullie will be returning with something small and East Anglian and once again be sharing how he achieves such lovely colouring on his models. Chris, aka @Gilbert will be able to advise on various couplings and will possibly have other bits with him relating to his ongoing projects. Simon aka @Not Jeremyonce again brings us a selection of Big Boys Toys in Gauge 1 as operated on his garden railway at his country seat. Corbs aka @Corbs/ @RapidoCorbscomes to SWAG'25. No idea what he's doing, but he has a table. I'll be as surprised as you are ! James Daniels also joins us. James models in EM Gauge and has a penchant for producing ridiculously small but perfectly running locomotives from etched kits ( I can see him and our own CK getting on like a house on fire !). He'll also have his first layout, a test build in EM ( Obviously !) with him which will illustrate how small a project can be both fulfilling and provide a bit of stress relief when needed. Ask him about anything.....but he's not very good on football. Last, but by no means least Phil Parker @Phil Parkerwill hopefully have a selection of his builds as featured in BRM to hand......well, if his hand is not full of cake that is. CATERING DEPARTMENT. Our crack catering team, in the form of Peter, aka @peter220950 and Muz, aka @Graham_Muzwill be on hand to serve up a veritable feast of delights. The usual pasties, scratch built cakeage, cups of tea and coffee along with the usual smorgasbord of biscuits and Welsh cakes will feature. All we ask is if possible, please bring your own mug to help keep the amount of washing up to a minimum and prevent the catering team’s little pinkies from drying out. (Costs a fortune in moisturiser for them otherwise) Profit from all sales on the day will go towards supporting future SWAGs with the excess being donated to charity. ☆Please note...Following a successful trial at SWAG'24, Catering purchases can be made with either cash or card☆ BRING AND BUY. Once again our highly trained Retail Executives, Godfrey aka @Godfrey Glyn and Aidan aka @Culmheadwill be on hand, running the Bring and Buy stall to their usual unparalleled, highly efficient standard. Exhibitors and visitors are encouraged to raid those 'roundtoit' shelves and cupboards and offer those little nuggets for sale. Remember, 10% of the selling price will be payable to support future SWAGS. ☆Please note.......purchases can be made either by cash or card..☆ TRADERS. Please give some thought to anything you might want to be able to pick up from the traders on the day. Please consider contacting them prior to the weekend and arrange to collect on the day. Lord and Butler. Peter @Lord and Butler Model Railways will be along with a good cross section of items from the shop, both new and some previously loved nuggets. 247 Developments. Brian @247 Developmentsis a long time supporter of the event and will have his usual selection of hard to find detailing parts, etched products along with his ever expanding range of 3D prints. Mudmagnet Models. Richard @mudmagnetbrings his ever so massively expanding range of 3D printed items for those exquisitely crafted extra bits and bobs to add that all important detailing to our various projects with new items being added all the time. Taff Vale Models. This year we welcome Julian and Sue who provide finescale model railway kits, motors and related components under a number of labels. Dragon Models: Locomotives and Welsh railway rolling stock, mainly 7mm/ft. scale, some 4mm/ft. too. Celtic Connection: A range of fascinating non-Welsh prototypes from the rest of the UK in 7mm/ft. scale. Taff Vale Models: Any new kits produced since we took over Dragon Models will fall under this brand. The brand also covers 12volt DC 5 pole skew wound motors together with etched gearboxes and other components. Camkits: A range of finescale 4mm kits of pre-grouping Cambrian Railways stock. ADMIN ☆☆☆THIS IS STILL A FREE TO ENTER EVENT☆☆☆ Yep, this is still a free to enter members day. However, there are running costs associated with the event which are getting increasingly challenging to meet. To help with this, there'll be suitably labelled receptacles dotted about the hall. PLEASE donate a few coins into these at your discretion, you'll be helping to ensure we can maintain the funding to guarantee the continuation of this event. Once again future events will be funded by way of the catering, a percentage from the sales in the bring and buy department and , yes, any donations made. We will still see a post event donation made to charity but the priority remains to safeguard the event itself. LOUD SHIRTS Image courtesy of the Gauge O Guild As ever, these are DEFINITELY encouraged. Image courtesy of the EM Gauge Society. Wear your worst* ! *not Wurst. That's something entirely different and depending on how it's displayed, possibly quite offensive......... So that's it for now**. There are still some few things to finalise and I'll update this thread with any developments as and when. **Other than correcting any c*ck ups to the above. So, make a note. Sunday 6th April 2025. Be there or be square. Rob.