FraserClarke

Perhaps from an axle loading point of view (I'm not sure?) - but not from a gauging point of view. The main line now is a smaller than it used to -- hence why 6024 has new (narrower) cylinders, and a big part of why 6023 never got approved for mainline. Gauging is a concern for most GWR outside cylinder engines I believe - I wonder if the Nightowl project has done anything to mitigate this?

It's a good thought, and is basically what the P2 project is doing. That is not - as I understand it - a direct copy of an old design, rather an improved update which aims to fix some original problems, account for modern manufacturing techniques, and includes the necessary aspects for modern mainline operation from the start. Beyond that though, you'll run into the limits of steam technology. I also doubt we know any more about building fast steam engines now than we did in the 1930-1950s. The 'incorporating new tech' bit would quickly result in 'best build electric locos' - just like it did in the 30s-50s! I think the P2 group have got the new/old mixture just right.

A few updates to the attendees.

Good scaling I measured them this morning, and indeed as you suggest 24mm between centres once folded, and 8mm drop to the axle holes. Thanks for all the input everyone. I will report back when I find an evening to build a pair up :-\ I have a set of old Ian Kirk wagons I'm planning to use these on (from the same secondhand box).

Have a look at Geoff Taylor's Penmaenpool (https://www.geofftaylormodels.com/). The photos on his website don't seem to show it, but from memory (I think mid-2016 BRM articles) he modelled some marsh like that on it. I thought it was very effective when I saw it in the magazine.

Does anyone recognise these W-Irons? I picked some up cheap from a second hand box. They don't have any identifying numbers/names, and the etch/drawing quality is not brilliant (and no half-etched fold lines). They are certainly rather old, and I wonder if they might even be 'home brew'. I can't quite figure out how the separate compensating - I presume - fittings are meant to work. Presumably they support a pivot through the central holes of one W-iron -- but then how to match the ride height with the other wheelset? -- just with suitable packing perhaps? I build most of my wagons without compensation anyway, so it's not really an issue -- but it would be interesting to know ! Thanks!

Much excitement as the last bit of 'hard landscaping' has been finished on Kinlochmahen. It does look more like the Australian Outback than the West Highlands, but it's a good base for grass and scrub later. The last 'quadrant' was waiting on me finishing the 'borrodale' tunnel portal, and recovering enough insulation foam to cover the last bit of tunnel. An LNER J72 pops out of the tunnel with a very out-of-region GWR MOGO in tow... Overview of the whole layout. Next step I think is to do the road surface, and then start with some grass :-\

Thanks Jim - I did already wonder if that might be the most practical route. I might have some suitable wire lying around already.

@richbrummitt very kindly sent me some spare coupling hooks. I fitted these a few weeks ago, but work has been a bit hectic so haven't managed to put anything on here until now. The hooks went in OK, with some judicious adjusting whilst the cyano went off. I did try to find some suitable chain at the southampton show a few weeks ago, but the six year old dragging me around didn't allow the best conditions for hunting! Will try again at the next show in a few weeks.

Small stations, short trains, GWR... you could do a lot worse than look at the Culm Valley Railway in Devon for inspiration. Ian Rice has a few plans based on this line. I think "Finescale in Small Spaces" has a few of them. The prototype stations to scale would work out more like 7-8ft, but you could compress them a bit. In particular, if you're happy to use the fiddle yard as the run-around loop. Attached are a couple of ideas roughly inspired by Hemyock, which was the end of the line. The goods line though extended a bit further to a dairy - so you could have quite a short fiddle stick to represent this. I used 'mid-size' points for this, as I think the flow is better even in a small space. The first one I swapped the station around a bit. It gives some nice view blocks, but I don't think it really looks very GWR. The three-way point is a useful tool in this space though. Headshunt + coal yard/cattle dock would get complicated and you'd probably end up pushing everything to the left. Second one uses a single slip to provide the entrance to the run-around and the goods yards in one. I think this has a more open country feel to it. I measured up a 14xx+autocoach, and made the platform long enough for that (440mm). Hemyock had a cattle dock beyond the platform, which could add nicely to the shunting potential. The single slip makes the run-around a bit more challenging to use... View blockers less obvious in this one... I'm not sure I'm quite happy with either of these. I think there is a better plan in there (no doubt others have already found it!) -- but the washing up needs doing! How much do you want through running for the main trains? I've also been thinking about doing a similar kind of layout -- small scenic section + two fiddle yards, because I want to have some trains run straight through -- even if only for four feet!

Regrettably, we have made the decision to CANCEL ABRAIL 2020 due to public health and specific volunteer concerns. Whilst this will be disappointing to many visitors, exhibitors, and members of the club, the committee feel that on balance and considering our specific circumstances, it is the right thing to do. -- The next Abingdon Model Railway Exhibition will be held on Saturday 21st March 2020, at Abingdon and Witney College, Abingdon (OX14 1GG). We have 21 excellent layouts confirmed for the show, as well as a good selection of traders and demonstrations. Entry is £8.00 for adults, with accompanied children free. More info on our website (http://admrc.org.uk/exhibitions/abingdon-exhibition-2020) Layouts Old Elms Road | 4mm / OO | Late 1950’s Berkshire mainline layout by Bodmin & District Model Railway Club Central Works | 7mm / O | Set in the mid-1950s, an O-Gauge finescale layout set at a car assembly plant. Furnace 5 | 4mm / OO | Small layout of a blast furnace tower Auerbach Yard | HO | Southern US urban switching layout Re-united Biscuits | 4mm / OO | A layout featuring a biscuit repair factory! Enigma Quay | 7mm / O9 | Inspired by the narrow gauge dockyard railways of the 1920s Ambleton Vale | 2mm / N | 1960s branch line terminus by Ray Taylor & Anna Bass Afon Adit | 7mm / O9 | Inspired by the Gwynfynydd Gold Mine near Dolgellau. Martin Rich Trinity Dock Street Bridge | 4mm / OO | Based on Railway Street in Hull’s ‘Old Town Docks’ in 1939. Gavin Rose Polbrook Gurney Colliery | 4mm / OO | A small layout set somewhere in the Mendip Hills. Chris Nevard Lighterman’s Yard | 2mm | A fictitious 1960s goods yard in South East London by the Kent & Essex 2mm group Buckleigh | 4mm / OO | Florin Street | 4mm / OO | Tram layout Jaeger Strassenbahn | HO | Tram layout Tunnel Lane | 4mm / OO | by Dan Evanson Little Quarry | 4mm / OO | by Dan Evanson Short lane | 4mm / OO | Leicester (Belgrave Road) | 4mm / OO | ADMRC’s large layout of Leicester in the 1960s. Sodor Island | 4mm / OO | Interactive layout allowing kids (young and old!) to drive the trains. Lego City, Abingdon | LEGO | Exhibitors Pendon Museum | Find out more about our local modelling world leader, who’s extensive museum is just down the road in Long Wittenham Medway Queen Preservation Society | Society restoring the Medway Queen paddle steamer in Kent Didcot Railway Centre | Our local steam railway centre, and source of all things Great Western. ADMRC Club Stand | Come and find out more about ADMRC! Traders JB’s Model World | Custom made stock storage boxes Squires Tools | For all your modelling tool needs! Freestone Models | Card modelling expert supplies Oxford Models | Oxford diecast & Oxford rail specialists Double O Scenics | Scenic modelling supplies (e.g. static grass) Cresswell Model Railways | New and second hand stock Brunswick Railways Ltd | Paints and detailing accessories Kevin’s Trains | New and second hand stock Sunningwell Command Control | DCC experts

Thanks for all the positive comments everyone! In a typical case of pride before a fall, I tried to do the coupling hooks this evening; and completely banjaxed it up... I got rather confused by the coupling plate etch, which looks like the slot for the hooks is in the wrong orientation (horizontal instead of vertical). I think though it is a bit of a trompe-l'oeil. I think I've worked out the right way to do it, but in the process I've cut the coupling hooks too short. I'll need to source some new ones at some point. Mark: Yes, it's a very modelable station. The terminus of the short branch - Polton - has been on my 'want' list for lots of years now... one day... some scale...

About a year ago I bought one of the 2mm association's wagon taster kits ; a 16 tonner + 5" of track. I think this is an absolutely brilliant idea for those of us who want to dip a toe in the water and see how cold it gets... Anyway, as well as building the wagon kit, I thought I'd make a little diorama to get a bit more of a feel for 2mm modelling. I have to say that I really enjoyed it! The kit was pretty easy to build, considering I've never built an etched chassis before. Weathering was ala Martyn Welch, which is nice but perhaps needs less texture in 2mm scale. I do still have to attach the (non functional) coupling hooks. The diorama is roughly based on Lasswade station, just south of Edinburgh, where it seems the line to the goods shed ran behind and slightly below the platform, giving a good backdrop to contain the scene. It is just a 6x3" piece of MDF. The platform / bank is built from layers of foamboard. The slope and the yard surface are covered in DAS, which was worked in around the track (with much trepidation, but I think it came out OK in the end). That was painted in grey humbrol enamels, and then dusted with artists pastels. The goods shed is Slaters stone on top of greyboard structure, with a door scribed from flat 20thou sheet. The slate roof is just 80gsm paper strips nicked for each slate and then washed with grey acrylics. I tried to get the look of scraggly grass on the slope with a fairly light static grass covering. Overall I'm fairly pleased with the look. I think the yard needs a bit more junk in it, and the platform needs some suitable paraphernalia. I have tapped up some club mates for a suitable figure or two for the platform Very much enjoyed building this, and can definitely see me doing more 2mm in the future.

A brief possession on the spare room has allowed me to finish off the base landscaping on one side of the layout. The platform has been covered in some redish scatter, to represent the interminable red shale/gravel which seemed to adorn Scottish parks, paths, and platform surfaces in the 1980s, and which I don't miss digging out of my knees these days. The spare room has now been returned to operational duties for the festive period, so back out to the garage for the layout!

I've started sculptamolding the scene in the post above, but the garage is bl**dy freezing now and it's taking forever to dry! In the meantime, I've moved the other board into the spare room to work a bit on the 'yard' (I daren't risk anything as messy as sculptamolding in there!). At Rannoch, there is/was a loading dock opposite the station, with a couple of huts on it (at least one is extant and well photographed. The other I think is now extinct). Aim is for a look somewhat like this: https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https%3A%2F%2Fscontent-lhr3-1.cdninstagram.com%2Fv%2Ft51.2885-15%2Ffr%2Fe15%2Fs1080x1080%2F66818585_218471325784807_6728152426461596254_n.jpg%3F_nc_ht%3Dscontent-lhr3-1.cdninstagram.com%26oh%3D19c80e47a384a5de6b06c5ba0dfbeb81%26oe%3D5E0319D7%26ig_cache_key%3DMjEwNTI4NDg3MjY3MjEwOTE2NA%3D%3D.2&imgrefurl=http%3A%2F%2Fpicdeer.org%2Fplace%2F233590789&docid=H9vrlO-rz-DVBM&tbnid=Adn1mhzXn2l2_M%3A&vet=12ahUKEwjRg571xYPmAhWaAGMBHdazBvc4ZBAzKBcwF3oECAEQGQ..i&w=1080&h=1080&itg=1&bih=754&biw=1536&q=Rannoch station&ved=2ahUKEwjRg571xYPmAhWaAGMBHdazBvc4ZBAzKBcwF3oECAEQGQ&iact=mrc&uact=8 The base of the loading dock is just built from grey-board/mount-board, with insets for the huts. Mock-ups in place to check the look. I feel this dock somewhat overpowers the small station, but the kids are quite insistent on it going all the way to the end! Some nice info on the loading dock here. You can see my from-memory mock-up did quite get the aspect ratio of the hut right. Next step is to cover the front of the dock in sleepers like the prototype, and then get it set in and the yard area ballasted. However as I am writing this whilst once again trundling up with WCML for work, that will take a while...

I understand those sentiments, but I wouldn't let them hold you back. I'm in a similar situation, and only manage to volunteer 1--2 times a month (rarely for a full day, and not at all in the past six weeks!). I work in scientific engineering - but don't have any practical experience with heavy mechanical engineering. I haven't found either of these things matter! I'm finding the operations side hard to progress with this level of commitment, but the engineering/restoration part seems much more feasible. I suspect that if you volunteer regularly - even if not that frequently - you can fit into most projects. My experience with a heritage site is that it does come with some 'heritage attitudes' - but most people I've found are very helpful and willing to teach - at least once you get past the occasional initial clique aspect. I'd never used a oxy-acetelene cutter, or a needle gun, or even an angle grinder before last year. I wouldn't claim to be knowledgeable in any of these -- but I've been taught a bit, and can work with increasing independence on different bits of the overhaul I help with. Though I always try to remember a quote from one of my colleagues: "the most important skill in a volunteer is knowing when to stop and ask for advice" I think as long as you're sensible, willing to listen/learn, and don't mind being a bit 'inefficient' - you'll make a positive contribution.

A quick bump as the Didcot Show is on Saturday. Hope to see some of you there!

90% of the main terraforming is now complete. The sub-base for the last stretch of the A864 (single track with passing places) is bedded in. Tunnel mouth is painted (but not yet weathered). Almost time to get some more sculptamold out!

I finally got round to buying a "modern" Gaugemaster controller. I had been planning to make something equivalent built into the control panel - but I think spending money rather than time was the right decision here. A rebuild of the simple control panel was needed, and that was a good opportunity to get the boy child soldering. Started with preping and tinning some wires... (We did finish the drink/food before soldering BTW!). and here's the new panel part mounted into the side of the layout. It all worked first time too! After a little bit of testing, it will be mounted properly onto its frame, which tilts it back to protect the toggle switches a bit. Now this is working and wired up, I can progress a bit more with fixing the scenic base down...

Just for you, a morning photo update from the garage! Currently making (very) slow progress on the tunnel mouths, and hence landscape around. A simple 'modelscene' one on one side, and a scratch built version of the borrodale tunnel portal on the West Highland. Both still need painting, and some kind of internal walls to extend the illusion slightly. Base landscaping is almost done, but I'm not ready to fix it down and cover it before I've finished installing all the electronics in the control panel. That's my next job when I find time/motivation! But next week, I have to come to your part of the world for work

Thanks very much to Nick for spotting that we'd missed the ever wonderful Much Murkle off the list! The persons responsible have been dealt with immediately...

Abingdon and District's annual Didcot show is back at Didcot Civic Hall (OX11 7JN) on Saturday 19th October, 2019. 18 layouts and 7 traders this (and probably a couple of demonstrations; TBC). Free on-site parking, excellent catering, and a generally relaxed atmosphere. Entry is £6.00 for adults, with accompanying children free. Doors open 10:00-16:30 Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/events/429288191272630/ Webpage: http://admrc.org.uk/exhibitions/didcot-exhibition-2019 Layouts this year: Much Murkle OO Brambledene Junc OO Didcot Power Station N El Cremallera N Kidmore Coalhouse OO Shunting Puzzle N Rheinbrohl N Oakgrove Central OO Bedford Falls On30 Roadwater OO Lego Layout Lego Lemmington Park HO Midholm 2mmFS Mowhawk Valley N Sankei Valley Z Sam's Creek 7mm Valencia Harbour OO Sodor Island OO Winterwell-on the-Fosse 3mm Flyer:

You could also look at Chester-le-street for inspiration, which has many of the features you're looking for (though not island platform, or turntable). It would look quite like David's plan above, though with goods facilities instead of the loco dept. https://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/#zoom=16&lat=54.8573&lon=-1.5794&layers=168&b=1 And of course there is Durham for an LNER through station with a viaduct at the end - but probably bigger than you want!

It's less dramatic than that usually... A lowloader, a winch, and some inset track usually... Real-life equivalent of a loco cassette I guess! :-) Example below. Mainline connections are relatively rare, especially for 'smaller' heritage lines. The Princes Risborough example is slightly odd in fact, as the bay is part of the national network, which CPRR are allowed to run into (which I believe gives the odd situation that CPRR has to lock all the toilet doors before they come into Princes Risborough, as they are running over network rail metals and their Mk1 coaches are 'direct to track' rather than having retention tanks...). But if that's what you want then go for it!! Plenty of examples exist. I agree with the others that it makes the operation a bit more interesting. You can also always have the odd 'special' parking on the branch overnight... The Cholsey->Wallingford line - when connected - was apparently used as stabling for the royal train occasionally. I just don't like seeing the corners :-) Another one, going further away from "West of Reading", is Eridge at the end of the Spa Valley line. Here the heritage line runs parallel to the (now singled) mainline, and both stop on opposite sides of Eridge station (I'm pretty sure there is no connection between the running lines). https://www.google.co.uk/maps/search/Eridge/@51.0893773,0.1999344,145m/data=!3m1!1e3 The interesting bit here is that there is no run-around. So a second engine is stabled in the bay platform or headshunt, and once the first engine arrives with train, it backs on, couples up, and takes the train back to Tunbridge whlist the first engine retires to the headshunt... Could be an interesting option if you want a bit more 'involvement' in the operation on the heritage side? Tracks below are based on Eridge, but you could simplify down to a single headshunt if you wanted. Maybe the headshunt could have some basic loco servicing facilities (though on a heritage line, these would be at the main site only probably). Engine #2 waits in bay (or headshunt) Engine #1 arrives with train Engine #2 runs out. Engine #1 uncouples Engine #2 backs down and couples up Engine #2 releases train. Engine #1 waits for returning train...

No problem. .any files attached (if I can? -- apparently not, will PM...). Also here is a version with a link to the down main (trailing point). This just doesn't look right to me... It would be much better to have a trailing point off the up line, with a single slip on the down to make it a trailing crossover. I just couldn't get it to fit with the curves though (unless you're willing to get into building your own trackwork!?!) Also, in my - relatively limited - experience of volunteering at a heritage railway centre with ONLY a rail connection, I'm pretty sure that a road connection in the modern world is MUCH more valuable!! Unless it's a engine with a current mainline ticket, moving things by road is I understand cheaper and easier... If anyone visits Didcot Railway Centre, you might be interested to know that the new loco access steps in the engine shed were designed not only to fit the engine footplate, but also to fit (by 1") within the W6a loading gauge when on the back of a wagon!!