checkrail

. I meant 'tortuous' of course (but it felt like 'tortured' sometimes)

Not looked at the handbuilt track or 00-SF threads on RMweb much since I completed my own trackwork some time ago, but just noted this thread as I was setting out some of my own thoughts on the matter on my layout thread Stoke Courtenay. So here, 10 months later, is one man’s answer to the OP’s straightforward question. (If it sounds familiar to anyone I contributed some similar thoughts to the 00-SF Yahoo group a year or so ago.) Returning to model railways in 2011/12 after many years I was amazed and delighted by new developments, especially the range and high level of detail of recent RTR models. But I was also baffled by the total lack of corresponding development in ready-to-lay track to run them on. Steam era trains in particular cried out to have fully chaired bullhead rail under their wheels. Railway modeling is a broad church, and we all have our own priorities, emphases, ‘must-haves’ and ‘no-nos’, But for me the appearance of the track was at least as important as the appearance of the trains, so this issue was a red line. I am happy - for now at least - to live with all sorts of rolling stock inaccuracies, but I absolutely had to have fully chaired bullhead pointwork. I have to admit that if, say, Peco had produced track and points to their current standards, range and geometry, but with chaired bullhead rail and roughly British sleeper dimensions & spacing I would probably have just gone out and bought a load. But they didn’t, so I gritted my teeth in preparation for lots of tricky (and ham-fisted) soldering and looked at the track components market. (I was determined to have fully chaired pointwork, so didn’t want to go down the copper-clad route.) Then I came across C & L, and the revelation that plastic chairs could be successfully welded to ply sleepers was a eureka moment for me. And the availability (at a price) of pre-fabricated crossing assemblies and point blades would save loads of work and time. EM then crossed my mind, only to be dismissed at the thought of re-wheeling all RTR stock. Once I start fiddling with a loco chassis disaster usually ensues. And I guess even wagons aren’t always straightforward, especially good ones with the brake shoes in line with the wheel treads. Then a setback when I realised that the pre-fabricated C & L crossings were for use with EM, or fine scale 00 standards with 14.8mm b-to-b - so same problem as above. The whole matter was resolved by coming across all the discussions about 00-SF (which up to then I’d never heard of) on the handbuilt track section of RMweb. In places the discussions I followed were tortured and heated, and made the theological controversies of 5th century Constantinople look tame. But I ploughed on and the penny soon dropped, that not only did these standards look good, and carry all current RTR and aftermarket wheelsets smoothly through crossings with full support, but - with 00-SF being in effect ‘EM minus 2’ - the aforesaid C & L components would lend themselves admirably to this approach. A second eureka moment! Here are the results. Not perfect by any means, but I’m pleased by both its appearance and performance. Thanks to all the pioneers of 00-SF/4-SF for their inspiration. John C. :​(My layout: STOKE COURTENAY, 4mm scale 1930s GWR junction station. See layout topic.)

Thanks for all your kind words about Stoke Courtenay. This being my first layout for 50 years – except for a brief early 1990s dabble with diesels (Hornby & Lima) on code 100 track for my then pre-teenage son – I feel a bit overwhelmed - but also a bit of a fraud. I’m not an ace scratchbuilder or highly skilled modeller. I am ham fisted, impatient and a bit of a bodger. For example, I’m rubbish at soldering (and as for superglue – what’s super about it? It’s great for sticking components to your fingers, and to your tweezers. It’s even better at sticking your fingers to your tweezers). And why are my fingers far too big for what I need them to do? Over four years I’ve left a trail of mangled models and broken bits, while the number of small parts that have fallen from the workbench only to disappear for ever, or catapulted themselves across the loft to vanish without trace, are beyond number - and the bad language beyond all reason or reckoning. In fact I’m probably temperamentally unsuited to a hobby like this, but I love it so! I have no technical or mechanical nous (I see railways through an aesthetic prism rather than an engineering one), and my knowledge of the prototype is pretty superficial. My modelling is therefore necessarily impressionistic rather than scrupulously accurate. In any case, I knew that if I was to complete Stoke Courtenay to the standard to which I aspired in any reasonable time scale my approach would have to be broad brush, using everything the trade could offer. Fortunately followers of the GWR in 4mm scale are very well catered for in this respect. Had I been modelling – say – the Glasgow & South Western Railway I’d have had no chance. What I wanted to prove – to myself, that is - was that one could achieve a ‘finescale’ look (overworked word I know) and a recognisably GW atmosphere - albeit in a rather generic way – in a shortish timeframe, using commercial items and every short cut possible. Your comments suggest that I’ve been more successful than I hoped or expected, and if that encouraged other modellers who are as daunted as I was by the things achieved by the experts I’d be very pleased. My bibles throughout have been Iain Rice’s ‘Railway modelling the realistic way’ (2007) and any albums of pre-war photos of the GWR I could get my hands on (plus the wealth of knowledge and expertise shared here on RMweb of course!). The only exception to this lazy ‘off the peg’ approach has been the track, and I’ll leave that to another post. You’ve read enough quasi-philosophical ramblings for one day. In the meantime here are a couple of shots of a rather too clean 28xx on returning coal empties. John C.

These are great! Almost feel I'm there. John C. ​(My layout: STOKE COURTENAY, 1930s GWR junction station. See layout topic.)

A bit of small prairie action this morning. They've long been my favourite locos (since a 1960 holiday family holiday in Totnes, during which my 13 year old self sneaked off to the station every night with 5 Senior Service and my ABC). So first thoughts in 2012 were to build a BLT to practise on ..... but then again, my second favourite locos are the castles...... Here's 4555 (at the moment) coming into Stoke Courtenay off the Earlsbridge branch: And here are a couple of 5555 (at the moment) setting back a pick-up goods into the yard from the down main line: John C.

Thanks Andy. The majority of the figures are Monty's Models, from Dart Castings. As you say, they have nice natural poses, usually in repose. (Nowt worse than a guard waving a flag at a train that isn't there!). One can't help but noticing the number of working types in the range with hands in their pockets, or otherwise idle. Here's a couple more, with stationmaster anxiously looking at his pocket watch: But another, newer, good source is Modelu, whose 3-D printed models are also great. My only acquisition so far is the shunter shewn below: I thought all these figures would be tedious and fiddly to paint. Well, they were a bit fiddly, but it was actually very enjoyable and relaxing, even to an impatient git like me. You also asked about trees. On my return to modelling in 2012 I vaguely remembered that back in the 60s and 70s we all used lichen and flock, so I got some. However, my wife said my first tree looked like a floret of broccoli so it was back to the drawing board. Then I discovered Woodland Scenics tree armatures, Hob-e-Tack adhesive and their wonderful (if expensive) 'fine leaf foliage'. Dead easy. John C.

Having never done it before I didn't realise what fun it was taking pics of model railways. Here are a few more of Stoke Courtenay. A King heads west with the CRE, but looks like the crew jumped ship! Here are some of Stoke Courtenay's population: Early evening, and a young man picks his new lady friend up from the London train. His 10 year old Austin 7 could do with a wash. Man having quick pint on way home from work. My wife knows little about the GWR but does have an eye for detail. She asked me if a pint in 1930s Devon would have such a nice creamy head on it. I had to admit, probably not (and probably not in 2016 either.) Finally, local garage and mechanic. (I can see he needs another touch of matt varnish on his overalls.) I remember my dad's first car, bought second hand in the 1950s, was a 1938 Standard 12 like this. John C.

Hi Chris Well, I learn something new everyday. As a railway enthusiast for over 60 years I'd never heard the term 'running in board', and had to google it! But I know it now and will use it. Mine are from the Scale Link kits, although I couldn't get on with their lovely etched letters. Part of it was my lack of skill in getting them straight, but I also found that being restricted to their 2mm and 4mm fonts I would end up with a sign longer than I wanted, rather dominating the relatively short platforms. So I sacrificed the relief effect and printed mine out from the PC. If you subscribe to the GWR elist (just google it) you can download the authentic GWR font to your PC for free. (You'll also subsequently get loads of emails discussing all sorts of GWR arcana.) Thanks for kind words, Glad you like the layout and the running in boards. There - I've used it! John C.

It's this sort of movement that makes Brent and similar junctions so fascinating to operate. A small prairie at one end, a castle at t'other - what could be more satisfying? John C. ​(My layout: STOKE COURTENAY, 1930s GWR junction station. See layout topic.)

Thanks for kind words Spannerman. Bulleid's output might be a bit late for my period, but it did cross my mind that a Hornby S15 and some of those lovely Maunsell coaches might be a future acquisition for the occasional route familiarity turn. Turning to a different railway today's pics have an LNER flavour to show my new toys - Oxford Rail cattle wagon and 6 plank open. Nice models, though the former might be a bit orangey? (Especially when compared to the Bachmann van next to it.) But great to see accurate RTR wagons suitable for the pre-war scene. John C.

Just got mine, and cattle wagon, yesterday from Walton's Models. I particularly like the representation of unpainted wood on the inside of the open wagon. Here they are on Stoke Courtenay I've put another pic and a note on the cattle wagon thread. John C. ​ ​(My layout: STOKE COURTENAY, 1930s GWR junction station. See layout topic.)

Just got mine yesterday from Waltons in Altrincham, along with the 6 plank wagon. Here they are on Stoke Courtenay. How nice to see some accurate RTR pre-war wagons on the market. (Well, I'm assuming they're accurate - I'm no LNER expert!) But isn't the LNER bauxite a bit on the orangey side, especially when compared with the adjacent Bachmann van? Perhaps it could have faded to this colour? I've put another photo in the 6 plank thread. John C. ​(My layout: STOKE COURTENAY, 1930's GWR junction station. See layout topic.)

Just read through these 10 pages. Think this is set to be an awesome layout of a fascinating prototype location. 45xx lovers' paradise! Look forward to eventual updates. John C. :​(My layout: STOKE COURTENAY. See layout threads.)

Just spent a pleasant hour reading through this thread. Great stuff! Seeing a new (to me) layout like this from inception to completion in one browsing session is like speeding up time. I particularly like your placement of figures and some of the lovely detailed photos of them. Ted the porter, asleep on the bench, is a great one. And I love the close up of the 45xx tank (even if it is black!). (Funnily enough I nearly called my own layout 'Stoke Pomeroy' before settling on Stoke Courtenay. It was one of several semi-fictitious contenders mulled over in my mind.). Keep up the good work. John C. ​(My layout: STOKE COURTENAY. See layout threads.)

It consists of four loops in each direction (there's never room for enough, is there?), plus two long sidings for the branch with run-round and uncoupling facilities. Here are a few pics, minus trains for clarity: Track is Peco code 75, laid on 4mm EVA medium density foam (whatever that is), obtained online from a medical products supplier. I chose the royal blue to make it startlingly clear to non-modelling types that this was definitely 'offstage', 'behind the scenes', and not part of the layout proper. as the photos show, points are operated by wire & tube from the front of the baseboard with SPDT slider switches from Maplins providing both the mechanical throw and the electrical frog polarity change. The last two pics show the slide-out hatch for access. It's only a few weeks since I moved the inner circuit pointwork onto the hatch, increasing capacity on that side to match that of the outer circuit. Can now manage a couple of 7 coach through trains in each direction (the station platforms will take 6). I thought I was tempting fate having 12 separate rails crossing one end of the hatch but - touch wood - everything's been fine so far, even in this mini-heatwave. The hatch simply slides out from inside the layout, with backstops to position it. Power goes to it via a simple two point plug 'n' socket carrying a spur from the layout power bus. The bearers on which it slides are greased with candle-wax a couple of times a year, and have brass woodscrews inserted fore and aft to provide any necessary vertical adjustment by a part-turn of a Phillips screwdriver. But I've not had to do this since the early days in 2012/13. John C.

Look forward to that.

It's a Kernow special commission from Bachmann Scenecraft, based on the type 7 box at Truro. It came in 1970s condition with a sort of dull white paint finish, so needed repainting in GWR colours. It was originally going to appear with 1971 opaque dirty windows too. So glad it didn't - wasn't looking forward to having to replace them all. It's probably a bit big for a Brent-style setting - I believe the Truro box had 70 odd levers. But scratchbuild-avoiding beggars can't be choosers. BTW Robin, love your very accurate Brent box.

Hi Rodney Name sounded familiar - then it clicked! I think you're the founder/owner of the 00-SF Yahoo Group, to which I've contributed once or twice. Hello Sir! I'm going to say more about the track in an upcoming post, but for the moment here are brief answers to your questions above: Q1. 4 foot ruling radius on main line. Points are mainly B6, B7 and one B9, often built on curves. However, the two points off the branch run-round loop, giving access to the yard and headshunt, are A5s - roughly equivalent I guess to Peco medium radius. This is one of those model railway compromises, down to that aforementioned law of diminishing returns with loops off loops. They're fine with my panniers and prairies, which are the only locos that use them. Q2. Yes, 16.2mm is just used through the pointwork, with normal 00 C & L flexitrack for most plain track. The difference is easily catered for over 3 or 4 sleepers or so. Q3. 8 foot, or 32mm, as per C & L track. Helps disguise the narrow gauge. Q4. Original C & L chairs etc. cut and spliced for checkrail, wing rail and crossing chairs as necessary. (I started before C & L had taken over and digested Exactoscale.) Q5. Answered in Q2. Q6. Yes. Until I returned to this game 4 years ago I'd never heard of it. (Like so many other things - DCC, static grass etc.) Here are 3 more pics showing the trackwork. Let me say right now that I had the single slip and double slip made for me. In retrospect I think I could have managed them myself, but probably at the cost of a lot of time, failed attempts and bad language. At the time I just wanted to get on with things, though I have to say I really enjoyed building all the other pointwork (notwithstanding the aforementioned bad language of which there was plenty at times). Regards, John C.

Nice. Yes, similar approach to mine. Not a bad kit really, is it, considering its age? I knocked up the smoke baffles from Plastikard, bent to shape in boiling water with a couple of pairs of pliers. I also glued little locating pins (brass wire) into the platform to fit into the hollow interior of the supporting pillars, so it will stay put but can be removed for track cleaning etc.. John C.

Well, I've just seen Rob's new footbridge on ANTB, and it's a magnificent piece of scratchbuilding, and unique to the location. Great stuff.. Mine in comparison is just a bit of old-fashioned 1970s style kit-bashing. For those interested it's an ancient kit manufactured by Pola for Hornby and bought on eBay, though I believe it's now available again in Gaugemaster's 'Fordhampton' range. Mine showed its age in that many of the plastic parts were stamped 'Made in West Germany'. Here it is: As bought it's ridiculously tall - it's designed for trackside location and probably to clear overhead catenary as well. The kit has provision to remove a stair panel for platform mounting, but even that still leaves it far too high, so some kit butchery is called for, reducing the height/length of the main stairways by 50% and adapting/making good the uprights/newel posts, support columns etc. But when finished it does I feel have that authentic GWR flavour. It was also one of those kits that's best painted in stages as construction proceeds, leaving just enough bare plastic for the next application of Plastic Magic. I wouldn't have fancied painting the inside with the roof on. (I know there are etches available for GWR lattice-sided footbridges but my 1930s GW photo albums show that by that time many had been boarded over on the inside, presumably for reasons of passenger comfort.) I like Mr & Mrs Preiser crossing the bridge in the close up below. They look very smart, but are standing on little blocks of polystyrene to disguise the fact that they're H0 scale midgets! Finally here's Rood Ashton Hall passing the signal box as the sun goes down. John C.

Great pics! Small prairies - my favourite locos of all time. John C.

I'll start today with a pic of 8709 on a short local goods, then say a bit about the loft. The first consideration when planning the infrastructure for Stoke Courtenay was the size of layout I could accommodate. Our semi has a hipped roof, so on three sides the loft ceiling slopes towards floor level. There was going to be an obvious trade-off between the area available and the layout height. I eventually settled on a rail height of 43" from the floor. This allowed a footprint of approx. 13x12 feet while retaining my preferred eye-level viewing, albeit from a seated position! It also meant that on three sides the layout would be under and behind the purlins, which stand 59" above the floor. The first of many compromises. The other wall (party wall with house next door) would be the site for the station. Thoughts then turned to baseboards and I dimly remembered CJ Freezer going on enthusiastically about the L-girder construction used by many US modellers. I soon found a book about it in the local public library which refreshed my understanding of it, and concluded that for a permanent layout in a loft it would be ideal. So off I went to the local timber yard with a big order. The L-girders themselves are made from 2" x 1" timber glued and screwed together to form an L section. It's important that they're straight and true, hence the specialist timber merchant rather than the usual DIY retail shed. They're immensely strong and one can get away with unsupported lengths up to 9 feet, so not too many legs needed. The Evostik Resin W I used is so strong that after it's set one could remove the screws for re-use. Cross members are 2x1 on end. They're not all at right angles to the girders; in corners they radiate outwards from front to rear. Where the track is raised above its surroundings the L-girders and cross members are fixed at a lower level with the 12mm MDF trackbed carried on T-shaped risers made from 2x1. I made a virtue of the purlins by using them to conceal strip lighting behind. Phil commented favourably on the curved backscene. This too was the result of the purlins and roof profile. My timber merchant got me some lovely (but expensive) 1.5mm Finnish birch ply which is beautifully flexible and which was cut to size, sprung in and secured behind the purlins before being given a covering of lining paper and painted. The down side is joining two abutting sheets in such a way as to get a smooth join and avoid wrikles or bubbles in the lining paper. I didn't quite manage it! And it's hard to disguise where the curved backscene meets the one vertical wall behind the station. The diagrams below should help illustrate all this. Finally here's the pannier and train again from the other end. John C.

Great pics Rob. Can you tell us more about the lights? Might be just what I need. People have been very kind in recent days about Stoke Courtenay but I'm aware my own layout pics are a bit crummy in photographic terms. John C. (My GWR layout: Stoke Courtenay. See under layout topics.)

All this started in late 2011 when, after 18 months in our 1930-built semi, my wife persuaded me that we needed a new roof. From there came the idea to put some boarding across the loft joists for storage, covering 80 years of black dust and dead spiders. (There was already a loft ladder in place.) It was only a small leap then to a proper load-bearing floor, a Velux window, electric lighting and ...... a model railway! Why not? I was retired and subconsciously looking for a project-based challenge to replace the disciplines and learning opportunities of work. I'll say a bit in due course about the planning and infrastructure considerations involved in building a loft layout (I'd never had a loft before!). In the meantime here are more pics of Stoke Courtenay. 4036 Kinlet Hall passes sister loco 4965 Rood Ashton Hall, still with 3500 gallon tender, at the west end of Stoke Courtenay, with the distant tors of Dartmoor in the background. (All locos will be renumbered, renamed and detailed in due course.) 4555 heads towards Stoke C. with a pick-up goods train. Tintagel Castle coasts through Stoke C. with an eastbound express. (Thought I'd cropped that bit at the top that shows the fluorescent light tube, but never mind!) John C.

Yup, much better. Nice one Rob. Can almost believe in it myself!