Truly Amateur Novice

Thanks a lot for the above. As very much an amateur to the hobby some of the above doesn't make sense but i have a father in law that will understand that all and explain it to me.

I have a class 66/9 Stobart from Bachmann (32-977) in OO gauge and it is causing me constant problems. There appears to be no consistency in how the locomotive runs apart from it will de-rail at some point around my layout - especially if it is carrying cargo - has anyone got a similar problem with theirs? Or knows how to fix the problem? It's a fixed continuous run layout that comprises of mainly 2nd and 3rd radius curves and i dont think there is anything complex in the layout for a large model to struggle with. I love the model but it spends most of its time in the box as i get frustrated that it performs badly compared to others in my "fleet" - i have a class 150 DMU that performs so well i almost feel that it is showing off. I aim to get another Class 66 - probably Freightliner livery - but dont want to get it if it encounters the same problems.

Felt the need to blog, but haven't got much to say so thought i would put some images up of my layout and describe whats there! This picture (above) highlights all my newness - A Metcalfe Model Station Building - slightly customized/not properly finished (both are true) with Metcalfe Model Self Adhesive Paving Slabs around the entrance with some Gaugemaster Assorted Fir trees. A word about the Self Adhesive Slabs - take your time, lay them down gently as mistakes are difficult to undo!. One thing that always impresses me with the Metcalfe Models is that you always get extra bits that can be added to other things. The trees are not in there final position and have only been put up to improve the picture. A Hornby Railroad LNER delivers post and people in the station in the background. To the left is the very rough base structure of what will become my hill Above my H90 coming through the Metcalfe Stone Arch/Tunnel Entrance. You can just about see the toilet roll supports at the back of the image - who says im cheap! The plan is to have a piece of wood with a town scene built on top as the roof to my 1st tunnel, and the toilet roll will prove valuable to help distribute the weight easier. I've had to modify the Archway by removing 2cm from the middle as it didn't quite fit properly with the way the track has been designed - fortunately i realized this while making the 1st of the 2 and was able to adapt. My continued obsession with all things Eddie Stobart - the Temperature controlled unit (white) was only £2.99 from Atlas Models (they do like you to sign up buy the whole collection but also give you the option of buying single units) The low loader is my newest model and came from Hattons.co.uk and is an Oxford Die Cast Model. The vehicles are currently parked on what will become the Distribution Unit. Apart from the track nothing is "fixed" to the boards yet as parts of the layout will need wiring to improve electrical current - this hopefully will happen at some point in the next few months - all dependent on when i can convince the father in law to make the long trek over. Hope you enjoy this quick update. James

As my name suggests i am completely new to the world of Railway Modelling (within the last 18 months) and am in the process of building my first layout - i don't even have a name for it yet! My knowledge is extremely limited, and its fair to say that practical skills are not my forte but i have a very patient Father In Law who has helped, and continues to help with ideas and advice. He took me to the Warley Show at the NEC last year and it was a real eye opener, in fact if your reading this and you haven't made a start then get a copy of a Model Magazine and find your nearest show and go see what can be done - it really is stunning what people have created. My domestic manager has allowed me a spare room (a recent house move was dependent on having enough space for a Walk in Closet and a train room for a permanent layout) the 6 baseboards that the room holds were built over a week in March '12, my responsibility was mainly holding the wood straight, although at 1 point i was promoted to light drill work. The pictures that are below show what i have managed to achieve within the last 6 months (roughly the amount of time i have been physically building) - its a continous run, with an Eddie Stobart distribution centre/warehouse, 2 stations and the rest is open to ideas - its a very much make us as i go along project, but its my money funding this - so there! Mainly used Metcalfe Models for the buildings - i have attempted Scalescene's models a couple of times but i will refer you to the non existent practical skills so they have pretty much ended up in the recycling! Most of my rolling stock are in the pictures - my pride and joy is an Eddie Stobart Class 66, with a H90 Intercity (i think!) coming in a close 2nd. My focus is mainly modern era stock however its not a strict rule and i have in my collection a Hornby Railroad Steam Engine which has proved to be an excellent run in model. The idea behind this blog is to document my progress and give an insight into anyone who is new to the hobby - in the hope that they dont make my mistakes! Some things i have discovered in the last few months Read - Everything that you can get your hands on, i subscribe to Model Rail, and my Father in Law gets Railway Modeller, and i also buy the occasional other publication. Also read blogs, forums, and anything you can find on the internet. The following website proved very inspiring and has certainly helped - http://www.stroley-international.co.uk/ Plan - I moved into my current house in November, the first piece of track was nailed down in March - all the time in between was spent working out exactly where i wanted everything to go - to the centimeter, and still when i was laying the track carried out minor alterations! Buying 2nd hand track is very dangerous - especially the points. I thought i would be clever saving a few quid and getting 2nd hand points, but i have replaced them all with new from the pack models. I have found its not worth the saving. Take a shopping list when going to model shops - the amount of times i have returned from my local shop (Hereford Model Shop) with nothing that i intended to buy - it did normally need another trip to rectify but its a dangerous cycle. I say its my local shop but i live in Northampton, so not technically the closest geographically (208 mile round trip) but i do find myself in Hereford most Saturdays during the Football season (best not to ask) so its the one i always go to. Going to Railex 2012 in Aylesbury on Saturday - should be a good day Please feel free to comment on what you see.