Tove

Thanks for posting the vid Jinty, It`s nice to see the fidelity and running qualities of 31.5mm,and your superb track work. I have to admit that i`m a bit of sucker for nice track work,especially as because i`ve been building American O to Proto 48 standards for a few years now.(same as S7,but to the correct track gauge) And so i thought that when i came back to British O i`d just be returning to the same old choices.But after seeing your track builds and other people building to 31.5mm, it`s shown me that this is definitely the way to go!. But admittedly my first planned little venture will be with Peco track,but this is only so i can get myself re-acquainted with the British side of things again!...... Keep up the excellent work, Brian.

Some very nice loco`s there. I also like the forced perspective you`ve used as well in the top two pic`s.......!! Brian.

I did use Testors Dullcote but it seemed to get harder to buy over here,and i was told that they had also changed the formula? by a friend. So anyway i switched to using the Humbrol Matt Varnish .But going on what you`ve said, perhaps i`ve just been lucky!. Brian.

The idea might not appeal to you as you use an air brush,but have you used the Humbrol Matt Varnish straight from a rattle can?. I`ve used it to seal various layers of weathering on American freight cars in the past,and have never had any issues with it 'whitening'. Brian.

Love the weathering on your loco`s Steve. Subtle but very effective. Cheers. Brian.

Looking very nice Jinty,even with the bent step.....! Brian.

Hope i have`nt thrown a spanner in the works with the link earlier!. But seeing your beautiful build, makes me want one in the ADB configuration for my 80`s layout.And i have`nt even built it yet!. Brian.

They are one of the same , Hawksworth Auto trailer,ex ADB150375,nee W233. http://www.auto169.co.uk/w233w.htm Brian.

I like the feel to these new modules. I can hear the wind and see the wave`s crashing against the rocks already.... Very nice, Brian.

Your making my head spin with your work rate!. But i look forward to seeing it all come together. Brian.

As i build my latest HO venture, i too have had the wobbles again,so i know exactly how you feel sir!. But this time i`m determined to get it to a fairly finished state. Especially as i `ve never finished a layout since i was fifteen. Which, all bar a few years is nearly thirty years now.... how time fly's...! Brian.

I should have made the line longer! Ahhh, i see what you mean...... Brian.

You mention the idea of double decking the layout to have the staging.Well, how about just dropping the line across the door,and going under the industries along the one wall and above the work bench?. You should have enough length for a fairly easy grade.My thinking being, you only need enough room to get your hand over the top of a couple of tracks,so about 4 inches in depth?. Just a quick thought!. Brian.

Agreed. It`s all good and well having nicely detailed building`s and such,but it`s the 'Mundane' that makes a layout and the detail`s stand out. Absolutely beautiful work Martin. Brian.

I agree,there a good starting point to develop your skills with. I have a couple of these cars on the layout still and with a bit of weathering you probably won`t be able to tell them from the exactrail ones!. Brian.

Rather than having inset switches,you could just have a road crossing them.And then fill the remaining areas with compacted dirt and ballast?. Anyhow,not wanting to steer you in any particular direction...... but these are quite interesting sites for smallish railroads; http://www.bobsgardenpath.com/trains.html http://patchrailroad.net/The_Patch/Patch_Home.html Both are favorites of mine!! Brian.

Might i suggest you take a look at this post #35 http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/74941-violet-alley/page-2 It`s for a small urban switching layout set in LA,so your SP Alco would be right at home. The track plan could be cut in half and either section could have an additional siding added to make your 3-3-2 inglenook. Brian.

That`s nice Nick. Is that made with a prototype in mind,or is it just a flight of fancy!!. Brian.

Looking very nice. Now all you need is another staging yard at that end........ Brian.

. Re SD45 - does anybody actually make a decent scale version? KTM made one in brass along time ago,but they occasionally appear on e-bay. Or there`s MTH; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Uv7t0-wyV8 They do make a 2rail version as well and it got a good review in the Nov/Dec 2011 O scale trains magazine. Brian.

Will this help Daniel?....... Precision scale SW1 in the process of being modified to a Georgia & Florida engine,including re-gauging to Proto48. (hijack over!!) Brian.

I had a look too,it seem`s quite busy or a least the small yard does.But what really got my attention where these at one end of the yard....... Some nice prototype power,in two versions/liveries. Brian.

Hey Barry, Nicely built layout you`ve got here,enjoyed reading through the post`s and pictures.(especially the pic`s with CofG loco`s in!) Look forward to some more. Cheers, Brian

Another good one is the Freight cars illistrated site, http://www.fcix.info/ Lots of information avalible and you can also buy e-books and CD`s loaded with photo`s. I have several and there very good. Brain.

Interesting prototype. Do you have any layout plans drawn up yet?. Brian.