Tove

Well i have to be completley honest i did`nt know about this challange till yesterday evening when i just happened to come across it!. But as i `ve mentioned else where,i`d normally run a mile at these challange thing`s.But as i already have the book,and a small layout/cameo design in the planning,i`ve decided to have a go. Anyway the layout; It`s a self contained box,measuring 13 inch`s x 72.5 inch`s by 16 inch`s high.It has a veiwing area of 4 foot,with the other 2 foot being a single track traverser,so runround`s can be done. The maximum train i will be able to operate is a Terrier type loco with two wagons and a brake van,this is also the runround length.(less loco) As for the theme,it`s a slight neglected light railway backwater in the south east,during BR day`s. (1950`s) I`m also thinking of setting it during the winter time,but this may change to summer yet,as i want the track to dissapear in grass in places. Structure wise, apart from a farm track crossing on a bridge to hide the exit,there will be a shed/store on the only siding.I may also include a short dissued (timber?) platform along part of the front,but i`ll have to see,as it might block too much of the open look i`m after. Oh yes,and this will be in 7mm fine scale...so i may have just shot myself in the foot......!!. And now a picie to show progress on the wood work and the size`s i have to work with,or not as the case may be... And a couple showing the track plan in place. Ahh almost forgot the name; It is named after my late grandad 'Jack',who was always (as it seemed) building something or tother out of left over timber...I could never fathom out what some of it was supposed to be at the time,and even more so now looking back...!! Cheers, Brian.

Well that`s me entry submited.... Normally i`d run a mile when i see the word`s 'competition or challenge' associated with railway modeling. But as i just happen to have started knocking some spare timber (left over from my new layout build) into a Cameo type of affair,and i already have THE BOOK! plus other Iain rice scribblings.I thought what the hell,let`s have a go,and i might actullay finish this one....!! Brian.

Blimey no wonder it had gone.... i`d never leave a pint alone for longer than a minute..... Hat,coat, gone........ Brian.

Is there such a thing as a 'good' pint of Guiness...!! I`ll have a pint of Sarah Hughes 'Dark Ruby mild' (only 6%) any day of the week...... I like the detail photo`s Chaz,always happy to see more. Brian.

No problem Willy,and glad you like`d the ZKO hopper`s as well. As you can see i`m not a fan of prestine equipment for the most part....!! Brian.

Here you go Jordan,a comparision between the two; There is a supplier of O scale rail in this country,and i`ve delt with him a couple of times over the years both for code 100 (as above) & code 125; http://www.karlgarin.com/index.htm And this the PDF for rail dimensions,inc.two types of HO/OO rail for comparision; http://www.karlgarin.com/rail_flatbottom_sizes.pdf Brian.

Surley not....... Brian.

I don`t know if you`ve seen this Blog on the Reading,but it`s quite interesting and he`s a O scaler (P48) as well. He only models up to 1952,but there is some nice useful info anyway on the site,including this post about open hoppers with a download from a clinic that was given on modeling RDG hoppers from 48'-56'.(near the top) http://www.shamokindivision.com/2010/11/06/reading-open-hopper-car-fleet-for-1952/ Brian.

Looks like that going to be interesting to switch...are you going to use two locos on the layout at time,one to pull,one to push?. Brian.

Always liked the six axle RDG locos in the green & yellow livery,especially the big Alco C630`s,but i did often wonder what one would have looked like in the soild green scheme as well..... I too started with the Reading when i first went to US O,Mainly because Atlas had just brought out the C425`s & GP35`s.(how i wish i still had them!) Managed to pick up quite a few loco`s at the time,but sold them on after a few years......other roads bekoned!. And like yourself i only one photo from then....... Looking at it now,i realise how ropey the weathering job was!. Cheers, Brian. PS you know you want to re-paint the GP7.........

Sound`s and run`s nice willy. At least you have the correct model Geep to start with. I`m going to do the same at some point, but i`ve got a GP9 (un-powered) to play with so it`s going to be a bit of a project!. Which livery are you going to re-paint you GP7 in? I thought about modeling #614 the only solid green GP7,but as i have the only solid green GP35 (#3640) sat here,it might be a bit over kill!. Cheers, Brian.

What are the dimensions for the layout,and do you have a track plan sorted that you could post for us to see?. As i`d be interested to see what space your working with,as i`m just starting to building a street switching layout along a 12'-6" long wall with two peninsular`s off it. Brian.

Hi guys, This should be of interest to those of you that model in O scale and in the time period from the 1970`s through to fairly modern times. There is a kit is being developed by accompished modeler Bill Yancey,for a 50' FMC built boxcar,with various door cominations. As you can see from the pictures below,these will be really nice and make a great addition to any roster. Anyhow these are the main two post`s to do with the kit,plus the teaser pictures that were on the Yahoo P48 group tonight; "Yes you all heard right. I'm planning on releasing several different styles of 50' FMC boxcars from the mid to late 70's. Patterns are almost finished. Hope to get ancillary parts and decals in the next half year. Will keep you apprised of progress. (I know the 1970s aren't the most modern, but it's a start)" Bill Yancey. "Understand guys that these are going to be flat panel kits, the advantage being that there will be several roof and door configurations to be able to produce both a unique and prototypical car. Regards Rich Hunn" Of course it`s early days yet,so as and when more info is avalible i`ll post it up here. Brian. PS; i have no conection with the kit,or the developers,other than an egarly awaiting customer!.

NIce collection of pictures here for Gainsville Midland; http://rlhs.org/Chapters/msc/ardrey/Gainesville%20Midland.html And some footage on you tube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMeGSQAr-qg Brian.

You might want to start your 'education' here!!; http://www.steamerafreightcars.com/ Also Tichy trains make a nice pulp wood car, (plastic kit) that would fit very nicley into your era/area as well; https://www.tichytraingroup.com/Shop/tabid/91/c/ho_freight-car-kits/p/4042d/Default.aspx Brian.

Should fit in well.......there are few 'nuts' about here..!! Look forward to watching this one. Brian.

Thanks for that link Nick. I like the ability to switch between the South & North facing cameras,whilst still being able to keep an eye on the one your not watching. Good stuff....! Cheers, Brian.

The short high hood`s on Second gen EMD`s are quite plain,that is apart from the brake lever/wheel for use when stationary/shutdown. Though i think some or all of the southern loco`s had a filler of some sort on one side or tother,plus walkway lights. Brian.

Hopfully the boxcars will get some use now.....so i`m glad you like `um Dan. I don`t know if your aware Dan,but you can download back issues of O scale trains.( #1 throu #59 ) http://oscalemag.com/wordpress/covers-contents-1-59/ And for anyone that thinks you can`t build a nice small bedroom sized layout,then check out the 13 part series that run`s from the Jan/Feb 2005 issue through to 2007. It`s very nice indeed!!. Brian.

Just out of curiosity,a question for UP fans..... I was watching the cam last night for about hour, (11.00pm onwards) and in amongst the parade of double stacks and such was a lengthy coal train. Nothing strange there..but on the front of said train was a C44-9W still in (pactched) CNW colours. Now if i`m right that`s 22 years after the borg absorbed the CNW!. Is this a lone unit or are there others?. Cheers, Brian.

A spot of re-ballasting just after a UP stack train went through..... Brian.

Not busy enough to stop train watching...... Just caught the tail end of a UP rail train... and workers beavering away on the tracks... Brian.

Jamo/Daniel, A good way to see if you can use a car in the 70`s is to look for ACI labels in photo`s https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KarTrak and if`s it`s a clear enough photo then the re-pak dates (when the car last shopped for repairs/up-grades) will also be a good indicator.... NYC jade green 40ft....early to mid 70`s? http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/nyc/nyc87185awb.jpg And as for your two intermountain boxcars,if your modeling the southern in the 70`s then how about a couple of their home made wood chip hoppers?. http://southern.railfan.net/images/archive/southern/freight/wood/22943.jpg This one has 5/5W ends,but they did rebuild quite a few older cars with 5/4W ends as well,(pic below) http://southern.railfan.net/images/archive/southern/freight/wood/cofg20122.jpg There`s also a nice picture in the Morning sun book Colour guide to southern freight/passenger equipment of a converted boxcar and that`s in the 13xxxx series. And the hopper car could be turned into a Southern -- Central of Georgia lettered car with these decals from high ball.Just need to alter the end ribs on the side`s for a closer match!. http://highballgraphics.com/IMO-103.htm As for the BAR car...that`s anyones guess if that livery is right for it. Brian.

That look`s interesting Tony,and well timed for my next venture!. "Book two...? I'm on it." I hope it`s an NS 38/38AC high hood..... Brian.

Daniel, With a caboose your looking at about 4' - 6" max. But if you swapped out a 50ft for a 40ft,then you`d 'just about' get away with 4'. This is assuming that your using a Southern bay window caboose,because i think there almost (if not quite) 40ft box car length. Brian.