Dannyboy2891

Hi Andy Just saying what I see buddy. Just curious, but what is new or indeed next on your list of things to do on the layout, surely can't be too much more left to do?. Did you come to a decision on whether to ballast the layout or not?

Hi Andy, just returned to this site after a lengthy break away. I would like to say what a real pleasure it is to return back to your blog, every photo you have posted just oozes majestic atmosphere within your layout. Its very rare to find a layout that truly inspires, innovates and captures the true essence of a railway of its time. Every aspect of this layout seems to invite you in and want to tell us a story. You are a fab craftsman and deserve every bit of credit given for Gainford. If anyone could ever wonder, what or why to model a small layout .. This surely has to be top of the list of reasons why .. you just have to Truly Awesome Kind Regards Dan

P.s How about "Broadway" as a layout name?. Food for thought maybe. Best wishes Dan

Hi John Sorry for the delayed reply.. I have been busy making changes to the house (missus ideas).. then a leaky shed (my modelling mecca) so all new lining boards and insulation, But all is good. Now time to catch up with my forum friends I am glad to hear you have joined the boards together and looking to add few points, certainly add for further operational interest. Good luck with the naming of the layout, though no rush .. will come naturally in time, when least expected. As for taking your time and enjoying your fruits of labour, that is the best way.. We all have our goals in which we wish to achieve and like you my list has been ongoing for some years .. but just recently I have sold off all my OO scale and have taken the full plunge into narrow gauge modelling, with new inspirations and new creations .. all my knowledge and semi skills are being put to better use on this new venture. Sometimes a change of scene can help with previous projects and sometimes just sometimes be the very best thing to do in which see's new perspectives and welcomes changes. As long as you are modelling .. the mind is ever sharp and take joy in the small things in life .. then them daisies will just have to wait. Wish you the Very best of luck and hope all is going well?. Kind Regards Dan

Hi John, Just wanted to say I have just found this inspiring thread and will certainly follow with Much interest. This is a great idea and a fab layout concept, its rare to find broad gauge modelling and if I may go on to say that it is of Great quality what is next for this layout? Kind Regards Dan

Hi Andy No worries, don't be embarrassed.. just saying what I see. Ah nice, good to know that I am not alone in the interests into light railways fair play. Nah not weird at all, we all like different things and I sure I wont be the first or last to say that diversity in our hobby is what keeps us all going. Narrow gauge modellers are some of the most talented modellers around and in a way you have to take your hat off to them, nice thing about narrow gauge modelling is the freedom of it .. every rivet counters nightmare :imsohappy:don't get me wrong I mean no offence to the purists out there as if it weren't for them.. then we would not be so enriched with the knowledge of our much loved railways. Look forward to seeing the pics too yeah I totally agree with the literature when it comes to explaining how your layout or time caption came to be.. not everyone likes to ask at exhibitions .. which saddens me as I always like to talk as much as possible when I exhibit, I have carried a motto with me ever since I joined my local club and its " we learn, we share and we grow" in doing this or believing in this its how we go forward in this delightful hobby and if like you .. you inspire just one person, got to be a good thing??. Glad to hear that you are planning to exhibit Gainford, I am positively confident that you will go down a storm - a real pioneer in your field ah the ballast phobia eh .. embrace the ballast don't fear it .. yeh its true that good ballasting can make or break a layout .. but with much practice.. its not so bad, honest. me I absolutely enjoy doing it, if I was local to you then I would offer to show you my very simple quick and easy technique with ballasting. will share my secret with you if you would like? after me explaining it, you will come round and say .. that's incredibly simple and Very effective - I Promise you No worries for showing keen interest in your layout and I think everyone enjoys positive feedback, you surely deserve it bud All the best bud and please keep us posted on your progress?? Kind Regards Dan

Hi Andy, thanks for your reply what is there not to like.. whether you make your models for photo purposes or simply something to share with your family.. definitely one of the best projects I have seen or followed in ages. I surely would like to give it a go, I must confess that I having seen your blogs yesterday evening it got me thinking and Very curious about starting the next potential project. This could not have come at a better time, as I have been recently doing a lot of researching into light railways (Kent and East Sussex) .. along with a Southern region theme. So If I could trouble you for some more info or those pdf files into your inspirational card modelling, I would really appreciate it. May I ask what is next for Gainford Spa or what is the current work in progress on the work bench? Many Thanks and Kind Regards Dan

What a fabulous layout you have Andy, I am in complete and found Gainford Very inspiring and will follow your future blogs with keen eyes and Much interest. Can I just ask what inspired/made you choose to model in card and how did you get started in your card modelling?. I myself have always dreamed of owning a small southern region O gauge light railway, but being a family man with a restricted budget (as like most) .. its just not possible. But now after finding this great blog and you sharing your great ideas, not only of building model buildings from card .. but locomotives, wagons and coaches, just Awesome. Maybe, just maybe my dream is not so far away, thanks to you. Kind regards Dan

Hi Julian, Would just like to say what a Truly Superb layout Portwey is and to achieve such a nostalgic atmosphere in such a compact layout is Quite something. what is next for Portwey .. any new stock items?. Best Wishes Dan P.s I know its cheeky .. but anymore pictures?

Hi Ian Just thought I would post to ask how is Tidworth coming along? Best Wishes Dan

Hi Ian I am soz to hear that you didn't get any modelling time over the bank holiday. Wiring eh .. Best of luck (not one of my favourites .. Much prefer ballasting). Hope all goes well Best Wishes Dan

P.s the new 128 looks fab .. Right at home on Glebe Rd, Gotta be worth every penny??.

Hi Terry, Just read through your new post and had a good gander at the pictures .. Awesome as usual The more I look at your layout, from all different angles it just oozes that certain railway atmosphere. Great work and as always (as a Fan) look forward to your next update. Oh by the way .. now having caught up with all your other latest updates, the new Tmd site is in much better place .. It just looks right. The sense of space and the depot look about it. Though do slightly agree with another comment - that being to make the depot building a through one .. more storage for those unexpected future bargains or possible dmu stabling??. Dan

Hi The flyingscotsman, Just read your thread and must say I very much like the sound of your idea and the track plan is a Great one. I would like to ask .. you say you would like to run container/oil traffics and all manor of diesel/steam stabling on your layout .. so I would like to ask are you planning to add a fiddle yard or do you plan to have a hidden siding that leads to further rear storage, thus keeping the overall length .. but increases the depth of the layout?. Only bit of advice I would give at this point is to wire up the layout for dcc at the start .. only reason I say this is, if you get the layout to how you want it only running in dc .. then try making alterations that bit later you will have a lot more work to do and might spoil the look overall once completing the modification to dcc. Reminds me of a great saying in construction "Measure twice, cut once" .. same kinda principal if you get my meaning?. Good luck with your project and I will follow it with Much interest. If I can help in any way then please don't hesitate to ask .. I must admit that I am new to diesel era modelling, so I do have a limited knowledge on all things modern (70's to present day). But have spent past week researching through dvd's, books & lots of internet based research. As I needed to gain knowledge to help me with my new 90's diesel layout project ( through station & Tmd). All the best Dan

Hi Ian, Just found your thread and would like to say What an Interesting layout you have got and operationally Very nice Did you get a chance to do any modelling over the weekend?. Look forward to your next updates and will be watching with much interest. Best Wishes Dan

Hi Phil Just want to start by saying that your homemade helix is very impressive .. was it tricky to do ?. Great pictures of Tees yard and always greatful of pic's Ews rolling stock or similar. Even got a 66 for good measure.. Nicely done Did you have a good day?. Best Wishes Dan

Hi Terry, Cheers, must say it's great to be learning something new and have that thirst for knowledge back once more as for modelling year(s) I am really not to sure yet .. although after a good session up at my railway club last night and asking Loads of questions to the hardcore diesel fans (of which most do work on the real thing) which went very well. I do kind of like the 90's period and I have a new fondness for Network Southeast stocks .. but I might just go along with modelling what suits me or what I want to run. Yeah the boards are well and truly solid .. and no evidence what so ever of warping. I built this type of heavy and well braced baseboard as its what I was going to use it in my shed, so with varying temp changes .. needs called for heavy duty bases. As for track plans .. I am still looking over many different style layouts and looking for ideas .. though between you, Everard junction, Dean park and Newchapel junction think I have got loads of ideas to which I am playing around with.. That's if you don't mind me borrowing few ideas of yours?. But once I'm there though I will post up a track plan I do have 5 loco's already all EWS livery they are classes 37,47,60, 66 and 67 but that's just the beginning, just got 2 Dmu class 117 Nse livery today. think that's enough to get me started. What you been up to, any new stock for Easter?. Best wishes Dan

Hi Phil Wow that certainly is a Very interesting track plan you got going on there and I bet it's great fun in operation?. Must say some great craftsmanship in the baseboards you said about the helix .. is that a white rose kit or did you brave making your own?. Many Thanks Dan

Hi John, Great looking Apa style box, I modelled oo9 for a few years and nothing comes close to the narrow gauge experience and I highly recommend checking out narrow gauge exhibitions, Are you a member of the oo9 society?. I look forward to your Next update and future track plan/pictures. I will follow with Much interest Best wishes Dan

Hi Terry, No worries about the kind comments, credit where credit is due .. Still watching and catching up where you started. I sure have got along way to go in regards to learning about the diesel era, having modelled mostly steam for years now .. I knew little of diesels but as I was only building small western branches .. So I had no call for diesel operations as the headshunt for station loop was to small, although do have a decent railcar which was only diesel service. But just recently I got bitten by the bug of curiousness and wanted to start diesel modelling by building a Tmd .. Now after all encouragement on this Awesome site and Huge inspirational input via Glebe Road, Everard Junction and few others ...I am now planning a continuous double track mainline station and Tmd in the Garage Just yesterday I pulled out my baseboards to which I had in storage ( two 8'x2' chipboard braced with 3"x1" timber) fully dusted off and now awaiting legs to be bolted on. I am sure these baseboards should be ok for use in the garage, what do you think?. I would be Very greatful for any further advice please? Many Thanks Dan

Hi Phil, Just thought I would post to say what a cracking layout you have and Very Inspiring for a newbie diesel modeller myself I look forward to you next posts Best Wishes Dan

Hi Terry, Just found your layout on youtube/Rm web yesterday and have watched most of the vids, May I say that you have A Great layout, and for a newbie diesel modeller I am somewhat in ore of Glebe Road Though many of the rolling stock is new to me and I am trying to catch up with the times Many Thanks and I will keep following your progress Best Wishes Dan

Coming along Very Nicely Look forward to the next post(s) Best Wishes Dan

Hi Brit15 Just thought I would visit your post, as you were More than kind to help me with mine. Can I just say what a Spectacular collection of photos .. taken with such fondness for the railway and quite an eye for details. My favourites are the pictures taken inside the depot/shed .. Very nostalgic, Thank You Kind Regards Dan

Hey Steve, Awesome layout mate, very cleverly modelled. I will follow this thread and look forward to the next update Best wishes Dan