d&h

You could consider a heritage railway scenario.

For example the Buckinghamshire Railway Centre has the equivalent of a test track that runs along sheds and sidings containing the collection.  

The sheds would be easy to model either as half or low relief structures, with stock placed  half in half out of the shed or just as "flats" and used as a backscene. 

Operating would be shunting to prepare for open days or operating open day shuttles.

Now if you wanted to stretch the imagination and set the layout 30 years in the future you could then display the Javelin.

https://www.bucksrailcentre.org

Hi all, not much progress on the layout except the addition of more trees along the back of the retaining wall but I'd thought I'd attach a few pictures. Thanks for looking and stay safe. 

On 07/07/2020 at 10:29, Roy Langridge said:

With my Dad now residing in a care home I decided that a boxfile layout would be an ideal way to let him still enjoy model railways and that the Scalescene canal wharf micro layout would be ideal. I plan a three box layout, traverser to the left, Scalescene in the middle and a pivoted  sector plate to the right. Simple, yes? No.

 

Obtaining a basic boxfile that matched the dimensions required for the Scalescene element and without these new-fangled plastic or metal ends was, to say the least, troublesome. Anyhow, I did eventually find somebody who was able to supply them, it took a while but they arrived and progress has started.

 

The supplier knew what I wanted the boxfile for and has now advised that the company that manufactures most boxfiles in the UK will be streamlining  its range and that the traditional boxfile will be no more.

 

It seems that if you are going to want a basic boxfile in the future, you had better order one sooner, rather than later. 

Roy

 

You don't say how active your dad is, but I would have though a layout in the wrapping paper Box from the Really Useful Box Co, if you have the space might be a better option. This would be easier for him and others to set up. I would also consider an arrangement which includes a simple shuttle,I find  just sitting and watching a train moving is very  relaxing.

That looks very impressive. I've "played" with Fleischmann 10" curves using UK stock and it surprised me what worked. I think a lot of it depends on the manufacturing tolerances of individual batches. I had instances of the same model one ran perfectly the other would not take the tight curve at all.

Hi all, 

I've managed to get quite a lot done in the past few weeks so I thought I'd upload some progress. I've added a retaining wall along the layout and I've also constructed a small view blocker which obscures the station entrance. Lots more to do though, I'm awaiting more foliage to hang over the wall and hopefully I'll be adding a few signals to add some interest. Thanks for looking! 

Over the past week or so I've managed to finish the station building as well as fitting cable hangers and building a signal box (based on Camden Road Junct) to act as a scenic break at the end of the layout. More importantly I've been running some trains which has proved a very welcome distraction.  Still more to do but thanks for looking and stay safe. 

10 hours ago, Jerry1975 said:

Thanks to Everyone who has left kind words and likes etc, very much appreciated. 

 

Last night I managed a bit of work around the goods area of the layout. 

 

I put in a wooden fence around the left hand side of the provender store, added some weeds etc.

 

Here are a couple of photos:

 

Wooden fence added.

 

Photo showing scratchbuilt outside toilet which has a toilet inside and toilet roll hanging on the door. 

 

I have a few more little jobs to do on the layout so hopefully tonight I can get some done. 

 

More soon and stay safe Everyone. 

 

Jerry. 

Pleased to see someones got toilet roll!

On 02/04/2020 at 21:21, simon b said:

Nothing wrong with that cliche, it helps set the location. What plans do you have for the other end of the layout?

Not too sure just yet, the board is quite narrow so I might go with the less is more approach and add a few more little details Bachmann have some wooden line side cabinets coming out soon that I've got my eye on.

A few more photos of progress including a cliche on a bridge.

The platform is going the other side of the road bridge although it has to be said its not much of a platform. Today I decided to take a break from track weathering and scenery to work on the bridge and station building, which has been given another coat of paint to stop the light shining through (as you can see in the 3rd picture). I'm also in the process of making an interior and building the 3rd wall. Thanks again for looking.

This looks very interesting. Regarding freight I seem to recall there was an article  in SMT many years ago about a small coal depot at Yeovil which used the HEA hoppers, in addition MOD workings might be an option

Hi all, this is my most recent attempt at modelling, Camden Hill based loosely on the North London Line. Much to do as ever including the usual detailing and an over bridge needs to be built and a half relief platform will eventually go under it. Also apologies for the lighting and other projects in the background. Thanks for looking  and stay safe. 

On 13/03/2020 at 00:09, bgman said:

Work commenced today in an attempt to bridge a gap.....got a bit plastered ! 

 

 

G

 

 

 

 

Very nice. I'm struck by how effective the signal looks, and how with families stuck inside, could, using this technique build a up something quick and cheap.

On 14/03/2020 at 17:56, chuffinghell said:

Me neither, I assumed they were a late eighties thing

Dates can often catch you out. There is a lovely picture in the "last Days in Steam" series that has a steam engine pulling a nuclear flask wagon!

4 hours ago, Ian Holmes said:

All set up and ready for the show. No lights because I really don’t know what to do about them currently. But the hall is very well lit and we’re using tension lock couplers. Americans seem fascinated with them. Might as well play to the layouts strength then. 

I do like this layout, but the first thing that struck me about the picture was the lighting. I wish the exhibitions I attend were half as well lit as this.

Don't forget that  "industrial steam" ran into the 1970's and even if the local steam engine had been retired it is quite unlikely that "good" money would be spent removing the old infrastructure, 

I don't think the concrete colour is an issue as it often varies in colour and texture when repair or patching has taken place. 

2 hours ago, bodmin65 said:

Origanaly a combination of both possibly. 

This lends it's self to a truncated branch, i.e. originally a through station but the tracks to the left closed as part of "Beaching" type cutbacks.

27 minutes ago, Ron Ron Ron said:

Wireless handsets for DC.

That’s great, but how big is the market for that?
I still think they’ve missed a trick here.

I think Hornby have done this before (wireless handsets) as part of the Thomas range.

On 03/03/2018 at 10:42, ruggedpeak said:

If like me you don't have space for a full roundy roundy layout but do like to sometimes see trains going round and round, and like to run them in, I have found cheap Roco Geoline track on Ebay to form a large oval on the lounge carpet. I bought an initial oval and then some straights to enlarge it. It works really well and is normal HO track on a plastic base - it uses normal joiners but the base makes them easy to use so no bent joiners etc. This isn't a new concept but it cheap and works.

 

Currently an oval can be had on Ebay for £18 plus extra straights for £14, giving a large oval - it is split from trainsets as far as I can tell but has been great to run in new locos and help fix running faults on others. Simply unclips and the track gets slid under the TV stand. A lot cheaper than a rolling road. And SWMBO liked seeing my passengered and fully lit 143 going around in the dark!

 

There are various brands of track with bases, but the Roco stuff can be bought quite cheaply at present and could be a good solution. I have no connection with any vendors, just like to be able to run trains a decent distance.

 

 

I agree and do this for "running in" and the raised ballast effect means you are away from most of the carpet fluff.

2 hours ago, 47137 said:

 

Steve,

 

You might get some inspiration from the bridges on the former Burry Port and Gwendraeth Valley railway. These had a very tight clearance, and the class 03 locos had cut-down cabs. The tighter the clearances, the better you will mask the fiddle yard. The abutments will go parallel to the sides of the railway, to make the span as short as possible.

 

- Richard.

 

 

 

Ditto the Canterbury to Whitstable line where the cabs of Wainwright's R1's were also cut down

Although not cheap, in "proper" stationers seen box files with removable plastic caps, an option if you wanted to put two together. 

I seem to recall a very similar 00  model in Scale Model Trains some years ago called Ball's Yard. That was just under 2ft so had a lot less operating potential than your proposal.

On ‎22‎/‎11‎/‎2019 at 18:00, mbenson said:

Homebase are always worth a look for Really Useful boxes - as well as single boxes they often have bundle deals with 5 or 6 different sizes at a good price.

Noticed that the stationers Ryman had the wrapping paper box on offer at the weekend, you need to buy two though!

"Then I won a Dapol J94 Austerity saddle tank loco, one of my favourite steam engines. I needed rolling stock for it.  Bidding online and visits to my local shop and toy fairs and I slowly started building up a selection of short wheelbase wagons, late BR period...

Does this sound in any way familiar?"

Painfully familiar!

Good luck with your project