Andy R

I haven't posted anything for a while; retirement time seems to be diverted at present into other things...not good but a fact until I sort these things out. In the meantime, I have been thinking about the storage yard/branch terminus side of the project -see post #27 for layout plan. In particular I have been concerned about whether having the storage yard area open and in front of, and below, the proposed branch station will make operation of the branch terminus points (which will be hand made) more difficult? I would love to hear any views on this from other members. The junction side has handmade points which are manual control at the facia board with GEM levers or similar. With the height difference between the storage yard area and the higher terminus, the manual point control option seems to be ruled out (or at least difficult) because the wire and tube type approach I use is not a direct feed to the facia (if that makes sense) -it has to travel downward and then out to the facia. I am wondering with the height difference wether it is better to give in to electronic point control, which is not my preference. Any ideas please? An alternative with the design would be to have the terminus direct above the storage yard and use DPDT switches at the facia (at the same height as the branch baseboard) to move the points through tube and wire as well as change the polarity- this seems to be a popular method used by many. The downside obviously is the lack of access to the storage yard tracks, but as they would only be around 12-15 inch wide and open to the front this may not be so much of a problem? Food for thought...any ideas appreciated. Andy R

Alan- inspired by your progress as the photos show. After your information on the background trees I have managed to purchase a packet of sea moss locally and will be referring to your photos to guide their use on Hawkinsfield. The rebuild continues to delight me for one. You have a knack of capturing the west country very nicely for a colonial 12000 miles away. Must head back down to the layout room right now! Regards, Andy R

SJR- I agree with your comments also. John Flann (below) and I have had a couple of posts on this topic and John is very experienced in this aspect. That's one reason why I asked Nick Wood (this topic) how he managed to get such smooth, hands-free operation. It just looks so professional and enjoyable. It is my quest to get somewhere near that level in the future. Several layouts on this forum have really nailed this, and provide learnings for those of us wanting to learn how to operate our layouts well. Andy R

Westerner, I like the tree'd background that is emerging here. How were your trees made? I also wonder whether there is a layout plan of the new venture or have I already missed it? Many thanks, Andy R

Having now been on 'retirement' for nearly two weeks, I have ventured down into the layout room and started picking up on the tasks ahead outlined in other posts; such as taking up on John Flann's suggestion regarding the location of the southern end signal box. It was tucked up against the overbridge under construction, but as John pointed out this was not the best for sight lines under the bridge. In keeping with this I looked for a more suitable location with sightlines all along the southern end (the Weymouth end) of Hawkinsfield Junction, and I hinted in another post of a site adjacent to the goods yard, between it and the mainline. So, this little project has begun, with some reshaping/removal of the cardboard ground profile, and checking into this the larger signal box from my buildings bin. Herein a couple of photos taken today of the ground prep just after the scalpel has been wielded!, basic ground painted, cess ballast applied with the traditional 50/50 PVA/water mix (hence the white looking stuff that will dry off clear),and temporary siting of the box. Now I will start to key the box into the surrounding landscape, using the carpet underlay as the first ground material, building that up with appropriate colouring and static grass/buses etc. I will post a second set of photos for comparison when finished. PS- Looking at the photos I just note that the signal box name (from a former layout) will have to be changed to fit its new role- " Hawkinsfield Junction South", as will the other signal box name to the north end - the camera never lies and is a cruel friend! regards, Andy R

Les- my answer to the clothing colour question has been to google 1930's clothes in uk (in my case) and you get many choices of images to work from. By the way, your flower power tutorial is genius at work. Andy R

Hi Les- my Monty's have arrived in mail and I can have a play on a figure along the lines you have described- which I thank you for. Need to look at the paint tins and sort out primer and colours. If no primer a visit to Greerton model shop is in order...I hate that...not! regards, Andy

David- that is really helpful comments thanks. More food for thought and don't rush in is my take on that advice. I will take a look at the DG coupler web site and get some further information. But, I note that both you and Nick use the same. Regards, Andy R

Nick and David; Thank you for replying to my query with good information. It is appreciated. The reason I am asking these basic questions is that before I plunge into a decision on what auto couplers to use on my own Hawkinsfield Junction, I thought it best to seek guidance from the forum members experienced in operating their layouts with an auto system. Both of you have obviously considered options, settled on a way forward and installed and operated same under exhibition conditions. That seems pretty good expereicne to draw on from where I am sitting, and therefore any comments on your experience and what/how you have approached auto coupling is worthwhile to me. It partly economics as well; when the NZ dollar only buys 50 pence, any decision to buy and import such specialist model parts has to be made with some care. With my stock the cost would be considerable to convert. May I also ask whether you considered Spratt and Winkle or kadees for example and why they aren't as good as DG's? (I jus note here that kadees are easily available in NZ and less costly than any UK importing). I would value any further comment from either of you as fine, experienced modellers. regards, Andy R

Very nice Les. They haven't arrived in the post yet but looking forward to trying some paint on one or two. As a matter of interest what paints are you using? regards, Andy R

Hi Les -thanks again for your nice comments. My coal bins are Wills kit but with real coal glued over the top of the (rather odd) rubber moulding and generally scattered around the ground from tracks to bins -and don't forget the scales. The grass embankment techniques I use are covered in earlier posts in general, but in sum, I create a net web of cardboard, then cover with brown parcel paper and PVA, then green paint base, then old carpet felt, glued and then watercolour washed, fluffed up with a nail brush, trimmed with scissors as needed, then vegetation to taste, except where the cuttings/banks are to be where I use plaster over the paper to create the chalk banks, then watercolour. Simple, cheap and effective. But then so is your wonderful techniques as well. regards, Andy R

David- many thanks for your detailed reply. Could I just check with you - what coupler system do you use when running at exhibitions? regards, Andy R

Les- by the way how are the Monty's figures measuring up? I have ordered an await delivery of a range of figures (not cheap) but hoping worthwhile for my purposes of late 30's/early 40's period. See you at Cambridge Saturday at least. regards, Andy R

Coal bins in the Hawkinsfield local coal and wood merchants, Ralph and Sons. Just included this as there has been some discussion on Les's topic (Somewhere Out West) on what was the best options for locating these. My approach has been this...

David- deserved praise for the layout, which although I will never see (highly unlikely), looks fantastic from the photos posted and I do recall it being in one model mag? It is interesting to note the comment on operation in exhibition conditions. Did you find working to a timetable easy in that environment or needing extra movements to keep customers happy? The ability to operate a layout with automatic coupling (the hands free approach) also interests me- is that how you are operating Woodstowe David or do you apply some other approach? If you use auto coupling which system are you using? In passing I note the recent posts on Much Murkle with some lovely video shots of it operating with auto coupling. it certainly looks the part. best wishes, Andy R

Hi Les- Monday morning and the cricket result a realistic outcome given history between the two teams. I agree with other observations about the coal staithes. But, I do note that looking through many layout pictures, there seems no standard approach to this. I decided to also put them away from the siding edge on my layout on the basis that a private yard would probably use manual labour to move bag individual orders. the layout is looking really nice in the pictures Les. Turn my mind to getting Dymstock ready for Cambridge now working with the other owner John Budden. See you that weekend - please make your self known to us. Andy R

Nick -thanks for the detailed reply which is much appreciated. I feel that the topic of getting good operation and particularly how consistent auto coupling is achieved on layouts is underdone in the model press. But, I have yet to search these forums on the topic so that may draw further info. In the meantime I will enjoy learning from your layout- its a gem Andy R

Nick -the videos of your great layout are just fantastic and I really enjoyed seeing them. It lead to another one video done by someone else on u tube which was also showing faultless running. From what I see on the screen the automatic coupling/ decoupling works really well. Can you remind us what system you are using please Nick? (or it may be in earlier posts?). What type of magnets are used under the track, and were they inserted before or after track laying? I would love to have my layout operations work like this does. It is a true reflection of your skill as a model craftsman. thanks, Andy R

Hi John -many thanks for the directions to your thread which I have looked at. The coloured version on #624 is ideal for further reference. I think the answer I get from looking at the coloured picture is to continue to work on more vegetation in the background or back ground areas of the station environs (as too much in the foreground will interfere with layout maintenance -leaning over to clean track, vacuum etc), and also to introduce maybe slightly more variety in the tree shapes and colour and materials. I try to force perspective to the rear also by smaller scale trees and buildings along the back edge. I am assuming, unless anyone says otherwise, that the chalk cuttings are an acceptable representation? I will try not to overdo them... Regards Andy R

NZ on a high after another stunning cricket victory in world cup... But in reality in the railway business in Dorset it is just another day at the office, back in 1930 The junction is busy through the day with goods traffic marshalled and ready to go. On the junction bridge near Budden Lane the local merchant's wagon clips along to his next delivery. I have only been to Dorset once in my life, and that was in 1980! I am probably following a 'romantic' view of the countryside in my model interpretation, but my reading suggests chalk downlands north of Weymouth and I have tried to capture this in the cuttings around Hawkinsfield Junction, and also in the country lanes surface (chalk?), as here in this lane. I would value any feedback on this from people more familiar than I. I have used Google earth as well as book photos to give me some landscape tips. Anyway, this modelling is a journey and I am happy to learn on that journey from those with local knowledge. One example- I think I should be creating more tree and scrub vegetation around the layout??? what say others? That's about all the new photos taken recently, so thanks to those who have 'liked' or provided feedback. regards, Andy R

NZflyer- greetings. There seem to be a few modellers from downunder on this web. It nice to be able to communicate via this forum although we have never, and may never actually meet. Having said that Les and I are likely to get to meet via the Hamilton Model Railway Club show at Cambridge next month, so that's nice. This little layout here that Les is constructing is top class, as the photos show. regards, Andy R

After feedback on my query about good 00 gauge figures and loco crew I have bitten the bullet and ordered a cross section of loco crew and passengers from the Monty's range yesterday; not cheap when we have to convert to NZ dollars, but I wanted to make a decent order count with postage etc. I will be interested to see whether the order comes as quick as Les found recently. It will be interesting to see how long it takes me to get into painting them. From what I have read on other posts here the start is a good undercoat and then using good acrylics? regards Andy R

The tutorials on water, grass and hedges etc are wonderfully informative for us all developing our layouts and just a good reminder of the simple techniques that can be applied if we take things step by step. My thanks for doing the excellent work and describing it also. This is a lovely scenic layout - thanks Andy R

two more photos to finish the morning photo session ... Revenue is on the rise. Passenger and yard movements through and within Hawkinsfield junction seem buoyant! And, not to be left out a well cleaned 43xx class nearly serviced pops its front out into the daylight at the shed facilities and makes ready to make ends meet. This later Bachmann engine has BR livery as I could not purchase a GWR liveried 43xx at the time and I wanted to ensure I got one. Like all locos on the layout it has been DCC chipped and runs well. Another job here, to repaint the loco in GW colours, given the generic period the layout is set in. Andy R

Les- we dodged the cyclone with rain but no big winds. The surf at the mount is huge though. The backscene was painted by my dear old father-in-law a few years before he passed on. He was a very good artist and we managed to get about half the backscene requirement done only. The majority of the backscene will need to be painted by my wife (she has volunteered) 'copying' the existing one somehow -keeping it reasonably generic. It is acrylic colours over sky blue wash over chip board. Glad you enjoyed the pictures and thanks to members who pressed 'like' It is appreciated. Some photos are better than others and as I have said before, the camera is pretty basic and the lighting in the railway room (I pause to defer to John Flann on his excellent explanation of his lighting...) is not up to his lumens yet =yet another future job! regards Andy R