Andy R

Hey Les -how have you made the fence posts? They look really good. About to depart for the south island road trip for a month. Will catch up on RM forum end of May. I have drawn up the proposed new terminus we talked about at the show full size on a length of paper and with a few tweaks it seems to work out ok -all within 12 inch width of baseboard. Just have to draw out the possible train (Peter Denny type) storage yard for the centre of the layout room. Hope that works as that is central to the concept working. regards Andy R

great stuff again Les. And thanks for your help last Saturday. Hope you enjoyed the fun. Time to get into upgrading those kadees! regards Andy R

Hi Alan. Interesting to see your thoughts on changing tack and going into smaller compact layout territory. I also have experience with a continous layout build with my Hawkinsfield project, not unlike your original Wencombe in theory, (which I continue to work on at snails pace!), and a small BLT type layout which I exhibit (Stackton Magna). Having just come back from 2 1/2 days of operating the small BLT have have to say I have a love/hate relationship with this type of layout as time goes very slowly with its limited operational scope. The absolute key to getting real enjoyment from such a design IMHO (again drawing from this last weekend) is to have an automatic coupling system that allows maximum stock movement and complex moves with minimum stock handling and hesidence...in other words smooth running all the time. Like many others on this forum I have invested in Kadee couplers for this layout and I plan to improve the running further by fine-tuning the stock and locos with refitting some of the kadees which in my initial 'rush' to get operating I did not set up properly. (wraps here for people like Andy P and John Flann who seem to get these things just right and then enjoy the operational benefits -another example being Much Markle with the DG's). If set up properly (whatever system you might choose) it should will pay you back in spades of operational enjoyment in my view. Otherwise, I cannot see real benefit in changng your layout design approach after the two magnificant layouts I have seen from you on this forum. Could you not have both types with the smaller one stored under the other Kingsbridge and erected when you want to 'have a play'? Anyway, just my thoughts on getting operational fun from a small layout without going completely mad! John Flann is very wise on this stuff with his Hintock/Port Bedy series. regards Andy R

Thanks Andy - I have the specs and cannot use ebay postage here to NZ- but I can find locally I hope. regards Andy R

That was quick!!!! Thanks for that idea- I have seen articles in MOdel Railroader on a similar approach. I guess just a case of finding the right size magnet? Do you have any advice on the magnet specs please Andy ? regards Andy R

Andy P -what type of Kadee magnets do you use? The ramp type or below track magnets? Amazing progress with yet another layout- I dont know where you find the time regards Andy R

Hi Les- yes I will have the little BLT- set up Friday and two days of playing in front of public...will I still be sane at the end? C u sometime over weekend I hope Regards Andy R

Well done Les. See u at Morrinsville and catch up with a chat- Andy R

Love that last photo - ( and the others). Regards Andy R

Nick -well derserved comments and feedback on the layout and exhibition- clearly people know quality when they see it. The automatic coupling and flawless running does you credit and must also help with the enjoyment for the operators and the customers. As John Flann has said above- nice to see wonderful photos when we cannot all just 'fly' over for the weekend! regards Andy R

Alan- another question if you dont mind- what make are the platform gas lamps please. I am trying to find a solid set of these for my Hawkinsfield Junction platforms and wonder what you might recommend? Like many others I just love the atmosphere you have created with the layout- masterful and so educative.. regards Andy R

Alan: that last photo sums up the layouts exquisite modelling scene beautifully. Once you put in general clutter and soft weathering in and around the quayside it will be superb. How are you finding the BLT operation compared to the former junction of wencombe? More or less enjoyable? I think some of us would be interested in your experiences on this as I think this is an area of modelling that is not often commented on. Regards Andy R

Yep. And kadees to assist shunting. How could you resist! See u there sometime Andy R

Les. The word is that my little BLT Dymstock will be asked but haven't heard officially. If so then its three days... groan) Maybe join me for a little time operating? Regards Andy R

Wonderful to see you back in the groove Les: a weathering lesson for those of us reluctant to ' jump ' into that space without courage. Love the station building too- truely a nice piece of individual modelling. Catch you maybe at Morrinsville in early April? Andy R

Hi Les- and happy new year to you. Everything you are doing on this layout continues to impress- look at the many likes from some really good modellers on the RMWeb. Our small, local Tauranga show has been and gone at Mount College and now I am thinking ahead with my small GWR BLT likely to be going to Morrinsville show early April (8/9 from memory). Hope we can see you there. Also, just to renew my open invitation to pop into Hawkinsfield any time you have time in Tauranga. Not much work done on Hawkinsfield with xmas, new year and the full on cruise ship tours over summer. A little bit of work done on revamping scenery on a small N gauge layout in the Clubrooms slowly to improve its look and maybe get up to exhibition standard for future. So, catch up hopefully soon. reagrds Andy R

Alan/Andy P -funny coincidence. as last week I grapped a couple of RMs from our local model club to read over christmas and one had the Wencombe article as well. Enjoyed reading it and looking at the photos, as the layout was one of the nicest GWR essays on the RMweb in my humble opinion. regards for the new year from 'downunder'...Andy R

Hi Tony. Pleased to hear things are ok in the operating sphere. Buckingham needs several good operators to make it hum along. I would love to see any wonderful layouts we can fit in tony . See how our itinerary unfolds. Regards abdy happy operating Andy R

Tony- so pleased to see you are still getting so much enjoyment from the lovely, iconic layout in your shed...I have certainly enjoyed my visits to Buckingham thanks to your patient guidance as I stumbled through the timetable moves. With a bit of luck and your support I might be able to squeeze in another visit late in 2017...will PM on that early next year. How is the recruitment of additional operators going? Hopefully you have several experienced lads that make the operating sessions hum? regars and best wishes, Andy R

It must be fulfilling to pass on your scenic skills to youngsters at Pendon. What a venue. I managed a revisit there after 30 years since first visit in 1981 and had to be dragged out at 4pm! Had the rare privilege of going inside the glass walls of Madder Valley on a running trial which I will never forget. Keep up the good work Nick. Much Murkle one of my absolute favourites on here. Regards Andy R

Bring on the next installment asap! regards Andy R

Congrats Andrew. Now we look forward to the new layout story. I find following the journey of a new layout, the thinking, design and construction work really enjoyable and full of learning points. Enjoy the experience. Regards AndyR

Andrew- do we get 'fries' with that roast????

Andrew. Does the sale include snail mail to New Zealand?? Just kidding. I have enjoyed this layout too and supports my view that a reasonable sized terminus is best to add to Hawkinsfield. I feel sure it will find a good home. Regards Andy R