rue_d_etropal

It is always going to be able to organise an event locally. Trouble is that unless you make it easy for those further away to get to the event, it is always going to lean towards local support. As far as I thought this event is meant to be for everyone not just those local. Maybe a London event would have been better for the group . I remember visiting SNCF office in London many years ago for some posters, not sure exactly why because at the time I had no specific interest in French railways, and my parents had not shown any interest in moving to France. Maybe one of the French tourism organisations would have helped, as the group is in effect helping to promote France. The France show held annually at Olympia has a lot of support from French organisations, in fact maybe offering something from the group might be a good idea. Ironically Warners used to print/distribute one of the magazines involved. Having said that, I have worked out that by travelling overnight down to London and then catching train from Victoria I could get to the event. Not impossible. Just hope engineering works and/or bad weather don't derail that plan. Just thought of something for anyone up north. One of the most successful of the French property exhibitions is in Harrogate, I wonder if approaching the organisers might be an idea. Just a thought.

I am considering coming over. It is a lot easier to get to than some of the narrow gauge events held. I can bring a selectionof the items I have done myself, as well as items I have sourced elsewhere.

It only says to use the box. The footprint of the lid is the same as the box, and means less changes to the box have to be made, so is actually using the box more effectively. The only mention of the lid, is that it should not be removed. It must also be possible to close the box. It does say it must be contained within a standard A4 sized boxfile. Might be sloppy writing(not being critical, just nit picking), but would not be first time rules have been set without fully dotting the 'I's and crossing the 'T's. Rather appropriately it sums up my way of thinking,'outside the box', but in this case I am both in and out of the box. To be fair, if someone says I am breaking the rules, it does not bother me, as I still think it is the best use of 3 boxfiles for small portable layouts. I had been looking for a simple way to show my 3D printed track and buildings systems off , and this ticks all the boxes(sorry unintentional pun there!). I also plan to write an article, as I have done for many of my layouts, and submit it to one magazine, maybe more. I am always looking at ways to promote the hobby.

the old style, mottled cover ones have solid ends. I had wanted to get a white one, but none found so will paint one white, one blue and one red. I am also looking at other layout designs based on upturned box files. Surprising how much can be fitted on the opened lid.

I went into Home Bargains today to see if anything yet, but none in our branch. Basically HB will visit a company, look in arehouse, notice something that looks like is filling up space and make an offer for something and take it away very quickly. I know this because I was told this is what happened with the Bachmann UE stuff. Warehouse spaces costs money. I thought summer was actually a good time for Scalectrix because it is in middle of F1 season. I think Hornby manufacturing at Margate was based round this, so trains were produced for winter selling and cars for summer.

I was told about this last night, and assumed 3D printing was used. Am I correct? Having played with T gauge when it first came out, I know how difficult it can be to keep things running. Much depended on magnets holding the trains down, as no weight in effect. It would be nice to see a full length LNER streamline steam train running. 2 coach trains get a bit lost in the space.

From my experience of running(or more like trying to run) a well established model railway shop, then I can say that most of the business does not come from the glamorous items like locos, even coaches, but from the small essential accessories, including track. Maybe if the owners had spent more money on stock, then the shop might have lasted, but getting a balance between what attracts people into the shop, and what they actually spend their money on is difficult. How many of us have had a look at new models in a shop, then gone home and bought one cheaper online. Over the past 10 years, the biggest problem has not been increased cost, but getting hold of new models. New models eventually come out, are listed in catalogues and adverts, but if popular, sell out quickly and shops are left in embarrassing position of telling customers with money that the model they have been hoping to buy can't be got hold off. It might look good for the manufacturer, which no longer has dead stock, but a bad thing for the hobby. This will work in the short term for manufacturers, but if it goes on for too long, as it has for Hornby, it finally bites them as well. I think that there will be some surprising changes, many will not sit well with some here. Those excellent new models will be produced in smaller numbers, and items that sell in large quantities(but not necessarily to those who already have them) such as Flying Scotsman sets will increase. It should be remembered that Hornby used old tooling for both the Thomas ranges and the Railroad range(initially), so costs could be kept lower, and people buy those. Prices have gone up, but as long as they seem cheap compared to the more expensive newly tooled ones with all the bells and whistles, then they will sell.

I have mentioned it before, but cross subsidising between new products and older ones has enabled Hornby to keep some prices lower(but there is only so much it can be done). The pullman coaches were done this way. I suspect one reason for the prices going up on Railroad models is to keep other prices down. Given the higher prices for continental HO models, produced in same factories, and therefore costing about same to produce, then cutting back on production of HO models will mean prices for British OO will have to reflect true cost, ie rise in price. Look at the way Bachmann have hiked prices up over past year, as they have less ability to cross subsidise. The European range(Liliput) is a lot smaller. The Spanish part in the mix. Electrotren, although part of Hornby were set up slightly different, initially. Scalectrix probably sells better in Spain than trains, given the nation's support for F1. Some of the Spanish models are shared by other ranges, as the prototypes were not just found in Spain. Some of the Junior models are very good value, so hopefully they will continue.

This will be interesting to watch. Is this across everything, as I suspect it is, and what will be dropped for railway items.

Dava, I think I mentioned it somewhere, that I did go home that night and do the turntable for 14mm gauge. Again you did not say who you were at Derby, but I do remember talking to you this time.

I have kept the thread non specific, so all new promotions for Shapeways can be posted here, not started in new threads which get out of date. It is then useful way to record what Shapeways are offering .

Just had an email from Shapeways for 20% special offer on all strong and flexible next week. Presume that includes WSF.

I note the Simplex! Now I have been asked about 14mm gauge track, and so did a 14mm gauge wagon turntable, always open to ideas.

I am hoping my 3D printed track will enable be to link boards OK. Just a lot of wiring, as I wire up all points live(continental style) and use isolating switches to set power to each track. It is simple and works. Hoping not to have to cut boxes that much, by using lid of box as base and box as backing, so taller buildings fitted at back. I have seen it done this way round before. It would be better to have somewhere easier to get to. Had forgotten it was a Sunday. Certainly would not drive, distance and time of year. A more central location might attract new members from other parts of Britain.

It is a shame when things like this happen, but not unexpected. Manufacturing kits, even ones that have been in production for a long time, takes a lot of work, and money. Maintaining machinery(faulty machines being the excuse given on website) is just one of those problems, and maybe a bigger company should be involved(I won't say more!). One reason, I have gone down the online 3D printing route is to reduce these type of problems, but there is still a place for decent injection molded kits. These type of problems are not new, but I suspect there will be more when those involved take on too much, but maybe those in the hobby should help. It might be someone else , but it is our hobby, and we need people to be willing to produce kits for us. Don't just grumble, don't expect others to feed us,maybe offer to help. The answer might be to form a group(properly setup cooperative maybe) and offer a business proposal.

Received latest SNCF society mag, with info about competition for next year's annual get together. Now I can't normally get down to it, but this time I might try. Reason being the competition to build a layout in up to 3 boxfiles. I have bought some cheap boxfiles and have been playing around with a design for an HO layout using my 3D printed track and buildings. This should help to reduce weight, making them even easier to transport. Only complex part is wiring, especially for between boxfiles, but fingers crossed. Latest design includes 7 points and one wagon turntable!

For ideas using boxes, I tend to think outside the box!

never judge 3D printing by photos alone.For something so small, better to see them on a layout. As for selling, ideas sound good, but also consider exhibitions, and even some shops. Bulk versions could be made only available via yourself, with smaller packs available direct. Anyone wanting in effect a wholesale order would contact you, and then you take payment and supply them. Being small items there should be enough money to keep everyone happy.

which one, there are a few out there already, I have done the original WW1 versions. Resizing should be easy, if not, then not using right software to do design. Someone will always ask for a model to be done in a different scale. Finding time to learn is key to getting on. I decided to buy my software(it was not as expensive as some out there), and it had a free 30 day trial. As it has its own training package, I allocated that time to teaching myself how to do a basic design, and find out what could be printed. Still learning, and hopefully getting better.

Something else is to actually write a fictional history, to explain what, why and when. It can help cement a project together, and possibly highlight areas that can be changed. Like the idea of the plastic box. The scenic area could have filled the whole box, with fiddle yard(?) on a separate flat board which sits under layout for storage. Maybe an idea for next layout to try out board joins etc.

As there is no flush/paved surface across nearside track, it would be impossible to back a lorry up to the platform. Would not want to be working there having to carry all those items across the track. Continuing the cobbles up to and between the rails would make the whole scene look more practical in reality. In fact there is no reason for any cobbles unless they continue across the track. They are there for a reason, and everything has a purpose. Money would not have been wasted in an industrial area. The thing about small displays like this is that it is possible to put the little details in. A goods siding is not just somewhere to shunt a few wagons. Otherwise nice looking.

I have kept all mine, I might go and see which ones I have not got, as I gave up getting RM for a few years as it felt like everything was being repeated, but no find it is always got something interesting. Up till then I was only missing a handful of copies, and had even the original Ian Allan ones(many picked up at manchester exhibition) I used to get MRJ and BRJ from initial issues, but eventually I could not take any more of the repeated elitist articles telling me the only proper model railway was this or that. I sold them to a well known book seller . Only copy of MRJ I have now is the one with the superb Pempoul. I tend to only buy specialist books or magazines if there is something I actually want in them. Quite often when something does not interest me at the time, I find I want to go back and search out something for a new project, in particular scale drawings. Even with so much info online there is a series shortage of scale drawings. Even something as simple as a BR 16t coal wagon. I need to check thorough my collection of magazines, but I have them stored at my house in France. At least that will be something to do when I get go down there. I agree with charity shop idea, at least it might mean another enthusiast gets them.

On checking, found I had not updated my website fully, and so I had a look at my first 3D printed lorry body, the French FAR CM62 , and did a couple of mods as well as doing a 1/64 scale version. Just a cab body for a start, to give an idea. Chassis to follow, then I want to tackle the Scammell versions.

I was going to start one project in S scale, but two things stopped me. It was for a French metre gauge , so 16.5mm gauge was close enough, but I could not fit motor in the loco I wanted, so opted to go slightly bigger , up to 1/55 scale. I was also struggling for accessories in S such as figures and vehicles. I am not so sure about the early Lledo ones as the slightly later French vans actually measured out at nearer to 1/55 , This is not as odd as it might seem, given that Siku have a big range in that scale and there are a lot of diecast cars in 1/54 scale. The final thing that persuaded me was the closeness of wargaming 28mm stuff, and there is a lot, and getting more. 25mm is getting a bit left behind , which is a shame for you S scalers. It might be worth while talking to some wargaming companies, as there might be projects which can be shared. 1/64 did used to be a popular scale for diecast vehicles, especially American. I would be wary though, as like with 1/32 manufacturers don't understand scale, and use the scale term as a marketing thing. I am not sure why companies such as Siku opted for slightly bigger scale, but maybe that tempted others in, so they could be used with the Siku models. Some manufacturers will put the scale on base of model. Not sure why, maybe it was something one did so others followed. Matchbox were often in a mixture of scales, so it was a good wy to boast that theire model was a scale model not just a toy. The future should be bright for anyone modelling less common scales. I have been working on a variety of 3D printed models. I include S in my range, already for some and intended for others when I have the time or someone asks. I am also looking at road vehicles. My only one so far(pun not intended) is the French licensed version of the Scammell Scarab mechanical horse, the FAR. Only done the cab body so far, but intend to complete it. Done in various scales(not sure about 1/64 without actually checking).As I have a family connection and interest in Scammell, I intend to do the British versions. The post war models were different, but the only visible difference on pre war models was the cab roof. The big advantage of 3D printing is that I can do models in virtually ANY scale. I doubt if I will do any cars, as they often have complex curves. I am open to suggestions, especially if drawings can be supplied, but I am a bit busy working on another range at the moment. Talking of which, this could be offered in 1/64 scale, just. It is a modular building system for houses and shop fronts. It can get a bit pricey for bigger scales but both 1/55 and 1/64 are within range I think.

detheridge said I can confirm, although I have no independent proof, that GEM were considering something for 16.5mm gauge as I was told this by the person on the GEM stand at Manchester exhibition back in the 90s. They were selling off lots of unused Triang TT bits, some in boxes, and I presume they were left over stock for kits to use. Not sure why they would have had the Triang tenders boxed, but I think I bought a GWR castle tender and the French loco tender, both boxed, including the cardboard O ring to keep them in place in the box. Sold them off a few years ago, I think I could have used the French tender, but then that would be yet another project!