NCB

Think that's a reasonable decision. Reasonably compact layouts are popular in 3mm/ft which would make something like a B8 less attractive as a single option. Nigel

For general use an A switch is plain wrong and looks wrong. On my 3mm/ft 14.2mm gauge layout I used B7 for crossovers on the grounds that it gave a gentler reverse curve than using B6; however I wouldn't go as far as to say that B6 would be wrong. I think there's about an inch difference in length between B6 and B7. In the later stages of my layout I started using GWR loose heel turnouts, and if building from scratch would stick to those. But for point kits I've no preference over those and REA B switches. If you've found there are problems with B6 I think you should try B7, rather than mess with A switches. You might want to think in terms of providing a B6 or B7 point kit, but also commissioning whoever is doing it (I'm assuming it's British Finescale) to produce the crossing in that and one or two other sizes, plus the switch blades, for those who want other turnouts and are prepared to build their own. Nigel

Jonathan Well done. I'll look forwards to it. Nigel

Chris By through road I meant the through line adjacent to the station building, not non-railway roads Nigel

Hi Chris I'd suggest just having the station what seems to you the right distance back from the through road. Where it's placed in relation to the bay doesn't really matter. Nigel

So, the search for fittings! Starting with the whitemetal ones, I found my spare set of Metro buffers fairly quickly; thought they looked a bit large, but checking against the plans they seem to be spot on.. The tank fillers drew a blank except for a pair from a GEM pannier tank kit, which frankly aren't that great; I may need to raid the 3mm Society parts list. I found one smokebox door but it is just that bit too large, especially as the handrail has ended up slightly lower than intended. The 3mm Society list has a smokebox door, from a whitemetal small prairie kit, which is more or less right, so may need to opt for that, or consider doing my own 3D print. Can't find the 3D printed chimney and dome Coast Line Models did for me. Thought they were with my recent 3D printed safety valves, in the set of boxes holding all the 3D printed stuff, but they weren't. In the end went through all the 3D bits and did a much needed re-organisation, and ditched all not needed packing. So at least I know what's there, and have matching items grouped together. So the chimney and dome are either somewhere in the mixed mounds on the workbench representing current projects, or have drifted into some other box; the one holding bits for my Rhymney Class M is one possibility. Enough for tonight; the search continues tomorrow!

Interesting shot. It shows that the original access to the Cambrian station was by steps, not the later ramp. Did trains use the platform of their respective companies, or was the station worked as conventional up and down platforms?

Aberdyfi had fairly low platforms until quite recently. The up platform at Achnasheen still used steps in 2016, although the down platform had been raised: Nigel

Barmouth Bridge on 14 May 1995: Nigel

Here's some Barmouth Bridge ones taken 1995: Nigel

Another small step, one I wasn't sure how it would work out. I mixed a small amount of Milliput (fine) and used it to build up the awkward corner between the flanges on the sides of the tank tops. And also filled small gaps at the base of the smokebox. Not perfect, but as good as I hoped. All that's now needed is to add all the various fittings. If I can find them! Can't actually remember if I'd sorted them all, or if there were gaps. I know where the 3D printed chimney, dome and safety valve are. The buffers (GWR Metro) should also be OK, although not sure if I'll have to raid my spare Metro kit or whether I acquired another spare set. I think I did acquire some tank fillers. Not sure about the smokebox door. Here's to looking

Looks a useful prototype for a compact Cambrian building. Quite a steep descent from the road; wonder if steps might have been better. No double doors, so it appears wheeling bulky stuff inside wasn't intended. Wonder what the rear looked like; would the entrance to the ticket office be at the front or the back? Caught glimpses of it when I moved to Aber in 1971 and intended to take some snaps, but by the time I got around to it it was gone. Nigel

Re the coach sides, here's a pic of a 4-wheel coach under restoration: I've the impression that the moulding extends to the top, in which case black could be expected. Nigel

Original platform heights could vary a lot; here's a pic of Ynyslas: https://www.railwaystationphotographs.co.uk/ynyslas-railway-station-photo-dovey-junction---borth-aberystwyth-line-3-27631-p.asp Quite an extreme variation between original height and that of the extension, which I think was 1896, but probably that higher height had been established well before. In the case of Traeth Mawr, if it was built as a new station some years after Barmouth, then the platforms could well have been built at the now standard height. Nigel

Think drawbridge in this instant was used in the more general sense of a bridge which opens, rather than the particular sense of one which is raised. Technically the original was a retractable bridge. Nigel

At Aberdovey the posts either side of the main booking hall entrance were slightly closer together, otherwise I think they were equidistant. See my previous pics. I think the critical thing was the posts having to be in front of a bit of wall to which the canopy brackets could attached. There was plenty of room between posts and building. Nigel

According to Peco, they are handling UK and Europe sales, Kato the rest of the world.

Close to finishing the body of my Cambrian Seaham. It has been under test running, weighted until I was satisfied. Here's a picture of it under test on my GWR layout: Nigel

This is purely a guess on my part, but I think shellac would protect it from the consequences of damp, and might resist bowing.

More tests of the engine under power, this time on my GWR layout. A bit of lead squeezed into the smokebox / front of boiler improved things. Decided I needed some more weight, and managed to glue another layer of (thin) lead sheet inside the tanks. OK, but the centre of gravity was behind the leading drivers and I reckoned over those drivers would be better, so tested fitted another bit on top of the first in the boiler which produced the balance I was looking for; with the c of g over the leading drivers all wheels are carrying roughly the same weight, which I feel is a good thing. That did it. Now very smooth even running, and the coreless motor is a gem. Tried it with 6 weighted GWR wagons on the layout and it didn't even notice them. There was the odd bump but that was due to track issues which need to be fixed. Here's a pic: So, now to do a bit of filling on the body and add the fittings. Getting there... slowly! Nigel P.S. I notice that one of the platform benches has flown into the bay. Wonder how that happened!

Now that's what I should have done with my inspired-by-Aberdovey station building, but chickened out! Nigel

Does that mean you can get Boxpok wheels for 14.2mm finescale?

Nice ones, Garry.

Believe it's a B6. However, if it's successful wouldn't be surprised if other configurations are produced. Wayne seems to be doing that in other scales. Get the impression the base is 3D printed. Is that right? If so, can see it opening up a lot of cost-effective options.

No pics this time. Glued a slab of lead in each tank. There was rather less room than I thought, so not sure yet if it's enough. Decided to test it. Found the gearbox jammed in the slot on the bottom of the boiler; thought I'd checked this but obviously not. Out with the Proxxon drill and a grinding bit, enlarged the slot. Chassis now fitted, running not bad but with the occasional stop. Checked again and decided the gearbox was still touching the boiler, enough to affect the compensation. Bit more grinding and it now runs fine. Tested it with 3 wagons, and then with a D&S Cambrian bogie coach. Handled them OK. Test track too short to try more, so I'll try it on my GWR layout, which needs connecting up. Nigel