marc smith

Some really useful info on this thread. Thanks for your thoughts everyone - not all of this paraphernalia is immediately obvious. @GDR - I'm glad you asked the question

Just seconding (or third-ing) this comment. Very neat, tidy carpentry work there sir I'm far too untidy a carpenter to show off any of my baseboard type work! lol I'm sure the care and attention at this stage, will result in better, trouble-free joints & running in future "Minories" may be an age-old plan - but I'm enjoying this build thread already.... and the PVA isn't even dry on the baseboards

Looking like a good start Rob. Nice to see a new project from you I've used roughly cut & sellotaped cereal packets & blocks of polystyrene as "mock up" structures when planning layouts myself It works for me - "mock ups, not c**k ups" - that's my philosophy Good luck with it, I'm looking forward to seeing how it progresses And PS - Glad you're coming back around to shunting layouts

It's the best way to approach this design - by building the baseboards first, and making sure the hinge works, and most importantly, that the hinge aligns perfectly. This will help ensure trouble-free track alignment. A folding layout is something I've long pondered - but never quite got a design I was quite happy with. The terminus station makes that bridge in the centre look like a more convincing location IMO. Some folk mightn't bother with this, but I would be tempted to make a "plug-in" road overlay / jigsaw piece - just to finish off, and help hide the join when operating or exhibiting. I did start to build a minories layout myself, many years back. My plan was to have it as a stand-alone layout, which could be attached to a larger scheme... but that never got finished Good luck with this plan - I'd like to see it completed BTW - I like the title, it's what made me look at the thread, but then again like @SRman I'm a fan of Dad jokes too! I'll get my Snorkel Jacket... lol

Nice layout @bazzer42. I really like the whole concept of the extension being built. The use of the fort by the military sounds plausible enough to me. As a fellow "South Taffian", @NHY 581 may be aghast at me agreeing with everything he has said! But I feel I must, on this occasion, if never again (only kidding Rob, although I must admit, I'm not quite so fascinated by sheep!) Definitely keep the space "open" - I think there is a danger of "overdoing it" with smaller layouts... less is more The Bedford truck would be an ideal solution IMO Funnily enough, I've gone from modelling BR diesels (in my youth), to modelling the GWR, back to modelling BR diesels with DCC sound.... (to recapture my youth) and now I feel I'm on a journey to modelling steam again, and having purchased the John Betjeman "Branch Line" DVD 16 months or so ago I find I've been thinking along the lines of an S&D based "might have been" micro layout myself Excellent work sir, and although I only just discovered this thread.... I'm already convinced by the back story... It must have been on the drawing board! PS. Those Wills kits are fine too. Yes, they're commonplace - but they do look the part, and are nicely detailed Perhaps add some features - such as a lean-to office on the goods shed? Maybe a "porch" on the signal box? Bit of weathering and some ivy & moss... bingo, they're a bit different Looking forward to seeing this one progress

Some great modelling there. Nice that they can just fold back up, and be stored in the boxfiles. Have you ever thought about the possibility of doing a few separate dioramas that can be linked up, and run as a layout? It's a trickier project to design than you may think at first.... designing separate elements that work as standalone dioramas, but will also work as part of a bigger project... I recall being at a general model show sometime back, a group of military modelling friends had built several "tiles" of a scene that could be arranged as a larger diorama Cleverly, they had also built a few units with different elements, so they could rearrange the whole scene in a very different configuration for example, a 90 degree bend in the road running though part of the scene allowed them to alter the overall shape... Hmm, your post has got me dreaming.... again! Nice work @jpachl

Yes, I'm glad I took it on, and pleased to be tinkering with it. Back in the day, it was one of my faves too

I've done some work with the scenery. Some of the bushes, grass and weeds needed some work - they were fading here & there, and looking a bit tatty. I also removed some of the bushes, particularly from the foreground. This has helped "open out" the space a little. I wanted to add some muddy paths through the field in the foreground, and some earth patches here & there. As the line was constructed by the S&M Railway, and the good Colonel Stephens, much of the trackwork either needed relaying or repair, to ensure the heavier traffic from the quarry would be able to navigate the line.... This was done on the cheap, and patch-up repair work was commonplace... A class 08 shunter was due to deliver the monthly supply of Gunpowder to the quarry But the foreman decided that a delivery of recycled sleepers and sleeper chairs should be used as a barrier wagon Highly irregular! - no one on the board could have heard.... or perhaps they turned a blind eye?

I've been working on the cassette at the far end of Ruyton. The exit is disguised with a van body. It was decided that Ruyton Road needed some additional storage So the platform was slightly extended, and an ex GWR van was placed on the far end of the platform.... A handy help to disguising the extension, along with a tree and some other greenery This is not quite finished - I'm building it up gradually - I don't want to overdo it..... Meanwhile, with the single coach passenger train parked in the loop, a pannier tank does some shunting, so that the empty milk tankers can be taken to the dairy later in the day... Having run around it's carriage, the pannier reverses onto the train - it's a few minutes late.... as usual!

The above pics were before addition of the backscene or cassette. Here are a couple more, since building of extension cassette & backscene... I've added a few trees (still not convinced about one of them!) to help "hide" corner joints in the backscene And I've added some mud footpaths. I've also taken a little of the greenery away, and added some detritus & rubbish. The railway, though it became more important (briefly) is again becoming more run down The single siding in the yard is also used as a store for some PW items; old sleepers from elsewhere on the system for re-use, rusting bits & pieces of track parts etc etc

Those who know me, will know I don't usually buy or acquire layouts. But a few years back, I became aware that Ruyton Road had been for sale for some time, and was in danger of being dismantled. Now to my mind - Ruyton was a real classic layout. I recall seeing it for the first time (early 90's) along with my good pal @wenlock when we visited the Cardiff MR show in Splott (Yes, there is a place called "Splott"). I'd already seen Rodney Hall's superb minimum space "Llanastr" and that had fueled my imagination But Ruyton Road was THE layout that convinced me to think small, and that micro layouts were the way forward for me So I acquired the layout from its' previous owner. He had bought it from John Spencer (RIP mate) And that current owner no longer had space for it, and said he was moving upscale to 7mm - to help his eyesight (I know what he means) For those who haven't seen the layout. It appeared in MRJ Number 75. Way back in 1994, and the stock appeared in a later issue. I would recommend the article, it's a great read. There is a little YouTube footage of it out there too So I needed to revamp / restore some of the scenery, plus I wanted to build a new fiddle yard The old one was very very heavy, given its' small size. In fact the layout is also much heavier than you might expect. I think John was trying to build something strong enough to drive a real train over! lol Also, the fiddle was past its' best, as was the fascia (The fiddle & fascia had been stored somewhere damp, I think) - so more work needed there Years back, I recall discussing the layout with John. He was such a nice gent - always polite & friendly, and he had a great sense of humour. I always enjoyed meeting him at shows... and was fortunate to meet with him on quite a few occasions... We chatted about operating potential. John thought that there was no way of adding operating interest. In his MRJ artlcle, the backstory to the layout, was that a quarry, further along the line had been prospected - but never built. I suggested he open said fictitious quarry in the form of adding an extension cassette, beyond the station platform. This being for goods only, certainly the quarry, but perhaps some farm / produce related traffic too.... Enough rambling. Here are a few pics, some after I'd started work on it, some after Oooh, I've added a (removable) backscene too - as the layout never had one... More on my own backstory later..... It involves friends of powerful MP's, scandal and bribery! Oh, and the son of the Lord of a nearby manor... who likes trains

Great start @Mike. Really like the look of those buildings Just wondering what the plan looks like. Have you got a copy you can share?

Hi again Ralf, My suggestion was not to change any angles of horizontal beams etc. But my approach would be something like I've tried to demonstrate in the picture below. It's a fair bit of work - but it could work well, and save you a bit of space, while also keeping the crane more in proportion to its' surroundings... I would always keep horizontal girders / supports horizontal... But such parts of a model also can help the modeller who wants to adapt a kit, and that would always be my approach. - Firstly, cut along the dotted red line. - Then remove a section of the horizontal main support (the greyed out piece, between the blue lines) - Move the rear legs forward, as per the Green Arrow - Trim the angled inner surfaces of the support legs, in the manner of the pink shaded areas .... this is to help provide clearance for wagons to pass underneath Of course, you could always make your own, or use something like the main supports from the Knightwing PM127 Steel girder crane? Just to be clear, I would never have suggested angling those crane supports - the off-horizontal girders wouldn't have looked good... All this said, the crane looks OK in the position on your latest version of the plan

Can't believe I've only just come across this thread. Absolutely cracking job Richard 7mm just lends itself to such dioramas IMO. I can see how a small project like this can be so relaxing and therapeutic, and produce such a satisfying result. Love the distressed brickwork and the old weathered sleepers - just the sort of details I like adding. But you've done a cracking job here matey Hello from sunny South Wales

Hi again Ralf, If that were my layout, and I definitely wanted to include that particular crane - I would be tempted to kit-bash it. You could possibly site it further back, where the steps are, and the harbour wall is wider - as has been suggested, But I would be looking at reducing the depth of that crane base. You could easily cut it just where the "legs" meet the body... bring those legs / supports inwards a bit. I would even think about perhaps making some new ones, perhaps not so tapered Or are there any other kits or models out there with an alternative? Worth a look perhaps? I know it's a pain, modifying kitbuilt items after they have been completed, but it's doable, and in this case, I think it wouldn't be too tricky. Plus, you end up with a unique component to your layout - something a bit different to more generic elements to your layout EDIT: Looking at the photos again, I may be tempted to opt for re-building the crane base so that it's smaller anyway... Or opt for a different, smaller crane - one which doesn't dominate the scene too much.... It would be a shame to have to modify your design, and perhaps lose some operating potential, just because a crane was too big, or didn't quite fit.... I realise you started out with this in the first instance - but perhaps you could build this layout with another crane.... then build that inglenook, including it!

Hi Ralf, really like that warehouse / mill, and what you've been doing so far. Inglenooks are fine, if you've never built one before, I say you should definitely build at least one. But I think your basic design concept is really good here. I particularly like the overall concept of the one above. Yes, layouts with a loop can look a tad "cramped", when you start off with a small space to work in But don't forget, railways often were / are cramped - particularly industrial settings..... I really like the added siding at the back here. I'm picturing a low-ish retaining wall, and a grassy, overgrown bank, leading down to the wall... I think you could achieve this, mainly by bringing the "main" road (in the middle) a little further forward. You have a lot of space between it, and the sidings at the front. I think if you brought the central road / track a tad further forward, so that it was roughly in the middle of the board, you would end up with that rear siding looking less cramped. A grassy bank behind it would help lend a little more feeling of "space" I think you could also shorten the run-round loop a little. Although not everyone would necessarily agree with me here, I quite like the fact that you may need more running around, and shunting wagons "out of the way" to complete a manouvre. I think Ian Rice describes this as a "deliberate problem". After all, the purpose of a small layout like this, is to do some shunting Re that warehouse. I don't know if you have sufficient materials in the kit, to make it appear deeper, front to back But I'm sure you could do this even if you don't have the materials. A strategically placed tall chimney, and a tree next to it? Or another, smaller warehouse / factory and chimney? Don't worry about changing your mind here & there. It's better to do that now, than to get half way through the build, and decide you don't like it. I've a feeling you're not far off, and when you draw up the one that works best for you, I'm sure you'll know it

You could also try the method some people use for aligning baseboards - in the form of a couple of door hinges. I've not used the method myself, but quite a few people do. Each board is secured together with hinges, checking and double checking alignment is 100% spot on And the hinge "pins" are then removed. A dremmel or something similar can be used, to take one end off the pin, so that it can be slotted back in and removed when needed. This is quite a quick way of adding / removing a fiddle stick. Might work well on this layout too. Obviously, you'd need an electrical connection as well. Perhaps feed via the hinges? One hinged soldered to each rail? The difficulty here, is aligning the rails at this stage. Those who plan well, and have sufficient space to leave the layout set-up (not me on either count!) do the sensible thing, and install their alignment aids before laying the track. Once track is laid, they then separate the two boards And hey presto - it aligns perfectly each time thereafter! Like I say, I'm not usually in that category of modellers who plan well ahead! Let us know what you opt to do, and how you get on

Hi all, I'm trying to contact Brian Williams from Swansea MRC Brian was a good friend of the late John Spencer (RIP mate ) It's in regard to the stock John used to run on "Ruyton Road" I have the layout, and would like to just get hold of at least one loco John used to run on it... And I have been contacted by a gentleman who would like to know where one or two other items went Any help would be greatly appreciated Just drop me a PM Cheers all Marc

Looks sturdy enough. Once Idea I've seen others use for this type of add-on cassette / fiddle stick, Is to hinge the fiddle stick (hinges on top, level with track surface) and then a chain, which is attached to the top of the backscene and the far end of the fiddle. Something like a catch (or even velcro) could then be used to secure the fiddle stick in "transport mode" when not in use....

Nice job on the factory / warehouse and signal box i never seem to be able to get scalescenes buildings looking that good.... For some reason, I only seem to manage a decent standard using plastic card....

Sorry to hear you lost the space intended for this project.... That can happen, due to other "domestic priorities" of course. Still I'm glad to see you are intending to continue with it It's been ages since I last looked in on this one. Each time I see the title of the thread, I'm immediately drawn to it, and whenever I look at the content, I keep thinking "Hmmm, I hope Keith is going to paint that figure of Alison Krauss soon!

Shame your foamboard snapped @Max Legroom. It's a material I have used quite a few times, to create several small & micro layouts These days, and with advancing years in mind - I really do favour using the material. I like working with it, I find it very quick to build baseboards with.... and it's incredibly lightweight. The trick is (IMHO) to build a decent wooden sub-frame, and do so at the earliest opportunity. This will protect the foamboard, and give you a decent base to start with.... The wooden frame needn't be huge timber pieces. Battening has sufficed for the layouts I've built Just don't get any superglue on the foam material.... it melts! You can use superglue once you've got ground covering on; Mod Roc, plaster and PVA - these all "seal" the foam The Highland Signal box looks a decent model Have you a plan you can share with us yet? Best of luck with it PS. I don't know how far you had progressed with the layout - but you can always glue the pieces of foam together, mounting directly onto a subframe

Hi @sb67. No, I didn't create a thread, mainly because I didn't build the layout. It oddly seems sort of akin to "cheating" to me...... As has been said, I didn't acquire Ruyton Road to exhibit it. In fact, I wasn't sure what I was going to do with it. I got it in order to save it, as the previous owner said that he was going to dismantle it! That seemed such a shame to me - after all, it's the layout which finally convinced me that micro layouts were "my thing" Now you mention it though, I'm thinking that I might indeed do a thread - just to keep folk up to date with it I'm not going to do too much modification, As I've said, I'm altering the scenery a little - just to create a bit more sense of "space" And my thoughts were always about how the line might have possibly survived... up until Beeching etc Anyway, here are a couple of photos. These were taken after my first attempts at saving the scenery..... EDIT: Both taken from the operators' viewpoint, rather than the "onlookers" view....

Hi again @rcf "Have you got room for three layouts?". Well, until my clear-out, and trashing my aforementioned latest project.... I had six! Plus two half-started projects (that may well see completion... one day! lol) If you can find room - keep your old layouts..... if not - see if you can temporarily re-house your least favourite, or least used layout - just for a short while See how you feel about letting it go in a few months... perhaps your new project will demand more attention, and your interest in the old one will wane.... Is there someone fairly close to you, who would look after one of your old layouts? Perhaps a club or RMweb pal? Obviously, once lock-down restrictions are relaxed.... PS. Do you still have "The Shed"? Cracking O Gauge small layout that one

@Barry Ten and others who may be interested...... I've been finding just a little modelling time over the past few days.... Not too much (I'm still in work, and unable to work from home - due to the nature of my job) But the rock & roll lifestyle (as Mr Ten puts it) is rather quieter - though I've been given a list of songs to learn for my function / covers band.... So I have spent some time restoring the scenery, and making a few "tweaks". Some of the scenery was starting to look rather "tired" - so I've been slowly brightening and tweaking it. Also, I decided to build a new fiddle yard. I opted for a lightweight, foam board construction. The old fiddle yard was rather jaded and rusting (there was more metal work on it than you might have thought). Plus, it was not as smooth in operation as I would like. Even more importantly in my increasing age - it weighed a tonne! The layout itself is rather heavier than you might think, but the fiddle weighed rather more than I regularly lift in the gym On my Steelworks at night layout "Wales, Rails, Rain & Steel" - I made a very compact fiddle yard, which employed a "wired-in" Peco Loco lift to keep sound chips alive, while switching locos between fiddle roads. So I got a 2nd hand Loco Lift, and have been converting it to EM Gauge.... I'm hoping the new fiddle yard works well. I'm currently revising some of the wiring. There was a Relco unit wired in to the layout, plus it doesn't really work 100% as I'd like for DCC sound operation. Re the switching of the points - sadly, I will be unable to convert them to front operation - the switches and tie-bar mechanics are buried deep in the scenery, and tie bars too inaccessible and delicate to modify. I don't want to start tearing up the mod-roc / plaster landscaping. The tie-bars are rather delicate in construction (though they work solidly) - During my investigations, one of them started causing an electrical shorting issue, which I have now resolved. Phew! Lengthy update from me there Anyway - I ditched my last EM project after running out of steam.... and decided to keep Ruyton Road (at least for now) get it up & running again, for something to run my EM stock on...