marc smith

Here's a short video, showing S&W's in action. You can see the delay feature working quite clearly too. Remember, once painted (or preferably chemically blackened) they are less obtrusive.

Indeed @mudmagnet - I meant to add to my last post, that best practice would be to make up a jig - so that you get consistency between couplings. The simplest of jigs would be a block, which sits on the rails, to give you the correct height for that loop. Making something for the coupling "bars" is a tad more tricky, but that height is the most crucial factor - especially as buffers can be different heights on different wagons. Of course, it's always best to look at all other options / coupling systems too. We all have our favourites, and for different reasons. Cheers again Rob, Best Marc

Hi Rob. With S&W couplings, the delay action means that you actually uncouple over a magnet, back the loco off a little, and then propel the wagon. The delay feature is achieved because of a small raised "bar" which prevents the wagon from recoupling while being propelled. The loco then stops, leaving the wagon wherever you want - so you can pick it up again later. The only place S&W's won't allow you to immediately pick up a wagon, is when the coupling is directly over a magnet - here, you simply need to push the wagon beyond the magnet, back off a few mm, then you can re-couple. With S&W's, especially in 7mm - even my ageing eyes can see what's going on, because if you're looking for it - you can see the chain drop. Hope my explanation helps... if not, someone far more coherent will be along any minute now ;)

Just echoing what others have said. The use of the barrel is a great, novel approach - and that backscene is pure genius. Nice modelling too. A perfect micro :)

Another interesting & obscure railway @Dunalastair And another good job on the diorama. I don't know how / where you find the time. Great work again sir - perhaps, as these locos are powered..... maybe you'll build that working micro? :) I've really enjoyed these posts good sir

Hi Rob, OT is looking great sir. That bubble car looks superb, and so at home on the layout. Please don't do anything too drastic to the layout. Automatic couplings are a real boon, and can add so much to the operation of a layout. Whichever system you choose - it will take you a while to install them & set everything up anyway - so that will eat up time. I chose Sprat & Winkle couplings for my switch to 7mm. The main reason for this was that I had used them fairly successfully in 4mm scale, and knew what to expect. Although my initial fears were that they would look too big and off-putting in 7mm... when painted black they're less obtrusive. Certainly in 7mm they're easier to install, and IMHO are much more reliable (they're less liable to bend, or at least easier to see & straighten / correct) - but if you chose these, you definitely need a jig, so that you can attain consistency. If you can pick up an old Lima wagon, or have something you don't mind hacking about a bit - that may make a donor, with which to experiment with different couplings. Best of luck with your coupling quest, and great to see OT on here. Hope to catch it on the circuit one day, and meet up for a chat :)

What an interesting little railway :) Nice diorama of it too. Let us know if you ever decide to motorise it - I'd like to see that running.

That chimney in the corner works so well - great addition & improvement. The weathering is also coming on a treat. It makes a big improvement and adds a touch more realism. Great work. I didn't think this micro could be improved... but it's still getting better :)

Really sorry to hear of your loss @Enfys_Rainbow I lost my Dad just over 2 years ago now... it was a difficult time. Take care mate, and look after yourself. A bit of modelling can help -as many hobbies do.... if you have time & inclination.

Yes, I think the extended embankment makes the whole thing look even better.

This superb micro was great before you added that backscene - but since its' addition, it's got even better. Looking fab :)

This looks a really interesting project. Although the line is sadly long gone, and you say there's not much left - but the embankments, buttresses and walls you have found give you some sense of what you're trying to achieve. These details are at least some tangible details, and it will be quite a nice touch to include these, which will help give the layout a sense of the real location. Best of luck with it, I'm looking forward to seeing this progress

Hi Jason. I think you are doing a lot of planning ahead - and that's a good thing. Get the design, planned operation & buildings "right" at this stage, and the layout has more of a chance of being successful and interesting to others. Another plus for the making of buildings at this stage, is that some folk, having laid & ballasted the track, could be tempted to "rush" the buildings a little - in an effort to finish the layout ASAP. As you say, get them looking good at this stage, doing them justice. Build and paint them now - then a final weathering, to "bed them in" to the scene when everything else is done.

I've not visited the area, nor have any connection to it. However, I found those old photos really interesting. And what a great location. Set up for some interesting modelling, I'm sure. Good progress so far - there's nothing wrong with making the buildings first. In fact, It's my usual method too. What tends to happen when you do this, is that the layout suddenly seems to "grow" when you first loosely place the structures in-situ. The buildings are looking good too btw. Good luck with this layout - I'll follow with interest :)

Looking good Rob. Re the thatched building - my first thought was that it did maybe "jar" a little, in that central position. However, I think when you've got some landscaping in place, it may sit better, and look more "at home". I would definitely make it look a tad more run-down though, and definitely move it off centre.... even slightly - as it may look too "centre stage" when the layout is completed.

This is coming along really nicely. The low relief loco shed works so well. The whole scene has a lovely balance to it. Keep up the good work, and reward yourself with a wee dram! ;)

Fabulous modelling sir. This layout has come on leaps & bounds, and looks to have some brilliant operating potential.

Another superb event. Well done to @NHY 581 & everyone else involved. Some great layouts and modelling on show - as is seemingly always the case with SWAG day. Great to meet up with so many old pals. The pasties were top-notch, as ever. Sorry to hear you've been unwell @Captain Kernow - thanks for posting that video. Hopefully, the layout will be at next years event.... really looking forward to seeing it in the flesh. And get well again ASAP old chum :) Thanks to @Barry Ten for the lift. (Following a very late night gig on Saturday, I'd have been in no fit state to drive). Great to finally meet up with @bcnPetetoo, after years of messages & posts

Your scenery is looking great @Brew Up As others have said, it's a nice palette of colours, and in my opinion, of textures too. I like that winding house - it looks suitably grubby.

Hi Adam, 207mm x 730mm - that is compact, considering what you have included here. Yet the design isn't cramped.... it's really well balanced. I'm looking forward to seeing an overall photo, with the buildings in-situ. As I mentioned, I was wondering about a similar design myself. I was pondering a slightly longer layout, with an additional short radius point. I had envisaged a low wall at the centre, with a recess for a small signal box or covered ground frame. I might well start doodling again, now I have seen that slip work so well just on its' own. I would definitely add a cassette on the right hand side too - but you may not need to chop the building about too much, I hope? I might even start doodling later, and open that nice bottle of Bruichladdich "The Laddie" I picked up for a bargain price last weekend ;) Keep up the good work Adam.... and don't forget to include an overall piccie, with the buildings... when you get chance PS. Isn't it funny that many of us have our best ideas, after a wee dram! lol

Really nice micro layout :) I had wondered about using a double slip, just as you have here.... and I think it looks great. What are the dimensions of the baseboard? PS. The word "distillery" is what immediately grabbed my attention in your thread title lol EDIT: I meant to add, the possibility of using a short cassette each end, really adds to the playability of this micro

Looking good. I have to say, that there's something nice about a self-contained unit - one where you can just plonk it on a table, plug in and start shunting. It really helps when you have just half an hour or so, to not have to start bolting boards together etc. I certainly found that with my O gauge micro "Poynton Sneer" - it was nice to have something simple to set up, even if just to test running or couplings, or even just to see a newly painted & weathered wagon in a setting. Looking forward to seeing this one progress

Sorry to hear that your last layout was ruined by an ingress of water. However, it's great that you have been inspired to build another layout. Even better news that your buildings survived - there's some great modelling there :) Have you got an overall view or "track-plan" - though I think I can work it out.... it's always nice to get an overview. Best of luck with the build

Some great painting & weathering there good sir - lovely work, innit boyo ;)

Nice looking micro @bazzer42 I was fortunate to take a trip on the Looe branch a couple of years back - and it really is a lovely little line. This micro is definitely reminiscent of that line. Are you intending on using a sector plate, or cassettes for the fiddle yard?