marc smith

On 29/01/2023 at 16:31, mullie said:

To give you an idea how the different parts of the layout interconnect, here is a short video tracing a shunter returning with full beet wagons and running from Upbech St Mary, across the quay and through Upbech Drove to the fiddle yard. The layout can also be run as three separate modules.

 

 

There is a curious flickering effect, no doubt caused by the LED lighting, sorry I don't know how to get rid of it, any advice gratefully received.

Thanks for posting that video @mullie
Having seen and admired that last section at the RMweb members day last year - I can now see how it fits in to the layout as a whole. I really like the fact that you could take any section of the layout to an exhibition, and it would stand alone as a layout. I've often pondered this approach myself, and applaud you for achieving this feat. It's not easy designing this into a layout concept, nor actually getting it to work effectively. Nice!

EDIT: Moreover, I really got the feeling of a train going "somewhere" - the differing scenes in the journey help underline that. If it had dropped a wagon into that siding in the middle section, it would appear to be an even more purposeful journey. Though the track plan is relatively "simple" - operating potential is excellent.

On 29/01/2023 at 21:39, robert17649 said:

Was you holding your breath there. I often find myself doing that when I run  a session, My theory is that the length of a run is governed by the breath holding time of the operator. The puff of relief at the end means nothing stalled fell off or uncoupled save when it was meant to.......

Ah, I'm glad I am not alone on this @robert17649lol 

13 hours ago, Module00 said:

This little layout is realy nice. 😃👍

Yes, it really is a superb micro layout. One of my faves.
I wonder, is it still on the exhibition circuit? Do you still have this one @Julian?
 

The best Mirrored Plastic-card I bought was some time ago. I got it from a theatre supplies company. It was just a tad "brighter" than other materials available at the time. Although since then, I've seen several suppliers offering it. The plastic mirror I used was also just a shade thicker than others. Funnily enough, I recall searching for the material and not being able to see it in any modelling shops or shows I'd visited.... then as soon as I bought some online.... it was at every show I visited for some time! ha ha

I can't quite see from the pics above, but are you using surface-silvered mirrors?
Most mirror materials are silvered on the back, so you get a "gap" between the layout and any reflections.

There are several brands of surface-silvered plasticard out there - it's nice & easy to cut (unlike glass mirrors) and the surface silvering really helps hide the join.
It's not quite as reflective (in terms of brightness & sharpness) but it's good - just don't stick it onto a surface with lumps & bumps on..... or you get distorted reflections

I'll echo other comments on how good this is looking Rob 

But mirrors on a layout? Now who would do such a thing? ha ha ha ;) 

In my experience, it's all about careful placement, and disguising the ends / edges of a mirror. I used a cur-down tree on my 7mm "Poynton Sneer" O gauge micro, with a Pipe gantry running across it. On my OO "Hendre Lane" a chimney in the far corner helped disguise the join... with a tree placed in front of it. But the factor that disguised it most, was the half-relief footbridge I placed across it. Mirrors placed under bridge arches can work really well IMO - but it's carefully disguising the join that's the secret IMHO.

4 hours ago, NHY 581 said:

Oh dear. 

 

Another thread stumbled across and a need to set some time aside, starting at page 1

 

Rob. 

Indeed. I seem to recall stumbling across this fine thread sometime ago.... and then losing touch with it.
However, I'm glad I saw it again today. This layout is looking great @phil.c

On 17/01/2023 at 09:34, Nick C said:

The buildings won't get glued down for a while yet! As you can see, I've even kept the trees in their protective boxes for the moment!

 

There will be another factory or similar left of centre - between the Oak and the Beech. I'm thinking perhaps a longer, single-story northlight building so that it looks different.

I thought you were likely not going to stick anything down permanently yet (apart from the track, obviously lol)
Re your last point about the buildings - that's something I like too. If you can get your buildings looking like they all "belong" there, but have differing heights, levels and roof profiles - it makes a scene more interesting.

Looking good @Nick C- it's amazing just how much difference a background or a sky background can make,
I'm sure you won't be glueing any buildings down just yet - but I always wait to do this, as I think it's good practice just to leave them loose on the baseboard for a while, and then move them around occasionally, until you find their optimum position. Sometimes, even moving a building or structure just a few cm either way can make a difference or have an impact.

Keep this one up good sir - I'm looking forward to seeing it progress :) 

EDIT: I like that large factory / warehouse a lot. I can picture several utility outbuildings or sheds around it. I always like to hide a backscene corner with a tree or chimney too, as you have done here.

10 hours ago, NHY 581 said:

Hi Nick, 

 

Unusually for me, I think the lower of the two plans with the slip. 

 

Normally, I'd avoid anything as complex as a single slip but, to my eye, it has a better flow. 

 

Both provide will some "operational challenges ".

 

Rob. 

Hi Nick,

I find myself in agreement with my fellow Welshman and old chum here. I think the plan with the slip just "flows" more nicely.
Plus, the plan looks slightly less "congested". I also think I'd be tempted to bring that crossover on the left of the plan just a tad further along to the right (maybe just 2 or 3 inches) - I think that will help that left hand siding in the foreground look a tad longer. Up to you of course, but I think it would be quite nice to see a wagon or two parked there, with a little bit of space around it.

Looking good sir. I think this one will be a winner.
 

12 hours ago, jcredfer said:

 

...........        Errr?.....      Quite how did you know that??.....     .....  Just rumour??.....  Eh...  nudge, nudge, wink, wink...  Eh.....   😉

 

 

I was going to ask the very same question :)
But on the other hand.... it may be best not to know! ha ha :) 

In Paul Lunn's excellent "Micro Layouts" book, there's a lovely photo of a "Pizza type" layout built to EM gauge, by the very talented Neil Rushby.
That layout has even tighter radius curves still. Sadly, I have forgotten the exact radius - Neil did tell me sometime back. 

Anyhow, it is indeed possible to run very tight curves, but you have to watch out for things like buffer lock, especially when propelling wagons. You can obviously only run short wheelbase stock. And I'm sure Neil told me he had to use 4 link couplings, as 3 link couplings weren't long enough. All things to try out when you're at an early stage. 

I like the look of this, I must say. I recall being at a few shows where the layout next to me was roundy-roundy.... and I sometimes envied the operators - as they could wander off and leave trains running around, while I was amid some complex shunting manoeuvre.

On 12/12/2022 at 09:59, wenlock said:

Lovely to see a picture of Ogmore!  Ivor has good taste in pubs, the “Pelican” serves an excellent pint🙂

Ah yes, "The Pelican In Her Piety" is a great name for a pub too. Though in my imagined-rose tinted, GWR flavoured, rural idylic past, it was once called "The Sheep Dip Inn" (until I can think of a more amusing name, of course)

As ever Matt, some stirling work here.
I really like that faded blue 08 - top job there sir :) 

Nice weathering again sir :) 

I do like to see well weathered,beaten & rusty wagons - especially in a grimy setting, with plenty of weeds, detritus, muck and bits & pieces of rusty scrap metal strewn around the place....... and apparently, my Doctor says there's no cure! ;)  

Looks very interesting, and something a bit different - as has been said.
Looking forward to seeing this one develop.

I was truly saddened to hear of Iain's passing. He was an inspiration to so many of us on here, I'm sure.
But for me, his book on Finescale modelling in small spaces was THE book that changed my whole approach to Model Railways, along with Barry Norman's Landscape Modelling, and Gordon Gravett's 7mm modelling books - these are all volumes I still turn to.

I suspect I will still be re-reading Iain's book, and others written by him for many years to come.
Commiserations to his family and friends. RIP Iain.

On 19/09/2022 at 18:45, Enfys_Rainbow said:

Hello all,

 

Been away from this thread and layout for a while as I'd taken a detour down a 7mm avenue.

 

I was surfing the internet recently looking for nothing in particular when I came across a photo of a building that just called out to be modelled.....

Ah, tempted by other scales - we've all been there! Or is it just you & I Matt? I suspect not ;) 

That building is looking superb good sir. Great modelling, as ever 

Looks great. I'd like to see some close-up photos of the layout please :) 

Nice one Dave!
What are the dimensions of this marvelous micro?
Keep up the good work sir - hope all is well? :)