marc smith

Looking good @bcnPete Those buildings look great. I agree fully with Mikkel's comments above. I'm sure many China clay lines suffered creaking sleepers when 37's visited. That 37 looks great, sat in the siding at the front. I can almost hear it ticking over.......

Ah, that first outing for a new layout. Actually, it is usually an invaluable trip. It's good that it was a low-key sort of event too - you wouldn't want its' premier exhibition to be a huge exhibition, with hoards of onlookers. This way, you can learn those invaluable lessons as to what needs "tweaking" or modifying. So you probably made a wise decision to take Garnswllt to your club event first. I know many people feel that a simple Inglenook could get boring to operate for a whole show - but I find that time usually goes far more quickly than you'd anticipate. Chatting to exhibition goers can be enjoyable and rewarding. As you say, some swapping of stock can also help add interest and make things more interesting for operators too. This layout is superb, and despite being a simple design, it oozes atmosphere, and demands attention and observance of details. As you say, a backscene might lend it even more a sense of "place". If it were my layout, I think I'd be tempted to place a screen in front of the fiddle - just to add a sense that the train is going "somewhere", and to hide those stock swapping moments. Perhaps I'd even be tempted not to use the ubiquitous over-bridge to conceal the exit - maybe just a couple of trees, or the end of a building? Anyhow, that's no criticism by the way - just a thought (I do have a few, now & then! lol). Superb sir, just superb

Both good suggestions above. It's definitely crying out for something. I like the idea of a water tower, but the foundations / remains of an old shed is something quite different and not often modeled

Sorry to hear this fine layout took something of a tumble @Stubby47 - sorry and shocked However, I'm glad it has survived, and somehow, it's looking better than ever.

As this comes together more & more, I can see the differing levels, differing roof heights and roof profiles all looking quite "natural" Although the buildings themselves are all quite different (as indeed they should be) - there is a sense of cohesiveness and of "belonging" to them too, I feel. Great work @Enfys_Rainbow. I'm glad you're taking your time with this layout. I'd be far too tempted to rush once I'd got to this stage.

If only Mr Wenlock..... if only! lol

Hi @Ian Holmes, I just wanted to say, thanks for allowing me to contribute to the latest edition of The Micro Model Railway Dispatch. It's another fab issue (and I'm not just saying that because my efforts are included) it's testament to the notion that lack of space doesn't mean no room for a railway. Plus, what struck me with this issue, is that lack of space also doesn't mean a limit in design approaches. IMHO, every micro featured has quite a different design, atmosphere and appearance - each micro is quite different to the previous one. I'm already looking forward to the next issue

I hadn't realised you had planned this layout @SouthernBlue80s Although an oval layout isn't particularly realistic - as you say, but there are times when I'd like nothing more than just to watch trains running around & around, sipping a nice cuppa, biscuit in my other hand..... mmm dreaming again! lol This looks pretty good to me matey. Mrs SouthernBlue must be really tolerant of your hobby, I have to say Looking forward to seeing this one progress. Nice work with the Peak weathering re your other thread too BTW

Hi Donw, Firstly, I just wanted to say that I'm sorry to read of your health issues. I sincerely hope things improve on that front. Secondly, I used extruded foam board for several exhibition layouts, over quite a number of years. Initially, this wasn't particularly for any back / shoulder / arm joints, or any other health concerns - but I found myself exhibiting on my own many times (there were several occasions where good pals helped me exhibit, but more often than not, I had to set up on my own). It's not just the lifting in & out of cars, it's the carrying through sprung doors and up & down stairs. I'd built my small OO depot "Hendre Lane" using more traditional materials & methods, but that still weighed more than I expected. So I experimented with extruded foam board. I found that it was sturdier than I had anticipated, especially when using small lightweight battens underneath, and strengthened with hardboard or thin MDF edging. Yes, the foam board can make a bit of a mess - but not like expanded polystyrene does. I wore a mask when cutting it... just in case, and I've suffered no ill-effects. It certainly results in lightweight finished boards. My small O gauge layout "Poynton sneer" was just a shade under 5 feet by around 14" deep, and I could easily lift it with just one hand. "Hendre Lane" was 3'6" x around 14 or 15 inches, and it weighed probably 3 times as much, if not four! Poynton Sneer was made from a 4' piece of foam board, with another 10 or 11" tacked on to the end - but with battens & hardboard edging (and plenty of PVA) it was a really strong joint - you would never have known if you didn't look underneath. As the years advance, I know I'm going to use the foam board again - I can't see myself lifting the old Ply construction boards I used to build. My layouts have done quite a few shows, and each has survived several house moves, exhibitions, and being stored in various lofts & garages - and all are still going strong. I'd recommend building a small diorama (perhaps a halt?) or "scenic photo plank" to experiment with the material. Whatever you decide - I'll be watching with interest, as I'm always intrigued by small space designs, especially in O. So best of luck with it, and of course with your health

Excellent results @Gwrpannier Well worth the added time & effort, I'd say

Hi there Ighten, this little layout is looking really good. I'm glad you "tweaked" the design from the original too. I think this looks better. This demonstrates the true value of a forum such as RMweb too - putting ideas out there, and getting feedback, help & advice from others is what it's all about I like the idea of a dried-up stream / river bed too. That's something you don't see modelled too often.

Looking good @Nick C I'm a bit of a fan of halts myself. I occasionally ponder building one..... (I'll never get around to it, I know! lol) So I'll follow this build with interest. I think it's a good idea to build something like this, before starting a "main project" - it's a great way to experiment with materials and practice / hone skills, and learn new techniques.

Hi Rob, It has been some time since I last caught up with your modelling good sir. And I must say, I'm as pleased as ever that I have been browsing this thread Superb, as always. Although you say your modelling has been at a "snail's pace" - it's more than I've been doing... and anyway - this hobby is not about rushing things (well, not for me anyway lol) I always liked that very short siding in front of Hemyock station, by the cattle dock - and I see you've replicated that. Nice indeed. I agree with what others have said too. You have created some lovely details and cameos. Now, I must read back through the thread, in case there's anything I've missed. ATVB, and hope you're well, and continue your excellent modelling

I wouldn't worry too much about it being "another stabling point". I thought that when I built mine (Hendre Lane) some 10 years or so back. But of course - it was MY version of a stabling point, and I wasn't really looking to please anyone else - I just wanted somewhere to run my then new locos, and to experiment with DCC sound and LED yard lighting etc. As if justification was needed when I built it, my thoughts were - "if people said the same 10 years ago, about country branch line termini - then two thirds of layouts would never have been built!" ..... or something like that. The fact is, you have chosen a less-modelled time period, and have built something that's a slightly different design & concept - so it's a winner IMO. Also, you have built quite a lot into a small space - it's cramped - but it's cramped "by design", and looks quite prototypical of several urban yards. Nice

Hi again Jerry, Ah ballasting is so often one of my least favourite bits of railway modelling. I always start off full of energy and enthusiasm.... and then it wanes! lol I would say, use as fine a ballast as you can. To my eye, ballast can look overscale. I tend to use 4mm ballast on 7mm layouts, and N gauge ballast on OO / 4mm. In fact, I'd use something finer still, if you can. For Hendre lane, I can recall mixing some fine dust particles, mixed with N gauge ballast. Perhaps even with some dried tea leaves (that wasn't particularly a good move at home - "er, why have we got tealeaves on pots on window sills & radiators......... darling? - lol) Much of my ground surface in yards (and even areas around & under the track) has been textured paint. Don't worry if it's not quite the right colour of grey - I use emulsion match-pots to tone it all down. Oh, and there'll be lots of oily, grimy, dirty ballast in a depot too. Oh how I enjoy muckying things up. What on earth a Psychologist would make of half an hour with me, well I hope we'll never know PS. You can also use emulsion paint, with some very fine sand sieved into it. Some folk use Chinchilla dust as ballast too - might be worth seeing how fine that is. Best of luck with it mate - maybe do a little at a time, if it gets a bit monotonous?

Looking better all the time @Jerry1975 The Warehouses concealing the fiddle area work well, and they give you the opportunity to add a few more little details, and perhaps even a little cameo scene. In the background, those different roof profiles and building colours work well too - it's got a natural look and composition to it. There's plenty for the observer to look at, and further scope for more fine details, all of which will add interest. But there's plenty of space within the whole scene too. I think this is your best yet Jerry. And what's more - I think it will improve as you add details and figures etc. Nice one good sir, and I hope the modelling is helping take your mind off your Dad's health issues Railway modelling can really help - even if only for a short time.... it can really help to do something creative & satisfying

Hi @Andrew P - only just caught up with this thread, and looked back to spot this pic. Nice bass collection there mate. I particularly like the Jazz with the block & bound neck Just bagged myself a Trace Elliot 1x10 bass cab - ultra compact & lightweight (a 300W cab that weighs only 7.5kg - wow) I could talk basses, amps, guitars and trains all day! - But perhaps much of that is for another forum? lol The layout is looking good sir - your workshop is very neat & tidy compared to mine. Don't get any sawdust on those instruments now.....

Hi Jerry, I'm glad you took those industrial buildings off the bridge - that didn't look quite right, as others have said. As I mentioned before, I like to move buildings around before glueing them permanently into position. I tend to shuffle some trains about with background (and foreground) buildings in position. I would advocate taking some photos of 1 or 2 wagons and a loco on the layout - to see what background combination works best. This can help, as it's sometimes when looking at photos of our layouts, we decide that we could have done something differently..... More importantly though, really sorry to hear bad news re your Dad. Hope everything is OK mate.

Sorry to have only just caught up with this thread. Last I had heard, was that Gordon was unwell. So sorry to have heard of his sad passing. It's always such a shame to lose someone who many may never have even met - yet their modelling and words of wisdom will leave a mark on so many. RIP Gordon, and condolences to his friends & family

Hi again Jerry, This layout is coming together very nicely. I think those industrial buildings look "at home". The only thing I think I might consider changing is the bridge. It looks fine there, and provides a good scenic break But to my eye, it's maybe just a tad too large, and perhaps just "dominates" a little? - Of course, these are just my own thoughts, and it could be that once everything is weathered and "bedded in" to the scenery, that changes anyway.... When I'm at the scenery stage of a layout build, I like to ensure that I continue a bit of ballasting and ground surfaces into the fiddle yard area. This is mainly so that onlookers don't see bare wood when watching a train enter or leave the scenic area. To my way of thinking it helps the transition between scenic and non-scenic areas of the layout. I'm interested to see what you intend to do with this "transition" between fiddle + scenic areas. Personally, I tend to think a smaller archway would restrict onlookers from seeing directly into the fiddle yard. There are other ways of tackling this, of course; You could include a road access under the bridge, in front of the line and park a big lorry there. Perhaps even a tallish fence between road and railway, to "protect" road traffic? If this were my project, I might even think about a dummy end of headshunt, overgrown & rusty or with a wagon / van parked permanently on it, again to reduce the area where onlookers can see into the fiddle yard.... As I say Jerry - these are just some of my thoughts. This is definitely going to be a great layout though, whatever you decide on Keep up the good work - I can't wait to see it finished

Really nice @Ian Holmes - thanks for sharing the link, and thanks to everyone involved in publishing, creating and submitting articles. An enjoyable read. I particularly liked that view of "Herrin" you are quite right.... who wouldn't want to take a closer look through the fence? (well, Mrs Smith for one, I suppose lol).

It's surprising how, in many situations, a dividing wall, a fence or mix of hedges and fencing can add the illusion of a little more depth to a scene. The was certainly achieves this here @bazzer42 Your thread title instantly drew my attention, cos I thought "Merthyr is nowhere near the sea" - "Ah, it must be a layout based around a fictional line to Merthyr Mawr"

Looking good Jerry. Definitely don't glue / fix any buildings in place just yet. I tend to place a few wagons / tankers & locos on the track, do a bit of shuffling / shunting around, and tweak the positions of buildings several times, until I'm happy that main structures are in the "right" place. Sometimes, this may take a while until you're absolutely happy with everything. Sometimes a building looks fine where it is, and you move it, and Bingo - it just looks better in the new position. However, keep it like that for a short while, until everything else is in its' place too. Often, the position of structures may be dictated to you - for example an over-bridge or the arch you mention for delivery vehicle access... Perhaps this may even need a taller structure adjacent to it, to disguise the arch ending right against the background. And sometimes one building just looks "better" besides another than any other combination. What always seems to add interest to a scene though, is differing roof heights and profiles - to my mind, it tends to look natural.... and your choice of buildings is helping achieve this. Nice work Jerry - keep the photos coming