marc smith

As Keefr says, Margan Knuckle yard is a fab place to watch trains, and you can get up-close. 66's a couple of 08's, and the occasional 60 occupy the yard. The yard is next to the steelworks, and also sees traffic for the tanker terminal at Robeston. The steelworks locos are really fab, and watching movements at this yard have really inspired me in starting this layout. Here is a link to my gallery, which contains images taken at Margam Knuckle (hope it works!!!) Smiths Snaps! Marc

Hey Keef, Glad you got the foamboard done. It is difficult to keep focussed, when building a layout, but focussed you must stay, if you want to finish it! I've been thinking about this steelworks layout for a long time now, and building the Crate (Bracty Bridge) and the O gauge min-space really got in the way of this one....... Could you adapt the plan in any way, to include 66's? a 5 foot baseboard sounds plenty to me - but it will depend on your plan of course. As Stubby says - he could get a continent in 6 feet If you could take a pic, or draw out your plan, you must post it. I'm sure you could adapt it in some way.... I spend a fair bit of time at Margam Knuckle, so I know what you mean about it being inspiring. And yes, you would need a fair bit of space to do it justice, or even capture the feel of the place. Perhaps there's room on your plan to do all your shunting with an 08, and just stable a 66? Then you'll be wanting sound too! Let me know what you decide Best Marc P.S. I've already had my invitation to L&B next year, and will hopefully be taking this one along. Also hoping the good Captain K has space for it at the next Taunton members day too.....

Spray-weathered the track, must continue with ballasting soon. I'm busy at Swindon, with Hendre this coming weekend, so perhaps I should take the steelworks layout with me, and do some ballasting in the evenings It's a task I enjoy, for about 20 minutes, then get a bit tired of. I can't imagine ballasting anything but a micro these days Marc P.S. I've got some replacement Oleo buffers for those wagons - I just need to find some time to fit them. Don't know why I bothered fitting the plastic ones really, but somehow I couldn't bear to paint them without any buffers in place

Thanks, I just bought a nice metals-sector 37. A really nice conversion to 37901. A young chap called Alex, a 7mm modeller who I met at DEMU did the conversion. Really nice job he's done too! I'll add a touch of my own weathering - particularly on the bogies, and then post some piccies (gotta get sound in there too). I'll be adding a metals-sector 56 to my collection sometime in the future - cos I gotta have one of them too! Marc

Just thought I'd add a photo of one of the buildings for this little project. It's a Skytrex resin low-relief building, which they market, unpainted, and for O gauge. Skytrex do a good range of O gauge huts, structures + wagon loads, which are really good quality. They now market the goods shed (Hemyock) which I used on my minimum space O gauge "Clarbeston North" layout. They do another, similar low-relief industrial building of about the same size. I think this one works well in 4mm scale, as there are no standard-sized type doors to act as a giveaway. The roller door looks fine in 4mm - and I even think the building may look a tad small in 7mm. I've painted it with my usual mix of Games Workshop acrylic paints, suitably grubbied + weathered, but passing the ASW site the other day - I think I may fade this building a bit more. I'll post some more building pics shortly, as I complete + "plant" them. I've finished wiring the layout - the 3 way was troublesome, as a switch failed after I'd glued it all down! Still, installed an additional one, and it's fine now. Cheers Marc P.S. Other buildings are Wills corrugated iron / asbestos, wills box-section, bits of a Peco diesel depot, and I've recently bought some Walthers which looks great.

No problems Paul! If it were'nt for good folk like yourself, we wouldn't have such invaluable photographs. I know I'm not alone, in being interested mainly in locos - when I was a lad. I just failed to take note of what the locos were transporting - i.e. the very reason for them being there!!!! Please post some piccies on this thread - if you get time... ...I'm sure others, who haven't seen your collection would be interested. Thanks again for taking the piccies - I don't know what I'd be modelling now if you hadn't Cheers again Marc P.S. You must have spent pots of money on film!

Hi Pete, In the photo is the "main" board of the layout - with half of the run round loop. It's a tad over 3 feet, and I will trim it a little, once it's nearly finished. (my original plan was just 2 feet 6 inches, but it was somewhat limiting!) The sector plate will be a separate board, comprising 3 roads. I built such a sliding sector plate for Hendre, using drawer runners. but I used ply for the moving surface - and it warped! - Even though I coated both sides with PVA. I've found the insulation board to be fab. Apparently, it doesn't warp - so far, I've used it for a few models, one of which was the min-space O gauge layout, and this seems to be the case. The sector-plate as planned will be a tad under 3 feet. However, I'm thinking about adding a loco release at the end of the plate - perhaps this can be hinged, or removable...... ...we'll see. I've been really itching to get this one up & running, Steelworks layouts seem to be gaining interest - 2 of the other local Cardiffians are also planning steelworks based layouts, (Wayne 37901, and Brian r) and I'm sure these will be great models. I've seen photos of Brian's progress, and it's looking really good! Chatting to Hywel, and while planning this one, it occurred to me that when you do see a steelworks layout, they either seem to be portraying the whole works (nothing wrong with that, if you have space) or they represent loading/ unloading bar-section, or even sheet metal. I've not seen another rod-mill trype layout, as per Cardiff rod-mill Of course, I stand to be corrected here - I'd certainly like to see a model of one. I do like the look of those coils of wire- can't wait to fill all my wagons with it! I've also planned something a little different, re the final presentation of this one.... ...but more of that later. Cheers Marc

P.S. Forgot to mention, but many of the buildings for this layout have been built, or partially built - So it shouldn't take too long to get this one finished..... I'll post some pics of the buildings at a later date. Marc

Hi all, A few folk on this forum have asked what I’ve been doing, as I haven’t posted too much lately. Well, I’ve been busy exhibiting, and building wagons for my latest project – a steelworks layout, based in South Wales. I’ve mentioned this micro-layout to several other modellers, and at last, I’ve made a start! The layout will be around 6 feet, including fiddle-yard, and will represent part of a rod-mill, where steel coil is loaded into empties, and marshalled, ready for dispatch. Again I want to make the period flexible, so the stock will represent mid 70’s to late 80’s, and even early 90’s traffic. All my designs seem to be micro-layouts these days, but the intention with this one, is that it could be expanded at a later date – or even connected to Hendre Lane (but, one stage at a time eh?). The plan is actually a mirror of Hendre, but this time the track in the foreground forms part of a loop. Running round and loading will take place on a sliding sector-plate to the right of the layout. (Until that next section gets built!) Wagons are mainly plate wagons, plus variants from Parkside kits. Later wagons such as SPAs and OCAs are built from Cambrian kits. During the 70’s, BR ex- LNER plate wagons – coded KEV, were used to carry coil, and are a simple conversion from the Parkside kit. Vertical stanchions were added to the ends – I used plastic strip for this, which is a tad too chunky - Perhaps in hindsight, I could have used brass strip – but I thought this may bend too easily. However, looking at photos of the prototype, it seems the stanchions were always bent about! I just thought it could look wrong in model form. Another variant, the KRV is a much more complicated conversion – with everything above solebar level being scratchbuilt. I’ve only done one so far, and haven’t yet got around to painting it, as you’ll see from the photos. In later years, further variants of plate wagons and trestle wagons were used for internal movements of coil and scrap coil. One or two examples have been seen at exhibition on Hendre Lane (although they would never have been there, in reality!) Painting these wagons in the lurid bright blue colours seen at Allied Steel & Wire was quite satisfying, as was making up scrap coil loads. These were actually my unsuccessful attempts at winding my own coil! OCAs and SPAs are in original Railfreight livery – some of them very careworn, rusty and faded. If I had a pound for every one I saw in such condition……… A variant I must make is the SEA wagon – there used to be a kit produced for this conversion, which is sadly no longer available. On to the layout itself, I’ve used foam insulation board as I did for my min-space O gauge layout “Clarbeston Northâ€. It’s nice & light, and easily cut to form contours. Before adding the backscene / ends, I will glue strips of wood to the underside, to create a basic framework for the backscene to attach to. This worked well on “Clarbestonâ€, and if it can happily support O gauge, then 4mm should be no problem. On this note, I had a bit of a cock-up with my trackwork (my own fault!) and had to rip up a point. It was glued in place using PVA – and WOW! Had it stuck well! No worries about the strength of the board when using PVA – honestly. Track again is OO, with points by Peco, although when finished you won’t be able to see much of the pointwork. I’m again using Exactoscale sleepers, but I wanted the headshunt in the foreground to represent track that has partly been re-laid. I’m using exactoscale concrete sleepers for this, Although the rail is code 75 bullhead, and rail for the concrete sleeper types should really be flat-bottom, I found that the base of Peco code 75 rail (being a bit broader than my finer code 75) fits the concrete sleepers OK. It’s not a tight-fit, but as I’m modelling this bit of track with several sleeper types (seen often enough in prototype track!) this adds strength. There will also be some dummy track on this layout – I find that disused track is not often modelled, so I’ll include some well rusted, overgrown track here. Thanks to Paul Bartlett, for his superb website on wagon types, and thanks to Brian R and Wayne C for their help and info - Brain really is a mine of useful info! Special thanks to Hywel Thomas, for letting me see “Morfa†and look though his huge collection of photos. In my youth, I foolishly never took too much note of wagon types – but I’m glad someone did. Just where would we be without such invaluable photos now? Cheers all Marc

Hi, that lamp is looking really good! I find that even with proprietary LED lamps, from the usual suppliers, I have to use additional resistors - otherwise they are over bright. I especially found this to be the case with some buffer-stop lamps I bought from express models. Hopefully, the extra resistors will protect my lamps further.....? Also, I fitted some German made LED lamps inside a depot building. I was being lazy, and wired them in circuit - along with a depot-wall lamp, by Express models - Big Mistake! The wall lamp blew, after not much use! I suppose the other lamps had very different resistance values..... But I won't be doing that again in a hurry..... Nice neat job, and as you say, with the cover on, you can't really see the LED. Best Marc

Smashing layout! Well deserved pic of the week too! Just love the whole feel of this layout...... you have captured the atmosphere of the Scottish branch really well. Nice to see BR blue era is alive & well. Particularly like the buildings at the rear right of the layout. They look particularly convincing. Marc

Stu, this is another masterpiece from a talented modeller! Just love it!!! :D Haven't got anything original, by way of a decent name for it, but maybe because the wood in the original piccie was what spurred you on to build it.. "Wood Lane"? - bit dull, I know......maybe "Dullwood Lane" What is the size of the completed diorama? Perhaps derive a name from that? Cheers again matey. And "well done" once again! Marc

Hi Pete, Missy is right! Now you're modelling in a lot of scales! (bit like me really! - I recently got some n gauge stuff, to add to my O, O-16.5, OO, EM.... ) Looks a good plan though - I just wonder how much those 2mmFS curves can be squeezed? Marc

Nice weathering on that OCA Richard. The load looks good too - all sorts of bits n pieces, nicely "grottied" and natural looking. I can see that you + Darren are "egging each other on" - both layouts are really looking superb, and I think you shouldn't underestimate the progress you've made (nothing like a deadline to get you modelling quicker though eh?). Best Marc

Looking good Richard, I particularly like the colours + tones you've achieved, in the view of the 08 by the huts. Very nice! I think you're underestimating your progress mate..... ATB Marc

Hey Pete, Modelling several different scales / gauges can be distracting... but it can work out OK. It's fine to concentrate on one for a bit, then shift interest, as long as you keep the one on the back burner in mind. In fact, it can be good to put a layout aside for a short while - you get to look at it a bit differently after a bit of a break.. I managed to build 3 layouts in 18 months (2 different scales)... my next is the steelworks project (which will hopefully be finished by October) but I'm planning a really tiny 7mm diorama too. ...All this and I still haven't started the 7mm layout I'd originally planned! Oh, and cos of Roger (Rouse) I recently acquired some n gauge stuff too..... (but was a bargain, honest dear!) Braty Bridge (aka Roath minor, the crate) was a complete distraction from my plans, but it got me thinking about different plans too, ...if I'd started the steelworks or the other 7mm layout after finishing Hendre, I probably wouldn't have even thought about doing "Clarbeston North" ...sometimes, distractions can be a good thing! Hope the 2FS stuff goes well - post some more pics + reports... Marc

Hi Richard, Have to agree with the comment above - the progress looks pretty quick to me too.... I know what you mean re protecting the layout! Hendre was built into a box, so that I could control the lighting + set the scene at night too....the box has helped protect the layout definately! My old EM layout "Ogmore Road" wasn't suitably protected. I made covers (from off-cuts of bath-edging-strip) to protect the rail ends from damage, when in transit - but everything else was pretty exposed... Chimneys, trees etc were occasionally knocked about - I did seem to move house a lot at one time, so it happened a bit too occasionally! Also, my pal Dave Stone's fabulous EM "Lesser Wenlock" (MRJ issue 72 or 74?).... we were taking it to show somewhere, years back... we picked up another pal of his en-route, that person chucked his overnight bag over the back of his seat, into the back of the van.... result - CRUNCH!......part of the roof, and some of the chimneys, valencing etc were broken! If you haven't seen what a beautiffuly modelled building that was.... Daves a tall bloke, but there were very nearly tears! So Richard....good move protecting a fab layout, which I'm sure will get some invitations. Be sure to contact the good captain Kernow, for a SWAG invitation - I think he's got a lot of folk lined up already for next year... Hopefully, I'll get the my steelworks layout done soon, and get my invite I really do like the Taunton day, and It'd be great to see you there. Best Marc

Richard, This layout is just looking better + better all the time! Nice work mate - re your earlier pics of the layout when packed up; your woodworking skills are certainly neater than mine... It all looks very well protected - nice forward planning. Scenery has really added to it all too. And you've got some nice details in there. This is definately one I'd like to see at exhibition... where are you hoping to take it? Marc

Hi Pete, Yes, those Skytrex hooded wagons look great don't they! Tarpaulins are very hard to model well, but skytrex have done the job for you....and very well too. I'm sure you'll be able to get an ECC transfer on there quite easily. Keep up the modelling, and don't let those 7mm thoughts go..... Marc

Looking good James! Can't wait to see it up & running.... Marc

Hi Richard, This is coming along nicely! I can see you are paying plenty of attention to detail, and making a nice neat job. I, like so many others are tempted to rush some stages, to get on with things a bit too quickly. But as I say, I think you're avoiding that. Re those continued sleepers - some long grass, and a few rotten old sleepers stacked/strewn around and about the area would really add to the suggestion of the track once joining the rest of the pointwork.... Keep up the good work Marc

But Randall, Standing on the tracks at Maenol was against regulations! Nice convincing shot! Marc

Hi Richard, I know what you mean re not making miniature mock-ups, but I do like to play about with cardboard boxes etc on a plan... ..that way personally, I think you get to appreciate proportions and relative sizes of main structures better. I find it helps a lot with composition - even though I usually have a clear picture in my mind. But that's just me + my approach...... I like the idea of some lifted sleepers - or even some still "in-situ". As you say, that may mean you need to reposition the huts - but then maybe structures were added / repositioned after track-lifting???? You can always try it out.... July isn't far away - the time will go quickly! Still, as I always say, there's nothing like a deadline to motivate you! ....or "If it wasn't for the last minute......nothing would ever get done!" Cheers, Marc

I agree with James re the trackwork.... That warehouse isn't looking "knocked up" - looks rather fine to me! I'm drawn more & more to small dioramas thes days - (small layouts too!) but the idea of a photo backdrop is becoming more popular. It's great to have somewhere to plonk your stock, to take some piccies. Also, it's an idea that could be expanded - you could always make another, to expand your scene, and end up with a modular layout! Great stuff, keep us posted Marc

Hi Richard, Some nice progress there! Keep up the modelling. The more I look at this layout, the more it grows on me. I think the balance of the whole thing looks right. I do like the look of that additional siding, just in front of the main road into the depot. Though it's just one extra road, it does give you one or two further options for movements. Some would have put this behind the main road, but by putting it there, you've formed a view-blocker (which gives a tantalising glimpse of what is entering the depot) and which can be moved or replaced by another vehicle.... That bridge looks great too - although it looks a tad brighter in your later views. Perhaps (+ this is only a suggestion) you could hint at the additional siding once having been connected to the other trackwork - something you see in a lot of prototype photos, especially in the 70's & 80's, but rarely modelled....just an idea.. Cheers again Marc