marc smith

Hi Stu, Another good-looking plan, and a neat idea! I've thought of doing a layout that can be viewed end-on, as well as from the side before.... ...there's a cracking plan of a goods yard by Barry Norman in his old layout design book, and I've thought of a few schemes around this idea for a while. Your idea of fitting it into a crate is another winner though Stu. And to set it at a quayside would be a nice touch... ...I can just see the rails curving sharply, & buried in cobble stones... ..nice!! You simply must do this one Stu! Looking forward to it Marc P.S. I'm sure the crate would be strong enough with the end + side cut out - the one I used for Bracty/Roath Minor certainly is.. just don't cut the corner-strengtheners out.

Hi again Randall, Interesting to note that you seem to have used Wills 4mm stone walling on your building at the rear of the shot above? At Warley a few weeks back, there was a really nice BR blue mine layout, called "Y Cae". The builder had used the same for an engine shed, and bridge on this layout. Also, he'd used Wills' 4mm corrugated asbestos as corrugated iron... ...Gordon Gravett suggested this sometime ago, but I think this was only the 2nd time I'd seen it in practice on a 7mm layout. Again, it looked great! I like the use of different materials, and differing shapes of the buildings in this little layout - keep modelling Randall, I really want to see this one finished! ...The best motivation, is to promise someone it'll be ready for a show! Cheers Marc

Nice weathering! I too woudn't worry too much about them not looking identical to your photo. Prototype photographs are always a good starting point and guide, but there are times when duplicating the real thing can look incorrect - especially with respect to colours. They can look too gawdy & bright! Nice to see subtle variation in each wagon too. Re the "wet mud" look - I've used a Tamiya Weathering pen. They can be a bit OTT, as they can tend to overdo it a bit, if you're not careful - but the texture and mass does have the look of the real thing. Marc

I agree with the above comment. Plus, you have excess chairs in the area - just think how much more modelling-related materials you could squeeze in!

Hi, This small layout looks good! What are its' overall dimensions, & do you have a plan, or overall view? Looks nice - something like an idea I had for a scrapyard / storage sidings for locos awaiting disposal - A table-top easily portable type of scene. Cheers Marc P.S. I thought it was 4mm at first too!!!

Hi Here is a link to the Gallery... ...I'l take updated piccies next week, and include them then. Gallery Marc

Got a trackplan drawn up yet Stu? I like the idea of a boxfile on its' end/edge! And added track on the lid is another stroke of genius! Marc

I like the look & "feel" to this layout a lot! Looking at the photos above, of the right-hand end - you almost get the feeling that you could build the aforementioned fiddle-yard immediately to the left of the bridge. Sounds odd, I know, but you could then alter the roster of trains, and you'd end up with an even more minimum-space layout - which can also be extended to its' present form - quite flexible really. Marc

But if the boards were placed at eye-level height for you..... ....most others would need stilts! Marc

Hi Randy, Did you get the paint? Have you finished painting the building yet? Come on, I want to see this one finished! Cheers Marc

Hi All, Just a quick report - Roath Minor (AKA Bracty Bridge) did its' first show on the weekend (Cardiff) and it was very well recieved! Most couldn't work out how small the layout is - using a fiddle cassette at each end helped of course - but it can be run with just one cassette. The perspective effect of the view under the bridge was a hit. Once again, I promise I'll post a pic of it, once I've had time to take some recent pics - and to play with depth of field, stacking software. The crate iself is quite deep (compared to its' width) and so depth of field is quite an issue. Cheers Marc

Hi Wayne, Glad to see you're keeping this one going. If I was looking to do something else in 4mm, I think I would have chosen something like this. Your weathering continues to impress! ...Now you must get on with the layout! I'll help you operate it, at next years Cardiff show..... Marc

Hi Stu, Great to hear that you're still keeping up with producing layouts! At your usual prolific rate, you'll have finished it in a week!!!! Randy's right (of course he is!) that conveyor system looks great - but I'd like to see you model a chap who walks out of a bothy + couples/uncouples the wagons too! (Just kidding). Good news, Bracty Bridge (or Roath Minor) has its' 1st show - Cardiff this W.E. and Hornby Mag want me to do a short article on it...... ...and its all YOUR fault! :) All the best mate Marc

Hi Wayne, Good news re Dragon Steels! Can't wait to see it grow! More good news re Roath Minor - The show invitiation has prompted me into action! I've all but finished the scenery. Plus, I've added a photo of some terraced houses to the "distant" view under the bridge. It has worked really well, & I'm pleased about it. I've got some work to do before the Cardiff Show this W.E. - So I'll post updated pics as soon as that's over & I get time to take the pics (using image-stacking software, to increase depth-of-field) Also, Hornby Mag have asked me to do a short article on the layout!!!!! So you should see the layout in the rm press soon!!! Cheers Marc

Hi all, Just tryin to get used to the new set-up (and failing at the moment!!!) News on Roath Minor, is that, following much pondering, It will also have the name "Bracty Bridge" - as I couldn't think of anything amusing. I've recently added more figures, a phone box, some vehicles, and litter - (which is something you don't see modelled often enough) The area portrayed really needed some litter, to add to that run-down, industrial area feel. As I mentioned before, I've made the vehicles removable, by adding a short piece of wire, which is inserted into a small, almost invisible hole in the layout. This has the added advantage of being able to just move things about when you feel like it, and of being able to change the time period in which the model is set (important for those of us, who "fancy one of those, AND one of those, And one of those..... ) The news is, that the layout has now been invited to the Cardiff Model Railway show, on the 24th & 25th of this month!!! So I'd better tidy everything up + finish off!! I may also take a small O gauge diorama along - I've been working on a few O gauge bits 'n pieces lately. I'll post some new pics of Roath Minor / Bracty Bridge as soon as I can work out how to....and how to link or migrate the stuff from the old system! Marc

Hi Matto, Glad you seem to be feeling enthusiastic about Tallerddig again! What are you going to use for lighting? C'mon, you must exhibit the layout (this is my first post since the big move!...hope it works....I'm still tryin to find my way around!) Marc