marc smith

Nice. I've got a growing fondness of remote, sparse little halts. That's a great photo to use as your starting point. I've not seen many (if any) pics of halts with a grounded coach body - I really like that. Looking forward to seeing this one develop

Hi @Kevin Johnson - I only just saw this nice little diorama. I especially like the second photo. Although it's not a layout (of course) - it still captures a "moment" and a sense of atmosphere. This is because of the added details here; the wall, the path, weeds and especially the figures - they add a sense of "human touch" We can all identify with Timmy - we must all surely have been in his shoes at some point,watching our first shunting manoeuvre or writing down the number of our fist loco... There's something very positive to be said for building a really small micro layout or shelf diorama. It helps you to practice your skills and techniques, or try out new methods. Or if like me, you haven't done much modelling in way too long - it just plain keeps your hand in. Also, it can be good practice in using up a few odds & ends which are tucked away in a drawer somewhere, and which otherwise might not have seen the light of day. Nice one Kevin PS. I think the neat "trick" in this little cameo is the fact you have two figures. I'm sure the gent / railway worker in the scene is also thinking about watching his first shunting operation, and perhaps he's already told Timmy that he's welcome to watch, but not to stray any closer....

Just wanted to add:- I enjoyed seeing that micro / plank / diorama too @SouthernBlue80ssome nice rusty, overgrown track there. Looks great with those weathered wagons on too - scenes once so common in my neck of the woods..... 2020 has been pretty awful for so many of us mate. I had some "mojo" back a short while ago - but that has waned, as I really should have a good clear-out, with regard to my modelling "stuff" - layouts and locos included, before I can start any new projects..... But the bottom line is, I know my modelling mojo will return again one day - and I'm sure you'll start your modelling again soon too mate All the best from (locked-down) Cardiff

What? Another one! Wow - you're keeping busy mate.... Where are you getting all this time for modelling? Don't tell me - It'll only make me jealous! lol Somehow, I found time to build 4 layouts, and start a fifth - all within a two year period... somehow ha ha Alas, that was some years back now - perhaps I felt younger then? Looking forward to seeing this one progress too @Gilbert Although it'll probably be finished by the time I've typed this reply

We are playing the waiting game @Gilbert

The new owner has a cracking little new layout there, and I hope he is very pleased with it... I'm sure that'll be the case PS @Gilbert - if you fancy moving your other layout on....

Yes, it's so easy to lose focus, either at the planning stage, or indeed once you've started building. For me though, it's one of the positives of building micro layouts - you don't end up spending too long building something that you aren't happy with Of course, the other side of that argument, is that it makes it easier for you change your mind - so you can keep swapping & changing..... With the last layout I nearly completed, I started off with re-using a baseboard (something I don't normally do) so I had to tweak my original design to fit the board Then I started adding other bits ;- buildings etc that I wanted to re-use / recyle... and it looked nothing like my original design. If I'm really pondering, I look at prototype photographs of the sort of scene or atmosphere I'm trying to recreate. I focus on the "elements" I want to include, and look at the ones I don't want to include, and work on the design to incorporate the desired features Of course, this involves several attempts at sketches, and plonking wagons, locos and buildings onto a piece of wallpaper which is cut to the size of my basesboard(s) In short, lots of "humming and ha-ing" and cups of tea and chin scratching Best of luck with your design & build

Hello again @Pixie Great to hear from you old chum My my, you have been rather busy! Such a lot of different projects on the go, and you've finished so many of them too. I liked the work on the Clayton's cab - the prism effect never particularly bothered me before... but it's a definite improvement. I like the 7mm Vauxhall Cavaliers too - my first ever car was a Vauxhall Chevette (Or "Shove-it" as they were affectionately known lol) But I particularly liked the re-upholstery work on your dining room chairs - super stuff. Wish I could convince Mrs S that we "need" the same thing South Wales is treating me as is pretty much always does. Work & music take up much of my time, that and looking after ageing parents (I'm the only sibling in the area - so that's "my job") But I'm well, and thankfully still employed at the moment. yes, it would be great to get together again at some point. We really need a catch-up, and a meal or a pint would be a great idea. Fingers crossed that it won't be too long before we can do that.... fingers doubly crossed to be able to get to a show again asap Cheers matey. Keep in touch, and keep up the superb modelling (& upholstery) Marc

Oh no! I'm so so sorry to hear of this @Owd Bob Popping in to take a peek at what's happening at Springsbury Croft has been one of the most enjoyable things on RWweb in recent times. It's a superb layout Bob, and oozes atmosphere - it feels just like bunking a depot in the 70's... took me right back every time I followed your progress. I really wish you could hang on to it - I wouldn't mind owning it myself, in all honesty (but I need to part with quite a bit of stuff myself tbh) I really hope everything works out for the best for you & your upcoming move Bob, I really do And I hope you can just hang on to some of the stock... perhaps you could build a really tiny micro / plank to run it on in future? Fingers crossed for you mate.. all the best

Fantastic stuff. Only just caught up with this thread.... Funnily enough, I've toyed with the idea of modelling the very same location in the past. I had a magazine with a lot of info (published back in the late 80's / early 90's I think) with a few photos. Neil Parkhouse's books rekindled those thoughts too. But you beat me to it Keep up the good work. Some great contributions from other RMweb folk here too EDIT: In the past, I always thought a DoF based layout would mean making a lot of trees.... so I shied away....

Looking good @Pixie / Steve Long time no see no hear Hope you're keeping well old pal?

More great modelling @Howl03

Hi @Max Legroom It has been a while since I looked at this thread. I'm really glad I did though - you've made some great progress, and it's looking great Keep up the good work, and please post some more images when you can Marc

Here is the far end of the layout. The line now extends to a quarry and a dairy (It's just a cassette though really, of course) The platform-level grounded van body and trees help disguise the exit to the cassette. Some greenery and a road vehicle help hide the fact that the baseboard ends here, I hope I've been adding Sprat & Winkle couplings to some stock, and re-gauging some wagons to EM standards plus I EM'ed a Brake Van and added a guard and a working tail light. I bought the lamp kit on eBay ages ago It needed a bit of hacking about with the brake van floor - but it's a simple enough fit. Quite pleased with the van anyway

Wow - it has been over a month since I last updated this thread.... Anyhow, I've been doing a little more scenic restoration and additional work. I added a low relief (well, flat actually!) building at the far end of the layout - this I think is the dairy which lies beyond Ruyton Road I've also nearly finished the fascia / surround / frame. As it happened, I had a small spare cabinet light, and it wasn't quite enough to cover the layout adequately So I've borrowed one from my night-time "Wales, Rails, Rain & Steel" layout (as I don't operate it in daytime mode much at all. With both small cabinet lights on, the light covers the whole area much better and evenly I've also added a hut, some greenery, and a high back wall, at the back of the fiddle yard Generally, I prefer to do this sort of thing, to disguise the join between "layout proper" and non-scenic fiddle area... The hut & greenery act as partial view-blockers, and the overgrown rear wall helps convince the eye that there is more layout beyond the bridge Some pics to help explain EDIT: Please forgive jeweller's screwdriver in the fiddle yard.... but with some stock on the track, you wouldn't see such things unless of course I leave coffee cups there

Hi @kevo Hope you fit the decoder without hitch. Just thinking - might be worth contacting the seller of the loco anyway. Just explain that you've only just recently opened it up & discovered it wasn't DCC ready.... worth a try at least? Send them a photo - perhaps they didn't know? Explain you're not expecting a full refund, but perhaps they can give a partial refund.... Anyhow - funny you should mention John Spencer's "Ruyton Road" - don't know if you're aware? But I'm the current owner It was on seeing it for the first time (twenty odd years back!) that was the turning point for me, and I have modelled small & micro layouts ever since..... It remains a design icon, and a "classic layout" in the eyes of many. I've been restoring & modifying it

Those new buildings are looking superb @Ralf

Looking great @Mike - really really like the cameo of the draughtsman in his office - nice As ever, great work on the buildings - can't see much "bodging" at all. Hmm, "Much Bodging" - a potential layout name?

Thanks @Crisis Rail / Ian, No, I still haven't moved it on. TBH, I still quite like it - so I'm torn But I should also really create some space and sell it on. I was going to advertise it on here (with permission from Andy) - but then lockdown happened (I did post some pics on a Facebook Micro layouts group- it got quite a lot of "likes" on there, so I may advertise it on there in the future EDIT: And of course, we are still in a more strict lockdown here in Wales too.... Trouble with me is, I really need to thin my collection. But as soon as I create any space - I'd fill it with another new project! ha ha Some of your photos are really convincing here Ian - I've had to look twice at most of them There's a "feeling" of reality and a sense of "place" as well as a very railway-like atmosphere. Top job sir

Only just spotted this thread. Looking superb @Crisis Rail Nice work good sir, very nice work Lots of superb additional detail, great atmosphere, and I like the addition of the traffic cones - it's a detail often overlooked by modellers - nice touch

Hi @kevo Really liking the look of this micro project Yes, definitely better since lowering that roof - it looks more prototypical, and more "in proportion" IMHO I understand your frustration at the loco not being as described.... But don't despair totally - there are online videos on YouTube which can help explain how to fit decoders into non DCC ready locos such as this one, for example Funnily enough, I have been reading (yet again) through my old copy of Paul Karau's book on GWR Branchline terminus stations And I briefly toyed with the idea of a micro layout based on one of the locations such as Mortonhampstead, which has a similar type of roof I was particularly taken with the concept of the cattle dock being opposite the station building in this case To me, it screamed "view-blocker" and operating potential - especially, I thought, if I could place the goods shed part of the way along the platform, as a view-blocker on the other side of the small scene..... Unfortunately, I'll never get this idea built.... I've already got too many layouts, and way too many ideas I'd like to build Best of luck with this one - I'm interested to see this one progress

Looking great @MAP66 Glad I popped down to Tyteford Halte this morning

Some great looking components there. Really like those laser cut low relief factory / warehouse walls & detailing items. Really like that water tower too @Jack Benson - it looks so suited to an industrial location. I like a bit of "neglect" and an air of "run-down".... make of that what you will So I'm looking forward to what you do next with this project

Hmm, nope - I'd say your priorities are spot on! More great woodwork too btw

Wow! - I need some info, and suddenly a TEN YEAR OLD RMweb thread becomes useful Result And once again @hmrspaul has some invaluable info and photographs - thanks once again good sir These may be "uncertain times" etc - but once again, this forum has put a smile on my face