Stephenwolsten

Some video of Herculaneum Dock from You Tube.

How to model dock bollards and edges.

Video - how to paint cobbles.

3D manufacturing is opening up new opportunities but these USA elevated structures are very expensive! https://www.shapeways.com/product/C3PDA9BNR/ole-west-phl-elevated-start-nd-48?optionId=64183591

Thanks very much. I knew I'd seen them from a 'small supplier' but had forgotten about this useful source.

Typical MDHB capstan and winch.

USA 0 Scale layout showing the potential of an overhead railway (the EL) with street running below.

It's not difficult to see the Liverpool inspiration for the back wall and lamp standard on the Canada Street layout. Photo courtesy of Tony Walmsley 's Flickr site.

Does anyone have experience of these 1:43 scale lorry kits please? They seem just the right era for me. https://www.shapeways.com/shops/1.43transportmodels

No 1 on a rail tour duty. Copyright Stephen Wolstenholme/LUPTS. No sharing or reproduction without written permission please.

An overall view of the Midland in Bristol layout, showing what can be achieved in a small space.

I have always been put off layout building and operation by wiring work, the need for electrical/electronic knowledge, track cleaning, short circuits, jerky starts, fault finding under baseboards etc. I have never got to grips with DCC because I haven't needed to. Now I hope to skip these two 'generations' and go straight to control by smart phone and battery power. My diorama will be very simple and I am happy to install electronic 'kit' in wagons or coaches if necessary. I have been reading up everything I can get my hands on, including forums like this one. For example, I am aware of the debate about batteries, whether there is enough power for 0 gauge, the limitations compared with DCC sound, whether it is good to have to look at a 'phone all the time etc. I note that BlueRail has for some time 'been collaborating on a train control product that combines the ease-of-use benefits of direct bi-directional smartphone control that BlueRail has developed , with the onboard sound and functionality depth found in DCC decoders developed over the last 25 years – freeing users from the complexities of CV editing and allowing them to choose how they power their locomotives (transformer/DCC/battery)." Development has taken longer than anticipated, but BlueRail says that it and its partner are close to their goal. This seems just what I need and I am in no rush to commit myself to a train control system. My 7mm locos will need overhauling anyway, so it should be possible to adapt them and any rolling stock when the time comes. Am I being over-simplistic or naive?!

Leyland Octopus and drawbar on dock road, showing details of transit shed roof.

A video I recorded when a LOR coach was taken out of store and moved to the then new Liverpool Museum. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCjxLVj7beM&t=10s

Sorry, I haven't recovered the source yet. I do remember though that the modeller made the tool himself and swapped the direction around after each turn, to get the staggered effect of the cobblestones. Stephen

Motorised 7mm wagon turntable kit. http://www.kitwoodhillmodels.com/o-scale-wagon-turntable/

MDHB wagon turntable at Birkenhead/Wallasey docks.

Sketch of wagon turntables/capstans used particularly at the larger, BR warehouses on the landward side.

Example of model warehouse doors.

Waterloo Goods Depot - an example of a BR goods station on the landward side of the dock road. MDHB locos transferred wagons from these numerous BR depots across the dock road to the appropriate quay, several times per day.

A small-scale, freelance dock layout.

One technique for those cobbles.....

I am hoping that transit shed 'E' on Prince's Half Tide Dock will be tall enough to block the view of the elevated LOR structure at one end of the diorama - so that trains do not go through a 'hole in the sky'. I do not have a suitable plan but do have an elevation for a similar shed in another dock.

Courtesy of Keith Rose's photos.