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grahame

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  2. grahame

    N gauge LT bus fleet

    By grahame,

    My N gauge LT bus fleet is starting to grow. And with the promised Farish Leyland Nationsl single deckers due (gawd knows when) and the four DMS now on order I'll have a reasonable fleet. There's still work to be done on the DMSs, incliding re-assembly, but they do have a very bland livery with no white or grey stripes to add a bit of relief to the plain all over red. Also correct route numbers and destination blinds don't seem to be available so I'll have to make the most of the limited choice on the ModelMaster sheet as below. The photographic enlargement is certainly very cruel - they seem a lot better from 'normal viewing distance' ;
     
     

     
     

     
     
    It's starting to look a bit better now, although still not finished. I need to source a suitable decal for the side advertising and white LT roundels. Otherwise I'll have to hand paint them like I did on the Routemaster and Metrobus.
     
     

     
     
    G.
  3. grahame

    N'spirations

    By grahame,

    One of the projects I’ve been working on for a while now has been a new independent magazine called N’spirations. It‘s a 4O page A5 sized all colour publication exclusively about British 1:148 N gauge. I am pleased and proud to be able to announce it’s launch here on my blog on RMweb.
     

     
    The aim was to produce a one off publication that would help answer the questions people asked about N gauge while viewing my layout at exhibitions. It is also intended to inspire people who expressed interest and encourage them make a start in N gauge railway modelling. The booklet is specifically suitable for those who know little about N gauge or who are beginners in the scale and is a handy reference guide answering commonly posed questions. It includes inspirational photos of quality layouts with supporting articles and advise.
     
    I was able to secure some sponsorship from the N Gauge Society (although the publication remains completely independent and mostly self funded) and have now got the magazine completed and printed. Obviously I still need to sell it to help cover the cost of producing and printing it and hopefully recoup some of the money I‘ve invested in the project. As well as selling it at exhibitions I also plan to make it available by mail order and hopefully arrange for some specialist traders to take a small supply that they could sell from their stands/shops
     
    Although it was originally intended as a one-off publication, the initial and early reaction from those in the know has been positive, and there is the possibility that if it is a success it may be developed with further issues that will cover a broader range of N gauge modelling subjects and projects. If sales are acceptable and a second issue is forthcoming I’ll update this blog to let people know news about it.
     
    However, as this is the first issue and it is not known what the level of sales is likely to be a limited print run has been produced. When they are sold out you will be unlikely to obtain a copy. Therefore, if you would like a copy, it is recommended to place your order as quick as possible. I’ll put details of how to order in the classified ‘for sale’ section of the forum to save falling foul of the moderators or any selling rules.
     
    http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php/topic/11614-nspirations-n-gauge-publication/
     
    G.
  4. grahame
    Yesterday I received a really nice email from someone about my N'spirations booklet that I'd like to share on my blog;
     
    "Just to let you know I think your magazine is an excellent contribution to the hobby and I hope it is to be the first of many. I particularly admire the way you suggest that we all, including beginners, should aim for high standards, without being pedantic about it. The publication presents the information and tips in a refreshingly positive style without specifically advocating the counting of rivets, giving hope and inspiration to those of us with less confidence than those with years of experience. And all this complemented with interesting photographs of a consistently good quality. Keep up the good work!"
     
    I've also had a number of other complimentary testimonials which has greatly pleased me. Anyway, today will be a break from modelling to enable me to undertake some cooking - another enjoyable past-time - and a visit to the local.
     
    G.
  5. grahame

    New London Bridge House

    By grahame,

    Here's a pic of the building model and how it will look from a ground floor perspective. Quite interesting, eh? The routemaster bus
    is an N gauge one for some comparison. Apologies for the poor quality pic but it's taken by kneeling on the floor and squinting in
    to the camera which was killing me and I forgot to set everything including the white balance, oh, and I've just got back from the
    pub.
     

     
    And here is an equivalent pic of the real building;
     

     
    Obviusly the model requires a lot of finishing work including the lift/stair extension on the end and .........
     
     
    G.
  6. grahame
    I pleased to report that the second issue of my exclusive magazine has come back from the printers. I'm impressed and pleased with the quality and finish, although there is one little problem - some reversed out text on two small coloured panels didn't come out. Fortunately they're small and don't detract from the content; one was about ordering the first issue (on page 2) and the other is a photo caption (on page 19). I've reported it to the printers but to be quite honest there's little they can do now and it is only a very minor and almost insignificant issue. Probably no worse than my spelling mistakes still in it and besides most publications seem to have some errors in them.
     
    Anyway, overall it looks good and is a fitting (well at least I think so) follow up to the first issue. I wouldn't mind some feedback though. For further info and details about how to order see the magazine section;
     
    http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php/topic/17693-nspirations2/page__pid__169231__st__0entry169231
     
    The contents list is;
     

     
     
    I'm hoping to be on the DEMU stand at the 2mm Anniversary Expo in Oxford on Saturday so will be taking copies along for the traders who sell it for me. However, I understand that DEMU are still looking for member volunteers to help man the stand on Sunday so if you're up for that then do get in contact with them.
     
    G.
  7. grahame

    NGS MAG layout

    By grahame,

    Further to a question in the "Next Big 'Un" thread on my blog, and the reply I gave there, here are further details about the N Gauge Society's Modern Area Groups (NGS MAG) proposed layout.
     
    This will be a modern N gauge layout based on the Milford container depot near Southampton. It will be able to take advantage of all the recent new top quality container wagons now available, such as the ATM KQA pocket wagon, Dapol FEA-B spine wagon, Dapol IKA megafret, and Farish FIA intermodal, as well as the old Farish container flats than can be upgraded in to more acceptable five car FFA/FGA rakes with a TPM detailing kit.
     

     
    The team of modellers for this project is drawn from the ???N Gauge Society??™s??™ special interest ???Modern Area Group??™. The layout is intended to be a group effort and all members are welcome to participate even if that means their contribution is simply manning and operating the completed layout at exhibitions. Currently this layout is only at the planning stage but you can find out further information about it through ???Red Death??™, the electronic newsletter produced by the Modern Area Group, which is sent to all members. Check out the group??™s exclusive website regarding membership and the newsletter at http://www.ngauge-modern.co.uk/
     
    G.
  8. grahame

    NSE class 47

    By grahame,

    Some slow progress on the painting of this loco. White upper bodyside stripe, orange cant rail line, logos, number, lettering, etc., still to be done;
     

     
    Nothing much on the class 50, although that will be done in large loco livery - a lot easier than NSE
    And a bit more done this afternoon (but still the orange cant line to do, paint the door handles, front grips and hi-intensitry light lens, replace the cab handrails, re-assemble and weather........)
     

     
    G.
  10. grahame

    Old locos

    By grahame,

    Now that we've been hit by a deluge of all new super accurate and fine N gauge models I've recently been going though some of my older stock; the stuff that doesn't stand up to comparison and has embarrassing 'improvements'. I've already managed to sell my old Poole Farish class 47s and get rid of some particularly ancient 37s (I've still got another in messy triple grey livery) but it???s converted, not very well, to represent an actual loco seen at Woking, and runs well on a new Chinese chassis. That makes it a little special to me, particularly being in the attractive triple grey livery - why can??™t Bachmann produce the class 60 in the original 3G livery (without a later privatisation overbranding).
     
     

     
     
    My CJM class 73s were retired some time back, when the more accurate (dimensionally) and better running (my CJM 73s had the old Bachmann American chassis) Dapol version was launched, and now reside in a display cabinet.
     
    Fortunately no-one has yet announced a brand new class 33 as I have quite an extensive collection and have invested heavily in upgrading them with details and new motor chassis???. However, I do have a class 56 that I??™ve spent time on trying, not fully sucessfully, to make it look more like a class 56. Now that Dapol have announced one, which will no doubt be better, what should I do - sell quickly, hang on to it??¦??¦??¦?
     
     

     
    G.
  11. grahame
    ..... is a lot of junk and many half started and half finished projects including some not exactly railway related modelling. However, one is the scratch building of an N gauge coaling tower based on the OO Hornby one that is curently featured in all the commercial magazine reviews and question threads here. As I actually posed a question on the question thread about it, I thought I'd post up a picture showing progress so far; there's still plenty to do including adding steps and railings, making the ramp, coal truck lift platforn and hoist mechanism.
     
     

     
    G.
  12. grahame

    Outstanding projects

    By grahame,

    One of my many long term ongoing outstanding projects is an un-motorised 4-VEP in blue/grey to run with another powered unit. Today I've been working a little on it almost completing the underframes with Ultima etched truss rods and BHE cast details. However, I'm short of a couple of underslung fuses and, more importantly, one mk1 Farish coach roof. Does anyone have a spare or know how/where I can get one cheaply and easily?
     
     

     
    G.
  13. grahame

    Photing models

    By grahame,

    As an early Christmas present to myself, and to enable me to take better model snaps, I've purchased a couple of photo lights complete with flourescent daylight bulbs (technically they're 5400K Ra >90 which apparently means they're better than many others although I'm not sure I understand). Here's the portable set up;
     
     

     
     
    Hopefully, I'll be able to take improved studio type snaps although I probably also need a decent new camera and a bit of tuition. I'll need to do a little bit of experimentation to get the best lighting set up (probably need that white foam board as a reflector) but here's one of the first off the cuff;
     
     

     
    G.
  14. grahame
    There's been a little progress on the diorama I'm trying to put together for photographing locos/stock models on (and to try out the Easitrack option). The horrid reddish brown colour is just some acrylic burnt sienna paint that I had spare and added to the water and PVA mix that I painted over the plaster to seal it. Next I need to re-address the ballast and finish it off properly with a neat shoulder, and then consider some ground cover and weathering/painting the trackwork. A fairly rural scene is almost a first for me - any suggestions as to a suitable grass to use bearing in mind the small scale?
     
     

     

     

     

     

     
    G.
  17. grahame

    Southwark Towers

    By grahame,

    I've completed the basic core structure of Southwark Towers. The model is currently 23 inches tall and with the roof structures and protruding end towers/shafts it will be over two feet tall, but still a little short of scale height.
     
     

     
     
    There still lots to do; towers/shafts as each wing end, roof sections and the solar(?) paneling but the basic shape is there. And that's why there's little point in making it with separate floors and see through with pespex wall and/or windows - once it's completed it'll look a bit like a huge mirror. Most modern tower blocks seem to have tinted or reflective glass (to help reduce solar gain and reduce cooling loads) that simply reflects images of what is around them rather than allowing views in.
     
     

     
    G.
  18. grahame

    Southwark Towers

    By grahame,

    I've been researching the Southwark Tower building that stood over London Bridge Station and have decided that I will include it as a very iconic structure of the area. As it was completed in 1976 and demolished mid 2009 it will rather define the era for the layout - but I'm more than happy with that period.
     
    The triple winged towers were 320ft high which scales out as a little over 2 feet tall in N gauge 1:148 scale. Along with the other high rise building at the front of the station that I'll need to include, they will be pretty dominant. However, as the layout won't be an exact scale model of LB station and will involve some compression and compromise I'll probably be scaling back the buildings. But they still remain a significant modelling challenge.
     

    (That other high rise block - what's it called?)
     
    What I'm short of are pictures of the entrance lobby and the lower ground floor area at Thomas Street level for Southwark Towers. It's too late to check it out now as the tower is demolished and resigned to history. If anyone has anything suitable I'd be grateful. Thomas Street will be the front boundary of the baseboards so the Guys Hospital tower is not included - phew - but that area will be on immediate front view.
     
    PS - I hope people are happy to read about my layout planning musings. If so I'll try and continue a fairly regular blog diary update.
     
    G.
  19. grahame

    Tall building comparison

    By grahame,

    Here's a full size mock up of my suggested compromised height for 'New London Bridge House' along with the large signalling centre and a train for comparison. It's five inches shorter than true scale but roughly nearly scale width. I'm pretty happy with that compromise. Any taller and it really would be up with the fairies and probably over-dominate the scene.
     
     

     
    G.
  20. grahame

    Tall buildings

    By grahame,

    I??™ve been contemplating the building of the two skyscrapers (Southwark Towers and New London Bridge House) required for the new layout. Although they are described as ???mid rise??™ blocks, they still scale out in British N gauge (1:148) at 26.5 inches and 25??? tall respectively. Not only is that a lot of building, it??™s a lot modelling and probably a lot of cost.
     
    As the layout is not intended to be an accurate scale representation and the design is compressed and compromised in a number of ways I??™ll probably need to scale back the two towers accordingly. I??™m planning on building the main body of them from 5mm foam board for lightness, and then clad that with cardboard and plasti-card sheets as necessary for the detail. The board I already have is 20???, so I thought that would probably be an acceptable maximum height for the buildings.
     
    That still means they will be big, or rather tall, in N gauge terms. Hopefully, it won??™t overwhelm the rest of the model yet will still retain an element of believability and size. What do others think? Is that about the right sort of maximum height?
     
     

     
    G.
  21. grahame

    That DMS again

    By grahame,

    Back to finishing off that DMS bus. Bernie Taylor (TPM) is hopefully going to produce etched window sliding vents and replacement doors (two part glider doors as well as the original four part folding ones). They will certainly help Anglicise it and make it look a lot better. And as I've got more of the KMB busses on order to convert they will certainly aid the production line. Fingers crossed they get produced, and soon.
     
    I've had to make up fictitious side and front adverts for this sample as I don't know of any suitable decals - unless you know better. And I still need to add the white LT roundels. Ideally I'd like to use transfers - so again if anyone knows of any that are commercially available in 2mm scale - otherwise I'm going to have to hand paint them again........
     
     

     
    G.
  22. grahame

    The next big 'un

    By grahame,

    The cat is out of the bag. The plans for my next big model railway project are already known by a handful of close friends and, no doubt, following the recent clues in my Blog, soon many more will also have some idea of what it is all about. So, in an effort to pre-empt that, here is the concept with all its crazy notions and impractical ideas. It is not planned to be a portable exhibition layout, so most will not get a chance to see it in the flesh, but perhaps through the good province of RMweb, I will be able to bring you, further, if somewhat rather irregular, updates and news regarding progress.
     
    I had scribbled most of these notes while on recent holiday in Australia, thinking that I might offer it to a commercial magazine but have since had second thoughts. After all what magazine would be interested enough to pay for my ramblings or even publish them. So here they are on RMweb.
     
    Anyway, back to my plans for the next big ???un and, firstly, a proviso warning. The project really requires that I move house to dedicate a room for it. Although I do have a ???spare??™ room in my current house I am a little reluctant to start a permanent project in it as I have lived there for quite a while and would like to make one final dream house move. However, the project is being planned and work is underway in research, sourcing materials and building relevant models.
     
    And what it will be is - London Bridge Station. I must stress that it will not be a complete scale model but will be a simplified representation, rather in a similar manner that the outstanding ???Gresley Beat??™ layout which is also only claimed to be a representation, but of the Belle Island area approaches to Kings Cross station.
     

     
    Despite that the new model will not include all 16 platforms, most of the long lasting major features and iconic structures of the station are planned to be included; separate terminus and through platforms, the overall terminus station roof, the large ugly connecting walkway bridge, the oddly shaped covered concourse, the signalling centre, and the bus and taxi stands at the front. The aim is to model it with the terminus part at the front which should also allow me to include a representation of the No1 London Bridge building, Hays Galleria and perhaps Tower Bridge in the background if the research dictates they can be seen from such a viewing position.
     
    The combination of a terminus and through station at one location is part of the attraction for me. The through lines will provide the option of continuous running in a roundy-roundy style, while the terminus will give me additional operational interest. And what??™s more, London Bridge will only be part of the layout, with a second separate scenic area, based on Selhurst Depot, planned for holding stock and therefore doing away with the need for a hidden fiddle yard.
     
    The downside is the lack of loco hauled trains through London Bridge, but not being a complete stickler for historical accuracy or rivet counting authenticity - after all why let that get in the way of a good model - I will assume that the usual cross London freight line via Clapham and Olympia is temporarily out of use. That will mean that the routes linking to Blackfriars and via Snow Hill, such as through London Bridge, are in demand and heavy use.
     
    I also want the layout to be able to accommodate as large a time period as possible to enable as large a choice and range of stock to be run. This will include relatively early Southern slam door EMUs right up to privatised modern third generation units, although perhaps not at the same time. Stock will initially consist of my existing collection of basically Network SouthEast era EMUs, but I will need, and want to, extend that with older and newer trains.
     
    As part of that requirement I would dearly love one of the main British N gauge manufacturers to develop and launch a suitable modern EMU. Two obvious candidates are the Thameslink and Electrostar units. Both of these units are dual voltage machines, and by using pantographs operate on overhead equipment lines north of London, meaning that their attraction would not be limited to South of the Thames Southern Region third rail modellers.
     
    The station will be modelled as it currently stands, but before the latest scheduled developments - which include the ???The Shard??™ as the tallest building in Britain - scar and dominate it. Nonetheless, at the real station, work has already started on the Shard and the layout will quickly become a historic representation as the area gets transformed in to the ???what it will look like??™ computer image currently displayed on the hoarding boards surrounding the building site.
     

     
    I appreciate that famous structures, vehicles and many other items can quickly and easily date layouts, but by selecting items such as the iconic Routemaster and DMS type busses and K6 telephone boxes, that were all very long lived, it ought to blur any obvious time period. Also I intend to avoid the use of any too obvious tell tale paraphernalia and buildings that will specifically date it.
     
    Standards are planned to be the finest N gauge modelling that I am capable of undertaking. Granted my efforts are not the best in the world, but I was relatively satisfied with my achievements with Stoney Lane Depot and if I can improve just a little on them I will be happy. Sourcing the best and finest products available is the key to a fine-scale look. However, I am not going to delude myself by thinking that I am capable of switching to 1:152 (2mm:1ft) scale with all the scratch building of track and stock that would require.
     
    After all, I am nearer the end of my life than the start, and time is a precious commodity. Plus, of course, the fidelity and quality of the latest British N gauge products at 1:148 scale are now supremely high and can help one attain an N gauge fine-scale appearance almost equivalent to 2mmFS. And it is now possible to use the excellent 2mm Eazi-track system with the latest N gauge fine profile wheel-sets. All that remains to be considered are the choice and use of points; will I build my own using 2mm templates but adapted to N gauge flange-way and crossing-vee clearances and standards, or should I utilise commercially available RTR products such as Pecos code 55 points?
     
    Obviously attempting a large London terminus station is a big undertaking and there will be massive modelling requirements. Such a layout will easily swallow up large quantities of everyday items such as vehicles, people, and street and station furniture. Consequently I??™ve already started collecting the best of relevant, and much needed items, such as the Oxford Diecast FX4 London taxis, and the BH Enterprise etched K6 telephone box kits.
     
    I have a special ???scenics??™ box with separate compartments that are slowly filling up with completed and painted figures, wheelie bins, telephone boxes, pallets, barrels, skips, road signs, and so on. I also have another box with a growing collection of suitable road vehicles. Even more importantly I have managed to acquire a small stock of my favourite, but now obsolete, brick paper by Builder Plus.
     
    Obviously this is a large project and it will take considerable time and resources to get anywhere near to fruition. As already mentioned a house move is likely to be part of it which, as most will appreciate, can be very time consuming. Although it may delay things, hopefully any move will not compromise my next big ???un research and plans. And while the house moving side of the project may progress slowly, I can at least finish the planning details and start construction of the necessary buildings and structures.
     
    Hopefully, what I have outlined has whetted people??™s appetites to see and read more about the project on my RMweb Blog. Look out for updates at some time in the future.
     

     
    G.
  23. grahame
    .
    ...
    .....
    .......
    .........
    ........... and this is what my model looks like so far. It's not an exact scale model replica as I've needed to
    cut down the footprint area, but hopefully it captures the look and character of the original. There's still lots
    to do on the model including detailing and painting;
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

     
     
    G.
  24. grahame
    For my London Bridge project I’m obviously wanting to use the best looking N gauge track possible. And now I think I’ve finally decided on the way to go. For the plain track I’ll be using the 2mmSA Easitrack which is easy and quick to put together and has the benefits of;
     
    * Being able to run my N gauge stock on it without any re-wheeling.
    * Concrete and wooden sleeper and flat-bottom and bull-head rail options available.
    * Has finer low profile height code 40 rail.
    * Has more accurate sleeper sizes and sleeper spacing (compared with Peco).
    * Has a low overall sleeper/base height so minimising ballasting effort (deep filling with Peco is not required).
     
    I’m currently experimenting with it on the photo-diorama I’m building (see earlier in my blog for details and pictures). For the points I’m also hoping to use Easitrack but built to N gauge standards. This gives me the following benefits;
     
    * All the benefits of the plain track regarding look and scale (sleeper size/spacing/height and rail height).
    * Pre-milled point bases available in most sizes from the 2mmSA.
    * Finer flange-ways (than the Peco points) that accept the current N gauge RP25 wheel standards.
     
    I’ve attended a workshop run in conjunction with my club, Easitrack and the 2mmSA and have effectively built a point to those standards. Special crossing jigs are available for the N gauge flange-way size and all the other jigs are as per the 2mmFS versions (apart, obviously from 9mm gauge rollers). There is minimal soldering - just a bit to hold the crossing vee and wing rails in place as one assembly - and everything else is glued on with plastic chairs holding the rails.
     

     
    The overall benefits of this for me are that;
     
    * I’ll end up with better finer scale looking track that accepts N gauge stock.
    * There is no need (saved time and cost) to replace all wheel-sets with 2mmFS ones.
    * I can still use N gauge Peco track and points in the fiddle yard and any hidden tracks.
     
    Below is a pic of the jigs and gauges; left to right; vee creation jig, N gauge crossing jig, N roller gauges. And below that is another crossing that I built at the workshop showing the minimal soldering required. The crossing is held down in place on the point base by plastic chairs that slide on to the rails and are glued to the sleepers;
     

     

     
    See the 7th added comment for infor about the pic below;
     

     
     
     
    G.
  25. grahame

    Update

    By grahame,

    I’m conscious that I’ve not updated my blog for some time now. I have been undertaking a number of modelling projects but they’re not particularly appropriate to write up here.
     
    One bit of news is that the second issue of my magazine - N’spirations - is currently at the printers and hopefully will be available shortly. I’ll post up news as soon as I receive them back with details of how to obtain a copy.
     
    I’m also hoping to be at the 2mm SA anniversary expo in Oxford (first weekend in July) probably helping out on the DEmU stand. Drop by and say hello.
     
    G.
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