grahame

Looking very good Jo. And I'm following with interest as I've got one of these 3D TDAs. As, purely by chance, I haven't yet fitted new ladders I'll learn from your experience and wait until painting the main body. Off to Halfords, when they open later, to get the paint and I'll look out for a slightly deeper blue as I want newer looking ones. If it all goes well I may well be getting more of the TDAs - they do look the part and something a little different from the usual Farish TEAs. G.

Doing searches on the internet for modelling information but the returned lists are of competely irrelevent and non-related suggestions. Then seeing something on that list that looks vaguely interesting and a few seconds later realising you've just wasted an hour of modelling time. G.

Not so much annoying but more frustrating ; no matter how much modelling you do you'll never do enough. G.

IMO pointing out an error on a model is not 'dissing' itbut highlighting to those that want an accurate representation about what needs to be altered. And, as has already been pointed out, most comments so far are on the basis of only seeing photographs which means that the errors mentioned most obviously can be seen. Saying those who make such comments are 'dissing' new models and claiming that the issues are things they 'probably can't even see' is only perpetuating the playground 'name calling' attitudes and polarising the two groups that Pennine adroitly mentioned. I do think we all need to step out of this negative mentality that is just spiralling down in to an argument. G.

Yep, that's certainly true in my experience. I certainly find the 'rivet counter' and 'nit picker' jibes can get quite offensive and tiresome. And I guess there are times when there is some reaction to continually being complained about for trying to be honest about models. Unfortunately, that is when the first group start to feel justified and objectivity flies out the window. G.

I can appreiate those sentiments, even if they are rather derogatory towards many enthusiasts. The 'issue' is that I'd guess a large majority of model railway enthusiasts accept that they are playing (and hence with toys) and that outside of the modeling fraternity, the world at large and in general, considers that even the finest model is still just a 'toy'. It's only a matter of what you call them after all - nothing to get indignent about. G.

Well it certainly looks like you have. I like the sense of real location conveyed, the use of height (multiple levels and so on) that are so important in layout design to avoid a flat earth look and provide interest, and the way the railway fits 'in' the scene (rather than, as sadly all too often, the scenery fitting 'around' the railway as an afterthought). GRAHAME.

Very impressive layout. Looks like it has the wow factor that N gauge can deliver but many layout builders fail to exploit. I'm certainly keen to see more. G.

Super pics and a super layout. Any other pics of it and details? G.

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...... it's beyond accolades. Fabulous model making, super story telling and what will be a fantastic layout. And N gauge to boot. It's got character, atmosphere, presence and period. G.

Hmmm, two months since the last post. It must be time for an update on this super layout. G.

Possibly. Looks like the front panels outside of the cab windows to the edge/corners are too wide. To me anyway. G.

Sounds like you're getting flushed with success. G.

I've successfully glued on air dams/valances and bogies side frames (in N gauge) using superglue (the type with rubber in to give a slightly flexible bond) and roughing up the joining surfaces with a file first. For additional strength pinning with a hole drilled through and length of wire or track pin with head cut off (as already suggested) does help. G.

Excellent stuff - a lot better than just bog standard modelling. G.

From the photos I've seen it's not massively significant. A bit of weathering and spraying with matt varnish will reduce any obvious diffference and tie them in all together as one train. G.

It's been a long time since I added anything to my blog so here is a spring WOMW update; a container crane. I picked up a Vollmer container crane kit for a fiver at the Redhill N gauge show recently ..... ..... and decided to bash it in to something more British looking like this Freighliner crane at Millbrook rather than build it as shown on the box cover artwork; It's taken quite a bit of bashing around and building new parts that incorporate bits of the kit. I had to move over the main single central cross beam and add a second one, and design and scratch build the machinery that travels along between the beams and raises the container grab. I've also built a new grab section and so far it looks like this; However, there's still loads to do and the model in picture above is temporarilly held together with bit of blu-tac just for the photo. Obviously it's not an exact replica and is essentially a freelance design but I've tried to incorporate the essence and style of the Millbrook one. September 2011 I've finished off the crane now and detals of it should appear in N'spirations6. GRAHAME

Okay, here's a Fullers pub; based on the real Royal Standard in Croydon; (from my old N gauge layout - Hedges Hill Cutting.) G.

I can trump all those with Marylebone; where I was born. B) G.

That looks very interesting and well advanced - are there any other pics of the layout that can be posted? G.

I've got four pubs on my little layout - all based on real ones; From Battersea and renamed the Plough after my village local A model of the real Wheatsheaf in Boro Market. The other two are more difficult to see and I've not got any decent snaps of them; The Coronation Hall in Surbiton. The Market Porter in Boro Market can just be seen last on the left under the bridges. G.

It's certainly very impressive and a big undertaking, but it appears to be coming along very nicely and very quickly. Well done. I'm hoping to get along on Saturday (after visiting the Redhill all N gauge exhibition first). G.

I'm up and waiting for my lift to hospital to have a catheter removed. Last week I was rushed in to hospital for emergency surgery and awoke from the anaesthetic fitted with a catheter; now it's coming out and not a minute too soon. Snag is I've got to spend the whole day there!!! G.

Great development, great modelling, great layout. Thanks for sharing. G.