grahame

I find it interesting that for some people, the inspiring layouts have to be in their sphere of modelling interest. Not a critism, just an observation. To me great layouts transcend subject.

It wasn't until I'd finally decided on my selection that I noticed it was apparent that, unwittingly, I had made such a choice - it certainly wasn't a conscious decision. But then I guess that's the nature of 'inspiration'. If the question had been what do you consider are the greatest three layouts, or perhaps the most realistic ones, then my answers would be different.

G.

Just three? That's very difficult but after a lot of thought I've managed to come up with just three in no particular order - but they all offer consistency, atmosphere and realistic urban scenics and the scale/gauge I generally work in. They're all fairly old now but I guess that gives time for them to lodge in the memory. I've seen them all at exhibitions and featured in magazines so it's still possible to re-visit them to top up the inspiration. And I frequently do.

Copenhagen Fields (MRJ; #46 1991)

Brigenshaw (Practical Model Railways; March 1985)

Acton Main Line (RailModel Digest; preview issue 1995)

G.

.... JS-W's point about the prototype is well-made - we should not copy models, only what we see in 12" to the foot. That said, if you see a layout that motivates you to model, then I call that inspiration....

Yep, gotta agree. Whilst I understand and also agree with Jim about looking to the real world for inspiration, I've certainly seen layouts at exhibitions or in magazines that have made me think that's rather good (or a great idea) and it's made me want to get home to do some modelling, to try and improve my own efforts or to make something as good (but not the same). And I'd say that I was inspired.

G.

Is the driver removable and the fork bit pose-able?

Yep, it's a kit so does also need painting;

G.

The hardstanding still needs weathering and weeds adding, and I think I need to repaint the insides of the rails in the rail colour.

 

I'm sure I saw a fork lift truck in one of my boxes!

I'd recommend the forklift produced by GHQ (right below) rather than the basic blobby commonly available ones (left below);

G.

Yep

 

Heres the real one

That's not a real horse......

G.

That's not a real horse......

G.

If I were to model my local station, it would be quite prototypical to put a bus on the bridge over it as it is served by four routes each with a frequent service. But, since there are still no buses on the bridge most of the time, surely it would still be clichéd?

I suppose it will depend on how long you wait. And if its likely to be a long time it might be better to have two on the bridge.

G.

A lovely layout, understated but atmospheric. And a very interesting approach and build methodology to N/2mm modelling.

Well done. A worthy winner.

G.

Superb modelling, wonderful stuff. Proof that N gauge has really come of age and is the scale to emulate.

G.

However the popularity of MPD layouts puts me off as I don't want to spend a lot of time building an exhibtion layout to be just dismissed as just a another depot layout...

Sure it's nice to get praise and congratulatory comments, but if you've had fun and enjoyed building it, does it matter what others think? And besides, even building a non-cliched layout can be a danger in that if the style and design breaks new ground and becomes a run-away iconic success it's in danger of setting a trend and becoming a cliche.

G.

Wow, fantastic, I'm speachless.................

G.

Are wheelie-bins available in N Gauge?

BHE do cast white metal N gauge wheelie bins. You can see three in this pic;

G.

Great observation, great modelling, great thread. Keep it up.

G.

They're certainly starting to look really good now. I read somewhere that their release is being delayed until next year due to issues with the lights - I don't know whether that is true or not, but perhaps Dapol Dave can update us with the latest news. And perhaps also confirm that the buffet mk3 coach, essential for a complete train - is due early next year.

G.

£120 may not be a lot to you, but I suspect it would make a serious dent in a lot of modelling budgets, and many would I think have high expectations for that kind of money!

Roy, you've made the point about the Brit price many times now. However, I don't understand why you make such a big issue out of a RTR price of £120 when the Peco Collett was £149 several years ago and the RTR price for just about all tender kettles is now well over £100. Why make such a fuss now at £120, why not at £100 - after all that would make an equivalent dent in a proportionally smaller modelling budget and why not have the same high expectations at all price points? I appreciate that you might think £120 is dear but sometimes you need to see beyond the price tag. Prices will continue to rise (VAT goes up soon) and sooner or later £120 will be a cheap model.

G.

Dapol have done a great job with the Britannia. Brilliant detail sharp lines and an excellent runner (5 pole skew wound). Yes, some minor problems that can be easily fixed which makes it all the more interesting for me. My only problem is the drive from the tender to loco dont like it, but I will fix that.

 

All in all Dapol Farish etc have come a long way in the last 5 years.

 

I have found myself in hot water from the mods on this forum because I say what I think. I would really like to see more constructive critisim instead of the manufacturer bash. I am tired of reading about the pointless complaining.

 

Well done Dapol and a fantastic loco.

 

Martin

Yep, I agree Martin. I'm very pleased and happy with my Brit. Is it worth the money - you bet, worth every penny. I've spent more than £120 on a meal out before. Sure there's a few things I could do to individualise and improve it. But then that has been the case with every other N gauge loco I have ever purchased and I'm sure it will still be the case when I die. Dapol have set a new higher benchmark with the Brit, particularly the engineering, but I'm also sure that things will get even better in the future - from all manufacturers.

G.

I'm a bit late to this tread but...................my tuppence worth;

Yep, as already alluded to; a preserved railway is basically a 1:1 scale train set so effectively it's already modelled and been done by itself. It therefore becomes pretty unfulfiling and pointless to make a pastiche of it.

G.

Does that answer your question adequately?

Not really because you haven't explained why it is cheaper looking than a hex nut (which I understand also doesn't represent a prototype crankpin) unless it's perhaps because IMO you wanted to unnecessarily denigrate the Dapol model. But probably best to leave it there, unanswered, before the thread gets out of hand.

G.

I notice from a pic of the new Farish B1 in issue #149 of Model Rail it appears to have a cross head screw, a slotted screw and hex nuts on the motion - all on a £105 model; how cheap looking (or perhaps good value by having three different fastener heads for the price of one)

But at least the wheels look a bit better, by being black and having what appears to be a thinner rim, than the Dapol one pictured above it, although I presume the Dapol version will be blackened when finished.

G.

Of course! Just working on a way to shrink Tesco/Sainsbury/Waitrose/Morrisons bags.

Just hold them over a lit gas ring on your hob - they'll shrivel up to almost nothing

Just joshing, but seriously this is some seriously high class modelling work in the little scale. Keep it up - both the

modelling and the updates.

G.

Thanks for the update - it was superb. Really good modelling, interesting insight and fantastic execution. Keep it up - both the modelling and the updates.

G.

If you read it again you will notice that I said cheap LOOKING.

Don't need to read it again. But again, on what basis do you judge and think and can justify that it is cheap looking?

G.

This is a slightly unfair comment to Roy - especially when it's well known in these circles that you yourself are heavily pro-Dapol biased, down on Bachmann and a personal friend of George Smith.

Incorrect comments like that shows you just how wrong you can be ....... and about most things.

I know Colin at Bachmann better than George at Dapol.

G.

is neater and less obtrusive than the cheap looking screws Dapol have employed on the Brit,

Whether it is neater and less obtrusive is basically subjective and a personal opinion as I can accept that you think that (although I think both are just as bad and both could be improved) but what makes you think the screw is particularly "cheap" (presumable for screws in general as well as an alternative to a bolt). Do you have information about the costs? IMO it just makes you sound excessively and unnecessarilly negative about Dapol.

G.