bridgiesimon

Saturday was great fun thanks, I was delighted at how well the layout was received. I was more nervous exhibiting this layout than I ever have been with the N gauge one. It is so different that I was concerned, without reason obviously!! We have been provisionally invited back next year so you will be able to see how the layout develops - no pressure then hehehe Simon

Bill, your layout is looking most impressive and seemed to be running really well, great to see both of you again. We really enjoyed the show, friendly wasn't it! Simon

Been thinking that based on how well the trees have gone so far, I am going to have a go and sculpting an Ent myself. Am researching all sorts of piccies to look at first. Simon

No worries mate, will start loking for one cos I like the idea! I had a most excellent day on Saturday at the Barnstaple show, a VERY friendly little show, one of the best shows I have attended, just proves that size isn't everytthing!!! Some piccies already posted, I have some more and will add an update of all the changes made over a very busy week, the show did highlight a few issues, one being that I need to get the stock ruynbning reliably, way too much finger prodding which I hate but never mind. Couldn;'t have been too bad I have been invited back next year as well as several other possible invites around the area. No opportunity to slow down the development then hehehehe. Best wishes Simon

I will have my camera and will take some piccies as well to post later in the weekend.Love the quote. All packed ready to load the car, anything not donee now don't get done! Best wishes Simon

A very busy day today, not going into details about the developments on the layout those of you visiting the Barnstaple show will see then, other people, I apologise adn will post a load of piccies over the weekend. I am pleased with the way the layout is looking and it seems to be running ok as well - shouldn't have said that, I am now asking for trouble, aaaaaaaargh!!!! Fingers crossed for a trouble free show! Hope to see some of you there. best wishes Simon

Way to go Bill, looking forward to seeing the layout in the flesh at the weekend, am feeling the pressure as well I have my new layout there for its first show, aaargh not much time left!! http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/35993-hobbiton-end/&do=findComment&comment=382983 Anyway, see you on Saturday Best wishes Simon

Wiring now sorted although I now have a hand held controller on its way to Gaugemaster for repair and replacement sockets on their way for installation as well, yes, not all went well yesterday!!! I am now onto Chimney production - As well as paiting crew for a couple of the locomotives. Best wishes Simon

Cheers guys, love the pottery hobbit houses, they look great! I have been getting to grips with wiring today getting myself totally confused regulary as well!! Never mind, will be there soon Simon

Heat is taking its toll but still progressing, am making cassettes at the mo so will be able to run properly although the job tjis weekend is to build an interim control panel. Best wishes Simon

yes, Barnstaple is 'very' shortly!! Hopefully all should be running by then, I have a few days booked off work next week to get all working so fingers crossed although not while soldering!! Best wishes Simon

Mr Oz from Portland, you are an genius!!!! I love the ideas and most appreciate your sketch, that will be bulit!!!! really terrible picture but would anybody attack a wagon guards by any of these characters? I know I wouldn't!!! Best wishes Simon

Brilliant idea, will add to the list, based on the additional transportation of money etc, maybe with an armed escort? I have an ideal figure already painted to use as the mayor welcoming in the train etc, will add to my notes for the background and layout information boards I plan to produce for the layout. Most appreciated Simon

That is exactly what I am planning on doing, I have a set of Pullman transfers for them already, just need to print out the lettering transfers when they are built! Great minds think alike, hehehe!! Best wishes Simon

You missed a hall that can only be described as an oven, sweltering all weekend, likely to be the reason it was rather quieter than expected! Although I enjoy exhibiting, I am pleased to be home, shame I have to work tomorrow though! Best wishes Simon

Comments most appreciated, I think I redesign is in order to make them into parlour sleepers as suggested, glad I posted the card mockup! It is all your input during this project that is making all the more enjoyable! Best wishes on a way too hot day!! Simon

The latest offering is a mock up, unlikely to be ready for the first show but never mind - A Hobbit sleeper train complete with sleeping hobbits It needs to be a little longer to ensure the door is not overlapping the bed area but I am pleased with the way it looks so far, I just had to include round doors!! I am planning on adding a bench seat at teh door end and a curtain across the end of the bed and possibly curtains over the small windows but keep them open so viewers can see the sleeping hobbits I have and will be adding to the completed coaches. The storage yard the layout has will allow for 3 of these coaches with the loco which I think will be fine. No work on the layout this weekend as I am exhibiting my other layout, Polpendra, at the Ross on Wye show - http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/43113-polpendra-cornish-branch-in-n-1958-62/page-3 best wishes Simon

After this show, I will sort out and take a load of piccies to add showing the latest stock acquisitions such as the D6300 etc. Been a mega time break since the last proper update as I have been working on other projects such as 'Hobbiton End' - http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/35993-hobbiton-end/ best wishes Simon

For anyone in the area, I will be exhibiting Polpendra at the Ross on Wye exhibition this weekend - John Kyrle High School, Ledbury Rd, Ros on Wye, HR9 7ET. Show is open 10-4 both Sat and Sun!! Am looking forward to the show, I will be runing mostly diesels for the wekend for a change with the view to runing 1970 only in the future! I have had a couple pieces of damage to sort out this afternoon after the jooint where the front fascia joins has opened a litle and cracked the plaster, possibly the heat? Anyway all covered and hidden now! Best wishes and hope to see some of you there, please say hello Simon

Yes please Black sheep, I am sure we can sort something out. Been offline for a bit, nothing major changed, just been working on the stock trying to get ready for the show in only a few weeks - aaaargh!!!! Would add piccies but not much new! I will not get anything added this weekend as I have a show in Ross on Wye with my other layout - Polpendra which should be a good weekend. Best wishes Simon

As time goes on, I am getting more confidendent it will be ready for the show, for a while I was panicking!! hehehe Thanks for th epiccie link David, I have saved it with the pother I have for reference work, most appreciated. best wishes Simon

Piccies etc as promised. I found fitting the coupling pockets tot he bogie log wagon a lot easier than expected so result there!! I am also well on with a small engineers train, mostly completed so far is a water tank wagon and a mobile worshop complete with work bench, just need to source/scratchbuilt a set of tools etc for it! Anyway, as for the layout as a whole - More specific, the area to be developed around the water well - Anyway, better spend time with my wife before I go down stairs to find I do not have one any more!!! Best wishes Simon

bloody hell, this is most impressive!!! 3D printing has opened the hobby up so much!!! Simon

Next update, piccies to follow - I have completed the grass across the back of the layout, I have decided to concentrate on there so unlikely to get the front grasses before the show. The thinking is that I am likely to trash it leaning over to detail the back of the scene so why do it twice? Also it would be good for people to se the layout as a work in progress. I have also been constructing wagons and fitting couplings which are easier on some than others! I have a bogie bolster with long logs which is going to be more complicated to fit couplers to but it is one of th eprogrcts for this evening. I also have to construct a new chimney for th hobbit residence at the front of the layout as it has gone missing, we have searched the room without finding it, the conclusion is that is has dropped into the bin and disappeared for ever, aaaargh!!! As mentioned, piccies to follow later! Best wishes Simon

Last 10 laps of the gp were mad!!!! Back on topic, I like the weathering ont he cement wagons, I really much get to work on my rake, smaller though as I model in N!! Best wishes Simon, a disappointed Hamilton fan!