Keith Addenbrooke

Out of interest, could I just ask if this means the "Remove item" option has reappeared? (My trunk is currently empty as I've had my items shipped). The website dates for stocktaking suggest a different timetable - has Hattons confirmed that was the reason? Just curious in case it happens again. On the subject of bargains, my latest purchase would fit that criterion: an HO InterMountain 60' boxcar that seems to be in mint condition (based on opening the box when it arrived). Paid far less than I have for other eqiivalent products recently. Very happy, Keith.

Introduction Railway modelling is mainly a Spring and Summer hobby for me. Autumn and Winter bring busier times, and as much of my modelling takes place outside (benchwork, paint spraying and big sticky jobs), or inside with the window open for ventilation (gluing and painting), free winter evenings are often spent on research and reflection. I enjoy exploring fresh ideas, dreaming up new projects and shopping around for bits and pieces. I've discovered I also enjoy writing about railway modelling, sharing and learning from those with more experience. Tidying up my current Project Threads for American HO and Narrow Gauge H0e / HOn30 at the end of my modelling season doesn't mean I stop reading, watching or thinking about model railways, so I'd like to use this blog for my onward journey. In my previous RMweb blog I considered why I don't get layouts built, despite (or perhaps: because of) all the ideas I have. While Narrow Gauge modelling keeps me occupied, and I have a TT diorama to finish, I still dream about that more elusive goal of a fully sceniced model railway. But another year has passed without a layout. So where will I go from here? I 'finished' my modelling year with a display of some my kit and scratchbuilt rolling stock and structures at our local 009 Society Group meeting in early November: What about my Standard Gauge interests and layout project ideas? I'll start with my long standing interest in American HO: Chapter 1 - American HO: "If only I'd known this years ago..." A short while ago I came across this blog post from American author and custom layout builder Lance Mindheim: "Defining Model Railroad Design Success". Two quotes jumped out at me. The first explains why so many wannabe layout builders like me find it hard to really get started: "...there is what they “think” is the absolute bare minimum scope they need in order to motivate them to build something/anything. On the other side of balance is their actual level of time/energy/focus level. The problem is the two don’t match..." while the second offered a way out of the trap: "...understanding how to be satisfied with less. Less doesn't mean less sophisticated and it doesn't mean "settling"..." As I noted when I referred to this discovery in my current American HO thread: "Perhaps I should send it round to everyone who has helped me with all the different ideas I've explored with a heartfelt apology? I may now finally get it!" Although I've been refining my goals and objectives for a while, Mindheim's succinct summary hit home. While I've often thought (and written) about achievable layouts and have my own "two locomotive rule" to manage my budget when getting started on an idea, I've not found a way to limit my ambitions once I get interested in a topic. I invariably end up doing exactly what I shouldn't: setting a bare minimum for a layout idea that exceeds my practical maximum. So I stop. Again. How can I become both satisfied and motivated with 'less'? Not for the first time, @James Hilton has come to my rescue (there's someone I owe a pint or two if we ever meet). His latest "Hilton and Mears" YouTube Video: "Just Four" helped: It's another brilliantly simple concept for people like me with limited space (and budgets): you only really need four different locomotives for a small switching layout, or for each area of interest you have. Doesn't have to be four, but then again, why not? If that's a limit I'm going to set for myself, it may help keep my ideas manageable, and focus on building (not shopping). Choosing four for me was too easy: Two recently bought as new Kato GP-35s in perfect condition for my favourite American railroad, the Santa Fe. I like passenger trains, so my Budd RDC-2 is another easy choice - it's another perfect runner. The Baltimore & Ohio livery wouldn't have been my first choice, but this was a bargain too good to miss, and definitely a keeper. My Atlas Bangor and Aroostook GP7 is the outlier, but it's another excellent loco I got for a bargain price in what I think is a very nice livery. A close fifth was my Burlington SD7, but after giving it some careful thought over a few days, I decided I'd stick with four. Trading the SD7 (which I bought unused and have hardly touched) will also help free up funds for my other projects: A major factor in my thinking was that I'm concentrating my interests better: on the Santa Fe and the North East. But I've been considering the Alaska Railroad as an alternative to the mountainous European railways I like. Where does this leave the Alaska Railroad plan? Here I've been helped by a couple of YouTube videos from an unlikely source: Dave Meeks' Thunder Mesa Studio. The first is this one - and I'm talking about the number one thing on his list of ten: The section starting around 20.45 covers the key question: "What story do you want to tell?" I think it's a fantastic way to phrase the central consideration, irrespective of scale, gauge, prototype or era (the video explains it better than I could!). While I've previously asked myself what's the vision? the idea of story helps bring a project to life (it won't be the same for everyone). What do I see as the centrepiece of an American HO layout? For me it's a Walthers' Concrete Grain Elevator: While the Alaska Railroad is fascinating, all the pictures of concrete grain elevators I've seen turned out to be different angles looking at the same one - a redundant failure of an attempt to develop a grain industry in Alaska. Although I'm impressed with the Alaska Railroad Panorama cars, they're not my absolute top priority: If I don't pursue an Alaska Railroad Project, am I just repeating my all-too-common mistake of enthusiastically buying into a new idea, only to abandon it shortly afterwards. People who know me will say that's actually not in my personality at all! Yet my project list for the past couple of years does look like that. It's partly as I buy almost exclusively second hand. I put together some key items before proper research, just in case they've sold by the time I reach my go / no go decision. It's not always the best approach, and not one I'd recommend, but I have tried some nice ideas I'd otherwise have left untouched. There's also a possibility we may move house, so I now need to ensure my project list only carries ideas I'd want to follow through irrespective of whatever space I may (or may not) have. The stuff I'm keeping reflects interests I've had for a while (or longer). I think that's important. In June 2020 I wrote a short post in the Layout & Track Design Forum on the benefits of a clear out , but what I overlooked was my ability to rebuild my stash faster and faster each time I've tried something new since. Which show my naivety! Another YouTube video from the Thunder Mesa Studio that has also made me think is this one. I'd say it's well worth a watch for anyone finding themselves stuck in a bit of a layout rut - with a project they like but isn't progressing: While I don't model in On30 (that's not the point) and I don't have either that kind of space or a layout to redesign, what I found helpful was the focus on keeping what's most important, but using it better rather than starting over. So that's where I'm at with American HO. Just that bit leaner and fitter, ready for next season when the Spring comes. Nothing new...well, apart from this bargain mint condition InterMountain 60' boxcar that came today: In my next post, I'll return once again to that other great unrealised interest of mine: Continental modelling. Until then, I hope my ramblings give some food for thought - and as always, discussion is welcome. Thanks for taking a look, Keith.

A trick I've been taught for small components that can easily ping their way to oblivion is to thread a length of cotton through the centre hole - if they do then ping, they can't get far. Once the relevant operation has deen performed, the thread just pulls out. In my case it was specifically for HO scale Kadee coupler springs, and I must admit it works - as long as I don't lose the spring when threading it! Don't know if it would work for items like the bush you describe, but can't see why not. Hope it helps, Keith.

Hi there, I've only scratchbuilt a few wagons (in H0e so not too different to N scale). One thing I learnt early on was to use a double thickness base layer for the chassis to reduce warping - whatever thickness of styrene you're using. Of course, any reinforcing helps add weight, so is no bad thing. Good luck with the build - looks to be a very neat start, Keith.

I must admit when I made a couple of these kits I didn't even attempt to cut the glazing to fit each window frame separately - I just put a glazing strip along each side. Well done for doing the job properly, Keith.

Hi Mark, you’re a much braver man than I am, but I look forwards to learning from your build. Thanks for sharing, and well done for getting started - often the hardest step! Keith.

I think some of the coaches may be the slightly shortened 1:93.5 length, but I’m not sure from the photographs. Best thing is to cross-reference the product code with other sources to check. To my mind the prices look reasonable for today’s market - and if a 20% discount is applied then could be good value indeed. Can sometimes be worth making an offer on a ‘buy it now’ listing on eBay too - sometimes the difference between recommended offer prices as against list price is significant. Hope that helps, Keith.

I also have a couple of examples of coaches with brakeman’s cabins too: I’m afraid my knowledge of the period is really minimal, so I’d welcome any more insights from others, but it seemed relevant to this thread to show it’s not just freight wagons. Hope that’s Ok, Keith.

Some very nice trackwork on that layout too - really like the gentle curves, Keith.

Thanks - the bulk buy ones I have are 5mm wide, which is quite wide in HO (about 17”), especially when horizontal - but when vertical I think I can get away with them that wide more easily (I have started a structure where I split them but it is a rather thankless task). Keith.

Very nice. A blacksmith’s is a building that invites interior detailing. Can I ask how wide the planks are on the kit - it looks like the sort of thing that could be copied using coffee stirrers (and time)? Just wondered, Keith.

Thanks for the information - very useful. I’d agree that a 12” aperture is a bit tight and a few more inches should help, Keith.

Good spot Paul. Based on our weather here this morning, I’ll guess it’s probably raining in Manchester for the welcoming committee as well right now? Keith.

I’ve seen a few scale models of proposed layoutsver the years, but I don’t recall one where the baseboards (etc) were so carefully included. As has been noted, this has flagged up whether the proscenium arch will be too low. Could I ask if you k ow what height you plan to display the layout at - if it’s eye level the arch may not need changing (or only a bit) as you’d be looking up at it, but if it’s for showing at a lower level then yes, I’d suggest increasing the height as taller folk may not see much layout. A very worthwhile exercise, thanks for sharing it here, Keith.

That is the world I grew up in (give or take a few DMU’s). Perfectly captured - thanks for bringing this back, Keith.

I’ve received a great deal of helpful advice and encouragement since I began trying my hand at Narrow Gauge modelling again in early 2021. Today I had the chance to give something back, with a small display at our local 009 Society Group meeting. I’ve never seen myself as a potential exhibitor - at any level - but this morning I carefully loaded the car boot with my complete collection of bubble wrap, a couple of my IKEA modelling tables and the collection of models that have been featured in this thread, and headed off: The aim of my display was quite simple - to pass on my thanks for the help I’ve had, and to (hopefully) encourage others: My thanks also to all here in the Narrow Gauge modelling Forum on RMweb for the encouragement too! I made sure there was room on my tables for essential supplies, and sat down to enjoy a day talking model railways: At the end of the afternoon, when the hall was less busy, I did tidy away the notices and ran a few trains to finish the day. While I hadn’t managed to complete the Church kit in time for the exhibition, as a work-in-progress it proved to be quite a talking point, as did the variety in the models I have - while my flitting about from one project to another makes progress on my layout ideas difficult, today it was an advantage, as I had more to show than I’d realised. A very nice day. When I began this thread in April 2021, I had grand ideas for a first H0e layout. I didn’t appreciate I was biting off more than I could chew at the time, but while my layout ideas have been simplified, it’s given me more time for trying some modelling, which I’ve discovered I enjoy far more than I thought I would. Other than completing my Church kit (it’ll be done by Christmas, just don’t ask which year), I have actually now completed all the different things I wanted to try out in order to get started. It means this beginner’s thread is now basically complete, and I’m happy to draw it to a close on an unexpected high note. I’ll be back when the next project starts. Thanks to all, Keith.

Hi there, to make it more realistic, one option would be to run the engine shed off the Centre road (using a single slip point if you’re familiar with them) rather than back from the goods sidings. As it is you might have to shunt wagons out of the way to get in and out of the engine shed: Just a thought. An idea some people use to help with scenic layouts is to angle the tracks so they’re not parallel with the baseboard edge. Even a two or three degree slant makes quite a difference visually if there’s room. Hope that helps, Keith.

An idle thought: is it a coincidence that Peco launched exactly 8 variants of the wagon - the precise number needed for a classic Inglenook shunting puzzle (per Alan Wright’s original)? Just a thought - given CJ Freezer’s promotion of the Inglenook concept. Have a good weekend, Keith. (PS: to any charge of unfounded speculation - Guilty!)

Thanks @Phil Parker, I think it looks stunning. RRP for the DC version of £167.99 seems very reasonable to me for a loco with this level of detail (Gaugemaster are taking preorders at £155.00 - other suppliers are available). Looks like a winner to me, Keith.

Time for a pause. When I began this thread almost a year ago, I wanted to move on from my earlier research oriented thread, Modelling the ATSF in 1970 in HO . I hoped to progress to layout building and am grateful to all who've contributed to this new thread, especially for patience when progress has been minimal (or even slower). I'm one of the least practical people you'll ever meet, so I was never likely to get much done quickly, even before various 'off-field' events slowed me down further (such as the damp walls on page 1). My grand ambitions and ideas haven't changed, but modelling for me primarily takes place between February and October, due simply to busyness in the run up to Christmas. So now is time for a pause. There is another reason. While I'm not changing jobs, we may be re-housed due to various issues with this property (not just the damp). Until it becomes clearer whether that can happen, it makes sense for me to focus on my other, smaller projects (that are less space-dependent). It may therefore be a while before I next update this thread. Obviously I'd hoped to get further than I have this year, but I've had fun and learnt a lot, which I hope may be of interest to others thinking about starting out. Thanks, Keith.

I'm not an expert track layer by any means, but I found a variation on the map pins technique I've been taught very effective: Track is aligned using standard drawing pins or map pins which can easily be moved until satisfied (I had more drawing pins): The drawing pins are then replaced with spare track pins that can be tapped down to rail height, allowing final testing with rolling stock and then weighting down in place. Pins are pulled out after glue has set: Hope it's OK by Paul for me to share this here, but as someone who personally doesn't enjoy track laying I found this technique was very effective. My track is 009, Keith.

I've not got any of these wagons yet, but my experience with Tillig TT with the same couplings was that they seemed to look more obvious ("worse") on a single piece of rolling stock, but a rake coupled up didn't look too obtrusive at all - I think the way the couplings overlap each other reduced the impact and I was impressed, Keith.

That one I got straightaway. We don't usually need much chlorine though.

Intriguing - do tell us more (do you have an overall shot, for example?), Keith.

Agreed - this is how I glue wider sheets if cork down: usually left for several days too (until the next modelling session). Not had any sheets lift yet despite my baseboards being regularly carried around the house / stored vertically: Less weight is used for track, Keith.