JamFjord

I think I'm a little bit in love with Sir Harry. The locomotive, you understand, not its namesake. That kit sounds like no small undertaking, but of course James has come up trumps - what a lovely model.

I hope the house move goes/is going well, Keith - having just gone through a move ourselves late last year (and still ongoing if you count unpacking and finding places for everything) you have my fullest sympathy. Hope it doesn't disrupt your modelling too much! All the best

On 24/03/2023 at 08:53, jimbofin said:

You can still pick up the Prototype Models Kits, for instance from Antics https://anticsonline.uk/Category/Bilt-Eezi--Prototype-Card-Kits_N1940

I have a small stash from my own ideas for building an Em version of TAoC. However the printing, by modern standards, leaves a lot to be desired. I've even tried improving them in Photoshop with no success.

So my suggestions. First of all you could buy the kits and use them as a template, perhaps using some Scalescenes textures to replace the originals.
But on TAoC the buildings are very close to the viewer, so it might be worth using laser cut kits. York Model Rail do a suitable groundframe, though I would be tempted to put a signal cabin on the platform. Arch  Laser do a Fairford Goods shed.

Years ago, I got Lcut to produce a lasercut version of the platform building. Somewhere, in amongst packing cases, I still have the preproduction version.
And Intentio do a GWR weighbridge.

Hope this helps

Thanks jimbofin, sorry I didn't spot your comment earlier - it does indeed help! In the end I decided to take a different approach with the layout (which I've summarised in another blog post if you're interested) but it's useful to know about all those sources and suppliers as I'm hoping this layout will be the first of a bunch. The link was also useful - I can appreciate your point about the printing, judging by the listing photos, but there are some interesting building shapes in the range which could make a good 'skeleton' to overlay with texture sheets and detail packs. But not for this layout, probably, as I'm already struggling to find space for the structures I've already bought 😅😬

I like that you're rethinking the framing / viewing angles in line with the context within which the scene exists - got me thinking 🤔

Excellent rundown, very helpful - cheers! I bought a chassis kit a while ago from High Level Kits to improve my Pug - I wish I'd read this first, it would've saved me a bit of cash. However, I think I might use the old chassis for a kitbash project, so I'll use these tips to improve what I have to work with. Thanks again

Great to see the number 19 on the side as well. That loco feels like an old friend at this point, having visited it so many times over the years as a static exhibit at the Ribble Steam Railway. I ordered some custom etched plates from Narrow Planet that arrived recently, so I'm looking forward to getting the rest of the upgrades finished so I can add the plates and get the model looking as close as possible to how I remember the prototype before she went off to East Lancs Railway.

Thank you. I'm never 100% sure what year it is these days  😵🤦‍♂️

Latest issue arrived through the post box a couple of days ago and I've been enjoying the lot of it, but the Sherton Abbas in particular caught my eye - I love a bit of Edwardian railway action.

4 hours ago, wenlock said:

I’m also booked to take it along to the York show during  Easter 2024.

Yet another reason to make sure I make it to York this year. It's going to be, as I believe the kids say, a "banger".

Thanks Keith, I suppose that layout idea you moved on from will always still be there for you - maybe you'll come back to it in a few years and the time will be right to build it? From reading up on 'The Art Of Compromise' that seems to be what happened to Chris Ford. My advantage is that I don't need to start from scratch, so if there are any aspects of the build that are causing me to stall, there's still a physical layout to apply the other ideas to.

By the way, that great advice I received was from James Hilton, who's modelling work I already had a lot of respect for and who has been very generous with his advice and support since we got chatting at a couple of shows and via his blog over the past few months. I've found his Paxton Road blog incredibly helpful; it seems to be a bottomless treasure trove of tips and techniques (sorry, got a bit carried away with the alliteration there). Anyway, his and a few other blogs (OTCM, Chris Nevard and Phil Parker come to mind) have been a big help.

On 09/03/2023 at 18:27, Yan said:

I remember the original article in the RM very well as I followed Roy Links design and build a layout.

http://grogleyjunction.blogspot.com/2008/12/lost-layout.html

 

Since then Iain Rice developed the idea further with his Broadwell Green design and I've often thought about this as a project but it never came to fruition.

Will follow you progress with interest.

Yan, thanks - link and additional context both very helpful! Incidentally it's the second mention of Prototype Models' kits I've read this week; I'm starting to feel like I've missed out as the company seems to be long gone.

Thank you, Jimbo, much appreciated. I'll have another look at the issue. I was aware that Roy C Link was inspired by the Fairford branch, I'd assumed the terminus.

5 hours ago, James Hilton said:

The Meifod valley is beautiful, I love driving that way to Llanfair Caereinion. If you’re ever in this neck of the woods with a little more notice do let me know and I may well be able to join you. As for a Planet Industrials mug, we shall see what we can do…

Cheers James, will do - next recce will be planned well in advance with an itinerary and everything. Probably worth running that by you beforehand anyway in case I'm missing any essential locations. Just a lovely part of the world to explore.

Thanks @Mikkel. I haven't found confirmation in the book yet (maybe I missed it), but the upper photo does indeed appear to be Ian's Modbury layout, very deservedly on the cover. The lower photo is, I'm pretty sure, the lovely Condicote by Bob Vaughan.

I'm very much enjoying Chris' book; some fascinating historic context, examples and step-by-step guidance on specific projects/builds. The other books are excellent as well - lots of inspiration and ideas. 

1 hour ago, Michael Hodgson said:

Glad to hear it's found a good home.  It's really sad that so many layouts end up being scrapped.

Thank you, Michael, and yes, it really is! Hopefully one positive side effect of the costs of the hobby increasing so much is that more people will take on projects that need a home. One can but hope...