Kumata

Forgive my ignorance, but what would have been the logic in renaming the old no. 1 to 0, rather than numbering the new loco as the next in sequence?

So you'll have a use for your no. 11 after all...

Thank you both!

Is there a generally accepted term for a model rail display that does not feature any kind of electronic operation or hands-free movement? Where the locos and stock are intended to be 'posed' still in one place for purely aesthetic purposes. I am a newcomer to the world of model railways so am still getting familiar with all the terminology. Trying to make the most of the 'search' function to browse existing discussions for info I need rather than clog up the board with basic questions, but it's hard to do that when you don't know the term to search for!

Looking very good so far. A detail I will commend you on is that this is the first "adaptation" I've seen where the size difference between Thomas and Percy is apparent. Despite Thomas's shortening compared to the prototype his larger size (and weight) was certainly the Rev. Awdry's intent as it was relevant to several stories. But the illustrations usually failed to depict this (and let's not get into the "inflated" Percy of the TV series).

That reminds me. Back when this was originally a Tidmouth project you posted some WIP locos, BoCo, Oliver, James and Henry IIRC. Assuming you still have these in your possession, and taking into account what you plan to build for Ffarquhar, it seems to me you'd only be two short of the full roster. Not that I'm suggesting anything.

Always wondered why Ffarquhar was spelt with two F's to begin with. Especially since the spelling "Farquhar" is a real surname.

These are the two points you need to reconcile, so the question is, can the semi-BR lining be reasonably explained in a real-world sense (to your own satisfaction)? Is there any reason why their previous controller might have had them lined that way?

Whilst a continuous run would be nice, looking at trackplans for 4ft square or even a 6ft x 4ft the run would be very oval, which looks a bit too 'trainset' for my tastes. There is also the issue of reaching across, and to maximise space in the rest of the room I was thinking of having at least one side of the layout pressed up against a wall. It seems that the L-shape is best suited for my purposes. Thanks all.

Hello all, I am a relative newcomer to the world of model railways and have mostly been lurking as I scour topics for the info I need, but I would like to ask a question about layout shape. I have two 4ft x 2ft baseboards to work with, and in the space I have available I am able to configure them in either a square (4ft x 4ft) or L-shape (with 6ft as its longest side). No room for an 8ft length unfortunately. I understand this may be a bit of a broad question, but I'd like to know if either configuration strikes you as more suited for a layout, for any reason? I will be working in 00 gauge and from what I gather space in that scale will be limited, so I'd like to pick the most efficient shape if possible.

At this rate you'll have the whole island modelled! Do you have any plans yet as to which part of the Skarloey you'll be modelling?

That reminds me, since you already had a Duck, Oliver and BoCo prepared for the Tidmouth layout before it became Ffarquhar. Will you be utilising those three in any capacity? Awdry himself used Duck as a spare/'guest' engine on his own Ffarquhar, and it happened at least once in the books.

I am following your development with interest. You mention that you plan to exhibit the layout and I for one would love to see the finished article 'in person' when it comes to it. I assume you will be sticking to the era as originally designed?

"Wilbert the forest engine" details how it is Thomas' job to drop off milk tankers for filling at the dairy every afternoon and then Percy's to collect them next morning, obviously set quite a bit later in time than the 50s/60s but presumably the dairy run had existed in some form throughout the line's history. EDIT: just remembered that in "Branch Line Engines" a milk van is also stated to be coupled to Thomas' first train every day.

Just returned from the show, my first ever visit to a model railway exhibition. Very interesting show in a nice little venue, not too cramped at all, I shall certainly mark my calendar for next year's.