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.

For me that's not so much a strength of the RWS as much as it is this particular illustrator (team), Gunvor and Peter Edwards. Have attached one of my all-time favourites of theirs, it just oozes atmosphere. Spong did a good enough job but he was a step down in my opinion.

It's a little odd that in one of the earliest books (James the Red Engine IIRC) Gordon states that when he isn't there to pull the express they need two engines, this being at a time when Henry and James were already on the island. Indeed in the very first book the express needed both Edward and Henry to pull it. Yet later books seem to contradict this as Henry, James and even Bear are shown to pull the express without major difficulty. A little embellishment on Gordon's part perhaps?

I also note that despite all these obscure railway mentions the Merioneth and Llantisilly Rail Traction Company Ltd - the home of Ivor the Engine - has not been brought up! Too obvious perhaps?

Going back to the Final Fantasy series of games, there is FFVI's 'Phantom Train' which transports the souls of the dead to the afterlife and is accidentally boarded by the party. Not only is the locomotive fought as a boss battle, but infamously can be suplexed: And then the Guardian Force summon in FFVIII, Doomtrain: The Final Fantasy series seems to like the idea of 'ghost' trains.

Originally it was Thomas and Toby operating the line, Percy came later. So it's possible the extension was built to accommodate the extra engine - later books in the series also show a further extension for Daisy and the coaches. I've always admired the RWS consistency in this regard.