paul59

Hi Jam,

I’ve move to this thread to answer your previous message.

No need to apologize for the length of the reply, I am pleased you made such an effort. I really appreciate the words.

Took a look at the link you sent, love the 3D images, very cool. 2D AutoCAD and Anyrail is my limit !!

Back in March 2020 my initial plan was just a diorama based on Bursledon Station, formulated during the first lockdown, I even scratch built the signal box from a period B&W photo. Summer was taken up working on the bungalow I’ve just moved into, but with Lockdown II, I turned my thoughts back to the diorama. By then I had realised that I needed more interest than just a station, So I developed the plan to incorporate a bit of Southampton docks, but to that end I would need to use the loft space. Being that the loft would need extensive insulation work first, I figured I could build the dock scene as a module in the warm spare room while insulation work was put in place. Unfortunately, even given the space, I just couldn’t make it work nicely. I did consider N gauge right at the outset, back in March 2020 and planned to go to the Alley Pally exhibition to see N scale in the flesh then make up my mind. That of course was cancelled and now appears not much hope of getting to a local shop let alone any shows being put on, not for a long while either. So, last week I went out on a limb and ordered some FiNetrax track from British Finescale to be getting on with.

Will a diorama work in N scale?

At least with the change in scale I can achieve that view across the Hamble that I like. Also, with the modular approach I can just concentrate on one bite size bit for now. Don’t get me wrong though, it won’t be a grandiose layout in the loft, simply an end to end with a loop each end, Bursledon station, and branch off to the dock terminal and goods yard. Difficulty now is making the dock scene into a stand-alone diorama, just in case. Also finding suitable rolling stock in N scale. 'USA' class is a must for the dock.

So, at the moment, I’m fighting with my conscience, is a trip to the timber yard considered a necessity in these times……

Meantime, I’ve just received two books for reference, Ian Drummonds books on railways around Southampton and the docks. So, a bit of light reading.

Anyway, I won’t keep you from the paying work,

Keep Safe

Paul

Hi All,

I new to the RMWeb, so still sifting though the myriad of posts,

Just stumbled onto this thread, searching for USA class loco. I must say that this thread holds lots of interest for several reasons.

Reading through Jam’s planning process is really helpful as I am trying to plan my first ever layout, and finding it really hard. So, bearing in mind Jam has 100% more experience than myself, I feel a bit better about my struggle.

Also, the mention of Warsash, my village from ’59-’71, then moved to Essex. My first railway memory was my father and I looking across the Hamble, seeing the steam trains winding along the riverside and crossing the bridges at Bursledon. (something I want to incorporate)

My Dad made his living working on the river, he always had boats, I can recall family trips over to Calshot or up to Bucklers Hard. So, I’ll be intrigued to see how the layout progresses Jam. How’s it going?

Paul.