Iskra

Hereford models have some going pretty cheap but from memory they were mainly 105’s and 101’s.

I've just got the instructions for my Bachmann DCC Sound 37 out and it says that using Function F15 On/Off cycles through the five different volume settings from quietest to loudest. So it might be worth giving that a go first.

In terms of increasing the volume, there should be an instruction sheet that tells you how to do it included.

Sorry for the delayed response. I've got it and the sounds are very good.

Might buy it, just to be sadistic.

I might be being daft here, or perhaps I've missed something, but why don't the blue and green tracks meet at the top of your layout?

Yes, I think it's like anything you have to do your research and be prepared to shop around. It seems most retailers seem to have a few items at a very good price and the rest isn't so attractive. It's a good way of retailers getting free advertising by getting onto this thread though. Hereford models must have done a good trade this week and a lot of the Ellis stuff has been snapped up quick.

I've recently come across some pictures of them in West Yorkshire too, which was also news to me! Just by way of update, I have managed to secure an extra 2x4ft board to extend the fiddle yard on running days only, so that allows me to fit in everything I desire on the layout with the train length I was wanting too

Brilliant, I picked up the DCC sound class 20. Thank you for that. Quite a collection someone had there!

Steam trains can still be obvious from the air at night when working. Interesting information though about the D311 though.

Looks cool, almost like the Allied warships dazzle paint scheme's. Of course, camouflaging steam locomotives was fairly pointless as they were obvious from a very long way away in cold weather, especially from an aircraft.

I've been very productive over this lockdown and have ordered quite a lot from: Rails of Sheffield Bure Valley Models TMC Kernow Howes Triangman Dapol Model Scenery Supplies I've found them all very good and efficient to be honest. Delivery times have been great. The only things that have taken longer have been items that were customised, but that is to be expected.

I ordered a DCC fitted Bachmann 2MT from them the other day, it was a good price and arrived quick

I'm in! A weeks free/cheap holiday and I will bring you a suitcase full of whatever railway items you need (once it is safe to travel). Realistically, this would be 2021 though. (Feel free to PM me for further discussion).

I agree, the bottom of the L has made things much harder when seeing what works. The good news is that there is the physical possibility of an emergency fiddle yard extension when the layout is in use, up to another two feet if it was found to be absolutely necessary. I really like your design above, it fills the space well. Complicated shunting is no bad thing on a model rail layout! Thank you for the time and effort you have put into that.

Hi, the entire bottom of the L would only be 6 foot in total (although it may be possible to extend it slightly if needed in the future). I was hoping to 'slew' the scenic break diagonally to provide more space on layout and a bit of space for a scenic area (small military camp, with associated buildings and a small custom-built small-arms firing-range). I do like the addition of that corner bit of triangular baseboard though, that is a great idea.

That's a good idea I will have a look into it. - - - - - - - - - Thank you to everyone who has contributed suggestions thus far!

Thank you very much for the excellent information! I think at this point, being my first attempt, 100% accuracy is very optimistic During research I came across a photo of a Clan at Lancaster and guessed that was probably unusual, but you've done very well to hear of one at St Albans!

Wow, thank you that is an excellent layout that gets a lot in, I will have a good look at that to see what inspiration I can draw from it. I agree about keeping the tracks parallel, I think it looks better generally apart from like in the Kyle example where you want to convey an undulating branch line effect.

Thank you. All my fleet are currently Bachmann as I've never had any issues with their stock so I will try keep it that way as much as possible. I was looking at the Heljan class 27 though.

The 03 is the MOD one from the Bachmann military manouvre's train set, so I'm hoping it can worm its way on that basis with the MOD sidings. Class 21 and 17 sound good though thank you! The remaining diesels are BR Green though.

Hello all, I'm looking to create my first DCC 00-gauge model rail layout. I'm modelling a fictional coastal Scottish terminus which is just on the edge of the central belt so receives mainly commuter services, with the occasional longer distance train. This is set in the early 1960's so that I can run both steam and diesel. The black boxes represent platform faces. The shortest platform is designed so that local trains or parcels/vans can use it, but equally so that engines can be stabled and lightly serviced at the end of that road where there is no platform face. The bottom track will be mainly for freight with the centre being a freight unloading area, the right-end being a whisky distillery and the left end two sidings leading into a small military logistics base (no tanks etc, just the more mundane fuel, ammo, supplies etc). The fiddle yard is on the left. My main issue is that my baseboards will be like an 'L' shape. The long length of the L will be 10 feet in total, but the width is only 2 feet. If anyone has any suggestions to use this space more efficiently please let me know. My other concern is that it is a bit congested so if anyone has any ideas to free up more space for buildings/scenery while keeping the basic premise of the layout that would be appreciated. Also, although set in the 1960's I was not born until 1990 so if anyone can see any major holes in the layout for 60's operations, such wisdom would be gratefully received. Rolling stock is currently a class 03, class 20, class 101, Standard 4 Tank, Stanier Jubilee and WD Austerity 2-8-0. Coaches are mainly suburban MK1's, with some standard MK1's plus, BR Vans, grain hoppers, coal hoppers and fuel tanks. Realistically-achievable maximum train length will be 4 Standard MK1's plus a tender locomotive- this would be able to 'run-around' in the top platform, but have to be 'shunt released' from the middle one. All feedback is appreciated. If I've missed anything obvious information I will be happy to clarify. I've attached a crude diagram below: