glo41f

Another question on the operation of Little Bytham. The pictures of the (huge) fiddleyards indicate that the up and down sections are discreet. So how does for example the up Queen of Scots get back? Ideally the loco and train should re appear some time later on the down direstion. Or do you not bother and just run a sequence of trains in each direction? Is there any rule in place as to the loco used i.e. if a Gateshead loco is seen hauling the up train, when back in the fiddle yard it is moved to the other end of the yard ready to be seen at some stage hauling a down train back to its home shed? Gosh things could get very complex but it would make the spotters on the platforms lives very interesting! The M&GN presumably lends it self to some sort of automatic operation on a timed interval basis with a train circulating in each direction alternately. Martin Long Stationmaster Happisburgh Norfolk

Tony Thank you for the information. Being an operations type I will be interested to see the sequence you intend to use. I know how a realistic sequence enhances the enjoyment of a model and when a group all participate it is one of the finest attributes of this wonderful hobby. When I was a regular operator on Wallsea, we all derived great satisfaction in running the sequence with many multiple moves without much verbal communication such was the level of expertise. The car (and the numberplate) 1 GOG belongs to a local wealthy person (well he has more money than I am ever likely to have) and at the time I took the rather poor picture , it was on a GE Blue Jaguar Coupe. I took the picture and wanted to put a spoof on the Gauge 0 Guild website about the Presidents "offical" car but the hierachy had a sense of humour failure based on the premise that the membership would believe it so it was pulled. As a further thought, if the standard of 4mm was as good as it now is back in 1970, I would never have converted to 7mm. Who would have thought then that it would be possible to have pretty well a complete BR Eastern Region loco stud with matching coaches to a detail level which is hard to achive even by scratch building, straight from the box. You do not know how fortunate you are chaps! Regards Martin Long Stationmaster Happisburgh Norfolk

Wow what a most interesting thread this is! I have greatly enjoyed seeing the model pictures and Mr Wright's layout is very close to what I would build given the space. You 4mm types really have it made these days with the super models you can buy more or less off the shelf. When I first changed to 7mm, it was largely build it yourself (and to some extent still is though the likes of Heljan have made things easier.) I have always admired TW's work and the wonderful pictures that he has produced over the years. I also appreciate the frankness that he has expressed in how he has come to where he has one of the country's top layouts. I do wonder how Little Bytham is/will be operated? Will you try to replicate a timetable at a specific time or just run trains on a demand basis? Given the level of perfection achieved, it would be a shame not to run it as it was in life. One of the things I am envious of is the ability to opt out of "reality" and sit and run trains whilst drinking a mug of tea or something stronger. In 7mm this is not usually possible. Thank you for sharing this with us. Greatly appreciated. Regards Martin Long Stationmaster Happisburgh

I had the pleasure of knowing Frank when he was still living in North London and used to attend the Model Railway Cub on thursday evenings. He was always approachable and would help out with advice when asked. I can recall the first exhibition of Borchester Market at the MRC show at Wembley when the croawd was five deep all around and for most of the day. You could not get near it! It was an amazing railway then and now and I am am so pleased that it is still around to inspire us. I do hpe the present owners continue the spirit of the line and operated as Frank would have done. Thank you chaps for saving it. By the way I would love to have a play! Regards Martin Long

What an interesting topic! It has resurrected many memories for me. I remember blowing a weeks pocket money on the 100th issue Railway Modeller which had Mr Penfold's layout in. Up to that time I did not know such magazines existed. I know my mum was none too impressed that I had spent it all on this! My list would have to be the Original Borchester (and its replacement), the original Wallsea which I spent hours watching at Central Hall when it was first exhibited there. In fact I went back to the show for the next three days to watch it and got to know the builder very well. Chee Tor must also be in the list though I never saw it in the flesh so to speak. I was also greatly taken with the Berrow Branch and Charford and one of Ken Payne's 4mm efforts which was a main line station. These layouts inspired me to try harder and I am still trying! The true test for me is realistic operation and not necessarily the scenery and track. I have to say that there are not many "modern" layouts that hit the spot for me these days. Regards Martin Long

Interesting nostalgic gallop here with many memories re-activated. Mention has been made of the East Coast Models range. These were a joint effort between Nick Campling (who did the instructions etc.) and Gerry Brown who was a very skilled modelmaker. He was the patternmaker behind many of the Nucast Kits and was a member of Ipswich MRA.He wanted to branch out on his own as he felt that working for Nu Cast was not very remunerative. His brass masters were a work of art. I recall the L1 being assembled in the raw brass and it all fitted perfectly. The original concept was a white metal cast chassis which Gerry trued up on his lathe and drilled the axle holes. He used to say that if full sized locos ran in white metal axleboxes, a 4mm model would not wear out! Interestingly, an L1 from the kit and Frank Dyer's scratch built one were bot running on the MRC test tracks and the scratch built one was a few millimetres longer. ABC models under the arches at London Bridge, had a very knowledgeable lady working there. At the time their trackwork was the most realistic around. Hamblings never had much stock in the latter years unlike W&H which had stuff all over. Hadley Hobbies was always good for some interesting things. I saw my first G1 stuff there. They opened on Sundays as they were in the area of Petticoat Lane Market. Never bothered much with Victors as not moved by the Continental/US stuff they sold. Sad that all has gone now and London is the loser. Regards to all. Martin Long

Chaz This is an exellent effort and is looking very good. I am most intrigued by the techniques you have used and the impressive results. I have to make a goods yard for my layout and seeing yours, it has made me think that I should make it removable so I can take it to shows if asked. I hope the first showing went well. Please keep the inspiration flowing. Martin

What a co-incidence! Due to the inclemency of the weather resulting in being housebound, I have been reading my old MRJ's and had just got to the matter of the Great Exhibition. I was an operator at that show and was able to see Hursley on several occasions during the show. It was ground breaking in its concept and execution and must be one of the seminal UK layouts of all time. The show itself was brilliant and unmissable but I quite sympathise with those faced with standing in queues for two hours giving up and going home. Periodically during the show, announcements were made for people inside to move on and leave as there were hundreds outside waitng to get in. After one of these pleas a chap near me remarked to his companion "I have only just got in and they want me to go" As exhibitors, we were asked to stay open later than the published times to accommodate the huge queues. Never was I and my son more grateful for an exhibitors pass! Given personal predjudice, my favourites to go to the virtual show would be: Hursley Garsdale Road (David Jenkinson) Borchester Market (Frank Dyer) Wallsea Main (Barrie Walls) Copenhagen Fields (MRC) Chee Tor (Manchester MRC) Bath Green Park (Taunton MRC) Dunwich (Roy Jackson) Evercreech Junction (Julian Birley) Romsey (Southampton MRC?) You will note a bias towards the steam era! I am afraid the model stuff does absolutley zippo for me. It would be interesting to learn what other folk think for the show. Regards Martin Long