Graham T

I think it's SH 1T

I did threaten to rejig the plan... This has been done using Peco streamline 100, as I understand that it's the same geometry as the Code 75 track. I've taken out the third run of track that used to run next to the passing loop, as it seemed to be a bit redundant, and that makes the goods yard a bit more spacious. "Simplify and add lightness!" I think it's now looking pretty good, but would appreciate any thoughts, especially if I've made any glaring operational errors with it. Thanks Still not entirely sure about the turntable - but I do want to have one.

I suspect they're late because that fireman's busy drinking tea again...

Thanks Johnster for the tips, very useful indeed. I can't see me changing the running gear to be honest, but will try to achieve everything else on the list. Before that though, I'd better finish the plan (hah!) Oh, and build the baseboards. And lay some track. And decide on a control system. And do some wiring. I think I need a lie down!

I left the Navy recently, after 30 years. Not much time for hobbies during that period, and life is still rather busy now - but doing what I can

Gosh. Very impressive, especially the still lifes!

Ah, thank you. I was just thinking of asking to see some of your stuff, so that's really timely.

I'm looking forward to doing that myself, but think it might be a little while yet

Couldn't have put it better myself. Must remember that you're also a painter!

I need to add "glaze the cab windows" to the list as well. I have some kristal klear that should do the trick.

It's a small step for a man, but a giant leap for Chuffnell Regis. The first locos arrived today, via a well-known auction site. I'm really quite pleased with them out of the box, they look far better than the clunky models I remember from my childhood. That being said, I have a long list of improvements I'd like to make, including: Real coal, lamp irons, some light weathering, brass number plates, smokebox darts, paint the details inside the cabs, add crew, change the couplings, add vacuum pipes and fire irons. No doubt there will be more. I particularly like the look of the Dean Goods, I must say. And please excuse the horrible track, I picked up some second-hand in a local shop just so that I would have something for them to stand on!

Thanks very much Johnster. I'm going to build mine in 40 x 36" sections, so they should be "man-luggable" in theory. I need to wait until I have a definite track plan before I build the boards though, so that I can try to avoid having points across baseboard joints if possible. I must confess I haven't even looked at wiring options yet - electrics and soldering are not strong points of mine... My interest is more in the looks of the whole thing, rather than the operation, although of course I want it to look feasible - and I might just want to "play trains" on it now and again too!

Thanks Ben, I could certainly do that with the points I suppose (there will be ten probably, so more than enough to get suitably cross-eyed). But must confess I'm leaning towards Peco at the moment...

As long as we don't see any Fokkers...

Colour version edges it for me, just. Those birds are back!

Still a great deal of head-scratching going on here. Am I right in thinking that Marcway track does not have chairs? If so, my track solution is beginning to look like this... Peco Code 75 BH flexitrack Peco Code 75 BH large radius points on main running tracks, unless I need a curved point, in which case... Peco Code 75 FB curved large radius Peco Code 75 FB double slip Peco Code 75 FB medium radius points for the engine runround crossover and the goods yard I'm hoping that some judicious use of ballast should make everything look absolutely wonderful

I think I may have a cunning plan for how to include the stream running through the layout. I'd appreciate any thoughts on whether this looks like it will work, or if it's actually worthy of something Baldrick might have come up with...

I think skinning children's favourite soft toys might be frowned upon... !

Great idea, and nice execution too!

Noted the three birds motif has made another appearance!

I like the technique, will watch this one with interest!

I've decided that Chuffnell Regis will live in deepest darkest Herefordshire (my home county). So lots of gently rolling hills as the backscenes, and brick buildings mainly. Plenty of cattle traffic. You'll probably see some Lambourn influence in the track plans, with the addition of the bay platform serving a sleepy little branch line. And of course the turntable, which is nothing like Lambourn but - Rule 1! The buildings will be sized similarly to Lambourn I think. Just a small engine shed and goods shed. For those two, I quite like the look of these kits from LCut Creative: Engine shed: http://www.lcut.co.uk/index.php?product=B 00-08&title=B 00-08 Goods shed: http://www.lcut.co.uk/index.php?product=B 00-13&title=B 00-13 I'm also tempted to put a water tower near to the turntable, something like the one at Witney, with a crane in between a couple of the tracks near the end of the platform. For the station building I found a beautiful little former GW station at Rowden Mill, which I'm contemplating having a bash at scratch-building; fortunately that is no doubt a long time in the future though. Does anyone know if plans are available for this building? I also had another brainwave (dangerous I know) and thought about adding a double slip into the station throat, between the run-round crossover and the entrance to the sidings. That would save me a lot of space and help to make the flow of the track around the goods yard and feed into the turntable work better. I did wonder if complex pointwork like this might be more than a small terminus might have, but then thought to myself that the reason I want to use it might well have applied in the real world too i.e. to make better use of the space available. I'd be interested to hear other opinions on this - I suspect there are a few!

Thought they might be - thanks Chris.

Maybe a beehive or two at the farm?

Nicely painted. Where are they from? It looks as if he's getting his ear bent!