Standby

Phil, thanks for your comments. I like the idea of being able to run a train around a loop rather than just having an end to end layout. I would probably have the top left of the loop go behind thick vegetation / trees / shallow cutting, something like that so it is accessible from above. Maybe not the most realistic, but a compromise I'm willing to make. As for the junctions, I'm not sure if the middle left and right sides of the layout will be scenic. The focus will certainly be on the top and bottom of the layout. I haven't given much thought to a fiddle yard at the moment. Certainly I have room, maybe at the expense of a small terminus at the bottom of the layout. If I can get away without a fiddle yard and run a session from trains set up at the through station and a terminus at the bottom of the layout, that would be ideal. All good points to consider and exactly why I'm posting my ideas whilst I'm very wet behind the ears! Neil

I'm learning the ropes and getting more of an idea for my layout. Western Region branchline running early diesels with the odd steam loco, so 1960's. I would like to operate to some kind of time table with a few passenger trains, also goods trains and shunting. I have a 12'6' x 10' room to play with, so I think I can get away with a loop around the room eventually, but really want to focus on the through station to start. I keep coming back to Wivelscombe Station in Devon as a starting point. I think it will fit in the space I have and isn't too ambitious. This is how I think it might fit in the space I have as a first draft. The door to the room is bottom right, so I'll need to have a lift out section there. I don't want to cram too much in, but also want the eventual layout to be interesting to operate. I also have potential for a terminus at the other end of the room... but that's another discussion for some other time. So really looking for thoughts on the through station and how it fits in with the outer loop. Neil

Thanks Kris, I'll have a look at those. Neil

Hi, I'm planning my first layout whilst reading "Railway Modelling the Realistic Way" by Iain Rice and looking for recommendations for other good books. I appreciate there's much information on the internet, but it's also nice to have some books. Plans so far are for a OO gauge country branchline in the 60's so I can run some steam and diesel, with passenger and goods trains. The focus is more on diesel and goods / shunting and I have space (12' x 10' room) for a through station and a terminus. It will probably be in Devon (yeah, another Devon layout!) as it's an area of the country I love and am familiar with, also there's plenty of resources available. I'd find most books about the modelling itself interesting (I've been building scale models for many years) and I particularly need to learn about realistic operation and signalling. Any suggestions appreciated. Neil

Perfect. I'm sending my decoder off next week. For £15 it's worth hearing the difference. Neil

I also emailed Bachmann to ask if the engine sound should rev for this long. This was their reply: "The rev up & back to idle sequence has to take a certain amount of time , you cannot cut it short without it sounding like it has been suddenly cut off which would sound odd . It’s like ‘blipping’ your cars throttle , the revs take certain amount of time to build up & fade away & you cannot shorten that time ." Neil

Thanks for all the replies. It seems that the Bachmann sound is working as it should be, pretty poor I think, but there you go. It's certainly put me off buying factory fitted sounds from them. It is actually a Zimo decoder, I'll have a chat with Digitrains as they are also sorting out sound on a Heljan 07 for me. Neil

Thank you, I thought as much. I'll email the shop I bought it from to see what they say. Certainly makes slow movements unrealistic, and the engine happily revving as it comes to a halt is annoying. Not sure if it's just the loco I have or a large oversight by Bachmann. Neil

I've just bought a Bachmann Class 121 with the factory fitted sound and if I apply the slightest amount of throttle and immediately return it to zero the engine keeps spooling up for another 8 seconds or so before returning to idle. Would this be how it is on the prototype?

I am considering this as well. Certainly a good excuse to run what I like.

Rule 1, I had to look that up. I'll be sticking to that rule.

I also have the CK strippers and they work well. Slightly cheaper from Toolstation.

Thank you wirey33, this is exactly the information I needed. Neil

I did watch a couple last night, definitely helpful. Thank you Neil

Nicely summarised. Watching several YouTube videos has opened my eyes (or should that be ears?!) to the options available. I agree, in fact I have already built a 6 x 1 baseboard to practice on. I'll be comfortable enough with the wiring but will definitely want to practice positioning point motors accurately. I have ideas for the eventual layout; branch line, small passenger trains (hence the Class 121 to start with) and some industries / businesses having goods delivered by the Class 20 with the Class 08 shunting. Modelling the scenery and buildings will be something I'll really enjoy as I've been building various types of models for nearly 40 years. The biggest learning curve for me will be how to operate the layout, but that's part of the challenge and I think I'll enjoy researching that. And if I do this whilst I build my practice set up I'll hopefully have a good idea of how the final layout will look. Neil

Thank you for all your advice so far. Certainly, talking to my local model shop would be ideal, but I have Asperger's so that's not so straight forward! Going somewhere I haven't been before, talking to someone I don't know is something I would find difficult. My partner would help here, but she doesn't know everything I want to ask, and it's still uncomfortable for me. I don't plan on buying all the locos at once, I know what controller I would like and any track I buy will be used as I have a few similar layout ideas. I know I would like the locos mentioned in my first post and I'm slowly working out whether I need to buy the relevant Hornby, Bachmann, Dapol or the Heljan with your help. Neil

Thank you so much for your reply, lots of useful information. From what you say I would probably choose an aftermarket sound and decoder. I’m not into trains per-se, so I have no idea what anything should sound like, hence needing advice! I’d rather spend the money on something good now than find myself wanting to upgrade later. As regards for what I want, it’s really whichever locos from the list perform / look the best, that’s what’s most important to me. I’ll be buying new and happy to wait a few months if there’s a newer model due. Neil

Hi, I’m finally going to build a OO gauge layout and need some advice on my first locos. I’ve got no particular era or location planned at the moment, just want to get going with something. I’ll want sound and lights on them all and I’m getting a bit confused with all the options on sound, possibly fitting lights, new releases ‘coming soon’ etc. Advice on what to go for, if should wait for an imminent new release and the best sound options (are the factory fitted sounds okay?) on the locos below would be appreciated. Class 08 - any in blue Class 20 - probably in green Class 17 - green or blue Class 121 - green with whiskers Thanks in advance for your time. Neil