TEAMYAKIMA

That's quite a claim ! Did the judges know of this ?

I have absolutely no axe to grind here, but this is a major claim being made by Barry. It implies that the whole process is corrupt. It questions the honesty/integrity of the judges. I hope Barry has written proof of these claims. If he has he should publish it here.

May I defend the TV company here Nothing personal against Barrie or anyone 'defending' him - but like it or not ................. Whilst the production company may have selectively edited things, at the end of the day he did say those things. I feel that he had the right to think those thoughts and I probably agree with him - it's just you might not want to actually say them out loud - and to a journalist with a TV camera turned on. And if you do say them out loud you have to take the consequences. On the contrary, if I remember correctly, Barrie was shown warmly congratulating the winners and smiling broadly. Let me finish by making it clear that I was extremely impressed by the very advanced concepts of the Missenden layout and that in normal circumstances I would agree with Barrie. I think that the Missenden layout had what it takes to be the best layout, but only by ignoring the basic rules of the competition. In other words it became the best by, at the very least, bending the rules. I look forward to seeing the Missenden layout completed.

Good morning everyone. This is a bit off-topic so PLEASE don't reply to this request here on this thread as eventually I will delete this particular post - if you can help please send me a PM. Has anyone out there got a S12 caboose they would sell? I have four and I thought that would be enough but I've decided that ideally I need three more - please send me PM if you can help. Thanks

Thanks everyone!

Hello I must admit that I don't regularly shop at Lidl - there isn't one local to me (at the moment!) But I have one of their showcases on my wall - and I'd like more now. My understanding is that all Lidl items are 'limited availability for a couple of weeks' - they come, they go. But also that weeks/months/years later they return - again just for a few weeks I bought mine in 2016. Does anyone know if they are currently available? Might they return? I have looked at their website to no avail Thanks

I had a strange feeling that he modelled 3mm in Essex but I may be wrong , but definitely British.

An afternoon's work produced just one car .....

The depot is NOT finished, but I'm keen to start two new projects. I want more variety on the industrial line. I want to make a train like this .....

Starting today this thread has moved from the 7mm specialist scale section into the 'layout topics' section. This is to hopefully bring our layout to a new broader audience. This is partly because the group's membership is not entirely made up of 7mm modellers. This is a club project and several club members who model OO, N or even HO at home have been attracted to this layout within the club because they like the fit of the project. They like it because it is an accurate representation of a real place. They like it because it requires different skill sets and levels - even though it is a very high quality layout there are always jobs for the less-skilled, where the less experienced member can contribute They like it because there is a wide range of stock that can be run prototypically on the layout. They like it because it's a friendly welcoming group. Hopefully some more 'generic' modellers will find this project as interesting as we do!

Our next exhibition is Peterborough in December and the group are keen to build on the experience they gained at Aly Paly. So improvements have been made that should make operation a little simpler for the operators and more interesting for viewers. As a result the group are now having more regular running sessions to learn more on how to get the best out of these innovations. We don't just run GWR ....... Although this fiddle yard shot might give you that impression! Just to put the record straight ...... Lastly here is Pat .... he's not number-crunching (that's trainspotting in old speak) ............ he's checking on the new point rodding he's been fitting over the last few months ....

The C16 Bumblebee, the C&S 2-6-0 and the Custom Brass C21 have now all gone. That just leaves the upgraded, super detailed, DCC, Soundtraxxed Balboa C21. I don't have room to display this model any more and so I would like to sell it - no point in keeping a loco like that in a box 24/7. So I have reduced the BIN price to make it more attractive - but I'm still open to offers.

Nice work Al - glad you're keeping busy!

Am looking for the detail add-on pack for a Bachmann HO Chinese QJ 2-10-2 - in particular the brake rigging - can YOU help? Thanks Paul

This is the inspiration for my depot. This is not actually a passenger station but in many ways it suits the bill. I think the prototype would be a railway administration building where passengers might tickets rather than an actual station as we know it..

The depot progresses...

Two narrow doors that both open

Thanks. Yes, that's the way I'm going.

Yesterday I did something I haven't done for over 40 years - started scratch building a structure. It's going to be the industrial railway depot. My depot is inspired by the one at Tiefa as the industrial passanger service is inspired by Tiefa, but I cannot find any photos of the depot in any of my files - can anyone help? Anyway, I've made a start ...... but I cannot make up my mind on one issue. The doors.......................... My original idea was to have two aluminium double doors side by side, like this mock up ..... But I'm worried that makes it look too much like a shopping mall entrance - and this station might only see three trains a day in each direction and then only workers going to the steel mill. So now thinking of a single double door and narrowing the building to keep balance as the windows on one side are already in place. This isn't Tiefa, but maybe this is the closest I have on file - Baiyin depot.

I have been working on the project recently - honestly!! It's just mainly been 'behind the scenes' stuff - not very photogenic! I have been spending hours working on the route selection issue. Not actually on the electronics, but the thinking behind the route selection options available to operators - in other words I have been putting a lot of thought into how the layout will be operated at an exhibition and how I can make that easier (and stressfree) for the operators. The route selection is restricted (by the electronics) to 25 options. There are 18 FY roads and so a simple 'roundy roundy' route with the trains returning to their original FY road will be designated 1,2,3 etc. There will be six more complex options where trains traverse one or two crossovers ( # 8 turnouts ) on the scenic section to gain entry to (or leave) a major freight yard assumed to be just off scene and yet again return to their original FY road - these routes will require operators to liaise with each other. I have also been gluing bits back onto locos - all that detail on Bachmann steamers is great but soooo fragile! Lastly, have been working on train formations and allocating specific locos to specific trains. Hopefully, this will make life at Stevenage much easier for the team and more interesting for the public.

The C16 still has the old PFM sound equipment - I never got around to having it converted to DCC and I realise that is a problem and so have knocked that one down quite a bit - it would be easy enough to convert to DCC sound - Mick Moignard is the best man for the job, he converted my other ones.

I have actually reduced two of them today and I'll keep reducing them until they sell. I'll keep 3 or 4 of them for old time's sake, but I can't afford to keep 6/7 expensive locos in a showcase when I don't model in that gauge any more. But I am open to offers!!!!

Yes, but a lot of watchers do just that - watch! My theory is that many people 'watch' because they have a similar model and want to get an idea of what their own model is worth!

I have just added this C16 # 268 in bumblebee livery!

I still have the original two ON3 locos on ebay - still awaiting YOUR offers! Now have added another. This time in authentic D&RGW livery!