bmthtrains - David

Quite frankly this is terrifyingly good modelling. You have managed to give realism to different building textures incredibly well - the weathering really does it. If I can even achieve something a tenth as realistic as this in my time I will be more than happy!

David

Yes, this will actually be a different era for me - late BR, 80s/90s stuff. I heard a sound 66 and it just sort of hummed, not what you want for ??200! 37s, 31s, 08s, noisy things! I will indulge my fascination with PW stuff, so now have a Toad and 2 Urchins for the 37 to pull, and a nice circle of set track to get to used to DCC on.

The point of any layout I end up with will be to showcase and enjoy the sound locos, as you are right, space is a huge issue and I can acheive far greater things in N

David

The EMUS are long! Too long possibly in fact! I bought a Hornby Toad brake van today, to get used to the size, and actually, it doesn't do much for me! I can see why steam is better in OO as you can appreciate the shapes and curves of the loco, but most modern stuff is basically a box, so when 'blown up' from N to OO, its rather disapointingly unspectacular!

There are certainly OO locos I would like, the sound 37 is on its way, then there's the sound O8 later this year, and hopefully the Bachmann MPV. However, looking at the length of the EMUs I would like, I honestly dont think I can build a layout in OO that would do them justice. I think my foray into OO will be limited to a small shunting/depot layout to run up and down favourite loco models, as when I start to plan anything like a station layout, I immediately see why I model in N!

OO will be for collecting models, N will be for running trains!

David

Right, plunge taken - have ordered a Dynamis controller and a DCC Sound class 37 to play with. For the moment that will have a few yards of track on the table to run on, until I decide whether to embark on a OO layout!

David

Thanks for the advice, I'm going to look into controllers, see what cheap but non-basic ones are available.

It will be very hard to think in OO - having just cut out some lining paper to the size I can play with (13feet x 15inches), what's the first thing I do? Plonk an N gauge 60 on it I could model the approach to Manchester Piccadilly on there!

Must think 'background for nice model locos' and not 'cor, what a huge space!'

David

I'm going to buy a length of track and a wagon at the weekend, and sit and stare at it to help me get into the OO mood!

If I do venture into it, it will certainly be in DCC as I'd like the occasional sound loco, but DCC does seem hugely scary, and there doesn't seem to be much 'beginners' info out there. Ian Morton's DCC book is reprinting, so I can't find a book to give me tips. I need to scour the net for a really basic website - my main thing is, how do you wire the track if its all live - points come to mind!

David

I will steer clear of O gauge for now!! That would get expensive!

Here's how a version of my '4 day layout' would size up in OO. My maximum size, if I keep it thin, at say 16 inches, is 13 feet long, so including a 5 foot run off board (to allow 4 car sets to park up), I end up with 8 feet visible. I've blocked on some sizes of locos and an EMU - but would this entertain me? This stock could only run on this layout, unlike in N, where the stock can go wizzing round Ring Road...

David

Checked and checked again - its only the 67 that is suffering sadly - now up for sale!

Hi Grahame, I'll be fascinated to see how you model the reflective coating, its a really interesting building to be modelling

David

Certainly shows the scale next to that signalling centre! I'm more interested in that track plan in the first photo though. Any chance of a close up?

David

Brute trolleys are available (along with much else!) from BH Enterprises. I must say I do like how this 'version 2' is progressing, keen to see the mail depot when it is done

David

Hi Grahame, I'm building tall buildings for my DLR challenge layout, though the tallest on mine will be about 16 inches. I think as far as height goes, it depends on the proportions of the rest of the layout - is the building by far taller than any other, its position along the length of the layout, and the height of the backscene etc.

Given the scale of what you are modelling, I would say 20 inches sounds just about right, as it will provide a focal point to the layout. It does mean you will need a hefty backscene though!

David

I'm glad its not just me then, but I really have passed the point of no return now. I was interested in the 58, 86 and Pacer, but will now more than likely pass on them, as its just not worth the money!

David

Hi Grahame,

I presume as you're working on buildings, that you have a basic plan already? I am generally nervous if starting on the buildings until I'm certain they will fit where they are going to go

David

Hi Grahame, I've always thought that would make a good model, passing through it on the train regularly. The modern group of the NGS - I've tried several times to join this, and either the website fails, or I never get any reply back from the co-ordinator email listed.

How does one go about getting inside?

David

Hi Grahame, I will look forward to seeing how this progresses. We already know it will be stunning, so please do keep us posted!

What sort of size are you looking at for the layout?

David

Superb! Thanks for posting that Grahame, I've been after some of those for ages!

David

Thanks guys! I have a Model Rail photoshoot later this month, I'm hoping the photographer takes some shots of this kind of angle, the layout has lots of interesting scenes to take in that aren't 'rail' based.

David

So nice to see this up and running again! Version 1 was brilliant, can't wait to see how V2 pans out!

David

Couldn't agree more - a layout I most certainy want to see in the flesh! Its the only model I've ever thought about making a model of! (In N of course )

David

Hi Graham, I tried the Sommerfeldt system on my first layout, but decided that going forward I will simply leave the wires out. In N, the wires would be something like 0.1 mm thick, so anything like chicken wire etc would just be too chunky.

I am tempted to superglue the pantographs up in position in future. Interestingly, Dapol's 86 is supposed to have a 'half' setting that lets it run up while still clearing their forthcoming catenary masts.

David

You can have an RMWeb button - simply save your bookmark to the main screen!

David

Thanks all! If I had more time (well I could just do more in some evenings really, but the point was just to have a bit of fun), it would be the trackwork. The very quick ballasting was really only to cover up the muck under the track - if it had been 'clean' under there, I might not have even bothered. Another 4 days would probably get the track looking good, and smarten up some of the buildings too

David

Thanks all - the Bear is good at ballasting...

David

Thanks guys! I'm off work this week, so will probably get a fair bit done (though really not in a ballasting mood, so might avoid the trackwork until absolutely vital).

David