Beacon

Hi Jam, A few thoughts... Apart from those things already mentioned, I think that there are two reasons why larger layouts of the roundy-roundy variety tend to attract more time and attention from viewers. Firstly, with the larger size tends to come the feeling of space and the railway being set into the environment whether urban or rural . Secondly comes full-size and regular train movements. I think you and others have shown that it is possible to achieve the feeling of space equally well in a small layout. With your effective use of a photographic background and the slightly unusual shape making use of the features of the prototype, particularly at the beach, I think you can make your layout seem much larger and thereby potentially more interesting to viewers. The second, I suppose, is slightly harder. Although trains on a prototype like Calshot would be smaller than say a mainline station, you don't have the space for very long trains nor would a very frequent service be likely. I think if you can find an interesting balance between standard gauge and narrow gauge, passenger and goods and give viewers enough to watch whilst maintaining realism and not overdoing it (which, as with detail, many layouts fail to limit themselves in effectively) you will have a successful small exhibition layout. I have also always found it easier to chat to an operator about his/her layout if it is fairly small and there is only one operator. Of course this is not always so and depends on how proactive and responsive the operator is. I think that, regardless of your age, if a viewer can see you have some skill from looking at your layout and then gets a sense of your interest and enthusiasm on speaking to you then you will be a success. Finally, I don't think you need to be so modest when it comes to point 4) on your list. Your modelling is already quite impressive and constantly improving (as hopefully is everyone's!). I can't wait to see how this is going to progress. Sorry for rambling. Hope some of my thoughts are helpful - I'm still racking my brains for some more practical ideas I can suggest for the layout and how you can fit in all the features you want but I doubt I'll come up with anything better than you will anyway! Peter

Enjoying the Fawley Branch video thanks! Quite a few photos I haven'e seen before.

Marchwood is currently awaiting a rebuild of the boards as the current ones just aren't up to the job. Have started the plans for the station building but haven't managed the visit yet - work has been rather hectic of late! Thanks for asking. Look forward to seeing what you come up with for Calshot Mk2...

A bigger and better Calshot - excellent!

Thanks everyone for the comprehensive and interesting replies. I'm quite surprised to hear that rather than becoming simpler and more standardised in modern times, diesel locos are probably less likely to be compatible than steam locos were/are. I can't think of a particular reason for this situation but theoretically could a Class 66 or similar be connected to a DMU or EMU? I know the Virgin Class 57s had special couplings to allow them to attach to Pendolinos.

Hi All, Sorry if this is an obvious question but can any locomotive class/type be coupled to any other? I think I know that to actually work in multiple there are certain restrictions but when it comes to, for example, hauling a dead loco or similar does it matter? I have seen some photos of unusual combinations when preserved locos are being moved ready for open days etc. The reason for asking is that I'd like to be as accurate as possible when running model trains and wouldn't want to couple up something that in real life just wouldn't be possible! Thanks to anyone who is able to shed any light!

Oh no Captain Electra! Don't start offering fictional livery vinyls you'll be draining my bank account! At least you didn't say in OO! If I modelled in N I'd be taking you right up on that offer and I'd love to see the results of anyone who tries. Hairyhandedfool - I love the 158s you've done in different liveries. I'm currently about to start trying a Class 166 in Southwest Trains!

Thanks. When mine arrives I'll have to give it a go. I still have a couple of 170s to do anyway!

Thanks for all the useful guides published so far. Any chance of one for the Bachmann voyager units?

I'm so glad that this thread has returned. I love it! That Stobart Class 70 doesn't look half bad! There was mention on the old forum of a basic tutorial for all of us dimwits who drool over the images but can't make our own Any offers or is this an unbelievably huge task that I'm asking?

I hope you don't mind me hijacking your post slightly but if you or anyone is interested I've started to post my own progress here. Look forward to seeing how your project progresses too!

Chopsticks from the Chinese restaurant come in very handy for things like this! Loving your progress as ever. That last B+W shot looks great. Everything is looking very 'natural' where you are placing it and I think the curved edges of your board help too. Can't wait to see it with the completed castle!

ABP = Associated British Ports who own and run Southampton Docks. I've taken the livery (is that the right term for boats?) from their pilot and harbour patrol vessels and applied it to Hermann. I keep meaning to start a thread showing my progress but haven't got around to it yet! I may well start on the other two as well, then there is always something to work on! Not quite sure what I'm going to do with Arkona yet but the RNLI boat will be built as an RNLI boat!

Yep it is indeed a 'what if' - I am painting mine in the colours of ABP to represent a vessel working out of Southampton. I am making some slight changes as I go too but I'm no expert on shipping so I'm sure it is a highly unlikely scenario I'm creating, but I'm enjoying it all the same! I'm just awaiting some LEDs before I move along as I'm planning to add lights both inside and out. I then have the Severn class and the Arkona on the workbench ready to go after this one is finished! It feels a bit like the start of a completely new hobby!! I assume you've built the Severn already? Any tips?

Yes it is a bit pricey and I have no idea how good it is! Have you built the Hermann yet? I'm building it at the moment (although not as Hermann) and enjoying it very much.

Langley make a lifebaot that is modernish but its the only onw I'm aware of in this scale apart from those you've alreadty mentioned. Langley Rother Lifebaot

If only... and how about having it docked next to the new Oasis of the Seas!!! Back in the real world - I am amazed and in awe of your work and this just looks better and better every day. I've been inspired to finally start work on a Revell kit 'Hermann Marwede' and to have a go at some slight kitbashing with it. I long to be able to build something of this quality though - and from scratch too! Thank you for sharing this - my only problem is that you make it look so easy and I just know if I tried it wouldn't look half as good!

This is a simply stunning piece of work - WOW! I can't remember if you had put any of this on the old forum but I'd love to know what you are basing the model on as well as the pictures if anything? Do you have scale plans or drawings of the boat and if so how did you get them? Have you modelled the gadgets etc. on the bridge from photos, plans or just what looks right? Again, this is an amazing piece of work. I can only dream of attempting something similar one day!