Barry Ten

I'm the worst for leaving the boring jobs until the last minute, but for this layout I was determined not to be caught out and to try and get ahead on the less exciting tasks, including sorting out the fascia and the lighting rig. It'll still be a mad rush at the end I know, but at least the presentational aspects should be reasonably finished. This view shows most of the layout, with a start made on the fascia, and also with the LED lighting in place for the first time. The latter definitely gives a different aspect to the whole thing, reducing shadows and generally cooling down the overall look compared to the "ambient" lighting I was making do with before, basically just whatever lamps I could get hold of. Another view in the opposite direction. I'm pleased with how the rear retaining wall's texture pops out under the LED, compared to how it looked before. I used a single cabinet-light style batten from B&Q, which runs the whole length of the layout. The unit itself was incredibly light, a real advantage compared to the fluorescent tubes I've used in the past. I've attached it to a demountable boom which projects out over the layout from the fiddle yard end (so only attached at the left hand side) and which bolts on and off very easily. I'm pretty sure the whole layout will fit in the car with the lighting rig still in place, but for the sake of a few moments it's probably sensible to take it on and off. A few more general shots follow, just to give a flavour of how the layout looks under the new light. There is still much to be done, but at least as I push forward now, it'll be with the knowledge that the lighting is more or less settled, especially important when it comes to things like the backscene where you want to be painting under consistent illumination. Of course one can't make all that much allowance for the ambient light at the exhibition venue itself, but the dominant light source ought to be from the LED now. Incidentally with the lighting rig in place, it's STILL just possible to reach behind the layout from the front, so front-of-house operation is still an option, even if it requires some awkward contortions on the part of the exhibitor! Best keep off the pies between now and August... Cheers and thanks for reading.

Bourne looks to have been a marvellous layout, even in its unfinished condition. I don't know anything about the circumstances behind its demise, but one can hope that it still provided a lot of enjoyment and satisfaction as a work in progress. Speaking only for myself, layouts start "paying back" fairly early in the process, even when there's still much to be done. I suppose I could be a serial layout builder, having (since 2006) built Cogirep (French HO), Paynestown (4mm), L'Heure Bleue (French HO again) and now Paynestown 2 (N) but these have always been viewed as side-projects to the two main, on-going layouts, King's Hintock/Stourpayne Marshall (4mm permanent home layout) and the Gulf, Atlanta & Eastern (N) which occupies the same footprint as the former, only built on a lower level. I doubt I'll ever "finish" either of these but they've long since paid me back in terms of enjoyment, and there are enough complete-looking scenes that they look reasonably complete to the uninitiated; it's just that I've always got plans for further development. I dismantled my older home layout in 2007 prior to moving house. At that point it was unfinished, but it didn't really owe me anything and I'd managed to get into one of the magazines, so there was very little regret once the demolition started. Al

Be that as it may, from what I can see of the French model scene over the last decade or so, there's still been a fair bit of duplication between the major makers - eg Jouef and REE both releasing similar-spec models of the same prototypes within a close timeframe, as well as others.

Supposed to help with jetlag, too, by allowing gradual illumination/dimming of the cabin. I only flew on one once, coming back from the States, but I did find it a pleasant experience.

Although not in remotely the same league as the brilliant work of Kelvin and Robin, I was inspired to take a couple of level-crossing shots on my own layout. These gates are servo-operated which is fine if you're a mechanical or electronics wizard. In the hands of a bodger like me, though, they've proved quite a pain to set up and then maintain. Also, since they're not interlocked, I live in constant fear of driving a train through them, so they mostly stay closed to road traffic. However, they are fun for the occasional photo.

They look a lot like Alco PA1s to me.

What an utterly charming scene, beautifully observed, and such a pleasing combination of tones.

I struggled with 'O' and 'A' level chemistry for this reason. I might be mischaracterising it but much of it seemed to be learning the names of different reagents and the colours they changed to in the presence of other chemicals ... not a hope in hell! Whereas with physics, provided you learned a few basic principles and methods, the rest was just application rather than memorisation.

Here are a few shots showing progress on Paynestown, my valleys terminus project in N. It's a nice holiday from 4mm - in fact, a bit too tempting! best, Al

In support of the above show, here are a few shots showing current progress on Paynestown (N) which the organisers have kindly allowed me to bring. I very much look forward to supporting the exhibition, a stone's throw from my old school, Barry Island Primary (1973-1974).

Same here, my first ventures into trying to improve RTR were down to Richard Gardner's articles, which always seemed to approach the subject in an entertaining and encouraging manner.

34103 Calstock arrives at Stourpayne Marshall with a Bath-Bournemouth stopping train.

Here's a recent loco which I acquired in finished form. It's from the same large collection of kit-built locos that included the Mike Edge-built G&SWR 4-6-0 I showed a while back. I don't know the builder or painter of this Nu-Cast LSWR Jubilee but it's been finished to a very high standard indeed and runs beautifully. It's got tender pickup in addition to the drivers. I've always thought these were exceptionally handsome locos, so I'm delighted to have acquired one. It was a very reasonable price too. Al

Both of which now seem to be relatively scarce on the second hand market, so well worth having. I've seen very few Farish 64XXs come up on ebay in the last year or so, and similarly with the 56XXs (I know, because it took me a long time to acquire a third one, after deciding two just wasn't enough!). I presume both models must have sold very well, and those who have them must be reasonably satisfied and not looking to move them on.

Just a quickie here, a short video showing a train arriving, running around and departing again. Rinse and repeat!

Thanks Craig. I've done nothing but play with N stuff for the last few months, so it's temporarily become the "one true" scale as far as I'm concerned, and I could easily see the potential of remaining in N/2mm for good. However I MUST exercise discipline and not allow this to become the seed for yet more modelling distraction!

I know what you mean. I should probably clarify that for the normal viewing angles (if the layout's in its intended position on a tabletop) then you'd still see all the wheels, but if you get your eye level down really low then the fence comes into play, as it did on the original Paynestown: However it would be quite an uncomfortable angle unless the layout was raised up considerably! As for why it's intended to be a tabletop layout, the idea was just to come up with something that had exhibition potential, but which required the absolute minimum of support infrastructure. With the whole thing on one just board, it easily fits in the back of the car, with room left over for a stock box, controller and the intended detachable lighting rig (which I still haven't made yet). Not needing to add legs or trestles would allow three people to travel in the car in addition to the layout, which has never been possible with my previous efforts. However, it does require someone at the other end to provide table and chair, so we'll see how that plays out in practise! At the moment it's booked for the Barry show in August, and the SWAG do next year, although for the latter it might do a swapsie with my Porthmadog 009 thing if I can progress that far enough.

I generally buy models on a voluntary basis, based on my desires and budgetary means.

Nothing very dramatic here, just a bit more progress in the general direction of scenery. I've begun adding some additional fencing along the road, and developed it more greenery on the right side of the layout. It all helps with the feeling that the layout is slowly knitting together. These rustic wooden fences were made using Peco plastic sheets, cut into short lengths with scissors, then suitably abused along the top to suggest a degree of creeping dereliction. As with the earlier corrugated fencing I added, I've scraped along the backs of the tops to lessen the thickness of the sheet a bit, although it's a dodge that only works well from the front. The corrugated stuff will eventually continue along nearly the whole length of the layout, hiding the wheels of the locos from view when viewed from a low angle. The much-modified 57XX is settling down quite nicely with its new motor, although time will tell whether it's mainly rostered on passenger or freight duties. Passenger operation is generally more forgiving as there is a lot less stopping and starting than shunting, although it does seem to be acquitting itself reasonably well in the latter role. Easing into view below is another Bachmann Farish 64XX which I've just acquired, and the plan is for this one to be mainly rostered on the auto-train. My first 64Xx was such a sweet runner (still is) that it was a no-brainer to acquire a second, filling another "pannier" slot in the absence of better reliability from the Dapol models. This one still has its standard N gauge couplings, but they'll soon be for the chop. I think it makes a huge difference to the realism of these locos to put less obtrusive couplings on, far more of an equivalent gain than in the larger scales. Another view of the 57XX. This has had a dose of weathering, which does help bring out the excellent body detail. A couple of tank wagons. The idea is that they've just been shunted here temporarily, before waiting to be attached to another train. I've been slowly adding more wagons with DG couplings - still got a couple more to do but at the moment there's just enough variety for a short operating session, or a long one if you take lots of cups of tea between moves! A low-down view showing a Hornby Little End resin chapel, which looked to be just the ticket for Paynestown. I'm not sure if it'll remain in this spot - I'm still at the shuffling things around stage, seeing what works where and what doesn't. There were two chapels on the original layout, with a small tin tabernacle and a much larger brick-built one, but I think there'll just be this one here for now. General work around the goods shed has seen some preliminary neatening up of the hard road surface. Comparison with much earlier shots will also show how I cut back the foreground siding a bit, allowing better access to the goods shed. It meant losing a few wagon spots but I think the trade-off was worth it in terms of things not looking too cramped and contrived. Although it's still compact and bijou! Yes (above) that TOPS branded 12T van is a bit anomalous but it'll get weathered or something in due course so that the out-of-era branding is not so prominent. Below, the 64XX and auto-coach wait in the bay. Being plain DC, I've wired section switches for the bay, platform and run-round loop, so while only one engine can move at a time, trains can be held on-scene for added interest and variety. And that's about it for now, hopefully still lots of fun ahead. Thanks for reading.

As true as that is, I don't remember seeing the A3 on their website for a VERY long time, whereas many of the others have come and gone and come back on again. Now a two Covid household!😂

One of my layouts has been 115m beneath sea level, but only because I brought it back to the UK via the channel tunnel. Still doesn't beat your record, though.

My wife and I have just got back from the Netherlands where we had tickets to see the amazing Vermeer exhibition at the Rijksmuseum. It tunns out we were rather lucky as we met a few people who had not managed to book tickets at all, but (for once, and not at all like me) I didn't leave things to the last minute, and booked our exhibition slots back in February. Unfortunately I may well have caught Covid at the exhibition - it was the only crowded space we were in during the whole trip and I started feeling fairly grotty by Friday evening, which made the two-day drive home (via Ghent) more of an endurance than a pleasure. I tested positive as soon as I was back in Wales. Never mind, I've just done a tiny bit of railway modelling so it's not all bad, but I'm very cross with myself for catching Covid after managing not to until now.

I've been using their 1mm grass fibres on this: Some nice understated hues in the range.

Not in my experience.

Should you not be happy with the fogged windows (I agree it looks fine in context), a little T-cut ought to restore the polish.