NGT6 1315

As an aside, there has been a news item in the last 24 hours or so of some WW11 unexploded bombs being washed up onto the beach at Calshot.

They are to be / have been exploded when under water at a suitable high tide. No explanation for the existence of this (UK origin) ordinance, but I would think jetisoned by returning (damaged?) aircraft.

An excuse for a clearing-up work force, or bomb disposal unit, on your beach??

That does sound like an interesting idea, Don! Don't think there will be too many modellers choosing this kind of item.

What I can see thus far looks very nice, Jam! B) Keeping my fingers crossed for you to stay on schedule as much as your trains hopefully will ...

Looking good so far, Jam B) . As I said over on your other entry, I'll be thinking about further ways to Anglicize it.

I'm not sure whether I could get myself to do this kind of surgery on just about any model, Jam! Replacing pantographs as I did on the two 185s is a different kind of thing entirely, in my impression.

I'll do some thinking about this as well. Removing the side window glazing sounds like a good starting point – and if you're sufficiently daring, perhaps removing the doors might be a good idea as well. Just to name one idea of my own which just crossed my mind.

Yes, repainting will definitely have to be done - I'm thinking either grey or green. Locos were usually painted green whereas rolling stock was grey at Calshot, so it will probably be green I'm thinking.

The loco should look just fine in green, I would think . Will you treat it to any further modifications to kind of Anglicize it even further?

The real VL 6 was built in 1959, by the way – perhaps some sort of backdating might make it fit your scenario even better?

Nice ! I guess you'll especially want to repaint the VL 6 as I don't think red would be a suitable colour for military use .

Here's an image of the real thing, by the way: http://www.railfaneurope.net/pix/at/private/StLB/narrow_gauge/diesel/SLB_VL6.jpg

Interesting idea with that Catalina, Jam – nicely done, too . If I may also add a thought – how about trying to create some battle damage? I believe this might make an even better point for the plane to have been set aside. Of course, I don't know which reason for it having been taken from service you may have thought of.

And some additional inspiration for depicting scrapped aircraft: http://www.hsgalleries.com/gallery04/endofdayskk_1.htm

Very nice job there, Jon! This reminds me I still have those parts to fit to my 146...

Was the N-Wagen a Wittenberge cab fitted Steuerwagen?

No, it was not a Steuerwagen. I can see what you're getting at, however, as I am familiar with formations involving Dostos coupled to a single level driving trailer, as the one from the Bahnbilder link. However, I admit I have known these only from regional workings in Bavaria, not from my region .

As for locos in front of driving trailers: This is quite common on Modus sets, at least those hauled by 111s, and a necessity in this case, as only the Modus driving trailers have 1st class seating.

 

How are you getting on with plans for your layout? Funnily enough I did draw up a mini sketch for you months ago but I've got to find it!

Only in my mind, I have to admit...

Today I decided to take a break from revision and crack out the paints and glues.

That sure can do wonders if you feel like your head's about to burst from all that learning!

I like how you're trying to imitate that mural deterioration, if you might call it that . Adds a lot to the look and feel of your buildings. I guess I'd have to do as you are currently doing in order to realistically depict a small town station in Germany!

If I was to be sensible, I should spend the next few months developing technique, eg OHLE construction. Of course, in my mind the best way to do this is to make a small layout, and I'm back to indecision...

This really is a good idea, methinks. Or call it a diorama and you might have a place where you could at least put your locos on some length of track! You wouldn't really need to do much scenic work either, thus reducing the potential for indecision.

I think I'm getting annoyed with my own indecision, but I'm not sure.

Been there, done that myself, Rich... From a purely rational point of view I believe it would be best if you restarted modelling only after your return to the UK. As for creating an interim layout – that's a good question indeed if it would be possible to come up with something reasonably good-looking on short notice. I'll have to give that one some more thought myself as I do not have a ready answer which I could give you for advice.

I can well relate to being torn like you are in any case...as a matter of fact, I believe the line of thought which resulted in my coming up with a German-themed layout of the same "simple, but appealing" variety hasn't been all that different to your current situation. I, too, did want an option on my hand which could be constructed with the highest degree of relative ease, which the Swiss scenario in particular would certainly not offer, given its scope...which but I believe would be difficult at best to scale back. The Italian one would most likely fall somewhere in between, though the three-phase OHLE element of it would probably be a challenge in its own right.

I agree that the downside to TT continues to be the relative lack of available models of contemporary prototypes, which is being criticized by numerous German modellers as well. I personally do not have any experience with that gauge, so I cannot really provide any qualified kind of comment on it beyond what I just wrote, however.

I personally wouldn't have any qualms having a number of H0 locos on display only, however, assuming I were in your situation!

Far too often for my liking, I have more layout ideas for my available space and track than I have brain cells.

Boy, do I know the feeling... In fact, I've been going through much the same kind of process in recent weeks as you have, ending up with the conclusion that it may, after all, be better to stick with a German theme as number 1 priority for now, as I obviously am most familiar with the German railway scene and should be able to create a realistic scenario with the least degree of difficulty.

The basis for your current layout idea sounds very good, too . I can well imagine a German version of that City Classics design!

"Luftkissenfahrzeug" is still the proper German term for this kind of vehicle, but I believe many people would, in fact, use the English term nowadays.

I am, however, not really familiar with the story behind the site you linked - haven't watched any Monty Python stuff for a while!

"hovercraft photo" - took me a minute to work this out, but it's a very good description of a loco without wheels!

I admit this was a direct adaptation of a phrase I once saw used on a German rail forum!

Looking very good, Jam! Hope you're having a wonderful Christmas and I, too, am looking forward to how things will turn out on Calshot next year.

Thanks, Pix . Granted, most of what I go a-photting is just everyday stuff, but this, too, will be historic some day, and perhaps be of significant value then.

May I ask when and where you will be going? If you need any advice, just give me a shout and I'll see what I can do.

Far as I know it is real grass, which but was laid in as turf for purposes of practicality. I'm not sure how they're planning to cut it either – they use normal mowers on turfed tram tracks, but this'll hardly be an option here.

Replying to myself for once - it would seem something didn't work out with those photos, so I just re-uploaded them.

Nice to see the big red diesels against an austere grey background offset with the white snow. Quite modellable actually! Thanks for sharing - I quite often read your entries just for interest

Thanks, James . I do like trainspotting in winter, cold as it may be at this time. There are some really great impressions to be captured, as you said. Leipzig really was something else last winter, though! Just to give a few reminders...

By the way, is that a loco driver who's having a nap next to his steed in the 6th photo?

Glad you enjoyed it, Jam . I can well imagine this to be rewarding after putting in so much work!