SouthernRegionSteam

Hi John,

I've sent an email to you which should help answer your questions

Note to myself: Must upload some pictures of the prototype visit from yesterday!

Mad? Nah, you're just like every other modeller!

Seriously though, that is some seriously good sketching! If I was able to draw like that... I really like the subtle shading and the forced perspectives. I think everyone could learn a thing or two from these.

So when will this be built then?

Hi John, and thanks!

I'm not entirely sure how much the passing loop can hold, but your estimate sounds about right. My preference would probably be flexitrack - I do like the freedom of being able to chose your track layout, whereas I find set track means your track chooses the track layout!

Indeed, you are correct about the embedding hiding the sleepers. I think about half of the NG track will be embedded. I think it may be wise just to buy new track for the NG since some of my N gauge stuff is more than a bit ropey!

Sounds like you had a fascinating apprenticeship! It certainly helps to explain why you have bits of recycled Princess.

Thanks John, it means a lot to know people are following the progress and that they like it!

Construction has just commenced - so watch this space...

Absolutely - I will be buying new track and points probably for both NG and SG. I might try out electrofrog points too. I could theoretically start construction of the layout board proper tomorrow - but I think I'll wait till I've had more feedback before committing! Don't want to rush in too quickly like last time.

I may decided not to add a moat to the castle to free up more space for the castle gatehouse and associated buildings.

Thanks! Looks like I'll have to find a motorbike and a figure for the layout. Despite the small location, the RAF base still had an air of space to it - mainly due to it's location in the Solent.

Thanks Don, I am likely to be going for an open frame design - the ply top you can see here will be cut where there is a lower area - i.e. sea and this will be dropped lower than the top section. The ply top will rest on uprisers, and a fascia board will be added to prevent damage. I'll put a drawing up in my next blog post to explain.

I've nearly settled on a plan, but first I need to do a full size mock up on the ply.

Thanks Peter - this poll is bringing up some interesting points, of which I will summarise:

There are various thought processes:

1) What design captures the essence of the prototype

2) What design looks less cluttered and is pleasing to the eye

I see no one has been brave enough for option 9!

Oh so true!

Firstly, thanks all for your input!

Jamie, that is correct - they were drawn just to get the compositions of the buildings. The track is likely to be a balloon loop with a triangle for the narrow gauge and a couple sidings for the standard gauge. It would be the same for every design. Apologies for not making it clearer.

A couple good points have been raised already which is really helpful - Thanks Tom for your view especially.

Keep those votes coming. If I'm still undecided by the end I'll have to really sit down and think of a new design with the best features of the previous designs.

Thanks Peter. I'm still working out the logistics, but perhaps a slot all the way round the layout would work - like a lip and groove for the backscene to slot into.

I'll get some sketches up (I've done two so far, plus those from earlier) to help visualise the layout.

What a great balance of colours! Very subtle.

The whole presentation looks very nice, looking forward to more - looks like it will be a layout to look out for.

Indeed. I guess so!

A lot going on in the plan as you say, having two operators would be nice - but of course getting someone to help would be another thing entirely. Laptop control? I wish! Seriously though, you may well end up being roped in due to my incompetence at trackwork/wiring/sections etc. (You're not going to get out of it that easily ) Of course, help would be nice, but I'm sure I can manage either way.

Anyway that's a while off yet. Looks like I'll need to work out how this layout could be operated.

I must admit, coming into the world of exhibiting is both satisfying, rewarding and great fun.

Very, very nice

Does it run as good as it looks?

Many thanks! I must admit I am quite excited about it now with all sorts of thoughts going around in my head which I may explain in a blog post next week some when. I'm glad it's hit the 'different from the norm' button, that was one of my main aims I hope I can live up to your expectations!

Thanks

No problem, glad I could help. It is a good thing you're not giving up just yet - it is easy to get a little demotivated from time to time. Let me be honest - I have so many inaccuracies on my models you wouldn't believe it, it's just I use 'selective photography' to omit bits that look bad. Of course, only now have I realised that actually I could do a lot better - none of my buildings have drainpipes on or much weathering, not all the little details like hinges etc!

All the best,

Jam

Sounds like you are being quite harsh on yourself!

They certainly look fine from here. A bit of painting and weathering and I bet you will be much happier!

Looking at real buildings helps you to find bits you may have missed off and also helps you gain an idea of what you could do to improve.

Before you give up completely, try having a go at a small building if you are not quite confident enough (that's what I did). Of course, kit bashing is another great way to get you started, even if it means just detailing or repainting - anything will improve confidence!

Good luck and have fun!

Jam

Hi Peter,

Thanks for your compliments!

I would like to preserve the sense of location as much as possible, I feel I have achieved this pretty successfully. If there is one alteration to be made it would be to flip the layout horizontally so it would follow the prototype a tad more - in the reality, the War Department pier (albeit I'm probably be doing a quay) was, looking South-ish, on the left rather than the right. So here's the new final version for comparison. This also means I can attach the fiddle yard when in the home location as it can sit over my desk.

I'm not sure about a 3D mock up as they do take some time, but I will probably get round to it after all the exams are over! I'll probably put up a sketch to help everyone visualise the plan later on in the week.

Other thoughts include making the NG loop and shelf round the back removable - that way it can have 3/4 of the full 50cm diameter loop on it.

The new version is below with alterations carried out as per advice. I'll need to edit it further to widen the NG loop round the back.

Jam

Hmm, interesting, It might be worth trying that then. I haven't got all the locos I'm going to use yet but as soon as I do I'll try that. I can see what a 4 wheeled loco can manage first though...

Thanks once again,

Jam

Hi Dave, firstly, thanks for commenting and for the compliment

The exit via engine shed is something I had not considered... The NG line is a mixture of passenger and freight, but the front section is mostly freight. I like the idea of narrowing the shed down to one road - that way I can use my existing scratchbuilt shed (with a few modifications).

All the stock will be 4 wheeled (as per the prototype) but there will be one bogie stock for the goods line at the front. I think the 180 degree turn in the fiddle yard will be fine as I have up to around 2-3ft to play with.

Thanks again

Thanks John

Like I said to James, the curves do look (and probably are!) ridiculously tight.

I'll see what I can get away with - if it means widening the baseboard, so be it, it's a good job we have double doors on our conservatory! I suppose the backscene could be removable so I could tilt the layout to get it through doorways/round corners.

I take it the minimum recommended is 45cm diameter then? (As long as my conversion is right!)

That's quite a large circle for where I want it, but we'll wait and see! (I had a good laugh at your link!)

If the worse comes to the worse, I can just run the Simplex round the loop and the other locos can use the front of the layout!

Cheers

Hi James, thanks again for your continued contribution!

I agree the need to plan it out to scale is a necessity, I've got some old wallpaper somewhere! The narrow gauge loop looks very tight as I assume you meant by some aspects looking as though they may not fit. I'm not even sure it will fit - that's why the full size mock ups are important. Thanks for your compliment too.

I expect the board will need to be widened (but I have no room for any more length). Disguising the loop exits is something I thought about last night after I had drawn the basic idea out, I was thinking about having a false scene behind the backscene with the hangar continuing right to the board edge with a small hole in it for the NG trains. Something placed towards the front edge of the hangar (e.g. a water tower that used to exist at the real prototype) would help further. Not sure whether it will work - but again that's what mock ups are for.

As for building it, I'd say after 23rd May (I'm exhibiting on that weekend). I reckon the (sector plate) fiddle yard for the SG will hold a tender loco and two-3 wagons, or a tank engine and 4 wagons. (again - mock ups will reveal all!)

Once again, many thanks for reading the blog and contributing!

What a brilliant idea - see, this is why I love RMweb...

Thanks James, you've single-handedly solved the baseboard situation.

That looks really nice, great job. I need to scratchbuild some carriages myself (4 wheeled opens with a roof) for Calshot.

The paint looks very neatly applied, I'd be happy if I came close to this standard!

Jam

Thanks James

I won't tell you how long it took me