SouthernRegionSteam

Starting to come together now Stu!

I like the perspective of the main warehouse building. Took me a while to realise how simple the track layout is as my eye was drawn straight to the upper level.

(P.s. How many micro layouts is this now?)

Jam

Thank you for that useful information! I'll see what I can do to improve it

I did think it needed a bit more on the planking.

Hi Stu, thanks for your advice, I will look into it and amend accordingly. I should really look at some prototype photos as well.

Hi Matt, as I have told John, everything is removable (literally!) to take allowance of the fact that it may all need to come off should I need to adjust the trackwork. Plus, being removable it is also easier to work on.

By the way, how is the On30 layout going?

I think that last sentence pretty much sums up what Chris Nevard did on Catcott Burtle. Of course, I may have just had a lapse in memory and made that up, but I'm pretty sure that's what Chris did.

I think whatever you choose it will look good. I have enjoyed quietly following your blog.

Despite this having been drawn a few days ago, this plan is wrong due to the narrow gauge siding at the bottom being relocated.

Ideally the layout will be controlled from the fiddle yard. However, if it makes more work for you (i.e. removable control panel and sockets etc) than I'll happily operate it on the front of the layout between where the slipway is and the fiddle yard exit.

Correct - I don't need LED indication

Thanks for explaining the method of laying the motorised points.

Should I start permanent tracklaying, or just temporarily lay it down to fix the point motors? (Obviously I wouldn't be able to fix the points in place until I've completed the point motor installation!)

Thanks John.

OK, thanks John.

Is there anything else I need to do before you visit?

Indeed. Do you need any to be enlarged?

The one closest to the camera looks too small but it depends how much room you will need. The subframe can go on after you have finished wiring if it makes it easier.

Edit: Forgot to mention one of the narrow gauge points has been moved since you would have last seen it so it is not at the rear of the board.

Thanks Don. I appreciate it.

Which reminds me, I've still got the fiddle yard to build!

Good to see some progress!

Have you got a plan drawn up of what Weyford will look like?

Thanks David.

I had realised Wills did that kit. However, I thought if I could make a fair representation for free than I might as well go for it. At least it is something to fall back on to.

However, a picture of the kit has given me the easiest mechanism possible for the top of the sluice, so thank you.

The rack has now been glued down.

Thanks James.

I'm tired of accepting second best (which is probably why the other layout wasn't such high quality!) so now I realise if I am to progress I will have to raise mine and everyone else's expectations so that people like you can tell me how to improve.

I will have a look at the stonework and see which bits need adjusting. I should have really used the metal rule to scribe the horizontal lines but I didn't. Mind you I'm sure there is a prototype wall somewhere!

Speaking of next steps, that is exactly what I will be building next - steps!

Also, I have just found a cable tie right in front of me and actually it looks like it might be the perfect width after all. Thanks Paul!

Hmm... possibly.

I would've thought it would be too wide? Not sure, will have to search one out. I haven't managed to find anything else, but I have found something I could use for a rod. Will try it first and see if it is any good and report back.

Not at all - everyone has said the same thing.

I might just have had an idea - some were raised by a rack and pinion type arrangement - I am having trouble finding anything small enough for the cylindrical threaded rod, but what I could do is use some thin plastic to make a rack and then fashion a little gear or some such. I'll try and rustle up a prototype now.

Yes they are, but a lot of people aren't convinced that they look right so I may use something else.

The boat is a mystery - it came with a layout I was given by a friend who moved house. There is no makers name anywhere on it and a lot of people have asked me about it but I simply do not know where it came from. The only thing I can think of is that it came from a model ship of some sort...

Just painting a first layer of rust on the sluice paddles which has given it a slightly better look. I will need to buy some weathering powders at some stage though.

Thanks again Paul. I know of a couple which are about half an hour away so it could be possible to visit it and take a few photos for reference.

Thanks Paul.

I appreciate your observations - any help in improving my modelling is a bonus!

The stone walls will be mitred on the ends to help gain continuity across the join.

I hadn't however thought about hide tide marks, I will have a look online for some suitable references and go from there.

Thanks James. Should all look a lot better with a bit of paint. The sluice will be in an abandoned, rusty condition with the valve handles missing. The track layign will start when I've told John what I want, and made sure clearances are there for the point motors and wiring. I have had a NG train running for a yard, but that's it so far .

Firstly, thank you all for your contributions - it's one of these great things that make this hobby so enjoyable and worthwhile.

Hello Missy,

Many thanks for the compliment. I have enjoyed following Highclere and your outstanding modelling in 2mm! I like your idea of a floor standing backscene - that could work really well - particularly if it is ultra portable. I hope the layout lives up to your expectations.

Devondyno,

I have had some advice from modellers at various exhibitions which I have written down somewhere. (Must dig it out!)

I'll bear in mind those colours though, I'm hoping to put together a 'weathering box' with all the paints, brushes and powders etc. Good tip about powder cosmetics too, thank you.

Killybegs,

I aim to have it complete by early August, hence why I am being careful, but trying to make it a quick build - plus that way you don't lose interest. It's a shame that so many loft layouts are abandoned due to the committments involved and a lack of sustained interest.

GWRfan,

I appreciate your comments and have taken them on board. I can't stand layouts without a decent background - but then again, from pictures I have seen of one layout in particular that has no backscene, it can be made to be quite effective. I quite like Missy's idea above - of course, the backscene doesn't have to be immediately behind the layout. This means people can walk around the layout if they wish but the backscene is there should they want to take some photos - also, if the backscene can be wheeled around, people can get their ideal photo. I have also had many favourable comments with the backscene (it is homemade).

Absolutely John, certainly won't be glued until it's all finished. It would make it so much harder doing the scenery before the electrics, not to mention silly as it is much more likely to be damaged, especially if wiring is not as straightforward as expected!

I wouldn't even dream of doing it any other way. The quay walls I'm only doing now as more of an experiment than anything else. Everything except the trackbed is loose for exactly this purpose. Hope this reassures you!

The new points and PM-1 motor have arrived - I think it was on Thursday

Thanks halfwit.

I have an armoured Simplex - I do like the look of it scurrying around the front with a couple wagons.

Wiring the layout will be the next big step (with JohnDMJ doing most of the work ) as that means I can crack on with the scenery and start to bring the layout to life.

Thanks for the continued support James.

I've certainly missed not being able to have time for modelling since Calshot's first exhibition a year ago - it's been great to make visible progress at last.

The fiddle yard exit will be on the right going from bottom to about half way up (just above the top red (NG) line) - the area above that track will be the space for the Duty Offices or something else to act as view blocker.

The viewing side is likely to be from the top of the plan, although I'm considering having viewing access to all sides (minus the FY side of course), hence my plan for a movable backscene (which I'm still not 100% sure about).

Hmm. Interesting, thanks devondyno.

I guess I might try and experiment with different techniques if the modelling clay idea doesn't work.

Thanks James.

Originally on the Mk I version I just used Polyfilla on top of the Celotex, not sure what I'd do this time. Probably just use the modelling clay and glue it on using PVA.

We'll just see how it goes I suppose

Thanks guys

I will be using Peco Crazy track for this project mainly because from what I can understand the railway wasn't built to great standards.

I'm debating what to use for the scenic base - I'll be using DAS modelling clay for the infilled sections (i.e. most of the layout) but I'm not sure about the rest. I've never actually tried plaster cloth, would you reccomend it?