mog

Really not sure how regularly I'll be able to update as progress may be slow, (some pretty time-consuming family stuff going on).. but I am introducing my new build - Greenville. At the moment the layout is just a framework and a few ideas but I thought that naming it and committing to posting 'diary' updates might give me some impetus in getting it built! At the moment I'm still not settled on a plan, however, I'm pretty certain that this will be another layout based on my 'Yellow Pine' RR and very likely be set in a similar area and period to 'Brett' (ie North West US 80s/90s) I've been very tempted to do something inspired by the CSX Sebring Airport spur, but might get my fussy out for that one on something smaller and portable. I'm hoping I can apply some stuff that I've learned to the plan and construction. Anyway - part one of the 'Greenville Diaries': https://youtu.be/LPHHyyuwvNg

One clarifier (?) re Brett - it's my home layout - wasn't built for exhibiting. At home it sits much more at eye level where the low and pale photographic strip along the bottom works well enough to 'fool my eye' and a give a feeling of greater depth where it's needed. The narrowness of the layout is also because of it's original location - on a shelf rack in a small spare room. Sometimes needs must! ;-)

Knackered after a thoroughly enjoyable day. My first ever time exhibiting and everyone was very kind :-) Learned a lot.. especially don't bring so much stock, why most exhibition layouts have some staging.. etc. Always enjoy TVNAM anyway, much more social than most shows. Managed to put a few familiar names and faces together, although I am famously hopeless at keeping that association alive.. also had some interesting conversations with new acquaintances. Only just resisted a couple of loco purchases from the large range of quality and vfm stuff available but picked up some nice hoppers for the fleet. (thinks.. should have got that lease SD40.. and then there was the VRT geep...:-) )

Looking forward to it.. not least because it will be the first time I've ever exhibited anything ever! I'm hoping that my conversion from 'built for home use only' to something that will work at a show pans out. Be gentle folks! :-) (Going to have a rummage and see if there's anything for the raffle)

Cheers Jack. I knew good ideas would issue forth (ooer) Plan here for anyone else who is interested.. 2016jack.jpg

Cheers, some good ideas there. My only concern with the 'yard' bit is about interference with headspace over my desk! (and access to the layout over same desk). This may get built in phases anyway, with the main switching bit being fed by a simple narrow two track fiddle shelf on the stud wall to start with. Had another play with the plan, incorporating some of your ideas.. 2016f.jpg

A Plea for some ideas / help for you trackplanners.. (Attention Shortliner! ) My current layout, Brett, sits on rack shelving and is 8 feet long (1 ft wide). The wall is actually 13 feet, and there is scope to extend. I'm thinking of getting rid of Brett rather than extending it, and starting again. I'm after some track plan ideas... the parameters are.. <>HO North American. Most likely 80s/90s onwards probably New England shortline connecting with VTR. Pretty low key rural switching. <> Probably use Peco 83. If I can stick to no6 min turnouts and 24" radius curves, then great.. but I'm flexible on that. <>The space available: Wall A is 13 feet long. Layout would need to be on a shelf around 5ft off the floor and ideally 1 ft wide (might be able to push out to 18" but rather not. Wall B is to the left end of A at right angles and is 8 feet long. It is a stud wall and I only envisage a very slim single track run along here. Another 90 degree turn to the left and Wall C is 7 feet. This is over my desk and again ideally limited to 1 ft wide. I was thinking ( and starting to doodle ideas) around a simple 'yard' on wall C, running along the stud wall, and into a switching area on A. One of Lance Mindheim's plans fit quite well there. This is REALLY rough - the 'yard' bit particularly! https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tnO1yt9GuBE/Vt3YQqRJyJI/AAAAAAAACTU/TjrMnYdtglE/s1600/2016d.bmp If anyone has any ideas, always welcome! One alternative I thought of is to stick the staging on the right of the long wall instead.

:-) Always a good moment to run the first train! A 3-2-2 Inglenook type layout I reckon is a perfect way to try something new. Keep up the good work !

For what it's worth.. I'm not up the standards of most 'fine scale' modellers.. but my first (and only so far) dabble in 3mm scale was in 14.2mm. I built a working layout, (handling track using code 60 BH on pcbs sleepers), a number of society kits using society wheelsets. My motive power was a Hallig motor bogie driving a scratch built Y6 body. All great fun. (http://mogtrains.blogspot.co.uk/2009/10/elston-road-coming-along.html) I really like 3mm. If I model British standard gauge again, it will be my first stop. My only stumbling block was building a loco - but seeing as I haven't built one in any scale (not counting white metal bodies on proprietary chassis), that's not too surprising. I just about managed to get a working 060 chassis running. I did think about trying 12mm gauge next - the main reason being that it strikes me that it's easier to get the wheels etc. Also the society now provide 12mm gauge SQ wheelsets, which sound a lot easier that faffing about with the 'scale' wheels for a bodger like me. Don't be put off by 'TT' - I'm pretty sure that John Sutton's Southwell Central is 12mm gauge and it looks very fine! The Society has tons of stuff available, but I have to say that as a newcomer and not one of the old boys, I have found it very confusing to work out what I need, and where to order it from.. that's just me - compared to the 2mm FS society for example, the 'web presence' is scant. Cannot comment on 13.5mm except that my understanding is that it is the "EM' of 3mm. There is track available, and I think, the SQ wheels too. Maybe it depends on what you want to build? Do you want a fine scale model? Do you want to build locos, and if so, what sort? etc..

Nice to see this layout at Nottingham - Very nice.. hadn't seen it before and only dip into RMWeb..I moved on due to some pretty inane ranting going on next to me on the punter's side and didn't get to pop back.. look forward to seeing more at TVNAM.

nice. Hopefully see this at Wakefield. I agree - it's nice to see something a little earlier too.

I'd give a huge thumbs up to the link provided by Phil for a Mac - this Switchlist program has really helped me

Just found this - briliant layout.. only just twigged by page four that it is N!! I thought the pictures were of an HO layout! (Just as I'm listing all my N stuff to sell to focus on HO) Inspiring stuff Barry.

Very very nice work. And an interesting subject. I'm pretty sure i remember that article, visited Ribe many years ago (used to stay with family on Romo) and have fond memories of the area. On the modelling front, this is the kind of work that I either aspire to or makes me say 'I give up!'

such a well observed comment that punter made ! (hehe) glad to see this thread alive and kicking.. I've been actively seeking shellac and plans for wagons since we spoke Jim! A 7mm Y6 is looking favourable.. although there are some 7mm NG plans hatching too.. I can testify by the way folks, to the effectiveness of Jim's wagons in 'the flesh' - very nice modelling and I honestly couldn't tell them apart from kit versions

I think I got this working? Just posted a brief update over at Blogspot.. my three foot long 3mm 'fine'scale layout 'Elston Road' is coming along.. Not a huge amount left to do now.. original RMWeb topic Blog here - Blogspot