unravelled

As this project has developed, some of the decisions made open up new possibilities. When started, I didn’t have a clear idea of when it should be set. I had been collecting a variety of stock, from various eras, with no real plan. Joining RMweb showed me the error of my ways, and I have decided that the focus should be the BR maroon era. As a consequence, I will not be running some of my older models, which brings me to some of the opportunities this opens up. The first is track standards. I can’t see any reason not to use code 75 this time round, at least on the scenic section. But Peco or bullhead? Have I got the time to build my own? I’ve bought some Peco code 75 for testing which of my older stock is happy with it. The second is about control, DC or DCC? Until recently, I felt that DCC had nothing to offer me, especially with a collection of older models which I wouldn’t have wanted to chip. Now these are out of the running, I wonder whether I should reconsider. Another recent development which has prompted my interest is the Hornby elink system. As a long time computer tinkerer, this seems like a good starting point. Next time I’ll include some track plans and possible adaptations to this project. Comments and questions welcomed Thanks Dave

This is an introduction to an OO layout (Wylde), I’ve been working towards for some time. It’s had a couple of false starts, but now it’s about to be relocated from roof space to cellar, and be built in a slightly evolved form.[/size] I have a good idea of what I think I want, but there are a number of decisions still to make and changes to consider, so I’m putting the ideas up here to be considered, and have any obvious holes pointed out.[/size] To start with what I’m most sure of. I want to recreate some of the scenes familiar from my teenage(ish) trainspotting/photographing days. Space does not permit the six track formation at Oxford North Junction where I spent so many hours, so I’m locating my layout not too far away to an imaginary station on the Oxford to Princes Risborough line. This line has the great advantage that it saw trains diverted from the Birmingham direct line when problems or maintenance closed the route north of Princes Risborough, so the bigger locos are entirely possible.[/size] Timescale will be broadly within the maroon coaching stock era. I only remember red/cream stock from the family Hornby Dublo train set, and have no recollection of them in real life, though photos suggest I did see them. Chocolate and cream may well make an appearance. Locos will be mainly late crest, though bargain purchases mean I’ll have a selection of early crest ones too. I have a slight temptation to add the odd pristine blue or blue grey vehicle, but this dates things too precisely, so I think I’ll stick with the maroon era.[/size] In a previous iteration of this plan I included a branch and bay platform, (don’t ask me where it was supposed to go in reality). Now it’s gone I don’t have the problem of inventing a realistic station layout, as I think the track plan of Wheatley will do very nicely. Thame itself is a bit more complex and sprawling, though I do like its situation in a shallow cutting, so some merging of features will probably occur. [/size] [/size] [/size] The other feature I want to include is a sprawling low relief factory complex as a backdrop, inspired by the canal elevation of Lucy’s works in Walton Well Road. As this scales to almost 3m in OO, it should be fun to create. One of the currently fanciful ideas I have is to make it rail connected, with part of it home to a fledgling industrial preservation group, (echoes of Dowty’s at Ashchurch).[/size] I hope this is enough to get started. Next time I’ll start exploring some of the choices I have to make about how to proceed, with the idea of getting some helpfully contradictory feedback.[/size] Thanks[/size] Dave[/size]

Just a thought about the nuts. If you just need to hold/locate them while attaching the bolt, could you attach something to them? Mek them into a notch at the end of a strip of plasticard, stick them on to the edge of a bit of card with double sided tape, even solder to a bit of brass, (but more cleanup). hth Dave

Another possibility for the bottom end of the layout would be to take the NE into tunnel well before it crosses under the other circuit. This avoids the skew bridge and problematic tight curve. The scenics for the main line could be simplified, with the cutting/tunnel bought nearer to the straight at the bottom of the plan. hth Dave

My photos of Clun at Southall were taken on 29/3/1965. It had been on the Ian Allan Lickey and Midlands Railtout (thanks Six Bells Junction), with the X20 reporting no on the 27th. Most of my pictures should have some info including approximate dates as tags stored in the exif image data. Dates are usually in yyyymmdd format. Hth Dave

Met no 1 andJubilee coach were on a positioning move to Ruislip depot today. Seen at Eastcote RIMG3491 by unravelled, on Flickr RIMG3496 by unravelled, on Flickr I was pleasantly surprised that it was in steam and taking an active part in the move. Thanks Dave

I'm not sure yet. A photo on the cover of the Dynamometer car booklet suggests blue, but my vaugue memory is that it might have been grey. Quite a light shade anyway judging by bw photos. Thanks Dave

Thanks for that info. I think I'll order this, but use it as is for a while, in case 3883 materialises. I've plenty of things to do before I need to convert it, like build a layout. This is what I want to model (eventually)... http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/uploads/monthly_10_2013/post-6902-0-21253800-1382304348.jpg Thanks again Dave

Before I sign up, is there any chance of the same body style (specifically chimney/smokebx detail), appearing in any other guises later, or will it be unique to this limited edition? The reason I ask is that I want to find the best starting point for a model of 3883, the Hunslet austerity which was used for dynamometer trials around Oxford in 1963. Thanks Dave

I've just been doing a catchup on this enjoyable thread, and have a couple of thoughts regarding recent photos. One is whether you have thought of a dust cover for the storage sidings, especially if you are keeping stock there when undertaking dusty modelling. Even a simply framed sheet of cardboard can keep off a lot of mess. The other is that the platform framing could be simplified by using longer strips at about 45 degrees, triangulating the structure. Larger triangles could be subdivided as required. Less accurate cutting is needed compared with the current design. Sorry if I've missed comments on this earlier, and keep up the great work Dave

I've a couple of dozen other pics taken at Southall shed, a bit earlier than the Clun visit. I can send you a disk if you PM me an address to send it to. Thanks Dave

Another railtour Castle. Clun at Southall in 1965. 2-18-2008_024 by unravelled, on Flickr Dave

Brockenhurst, 25/3/1967, 41320 Oxford North Junction/Walton Well Road. 34024 on York-Bournemouth Dave

I think Oxford for 3608 in batch 3. That looks like St Barnabas church in the background, with the old steep roof. A fascinating collection, thanks for posting them Dave

Seen by the path between Starcross station and the ferry. RIMG1276 by unravelled, on Flickr Dave

Reading, last week RIMG0066 by unravelled, on Flickr Dave

Darlington 1965 Dave

Those I think those photographed were just being used as handy anchors, rather than as part of any designed temporary structure. I don't know if they are leftovers from the Olympic setup or recent additions to the site. Dave

These objects raised a smile at the QE olympic park last week. Lumps of concrete for stabilisng fencing or security, neatly disguised as stacks of concrete building blocks. The eye/brain initially sees the familiar object, rather than the reality. Maybe I'm just easily amused... Dave

One of the things I spotted from looking at pics of the track in steam days is the contrast between different areas of the ballast. Beyond the sleeper ends, the ballast could look near pristine, but from the sleeper ends in it was practically sleeper colour, presumably from constant oil/water, (and worse) contamination. Dave

At Kensington Olympia in 2009 Dave

Slightly different I know, but I was on Croydon Tramlink recently, and interested to see the driver make a very slow departure from one stop just before a level crossing. My assumption was that he wanted to block the crossing to allow the approaching tram to reach it, so that people who might be tempted to cross behind him wouldn't be at risk. Is this likely to be a recommended procedure, or just one driver's method of working. It seemed a good idea to me. Dave

Lewisham 2009 Dave

Recently, in Lewisham RIMG3013 by unravelled, on Flickr Dave

I've just been looking for any pictures which might help with the viaduct ballasting. Of the ones I sent, 3 show a bit of viaduct ballasting, (applying zoom and imagination...).They are sca009, sca010, (both 1966) and 3-10-2010 (1967). The area outside the rails is lighter on the viaduct and seems to fall slightly from the sleeper ends all the way to the parapet wall. hth Dave