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Russ (mines a pint)

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Blog Entries posted by Russ (mines a pint)

  1. Russ (mines a pint)
    I'm really not one for resolutions, there is a part of me that likes to be defiant once I've made them,
     
    ten years since I joined RmWeb and started modelling again - with a Bachmann Class 25 .
     
    It was all new again and half the fun was learning some of those advances since my last involvement with the hobby, since we moved and my layout was dismantled I've tried all sorts of different ideas and scales to try keep myself interested.
     
    This year I've decided to start afresh with a new era I really m not all that sure of , the early British Railways years, it gives me a great chance to thin out my stuff and start again (-anyone looking for late crest N2/ J72 give me a PM ) - gone for a new J50 in the early livery - half the fun is research so its good!
  2. Russ (mines a pint)
    As the layout progressed certain angles became favourites on RmWeb, I was genuinely suprised at how well received what was little more than a scenic test track was received. Rescuing few of the better pics, before we move onto the next scenic board!
     

     

     

     

     

     

     
    Whilst not forgetting the 'mousemat' option LOL !
     
    Some early shots prior to completion:

     

     

  3. Russ (mines a pint)
    Well I've flipped between OO/N - N/OO - even forays into other scales & gauges - but its getting harder.
     
    I'm naturally biased to the BRCW type 2 (class 26 & 27) and Dapol has done great things with its rendition,
     
    I've had the old skool offerings from minitrix & lima in the respective scales and the newer 4mm Heljan, but I reckon the Dapol offering is possibly the best we've ever had, particularly regards the 27 cab front, the Lima & Heljan 4mm offerings are much more the 26 than the 27.
     
    Attention to detail with the windscreens on the 27 which are (or at least were prior to the mid to late 80's ) different from the 26's,means its a must have to me.
    - now fortunately the previous N clearout means I can just model somewhere with one of them and a couple of coaches, yes?
     
     
    also gives the chance to lookover a few previous layout plans & ideas:
     

     

     

     
     
    Although most of the highland termini were spacious I'm still looking for a half station approach, without the complexity of the buildings at Kyle, I think I've thought of something - but don't quote me on that !
  4. Russ (mines a pint)
    Yet another blast from the past:
     
    I recently discovered I still had the retaining walls from the erstwhile Old Lane, which was a shunting layout which was just getting started when we were moving. It was based on a disused cutting are in Halifax on an ex LY/GNR bit of route which eventually led to the Queensbury triangle:
     

     
    The layout is now landfill - but my retaining walls will now live on in my APA box layout, which may or not yet resemble the old lane cutting!
     

     
    This believe it or not is the THIRD layout I have started inspired by the original real location, you never know one might get completed one day!
    http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/65770-apa-box-when-you-realise-the-original-idea-was-a-good-one/page-3
  5. Russ (mines a pint)
    Though its hard to believe sometimes that I started the Deadwater layout in 2006/7 and thats now erm a long time ago:
    http://www.rmweb.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=10949
     
    I recall converting various type 2 diesels to EM and being hopeful I may be able to get suitable stock to run a more accurate ( ie when the line actually WAS open) period - most of the suitable things of the time were the ex mainline split chassis models.
     
    Its hard to believe there is now not only RTR ex LNER non-gangway passenger stock, but also the D11/2 now to modern standards - tempting?
     

  6. Russ (mines a pint)
    Getting the APA boxes together has given me a better idea of what space is available, both within the boxes and in the space where they will reside when not in use!
     
    There will have to be a few re-thinks. I was originally going to have a seperate fiddleyard attached to the end of the boxes, but the space for the boxes is absolutley filled by the boxes and there isn't really going to be space to store a seperate fiddleyard, whatever there is will have to be contained and self-contained within. This will require knocking some more holes into the boxes so I want to be sure before I start doing that! a full-size plan will be in order I think.
     

    Another thing was trying the space out with the points I'd already started and bits of rolling stock- the plan I had in mind doesnt look like its going to fit, or not without looking cramped in anycase. It seems that halving dimensions from 4mm plans does not quite work out!
     
    At least I know that if all else fails, a 'border byway' will still fit in even with both those changes in conditions!
  7. Russ (mines a pint)

    Port Kirkaig

    By Russ (mines a pint),

    I've researched the Northwest Highlands fairly extensively with regards to the HR proposals, of the ones not built I think the Ullapool/Lochinver ones stood the best chance, both for fish traffic but also to serve the western isles and Stornoway.
     
    The proposals were brought to serve existing ports, a line from Garve to Ullapool would have encountered serious difficulties with terrain - the pennines are often referred to as the 'roof of England' and to me the terrain crossed would similarly be called the 'roof of scotland'- the midland railway certainly took on the North Pennines - it cost them dear both financially and in terms of human lives.
     
    A route from the far north line diverging at the bridge at the Kyles of Sutherland, heading up the east side of the Glen Oykel.stations at Rosehall , Bridge of Oykel, Elphin then to a final destination between Lochinver & Ullapool, I offer you 'Port Kirkaig' as this seems to be the cleanest run down to the sea from Elphin
     
    branch trains would obviously be to Ardgye (for Bonar Bridge) or Tain
     
    from th old forum:
    http://www.rmweb.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=15183&hilit=ardmair
  8. Russ (mines a pint)
    Well I decided to give the point buidling another go today:
     
    Changed a few things from the last attempts, the flux and the place I was working on the stuff!
     
    Seems to have been a better experience altogether, now got the stock rails into this B8 loco release crossover, and although it is seen here in very raw form things do seem to be coming together.


     
     
    I've yet to take the decision on whether to go the full 2mm hog or to put the crossing and checkrails to N standards.
     
    At the week end I hope to pick up a APA box or two from Ikea, which will be my home for this project. (see also this thread)
     
    - there are another two B8 points at 'sleepers stuck to templot plan' stage, thought I might as well get the trackwork started whilst finalising plans as to what to do with it!
     
    the plans edging out into the forefront are a branch into the Northwest Highlands, which was my first thought, almost going back to seeing Steve Flints 'Kyle of Tongue' in the 1980's which has always been a massive inspiriation:
     
    lochinver, Ullapool, kinlochbervie or Durness? - one of them is going to get a railway, in model form at least!
  9. Russ (mines a pint)
    I probably need to ask more about couplings?
     
    last time I had N gauge it was impossible to remove one of the wagons without overturning the whole train, but that was with the standard couplings!
     
    What are DG's? and how fiddly are they?
    - how far off are the magnetic knuckle couplings as per micro trains style?
  10. Russ (mines a pint)
    Well it seems to be getting dark early and we've even had sleat today!
     
    You may remember I was having doubts over the new 'small scale' despite the chances of having nothing more than a VERY small plank in 4mm.
     
    The 2mm stuff does seem very fiddly, but I think I'll just try persevering. Someone mentioned the idea of doing a simple layout in the style of my old EM one, Deadwater Burn, based on the Deadwater on the Border counties route- the more I think about it it aint such a bad idea. I have all the building plans, my N gauge stuff for conversion fits the bill.
     
    The simple trackplan really does help too, having such an affinity with the area through walking and cycling in it there's still an appeal in it.
     
    So another similar layout, though it won't be a model of a model, i would certainly change some things-
     
    Its definitely going to be BR Blue it wont be the same ridiculous level of stock as on the EM one!
    - there is an advantage in the 2mm scale of end to end the whole thing should fit into a 4ft board, and still seem more spacious than the 4mm one.
    - I may even be able to include most of the fiddle yard in the 4 ft possibly with a bit of cassette sticking out of each end.
    - cassettes should be a foot or maybe 15/18 inches maximum.
    - less shunting more through running I dont think 2mm scale is a good scale for shunting, couplings too fiddly & wagons too lightweight. Probably go for permanently coupled rakes of wagons possibly the odd 'house-coal' wagon to be dropped off?
     
    So in the context of a blue era layout it will be passenger service with the 108, possibly as a working halt (possibly request stop) - or just passing through, freight would be MOD traffic in the context of the Warcop or Eskmeals branches, but in ex NBR territory somewhere north of the Carlisle-Hexham- Newcastle line, but not sure just exactly where yet.
     
    there will be no 2mm border sign lol! the 4mm one was difficult enough!!!
    - with just one or two points will keep trying to build them but if all else fails there is someone who builds to order for 2mm association members so with a low number of points can always fork out for them if need be.
     
    So that leaves room for my 24 and DMU and possibly a 26 when Dapol get round to the 'non-airbrake' version, it'll give me time to save up!
  11. Russ (mines a pint)

    Dark Nights

    By Russ (mines a pint),

    .. they are def. here!
    Cheers Pete, that is an idea I had when I took on the 2mm FS but they say you shouldn't make a model of a model! I am very tempted though!
     
    I see from the 2mm scale newsletter that Banff has been 'done' which removes me from any further obligations!
  12. Russ (mines a pint)
    Well we had a wonderful holiday in Lossiemouth, Banff station well theres not much to see these days! Macduff retains some station buildings though.
    Top trip was Spey bay for the viaduct walk!
     
    I've got alot of thoughts as to how I'm going to progress the hobby this year, and in the smaller scale which is essential for house-room purposes, I think I am going to be calling the 'box shifters'!
     
    finding anyother than the easitrac plain track a right pain in the arse and the buildings are a problem too, I do like the scale though in terms of landscaping = I think its now time to face the N out of the box or back to 4mm question?
  13. Russ (mines a pint)
    As predicted the increase in daylight in the evenings has corresponded in a much bigger uptake of my non-model railway hobbies! I'd become a bit stalled as I mentioned last time with the Banff based layout and it is now stored for the summer.
     
    I mentioned a boxfile diorama which I had started and this is now at track laid and scenics started level.
     
    A few record shots here just to show what is going on though to be honest there isn't really anything worth showing yet.
     

    operations being over seen by no1 cat!
    the t-shaped piece of plywood is for further attention!
     

     

     

     
    Before moving to the station on which its based. I'd mentioned the Alston branch in previous bletherings which had actually spurred me into the impetus of purchasing the 108 which caused so many problems previously- then they announced the re-tooling of the met-camm too Aarggh!
     
    Having been discussing 'small simple' stations with someone else on the forum I remembered this one,which we have also walked past as it is now part of one of the sustrans trails.
     
    There were various trackplans over the years I had started out thinking the one with loop and colliery access was the one (circa 1930's) but tthen looked at the size of the space available in the twin boxfiles and have gone to the arrangement of single road with a disused siding. In making the point 'inactive' - all the moving parts and crossings etc replaced with through plain track I can make this into a test track to run both unconverted and converted stock. The siding can become thoroughly overgrown and host to some long abandoned wagons- which is the sort of thing I like!
     
    - as you can see the station and buildings in proximity are quite simple and shouldn't create anything like the headaches of the ones at Banff!
  14. Russ (mines a pint)
    Thanks for all the the suggestions and general morale helping in respect of the frustration of the last entry, I'm not giving up on 'Banff-ish' but I am putting it away for a bit. Thanks also 'scanman' for the pm I will get back to you regarding questions/suggestions pretty soon. A decent day on the first day of BST has also confirmed 'modelling time' will be taking a bit of a hit- here's what its up against...
     

     

     
    The baseboard has been mended (yes I did kick it across the room - and I'm normally so mild mannered! ) and modified as detailed in a previous entry. Its going to go into store now for the summer. I am keeping out the buildings and trackplan/track parts and will be working on these as time permits. A trip to the real Banff is also on the cards as our summer holidays are booked in the area.
     
    So the outlook is good but for the now the enjoyment has gone out of it, trying to work on it is just a chore and I don't believe that a good model could come out of just 'carrying on' in that frame of mind. It will be back though.
     
    I'd started modifying two box-files for use as a 'starter project' in N gauge about a couple of years ago, when I was thinking of trying the 'Deadwater' idea again but as a code 55 peco N gauge layout with Union Mills locomotives, this never went much further forward than the 'ideas' stage, but I've dug out the boxfiles again and started adding to them:
     
     

     

     
    adding timber blocks to support trackbed and gluing the boxfiles together, using the timber and the outer coating of the boxfiles.
     

     

     
    A Peco large point compares roughly to an A7 real point, that apart from sleeper spacing is why it looks wrong, I believe a point with over a 1 in 6 divergence (1 ft in every 6 ft) should have a B switch (a B switch is 6 sleepers long, compared to an A switch of 4 sleepers) the A7's were therefore subsituted with B8's and heres sleepers going down onto the templot plan.
     
    The 2mm S.A. sleepers are much better than you can buy in 4mm they are a 'double track width' assuming siding/loop track centres rather than plain double track, so each time you cut one you get a 'partner' which can be used somewhere else in the turnout(s)
     
    the last pic shows 1 rail which has been filed up in the easitrac 1in8 crossing jig. this has also been passed through one easitrac section, beyond which there will be a level crossing so its back to copperclad.
     
    Buildings for this one are quite simple, a box like timber structure on the platform, a level crossing cottage which is already sourced from kit just needs adapting, and lots of trees - a simple life!
  15. Russ (mines a pint)
    Having spent another evening of swearing, throwing things about the room and generally not enjoying myself I think I am coming to terms with the idea that the making anything more complex than a simple-ish structure from scratch is outwith my skills!
     
    - In fact its taken me a couple of beers and a favourite relaxing CD to even get to the stage of being able to think about my problems!
     
    Come to think of it this was the achilles on with the 4mm stuff and the station building was much more simple, being a basic 2 box structure, I'm sort of wondering what pocessed me to think I might be capable of building such a structure as Banff?
     
    The impending arrival of summer (or at least BST!! ) has led me to think long and hard- I'd hoped to get to 'track laid' stage by this point so there was just the enjoyable stuff to be done, I'm now thinking to put it away for the next set of 'long nights' in the winter or disband completely and start something simpler.
     
    I'm leaning to the latter at the moment, I do want to build something just something which is not taking up so much time with little result or forward progress and seemingly at the moment zero enjoyment/relaxation, I'd even go as far as to say negative relaxation!
  16. Russ (mines a pint)
    As mentioned in previous entry I had found I needed to shorten the length of the layout, if you remember it is to be stored end-on in a cupboard space, which I had found to be slightly smaller than the board as built, whoops!
     
    I'd thought a whole 'new start' might be neccessary, but thinking a bit more has led to deciding the following should be ok.
     

    -sawn off board, the board will be cut along the length of the black line, slightly shortening the scenic section, but nicely matching a bracing section underneath. This will keep all the scenic preperations so far intact also, which is good.
     
    Some replanning has been necessary, due to this and other reasons,

    the plan is still quite rough & ready and still subject to change, as I like to plan scenery by eye as things progress and you get a better 3d idea.
    Main things still to be decided are whether to have the front-most siding or not, and the platform length also whether to have the gasometer or not that was present in real life. I certainly dont think I fancy building one but apparently a scenecraft/lyddle end one is available.
     
    The road bridge is non-prototypical, though there was provision for it in the plan that inspired this one. I've modelled the sea-wall so that it appears the railway is headed inland.
     
    Still waiting for track order, its been 2 wks since sent so I am hoping it wont be too much longer, be nice to get things moved on a bit.
  17. Russ (mines a pint)
    A few things have come to light over the last week:
     
    Firstly, as built the board does not fit in its intended storage place, in spite of my best efforts of measuring up etc.
     
    Secondly, I'm going to scrap and totally rebuild the goods shed so far having compared it with the plans of the real one on which its based.
     
    Thirdly, the train shed building has been revamped, it did not need a total rebuild progress shots soon.
     
    The first bit is currently the biggest problem, I've got a replacement trackplan that will fit which is in the style of Abergwynant/Port Pennan style/shape of thing which should go inside of 3ft. Currently thinking about whether to modify the existing baseboard or just join two boxfiles end to end for the scenic section, that would at least give a definined area to work with.
     
    Having got the plans and research on the web I still fancy the GNSR setting, especially as the new 20 has just been announced, the locos were instrumental in freight working on both the speyside and coastal routes- other than that its all up in the air again, as usual!
  18. Russ (mines a pint)
    A start has been made on the trainshed buildings, much confidence gained from getting the plans for the real one, thanks to a fellow RMWebber, much appreciated.
     

     

     
    as mentioned before this layout will be 'inspired by' Banff, not a meticulous rendition.
    - the building is definitely to be compressed lengthwise, having checked the plans, the full size would not fit in (and the one I've started building only just fits in- there may have to be more tweaks to the track )
     
    I'm much happier with the buildings now having ditched the butanone which I think must have expired it shelf-life or become contaminated, I'm now sticking stuff together with PVA which seems to work on 'most things' but ti is slower, a bit of assembly leave it and go do something else for a bit, its cut down on the swearing but it is of course alot slower overall.
     
    -but thats given me chance to finish off to 'base level' of the ground in front of the track.
     

     
    -its the 'old newspaper' method again, it'll never work - thats what they said last time!
     
    instead of the messy wallpaper paste I just dampened the strips of newspaper then painted over with 50/50 dilute PVA when it was where I wanted it, then when almost dry (about 90-95%) get some emulsion over it - this is seude vinyl silk:
     

     
    now been left to dry and the whole stuff is pretty solid, I may go for a second coat though just to be sure, this method worked very well on Deadwater Burn despite frequent movement it prothed durable, light and of course very cheap, the version seen here was in fact free, because the paper was one passed on from the neighbour, and the paint was left by the previous owner of the house - its cheaper and lighter than mod-roc and not 'that' much messier.
     
    I've got to work out how or if at all to do the rest of the bits of the station building, the Kestrel building you saw earlier has been cut into sections now. The front bit which I altered with the windows is to go next to a little ornamental archwhich led into a kind of 'close' which gave access to the non-open end of the trainshed - if I go for representing the 'big hoose' in anyway it will probably be from the rear in low profile against the backscene.
     
    Still waiting on the track to come, that should slow things down a bit!
  19. Russ (mines a pint)
    a bit of a problem getting decent pics in this small scale, suppose I will get used to it!
     

    - the goodshed will be on a plinth/platform which will make it correct height, just checking clearances here.
     

     
    Sea wall progress- foamboard or plywood has been used for support on top of which is Slaters 4mm dressed stone, I've gone a scale up to get those 'big stones' effects you get with large sea walls. The gaps are slowly being filled with scrap polystyrene and/or pink foam - messy! need the vacuum close by...
     

     
    Onced finished the joins were tidied up in the plasticard, handy to keep an eye on this as they can move a little as the glue goes off, the glue drying is speeded up by leaning the whole board end on up against the radiator, once glue is dry any gaps in plasticard can be gone over with a little pva or filla according to size of gap.
     
    Need some ideas now for constructing the train shed, probably the largest & most complex building to be done!
    -any suggestions of sources of good pictures or even plans would be great, even the similar ona at Macduff would do, as there is no way in either trackplan or scenics that this will be a faithful reproduction of Banff, its just 'Banff-themed'
     
    Buchan Bay is an idea I've had for a name but don't know if it'll stick! - or maybe Port Buchan.
  20. Russ (mines a pint)
    Following on from the 'basic version' I measured up what was left of the board with a 16" length for fiddleyard, thats a type 2 and shortish freight train (approx equivalent to 2'6" in 4mm which was length of Deadwater cassettes )
     
    So I now have a straight:
    banff a4.pdf
    and a curved:
    bannf curved A4.pdf
    version, think I prefer the curved, a few tweaks and I think its nearly there.
     
    EDIT : just to add the tweaks,
    bannf curved A4.pdf
    a simple alteration to the goods shed line to straighten the bit in the good shed and point tweaked to allow more room between goods shed and other line, likely print this out and add a rough idea of scenery tomorrow.
  21. Russ (mines a pint)
    Well after getting the station windows something like, straightening out as the glue went tacky reduced the 'pinging off' effect and subsequent swearing.
     
    Maybe I got complacent, measured out and cut up the plasticard for the goods shed, put it all together tonight, tested it with a box van and erm, it doesnt fit through the door - so thats the first time I've been underscale - I'm thinking then that N gauge is slightly larger than 'true 2mm' then - the door should be a scale 10ft wide and the van a scale 9ft ... ho hum , that bits been sorted now.
     
    -the goods shed is also slightly low, again this is a relativley simple fix, add some to the bottom, or possibly make a 'base' that doesnt interfere with track, then hide with vegetation etc.
     
    Anyway much as I love the 'green' scenery making, I've had enough of buildings just for the now!
     
    The 'usual suspect' asked about trackplans
     
    -the two stations that are sticking out like a sore thumb for this are either Cromdale or Blacksboat, there is a plan for the latter in the 'Modelling Scotland's railways' book by Ian Futers, but the former is a little more interesting, in that it has a more interesting bridge for the scenic break, and a distillery branch- there's always the option of taking the 'best bits' of each?
     
    It part depends on how easy/difficult the point construction is, if it goes like the buildings then it could all be code 55 by this time next week!
  22. Russ (mines a pint)
    Amongst other things (including posting off the order for track) have been looking at plans and buildings today, for the trial run I am looking for simple plans and came back to the idea of building another Deadwater but in 2mm or looking at the Speyside line from Nethy Bridge to Craigellachie.
     
    Heres a few picutres from a previous visit
     

     

     

    - would anyone care to hazard a guess to the dimensions of this magnificent goods shed?
     
    I've been looking at the kestrel kits that I have acquired with a view to using them for building aids, made a start on the country station today, I picked this up sometime ago on the grounds that with a few modifications it would not look a million miles from either the border counties or some of the other small stations in Scotland.
     
    I intend to not use the canopy, and am in the process of making modifiactions to the front layout of the building:

    at close of play, you can only deal with this sort of thing for a small length of time!
    - the new windows are now glued in, the etches become rather bent with all the handling, and trying to straighten them up whilst the glue is wet just pings them back off! so going to let the glue go off then straighten everything up, then add strips of plastruct into the gaps between frames.
    - by no means perfect but I think should look OK once the windows tidied up then painted etc, and its better than I could of scratchbuilt I think.
    now some 'in progress' shots

     

     

     
    at first when modifying the building I actually broke the front of it , it has mended pretty sucessfuly and I am sure will look OK after filling and painting!
     
    the last pic of the 3 shows how the front has been altered with a timber frame section, the etched windows yet to be added.
  23. Russ (mines a pint)
    Having had more deliberations, and particularly having seen the 'circular' Woodhead layout I think its time for more thought on the final layout. I'm now thinking circular is the way to go, which is what the man who forwarded the article said! (cheers Stewart! )and looking to see how either Helmsdale or Forsinaird stations on the Far North line would fit into that, they are both stations which in real life are quite curved in nature and so would look none the worse for being in circular format
     
    You will remember I have already built a 4 by 1 ft board, I'm going to put this to use in the short term with a couple of points on and try out the scenic techniques, theres alot of things that I'm slowly realising are going to be quite different to 4mm, not just the track and rolling stock, but texture and colour of landscape etc will need to be scaled down too.
     
    The thing itself will probably end up having a resemblence to the Deadwater Burn layout, in that it was a similar sort of project to try things out, though it will be self contained terminus rather than through with seperate fiddle yards.
     

     

     
    -the board has been modified to give a more open-fronted look, going to be putting a few kestrel building kits together to try get the hang of the smaller scale. These will have to be modified though as there are a few things I dont like about them. - more on that later.
     
    Getting the track ordered now, going for the bullhead rail, easitrack plain track and PCB/soldered points. The Templot only shows the area in and around the vicinity of the points, the other track can be made to fit around.
  24. Russ (mines a pint)
    Well after a lot of different ideas competing for an end on, stacked up space in a small airing cupboard, its hopefully time to tie up all the loose ends.
     
    That 'clear moment' type thing came not only looking at a beautiful blue Loch Fyne yesterday, but also that there are some fairly big gaps in what I want out of N gauge RTR, I dont have the position time-wise to build alot of things and the combination of a new and decent-ish 24 and the prospect of the Dapol 26 becoming reality are what attracted me to the scale in the first place.
     
    After a bit of time looking at ex NBR byways in Argyll, Cumbria and the borders, its time to focus on the currently 'easy option' that the good standards of the 24 and totally expected of Dapol with the 26.
    There are hopes, but no gaurantees that a decent 25/27 will come out these respectively. However the N market is much smaller, so its time to make use of what we've got and are promised!
     

    back to the map again:
     
    I'm still in favour of a more Northerly route to Ullapool than shown, from Bonar Bridge, a proposed route could have served both Lochinver & Ullapool with a combined route up Glen Oykel. I have a title of Strathkannaird which could be Ullapool or Lochinver or maybe somewhere in between (there is a real one- but its spelt slightly different ) further reading from the old RMweb if you can be bothered!
     
    going to 'publish' this before I delete it like last time ! (more later...)
  25. Russ (mines a pint)
    Whilst the layout I'm dreaming up is neither huge nor unduly complex, I am having a little trouble getting to grips with the actual change of scale - and the various point-building systems in 2mm
     
    The couple of scratchbuild plans for buildings and stuff I've drawn up are just not looking right and tending to overscale. Starting to wonder if another little test-tracky type diorama might serve a purpose in getting used to the scale before making a move with a serious layout.
     
    Having looked at the stuff again, I'd love to have a try an easitrac turnout, and to a custom geometry, feeling like going back to dead straight points is a bit of a retro-step?
     
    - been reading up on the Woodhead circular layout today, fantastic! - It makes Helmsdale look possible (that is a real station I've always wanted to model)
     
    H'mm yet more thoughts and subversion!
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