Russ (mines a pint)

They do look rather nice- worth the effort! ?

Not really not from my own point of view in anycase, I was just postulating on how what I would call a 'mainstream' modeller rather than one who wants to base a project on one of these locos. We would all buy one, possibly more than one- but a bigger and more widespread appeal would increase the chances, and the chances of further relaeses beyond that. I was in no way trying to be negative, just trying to postulate how to get a greater number of people interested, beyond the initial locomotives to help the chances?

That was half the point- I'd love some non-corridor thompsons but they are £50 per kit and look far more difficult than even a loco!

In reply to Bob, even if everyone who has contributed to this thread was to buy the loco, then that would still not be enough. - there are a number of further problems beyond the loco. If you are not going to kit build the 0-4-4 tank you are probably not going to kitbuild the non-corridor stock that goes with it? - or the buildings which it operated past. I wonder if further promotion of the pre-group types also depends on other items to complement them rather than just looking at a 'loco'. There is potential here surely as the ScR diesel models and layouts have become relatively prolific, even amongst scratchbuilders of structures. If the 439 is the way to go as the poll suggests is it time to look at a 'train pack' with 2 non corridor coaches? - this would be a higher initial start up - but might have more selling appeal- what RTR modellers (apart from loco collectors) would like to buy a 'passenger tank' which had no carriages, ok they did sometimes run with 'subs' but that is a pretty outdated model in the context we are looking for the engine?

It is certainly ambitious while the market for any pregroup locomotive is still somewhat unproven. However, no harm in trying. Well the MR 3F coming up probably is now going to be the test for that 2nd statement-its an 0-6-0 as well - as for the first I dont think its either I dont think any pre-group has a big following compared to the bigger picture, some of the scottish locos proposed where the longest lived, and outlasted big 4 types. I think in the Bachmann thread you probably hit the nail on the head that the companies (Bachmann & Hornby) are based in what I would call the south, never mind you- and that they will get a greater representation because of that. The balance of population also supports that as you go South population density increases greatly, their market research may depend on nearness to a model shop, and I can think of a lot of places in Scotland where that might involve a round trip of 100 miles or more! - as regards types common to both England(and particularly the northern uplands of England) and Scotland might be a worthwhile road to pursue if pure scottish engines are not viable just yet - the J39/J38 idea is just one tho' I also suspect Mr. average punter would not notice wheel size differences- theres also the K's and Crabs which were commonplace. With the stuff done and reported so far it might be a good chance to stand back from the original goal of quintessential Scottish loco type and compare with what could be done to get people on board modelling Scottish locations in general- and look to the SR and southern region stuff for clues- its taken them along time to get an EMU for instance.

Very excellent :icon_clap: especially like the first and last of the pics. - what exactly have you used for grassing over the tracks in the sidings (grade/colour) etc? - looks very effective.

Maybe a little if viewed cruelly close up but whats the overall effect? - it could be heat shimmer if one a hot summery day or mist on one that isnt, I know this is Rhum but Skye isn't called the mysty Isle without good reason! I'm not sure of the distances involved about 10-15 miles it shouldnt be 'crystal' clear even in the best of conditions?

First thing I thought when I saw this- well cant type it on here but it rhymes with clucking bell! That is a seriously impressive project by anyones standards- are you doing it all yourself? looking at the ballasting and painting railsides is just making me shudder! - does look like its going to look pretty as well as being a big trainset- not everyone does that B) You appear to have more stock than the average modelshop too! - like the rail blue stuff & deltics, obviously! -looks like you've several years work there- amazed! Glad I'm not your bank manager

Ahh indeed!.... I was thinking the track with the grassed up flangeways was the one that went over the canal! Thanks for the pic as you say it makes the track plan much clearer. Very nice! I remember seeing it at Uppermill in the Saddleworth museum- cant remember which year.

Do you still use the canal bridge line then- I was looking at the weeded up flangeways in the level crossing thinking nice touch..... - If you dont mind me asking is the train on the frontline 'posed' ? - Not that it detracts in anyway was just interested in how it was operated ?

certainly an essence of queen street there, and ideal choice of period & stock - just keep looking for the tunnel tho! you look to have modelled the ideal small space terminus but then gone and made it into something bigger? - ho hum! looks great anyways

That last pic would make the basis of very nice backscene?? Station building looks good too, I do like the understatedness of the Mallaig extension buildings, compared to the chalets of the WHL 'main drag'

I think you are quite right the GWR did have the 'contempt through overfamiliarity' aspect last time I was modelling (1980's?) but you dont see as much about of it now, as everyone else gets 'their turn' with RTR products -looks like it will be a charming little layout!- is the station a wills craftsman kit, lasst time I looked at one of these it looked harder than scratchbuilding!

I would insert 'steam' in the 'long-standing problem' paragraph or people will be wondering why all those Heljan diesel classes 17/26/27 were not appreciated as they are largely ScR related, it could come across as being ungrateful?

Looks like the 439 & J36 are a 'country mile' in front I voted for more than 0-6-0 I must admit, before I got back into the hobby in any seriousness I would have instantly recognised these two types- its more through this thread and its links that I recognise the others! Thanks also Jamie for straightforward links to the 'others' !

Andy, interested in the green one if its still for sale- tried to PM you but as we know they are not working!

Excellent stuff! been wanting to view this thread since it came back up but the damn server outages have frustrated me every time! excellent! The atmosphere is really good - I like the station lamps they are just right, its all to easy to go down the rtr route for small detail like this. The little oil depot is a nice touch too. I wonder how many modellers have 'overlooked' the insipid signal box colours in favour of something more palatable, but thats definitely how they were! I'd put the back wall of station building right against the backscene (assuming the pencil line is the building outline) so it doesnt cast shadows, and it'd make the platform seem a bit more spacious, but then its not my layout

Thought as much but was not 100% certain. would this not be something interesting to portray on preserved railways?

This looks really nice already, maybe not unique but the presentation so far is very nice, and I'm afraid its another one where the effort put into making the trackwork look good and in keeping with the surroundings would make me say why bother building your own, though I'm still very much 'on the fence' regards this. Lovely layout anyway!

On the first bit well out of the classes you mention I thing the Jinties were much more a 'maid of all work' there is certainly pictorial evidence of them operating branch/suburban passenger and freight in the ex L&Y areas I've looked into this in some depth as research for an unbuilt 7mm project. J94's were also used on the Allenheads branch (NER) definitely as more than shunting engines, they were on branch freight though tehres nothing to suggest passenger operation (indeed the line closed early to passengers) and a J71(very similar to J72) was trialled on the North Sunderland Railway but found to be too bigso the passenger service was put in the hands of much smaller 0-4-0 shunting engines! so largely theres a prototype for everything whether you are a modeller or preserved railway! The idea about 'own livery/railway' for the austerities etc is quite interesting - US and narrow guage modellers do it - if its good enough for them etc.....

Though largely a diesel fan I have to say I find small industrial steam engines interesting in their own right. be they standard or narrow gauge, and can sort of understand the point being got at here. I tend to think preservation is a rule to itself when starting out they need to have cheap available power and the Austerities bridged that gap. Things have moved on, I think both the Middleton Railway and or the Abbey narrow gauge railway in leeds could both become centres of excellence for the industrial locomotives given the proximity to Hunslet, Baguley manufacturers. I do dislike getting a 'big' engine on a preserved raiway as someone already said a black 5 is probably the maximum and overkill at that. From where we live the railways of choice are the ELR or Worth Valley - these regularly run the LMS Jinty's/BR 3F which always seem ideal and authentic both for the location and loadings, If these weren't available I'd rather a austerity than a big tender engine- indeed the KWVR has a rather nice South Wales 0-6-2 tank.

Always nice to see more progress, -there is a pic of 26 on Glenfinnan viaduct in anycase IIRC, cant remember which and my books are all packed up!

Pleased to see this up again, very atmospheric layout- the thing that I always like about this is there is plenty operational track without it looking cramped, very clever in design! If Phwhelli's owt to go by you'd have to take up all the sidings and replace with supermarket! If ever there's anything that could convert me to WR its Hymeks- cest la vie!

Excellent un-earthings Chard - I do regularly look at the Raibrit site but it is vast and not totally straightforward to negotiate -the '24' pics have had made me realise I was not that far out with the 'Deadwater' layout, with the way the N gauge stuff is coming along, especially the idea of a Dapol N 26 Steele Road or Whiterope Sidings looks just the ticket!

Excellent I've not really been into the blogs much over the lt few weeks, seeing that pic is excellent, takes me back to my childhood interest in railways- Happy Christmas!