F-UnitMad

An excellent suggestion, Don, thankyou 👍 I'd be loath to attempt changing the name to be honest, both from the technical challenge of matching the background paint, and then matching the high standard Bob achieved with his hand lettering, and also because it's part of the real history of the model itself, much as I left the original "FWR" lettering on the Atlas Plymouth that Chris Ellis (former Editor of Airfix Model Trains & it's successors) sold to me, my first O Scale engine. 🤩

Don't make the mistake of equating simple trackplans with boring operations. Depot layouts might have quite complex track plans but just running locos on and off shed can get very repetitive and boring, in my view. A set of freight sidings depends on industries, 'destinations' or "car spots" (to borrow an American term) for wagons to make operations interesting, not complex trackwork. This works better - or closer to the prototype - for American railroads than British goods yards, which were in serious decline in the 70/80s, but it can still be done. If 74 inches is the absolute total length available though, that is going to be quite a challenge.

On a more serious note, there's a fascinating 8-page article in the latest (Spring 2024) issue of 'Classic Trains' magazine, all about the 1970s IPD Boxcar phenomenon, where many Short Lines suddenly got their own fleets of boxcars and the tax incentives that went with them. Well worth a read. 👍

They're not the only ones. Plenty of reports of RAF friendly fire incidents during WW2, both in daylight & during the night bomber offensive. Edit. I do wonder though, how many US bombers got hit by each other's guns, as they flew in tight formations, but as the gunners shot at the Luftwaffe as they in turn dived through those formations, there must have been some unintended crossfire incidents. But in the turmoil of combat, that possibility was probably not realised, or reported.

I have only glimpsed parts of what he does on YouTube, and seen comments on here. I'm guessing most, if not all, of his output could easily come within the remit of this Thread..... 🤷‍♂️😁😉

Suits it. And why not? - it suited that other English Electric machine, the Class 37, as well.👍

And so you should be! It looks very good. 👍

I found an old Milton Jones one-liners video on YouTube yesterday, he told a joke that made me think of this thread.... "I saw a sheep pole dancing today. It was in a Kebab Shop"...... 🤣🤣🤣 . Coat, hat, etc....

Ok, I had to google that...!! But no, my layout is supposed to be set in Minnesota. The land of 10,000 lakes. Or alternatively, where the prairie is so flat you can watch your dog run away from home for 3 days.....

I might as well repeat the opening line from my last post on this Thread!! "Northroader Bob" has proved to be a very addictive little loco - I can't stop running Ops with it!! Often it's lashed up with one or two of my other Plymouths, but it always has place of honour on the point! 🤩 However - I have to report that I am not at all well. I seem to have been bitten by a rather contagious bug of some sort 😱. It's highly infectious, and has caused serious itching 😷 No, it's not one of 'those' diseases 😝 ..... .... It's one of these...... I thought 'Northroader Bob' was small...!!!! What a character, eh??!! Interestingly, the On30 caboose is almost as big as the standard gauge Bobber!!!

Will people never learn??!! What do you expect, if you will go & use Kitty Litter for ballast.???..... 🙄🙄🙄😱😱🤣🤣🤣🤣

You're right, but green did suit them, though. 👍 Not for B.R. they didn't. Buffer beams were plain yellow. Being Type 1 rather than Shunters, technically they didn't need wasp stripes at all.

Trouble is, it's just not realistic, is it? The ground above the tunnel doesn't look high enough to justify it - but putting a tunnel halfway inside a cutting is even worse!! It's like the modeller couldn't decide which he wanted - tunnel or cutting - so had both!!

You can do as per the tradition at the old all-American TVNAM shows in Armitage, Staffs, where the "Do not touch" signs were not because the models were delicate or expensive, but usually because paint & glue on certain layouts was still drying..... 😱 🤣🤣🤣

Undoubtedly. You've absolutely nailed it mate - without any trains in view, as well - the 'acid test' of modelling based on any real location.

While I'm at it, I'll submit Exhibit B from my Unrealistic modelling photos...

Indeed!! I was going to comment on the neat spray job, until I read down your post!! Some Westerns were maroon, it's always begged the question 'why not any Hymeks?' I think the answer is to do with them being mixed traffic, not express engines?

It's got atmosphere in spades. That elusive quality that can't be bought in a model shop or glued on. I can feel the humidity just looking at this layout - fortunately not the mosquito bites I know I'd get if I was in the real place!! 😁👍

Just needs an original Airfix slimline coupler to complete the authentic look. 😉👍 That coupler itself was a revelation back in the day. Incredible how long it took to become as established standard for OO now. 🙄🤔

I like the subtle indoctrination going on there. If Mr Sheep Bloke won't take the 7mm Standard Gauge bait just yet, ply him with doses of narrow gauge. Same 16.5mm gauge as he's used to, but nice bigger models.... 😉👍🤣

Never mind his offer, it's how much he'll want to sell it for that will cause all the comments!! 🤔 😉 🤣

An evening Transfer Run was brought to an unexpected halt on my American O Scale layout last summer. "Someone should do something about the bugs around here" grumbled Tiny the Engineer as he and his Conductor inspected the dead moth....

Ah, yes, that is true. ...and, unlikely. 🤔 😁

That's both of us crossed off a certain member's xmas card list.... 🤣 2manytincans, I think his name is..? 🤔😁😉

How come it didn't explode in a massive fireball, like the locos in the film "Unstoppable"..??!! 😱🤣🤣👍 Don't worry, British humour again - I tend to count "Unstoppable" as a comedy.