wollastonblue

This is just a suggestion. Assuming that your fiddle yards are not part of the 10ft x 2ft space. I have quickly come up with this plan:

From other GWR layouts I have seen, good sheds can be located in the bay platform. There is also scope for a second platform on this plan. I've put a Metcalfe small factory in the one area, but you could make this a dairy to allow for milk traffic.

Hope this helps.

IIRC Smethwick Galton Bridge to Smethwick Rolfe Street is 33 chains. 

Heads up to anyone interested Bemo are now offering certain locos and stock in HO gauge:

http://www.bemo-modellbahn.de/produkte/schweizer-bahnen-h0.html?tx_userbemocatalogue_rubriclist%5Bvehicle%5D=30&tx_userbemocatalogue_rubriclist%5Baction%5D=show&tx_userbemocatalogue_rubriclist%5Bcontroller%5D=Vehicle&cHash=7cc5cb7b40ce1ed7f73def2b9eff8e6d

Wollaston's Blues are in training, I've got them off the booze, and thought's of the beach in Dubai.

I'd be up for it. As a Birmingham City supporter, I know nothing about football though.

The curve at Stourbridge Junction towards Birmingham is 15mph, and there's always plenty of flange squealing to be heard from my grandmothers. I always thought that was really sharp for a mainline.

Recently, my good lady has treated me to some Craft cans from Asda 4 for £6. A couple were a bit too citrusy for me. But Purity Lawless, and Pistonhead Lager were superb.

I have mentioned it earlier, if visiting the SVR/Kidderminster this summer, I can recommend a visit my local pub The Weavers Real Ale House on Comberton Hill which has just been awarded the CAMRA Worcestershire pub of the year. It now features beer from the Pig Iron Brewery, and the Round Oak Stout is one of the best stouts I have tried. (Usual disclaimer, just a happy regular).

I do tend to vear towards electronic music, when I'm modelling or any other job around the house for that matter. Anything from the Pet shop Boys, to Calvin Harris, Pop to Hard House.

Hello Wollaston blue,

like the look of the last layout-any dimensions? the top right hand siding looks a bit of a sqeeze though-enough for a GP40 plus one 50' car?

Presume the orange square is where the cassettes go? Glad about your 'conversion'-you wont regret it!

regards

Paul

Hi Paul,

It's 3 APA style boxes together which give you approx 7ft x 1ft, I have a similar set up for my Swiss layout. I have removed the loco and car. But I have put all the car spots on now. I don't have room really for a permanent layout at home. So these are ideal for storing away, when not being built or played with.

Well I have taken the plunge and pre-ordered the new Atlas Genset with Sound in CSX livery. DCC makes the layout I'm proposing a lot easier to wire. I have had a play with the track plan and come up with this in Peco Code 83 HO with #5 switches:

Staging would have to be in the form of cassettes, but I can live with that as I mean I can get more locos   and bring in cars from other exchange yards.

As alway any advice and feedback is greatly received.

Have you spoken to Wellington Models?

Another suggestion is looking for the sets from a japanese store like http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/rail/, or http://banzaihobby.com/ . 

Usual disclaimer no commercial ties to any of the above. I have used Hobby Search from Japan to the UK, for Tomix equipment.

Railpictures.net has provided me with a lot of food for thought. This photo has really caught my eye:

http://www.railpictures.net/photo/314729/

I really like the look of the Genset locomotives particularly in BNSF, UP, CSX livery. Am I right in thinking the reefer behind the loco on this photo is a 64ft Trinity Reefer?

More ponderings have come and plays on Anyrail have led me to this plan:

Key to Cars:

Yellow - Genset

Turquoise - 50ft Boxcars

Orange - 64ft Trinity Reefer

Purple - 3800ft3 Cylindrical Hopper

Pink - 62ft Gondola

Black - 55ft Tank Car

This plan is based on using 3 APA boxes similar to my Swiss layout. They are easy to build, and store when not working on or running trains.

Any feedback or advise is always gratefully received.

Do you know who you Noch Distributor is in the USA, they might be worth a shout as they seem to be supporting it in Europe.

It's been a while since I last bounced an idea around on this topic. A lot of google searching lead me to the wonderful Carendt site. The highland terminal provided me with a lot of inspiration. So a play on Anyrail has led me to this:

Invicta models seem to have a nice selection to look at, and i really like the look of the Athearn GP50 in Burlington Northern with tiger stripes. Along with 50ft boxcars, reefers, tanks, hoppers, and gondolas. This looks a great plan for a lot of operation.

Would a GP50 be OK for switching such a yard in say the 1970s/80s?

In the 80s there was a photography shop on Lower High Street in Stourbridge called Hals that was also a model shop. Also a toy shop called Woodworths sold model railway stuff. 

Also in the late 80s and early 90s there was Wordsley Model Centre on the main Wolverhampton road. The owner there was really helpful to a young 'un looking for Lima 37s.

It has been nicknamed the Darth Vader train, and even has had some Star Wars Vinyls put on a couple of the units. 

I have been a bit sceptical about these new Craft Beers. I was given a couple to try by a friend, one being a can of Lervig Johnny Low IPA from Norway, and I was amazed that a 2.5% beer could have that much flavour. 

Also a trip on the SVR last Friday, led me to the White Lion in Bridgnorth, the Hop and Stagger brewery is out the back, and their Golden Wanderer is stunning, even better with one of the home cooked Scotch Eggs.

As I'm in the early planning stages of a Switching layout, I will also be watching with interest. Love the look of the GENSET locos.

I'm guessing it's something like this: http://www.modellbahnshop-lippe.com/produkt/Rivarossi/11-4-003001-240706-0-0-0-4-3-2-0-gatt-gb-p-0/ein_produkt.html

Use this store you even get loyalty points, I have used them for Faller kits before and they were brilliant. No connection, I've only been to Germany once, just a happy customer.

If it isn't there a shops on the continent that will ship it too you. Or look on eBay.co.uk and it lists sellers that will ship to the UK.

MMM. since we are in Shepherd's bush I will use the Ronnie Barker hieroglyphics grand wizard move to get to 

 

 

North Acton

 

Marc  

If that move is still in remember there'll always be a 

Ruislip

i would like propose the addition of both as an option. As the Swiss layout I am building is DC, the US layout I'm planning will be DCC.

This Blue enough for you:

If so let's go for something narrow gauge.

I am currently having a lovely conversation with the guys at AB Modell who have sent me this:

Neuheiten_Spielwarenmesse2017.pdf

It's a shame I've literally just planted the Viaduct, the Faller version of the Val Tuoi Viaduct looks brilliant. The Pirata wagons look like €79 each!?!?!?!?! 

The catenary is a god send as I was going to plump for the Tomix variety, but I will wait for the new Kato version for my layout, as the N-Track or Sommerfeldt variety is just too expensive for me.

World in Motion - New Order (ft John Barnes)

I once went out for a beer or 7 with some mates round Kew, once back on the tube the ride was enough to:

Turnham Green