Jon Gwinnett

What a superb collection.

I have to say that I rather liked option A

The colour is perhaps a bit dark, but offers a nice “ frame” to that end of the view, so I’d be tempted to leave it as is.

I was thinking about this, the Swiss et al had recognised the benefits of electrickery in the mountains early, And the Southern had plenty of experience with both overhead and third rail, so why wouldn’t the enterprising folk of little Switzerland experiment with overhead (and possibly the rack) for the steep climbs out of Combe Martin

I love it all, as always, but this particular gem made me splutter beer on iPad in mirth. What I most appreciate is that the storytelling gives the timetable, stock and moves real purpose and character. Bravo!

My condolences, my Father was a major influence on my modelling and his passing was a significant blow, so you have my sympathy as I know how difficult it can be.

So much character as ever, and I can imagine hear the track in the yard creaking and groaning under the weight of the spaceship...

Apologies for laughing, but anytime I build a layout it rapidly seems to become a complicated expensive shelf, so I get this, totally!

Given the added drag the reverse curve must induce, I reckon that is incredibly successful.

I did have my heart in my mouth there at the end

In my experience the Kadees will work well, although not as smoothly as their US iterations. These may be of interest in enabling use of standard hook and loop couplers in a fine scale manner : http://www.h0fine.com/shop/product_info.php?products_id=55

Merry Christmas!

I must confess to knowing nothing about three rail/stud contact. Do you have to isolate stock in the same way as wiring for DC, or can you drive loks independently?

When I used white decal paper, I had trouble after cutting out, the edge always seemed to show white, but I don’t see that on your example - Colour me impressed!

Some of my topics have years between posts, so I’m not sure this change will motivate me!

Bricklink should have what you need.

Having had the layout running for a few weeks, had given me the opportunity to assess what it was like to operate (not in a serious way as such, more in terms of play value). I concluded that the double track “exit stage right” Didn’t really add anything, although it gave a longer runaround loop that was pointless as it was greater than the maximum train length, and with revising the offstage arrangements it wasn’t possible to assemble a train from all three sidings. So bearing in mind @Neil’s sage advice of “if in doubt, simplify” (I paraphrase, but that’s the general drift) I decided to lift the double track exit and replace it with a simple turnout. Nothing had been glued apart from the level crossing and that was fixed with UHU and lifted easily enough. I’m fortunate to have a model shop not too far away so they furnished the replacement track (as luck luck would have it I didn’t have a left hand medium point in the stash) and a pleasant hour of snipping and relaying ensued. Wiring followed my usual approach of making sure each piece of track was fed by at least one pair of fish plates wired to the main bus (in reality many pieces are fed both ends). Trackwork by Jon Gwinnett, on Flickr Trackwork by Jon Gwinnett, on Flickr Trackwork by Jon Gwinnett, on Flickr

I also came across this rather splendid photo, which, among other things, makes me feel even more content with the Code 100 track! 2020.07.29_12763_Awhvw_LNS 363712 by rcbrug, on Flickr I really hope one of the Dutch dealers, or Piko themselves, offer the little shunter in the black livery one day - I love it!

Apologies for the lack of updates, progess had stalled while work and other things got in the way. However, this week, timber for any potential extension showed up (a longer fiddlestick for starters) and then today a rather exciting package from Germany: Package from HOfine.de by Jon Gwinnett, on Flickr

Looks like they're getting ready for some more track renewals:

I have to agree the plain backscene looks better to my eyes.

Glad I’m not the only one who acquires stock for the next layout, or the layout after that.

A little more progress today, some track paint and the level crossing Amsterdam Harbour layout progress by Jon Gwinnett, on Flickr Amsterdam Harbour layout progress by Jon Gwinnett, on Flickr Amsterdam Harbour layout progress by Jon Gwinnett, on Flickr

Thanks for sharing Seb, always a pleasure.

How tight radius are you going with the Settrack curves? I’m trying to stick at R4 or above (and then only on one one curve which is tight-ish on the prototype) even “off-stage” as it were.