AJ427

I don't envy you your task at all but as someone who has used your database you have my deepest appreciation.

Thanks and keep up the good work!

Short answer yes but there are some caveats when installing after which it works fine. Theres a free microsoft update and also an unofficial patch. Links and instructions can be found here:

http://msts.steam4me.net/tutorials/installing_msts_w7.html

http://www.railpage.com.au/f-p1653923.htm

Yeah, got that and it's a great site that has proven very useful so far.

I'm intending printing out the photographic backscene, at the local library using a colour injet printer onto a single A3 sheet. Do you think that this is a viable method of producing a convincing background for my layout.

I think it will look very effective and the quality should be good. However with inkjet prints you have the problem of the colours fading over a relatively short time so maybe think about having the backscene easily removable so you can replace it prediodically.

Wow - magna-traction in action.

Sorry, couldn't resist.

Looks very good and thanks for the hackerspace link - I never knew such places existed and I've found one near me so might give it a try.

I too will miss it but looking forward to the interesting new layout as well as the future incarnation of Copley Hill. Good luck.

I have a fuzzy pic of an A4 there in 1962 from somewhere on t'internet (can't remember where) that shows 4 lines of flatbottom rail. Not much help though : )

The stock of Copley Hill will look rather graceful zipping through here. How long will the boards be?

That definitely looks interesting, and very promising. Are you prepared to consider offering N1 prints to other modellers?

Hi Graeme,

Yes. I'll be offering the model in some form - either direct from me or via a 3d printing website such as i-materialise or shapeways.

Excellent. Nice weathering there. I've often thought a turntable would make a good basis for a nice non-static diorama for those of us (most of us) with overly large and often inappropriate loco collections.

This months BRM scenic special features the Cliffhanger layout where a forest has been created using diy store spray-on expanded foam with seamoss trees at the edges. The whole is then painted and covered in scatter. It looks very convincing and relatively inexpensive.

Nice work with the door bolts - much neater than my own efforts.

These look great and really transform the model. Nice work.

Looks good! What glue did you use to secure the PTFE tubes? I've found superglue won't touch it... It looks like you've used hot-melt glue. Has that stood up to the rigours of use?

Yep, hot glue was used. Very resilient it was too although a bit messy to apply. There'll be no getting them off now.

Nice trees and I like the ticket stub/signage montage.

I like the model of the model; it shows a plan that has sought to consider the environment around the railway and sought to make it realistic.

 

You also get wonderfully flowing curves when you use templot. I certainly did not get to grips with it all that easily!

 

Is the hole on the end of the board not a bit large, to the point that the weakening the board?

Thanks for the comments. I wouldn't say Templot is the most intuitive software I've used - I struggled at first but then it just seemed to click and was quite easy after that. The online tutorials are a big help. The hole at the end is an error as I'd just cut the hole in the same place through all the cross sections before I'd thought about the lie of the land. I intend to put a strengthening crossmember (with a smaller hole) fixed directly to this one.

I think this is an ideal plan for a self build, is it a sector plate at each end?

My current thinking is that I'll do a 6-road traverser at each end. Obviously the track will enter at an angle which isn't ideal. However, I've done one like that before and whilst it had a few problems it was at least good enough that I know I can improve on the design with my now hopefully better wood working skills! The curves at either end of the layout (including the sidings) are actually all parallel by the time they reach the ends. I have about 3'8" space at each end which should be adequate for most of the trains that would have been seen on the line.

Good luck with the new project. Going through a similar thought process myself with my own West Riding layout only in the opposite direction (big and permanent to smaller and portable) but the aims of improving skills and getting more enjoyment from it are the same.

Very nice weathering - right up my street.

Very nice. Looks even better in-situ.

Nice work. I especially like the wet-look tank sides.

Ha! I cannot tell a lie Dave - the basic shapes were done using CAD software and then sketched over and fleshed out. I would be mighty pleased if I could come up with a perspective like that from scratch.

"Try and spot the Pete Harvey Design etched chairs on the point, they are a great asset to help blend strengthening copper clad sleepers with the C&L plastic ones. They lift the rail as gnat's willy above the sleepers too to match the C&L chairs."

I noticed these and they look good. Any idea when they will be available and do they work with the thin C&L copper clad?

Loving the change of level. Really well thought out and executed.

Lovely! Got one of these to do myself soon and really looking forward to it now!

Not a fan either but that looks rather striking.