south_tyne

I went out for a long walk at 4am this morning as it is the solstice! Nice bright sunny morning in the North East and really invigorating start to the day. I suppose it's best to make the most of the long days when we can!

I will respectfully both agree and disagree!! I am really enjoying following the Copa America and Gold Cup from afar but I am a bit of a world football geek, being interested in the more eclectic and niche, and know I defintely don't represent the norm. However I am also really pleased to see the interest that the women's World Cup is generating. As I said previously, I really don't think we need to compare the two games, just enjoy the men's and women's games for what they are, and appreciate that they are different. There's something out there for everyone in football .... it would be a boring world if we were all the same and enjoyed the same things!

Pleased to read you are making progress and about your change of setting! Having spent lots of time in Norfolk and Suffolk I like following any layout set in East Anglia. You have obviously put in a great deal of thought regarding the prototype traffic workings. I think it's great to do this from the outset, after all we are trying to replicate the real thing in our modelling. Lots of variety and interesting traffic flows, particularly freight. Plenty of opportunity to run my three favourite diesel classes too - the good old 47, 31 and 37. Will be really interested to see how this develops

Apologies but I am sorted now!

Hi Col, Thank you very much for the explanation and photos, that's smashing. Don't do yourself down by saying it's a bodge; it is simple but effective but that is always the best method in my opinion! Thank again for your help. David

Thanks Mark and no problem at all! Much of my family live in the Lingwood and Acle area so I have always been interested in that part of the world. Thanks again for sharing your information and taking the time to reply. Cheers, David

I agree with this Dave. Don't get me wrong, I like DCC sound, but I think layout operators have to be conscientious and mindful of other exhibitors. It has driven me insane before being next to those seem to revel in having as noisy a layout as possible and the sound as loud as possible, to the point where it can dominate the whole show. Honestly I think that there is sometimes an element of blokes (let's face it is nearly always men) just showing off their fancy toys,or literally exhibitionism for want of a better word! As with most things in life, being considerate of others goes a long way......

Like it! Honestly the more I read about the machinations at FIFA, UEFA, the FA, the Football League etc, and their associated organisations, affiliates and sponsors, the more I despair. It is simply shocking what goes on behind the scenes at all these organisations and I'm sure the current stories are only the tip of the iceberg. But I suppose it goes back to the days of Stanley Rous and his frankly racist and elitist views on the world, so I suppose nothing is new is it.

As pH says, I don't think it is fair to compare men's and women's football. Same sport, different game as I have heard a few people comment. However I fully respect your right to hold such an opinion. As someone who watches almost exclusively non-league football live, the pinnacle of my viewing being the National League(!!), maybe I view the women's game differently, not having that benchmark of Premier League and Champions League may give me a different perspective!

I'm a big fan of Riggwelter. A proper ale - it's certainly got a kick! I've always wanted to do the tour of the Black Sheep brewery at Masham. One for this summer I think

Hi Col, Haven't checked into your thread for a while but you've made fantastic progress and the layout is looking stunning. I particularly like the ballasting, ground cover and the weathering and colouring - superbly done. I hope you don't mind me asking, but if possible could you share some further details about your 'fiddlestick' please? (Worringly sounds rather like a double entendre!! ). How do you ensure alignment and how is it powered? Apologies for asking so many questions. Keep up the good work! David

Hi Mark, It is most useful indeed, fascinating in fact. Thank you very much for taking the time to respond and share you extensive knowledge, it's greatly appreciated. There was clearly a wide variety of traffic handled and locations served well into the post-steam period. Apologies for asking another question, but just to tap into your clear local expertise, do you know roughly when the BSC plant at Cantley ceased to be served by rail? I hope you don't mind me asking! Thank again, David

Now that's a blast from the past!!! Martyn - let us know how you get on with the sugar beet loads when they arrive. I'll be intrigued to see!

Thanks Mr Cuttle! That's really useful. I'm looking for some suitable brickpapers and the way you have used them looks superb, so I will check those sources out. Really impressive stuff, so effective! Thank again for your help. David

Was that a Norwich to Wymondham trip working? If so, can you recall what the make-up of the working was likely to be? Apologies if those are silly questions. David

That's looking absolutely cracking Luke, you are doing a fantastic job. I think the warehouses and industrial buildings look particularly impressive. Once again, the pace at which you work puts the rest of us to shame!! Keep up the good work. David

Thanks, that's really useful. I know the Ten Commandments cast loads look very effective but, as Martyn says, they are obviously designed for 16t minerals - https://tencommandmentsmodels.co.uk/product/sugar-beet-load-standard/. It absolutely screams Dunnington and the DVR, so no need to worry on that score!

Wow! What a stunning structure. It's so rare to see a building of this scale modelled in 0 gauge, so it is great to see. What a fantastic and imposing model...... so realistic too. If you don't mind me asking, what type of brickpaper have you used? Cheers, David

Good news that the 121s are on the way soon. If they are anything like the quality of the 141s then Irish modellers are in for a treat! I had a few of the latter in Supertrain livery but unfortunately had to move them on as part of a rationalisation of stock and change of scale. Hopefully the impending release of the 121 will be a further boost to Irish modelling as another class that are synonymous with the network over the last half a century!

Mark, I'll have to get hold of one of Mr Gravett's books. It may be his theory and methods but you have certainly executed the techniques wonderfully. First class modelling Interesting on the Weetabix front! I've been seriously ill recently and spent an extended time in hospital. As part of my recovery, both when incarcerated and since I have returned home, I have been consuming masses of Burton Latimer's finest...... I don't dare tell you how many I have a day!! Anyway, enough of that aside! Keep up the good work and look forward to seeing more of your progress in due course. David

Sorry to repeat myself but the colouring and weathering are simply stunning - honestly, some of the best I have ever seen. That austerity tank looks so realistic. Fabulous stuff

Definitely. Both Shell Island and Upbeach St Mary are cracking layouts and shows the plan can be used in very different settings. It is funny how modellers can come up with very similar schemes, totally independently on one another... great minds obviously! The added kick back obviously adds to operating potential and I think is something I would like to incorporate if I do go down this route. Adding a third siding - ala Smithfield St Yard which I posted above - would add even more to the scheme, but obviously will require more space. An effective traverser is clearly crucial to the layout working well.

Mike, Thank you very much for your explanation and no need to apologise at all. It is always good to learn something new! I have been considering having a go at building my own points, just as I am wanting some smaller, tighter ones (potentially 36" radius) to suit an industrial setting, so it is definitely something to consider. Cheers!

Mullie, As discussed elsewhere, I really like what you're doing here. As I mentioned I am also looking at modelling sugar beet traffic and am considering options for representing it as a load in 7mm scale. I think that shot is incredibly atmospheric. You have captured the flat, big open skies landscape of the fens perfectly. It belies the small size of the layout and is testament to your fantastic modelling skills. Oh and there is nothing wrong with a bit of woodwork bodging! If it does the job then that is the only thing that matters. Keep up the good work! David

I can only echo the comments above Mark, the layout is looking magnificent. The colours, weathering and overall 'picture' are just superb. I think you have captured that 'down at heel' light railway atmosphere perfectly. David