south_tyne

I would echo comments above. I would start with a Parkside kit and take it from there. They are excellent, good instructions and don't take too long to put together. Plenty of choice too so you should find something suitable for your modelling era. David

Hi Neil, Thanks for taking the time to reply, it's much appreciated. So is the plan for the home layout basically an inglenook with a run-round? Does the 6-7 feet include a fiddle yard?

Bizarre football story of the week...... https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-tyne-45342468

That is a wonderful space to work in. Wishing you all the best and look forward to seeing your layout develop!

Love that mock up! So atmospheric even in this most basic of formats. I hope you can incorporate those buildings and that entrance/exit scenario in the layout

Good stuff Dava. The side project looks very rewarding and it is must be nice to be taking steps forward with that. Little victories are often the most rewarding! I do find the potential for modelling 3' gauge stuff very appealing and a highly untapped market. I love the 48ds - hoping to get one of the LLCo standard gauge versions when they are released (if I can justify it!). Like the way the wagon is coming on. Just out of iterest, would it be the intention to offer the underframe on a commercial basis once your designer has finalised it? David

Cheers James! Just dug out the above book and they are wonderful images of both 03s and 08s on local/pick up goods. If such services had survived longer in general nationwide, and the rural branchline had not been obliterated, you wonder whether diesel shunters would have been more widely used in such a manner into the '70s? Particularly when the non-standard plethora of type 1 diesel locos had been phased out and scrapped. Very much alternative history but an 03 trundling along with a few wagons on a rural branch is very appealing to me!

How about a lovely Hudswell Carke in Denmark..... http://www.leedsengine.info/leeds/photo.asp?photo=images/Hudswell%20Clarke/Standard%20Gauge%20Loco/Steam/hc%20499%20helsingor%20denmark%202018%20kw.jpg&phby=Kris%20Ward&loco=Ostre%20Gasvaerk%20No.2%20%20(Hudswell%20Clarke%20499/1899)&exact=on

Look forward to seeing Dutton Bridge develop Neil What will be the overall size of this module? I notice you will be using the Peco setrack points - how have you found running through these? I have read mixed reviews... I love the way you're developing your wago stock too! It's great to see something a bit different to the norm and some alternative prototypes being modelled. Keep sharing your work, David

Excellent stick with that decision and have fun with your modelling!

I would definitely agree with that. Pre-internet this wouldn't have happened.... a handful of friends may have seen our layout. We may have visited a handful of exhibitions s year and then looked at half a dozen layouts in the press each month. Ultimately that would have been our guide and there wouldn't be people commenting/judging through a forum such as this all the time. Even if in 99% of cases any 'criticism' is constructive it is often how we perceive this comment that is the issue. Forums such as this are a wonderful resource, can be inspirational and can also offer a wonderful opportunity for sharing, support and friendship. How they can also have a negative aspect because ultimately there will always be some unobtainable benchmarks apparent, reaching standards that, I for one, will never be able to obtain. As long as we can channel this and any comments positively however, it can be an excellent thing and spur us on. My advice at the moment is just try to enjoy your modelling. Get a little layout up and running and get 'playing'! Please feel free to dismiss me but it's just our current mindset and circumstances sound very similar and I know it is the best approach I could take!

Excellent idea multi-era and/or locations could be your answer! Two or more distinct selections of stock could be utilised depending on your mood or interest for the day. It is something I am considering as mentioned above.

Sorry I should have been clearer. I meant ridiculous in my situation and from my point of view, not the original poster. In fact I am fully in awe of those who can restrict themselves in such a way and slavishly follow the prototype to such a degree, I really admire it. But there are those of us for which I isn't quite so important - especially if it has having an adverse impact, in the extreme where it is making us ill. I fully after with your approach; sitting down and writing a list of your wants and needs is a very good approach and could well work for the OP. Again apologies if my posting was not very clear. David

Cheers will put that date in the diary. Still haven't opened the latest Moorsline magazine... I should really get around to reading it then I would know what was coming up!

I completely empathise with this. I get bogged down in the details, sorry about things, to the point where it manifests itself in complete inertia and paralysis. I have a similar problem with eras and setting. For my project I have a mix of wagon stock - a collection of 1930s GWR items and then some '60s stock. I don't want to mix and match the two so have decided I will operate in two distict periods, either one or the other. However at present I only have the one loco and worry about how suitable it is for either! I'm trying to justify it as a light railway loco for the intitial scheme and an industrial loco for the second... but I tie myself in knots worrying about it! Ultimately it is completely ridiculous and life is far too short. These are just toy trains after all. It's just a shunting layout and it is really just for me! So why not just enjoy it rather than worry about what other people think or by over thinking how others will criticise! This is supposed to be a hobby for fun.....

Utilise rule one... it's your trainset. Just my opinion but sometimes life is too short to get bogged down in slavishly following the prototype, so just do what you want to is my view

That's the one - cheers Adrian! I'll dig it out for a look tomorrow. I knew I had seen something somewhere. If I remember rightly they were lovely atmospheric shots of diesels locos but operating in 'steam-age' infrastructure and setting.

That sounds sensible Jack. I would love to see a mock up or real life prototype. If it can work it will offer such a great space saving opportunity!

Hi Steve, Thank you for taking the time to reply, that is excellent news. It is great to hear that things are moving forward; don't worry about the pace I am in no doubt that this one will be definitely worth the wait!! Also allows time for people ona very strict budget such as myself to get the necessary funds together! I know you've got a lot on with your other projects too so thanks agai for the update. Apologies for pestering you, I didn't want it to seem like I was badgering/chasing at all, as I said, I am in no rush and know the finished product you will deliver will be of the highest quality. Keep up the good work and all the best with all your projects! David

Just spotted this one for the first time too. I have very happy memories of mooching around Ely station during the holidays when staying with relatives in East Anglia during the '90s and '00s so the layout really strikes a chord with me Fantastic modelling and shows just what can be done when the potential of 2mm scale is maximised. That station building is superb too! Inspiring stuff so thanks for sharing, David

Seems like you have been making real progress and making the most of the bank holiday weekend! Developing a nice trackplan in the enlarged format. I think you were right to drop the bay and avoid the scene becoming too cluttered. There is definitely a happy medium to be struck between operational interest and avoiding cramming too much track in..... I think what you have gone for in that latest update seems to get that balance right. Keep the updates coming! David

Thanks for sharing - smashing pictures. I am a little biased but still think the NYMR is the best of the preserved railways at its best. Whether it is riding the whole route or just doing a short hop, it has something to offer for everyone. The link to Whitby has given added flexibility and the last couple of times I have been we have just done a return from Grosmont to Whitby. Always plenty to see down the MPD too Haven't been yet this year but hoping to pop down in September. PS - that LT liveried class 20 looks intriguing!

I am sure I have seen photos of Drewry-type shunters on pick up freight services in the Northallerton/Ripon/Harrogate kind of area in the mid/late '60s. Possible the last throws of the Masham branch? I suspect they may have been what became the 03 class rather than 04 mind? I am sure far more knowledgeable folk can confirm though. Presumably a York or Darlington based loco that was allowed to stretch it's legs out on the mainline! I had a quick look and couldn't immediately find the images I was thinking of but I am sure I am not making it up... for my own sanitt, perhaps someone can confirm that I haven't completely dreamt this up!!

Thanks for sharing this Jack. I think it is an absolutely ingenious idea and something I have never thought of or even seen before! The concept of a 'drawer' arrangement to a fiddle yard is such a space saver.... the challenge would be in ensuring a smooth mechanism, so it could be easily slid in and out for an operating session. Storage would be easy. Definitely gives food for thought when planning a micro layout and I would love to see if the concept works in real life!

Smashing thank you for replying. It looks really good with plenty of operational interest to the trackplan.