south_tyne

I like your optimism Why not keep the faith... we might get the real thing one day!!

Not to sound too much like a stuck record but I cannot understand why no manufacturer has gone for a Wisbech & Upwell Y6 or J70 tram. I am sure they would sell well - yes they were geographically confined and a bit (a lot!) of a niche BUT lots of enthusiasts have a soft spot for the W&U and I think would get one just because they like them. Beattie Well Tanks, Adams Radials etc have the same kind of niche markets but have/are arriving on the market. There is also the Thomas connection which could be exploited in a commercial sense... surely a winner! Anyway, end of the naive comments and I'll keep dreaming!! Keep up the good work Dave!

Thanks for the extra information. As I said, it is a lovely little layout with a great, probably unique(!), story. Cheers

I always find that rather ironic and wholeheartedly agree! A good investment in a set of boards, which could even be reused, all for the price of a rtr shunter... Really is a 'no brainer' to me.

Hi Rick, As above, only just discovered this little layout and the wonderful story behind it! Cracking stuff. If you don't mind me asking what are the overall dimensions when unpacked? (please accept my apologies if I missed this). Cheers, David

Hi Nick, I am really enjoying seeing how this is developing, as I've said before I have a big interest in the prototype and think you have done a smashing job on the layout. I hope the exhibition went well and keep the photos coming!! David

Hi Phil, Many thanks for your reply, it is appreciated. Those Peco templates will be really useful, I am going to do as you suggest and lay things out as a full size mock up. The 9' length would be my absolute maximum and so I need to see whether I can get things to work in that length. I've also been mulling over a 6' version for n gauge. I've never done anything in the scale but it might serve as a useful testbed/introduction and also would be more managable in terms of size. Just a thought although I think I'd rather stick to 4mm. Thanks again, David

I've been thinking about this more and more as a project to get me re-started with my modelling. Actually it reminds me of Easingwold East, which is a stunning EM gauge layout by Peter Fletcher. It is a top-class finescale version but shows you what you could develop this little layout in to in exactly the same space. He used one less siding, which may cut down on the crampedness a little, but it is only 12" wide rather than 15", so it probably makes no different in reality. I just thought it might be useful to reference here for anyone who is attempting such a project or is thinking of giving it a go. David PS here is a link to some images... And rather ironically it is to Phil's blog!! http://philsworkbench.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/easingwold-east_17.html?m=1

Hi Phil, I am more and more tempted to have a go at this in order to get me out of the armchair! Can I ask a question if you don't mind... Sorry if I have missed this (you undoubtedly will have said) but can I check what kind of points you used? I presume they are 'small radius' to meet the tight size constraints? Thanks very much, David

Petri, Just stumbled across this thread... There is some absolutely stunning modelling on display here, the buildings in particular... well words fail me to be honest! I know next to nothing about the railways of Finland but you have created a fantastic feel and atmosphere. Keep the updates coming. David

I really like the look of this one MM. Having followed the 'builds' of your previous layouts I know that it'll be another good 'un. Just my kind of thing too, simple, small and goods only! I look forward to seeing this one develop. David

As a couple of further layouts... I have always loved the work of Brant Hickman in n gauge. Examples in the RM which spring to mind such as Abingdon and Rorgyle but the one which does it for me is Littleton Curve (RM May 1997). Small, simple, effective but stunning modelling. Absolutely stunning. It has been much copied and imitated too, which I suppose the man should take as flattering! I've always wanted to see the layout, I don't know whether it is still around but it was inspiring to me as a young modeller, even if I have never got anywhere near to completing a layout in the last 10 years!

Top work here Mike - hopefully I will get to see it an exhibition, sounds like you have a few coming up so there should be ample opporunity. Really Chris...? I am sure Mike appreciates the praise but I will swap you NE England for NSW any day

Thanks that is really useful! Keep the updates coming

You are making excellent progress there. I hope you don't mind me asking a very simple question- how high is the backscene above baseboard level? Cheers, David

Thanks to everyone who has replied to this - it is much appreciated. There is quite a lot to take in and a bit more research necessary I think. I will have a look through all the links and infomation provided. Cheers

Oops sorry! Thanks, far better from the "horses mouth" (as they say!) in any case though. It has long been a favourite of mine Jack - I just need to pull my finger out and crack on with a version!!!

I'd be interested and intrigued to see that - I think I can visualise what you mean but a picture tells a thousand words and all that!

Has anyone ever made a 4mm scale detailing kit to convert a Drewry shunter (Class 04) into one of the examples used on the Wisbech and Upwell? I have seen a number modelled over the years and I suspect it wouldn't be too difficult to fashion some side-skirts and cowcatchers etc but I just thought I would ask first rather than needlessly reinventing the wheel! Any advice appreciated... Cheers, David

Interesting John - I am struggling a little to see how a sector plate can be done on a foamboard baseboard though (my own stupidity no doubt!). Could a ply (or something similar) covering be used on the board from which the plate can be fashioned? I like the 'cassector plate' idea mind... you want to trademark that!! David

Nothing new but endorsement of previously mentioned 'attractions'. The TranzAlpine is just superb - the trip to Greymouth is spectacular and well worth the price. The ride north to Picton is also very picturesque. I can also recommend the Taieri Gorge Railway if you are in Dunedin. When I was there in 2012, I also took the opportunity to watch a bit of freight traffic around Christchurch. Lyttleton Harbour was an interesting site if I remember rightly.

Cheers - small but enough to pack in a really interesting track plan and lots of operational potential. It will be good to watch this one develop.

Hi Dava, Sorry cannot give any advice on the bracing but I will follow your plan with interest - I have long had the idea of doing a 'pointless' layout such as this and will be interested to hear how you get on. I really like the The Stodden Hundred Light Railway thread and have considered something similar to the coal yard/brickworks (see the 5th photo in the first post) as a standalone scene: http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/66583-stodden-hundred-light-railway/ I think this kind of thing works in 7mm scale much better than the smaller scales, I guess due to the mass and scale of the stock. You have probably come across this but also see Shortover Yard in this link: http://www.carendt.com/micro-layout-design-gallery/traversertransfer-table-lines/ How would you propose to construct the traverser/sector plate when you are using a foamboard base? David

Interesting plan there Daniel - what is the size of the baseboard? Cheers, David

Hi Martin, good picture there - have you got any other information on this loco and where it worked? I agree with that - there were some many other options available rather than another 08.