south_tyne

Hi Ian, I cannot believe that I have missed this! It is a fantastic, atmospheric little layout, these are tantalising images!! Any chance of an overall shot to give a full view of the layout? Sounds like you will be at Birtley soon, I will definitely make sure I can get along just to see this! David

Thanks for that Mal, looks like an interesting little book. I will have a look out for it in Smiths this week. David

Hi Nick, Can only echo the thoughts of Jon above, really enjoy seeing updates on this. It is a lovely little layout of a prototype I have a lot of interest in and I look forward to following the progress in the new year. David

Hi Stu, That is looking great. I have admired your other small layouts in the past and moving to EM will only improve the appearance. How does the track layout differ from previous layouts? What are you using for point control? Anyway looks first class. David

I was going to hold out for the O gauge version further down the line but I think I am going to cave into the pressure and pre-order the Backworth version!

It is not that "old" but I suppose due to my age there are a number of inspirational layouts that stick in my mind from Railway Modeller magazines in the mid 90s (although even that is nearly 20 years ago now!!). I had a couple of years worth that I must have read and re-read over and over again. A couple which really stick in my mind from that time... Firstly a fantastic n-gauge depiction of Exeter St David's, Riverside Yard and even the branch to Barnstaple. It was a huge 'system' layout, really in a more of an American tradition but it was wondrous to a young impressionable lad! The sheer scale and complexity of it was just mind-blowing and even looking back at it now it shows what n-gauge is best for, scale length trains, in the countryside with plenty of space to breath. If I recall correctly it was in RM March, April and May 1996. And from one extreme to the other, a layout which will forever stay with me forever is Ivydale (All Hallows), a 16mm standard gauge depiction of a light railway terminus packed in to a very tight space of around 12' x 2'. It just shows the advantage of large scale modelling. It truly is a micro layout but it doesn't seem cramped or forced in any way. It really is worth a (re)look, I think this was in RM in around December 1996. David

Something I am surprised no major manufactuter has never taken a punt on is a Y6 or J70 tram loco. Yes they are quite locationally specific, yes there were not many of them... BUT... I am sure they are a class that many railway enthusiasts have a soft spot for and could potentially sell well. They were pretty unique and interestin and then of course there is the Toby factor, surely they would be a big seller. I am sure it must have been considered before at least so maybe I am just being naive to markets and business. It would be lovely to see one mind... I'll keep dreaming in any case! And Dave they are only a box on wheels so it cannot be too complex a design job... (he says with tongue firmly in cheek...)

Thanks Simon. Ian Rice plan it may be but you have certainly brought it to life and given some fantastic individual character... Top stuff!! David

Hi Simon, Just found this thread and have been admiring this fantastic little layout. Great track plan and looks like there is a lot of operational interest there. The overall scene and subtle weathering are excellent, really impressed with your modelling. David

Hi Nick, Continuing to follow your progress with interest, I am hoping to have a trip to Denmark later in the year and your little layout keeps prodding me to sort it out! Thanks for your informative info about models available... oh how I'd love an MH class... Can I justify it... hmmm. Thanks and keep up the good work! David

Thanks Mark, That is really useful. I will be following any updates with interest! David

Hi Southern Boy, Having been pointed in the direction of this thread I have spend an enjoyable hour or so reading though... All I can say is it is absolutely fantastic! Simply superb and inspirational modelling. Not my era or geographical location but it just perfectly captures the right atmosphere. Sorry (I have no doubt missed this) but if you don't mind me asking... How big is the layout? Thanks, David

I don't normally reply to such threads but what is to lose! Got to agree with those choices - for me it would be J21 and G5 at the head of the queue. Both classes which lasted from NE days through to BR and which were used all over the NE network and beyond. In fact a stereotypical NE branch could be run with just these two locos!

Thanks for sharing those pictures Nick. Absolutely love the Mh, probably my favourite Danish locos. Is it a widely available kit and was the chassis shortening job a difficult one? Thanks, David

Hi Mark, just been catching up with this thread following the great article in BRM. As I have said on numerous occasions it is just a fantastic little layout with so much atmosphere. I have been re-reading the topic for inspiration! Look forward to seeing JH in the flesh if you make a trip to more northerly climes!! Look forward to seeing further developments. David

Thanks for your reply Nick, it is very useful. I find Esbjerg a very interesting place so I will be following closely! What class of locos do you intend to use on the layout?

Hi Nick, Nice introduction to your project, it is a nice plan with plenty of operating potential. I have had a longstanding interest in Danish railways (and Denmark in general!) so will be looking forward to seeing this develop. Couple of questions if I may... What is the size of the layout? Is the layout set anywhere in particular? Thanks, David

It's funny you should mention that... I was just talking about possible ideas for a small layout with me Dad a few weeks ago and Simonside cropped up! Living in Jarrow it is only about a mile away from home and is a very interesting prototype. Sadly all that remains today is the entrance gates, overgrown with vegetation. The photo at this link http://m.flickr.com/#/photos/actonwellsjunction/5621866423/ is the one mind... I think I could make a convincing scene, in a limited space from that one image! As you say it would have interesting operations, a mix of wagons etc and would be different. Out comes the drawing pad again... David PS Mark sorry again for hijacking!!

It's coming! I'm still deliberating a little and I need to wait for my next trip home to pick up the track and bits and pieces, as I'm trying to do this on the cheap I want to reuse as much as I can! David

Hi Rob, I know the feeling... after a long time in the modelling doldrums JH, and Mark's superb modelling in general, have given me a kick to get going again. I have acquired a similar shelf now and I am shuffling bits as part of the planning process! My advice is go for it... there is nothing to lose and if it doesn't work out, well you can always use it as a shelf!! David

It sounds like you have a plan... There's no need to rush but I'm sure it'll work! I'll be interested to see the new project when it emerges then! I suppose JH will have helped to identify any pitfalls in designing such a micro layout. Yes I will do, I am going to take a trip the that big orange warehouse again at the weekend and see what I can pick up frpm the offcut bin to help my sector plate conundrum! The idea is formulated though and it wont be too long until it emerges into reality! David

PS this morning's shot of the Pug is magical. As they say a picture paints a thousand words....

Your progress is rapid compared to most of us ;-) Yes the lining solution should work well... I'll keep an eye out! As I will for the GW project, I'll be interested to see what you come up with. I presume it will be a similar kind of size? Yes my project is slowly progressing thanks. I'm currently grappling with ideas for the sector plate/traverser as I want to get this sorted before I crack on with anything else. I have a few ideas but it will have to be a littlw different from the norm as, whatever it ends up being, will have to sit on the flat pine shelf. Thanks as ever, David

Hi Brian, many thanks for your informative reply. As I mentioned I am currently planning a micro layout and I want to sort the fiddle yard before I do anything else. This type of arrangement could be an option and might be easier than trying to set up a sector plate etc. something which I have not had the greatest success with in the past. I'll have a look at what turntables are on the market. I'll keep following your thread with interest. David

Hi Brian, I'm not a GWR fan but I really like this! The colours and overall scene are excellent and it is hard to see how the layout is only 4' long or so. Excellent modelling. I am planning a 'pointless' layout at the moment and so I am interesting in how you find the operation side of things. You mention you use a turntable in the fiddle yard... Does this work well? You can spy it in one of the photographs. Apologies if I missed this but what make is it? I am currently considering what to do in my fiddle yard - sector plate, traverser, cassettes etc. - so any pointers would be useful. I just imagine it is so important to get this aspect of the layout right from the outset in order to make for smooth operation. Many thanks and more pics please!! David