Wherry Lines

The Dapol and Farish BSI couplings don't work. I've tried already. Tiny dimensional difference!@

Whilst I am very happy to see they've finally arrived, I wish they'd spaced the releases out a bit more!

I've now run in my EMT example for the full hour and I am rather impressed by the quality of running. On DC, it is incredibly smooth and quiet - and that's on a 40 year old homemade controller! There is a nice weight and a solid feeling to the model and livery application is superb. Coupling the two coaches together is easy, but a little care must be taken to avoid bending the 4 connection pins. I thought I'd try out coupling compatibility with the Dapol 156. Whilst the couplings look dimensionally very close, the Dapol coupler is very slightly chunkier, so will not engage with the Farish 158. Not surprising, but a bit of a shame as they look good together.

Quick comparison photo between an original tooling Bachfar release and the new tooling.

For me, the original plan with 3 points looks much better. It appears to flow far more nicely. There is an Ian Futers variation of Victoria Park for freight only too:

Excellent work James - and a little project which no doubt brought great pleasure!

Actually build a layout!

I would be inclined to model the maintainence shed in low relief, with more of the trackwork in the open. It would open up the layout a little and make it seem a bit larger. You could always have the doors open with a cut down wagon in each doorway too.

Thanks for your thorughts @Chimer. Funnily enough, I'd had the same thoughts as you on the extension! The station itself was located on the other side of the crossing to the location I am modelling (to the left of the modelled area on my proposal). The line then continued onto Great Ryburgh and Fakenham. A small 'fiddle-stick' long enough for a cl.101 would suffice. I have also come across a couple of photos showing a buffer stop on a short length of disconnected line - perhaps a headshunt. I could reconnect this in place of the kickback. It would be long enough for a couple of OBA wagons. I've doodled over a screenshot from Google Earth to show the location today - it's part of the Mid-Norfolk railway, although not used for passenger services yet.

I was about to suggest Futer's Victoria Park concept, but AndyB has beaten me to it. Probably an ideal track plan for the space.

Afternoon all, A few failed attempts at layout building over the past 15 years and a break have led me back here again - planning an achievable but interesting layout! Previous attempts have probably been too complex for a first time layout, so something simpler is called for. Living on the Norfolk/Suffolk border means that I'm interested primarily in the G.E territory, particularly the late 80's and 90's when I was growing up. Trips to Norwich on a 101 or 150 being amongst my earliest memories. So, naturally my layout is based in this locale and time frame. I've come across some photos of North Elmham, north of Dereham on the Mid-Norfolk. There was a grain facility at this point, located on the opposite side of the station itself. A fairly simple track plan, short trains and easily modellable. The prototype closed in 1989. https://www.flickr.com/photos/mike_clarke_railway_photos/6280419985/ https://mikeclarkerailwayphotos.weebly.com/uploads/8/1/4/2/8142320/6010729_orig.jpg A couple of polybulks, a guards van and a class 31 are all that are needed, so I would use some artistic license to increase the traffic and traction for interest. A couple of VGA's, open wagons, maybe a small engineering train with typical East Anglian traction. I've kept closely to the track plan, but added a small kickback siding off the grain siding for extra opeeational interest. Unusually, I've lengthened the track plan a little compared to the prototype! Dimensions for the model are 4' x 1' for the modellered area, plus 2' for a fiddle yard. Here's the intended plan using actual track, a class 37 and 3 monsterboxes (my polybulks are up in the loft! The level crossing would be on the left as viewed, with gates closed to divert the eye from the solid backscene. Fiddle yard is to the right, disguised by a bridge carrying Hoe Lane (conveniently moved much closer to the location modelled! What do we think?

Look for a gold rated 'Sold Secure' lock. Something like the Abus Granit X-Plus 540 or Kryptonite Fahgettaboudit D-locks. Use in co junction is a shackle lock to secure the wheels and frame together too. Kryptonite make a gold-rated one.

I see that the Pacers aren't mentioned. I think I made my pre-order for one back in 2013!

Using my local area as an example, Greater Anglia have been using an East Midlands 158 on the first Norwich - Lowestoft & return weekday service. In the past couple of years, I have also seen an Arriva Wales 150 in use and a London Midland 153 as well.

Good evening all. I must admit it's been a while since I've wired up a layout and I may be a little rusty in parts, but I thought I knew how to wire up a fairly straight-forward layout (such as Minories). However, I didn't realise that Peco now produce their code 55 paintwork with the 'unifrog' (discussed here: http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/121872-unifrog/). I've read the leaflet that comes with the points, as well as the unifrog thread (several times) and I'm still somewhat confused. Previously, I would've used insulated joiners to separate the two sides of a crossover, such as with this example from the entry throat to a Minories layout. But, I've read conflicting information on whether they're needed with the unifrog points. So, do I need insulated or metal joiners for a crossover like this? I would want to use a live frog with polarity changing to improve running quality and would use a point motor which allows for this. If I need insulated joiners, where else would they be required on pointwork? (I'm ignoring isolating sections as I know where I'm placing them!) Many thanks for your guidance in advance.