TomJ

Far to hot to think about any heavy engineering so I’ve been working on the platforms and buildings - based on Crediton. The waiting shelters were rescued from the old layout and the station was a rebuild The aim of this project has been to use up left overs and scraps wherever possible. So the platforms are a mix of half used Metcalfe kits and Scalescenes printing with Ratio concrete fencing for that Southern feel. I need to stick the canopy on before the passengers complain about the liquid Devon sunshine!

I normally spray my track with Railmatch Sleeper Grime prior to ballasting. However I can’t find it anywhere locally or that can post it. Any alternatives that are a good colour closeness? Needs to be an aerosol as I don’t have an airbrush Thanks.

I got into N gauge in the mid 80s as a kid. We’d had an old OO layout in the loft but it wouldn’t fit in our new house. One wet holiday in Dorset found us visiting Pecorama. In their display they showed how layouts could fit into the house and we were instantly taken with N gauge. The rest of the rainy holiday was spent with my father doodling plans and me drooling through the Farish catalogue. When home we part exchanged all the OO stuff for Farish N, including a black 5 and a compound. If I’m honest that wasn’t Farish’s best loco - rather out of scale and could barely haul itself. The Black 5 still gets a run from time to time! later as a teenager doing my Duke of Edinburgh award I needed a ‘skill’ project so built my own tiny GWR layout (it even appeared in Railway Modellers junior modeller section!). I remember vividly the new 57xx - I was amazed they could make such a small loco work and finally I had something realistic for my layout Many years later as an adult I was looking for a hobby and my parents found all my old N gauge stuff - and I started again in earnest. The standard and detail of the new stuff was amazing. My latest Farish purchase was a sound fitted castle. - who’d have thought even a few years ago we’d have super detailed DCC sound steam locos. So looking forward to seeing what comes next!

A strange sight today at South Tawton as two HST mk3 coaches were repeatedly pulled and pushed through the station Turns out the engineers were conducting gauging trials on the new bridge. They’ve passed it (just) but banned any rail tours for fear of strange people sticking their heads out the window! The bridge was actually rescued from the old layout - both sides were removed then rebuilt in a slew fashion with lots of trial and error to fit. Still need to put the arches in Whilst they were there the team confirmed a loco + 3mk1 coaches would fit in the down platform (as per specifications) and checked the station building for clearance before platform construction Electrics running. Next job to wire up point motors then I can start on the scenery

I made a dummy trap point in N gauge with some code 40 easitrack rail filed down and glued in place I also liked the bemused look of all the passengers on the platform as the loco ran round. I suspect some were worried that was their train (although is it as bad as a pacer?)

The IWA wagons are much too recent - being converted to timber used in 2013. Long after freight to Lapford had ended. For the 80s you want the OTA wagons. There was an N gauge kit from Cheivers/Slimrail, not sure if it’s still available

Just two platforms. The ‘down’ platform in the Barnstaple direction was an island platform on the other side of the bridge from the up platform and station buildings. It was accessible from the bridge and had a little staff hut on it - opened when trains were due. After Lapford stopped being used as a passing loop this platform was unused and derelict (and eventually disappeared) - all passenger trains using the old up platform

Lots on the Newquay branch in Cornwall

The Farish 101/108 is pretty easy to sound fit even if you didn’t get the factory fitted model. As is the Dapol 50. Just saying....

I’ve got one sound fitted loco (a Farish castle for my other layout). Ive gone from a ‘it’s a gimmick’ to ‘I want all my locos sound fitted!’

Little bit of progress today. Made a start on the track laying. Track is a mix of code 55 in the scenic areas, with code 80 in the fiddle yard (using setrack for the curves. Managed to use second radius (10.5inch) in all areas, with nothing below 12inch on view. The newish curved points really help with these minimum space layouts. Hopefully it’ll run ok..... Sadly I totally misread the packet on the cork and brought a 3ft length, not a 3m!! So need to get a couple more roles to get the fiddle yard complete. Then my least favourite part can start - wiring. At least it’s DCC and smallish! Part of the aim was to use up leftovers and not buy too much so for such a small layout I was thinking of using wire in tube for the points. But I’ve just found a load of Peco point motors so it’ll make sense to use those. Still deciding whether to control these from switches or the DCC handset Here’s where I’m up to. The main loops and platform lines are laid and will easily fit a 31/33 and 3 coaches, which is about right. The layout will fit 4 coach trains in the fiddle yard

Thanks for the kind comments - buildings are my favourite part of the hobby. I’m a frustrated architect at heart! i did wonder about whether to include a passing loop or not. I considered Lapford in its later state but I wanted to use my signal box - so by the 80s it had to be a passing place to justify the box. Then I considered modelling it in its earlier state with the down island platform beyond the bridge off scene. But I thought if I did that it might just look like I’d forgotten the platform. I reckon there’s enough North Devon layouts for at least a small show. I’m never exhibited but this one is small enough to fit easily in my car....

PS since starting this I’ve found another superb model of Lapford in N on here. Hope I’m not treading on any toes!!

Like many others on here this is a bit of a lockdown project. Working for the NHS things have been interesting and challenging to say the least. So whilst at home (and unable to go out!) modelling has been a great stress relief. When I got back into modelling I discovered the North Devon line to Barnstaple and some fantastic photos of it in the 1980s. I started building a layout (South Tawton) based on Crediton. Unfortunately it was too big and ambitious and was plagued Ruth beginners errors I couldn’t iron out. And it was on the garage - too hot or cold. The final straw was dropping a bed head on it! It was left to rot then eventually the boards stripped down and saved for a future project. But the idea never went away and I always fancied a small layout based on the line. The eureka moment was seeing Lymebrook yard (sf315) and Trinity Road (nharding99) on here. These were small N gauge layouts with a track plan similar to Lapford. The main difference is a yard headshunt - which allows the yard to be shunted. independently of the loop. So during lockdown I’ve got the old board down and restored some of the buildings. The plan is a mix of several locations on the line - the freight from Lapford, the passing loop from Eggersford and the buildings from Crediton. Now ready for track laying I’ve been playing with off cuts of track and points to get the layout right. Here’s a few photos The overall view with fiddle yard on the left and station on the right. Should be able to manage four coach trains - the platform will hold 3+loco which is about right The station building and shelter is from Crediton. Canopies needed! As is the signal box. These were rescued from the old layout Finally for now an old Kestrel farmhouse kit adapted into a thatched pub. I’ll put more photos up when there’s progress - next big job is track laying

I'd say it looks spot on - and I drive across it every day! I don't think it looks to small at all. I presume the Wharf was never navigable at that point so no need for a higher bridge? The water level is very variable, I think due to the weir for the old paper mill. There's always a fair amount of debris and trees washed up against the bridge. Or you could dump a shopping trolley for added authenticity

But is the bridge open???? I live near Otley and every time it rains local social media is full of people asking 'Is the bridge open'. Its rare that it isn't!

Apparently Lapford is haunted by a former vicar (who murdered his curate) in revenge for not being buried in the churchyard. And one a year the ghost of Archbishop of Canterbury Thomas Beckett visits the village

I hope that's the correct bus for the location and period! People do get very upset about that kind of thing! I mean did you know that in 1986 the 377 bus service was diverted to Lapford village, and no longer called at the station. And that bus had its rear tyres changed in 1987 so is clearly totally wrong for the scene. I mean don't people do even basic research these days...…. Tongue in check obviously. Its a great looking layout and I like seeing how it all came together

For something different Crossley’s at Shipley had a steam shunter right into the 80s!

Bike carrying capacity would be great. Some good cycle touring opportunities. Including the Pennine Bridleway which pretty much follows the line (except it goes over the hills rather than through them!). Ive fancied a two day trip Settle - Appleby. Issue has been getting back

The covered pit is a great idea as it avoids the need for digging into the baseboard or complex carpentry. And of course in the model world who’s to say the coal merchant didn’t get supplies by rail? Although not sure if it’s a good idea to use the same pit or conveyor for coal and grain??

It would be nice if the Bachmann 117 went through the shrink ray! Mind you we're not too bad for stock for the line in the 70s/80s in N. 108 DMU's were seen, and you can get class 25, 31, 33, 47 and 50. That'll fill most fiddle yards!!!

Really pleased to see this on here. As a fellow N gauge modeller with an interest in the North Devon line in the 80s this is right up my street! I did start a layout based on Crediton but it was too big and complex and came to a sticky end sadly. I do have ideas though....Perhaps one day we can have a themed exhibition (remember them!) of layouts based on the line More photos please!

Thanks. That’s sort of what I was planning. But how do I connect the wire to the switch. I can’t find any that have some suitable connection for this.

I know they say there’s no such thing as a stupid question - but this might be pushing it! I’ve always used Peco point motors but on my new micro layout it seems a bit OTT and considering mechanical operation - piano wire or similar. But I can’t work out how to connect the wire to a micro switch to change the frog polarity. I don’t mean how to wire the switch and frog. I mean how do you actually connect the point wire to the switch so both move at the same time? Any suggestions gratefully recieved!