NWJ

Winter draws on!

I'm almost certain that the photo of the 9F was taken at or near Werrington troughs, which caused me to wonder whether I have ever seen water troughs modelled. I can't think of any models which incorporated them, but I presume there must have been. Can anyone help with that query please? Gilbert, I also cannot recall any model featuring water troughs, however, Ratio do produce a kit for them in OO so there must be a demand out there somewhere..... Neil

I know what you mean about printed card v plasticard, Even at 2mm:1ft there seems to be more 'texture' with plasticard. However, I have seen some amazing modelling with printed card which does manage to give the impression of not being card. I have the same dilemma as I know that my buildings are more likely to look right using pre-printed textures. Well done on the viaduct, anyway, it will make the stunning centrepiece that you are aiming for in this model. Neil

So I'm not the only one who has dreamt of building a model of Plymouth. I have happy memories of spotting at North Road in the 80s whilst visiting my grandparents, plenty of interest then at the station and I guess it sowed the seed. I think that remodelled North Road would still make a excellent layout, a natural break with the curve into Mutley tunnel at one end although a more contrived scenic break at the other. Of course, in the pre-Beeching time there was the added interest of stock movements to Millbay as well as the Southern using running rights to gain access to Friary. All in all, a fascinating location...now where can I find a large garage? Neil

Don't know why I have missed this one so far - it looks like another N Gauge gem. I like the way you have used the space effectively to create a sense of the railway in the landscape. I hope to see it in the flesh one day. By the way, would you be able to post a track plan? Thanks Neil

Good to see that you now have the space to dedicate to Par. I have enjoyed following the progress so far, and hope that its new home will allow you to continue to capture the essence of this interesting station. Neil

I am able to reveal the theatrical techniques that the Duck alludes to in the above post.

Good grief! Just when you think that the modelling cannot get any better you hit us with these drainpipes and brackets. Fantastic! Keep up the great work. Neil

Looking at the map extract, the dotted line is marked "Ward Boundary" just to the west of North Street Goods Station. The concept looks like a cracking idea! Echoing what others have said, there is plenty of scope for interest derived from this (comparatively) simple plan. Good Luck! Neil

I'd be more worried about the wormhole in the baseboard than the cat that may(or may not) be there. Don't you think it needs treating before you have a major infestation? Neil

Having just battled with the same point, it sounds as if the feed from the switch to the centre track via the dropper wire is not connected properly. Are you switching polarity with both motors? Each point motor needs to be linked to a switch to change the polarity of the feed to the respective dropper. The first motor, the one you replaced at the toe of the point must be connected correctly as you say that both the left and right roads work, so check the feed to the dropper that is furthest from the toe. Good luck! I also spent many happy hours solving a polarity switching problem on a single slip too - but that's another story... Neil

Too true! Why do you think so many churches have pubs next door?

Thinking about the operation side and the regional appendix reminded me of this site with a plethora of timetables from GWR days as well as post nationalisation, and although there are none that include Brent for 1947, they still make for interesting reading. http://www.michaelclemensrailways.co.uk/article/working-timetables/553 The WTT for 1957/58 for that area may possibly include some useful data regarding loading and restrictions towards the end of the document. Neil

According to my copy of the September 1957 to June 1958 WTT it still ran. It was an ordinary passenger train and it seems it called at all stations. The down working from Exeter to Plymouth leaves Newton Abbot at 12:30pm and arriving at Plymouth North Road at 1:40pm, after which it continued as ECS to Millbay. The return working was ECS, departing Millbay at 2:05pm and arriving at North Road at 2:09. This then ran as an ordinary passenger train departing at 2:15pm, again calling at all stations although it is shown as running through to Exeter. Incidentally, the WTT notes that this train conveys important freight traffic, Brent to Exeter. Does this mean it could run as a mixed from Brent? Neil

Rob, Looking at the most recent photos, these backscenes do seem to capture the landscape of the South Hams area with the mass of Dartmoor to the North. I am guessing that they are really of a location much further 'oop North', but the atmosphere that you have created using them seems right for that region Devon (Personally, this is a great relief for me as Halberford will be using the same set of backscenes). Neil

Alan I think you are talking about S D Mouldings for the cottages. They were used to great effect in Andy Calvert's 'Nether Stowey', which was a superb N Gauge BLT for which he won the Railway Modeller Cup in 1992. Originally 2mm, they branched into 4mm models too of hollow cast plaster buildings. I guess the development of the ready to plant buildings from the major manufacturers brought about their demise, whilst the buildings looked very good, and were surprisingly well detailed, they lacked that little bit mor detail that one can get with a resin cast building. Keep the posts coming please - especially the photos - this is a thoroughly enjoyable thread to follow! Neil

Enjoyed the pics of the progress. Just out of interest though, please could you tell me where you sourced the backscenes from. They really help to enhance the Vale. Thanks Neil