Diesel Do Nicely Posted May 11, 2014 Share Posted May 11, 2014 Well after many failed attempts at building a layout myself, i decided to look into having one built for me by someone with more ability than me. I asked around on the usual places and posted a query on a train page on facebook,and one person came up on several occasions. Neil Mason of The Little Layout Company I got in touch with him and the rest is history. Aller Junction is a fictional layout however Aller Junction is a real place near Newton Abott and as i holiday in that area from Glasgow and have FGW stock it seemed the best name for the layout. Its built in such a way that its not restricted by era or geography, so technically could be anywhere at any time from Diesel days onward. Its a 6x2 end to end with a hidden fiddle cassette at the rear of the board. The idea was to have a single board for ease of setting up but to allow maximum scenic area. Its a TMD,because thats what i like. I conversed with Neil back and forth by email with wants and wishes and we discussed what could and couldnt be done within the space. I finally came up with a track plan i was fairly happy with and emailed it to Neil. He was happy with it too although it did get a small tweak later on. After discussing cost and timescale, what details were to be included etc, Aller Junc was underway! The layout will run all modern stock,mainly DRS,Colas and FGW.The size of the layout means it will be a loco only layout as the head shunts etc only really permit a single loco,there isn't room to pull in a wagon or the like. Pictures coming soon Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diesel Do Nicely Posted May 11, 2014 Author Share Posted May 11, 2014 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diesel Do Nicely Posted May 11, 2014 Author Share Posted May 11, 2014 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diesel Do Nicely Posted May 11, 2014 Author Share Posted May 11, 2014 I'll let Neil explain the technical side if he doesnt mind. Any loco's in these pictures belong to Neil Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diesel Do Nicely Posted May 11, 2014 Author Share Posted May 11, 2014 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diesel Do Nicely Posted May 11, 2014 Author Share Posted May 11, 2014 And some more Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diesel Do Nicely Posted May 11, 2014 Author Share Posted May 11, 2014 The layout has a single line station at the rear.It is not a through station at the moment but Neil has built this in such a way that should the layout be extended it will be easily converted to allow a through line. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
d winpenny Posted May 11, 2014 Share Posted May 11, 2014 Looking good nice layout David Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rs4 Posted May 12, 2014 Share Posted May 12, 2014 Wow, that really has come on. Nicely weathered stock too. Like it..... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mason Posted May 12, 2014 Share Posted May 12, 2014 Hi Iain, its a pleasure to build this layout and its been a very smooth build so far and great communication with yourself on things that have cropped up. its really nice to see it on here and i hope it is very well recieved. I know you have iot booked in a few shows this year and next and i look forward to seeing peoples comments as they see it in the flesh. I will obviously answer any questions that pop up and i am more than happy to help in any way i can. I dont want to hijack Iains thread as it is his layout and most of this is through his thoughts and plans with a few ideas and twists from my end. I am really looking forward to meeting you at the end of the month for the grand collection. its been a pleasure getting to know you Ian as the build has progressed i can safely say a good friendship has been formed. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruced2 Posted May 12, 2014 Share Posted May 12, 2014 Looking good Ian can't wait to see it at Bonnybridge in October. Bruce Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diesel Do Nicely Posted May 12, 2014 Author Share Posted May 12, 2014 Agreed Neil, feel free to post, it will be good to get your perspective as the builder. I can come up with some good ideas for layouts but unfortunately my actual ability to build those ideas falls way short. I like things to be 'right' and my own skills don't measure up to my own standards so, for me, there is no point doing it when there is a very high chance I wouldn't be happy with it. I've had a couple of attempts at layouts which have ended up 'in the bin' I can tell everyone or anyone who is in the same boat as me regarding the ability to build, that Neil for me comes highly recommended. One thing for me is that he listens to what you want, he won't try and persuade his own ideas on you, he listens to exactly what you tell him and barring a major flaw builds exactly what you want. I have to say he is also a thoroughly decent bloke and as mentioned above I certain now class him as a friend. As for cost, no commissioned layout is going to be 50 quid but without going into figures, let's just say that my financial outlay is more than reasonable for the quality of layout that I am getting. The quality of this layout will speak for itself at shows and I'm confident it will attract invites to others. It will make it's debut at Bruced2's show in October at Bonnybridge MRC's annual show. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobster Posted May 12, 2014 Share Posted May 12, 2014 Great layout - First class modelling Cheers, Bob. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RBE Posted May 19, 2014 Share Posted May 19, 2014 Looks good chaps, nice to see Outon Roads old resident class 31 in the fuelling roads. Have you got any pics of the layout finished? On other news with no intention of hijacking, any shows booked for Outon Road Bruce? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mason Posted May 20, 2014 Share Posted May 20, 2014 Hi Cav, thanks for checking in, the layout is getting its final touchs in the little layout workshop, Ian will be collecting it next week and im sure there will be lots of shots of the overall layout over the next few weeks. I will try and take a couple over this week to show a bit more progress. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruced2 Posted May 20, 2014 Share Posted May 20, 2014 Hi Cav, I was going to Ayr this year but due to the show being cancelled it might be next year b4 i get it out unless i get any shows b4 then. Bruce Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
class"66" Posted May 22, 2014 Share Posted May 22, 2014 Looking realy good this.. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pipparooba Posted May 22, 2014 Share Posted May 22, 2014 Hi Iain, its a pleasure to build this layout and its been a very smooth build so far and great communication with yourself on things that have cropped up. its really nice to see it on here and i hope it is very well recieved. I know you have iot booked in a few shows this year and next and i look forward to seeing peoples comments as they see it in the flesh. I will obviously answer any questions that pop up and i am more than happy to help in any way i can. I dont want to hijack Iains thread as it is his layout and most of this is through his thoughts and plans with a few ideas and twists from my end. I am really looking forward to meeting you at the end of the month for the grand collection. its been a pleasure getting to know you Ian as the build has progressed i can safely say a good friendship has been formed. could i ask what track and points are being used and how do you move them and is it dcc thx ian Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mason Posted May 22, 2014 Share Posted May 22, 2014 I can answer this for Iain could i ask what track and points are being used and how do you move them and is it dcc thx ian The track is a mix of peco finescale points and C&L flex track. The layout is DCC but point operation is DC using Seep motors to a switch panel that can be either operated from the rear for exhibition use or on the front for home use. I hope that answers your question? More than happy for any other questions as i am sure between myself and Iain we can answer them. Thanks Neil @ little layouts Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mason Posted May 22, 2014 Share Posted May 22, 2014 Looking realy good this.. Thanks for the great comments. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mason Posted May 23, 2014 Share Posted May 23, 2014 Just a couple of artistic ones Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mason Posted May 23, 2014 Share Posted May 23, 2014 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobster Posted May 23, 2014 Share Posted May 23, 2014 First class modelling, as usual - Very nice. Cheers, Bob. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crisis Rail Posted May 24, 2014 Share Posted May 24, 2014 Just checking in on what you are up to Neil. And this is excellent! -really atmospheric images and plenty of depth especially the one with the Rf 37 in the background between the tanks. Must be hard to part with it? Ian Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest bri.s Posted May 24, 2014 Share Posted May 24, 2014 Some really nice modelling here well done . Awesome pictures and the ones of the tank wagon and fuel point are very realistic Great layout Brian Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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