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Post by longchap on Nov 26, 2014 17:45:13 GMT 1
Bonjour everyone,
I've just joined the forum, so thought I better introduce myself. I'm living in Maine et Loire 49, and am almost completely moved over from the UK with the bride, two cats, hundreds of books, a couple of old cars and all my old model railway kit from my earlier adulthood. The plan had been to sell it or give it away before leaving the UK, but on looking through the rolling stock and wonderful road vehicles built or collected over the years, I simply couldn't bring myself to part with any of it.
My current intention is to restore one of the outbuildings into a den with a mezzanine floor to accommodate a new layout, but the time scale is somewhat flexible, as there is so much yet to do when one has a new country to get to grips with. In the meantime, I thought it would be a good idea to see what interest there is in railway modelling in France, so here I am.
My particular field of interest has always been with 'God's Wonderful Railway' of the pre-war era, largely due to having spent a fair few years in Devon as a lad, although a fair bit of SR charm has found its way into my collection. I'm alarmed however with the prospect of getting myself up to date with latest technology in the operating and control department, as even a brief look at a UK newsagent's magazines shocked my at how technology was changed in the hobby over the 30 years since I've been an active railway modeller.
I'll keep an eye on the forum and hope to meet as many of you here in due course.
Very best wishes and happy modelling to all,
LC
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Post by longchap on Dec 18, 2014 16:20:52 GMT 1
Hi Guys,
I thought this thread might be a good place where we could share even the smallest piece of news about our latest railway modelling activity, so do share anything interesting which you may have done today.
I'll get the ball rolling. What I've done so far is mainly thinking. A good place to start and having spent several days looking for ideas for my new layout, the first in 30 years, I had decided on a GWR branch line, set between the wars. I've looked at various track plans and as I'm starting from scratch from the baseboards upwards, I spent a little time scribbling down my basic requirements. This was done bearing in mind how I want to operate the layout, as well as what I want to include on it and I decided to ignore any of my rolling stock at this stage, but more of that later.
So, here is my thinking to date for my new branch line layout features:
- Passenger, live and inert goods, with run round, bay platform for autocoach / railcar, end loading facility, sidings, etc
- Station building
- Signal box
- Engine shed with coal and water nearby
- Goods shed with crane
- Coal yard
- Weighbridge
- Cattle dock
- Stationmaster's house and garden
- Signals
I'm thinking of building the structures from scratch, as my existing buildings are 30 years old and are of unknown integrity, as I haven't seen them for a long time.
So that's me for now and as my thoughts develop, I'll share them with you and hopefully get some good feedback and suggestions. I'll be opening up some of the packing cases soon, as I'm keen to rediscover what stock there is, so watch this space . . .
Bill
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Post by longchap on Dec 21, 2014 15:17:02 GMT 1
I’ve now gone through a lot of the boxes and tin trunks and discovered some gems, which whilst providing all the rolling stock needed for a branch line, makes me think a junction layout maybe more useful, as there’s lots of lovely GWR tender locos and coaching stock. It would be such a shame not to run the locos and it also presents an opportunity to do something I’ve not done before. After more research, I like the idea of modelling the Princetown branch on Dartmoor and I can still remember the site from my childhood, although the closest station of Yelverton doesn’t give me the scope I need for mainline services, so some artistic license would be exercised. Nothing new there then! Another gem I found tucked away is a Triang Hornby R351 loco ‘Electra’ with pantograph and wheel pickups. I must have got it in a job lot, as it's so not my style and period. I'll test it and put it on ebay in due course. Brian, is your foot bridge completed and is there anyone rushing over it to the other side and how is that work bench lighting coming along Dieter? Oh and how are your negotiations going with the bride Richard? Well I hope All the best everyone, Bill
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Post by black5 on Dec 22, 2014 19:36:28 GMT 1
Bill, heading in the right direction is the current sp, busy now till new year so push off will be in the first week of Jan, and that will involve a lot of initial work on converting what was an underground storeroom / cave into a model friendly environment. That said I'm inside with light and power, windows and all important easy access to facilities! Roll on. Happy Xmas one and all. Richard.
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Post by longchap on Jan 7, 2015 19:42:05 GMT 1
Happy New Year everyone and I hope Santa left something good in those stockings!
Having failed to keep clear of model railway items on ebay, I've received my very first Bachmann item, a 'Toad' brake van and am impressed with the quality. So much so, I've won another Bachmann product and will be seeing what I can find in the shops when I visit the UK next week.
Other progress has been on researching prototype designs and railway operations. It's so easy these days with the interweb and I've discovered things I didn't know, which adds to my belief that one is never too old to learn things!
I've also been designing and refining my first layout plan in 30 years with the use of the free computer aided design software, SCARM. I'm again impressed and when I get the design to the right size to fit the space, I'll share it with you, so you can have a laugh and tell me where it can be improved.
Speak soon,
Bill
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Post by longchap on Jan 17, 2015 11:17:52 GMT 1
Oh dear . . . the pleasure and the pain of ebay is so clear to so many chaps. The frequently trodden path to ebay can be a dangerous one, but this simply seems to make us more bold and mischievous. Thank heavens they love us so much and that we have coping/survival strategies to fall back on! Admit it Dieter, you're an ebay junkie and you Richard have an excellent window of opportunity to indulge in some planning and as well of cracking out some of those jobs. My two day fix at the model shop has given me a well needed respite from ebay and having bought up all the model shop stock of flexitrack and a load of large radius points, I'm now reworking the track plan! I better just get down to building the thing before it changes too much! I've downloaded the Peco turnout templates and will print them out on my return to France and set out the current plan in the workshop to check things work and fit okay and then I can start on the baseboards and track work. Maybe after that, I'll dip back into ebay . . . if I can last that long! Keep them wheels rolling Bill
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Post by chabanais on Feb 7, 2015 16:25:00 GMT 1
Hi Bill, Pinched the below for another of your messages, since it related to your layout plans and the earlier part of the message did not. Hope you don't mind "I've been considering which rail code to use and after much research, had all but decided on Peco Streamline code 75, not perfect, but more realistic scale. However, as I have a large number of 1980s Lima locos, all new and unused, it would be silly not to be able to run them (they seem to misbehave with code 75, as their deeper wheel flanges ride on the rail chairs and tend to derail through the turnouts), so think the bulky code 100, suitably ballasted and weathered will suffice. I'll get the bulk of what I need today and will also be able to reuse some of my old 'new' stock. So what have you guys been up to? Bill
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Post by longchap on Feb 7, 2015 16:39:24 GMT 1
Perhaps it would be prudent to ascertain if members mind their posts being moved, etc, before doing so. Just saying what many will be thinking. Peace and love everyone Bill
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Post by chabanais on Feb 19, 2015 11:42:45 GMT 1
Hi Bill, Just read your comments in Brian's layout thread, and I see that you are working on your layout plan. Are you sketching in rough or using software? Reason for the post is to let you know about, and recommend, AnyRail layout design software. I have been using it for my track plans and to check on baseboard construction not interfering with proposed siting of points, etc. I found it really easy to use and the support is great. There is a free trial version here: www.anyrail.com/index_en.htmland plenty of information about the software. Click image to enlarge. I hope you can see how, by creating separate baseboard sections in the above plan, it allowed me to select appropriate places to define each section without having points sitting across joining points. Also, once I have transferred all my stuff into its new home in the garden shed, I will be able to check through all my boxes too, and I might have some GWR locos for sale if they are in good condition. All the best John
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Post by longchap on Feb 23, 2015 0:57:35 GMT 1
Hi John,
Yep, I've been using SCARM and also AnyRail5 and it's much better than the days of freehand sketches! I'll post something when I'm happier with the outline, although I'll need to have another look upstairs in the out building and see how much space to take at the upper level, it being a very long roof space.
Talking of 'foreign' rolling stoke, I noticed a very old Jinty by Hornby and a another Mainline 0-6-0T in a storage trunk the other day, both LNER green and I think BNIB. I've also a wonderful crimson LMS parcels van by Mainline and a few Calendonian coaches too. I remember buying it just because it looked so good. It's funny what you buy sometimes when the fancy takes you!
I've bought some acrylics and new brushes now, so will make up some kits soon, as I feel the need to create something other than just plans!
More soon,
Bill
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Post by chabanais on Feb 23, 2015 7:53:42 GMT 1
Hi Bill,
Had not come across SCARM before, but had a quick look at their website, interesting. Will post the location in the Tools board. How do you find it? Does it compare well with AnyRail?
Are you basing your layout design on any specific location, looking back through your posts I got the idea it was rural, or semi-rural, but could not see whether you had a prototype in mind.
I need to get hold of some reasonably-priced acrylics too, and I am somewhat daunted at the prospect of dealing with scenery for the first time. Looking forward to seeing your plan when it is fully hatched.
All the best John
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Post by longchap on Feb 23, 2015 11:02:54 GMT 1
Hi John, I got three packets of artists acrylics from a local branch of Centrakor and all for about 12 euros. I first started looking at Princtown as a prototype, as I know the area and then moved on to Barnstable and am working with elements from Abingdon for the current outline. The overall theme is more market town than entirely rural now, as I want more operational interest. I got a lot of inspiration from John Flann's 'Hintock' branch and particularly like his approach to operation. www.hintockbranch.com/about-me/ I came across SCARM on RMWeb and there is a series of tutorials on Youtube. More soon, Bill
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Post by chabanais on Feb 27, 2015 12:08:23 GMT 1
Bill, I forgot to ask, what is BNIB? It's probably something obvious, but I am more than a bit of a trainee on any number of railway matters.
All the best John
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Post by longchap on Feb 27, 2015 16:26:27 GMT 1
Haha, it means 'Brand New In Box', as popularised by all those Ebay sellers! Cheers, Bill
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Post by chabanais on Feb 27, 2015 18:23:08 GMT 1
Now why didn't I figure that one out? After all of your messages about about the irresistible and magnetic attractions of Ebay, I should have been wise to this one --- Thanks Bill!
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