|
|
Post by chabanais on Jan 23, 2015 18:03:56 GMT 1
Hello everyone,
New member, John, in France, Charente. I like the posts I have seen and the Forum seems more friendly than some I have tried. Just wanted to introduce myself.
I am currently on my forth re-build of my first layout, started late at 70! Moving house several times, hence the re-builds; they have give me the chance to fine-tune the layout plan. Also learned to take the advice about building layouts in modular form and connecting with multi-pin D-connectors and dowels, even when the layout (in theory) never leaves home. Mark III had track wiring completed and two control boards with LED indicators and point switches, all track laid on cork - stock ran quite well. Mark IV will allow larger radius curves (I am building a DJH Beyer Garratt which needs them). Era is a slack fit of steam/diesel transition, North of England, industrial location. I have a large stone built shed in the garden, so dimension of layout is now roughly 4 metres by 2 metres and there is room for a reasonable sized workbench for test tracks, etc.
When I figure out how to do it, I will send a layout plan (created by AnyRail 5). I found the software particularly flexible and easy to use. Intend printing out a quarter scale plan, then modelling a facsimile so that I can figure out what will fit in the scenic department. Any suggestions are most welcome, and if anyone would like to visit, (you may have to lay some ballast!) you would be made welcome - private mail me for address.
John
|
|
|
|
Post by reichsbahn24 on Jan 23, 2015 22:29:46 GMT 1
Glad to have a new member on board, the more the merrier. Just taken delivery of the loco, it is basically brand new. I have spent the last hour fitting the handrails and lights, the motor runs really well.
The model has a cast metal chassis and feels as if it could run all day. Well worth all the pain, still I think it might be better to wait a little while longer before my next purchase.
|
|
|
|
Post by black5 on Jan 24, 2015 14:10:30 GMT 1
John hello and welcome, I live near Cussac so not a million miles away and am currently doing my house up so I can get at my railway room!!! Wife permitting. I don't expect to get started proper on my layout until Arpil / May, as with everythig it's a moveable feast. I'm sure we will have chance to get together in the coming months. Richard.
|
|
|
|
Post by longchap on Jan 24, 2015 14:15:10 GMT 1
Welcome to the forum Chabanais, great to have more fresh blood and yep, we're a friendly bunch here  It seems you have some work ahead of you, so bonne chance on MkIV and enjoy the task ahead. We'll enjoy your progress reports as and when the fun occurs. I think several of us are not too far away from you, although I'm up in Dept49. I've just returned from a foray to the UK and now have a sufficiency of track, large radius points and ballast to make a start on the baseboards. Well, just as soon as I've cleared and insulated the railway room that is and run some electrics in there, so maybe a little while yet. Hey Dieter, did the new loco come from Ebay? Teehe  TTFN, Bill |
|
|
|
Post by brian on Jan 24, 2015 19:01:50 GMT 1
Hi Chababais,
Welcome to the forum.
I have not had time to contribute lately due to decorating duties and qualifying for my firearms licence. I have found a hobby even more expensive than railway modelling!
When time permits I will be getting back to the layout which is still in the workshop awaiting some more scenery to be sorted out.
Several of us are in the Nontron area so if you are going to be down our way give us a call, you will be a welcome visitor.
Best wishes
Brian
|
|
|
|
Post by reichsbahn24 on Jan 24, 2015 20:57:58 GMT 1
Nobody is going to argue with you now Brian or should we say Clint.
|
|
|
|
Post by chabanais on Jan 26, 2015 12:06:54 GMT 1
Hi Chababais, Welcome to the forum. I have not had time to contribute lately due to decorating duties and qualifying for my firearms licence. I have found a hobby even more expensive than railway modelling! When time permits I will be getting back to the layout which is still in the workshop awaiting some more scenery to be sorted out. Several of us are in the Nontron area so if you are going to be down our way give us a call, you will be a welcome visitor. Best wishes Brian Thanks Brian, looked up Nontron and we are quite close, would love to visit some time soon. Good luck with the scenery - does this mean you already have started your layout? Any pictures?.............. Having asked for pictures I just got a reply from Berty to a question about pictures, he suggested I post the enquiry to the general board, which I will do shortly. I feel quite strongly that pictures would attract more active members, people want to SEE what we are talking about. |
|
|
|
Post by chabanais on Jan 26, 2015 13:54:51 GMT 1
John hello and welcome, I live near Cussac so not a million miles away and am currently doing my house up so I can get at my railway room!!! Wife permitting. I don't expect to get started proper on my layout until Arpil / May, as with everythig it's a moveable feast. I'm sure we will have chance to get together in the coming months. Richard. Thank you Richard, for your warm welcome, close enough to visit too - that's great! Good luck with the renovations and I hope your railway room emerges soon. Will this be your first layout - what are you modelling? All the best John By the by: I would love to see a new Category other than 'General' for Members Layouts so they are easy to find, what do you think? |
|
|
|
Post by chabanais on Jan 26, 2015 13:58:57 GMT 1
Welcome to the forum Chabanais, great to have more fresh blood and yep, we're a friendly bunch here It seems you have some work ahead of you, so bonne chance on MkIV and enjoy the task ahead. We'll enjoy your progress reports as and when the fun occurs. I think several of us are not too far away from you, although I'm up in Dept49. I've just returned from a foray to the UK and now have a sufficiency of track, large radius points and ballast to make a start on the baseboards. Well, just as soon as I've cleared and insulated the railway room that is and run some electrics in there, so maybe a little while yet. Hey Dieter, did the new loco come from Ebay? Teehe TTFN, Bill Thanks for the welcome Bill, shame you are so far away. I envy your trips to the UK, postage to France can be a real dis-incentive to purchase new stuff. Manage to complete dismantling yesterday, I felt like a demented surgeon, cutting all the wires and taping them up afterwards, layout is now severely mutilated, but many improvements should make a better job of it this time around. All the best John |
|
|
|
Post by brian on Jan 26, 2015 17:23:03 GMT 1
Hi John,
Yes I have started my layout. I am going for DCC but not including points control. The baseboard is quite interesting being made up with lightweight and cheap plasterboard fixing metal rails and a plywood top. I am making buildings from scratch when time permits and do not expect to get beyond the testing of the electrics this winter. Too many things to do! If I could work out how to put pictures on the forum , I would , but my attempts so far have failed.
I will send you my contact details by private message,
Best wishes,
Brian
|
|
|
|
Post by chabanais on Feb 3, 2015 21:18:14 GMT 1
Been doing some more work on the new track plan, after taking measurements in the shed. I will be changing the structure of the baseboards, and have broken down the layout into 8 sections, each to be doweled to the next section. Hopefully this means I will be able to remove each section and work on it separately on the workbench, or in the house, if the weather insists on staying this cold much longer. Here's the improved track plan: Click to enlarge  Here's how it looked before dismantling, I now have an extra 60cm width, this gives me larger radius bends and points: Click to enlarge  And this is where its going:  |
|
|
|
Post by longchap on Feb 4, 2015 13:05:22 GMT 1
Great pictures John and glad to see you have a heater and a cuppa in there as well!
Must dash, as I've a long list of jobs to get through today.
A bientot,
B
|
|
|
|
Post by reichsbahn24 on Feb 4, 2015 19:56:46 GMT 1
It does look really good, and should keep you busy over the next few days! You have to keep busy John otherwise she who must be obeyed is sure to find jobs to keep you busy.
I do not know if anyone has heard of Miniland in Hamburg (www.miniatur-wunderland.de) it is the largest layout in the world and has to be seen to be believed, well I was in Super U today reading the French railway mags and it seems a smaller version has been launched in Lyon. Not on the same scale as Hamburg but it is a start.
Dieter
|
|
|
|
Post by chabanais on Feb 4, 2015 21:58:39 GMT 1
Hi Dieter, Thanks for the encouragement, in this cold weather I need it. I did manage to almost complete the floor tiles today, mixed too much muck, so had to use it all. On the up side, I don't have a 'she who must be obeyed', or even a better half, maybe I should have a bath this year and see what turns up  does mean I can leave my mess around until I want to clear it up. At the moment one of the layout sections is sitting on my sofa waited to be converted to all-ply construction, and I can't move it back into the shed until the tile cement has dried - never mind! Do you have any pictures of your layout? I would love to see what you get up to with the German stuff; when I was working my boss raved about his Marklin layout, and the locos were super-detailed, and I have been tempted to venture into Continental outline, but the old LNER is in my blood, ----- now, she MUST be obeyed. All the best John Here's the start of the Garratt, click to enlarge   I apologize for the unclear images, will take some more soon. |
|
|
|
Post by black5 on Feb 5, 2015 14:33:07 GMT 1
LNER, now you are talking John!!
|
|
It seems you have some work ahead of you, so bonne chance on MkIV and enjoy the task ahead. We'll enjoy your progress reports as and when the fun occurs.
does mean I can leave my mess around until I want to clear it up. At the moment one of the layout sections is sitting on my sofa waited to be converted to all-ply construction, and I can't move it back into the shed until the tile cement has dried - never mind!
