GWR/LMS OO Gauge DCC RR&Co

Hugely interesting, John.

Great photos, John. Your canal scene is wonderfully detailed and shows the amount of time you have spent on it to great effect.

I also like seeing the rest of your railway room. I expect there are a number of us with dedicated rooms that have the same sort of scenario with some parts highly detailed and others not even started. I know I certainly do, but I think it is quite a good way to tackle a large layout, especially if, like me, you want to try new things and don't have a deadline to get everything finished.

I can see that your layout has plenty of potential yet to be realised, and some of those loops and crossovers must provide many opportunities with TC.

John

I have always found your thread very enjoyable and you certainly are creating the right atmosphere for the era and place you are creating a lovely model railway all will all be automated aswell.

Brian

Well thanks guys……I never expected so many replies for what, from my perspective, was essentially a linking post.

I enjoy writing about the layout…..I kind of treat it as a journal and find it interesting to look back on and see where I was a few months ago. I really appreciate the feed back and responses that I get…….. but it is particularly satisfying to know that you guys like the thread and are not totally bored by it

I think now is an appropriate time for me to write about something that has been on my mind for a few months

I could (and will eventually) repeat why I think this Forum is brilliant but first, perhaps, a little history.

Since I was a small boy (long before your time Max) I have wanted a model train set. Every Christmas I would look under the tree for the Dublo Train Set with a GWR tank and 4 wagons (Six Pounds Ten Shillings at your local toy shop in 1950……a vast sum)……….no luck……not ever.

Being both pragmatic and realistic…… as the Army, girls, rallying and a career intervened……I thought…. no problem I will get the train set when I have kids

Some 25 years later….the proud father of two daughters who showed (and to this day, sadly, continue to show) zero interest in anything remotely involved with modelling…….including, as it happens, Chris, a monster Scalextrix circa 1975.

Being both pragmatic and realistic…… as skiing, sailing and a new life in Canada intervened……I thought…. no problem I will get the train set when I have grandchildren

Some 45 years later….1995…… the proud grandfather of two granddaughters who show (and to this day, sadly, continue to show) zero interest in anything remotely involved with modelling.

So….aged 57 I decided……. its now or never…….. and started with a zero knowledge base to try and model a GWR branch layout. Quite tricky in Canada……..also expensive….. the dollar was 2.60 to the pound in those days 

Slowly but surely I progressed…..acquired some knowledge, some experience……..and vast quantities of rolling stock. The Internet definitely helped…….RMWeb ( I think I joined in version II) proved to be a huge resource…….but something was lacking ……..essentially I was modelling alone……………….I missed the cameradrie that I enjoyed with my other hobby at the Sailing Club.

A year ago everything changed……..I heard of this site (Martin I think it was you printed the link).  I tried to register every week for about 5 weeks…..finally I emailed Bob……..and he gave me an A+ for persistence and let me in. 

It totally transformed my modelling………every morning I check my emails and get involved in conversations (debates even) with guys I have never met but who I now consider to be my friends. Frankly I find it quite amazing.

I look forward to the day when I will be able to meet some of you……no doubt in a pub in Cornwall:lol:

Even by my standards this is a rather long winded reply but has, at least,  enabled me to say a very sincere and personal thank you to everyone on this unique forum.    

There were a couple of specific points I was all set up to reply to …….quotes the whole 9 yards…….but this is enough for tonight.

For now…….my thanks for your fellowship:cheers

 

 

Hmmmm, without the specific references to daughters and granddaughters, I have been blessed (I think?!  :shock:) with sons who do show a bit of interest in my modelling.

And maybe without waiting quite as long as you have John, I will echo your words and say…

:thumbs Woteesaid (Sorry…. Woteesed :thumbs) I'm only a wannabe Cornishman after all :oops:

and keep it coming because your "story" is on my regular visiting list :cheers

my sentiments physactly,  the modelling alone bit, spot on, join the club mate, ooops you already have…
:lol::cool:

As the saying goes "woteesed"  :thumbs

woteesed too!  (Note correct spelling Marty!:roll:)

Matches my own story exactly, except that I don't have daughters or grand-daughters, had a train set at an early age, don't live in Canada or go skiing or yachting and got in at the first time of asking (and brought along some other shifty types).
Apart from a few details, seems we have a lot in common, John.

Especially an appreciation of our hosts.

John

This little forum is ideal for the hermit modeller it gives you a sense of belonging to a club although virtual.

All know no question is to stupid and im sure all of us have learnt a great deal from each other and over time have improved our skills.

Plus of course many feel happy to disscuss personal things here which is probably quite unusual for an internet forum.

For a small group of people its quite amazing how much information has been gathered within Ymr and im sure as time goes by even more will be posted.

The beauty of this because of the internet most of us would never have known of each others existance in years gone by

Brian

John, I think I echo your sentiments regarding the forum, which is probably why we are all here as part of this special club. By the way, I have just looked at your latest photographs and the canal and bridge complex looks very very good. It looks like a miserable place to live, but you have certainly brought it to life and I look forward to more as your considerable efforts have really paid off.

Bob(K)

[user=434]John Dew[/user] wrote:

……………………………………………….

Being both pragmatic and realistic…… as the Army, girls, rallying and a career intervened……I thought…. no problem I will get the train set when I have kids

…………………………………………..

 

 

Now John - it goes without saying that I echo your sentiments about this forum but you  can't just pop a sentence like that in here and let it pass !!!

I know about the army - Father was a soldier

I know about gilrs - they're different from us ………………….

I know about careers - I've had my fair share but the rallying ?

Come on my friend - tell us more. :hmm

Simples……it was the WRAC Careers Officers annual Rally at Epping Forest.

[He got in by lying about his age and using lots of pancake make-up…….]

Daft Doofer

[user=6]Petermac[/user] wrote:

I know about careers - I've had my fair share but the rallying ?

Come on my friend - tell us more. :hmm

In the early sixties I was based in Oldham and later Manchester. I was a member of the Highmoor Motor Club and I used to rally in the Pennines, Derbyshire, Lake District and North Wales……initially as a navigator in a Cooper and then driving a souped up Anglia, MG Midget and finally a Cortina GT……………..I was never very good……car sick as a navigator and not bold enough as a driver but it was my principal hobby at that time……………petrol was not very expensive in those days.

I gave it up when our eldest daughter arrived……on reflection it was rather a selfish sport…….. bombing around country lanes at the dead of night keeping farmers awake. 

I see - a budding Tony Ambrose eh ? 

I used to do something similar but in Land Rovers.  I was a member of the Pennine Land Rover Club.  We had "rallies" - actually "field trials" - often up on Windy Hill or high in the Yorkshire Dales.  As with you, I was persuaded that it was selfish and far too expensive for a newly married man………………..:twisted:

Lovely story John, when I am in Vancouver in the near future I will drop you a line and if it is OK a visit.  As with everyone on YMR there is always an open invite if your are visiting this area of the World.

William

[user=81]bickybtrains[/user] wrote:

Lovely story John, when I am in Vancouver in the near future I will drop you a line and if it is OK a visit.  As with everyone on YMR there is always an open invite if your are visiting this area of the World.

William

Look forward to seeing you William……that would be great……..just let me know when you are coming

Note to self:…………TIDY RAILWAY ROOM IMMEDIATELY

Glad that my post about the forum hit a chord. They were sentiments that I have wanted to express for some time.

 

A couple of specific points that I meant to reply to earlier

[user=269]MaxSouthOz[/user] wrote:

Tickety - boo, John.  Fearless stuff.  A double slip in the middle no less.  :twisted:  Don't worry about the track laying.  Go look at some proto stuff - you'll soon feel better.   

[user=200]Christrerise[/user] wrote:

Love the mid loop crossover John, just like having a Scalextric set again!  Do you race trains around to see which will get there first!

I should have explained that this little section was very much an afterthought…………so I raised the left hand formers (terminus) by an 1 1/2" to  increase the headroom…………then I had a second afterthought and remembered all the traumas of my last layout with  underbaseboard derailments and my big fists trying to correct the situation……..so I chickened out and this area has essentially been stolen from the terminus………..I may cover it with removeable thin plyover but there will be no track over it……………so I am challenged width wise

RR&Co afficiandos know that one big downside is that you need need at least two separate electrically isolated (and detected) sections (blocks) in order to run a train automatically……..to do all the routines I envisage and provide storage I need 6 blocks……….so I am challenged lengthwise

Hence the double slips were brought in to play as a space saving device…….the tortoises work brilliantly and once one has worked out the right combinations automatic control is a doddle……………..however I dont like insulfrogs and I do get the occasional stutter but more importantly I now realise I didnt allow enough straight transition before curving into the loop ( a product of the width challenge)……….. Carriages pulled across are fine…………pushed across not so……wagons are generally ok……..but the carriage push problem has limited my options somewhat………..basically you have to push straight across on the diagonal and not attempt the curve

Given hindsight I probably would have been better to go with short radius points 

[user=422]Geoff R[/user] wrote:

I also like seeing the rest of your railway room. I expect there are a number of us with dedicated rooms that have the same sort of scenario with some parts highly detailed and others not even started. I know I certainly do, but I think it is quite a good way to tackle a large layout, especially if, like me, you want to try new things and don't have a deadline to get everything finished.

I can see that your layout has plenty of potential yet to be realised, and some of those loops and crossovers must provide many opportunities with TC.

 

You are right about railway room similarities Geoff. I read with interest the discussion you had with Gordon about whether or not to extend the backscene across the window……..light has won the day with me but it will interupt the flow of the backscene.

 I have mixed feelings about my bit at a time approach…….I have to confess that I do like scenic work and detailing but I do find it frustrating that the bulk of my loco stud has remained motionless in the storage yards for almost 18 months……I only operate tank engines and 0-6-0s on the branch and until this latest extension operation was somewhat limited.

Anyway all that is about to change……… I have just invested (?) in 24 tortoises and 4 LS 150s and  enough LR 101s and LB 101s to cover 24 blocks…………..I guess that was my Xmas Present…….so once the canal scene is complete…………

Granby Junction is beginning to appear over the horizon. :Happy

 

As far as TC is concerned you are absolutely correct………the new loops have provided a number of challenges and I have spent a few happy (and some distinctly unhappy) hours trying to resolve them…….I will do a post in the RR&Co section 

 

 




 

[user=434]John Dew[/user] wrote:

In the early sixties I was based in Oldham and later Manchester. I was a member of the Highmoor Motor Club and I used to rally in the Pennines, Derbyshire, Lake District and North Wales…… 

MMMmmmmmmmmmmmmmm  so that was you was it John  ?

In the early sixties living on a quiet country road  in the Lake District we used to dread the car rallies screaming past the door at some godforsaken time in the early hours of the morning - many a nice  peacefull nights sleep ruined and I couldnt repeat what we thought of the car crews        :twisted::twisted::twisted::roll:

Afraid so Richard:oops:

In fact it was a similar reaction from a young farmers wife when I was setting up a Marshalls point in the lane outside their house that made me realise just how selfish it was and I think that was my last Rally