A potential diorama for the Rosebuddy TMD

Hi, chaps,

I've been thinking about the suggestion to add a small narrow gauge line on the Rosebuddy TMD. Possibly between the Colliery and the port or even as far as Gypsy Lane if this could be incorporated.

Nothing too grand, maybe 2 or so loco's and some small wagons.The idea has still to be developed a bit further. It maybe that the narrow gauge element is for the purpose of distributing general engineering goods between the various facilities. It may be part of the Port Authorities duties as " Landlord " to its various tenants around the Port and neighbouring area's.

My guess is the PA owns most of the land around this area along with the railway operators and that the various yards and warehouses that will pop up in the space of time will be privately rented from them and serviced where required by various modes of transport / haulage etc.


Have I gone mad, over the top, nuts, completely insane or any mixture of the above ?

Give me your thoughts and if anyone can recommend a good site to look at RTR narrow gauge stuff, chuck that in as well. The whole gauge thing confuses me so if anyone can explain what Ishould be looking at, even better.

Cheers for now.




Toto

Hi Toto,
I don,t know too much about N/G railways.
Apart from some nice old narrow gauge railways in Ireland.
They use 3 foot gauge a fair bit.12mm in 00 gauge.
Peco do narrow gauge track and points I think its 9mm gauge
For 00 that would be 2 foot 3 inch gauge.
They used to do some narrow gauge loco bodies? for 4mm.
Tillig track is another source they also do mixed gauge points which combines 16.5 mm 00/H0 track and 9mm narrow gauge. I think they use a code 80 rail so a little adjustment would be needed if you joined it to peco code 75 rail.
None of the narrow gauge comes at a low price due to the more limited market?

Hope that helps.

Derek.

Thanks Derek,

I'm just in the " to be decided phase " as far as this goes and will be looking at this over the next wee while.

It depends on whats involved and how readily available the stock is. Thanks for your advice / sources. I'll let you know how I get on.

Cheers for now

Toto

you could have a standard gauge, privately owned railway rather than a narrow gauge railway? this would simplify the requirement to buy new stock, just a thought.

Hi Aaron,

It was really the quirkiness of the narrow gauge that appealed and the fact that the space left between area's is a bit tight. The narrow gauge would be able to weave in and out easier and may have been able to access a warehouse or two.

I haven't really committed myself to doing it as I probably have enough to contend with at the moment. It was really just a thought and a post to " gauge " opinion. Excuse the pun.

The jury is still out on this one.

Cheers for now



Toto.

Hi Toto, Not sure if its any use to you but west lothian was heavily involved in the shale oil industry. They used narrow gauge at the mines and moving the crude and finished oil products to and from the small refineries. Funnily enough I was at Almond valley Heritage trust at Livingston village today and they run a small narrow gauge railway using salvaged engines and rolling stock from closed down military sites in Scotland ( that's why I was interested as I want to incorporate a small armoury / rifle range diorama on the layout I'm looking to build) its a small 2 station mile long track with a run around at each end and a storage siding and 2 engine repair / maintenance shed at the main station. Good chance that some of these narrow gauge lines would have run to the docks for shipping out so you could easily incorporate a small preserved section of line around the dock area. ( BTW its well worth a visit to the site as its geared up for a great day out for the grand kids with loads for them to do ) I did take some photos on my phone , not the best quality but was wondering about a trial post on here to get the hang of it anyway if you or anyone else would like to see them
More info on the shale oil industry in west lothian and the farm / museum can be found at 
             Home    And.      http://www.scottishshale.co.UK.   

Hi Matt,

Thanks for the links. The shale oil link is very informative and a very interesting read.

My grandparents stayed in Broxburn which of course was a well known mining community. My grandad used to run loads from the brings when he drove for a haulier called Griffiths. Now well defunked.

I actually forgot I had started this thread. It was done when I was still planning my final track layout. I would have to have a look to see if this could still be incorporated but I think I could be too tight for space now.

Again, thanks for keeping me in mind with your post

Cheers for now

Toto

Hi Tom,as regards stock etc,would N scale work?, as you would have a greater choice.

Hi Alan,

I don't know if my peepers could handle N scale.

That would be a challenge.

Toto

They couldn't be any worse than mine.I took up N scale because i inherited some stock from my late father in law and because of space.

G`day Toto,
                 I think your idea for a narrow gauge line is good if you have the space to accommodate it. I have a soft spot for narrow gauge lines that wind and weave their way through the countryside supplying a useful link to the local population and their local industries.

                Chris Nevards Combwich layout has a nice little narrow gauge line that services the dock area. It sits rather nicely there against the standard gauge.

                I will insert a link where it was discussed on RMWeb……there are some good pictures of Combwich that will show you what I am talking about.

         http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/11119-combwich-revisited/

       More can be seen on Chris Nevards site.

        https://www.flickr.com/photos/nevardmedia/sets/72157630143857938/


:cheers  Gormo

                  

Hi Toto. Sorry my bad, Didn't look at the date of your first posts so didn't see they were from last year. I only popped into the narrow gauge thread after seeing the setup at Almond Valley and wondering whether it was worth posting some low quality phone pics of the ex Military stock they have.

[user=1224]gormo[/user] wrote:

G`day Toto,
                 I think your idea for a narrow gauge line is good if you have the space to accommodate it. I have a soft spot for narrow gauge lines that wind and weave their way through the countryside supplying a useful link to the local population and their local industries.

                Chris Nevards Combwich layout has a nice little narrow gauge line that services the dock area. It sits rather nicely there against the standard gauge.

                I will insert a link where it was discussed on RMWeb……there are some good pictures of Combwich that will show you what I am talking about.

         http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/11119-combwich-revisited/

       More can be seen on Chris Nevards site.

        https://www.flickr.com/photos/nevardmedia/sets/72157630143857938/


:cheers  Gormo

                  

That's a nice looking layout Gormo and your right that narrow gauge does sit well alongside the standard gauge

Hi Matt,

No worries. The initial thread was brought about when I was chopping and changing the track plan in the earlier days. I had thought of a small dock or a mining scenario. That was put to bed though at the time.

I still like the idea but think I'll wait and see how the current set up progresses first. If I can see a bit space without making it look totally cramped, then it may still be something that I could add as time goes on.

One thing I did find difficult at the time was actually sourcing the loco's  for it and getting the correct gauge worked out in my head but asI say, I may resurrect it again later.

Cheers for now

Toto

Must admit Toto I've not really looked at the gauge / size side of it. When I had to scrap my layout years ago I did dabble with the idea of a bit of narrow gauge to keep me occupied. Back then I think it was n guage track and chassis with a 4mm body on top, the choice seemed to be white metal kits or scratch built so it went no further. Seeing some of the prototypes, some of them look scratch built as well ! No idea if this have improved these days rtr wise ? Think I'll dig out a couple of magazines and have a wee nosy :)

Hi Matt,

I'm in the same boat. Scratch building for me is not really an option. My skill level is no where good enough. I suppose the only way to get there is to try right enough but I have more than enough just trying to get the R & GLR main layout kicked into shape.

If you do come across any RTR stuff, keep me in mind. I might be a bit more susceptible to reintroducing the idea if there is RTR stock available.

Cheers for now.

Toto

Hi Toto,
Sounds like the best gauge would be to go for 009. That is 00 bodies on N gauge track. Peco did a few white metal kits and I think the Tram Engine they did will take the Farish 0-6-0 chassis. There are often some up on Ebay and I believe Ibertrain also does (did) do some rtr. I think it was their Cuckoo line. I think Bachmann also had a dabble but am not to sure on that.

Thanks Bittern,

It's a start. There's no rush but if I seen the right kind of loco, I would buy it whilst it's available. I would try flea bay but so far I have never bought anything off there. A bit risky as you could end up with a right pig in a poke. The reverse is also true I suppose ……. Just your luck really.

Cheers

Toto