Too late to change my mind now…………






 



Ed

I'm also assembling a track cleaning train and wanted something a bit beefy to push it, so my Christmas present to me…



Kato EMD SD70M Flat Radiator Norfolk Southern #2586



Ed

As a test, I've been attempting a Metcalfe retaining wall kit and although I found the 00 gauge kits fairly easy, this N gauge kit was a bit more of a challenge as the pieces are a bit small for fat fingers  


I tried to colour the visible white edges with a felt pen as I assembled it, but the pen slipped rather a lot so I'll have to add some strategically placed foliage if I intend to use it.

No prizes for spotting the other big mistake.

The wall needs to be a lot longer, but I'm not whether to make some more Metcalfe kits or look for alternatives.

I obviously considered Scalescenes, but it's a lot of card cutting for old arthritic fingers.

Any suggestions gratefully received.



Ed

Looking smart Ed - not tempted to try out the T gauge stuff then? I went to an expo with dad years ago and they had the Guitar case layouts - looked incredible but i can't imagine trying to work with something that small.

N gauge is positively big after trying out Z gauge, but T gauge………………….. don't think so  

Ed

Ed said

No prizes for spotting the other big mistake.

From “Post #289,497”, 22nd January 2024, 12:00 PM

No takers?


 

It's not LNER……  😄

Petermac said

It's not LNER……  😄

From “Post #289,571”, 29th January 2024, 8:56 AM

True, but the mistake is to do with the wall not the rolling stock.

I suppose the wall could be LNER  


Ed

Clue.

Look closely at the wall.






 

Is it in the wrong place ?

Should be further forward to catch the ledge on the right ???

It's not easy to see, but I've stuck the top sections of the wall on upside down.

If I do use more Metcalfe kits to extend the wall, do I put all the top sections upside down to match, or attempt to take this one apart and fix it  


Ed

The upside down capping stones don't show up in France Ed so I wouldn't worry too much.  😉

But I'd know they were wrong Peter and it would annoy me.


Ed

Nice to see Kato track in use and I like the way you have incorporated some lengths of 'normal' track.  My only issue with Kato track was that the trains often jumped where the track pieces joined.  I had to do quite a lot of filing, although this was offset by the joy of having pre-wired motorised points.
Bob

Not had any running problems so far Bob, but I'm running mainly diesels and the pre-wired points are, as you say, a joy  



Ed

Not much to show really, still working on the scenic break between the viewing part of the layout and the storage area, but domestic duties and life in general keep getting in the way.







Ed
 

Not much to report as domestic duties are still getting in the way.

As and when I've time I'm still testing as different options for the scenic break between the storage area and the main part of the layout, and some sort of backscene that will be visible behind and above the scenic break from my normal viewing position (if that makes any sense!).

What's the white baseboard (?) material sitting on the blocks on the left Ed ?

It's 3mm foamboard Peter.

Lightweight, but fairly robust and very easy to shape with a craft knife.



Ed

Ed said

It's 3mm foamboard Peter.

Lightweight, but fairly robust and very easy to shape with a craft knife.



Ed

From “Post #289,856”, 6th March 2024, 8:54 AM

Hi Ed,

Just watch out when you paint it as it tends to warp as the paint dries.  When I use it, I paint both sides.

Bob