Do you have any model railway projects on the go?

[Cowley]

As the title says.
Now that we’re all on an enforced lockdown has anyone got any model railways that they’re tinkering around with to pass the time?
Maybe you’re making something for someone else (as well as my own layout I’m making trees for my friends railway that we were meant to be showing this summer but probably won’t be now).
Now might be the perfect time to lose yourself in something enjoyable to pass the time...

 

[Iskra]

I've looked into starting a modern image layout, but it just seems so expensive these days to do it to a high standard, mainly due to the high cost of DCC stuff and DCC loco's.

I think I've decided to keep going with trainsim instead.

 

[Cowley]

I've looked into starting a modern image layout, but it just seems so expensive these days to do it to a high standard, mainly due to the high cost of DCC stuff and DCC loco's.

I think I've decided to keep going with trainsim instead.

You are right it’s very expensive (although I could see there being a bit of fire sale on eBay in a few weeks if people start getting short of money).
I sold my 00 stuff to get into N gauge so I had a ‘float’. Wouldn’t have wanted to start from scratch, and almost everything I’ve bought in the last year has increased in value since I bought it (which is worth bearing in mind actually, it can be a good investment).

 

[hexagon789]

As the title says.
Now that we’re all on an enforced lockdown has anyone got any model railways that they’re tinkering around with to pass the time?
Maybe you’re making something for someone else (as well as my own layout I’m making trees for my friends railway that we were meant to be showing this summer but probably won’t be now).
Now might be the perfect time to lose yourself in something enjoyable to pass the time...

In a way, my issue is deciding which era/and precise area to settle on. My present selection of stock is comprised of vehicles from two relatively distinct eras and overall is spread over more than one region, though renumbering would fix most of that issue.

 

[Cowley]

In a way, my issue is deciding which era/and precise area to settle on. My present selection of stock is comprised of vehicles from two relatively distinct eras and overall is spread over more than one region, though renumbering would fix most of that issue.

What have you got Hexagon? I used to have a similar thing going on with my 00 but when I changed to N I was much more selective with the things I bought because I knew I wanted to model a distinct place (actually I swapped from my original plan of Seaton Junction to Lapford but the stock was the same and I actually needed less of it).

 

[hexagon789]

What have you got Hexagon? I used to have a similar thing going on with my 00 but when I changed to N I was much more selective with the things I bought because I knew I wanted to model a distinct place (actually I swapped from my original plan of Seaton Junction to Lapford but the stock was the same and I actually needed less of it).

Presently

BR 1980s
Lima 47/7 in BR ScotRail Express
Lima 37/4 in BR Blue
4 Bachmann Blue/Grey Mk1s (RFO, 2 BSK, BCK)
2 Oxford Rail ScotRail Express Mk3s (1 CO, 1 FO)
Hornby BR Continental Ferry Van (though I think they were more common in the 1960s/70s)
Hornby 03 shunter


Privitisation
2 Lima Class 43 HST power cars (GNER)
2 Lima Mk3 HST trailers (GNER)
2 Hornby Mk4s (GNER)
Hornby Class 156 (ScotRail Saltire)

Pretty much all of the latter could feasibly be repainted and made suitable for 1989-1990 I think.

I am however becoming ever more interested in Irish Railways, and one day I would love to attempt to model the immediate pre-Mk3 era (I couldn't accept having Mk3s without the correct doors), and the variety of coaching stock in many frontline expresses would be something that while taking ages to model acceptably would be very satisfying. Most of the locos and the Mk2d/Cravens are available RTR, the older coaches not so much.

I had an idea that one could design a layout that scenically could be either Scottish or Irish and all one would change is the stock, though that presents a few issues.

 

[Iskra]

Well Mr Cowley, I crumbled. I've been considering getting back into it for a while. To ease me in with DCC I've ordered the following (although not direct as I found them cheaper elsewhere) with the intention of constructing a bit of a layout by joining them together plus adding in some extra track.

https://www.bachmann.co.uk/product/category/151/whiskies-galore-sound-fitted-train-set/30-047
https://www.bachmann.co.uk/product/category/151/military-manoeuvres-train-set/30-130

Plus 2 Mk1 Suburban coaches and a station building kit plus platforms.

The idea is to construct a shunting layout with a station, a small military depot and a whisky distillery to start with and see how this ends up.

Although I was initially wanting to do modern image, it worked out a lot cheaper getting started using the BR Green era and that also allows me to flex into steam or BR blue too and lets me run proper locomotives

 

[Cowley]

Presently

BR 1980s
Lima 47/7 in BR ScotRail Express
Lima 37/4 in BR Blue
4 Bachmann Blue/Grey Mk1s (RFO, 2 BSK, BCK)
2 Oxford Rail ScotRail Express Mk3s (1 CO, 1 FO)
Hornby BR Continental Ferry Van (though I think they were more common in the 1960s/70s)
Hornby 03 shunter


Privitisation
2 Lima Class 43 HST power cars (GNER)
2 Lima Mk3 HST trailers (GNER)
2 Hornby Mk4s (GNER)
Hornby Class 156 (ScotRail Saltire)

Pretty much all of the latter could feasibly be repainted and made suitable for 1989-1990 I think.

I am however becoming ever more interested in Irish Railways, and one day I would love to attempt to model the immediate pre-Mk3 era (I couldn't accept having Mk3s without the correct doors), and the variety of coaching stock in many frontline expresses would be something that while taking ages to model acceptably would be very satisfying. Most of the locos and the Mk2d/Cravens are available RTR, the older coaches not so much.

I had an idea that one could design a layout that scenically could be either Scottish or Irish and all one would change is the stock, though that presents a few issues.

That’s a nice selection. I’ve toyed with the idea of doing a Scottish layout a few times because I absolutely loved it up there in the 1980s/early 90s, plus that’s my favourite era (we’ve chatted about this before haven’t we...). Irish Railways would be very interesting to model and I assume someone does conversion kits for the mk3s?
The only problem I could see is that the track gauge might look a bit wrong. It’s already under scale for 00 let alone 5’3”...
I do like the RTR GM models though I must say.
I wish I’d gone over and sampled it all in the 90s...

Well Mr Cowley, I crumbled. I've been considering getting back into it for a while. To ease me in with DCC I've ordered the following (although not direct as I found them cheaper elsewhere) with the intention of constructing a bit of a layout by joining them together plus adding in some extra track.

https://www.bachmann.co.uk/product/category/151/whiskies-galore-sound-fitted-train-set/30-047
https://www.bachmann.co.uk/product/category/151/military-manoeuvres-train-set/30-130

Plus 2 Mk1 Suburban coaches and a station building kit plus platforms.

The idea is to construct a shunting layout with a station, a small military depot and a whisky distillery to start with and see how this ends up.

Although I was initially wanting to do modern image, it worked out a lot cheaper getting started using the BR Green era and that also allows me to flex into steam or BR blue too and lets me run proper locomotives

Those two sets look superb Iskra. I had a couple of Bachman 20s for a while and really loved them. Especially once they were weathered.
I just noticed that the 20 has a tablet catcher recess on the cabside which is a nice touch. I’ve considered going for sound on a couple of the N gauge locos that I’ve bought, but for me just doesn’t quite work in N because of the small speakers.
Works really well in 00 scale though...
I like the other set too, looks like you’ll have to buy a chip for it though?

The set with the 20 has the same controller that I use. Very easy to get on with if you haven’t used DCC before, and I’d personally recommend sticking with Bachmann chips if you get anything else (my E-Z Command doesn’t seem to like Dapol chips).

 

[hexagon789]

That’s a nice selection. I’ve toyed with the idea of doing a Scottish layout a few times because I absolutely loved it up there in the 1980s/early 90s, plus that’s my favourite era (we’ve chatted about this before haven’t we...)

I believe so, I tend towards that period because it has two of my favourite loco classes in abundance, ditto HSTs as well as a greater variety of colour schemes.

Irish Railways would be very interesting to model and I assume someone does conversion kits for the mk3s?

I've seen transfer sheets to label coaches in the original Supertrain or later Tippex liveries, and I think there are kits for the generator vans but I've never seen anything to address the doors.

 

[Cowley]

I believe so, I tend towards that period because it has two of my favourite loco classes in abundance, ditto HSTs as well as a greater variety of colour schemes.



I've seen transfer sheets to label coaches in the original Supertrain or later Tippex liveries, and I think there are kits for the generator vans but I've never seen anything to address the doors.

I’ll try and look into it a bit later.

 

[hexagon789]

I’ll try and look into it a bit later.

I think I've had a sign I should do something Irish at some point (probably about 50 years down the line(!)), one of the rare Doyle/Hirsch books has just appeared for sale on eBay!

So...erm...yes...I may have bought it...

 

[Cowley]

 

[hexagon789]

Sometimes the universe has a beautiful way of telling you something!

Certainly it'll be a great help if I ever get round to it.

I've been trying to find out if anyone has ever done a layout which is supposed to represent more than one place simultaneously aside from changing the stock over, I reckon that some insight into any such layouts would be useful.

 

[Iskra]

Those two sets look superb Iskra. I had a couple of Bachman 20s for a while and really loved them. Especially once they were weathered.
I just noticed that the 20 has a tablet catcher recess on the cabside which is a nice touch. I’ve considered going for sound on a couple of the N gauge locos that I’ve bought, but for me just doesn’t quite work in N because of the small speakers.
Works really well in 00 scale though...
I like the other set too, looks like you’ll have to buy a chip for it though?

The set with the 20 has the same controller that I use. Very easy to get on with if you haven’t used DCC before, and I’d personally recommend sticking with Bachmann chips if you get anything else (my E-Z Command doesn’t seem to like Dapol chips).

Thank you, I had Bachmann stuff as a child/teen and it was good then, so that's why I've gone back to their stuff.

I agree, I looked at N gauge before settling at 00 for that reason.

I've ordered from Rails of Sheffield, who are installing a chip into the second locomotive for a fee.

Thanks for your reassurance on the DCC control front, I will report back when it all arrives!

What do the numbers mean when they say 'x pin' controller by the way?

 

[hexagon789]

I agree, I looked at N gauge before settling at 00 for that reason.

I chose to continue with 00 because I don't reckon I could manage the dexterity required to do neat jobs with repainting/kitbuilding N stock!

 

[Iskra]

I chose to continue with 00 because I don't reckon I could manage the dexterity required to do neat jobs with repainting/kitbuilding N stock!

That was the other reason I didn't go for it

 

[hexagon789]

That was the other reason I didn't go for it

I don't know about yourself, but I have rather clumsy fingers to say the least!

 

[Cowley]

@hexagon789 I’m drawing a blank with mk3 conversion kits.
Just spent quite a while looking through the Irish Railways section on RMWeb but there must be other places.
I’ll have more of a look tomorrow though.

I don't know about yourself, but I have rather clumsy fingers to say the least!

00 gauge seems massive to me now that I’ve got used to N.

What do the numbers mean when they say 'x pin' controller by the way?

Is that referring to the DCC chip - as in a 6 pin chip? As long as you check with them that it’ll work with your controller it should be fine, although I’m new to DCC myself so I wouldn’t be the best person to ask.
There’s some threads here that might be useful:
https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/my-dcc-journey.179750/

https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/to-dcc-or-not.178515/

https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/going-from-analogue-to-dcc.159670/

 

[hexagon789]

@hexagon789 I’m drawing a blank with mk3 conversion kits.
Just spent quite a while looking through the Irish Railways section on RMWeb but there must be other places.
I’ll have more of a look tomorrow though.

There's the irishrailwaymodeller site, but I could only seem to find kits for EGVs

 

[cossie4i]

Still playing with the 1/1 scale at the moment.
One day I will get a chance to dust off my collection (mostly from the late 80s early 90s)
Saying that the collection has been added to over the years. The last purchase I made was just over 5 years ago when I got myself a 6car 395 as I used to drive them.
More recently (well Christmas Day) I preordered a Hattons 66, the pink one as it was the first Freightliner engine I drove after being Tuped to Freightliner from DB.

 

[Cowley]

Still playing with the 1/1 scale at the moment.
One day I will get a chance to dust off my collection (mostly from the late 80s early 90s)
Saying that the collection has been added to over the years. The last purchase I made was just over 5 years ago when I got myself a 6car 395 as I used to drive them.
More recently (well Christmas Day) I preordered a Hattons 66, the pink one as it was the first Freightliner engine I drove after being Tuped to Freightliner from DB.

Great stuff Cossie. That 66 is very nice model.

 

[Cowley]

There's the irishrailwaymodeller site, but I could only seem to find kits for EGVs

There’s a couple of things on here that might be useful but you may have looked at at this already?
http://www.studio-scale-models.com/Coaches.shtml

 

[hexagon789]

There’s a couple of things on here that might be useful but you may have looked at at this already?
http://www.studio-scale-models.com/Coaches.shtml

Thanks Cowley,

I see they have some Bredins and the Mk3 EGV kit seems reasonable. Perhaps I want to much, but I just can't reconcile without having plug doors on my Mk3s.

I had a copy of an old issue of Model Rail (I used to have about 30 from 1999-2005 but got rid of most of them), with an article on how to model a Class 442 but I can't remember what was done about the plug doors, annoying because that would be been so useful!

 

[Cowley]

Thanks Cowley,

I see they have some Bredins and the Mk3 EGV kit seems reasonable. Perhaps I want to much, but I just can't reconcile without having plug doors on my Mk3s.

I had a copy of an old issue of Model Rail (I used to have about 30 from 1999-2005 but got rid of most of them), with an article on how to model a Class 442 but I can't remember what was done about the plug doors, annoying because that would be been so useful!

No I think it’s fair enough to want to do it properly. They’re a very distinctive feature.
I think Hurst used to do a kit for a 442 but I’m not sure if it’s still available. I hadn’t thought about a 442 to be honest but that might be a good route to go down.

 

[hexagon789]

No I think it’s fair enough to want to do it properly. They’re a very distinctive feature.
I think Hurst used to do a kit for a 442 but I’m not sure if it’s still available. I hadn’t thought about a 442 to be honest but that might be a good route to go down.

The doors, as far as I'm aware, are the same design on Irish Mk3s and our 442s, so a 442 kit might be an option.

I'm one of these people who is a stickler for accuracy. That goes as far as wanting to model accurate formations, something of which there is plenty of information for the UK (and that includes Northern Ireland I add), but for the Republic it's surprising how little info there is online unless you ask the questions yourself in the right places and even that isn't enough.

I had to obtain a set of IRRS journals to actually find out exactly how the Irish Mk3s developed from introduction to withdrawal; that information is simply not online that I can see.

It's very much a pipe dream right now though as I said, BR ScotRail is definitely the first thing to be modelled, Ireland would at the rate things take easily be decades away from modelling because of the issues with obtaining/creating accurate stock.

In the meantime it's more a case of building up as much information as I can which I can then put to use in due course, which is pretty much perfect to be getting on with at the present time anyway!


I think if I made out a list of Scottish and Irish stock I require I'd likely have a heart attack toting up sheer volumes!

Did you ever make out a list of stock requirements or did you just obtain what you fancied to give a flavour of things?

 

[Iskra]

Well the 2 sets I ordered have arrived and I've given them a test run and programmed them and I'm impressed by both locomotive's. DCC sound makes the 20 feel like driving the real thing, you really have to think about what you're doing, such as applying the brakes.

I've ordered some buildings, some kit buildings and a couple of other kits.

Baseboards need to be my next investment, but I'm waiting on a measuring tape being delivered before I commit to anything. I've got spare floor space of around 18 foot by 2 foot and the width at running level could be increased to 3 foot, which should be adequate for an out and back layout. Looking online the prices look high. I'm hoping my local DIY shop can do it at a more reasonable price, but it's not exactly an essential journey under the current circumstances. I think I'd have to do it 3 6 foot by 2 foot sections. Can anyone advise on what a decent price would be for baseboards with legs?

 

[hexagon789]

Well the 2 sets I ordered have arrived and I've given them a test run and programmed them and I'm impressed by both locomotive's. DCC sound makes the 20 feel like driving the real thing, you really have to think about what you're doing, such as applying the brakes.

Just watching demonstration videos of locos fitted with sound is enough to make me want them! MM have a 121 coming out soon sound fitted and it sounds amazing, I can well imagine a 20 or a pair of 20s would be quite a spectacular thrashing away in the house!

 

[43055]

Here is my current (and first) project that i have very slowly been doing over the last year and a half. Currently unnamed it is a modern image 4 platform terminus along with some carriage sidings and a small shed for light maintenance for the local units. Eventually I hope to have 3 main TOCs which are:
GWR - Long distance London services operated by 800's and the odd 2+6 HST and the sleeper service
XC - Extensions to the core service bring Cross Country service up to 3 times a day (220 or 221)
EMT - Local services provided by 15x's, 170's and 2+4/5 HST.
I have also got a tanker train to bring the fuel which is operated by a GBRF 66.

The images below show the station area along with the small shed as well as the lines coming into the station. I am currently working on the wall which will run alongside the staff footpath which goes to the carriage sidings before adding more scenery on both sides.

 

[hexagon789]

Here is my current (and first) project that i have very slowly been doing over the last year and a half. Currently unnamed it is a modern image 4 platform terminus along with some carriage sidings and a small shed for light maintenance for the local units. Eventually I hope to have 3 main TOCs which are:
GWR - Long distance London services operated by 800's and the odd 2+6 HST and the sleeper service
XC - Extensions to the core service bring Cross Country service up to 3 times a day (220 or 221)
EMT - Local services provided by 15x's, 170's and 2+4/5 HST.
I have also got a tanker train to bring the fuel which is operated by a GBRF 66.

The images below show the station area along with the small shed as well as the lines coming into the station. I am currently working on the wall which will run alongside the staff footpath which goes to the carriage sidings before adding more scenery on both sides.
View attachment 75827 View attachment 75828 View attachment 75829

Very nice, that station looks excellent with the roof at the end and I like the buildings you've got at the end above the retaining wall as well.

Going to be a busy layout with all that stock you listed!

 

[Cowley]

The doors, as far as I'm aware, are the same design on Irish Mk3s and our 442s, so a 442 kit might be an option.

I'm one of these people who is a stickler for accuracy. That goes as far as wanting to model accurate formations, something of which there is plenty of information for the UK (and that includes Northern Ireland I add), but for the Republic it's surprising how little info there is online unless you ask the questions yourself in the right places and even that isn't enough.

I had to obtain a set of IRRS journals to actually find out exactly how the Irish Mk3s developed from introduction to withdrawal; that information is simply not online that I can see.

It's very much a pipe dream right now though as I said, BR ScotRail is definitely the first thing to be modelled, Ireland would at the rate things take easily be decades away from modelling because of the issues with obtaining/creating accurate stock.

In the meantime it's more a case of building up as much information as I can which I can then put to use in due course, which is pretty much perfect to be getting on with at the present time anyway!


I think if I made out a list of Scottish and Irish stock I require I'd likely have a heart attack toting up sheer volumes!

Did you ever make out a list of stock requirements or did you just obtain what you fancied to give a flavour of things?

That’s the thing about modelling railways, it’s entirely down to you how far or in what direction you go with it...
I’m modelling a real location in a scale that I’ve not really worked with before and I’m just really enjoying the challenge. There’s no rush to get it finished so I just dip into it now and again to relax.
Re choosing stock - I was originally going to do Seaton Junction set around 1988, so I started buying a few things for that (a 33/1, and a triple grey 47/0 plus some coaches), in the end though I changed locations but what I’d bought was perfect for Lapford in the era I was doing.
I’ve since bought things that are perfect for what I’m doing though but then that’s quite straightforward when you’re doing an actual place and I’ve loved doing the research on it.
My biggest investment so far has been this Dapol class 50 - 50032 ‘Courageous’, originally 50037) which I bought through TMC (The Model Centre). They have a customising service and I sent them a file of pictures including the one below that was taken at Barnstaple by our very own @Ash Bridge. They then weathered the hell out of it for me.



I’m waiting for Farish to release their refurbished 31/4 at before I buy another loco. Currently I’ve got a 108 DMU, the 33, 50 and 47, and also a Dutch 37 which are all appropriate for the line.

Well the 2 sets I ordered have arrived and I've given them a test run and programmed them and I'm impressed by both locomotive's. DCC sound makes the 20 feel like driving the real thing, you really have to think about what you're doing, such as applying the brakes.

I've ordered some buildings, some kit buildings and a couple of other kits.

Baseboards need to be my next investment, but I'm waiting on a measuring tape being delivered before I commit to anything. I've got spare floor space of around 18 foot by 2 foot and the width at running level could be increased to 3 foot, which should be adequate for an out and back layout. Looking online the prices look high. I'm hoping my local DIY shop can do it at a more reasonable price, but it's not exactly an essential journey under the current circumstances. I think I'd have to do it 3 6 foot by 2 foot sections. Can anyone advise on what a decent price would be for baseboards with legs?

I don’t know about buying a baseboard ready made. I’ve made my own out of 2” x 1” timber (for the frame), topped with 6mm ply which I got them to cut at B&Q when I bought it.
Unfortunately it’s difficult getting hold of anything at the moment, but the way I work things (generally in life) out is: The price of the materials plus the tools and time needed to make it, vs me just working a day and getting someone else to do it.
Unfortunately this means that I nearly always end up having to do it myself...

It sounds like you’ve got a decent amount of space to make something really good though. So that’s going to be great.
I’ve listened to a few clips of the sound fitted 20 on YouTube and they’ve really captured it well. It’s a shame I can’t upload a video from my phone because I’d love to show you a clip of my friends 0 gauge sound fitted class 25 that he sent me yesterday. It completely blows me away whenever I hear it running.

Here is my current (and first) project that i have very slowly been doing over the last year and a half. Currently unnamed it is a modern image 4 platform terminus along with some carriage sidings and a small shed for light maintenance for the local units. Eventually I hope to have 3 main TOCs which are:
GWR - Long distance London services operated by 800's and the odd 2+6 HST and the sleeper service
XC - Extensions to the core service bring Cross Country service up to 3 times a day (220 or 221)
EMT - Local services provided by 15x's, 170's and 2+4/5 HST.
I have also got a tanker train to bring the fuel which is operated by a GBRF 66.

The images below show the station area along with the small shed as well as the lines coming into the station. I am currently working on the wall which will run alongside the staff footpath which goes to the carriage sidings before adding more scenery on both sides.
View attachment 75827 View attachment 75828 View attachment 75829

That’s amazing considering it’s your first project! You’ve got lots done as well considering how long you’ve taken so far.
I do love a terminus station, there’s something wonderful about seeing a train pulling out at the start of journey...