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A combination of price, more track geometry generally being available, and the need for FREMO to be super compatible, and allow for as much stock as possible. The first I think is pretty important, code 75 being a little more expensive is all well and good on a 4ft long layout, but if it's a 2km (yes, real kilometres) long FREMO layout that adds up to a huge extra expenditure. Code 100 looks fine anyway, and in my opinion actually looks better for modern image. A lot of the rail at Stradbally, where I volunteer, came from CIÉ (not new though) in the early 70s and are 74lb. Most rail on the IÉ network now is around 104lb. Taking into account width, it's a pretty close increase, but that's assuming code 75 is a good representation of 74lb rail or around that. But suffice to say code 100 is actually fine and a better solution in this case. But I see why people go for code 75 when they can.

Don't forget to seal both sides of the backscene.

I have spent all day making the backscene, and it's still not finished. How hard can it be to cut a piece of board!? This backscene is a complex shape though, with a step in it along the length, and a curved corner at one end. I decided I needed to make it at this stage and trial-fit to help confirm the exact dimensions of the buildings and to decide a few other issues. For now, I will probably arrange for it to be screwed in place so that it can be removed in case modifications are needed as the build progresses. I also want to seal the board properly, hopefully to reduce warping problems. Eventually it will be fixed permanently. Here is a back view. Note how one of the fiddle yard tracks is tucked partly under the main part of the backscene - this allows me to make the scenic side an inch wider. Here is a front view. The step in the lower part will be concealed by buildings on this side. The angled section on the right hand side will partly conceal the sector plate. This shows how the buildings sit over the top of the step in the backscene and conceal it. I haven't yet done the mockups for the buildings at the near end - I needed to get the backscene made so I could work out the dimensions in this area. At present, the right-hand end looks a bit unsatisfactory, with a 'letterbox' in the backscene. The building behind the tracks will conceal part of that, as well as the awkward interface in the corner. In front of the tracks at this end I'll put in another small panel to minimise the width of the letterbox. Then I will have a few large trees and some undergrowth in the front corner as a view blocker so that the remaining hole in the backscene isn't so visible. There really was a group of trees in this spot, and I hope their height will balance the height of the mill buildings at this end. I have splashed out on some trees from Primo, but they haven't arrived yet. https://primomodels.co.uk/category/deciduous-autumn I may also have a go at painting some more trees on the angled part of the backscene. I'll need to practice on some scrap first, and work out the best approach. I did this on my Swiss layout and it was quite effective, but Spruce trees are a bit easier to paint than deciduous!

I’ve code 75, which means three old coaches I have can’t run till I get better wheels for them….

MGWR Meat and Fish Van continued. Good bit done so far today. The underbelly looking less neat! Wheels up Brake rigging, springs, axleboxes to add, along with the roof of course!

Are people still using massive flanges on their stock, hence Code 100?

This is the Lartigue model at Malahide….

My favourite RPSI loco!

If anyone is interested in an Irish modular, I'm using the FREMO Hauptbahn standard- PM me! I personally think it's a great solution to the difficulty of creating clubs in a country with a sparse enthusiast population. Apart from the Polish layout FREMO Ireland have, I believe the SDMRC also has the beginnings of a GWR Hauptbahn-standard layout, however I believe theirs has code 75 track whereas I plan on using code 100. @Jack_Dunboyne can correct me but I believe FREMO Ireland also use Peco code 100 on their layout.

The Germans have got FREMO down to a fine art, and there's loads of YouTube videos showing some impressive network meetings. There's at least one group that recreates routes with inclines during the Royal Prussian Railway era, so the trains actually have to be assisted by banking engines at the rear. Imagine doing something similar with a triple-header struggling up the bank out of Cork.

At least we should see a blue 4-4-0 in Dublin before the end of the year ….

Interesting stuff! 2011, thus, closed my personal chapter of interest in operational locos. 145 and 150 were personal favourites - the former, as I watched it shunting the Limerick - Sligo goods in Tuam, and the latter on account of a cab run to Cobh, only the 2nd time I ever went there. 190 my favourite 181, as I did Limerick - Ballina behind it, with a train of two laminates and a bockety-looking 4 wheeled tin van not long before that service was withdrawn……

Updated.

No blue 4.4.0s on it today? (I remember the last blue 4.4.0 on the Thursdays only train - travelled on it too….)

The great pity is that FREMO hasn't really caught on in the UK. The tradition and culture of self-contained layouts is much too ingrained, together with the fact that the popular scales frequently have two or three different track gauges (2mm has two, 3mm has 3, and 4mm has 3) representing the same thing, so that banjaxes the idea of everyone sticking to a common standard. FREMO's massive advantage is that your models actually get to work over an actual mileage on a proper network through varying scenery and not just round in an oval or short distance to and from a fiddle yard.

Have just logged into YT to subscribe, @James. Much prefer the second layout video, without the mattress shop music.

That’s an amazing amount of space for running trains!!! And for filming whatever amateur projects you like! The FREMO modules are about €40-ish each, I think. @Jack_Dunboyne had negotiated a 10% discount for forum members at one stage, but I’m not sure if that still stands. How many modules will you need? About 25?

The garden room was a significant investment, so the baseboards on top of that won’t be a huge cost comparatively. The room also needs to be available as a spare room from the start since we’re hosting family soon, so a semi permanent solution won’t work. As for running out of enthusiasm or getting distracted, I’m not particularly concerned about that. I’m going to be putting a lot of very careful thought into the track plan so it doesn’t get boring, and as far as prototype goes, I don’t really have one in mind- not even a particular country, so changing interests shouldnt be an issue. Most of it will be open main line anyway so anything Irish and most things British will look fine on it. And keep in mind, it’s FREMO. I can swap modules out easily and quickly if I want to put in a new one. I also need the space for filming something- before you say anything DJ, it’s NOT amateur porn, I have a long term film project I want to release around 2029 or 2030, but I don’t entirely trust myself to follow through and it’s not super relevant here so I’m saying nothing about it. Anyway, here’s the garden room: 78549905606__CABDA52A-C508-4D28-8059-B2B9DB442E84.MOV

216 sitting in York Road this morning

I confess I had my tongue in cheek with the 0-6-4+4-6-0 Garratt suggestion - I was thinking along the lines of using common parts with the conventional Beyer Peacock locos on the SLNCR. I hadn't realised there actually was an SLNCR Garratt design sketched out. A 2-6-0+0-6-2 would make a lot more sense technically, but undoubtedly more powerful than was needed. That's made me wonder whether a wide-firebox Garratt would have have been a better bet than Bulleid's design, for the turf-burner brief. Anyway, better get back to East Anglia. Sorry for the digression.

Running a single loop of track on temporary boards made from free offcuts while building up the FREMO boards over time would stave off the frustration to some extent. He’s going to be putting a grand or two into the “proper” boards, I’d say, plus the same again on the track. That kind of money may be difficult to get together at that age. Hopefully today we’ll see some daylight pictures of the space.

The proposed Sligo Garrett would have been a 2-6-6-2 if I remember rightly. Have a copy of the outline drawing somewhere and the axle loading was only about twelve and a half tons. Somebody actually built one in 7mm scale, but certainly wasn't me as the thing would have been too long for Arigna Town's headshunt. As for a traction engine on the Sligo, I fear coal and water capacity would have been a problem! Ragstone Models were going to do a Sirapite type a few years ago, but don't think anything came of it, while Giles Favell (radio controlled 7mm road vehicles guru) certainly did a traction engine.

I am very much looking forward to the Manchester show. I’ll keep an eye out for it.

Colour wise, everything from pale grey onwards, it seems - all down to what is going on, on site. Gordon Gravett's new layout in in this month's Continental Modeller by the way - and debuts at Manchester next month. Back to French metre gauge, very simple but (as you'd expect) very, very good.

Many thanks John, that’s very comprehensive and helpful. I shall joint my concrete panels accordingly. Going off at a tangent, do you know what that little tank wagon 254A carried?