Galteemore

Well that’s another book on the list! If I ever get the 0-6-4T done, and want to build something else, I’m mulling over a 4-coupled yoke, which really needs some kind of compensation (I got away without it on the F6 but don’t want to chance it again!). I have one of his other books which has some useful tips on tender balancing for 4-4-0s. Sorry I can’t make it to Bray to see this gem in all its glory - thanks for letting us see her!

Good man yourself. Hardest part is starting out - actually cutting something up and having a go. And that’s all part of the learning process....keep it up!

That is just lovely. Very elegant prototype and you’ve captured the look nicely. I have found Simon Bolton’s books very good too!

Nice to see a bit of old school modelling! Good effort

David, you have really pulled the rabbit out of the hat with this one. That is truly superb. Straight out of an ‘Irish Railways in Colour’ album....

If you want a D19 Colin, there is an excellent set of drawings in British Railway Modelling, Jan 2006, Vol 13 No 10. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/333619464015 It’s not me that’s selling it BTW!

Suppose I can include my modest little 5’3” effort ...scenic area is only 4 x 2!

Yes - eclectic ! Nice shot of some bread vans and a U with fine GN stock. Tell us more about the NG slip please ? B and L was my ‘local’ 3’ gauge and my father-in-law remembers its final days very well - I think the NG yard at Larne was an unofficial local playground at weekends!

7mm modellers tend to use 3D printing more for detail parts and accessories rather than ‘solid’ items like wagons.

I think mine is the bunscoil version for basic track work - yours is the finescale colaiste one Eoin!

Here’s my copy of the PCB one and title page. I think Eoin’s one also covers ply track etc

Thanks Rich - I was revising the post on just those grounds as you were typing!

I have found the ‘cameo layout’ approach of Iain Rice helpful here. Take a small scenario and build/adapt just enough track, stock etc to fit that. Great way to start in a new scale and get a feel for it quickly. http://philsworkbench.blogspot.com/2017/01/book-review-creating-cameo-layouts-by.html?m=1 If you can face a wandering RMweb thread....https://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/118661-creating-cameo-layouts/ I jumped ship into 5’3” modelling last year and found this a really helpful approach. Just enough track to build to create interest without being overwhelming!

Depends what you want. You can just cut the OO track down the middle into two parallel strips as Rich says, and glue the split sleepers down at the correct distance apart, using a track gauge. Can be a really cheap way to do it - can pick up oddments of track quite cheaply and off you go!

Soak your fibreglass brush refills in dilute PVA and allow to dry. Minimises the amount of horrible fibres flying around....

Time in research is never wasted (I have many reference books!) but sometimes one also has to jump in and start as you say. As the Germans also say Aus Schaden wird man klug- we learn from our mistakes. Like making sure one has gapped all the copper clad sleepers before testing the wiring.....

Good move. Those 2mm books get rave reviews. Here’s another...https://www.ebay.co.uk/c/1523212446 it’s about £96 on Amazon these days so worth picking up when you see one

My experience is limited to 1 small layout but hopefully you’ll get more answers! I’m modelling a tertiary line with short rail lengths so can easily build straight panels on the bench. For curves, I build one rail on the bench then set the pieces on the layout and solder in rail no 2 when happy with the curve.

Go for it. It’s great !

I think Marcway in Sheffield may make bespoke turnouts .http://www.marcway.net/list2.php?col=head&name=Marcway+00%2FH0+Pointwork You can make your own flexi track quite simply with a basic jig.

I can’t speak for turnout building as I haven’t tried that yet, but building plain 5’3” track is rather rewarding and when the jig is set up you can build it fairly rapidly (7 mm scale copper clad PCB soldered track in my case)

Very nice. Looking good so far

Here’s the answer from an expert (not me!).... The spoil trains began with 1 engine+10wagons+van on 14.11.66 20 wagon sets began running at the start of February 1967 Vans were dispensed with from 17 April 1967

Using copydex or latex glue is another alternative which allows a little more flex than straight PVA. It also allows you to peel everything off the board later rather than chipping at solidly dried PVA

Yes, if anything there seems to be a growing and informed affection round Dromahair for the line. We took our boys down last year and showed them where my mother’s railway journeys began. The hand drawn sign is perfectly in keeping with the SLNC vibe....