2996 Victor

Hi Jonathan, My work room has a clear length of 3.6m, although I could probably squeeze a bit more if I could barter running rights in the lounge! That doesn't necessarily need to include staging/fiddle yard, though. I'd probably want to use Grainge & Hodder baseboard modules with a 0.6m width, but that's not set in stone. Cheers, Mark

Your models are excellent, David, so it looks like a good method, one that I might try emulating! Cheers, Mark

Hi All, I thought that perhaps after almost two years, a little thread resurrection might be in order. I've been spending most of the intervening time building model aeroplanes. My entire railway modelling has been on hold until just prior to Christmas, when I started a Lynton & Barnstaple Railway OO9 micro layout. I've also been collecting information and bits and pieces for a Denver & Rio Grande layout in HOn3. So I though it was about time that I picked up with my MGWR project as well. As you may have guessed, I'm no further along, except that I've this afternoon ordered some Alphagraphix Kits to get me moving again. Next job is to come up with a layout plan, after which I can order some baseboards. Hope to be back soon with something worth reporting! Cheers for now, Mark

Thanks! I've sent Roger an email, and he can do all of the CC range of card kits in 4mm scale Cheers, Mark

That's brilliant, thanks - I'll send him an email and see what he says. Many thanks and best regards, Mark

Am I right in thinking that Alphagraphix kits are only in 7mm scale? Cheers, Mark

The scenery is excellently done and certainly has captured the look of a bleak and slightly run-down railway outpost. Hope you find it useful! Its a technique I'm planning to employ at some point as I've still got several projects germinating! Cheers, Mark

Just caught up with Dugort Harbour, stellar modelling and wonderful stories along the way. Have you come to a decision about your backscene? If not, can I point you toward Chaz H's "Athena" on NGRM Online (his other layout, the Furness Valley RR is also worth a look)? US-outline narrow gauge but well worth a look. His backscene technique might be just what you need: it starts here but the whole thread is great. All the best, Mark

Hi @Galteemore, New Irish Lines: can I believe my eyes? You're not really selling this fantastic little layout? Totally understand your reasons, but it still seems a shame. I wish I was in a position to make you an offer. Good luck with the sale and best regards, Mark

Noel, The cattle wagon is looking really splendid! With regard to cattle, good ones are available from Dart Castings, Langley Miniature Models, and John Day Models. IMHO, the John Day ones are the best available, but all are good (no connection with any of the vendors other than as a satisfied customer!). They're all whitemetal castings, so add a decent amount of weight to the finished wagon. HTH! Kind regards, Mark

Thanks, again, chaps - that sounds like a plan! The code 55 rail does look nice, and I think it'll contribute nicely to the overall look of the thing (when it gets built!). That 5thou is well beyond my limits of perception - the reason I don't have an HD TV is that I don't have HD eyes! Kind regards, Mark

Thank you @Galteemore and @Angus, that's brilliant info! I'm ashamed to say I haven't properly read my copy of "Baronial Lines".....slapped wrist.....so the equation of rail weight/section to model "code" is great, thank you. I bought some Micro Engineering code 55 N/S rail a couple of years ago for an 009 inglenook project (yet another project that remains unfulfilled!) and I was very impressed with the quality and finish. ME is an American company, of course, but their rail is available in the UK from a few outlets. I got mine from NGTrains with whom I have no connection other than as a satisfied customer. Code 55 rail sounds like it would be about right for an MGWR branch line, if perhaps just a smidgeon on the light side, but I wonder if code 70 would be more practical..... Thanks again and kind regards, Mark

Dear All, In planning my MGWR 4mm scale/21mm gauge branch line project, I would like to know what weight of rail was most likely used on branch lines around 1900-1905, and what "code" or model rail would be most appropriate to replicate it. I'm presuming flat-bottomed rail would have been the norm on branch lines. Thanks for any advice! Best regards, Mark

Hi David, I got mine from Historex Agents. They cater mostly for military modellers, but of course a lot of materials and techniques are applicable to railway modelling, too. As I mentioned above, Archers do rivet transfers intended for various scales, I would say something like their sheet no. AR88032 might be suitable. Cheap, they ain't, but worthwhile IMHO. Kind regards, Mark

Hi David, For the rivets/bolt heads, have you considered Archers Rivet Transfers - neat straight strips in various spacings and different sizes for nominally different scales. I've got their 'S' scale rivets for my 4mm wagons. As @Galteemore says, Plastic Weld is pretty strong stuff. I use MEK which I got in a large bottle from fleabay, and I decant a small quantity at a time into a glass jar with a screw lid. Excellent work on the 'H'. Kind regards, Mark

My copy has arrived - excellent service from Martin Bott (no connection other than as a satisfied customer). Fascinating stuff, and Ahrons' prose is an absolute delight to read. Many, many thanks @Galteemore for the suggestion! Kind regards, Mark

Hi David, There's no doubt that the article and photos do fair justice to your superb modelling, and the fee is a nice little bonus, I'm sure! I hope you'll forgive my little observation on the track diagram, though - it was a combination of OCD and worrying that I'd completely lost the plot (again!). Kind regards, Mark

Fantastic results, David, this should certainly get you back into the rolling stock groove! Lookingforward to seeing your next build. Kind regards, Mark

I've ordered a copy from Martin Bott, one of my favoured booksellers - always worth a look for anything you need. Looking forward to its arrival! E L was Ernest Leopold, apparently! Kind regards, Mark

Thanks @Galteemore, I'll be looking for a copy as well! Kind regards, Mark

Hi David, It may be me (probably is!), but isn't the connection to the exchange sidings shown trailing instead of facing (or vice versa!)? Not that it matters, it's a fabulous layout and I do hope to be able to see it in action one day! Kind regards, Mark

Reading the RM article again - is it me, or have Messrs PECO drawn the track diagram incorrectly? Kind regards, Mark

I wonder if they could be persuaded to broaden their horizons slightly.....

Dear John, many thanks for your thoughts and your photographs - I was planning on having a look on Google Maps, but you'r suggested location adjacent to the town definitely looks feasible - as a first thought I was envisaging the fictional branch running more-or-less parallel to the R358, topography notwithstanding, from a junction with the main line at Ballinasloe. To be honest, I'm not actually planning on building any pointwork - as I want it to work, I'm going to outsource it - so a double slip is certainly a possibility and would provide a siginificant reduction in length over two conventional points toe-to-toe. Edenderry has much to commend it both as is stands and as a jumping-off point for fictional terminus. I don't have a huge area available for the layout so length is my main issue, and one of the key characteristics of the MGWR's terminii is their spaciousness. I'm going to have to be a bit clever, I think! Thanks again and best regards, Mark