Metrovik

Why couldn't I have been born just a few decades earlier?

Not my area as my own thread will show, but it all looks very smart regardless of whether it's correct.

Sounds like a great idea, let's get this topic some attention.

Had the pleasure of meeting Ken once at Bray, very knowledgeable and friendly man, made stunning models. Rest in peace and may his family get some comfort and support.

Just now, BosKonay said:

 A small headroom and a scattering of unpaid preorders that may free up. The delays with shipping are very frustrating at the moment but we’re working hard on getting stock in a timely mannner! Appreciate the patience. 

Where else would you get customer service this efficient? Thanks.

8 minutes ago, BosKonay said:

Boat has been a little late as things seem to go a lot these days but we’re hoping to start shipping next week at the moment. 

With a few packs left for those of us who missed out, I hope?

1 hour ago, David Holman said:

Back in the day, I believe it was common practice for an unfitted goods train to stop outside loop of a terminus station to ensure it was under control and minimise the possibility of a runaway smashing into the buffers. Not something I see done very often at exhibitions, but worth including for that extra bit of authenticity perhaps?

Sounds like a great idea, only the run round loop is not actually part of the scenic section, well I mean a little bit of it is but the majority of it is not. When things get up and running I will try it though.

Thank you very much @Mayner I was expecting a little help but you went above and beyond, making an actual diagram for me. Hats off to you sir. Am I right in saying I need 2 ground signals 2full sized signals ( I like them better...) on the board in the picture above? Many thanks again MV

Monthly progress Report!  

Track laying has somewhat commenced, many thanks to @LNERW1 for the cork. What a difference it makes! track is not stuck down yet as I'm currently in the process of designing the point levers and changing mechanism for the signal box set up that will operate them (all going well!) Speaking of Signals, could people possibly help me figure out what semaphores are needed on the layout? I plan on using SSM signals (after i practice my soldering)  but am not sure whether or not its possible to make them operational. I have attached an edited photo of the track noting what's what. All help is very much appreciated. Also doubt anyone noticed but i removed the tiny runround and have opted to say its "down the line" a.k.a in the fiddle yard.

50 minutes ago, Gabhal Luimnigh said:

Some recycling of a piece of teak and a Jacobs Elite tin lid and I have the initial stage of the locomotive rest for the turntable, I cut the piece of wood to size and shaped the underside by drawing an arc to the correct dimension by simply bowing a steel rule along the length of the wood, then I cut the tin lid to fit the wood and overhang each end to kinda replicate the original and glued it in place, it looks crude at the moment but it should work fine, to be continued....

 

Now you see, I tried to make a turntable but didn't get any further than a Lego mechanism and a scraggly wooden base! 

How have I not seen this layout yet? Simply stunning from top to bottom. Fair play to you Alan.

2 hours ago, Gabhal Luimnigh said:

I think Ill start with the Telephone box.......

Shall I get the candles then?

Any ideas as to whether or not the pair will appear on the limerick Ballybrophy line again in the future?

On 26/4/2024 at 6:42 PM, Tullygrainey said:

Time for paint. A coat of Halford's etch primer was first....

 

...some filler here and there and then some detail painting in the cab before the roof was soldered on.

 

Next, the cab interior was masked off (actually stuffed full of tissue paper) before the colour coat went on. Halford's rattle can again, Vauxhall Burgundy Red.

 

I intended to use Humbrol Maskol on the whistle and the various other bits of valvery and pipery but forgot so some careful use of cellulose thinners on a small brush took the paint off again in the required places. Matt Black and Metalcote applied with a brush took care of most of the other details.

 

The paint was left to dry for a day or so before weathering with paint and powders. The chassis got treatment to match.

There are a few little details needing attention but I think it's just about done.

 

HL was painted to match its stablemate, a Robert Stevenson Hawthorn 0-4-0ST built a year or two ago from a High Level kit.

Alan

HOW did I miss this!? My only complaint is that I cant see it in Person!

7 hours ago, LNERW1 said:

The board is quite deep, contemplating adding trams? Further marking it as Ireland. I think the third rail should be removable just in case.

It'll all depend on when the layout is set, anytime up until the 90s then most trams will be a bit out of place, I'd think although I'm usually wrong about these things 

45 minutes ago, Horsetan said:

Before doing that, have a go at SSM's Wickham inspection car. At 27 Euros, it's not going to bankrupt you if you mess it up. All brass, so your soldering skills will be tested, but not complex.

Once you're satisfied it's gone together, I think the E/J26 will be ready and waiting for quite a lot of soldering.

Don't make the mistake that one past Forum member made of launching straight into the 800 class 4-6-0. He ruined it and it was a terrible thing to watch it happen. 170 Euros down the drain.

 

Might purchase that Wickham inspection car myself as my soldering could be improved.

Best of luck lad, good to see someone else was inspired by the Wexford show.

Hold on to your sandwiches!

This thread has gone for the birds.....

5 minutes ago, LNERW1 said:

Hey, I’m going from Laois! You’d think that’d be closer, but it’s a pain in the hole because, as everyone knows, Laois doesn’t exist and was invented by the Illuminati to detract from Kilkenny and Offaly’s power, as they were afraid they would overtake Dublin, Cork and Fermanagh (Which also doesn’t exist, long story).

I reserve the right to be concerned that @Metrovik just reacted “agree” to that…

Well now, was In Wales recently for a bit of volunteering on a narrow gauge railway ( different laws regarding ages of volunteers over-there), and talked to dozens of people over there, who invariably asked "where in Ireland are you from?" When I replied "Laois", They simply looked at me like I was speaking As Gaeilge and replied "Ive been to Galway........." 

Fair enough its a different country but you'd think at least one would have heard of it.

33 minutes ago, Metrovik said:

While waiting for Hattons Coaches to eventually arrive, I've picked up a pair of old ratio kits, which at £5 a pop when I bought them, will look just fine once sprayed green. I highly doubt they're in anyway prototypicalish to Irish stock though. ( I can't believe it.... I kinda answered a question instead of asking it!) 

Hold on, these are 4 wheeled coaches

While waiting for Hattons Coaches to eventually arrive, I've picked up a pair of old ratio kits, which at £5 a pop when I bought them, will look just fine once sprayed green. I highly doubt they're in anyway prototypicalish to Irish stock though. ( I can't believe it.... I kinda answered a question instead of asking it!) 

I'll be honest, this kinda looks like a horror film.....

On 30/4/2024 at 6:20 PM, Patrick Davey said:

Having the fiddle yard now has allowed me to operate the layout to its full potential.  Here's an example of the workings from a March day long ago........

Looking forward to the arrival of the Bulleid open wagons and the Park Royals.

Thanks alot Patrick, Now I feel so sad looking at my non sound fitted models.

Glad to hear we have another knowledgeable person whom I can pester with questions! Looking forward to this one.