west_clare_wanderer

The weathering on the roofs (rooves?) of those grey vans is excellent. Did you do that yourself?

I know we operate in a niche little sphere, but I do find Rails secondhand stuff to be generally overpriced. You can get a new MM 141 - admittedly in BnT - for £180, yet they are selling a "pre-owned" one for £230. Seems a little confused.

I wasn't expecting that answer, but I'm pleasantly surprised! I love those bagged cement wagons

Do you get a free trip on the second try, given the promised 89 failed?

Indeed. The best exhibitions have a good mixture of both types of layouts. Tail chasers with constant action and multiple trains moving at once, but also complimented by smaller layouts. Perhaps a shunting layout or micro layout. Casua members of the public and kids may be more drawn to the former, whereas fellow modellers might be attracted to the latter (although that's a gross generalisation!). That broad spectrum of scales, styles, sizes, and prototypes makes this such a wonderful hobby. Thanks, that's absolutely fascinating!

Ha, sorry. What a dafty I am! I did say my memory was appalling....

Thanks for confirming. For once my memory serves me well (although I can't remember where I put my keys!!). It always struck me as an ideal compromise between a shunting (switching I suppose) layout and a continuous run, without being too 'trainset-ty'. It gave a purpose to operation whilst still allowing you to just run trains round when desired. The problem is that it becomes a large lump of a baseboard in HO or OO. Few people on this side of the Atlantic have room in the house for an 8' by 4' layout. That's before we get to the aforementioned points about access/reach etc. I think that's a grand idea. As you say, you could have a bench or platform from which to operated from if necessary. Apologies if this has already been mentioned, but as an aside, was it Iain Rice who had to the idea of a few layouts on shelves one above the other, where stock was moved by cassette from one scene to another?

I see the point, but if you're getting the 0530 from Galway, I think it's reasonable to be able to get a cup of tea on board the train.

And maybe we can G you up to do something else in 2028 @Warbonnet....

C you in 2027 with a wheelbarrow full of cash @Warbonnet... .

Or even more saleable. Just tag the listing with "RARE" or "UNIQUE" (in capital letters of course), and bang it on ebay for €2,000

Wow! Your Swiss layout is amazing Mol! However, I think the point you raise is one of the real problems with such an ambitious/large project as a home layout. And conversely why micro layouts have become so popular. Not just the space saving aspect, but the fact that you can see progress with a couple of hours work. I admire anyone who can stick to a 'lifetime' layout project. Though I just don't have the mentality, willpower, or concentration to do so. I flit around like a butterfly and have no stickability! When you're young, you're not so restricted by realism, but nowadays I understand it's pointless starting something that I know I'll never finish. Hence any notion of a reasonably sized layout being shelved a long time ago! Maybe that's a little sad, but sometimes reality comes with age.

If my memory serves correct (it often doesn't!), Chris Ellis designed and built the Warren Branch (I think that's what it was called), along these lines. I'm not sure where it was published but I seen it referenced many times, and have seen extracts of a few articles and some photos over the years.

That is a really interesting plan. I'd like to know whether people are still building layouts like this in the USA, or whether folk have switched (no pun intended!) to Mindheim style, more minimalist approach. It seems these 'old fashioned' 8x4 layouts have a lot of play value. Any Irish or UK house generally hasn't had room for anything like this since the 1960s.

Great news! I've just completed my 'set', having acquired the North Kerry book (thanks to the kindness of Mol). They are undoubtedly my favourite series of railway books. I cannot wait for the next one

Sorry for being late to the party, but that is stunning Darius. What absolutely inspirational stuff

Thanks very much Mike, that's really helpful

Thank you very much Enda. I'll get myself sorted for an order. I want a couple of brakevans too. Dave

I'd say the IOM was the middle island.... the rose between two thorns if we want to flatter the Manx folk

This is fantastic! What's the origins of the chassis and body? Is it a 3D print or something else?

Fantastic! @Past-Avenue - are you able to ship to the right-hand island Enda?

Thanks Paul. I do! I have bid but it's just creeping towards my limit....

Just giving this an update..... I've managed to fill some gaps in recent months, but there are a few things I'm still after... The hunt for the elusive Supertrain A Class locos goes on. So, 018 and 027 remain top of my wish list. Alternatively, 007 in IR Supertrain. IRM wagons... The brown grain van pack, any of the oil tanker packs, and the diesel fuel pack are the priority. Perhaps fertilizer wagons too. I understand that these are a longshot, but if you don't ask you'll never know! Thank you very much for looking. Dave

Like Mol said, this sounds absolutely fantastic! I've just posted on another thread about how I love a 'system' layout... Well this is exactly what I mean! I'm really looking forward to seeing this develop. Thanks for sharing

I know very little about American railroads, but I love the shortline concept. I also love the idea of a large layout based on a whole branch line. Not filled with track, but a sparse scene with a handful of sidings on the way to drop wagons off. My dream one day is to have something such as this based on an Irish setting. It's one of the reasons I love Dugort! Large, complex layouts in a home setting may need a team of people to operate. They can also require a team of people to actually build or (and perhaps more so) finish them. Few us have the time, space, money, or number of friends(!!) to be able to do such a project. I really enjoy reading about these type of 'system' layouts though. I suspect they are increasingly rare in Ireland and GB. When it comes to exhibitions, @Mayner has made some excellent points. To add in my own thoughts, that's why the best shows have a variety of types and styles of layout. I'd say it's for the larger, mainline, roundy roundy layouts to keep things moving and keep folks entertained. Especially kids. For smaller layouts - cameos, micros etc - then that isn't so important, but it's the intimacy that gets people hooked. The chance to chat with an operator, or even occasionally have a go yourself, is part of the appeal. As a fan of the bucolic and 'off the beaten track', I prefer the latter, but we need a range of layouts to entertain visitors.