GNRi1959

Thanks Paul. That drop is for the lorries that backed up against a retaining wall below the track level. The grain was unloaded from the siding above.

After many months of doubt and determination, Code 75 track and pointwork was temporarily placed on my baseboards and Omagh Goods Yard took its first breath. This time I used a well thought out plan that was simple and operational, with lots of advice and guidance from many. Five sections, including a fiddle yard were all built from new with no expense spared. Brass pattern makers dowels were used on all sections for good alignment and quality sprung suitcases catches that hold all sections together. Leaving the possibility of exhibition possible, though not essential. None of the track you see is fixed so I am still open to suggestions. The layout is goods only - focusing mainly on the Yard at Omagh and more interesting the movement of loose grain from wagons to the waiting grain lorries of Scotts Excelsior in town. A dropped section will allow for unloading loose grain from chutes on grain wagons to waiting lorries below and in latter years when wagons of bagged grain were unloaded onto Scotts flat bed lorries by hand. This has been verified by both employees of Scotts Mill and ex-GNRi shunters, still alive in Omagh today. A scratchbuild turntable, will turn locomotives at one end of the layout and a small fiddle yard will allow for storage and operation when exhibiting. When the track work is finalised a 3mm cork bed will be glued in place. The replica cast-iron signs were made by a friend, who does this type of thing as a hobby. Don't they look really well!

Thanks Leslie, always keen to get anything relating to Omagh. I'm scratch building the turntable from some of the strangest of items - all will be revealed in time.

Will be scratch building a GNRi turntable well and turntable based on Omagh, as seen below. Anyone got any ideas on the length of the bridge or diameter of the well on these structures?

I firmly believe that if there were GNRi chassis underarms, complete with standard single braking lever it would have big appeal for scratch builders who wanted to use the chassis for various bodies above.

Paul A friend wanted them for an attic layout that needed to be transportable. My only reservations about them is they aren’t as easy to bore as timber.

David, I would never have dreamt of it but our plastering lecturer had a large consignment of it donated for training purposes and there was a 'wee bit' left over! I'll be honest, it took me less than 10 minutes to build each frame. Its so easy to cut and crimp using the proper dry walling tools.

Five metal baseboard frame made up today with intermediate rails. Ultra-lightweight and rigid.

Heres a sample I made up today and it really is firm. It is very simple to fit an intermediate section for added strength but really no need. Theres no risk of bending or warping, timber is more likely to do this through changes in moisture content.

In a small experiment today I made up a small baseboard frame in literally 10minutes using metal studding. The completed frame was absolutely rigid, square, in perfect alignment and lightweight. I thought it was a novel way of building quick frames that would withstand many years of abuse. The only problem I would envisage would be the obvious danger of contact with electricity.

Fresh appeal for anyone willing to sell a OO Works GNRi UG class 0-6-0

I'll be there and would love to meet up. Coffee and a chat, I'm up for that.

I thought that brianmcs which is why I painted the underside and threw this out for debate. I agree. Cheers

Can anyone comment on the behaviour of plywood in a garden shed over the life of a model railway. I have just painted the edges and undersides of my baseboards with grey primer/undercoat as a treatment to seal and protect. The shed is insulated, dry and cool on the inside with ventilation at the gables. Would you bother painting the top side of the ply which is where I was going to glue down my 3mm cork surface before track laying? It's easy done but my thinking was that a coating of exterior PVA wood glue to stick the cork would be enough, whats your view?

Leslie, interesting to hear your comments and experiences. In the past I've always used Peco fitted under the baseboard with the adapter and extension pin. That was back in the mid-1980s. I've often wondered if Peco would have improved upon them since that. I've seen the Gaugemaster point motors advertised for a Pack of 5 @£10 which is well worth the gamble, and they do not require soldering the connections. I like the idea of surface mounting - I can hide at least five points in conveniently placed linseed huts, water towers and signal boxes! Last year I was able to work points with a wire and tube but I'm a bit older and wiser now now bending and working under-hand is best avoided - my glasses keep falling off. I've just rebuilt my baseboards, bought all my Code 75 track and paintwork, ordered my 3mm cork and waiting now for s nice South Eastern Finecast well turntable. All being well, i'll be laying some track next weekend. Thanks Tony

Any noise................

http://www.gaugemaster.com/item_details.asp?code=GMC-BPPM10 These point motors from Gaugemaster seem to be real good value, has anyone tried them and how do they compare to Peco brand.

Just found a very reasonable supplier, thanks

Can I take you back, just over a year ago, when this picture was posted and the topic was the movement of grain from Omagh GNRi station to Scotts Mill in the town. Is anyone able to tell me what the lorry type is in the picture as I am trying to find suitable 00 models, please.

Anyone got 3metres x 450mm x 3mm cork they can sell at a reasonable price? Ready to lay track, can anyone help.

Amazingly detailed layout with so much going on, looking forward to seeing this layout. Will you be in Bangor or Enniskillen this year?

Joe, thanks for the photograph. Always nice to get a different view of a working layout.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-foyle-west-43196181

Our college got an email alert for extreme snow conditions on Thursday (Omagh area)

Can you tell me how it is motorised?