GNRi1959

Sounds lovely, do you remember the pit below the lines half way across the bridge? Its a nice part of town.

David, here's a picture I took last week of the bridge, still standing. Yes, you are correct, however this one is slightly further out and more attractive. When the next Hospital Link road was built last year, for some strange reason they left the bridge intact running parallel to the modern crossing and it looks fabulous. If I am able to work it into the layout, it will be situated on the lift off flap where I enter the shed.

David, the curves on the layout are generally anything from 760mm - 1100mm and they work well. It is impossible to incorporate a cross-over in a curve of over 1metre radius as nothing exists. Small radius Y points used together come close to providing an authentic crossover, similar to those in Omagh. As shown below.........

Paul, I have plans to include a road bridge over, road bridge under, cattle creeps and a three arch bridge over the Drumragh River that carried the railway into Omagh just beyond the Market Branch. The track work has been simplified to give good train runs and plenty of scenery.

The small radius Y points work better to form a double track cross-over and are clearly seen in the original Omagh track plan. I also need to use a small radius Y point where the Portadown line swings off a curve and sweeps out the the station heading east. The track plan is a series of sketches, over multiple attempts and only starting to come clear now.

PaulC, thanks for your interest but the markings on the baseboards wouldn’t make much of a photograph. I should be laying track in coming weeks and will post.

Is it normal practice to try using large radius points in a layout. Although I am trying to keep all curving to large radius I find that I may have to resort to small radius pointwork to achieve what I want to do. Any thoughts?

The morning sun gave me a burst of energy so I went out to the shed armed with trammel and several large radius curves (1.2m and 1.1m) I cut on the bandsaw in ply and I set out a very pleasing track arrangement with a double track, reduced to single line at one end to give me a complete circuit. I also was able to get turntable, sidings and fiddle yard in place. Very pleased with it, give me an idea on how much track and points I need to buy.

Are you still writing notes to Santa Claus..........?

I believe it is earmarked for October this year.

I have yet to buy track for my layout - I'd be looking seriously at this but don't think I could operate with the small range of points.

NIRCLASS80, great! Do they have the full range of pointwork. I'm trying to source track at a reasonable price at the moment. I've been cutting very large radius curves in ply today to assist with the flexi track but my purchase is only weeks away. Will follow your progress. Are you buying locally?

Anyone know the cheapest way of buying a box of Code 75 Peco 00 gauge flexi -track. The online prices add up to £8 postage. Is it sold anywhere in the North of Ireland?

Glad to have taken delivery of a 3 pack of IRM Ballast Hoppers today, they look fantastic and although these may never have made it up the 'Derry Road' I have to be imaginative and optimistic that if things were different today, we'd have still had a railway network running through Omagh. Indeed, I have taken a sideways step and decided that my new layout will feature a 'flavour' of everything that was Omagh but brought into modern day practice. Therefore, ballast hoppers are welcome too!

Will pay £300 for MINT/Boxed UG Please PM if you can help.

Next time I'm talking to Normans son Wesley I'll tell him that his dads memory lives on. I first met the man in 1975 - a real gentleman.

Your modelling is very impressive, a question off subject. What heights are your embankments raised? I have to do the same job soon, my bridges were 12' clearance underneath so I reckoned on around 60-70mm to top of trackbed.

Its sad.............. that we have to do this, British Outline never commands these prices

I'd be interested in David (Holmans) opinion of this loco as a GNRi look-a-like?

Yes, of course there are better options. The eBay seller has accepted a return. Better again!

David, in fairness - if I were to get worried about 4" of driving wheel difference (less than 1.5mm) I'd just hang up my modelling boots. The other cosmetic differences could be remedied if I wanted. However, the balance here is between absolutely Irish, or nothing at all. A majority of the folk on this forum are modelling 'Irish' on 00 gauge track work which is miles out, a very insignificant number are modelling 5'3" and the rest just want to enjoy their hobby. I'm trying to make the best of what the market has to offer, what looks good and what I want to spend.

Thicknesses suitable to produce wagon sides and ends. Can they cut Wills Scenic sheets (random stone etc) so I can produce buildings I've drawn up?

Is there a desktop laser cutter on the market that can cut plasticard easily from autoCad drawings? Anyone with experience of these machines?

As much as I like N, I'm planning on buying all my Code 75 at the end of the month.

George, heres an excellent example in N of those long trains you pine for, courtesy of our friends at the Gauge Forum. You should come over for a peep........