Endal Street - a dual gauge shoebox layout

One of my favourite designs on Carl's micro site is 'Endal Street'.. an ambitious shoebox plan from Jon Songoygard in Norway.
It features dual gauge track running through cobbled streets and overhead electrics. In a moment of madness I thought I'd give it a go! (Like I haven't got enough started)..
I figured it might be quite nice to try and build it using foamcore and card/paper. The turntable and sector plate might present some difficulties.. but I'll worry about that later.
So far, box built, track built (soldered construction). Next step.. worry about the turntable and sector plate!

I really don't know if I'll pull this off.. but it's worth a try.

Some 009 stock

Been a while since last update (a Hard drive crash didn't help!).

One of the projects I've been planning is a 009 layout. At the moment a fictitious railway set in the Lake District is a likely candidate. I know I need some quality stock to get the best out of this scale so I bought a Dapol N gauge 45xx loco and A chivers WHR Russell kit and prayed they would fit!

As it happens, they do! I haven't extended the pony trucks, although I might.. but I don't mind that it's not a direct copy of Russell, just that it looks good and runs well. Seen here posing on 'Maunfoot' - a 009 micro layout.
New problem - the stock I had built so far all looks really tiddy next to this new loco (temporarily named Edith until I get some nameplates). I might end up anglicising the Liliput HOe stuff, or simply stick to a larger prototype. I quite like the Ashover anyway, so maybe that's the way to go..

A bit more 3mm

The last couple of weeks have seen some progress on my 3mm 'project'. I've laid a length of test track on a spare pine shelf. It's just 585mmx140mm, but enough for an A4 point and a little bit of track either side. The idea was to have a go at 'properly' handlaying solder constructed track before starting on a layout.

The sleeper built buffers tops are scratchbuilt in plasticard. I figured it was easier than trying to make up rail built ones!

It's 14.2mm gauge (3mm finescale), the rails are 3mm society code 60 bullhead, a lot easier to work with than I thought it would be. The switch isn't elegant but it serves it's purpose. I plan to hide it anyway.

The Y6 tram has had a paint job and some extra roof detail. A little bit of detail paint work to tidy it up and that's done. I'm really pleased with it.

Some progress in 3mm scale

Plankerton Wharf continues to be attended to ..been adding card 'concrete' surface. But last week I was off work with a chest infection which actually gave me a bit of modelling time.

As well as planning my 009 project (and doing some small work on Maunfoot - more of which later).. I decided to do something about some 3mm bits awaiting attention.

I had discovered an old RM article by the Rev Awdry online about his sctrachbuilt 'Toby' based on a Y6 tram loco and decided to give it a go...

I already had a 14.2mm gauge Halling motor bogie from 3SMR and designed a plastic card body 'kit' to fit around it. It's not deadly accurate but I feel gives a nice representation of a Y6. I like it anyway!

I figured I might try fitting Greenwich couplings to my 3mm stock (all of two wagons and this loco). At first I was a bit concerned that they might be too Narrow Gauge in style.. but I'm really pleased with the results. Must buy more!
For more information about 3mm scale modelling (the 'modellers' scale'), see the society website.. http://www.3mmsociety.org.uk/index.htm

Presenting...Plankerton Wharf

A couple of days off work..a few spare bits of wood, foamcore and track..Actually, I had prepared this little shelf beforehand, with the intention of finding a substitute for Middle Street which used to sit on my computer shelf. After much umming and ahing, measuring and doodling, I settled on this plan.
Basically it's a little shunty plank for OO. There is no puzzle as such, movements are generated using a simple grid and a twenty sided dice. I use five wagons and four 'spots' to place them, rolling for each move generates enough interest for a little gentle shunting of an evening (as you do!)
The plan,as you can see, is definitely on the micro side of things..








The 'fiddle is a Peco loco lift which extends off the side (a handy steal for another few centimetres..)












Which can be hidden by this portable 'screen' but it interferes with things a little..

The headshunt is limited to a loco and two wagons..









More scenics to go..(mainly some kind of concrete), but no backscene is intended as this is supposed to be really easy to store!

Begin Again...

Fed up with faffing with the orginal website, which is just about full and needs an overhaul anyway. It seems like a good idea to get with the kids and have a go at this blogging thing. I only intend to use it to post pics and updates on modelling projects. Be back soon with some stuff on this last week's project.. a little shunty shelf in OO.