As yet un-named 6 by 4

[dubbleojon]

Been lurking for a while, thought I should finally post up a picture of my layout so far.
I had a layout as a kid, which I shared with my two brothers and it all started again after a day out with my 2 year old photographing a steam train on the settle to carslile and seeing a hornby trainset for sale at a mill we called at on the way home meant I couldn't resist.

Space is at a premium so I am limited to a 6 by 4 at the moment but hope to beg some more in the future, possibly in the loft but that is a long way off. So I am using this as a learning experience and a chance to start collecting stock.

Not really modelling a specific era or region but I have a definite LNER bias and it will definitely be all steam.

Am still learning all about DCC etc, and have already found limitations of my hornby select controller not being able to access all the sounds on the A4 I got for Christmas!!

Have included an ariel photo so you can see the track plan, will hopefully add some more when I produce something worthy of taking photos of.

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Thanks
Jonathan

[matt1471]

Looking good Jonathon. I like your use of space to include some decent amount of sidings for shunting and the turntable to!
Impressed that its going to be DCC as well.

I started off with a 6x4 and found it too small to enjoy and get any realism from it. Now building an 8x5 which is much better!!

Look forward to seeing yours progress
Matt

[Kentman98]

I agree with Matt. Excellent use of the space available and from what I can see, it looks well constructed too!

Good luck with your progress

Trev

[Infrontcat]

Hello Jonathan

It may only be 6'x4', but as you have already discovered, it's amazing what you can cram in to such a small space!. Besides which, seeing as though you are a relative novice, it's a good idea to start modest before you move up. It's a good chance to do plenty of trial and error and make mistakes without it ultimately costing you.

It's good that you have plenty of operating potential to get you used to it all and it will give you an idea of what you want to get out of your layout. For example, I myself have always been into railways more from an operational angle rather than from the scenic angle. Some try to get a high degree of realism, others (again, rather like me ) just like having a railway they can run whatever the hell they like on it.

That's the fun of this hobby: you put into it and get out of it what you want

Just a wee hint: it might be a good idea to just jot down a few ideas as they occur to you. For example, I have a wee notebook that I used in the design, construction, operation and further improvement of Moorcroft. It's packed with sketches and notes that I made.

It'd be a good idea to maybe get a couple of books on the subject. I'm sure there are a great many people on this forum, including myself, for whom "The PSL Book Of Model Railway track Plans" by CJ Freezer is the book that helped them to realise how real railways look, which is an especially good idea if you are looking to model a by-gone age. I've yet to find its equal

Plus of course, we are all here to help as much as we can

Cheers fella

Tim

[dubbleojon]

Cheers for taking the time to comment fellas, much appreciated.
Thanks also for the book reccomendation and the tip about a note book. Think I might just do that as I keep having little brainwaves that I should make a note of.

Only been running trains for a month or two and am already planning on moving a couple of the points to improve operational ease. Fortunately its two with surface mounted motors rather than under board mount because there is no way I would be moving them after the hassle I had installing them.

I also agree with the comments about starting small being a good thing because I think I would have been overwhelmed if I had gone in at the deepend with a large layout.

[dubbleojon]

Some pictures of some new arrivals (Christmas and Birthday). Have also mainly been working on building my station using metcalfe kits. Think it has gone reasonably well, apart from the large platform to carriage gap on the island platform, still some work needs doing on the shelter obviously and would like to install some lights, whether that will just be leds or, if i decide I can afford to stump up for some, the pre made staion lamps etc still remains to be seen.

Hope you enjoy the photos.

New arrivals in the metcalfe engine shed

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Hornby L1

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Sir Ron under the hornby footbridge

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Super D waits at the island platform

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Sir Ron waits as a the super D trundles passed with a slow goods

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[auricom]

I really like what you have managed to do so far with the small space available, and it looks like you have lots of options and things to do on it.

Can I see you using the Surface mounted point motors? If so what are they like? I may need to use a couple of them.

[dubbleojon]

yes they are the hornby surface mounted point motors. I would say they are ok to use, easier to install than the underboard mounted ones, but don't switch with as definite a movement. Would have used all under board if I could have but the cross struts are in the way. Not that keen on their looks either, might try painting them grey or something, not decided yet.

[joshing_man]

Nice work and wise move starting small. One tip with Metcalfe is to colour in the joins as you make the buildings using either a red felt tip or crayon. That will help reduce/eradicate the grey cardboard join lines. A touch up with a crayon now would probably still work but better to do as you make the stuff.

Andrew

[taytrain]

nice pics, nice collection of loco's

[Infrontcat]

Hi mate

You're doing very well so far! I like the platforms and the new structures. Top tip from Joshing Bloke there by the way;)

As fror the point motors, again I'd not worry about them too much at this stage. That's another thing you can work on for the next project. I hate the bloomin' things myself and it's a pest of a job. I've not bothered at all but my excuse is that mine is outside so there's no point (pardon the pun)

Great stuff, keep it going

Tim

[Metallicadam]

really like your track plan - seems to be so much going on in such a modest space!

[dubbleojon]

dragging this up from page 5!!

not done a lot to the layout recently, have spent what seemed like an age building and painting a ratio staion canopy.
Have also added some people to my station.

Some photos attached