NHY 581
Western Thunderer
Morning all,
Regulars to the Sheep Chronicles may well have seen reference made to a change in approach to my modelling courtesy of a day spent at Expo EM in Bracknell a few weeks ago now.
Now despite what it suggests, this doesn't necessarily mean abandoning 00 gauge and adopting EM and certainly not P4, much as I admire those who follow that path. No, it jyst means that I want to change certain aspects of how I'm currently going about things. Improvements rather than a total discarding of what I've done before if that makes sense.
The biggest change is time. Time I give myself to do things. I'm currently somewhat under the cosh to complete a layout ( my decision and I could pull the plug but I won't and therefore I only have myself to blame) and though there is a degree of enjoyment to be had, it's proving difficult for a variety of reasons. This approach stops with this layout.
So, that's time. It's not new to me. I had this approach building EWE. Some of the buildings were finished first which set the tone and then the rest seemed to follow on from that. It was actually quite smooth.
I'm going to introduce electric points. How is that new you'll say ? That's basic train settery. Well, it's new to me so a small test bed will be used to allow me to learn all about this electrickery. Frog juicers, point motors, droppers to plain track, bus wires, DCC. All basics for some but as I say, a significant step up for me.
Uncoupling/coupling. Same test bed will explore remote uncoupling. I have a significant stock of Kadees. I don't like them on typical 1950s stock and steam locos but having looked into AJs, Dinghams and all other typical British 'Finescale' alternatives to the traditional British T/L, I see these as my first option.
Baseboards. With six layouts built since 2016 on IKEA foundations, this changes. I'll be using kit baseboards from Grainge and Hodder. I can accommodate all the wiring and point motors etc sub- baseboard firma. Again not rocket science to many but new for me. My bendy board troubles on the latest build cements this change.
Fiddle Yard. Leading on from the above, a traverser is current favourite to reduce stock handling. A turntable is ideal but the home location cannot accommodate such a gizmo so best not. G&H offer a bolt on loco turntable to their traverser so job done there.
So what stays ?
4mm 00 remains favourite but I've an open mind on EM but it's certainly NOT a must have.
The Cameo layout concept stays. I like it and the compact, integrated convenience it brings with it.
Ready to Run stock. I've no issue with it and pretty much all I want is available.
Ready to plant buildings can provide with the impression I want to create so again no change.
Scenery. I'm happy with how I'm going about this and the materials I use so again, no changes are anticipated here.
So to many on here, this reset is not ground breaking but for me there are a few aspects which will be significant changes made to how I go about things. Overarching this is a change in tempo. A more measured less frenetic approach which in itself will be beneficial and ultimately allow a more relaxed approach but one which will get things done.
So what am I doing ?
Regulars to the Sheep Chronicles may well have seen reference made to a change in approach to my modelling courtesy of a day spent at Expo EM in Bracknell a few weeks ago now.
Now despite what it suggests, this doesn't necessarily mean abandoning 00 gauge and adopting EM and certainly not P4, much as I admire those who follow that path. No, it jyst means that I want to change certain aspects of how I'm currently going about things. Improvements rather than a total discarding of what I've done before if that makes sense.
The biggest change is time. Time I give myself to do things. I'm currently somewhat under the cosh to complete a layout ( my decision and I could pull the plug but I won't and therefore I only have myself to blame) and though there is a degree of enjoyment to be had, it's proving difficult for a variety of reasons. This approach stops with this layout.
So, that's time. It's not new to me. I had this approach building EWE. Some of the buildings were finished first which set the tone and then the rest seemed to follow on from that. It was actually quite smooth.
I'm going to introduce electric points. How is that new you'll say ? That's basic train settery. Well, it's new to me so a small test bed will be used to allow me to learn all about this electrickery. Frog juicers, point motors, droppers to plain track, bus wires, DCC. All basics for some but as I say, a significant step up for me.
Uncoupling/coupling. Same test bed will explore remote uncoupling. I have a significant stock of Kadees. I don't like them on typical 1950s stock and steam locos but having looked into AJs, Dinghams and all other typical British 'Finescale' alternatives to the traditional British T/L, I see these as my first option.
Baseboards. With six layouts built since 2016 on IKEA foundations, this changes. I'll be using kit baseboards from Grainge and Hodder. I can accommodate all the wiring and point motors etc sub- baseboard firma. Again not rocket science to many but new for me. My bendy board troubles on the latest build cements this change.
Fiddle Yard. Leading on from the above, a traverser is current favourite to reduce stock handling. A turntable is ideal but the home location cannot accommodate such a gizmo so best not. G&H offer a bolt on loco turntable to their traverser so job done there.
So what stays ?
4mm 00 remains favourite but I've an open mind on EM but it's certainly NOT a must have.
The Cameo layout concept stays. I like it and the compact, integrated convenience it brings with it.
Ready to Run stock. I've no issue with it and pretty much all I want is available.
Ready to plant buildings can provide with the impression I want to create so again no change.
Scenery. I'm happy with how I'm going about this and the materials I use so again, no changes are anticipated here.
So to many on here, this reset is not ground breaking but for me there are a few aspects which will be significant changes made to how I go about things. Overarching this is a change in tempo. A more measured less frenetic approach which in itself will be beneficial and ultimately allow a more relaxed approach but one which will get things done.
So what am I doing ?
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