geoff_nicholls
Western Thunderer
Inspired by 76043's activities with Dublingham, I've reactivated an old project: an oval of gauge 3 set track.
About four years ago, I paid GRS to produce settrack for an eight foot diameter circle, plus one turnout, using their standard method. They use LGB rail for their bespoke rail. My intention was to build a standard gauge feeder for an LGB G scale layout. Then I started building the J65, discovered Cliff Barker track and you lot, and became seriously finescale, so the track got put in a cupboard.
The J65 is nearly finished, and the layout Aldeburgh Harbour progressing well, but I do miss just sitting and watching a train trundle round an oval. So I dug the track out again. To my eyes a small loco, like the Simplex in the photo, or a Y6 tram looks perfectly acceptable with a short train on a four foot radius curve, especially if your sat in the middle of the circle. (the MRJ is to give some idea of actual sizes)
However, moving the furniture to lay the track out is a drag, and I wanted more than just unballasted track on the carpet. I've found that if I move my 'proper' layout to one end of the railway room, I can accommodate the circular track on bespoke versions of Grainge and Hodder's curved layout baseboards. There's even room for a bit of scenery (I have the Wantage tramway, Great Yarmouth, or Lowestoft harbour, in mind). The GRS track is very chunky, but the rail head is actually same width as Cliff Barker's fine scale track, so it won't be conspicuous when inlaid in a roadway, or ballasted over the sleepers and overgrown.
So, I will still pursue the 'serious' modelling, but will be able to indulge my love of steam tramways and light railways. And just sit and watch the trains roll by.
About four years ago, I paid GRS to produce settrack for an eight foot diameter circle, plus one turnout, using their standard method. They use LGB rail for their bespoke rail. My intention was to build a standard gauge feeder for an LGB G scale layout. Then I started building the J65, discovered Cliff Barker track and you lot, and became seriously finescale, so the track got put in a cupboard.
The J65 is nearly finished, and the layout Aldeburgh Harbour progressing well, but I do miss just sitting and watching a train trundle round an oval. So I dug the track out again. To my eyes a small loco, like the Simplex in the photo, or a Y6 tram looks perfectly acceptable with a short train on a four foot radius curve, especially if your sat in the middle of the circle. (the MRJ is to give some idea of actual sizes)
However, moving the furniture to lay the track out is a drag, and I wanted more than just unballasted track on the carpet. I've found that if I move my 'proper' layout to one end of the railway room, I can accommodate the circular track on bespoke versions of Grainge and Hodder's curved layout baseboards. There's even room for a bit of scenery (I have the Wantage tramway, Great Yarmouth, or Lowestoft harbour, in mind). The GRS track is very chunky, but the rail head is actually same width as Cliff Barker's fine scale track, so it won't be conspicuous when inlaid in a roadway, or ballasted over the sleepers and overgrown.
So, I will still pursue the 'serious' modelling, but will be able to indulge my love of steam tramways and light railways. And just sit and watch the trains roll by.