Geoff,
One step at a time ........... but I do have four of the plywood kits for track base modules in the garage, so you never know!
Mike and "his financial director" will be visiting us soon, so the details of several projects will be ironed out then.
John.
This thread is a continuation from....
http://lakes-pages.com/gauge3.co.uk/G3Forum/index.php?topic=1362.msg8341;topicseen#msg8341
Geoff/John,
The Cliff Barker 4ft 11ins is a point I have never seen or used. Do you have any experience of it?
I can image short wheelbase stock getting around OK but am wondering about the buffering & coupling links snagging.
Love to hear your comments about this as I have already built up 5 modules but not laid (fixed down) any track yet.
It may be possible for me to prepare a couple of modules for the AGM if time permits but I would need a clear direction of what might be required. This could save you some time John.
Unfortunately I do not have any Cliff B's track it is all GRS at 8 feet min rad. So this could be a cost issue if I was to prepare something to show. It would be a case of beg/borrow & return to donor after show.
Transport of 2 modules to the AGM would not be a problem.
Any thoughts?
Dave
454
Dave,
The smallest radius of turnout I have is 15ft (with the majority at 20ft) so cannot comment on the 4'11".
Regarding a diorama, the purpose would be to provide a backdrop/context for a display sample loco. used to promote sales, which will be handled by Williams Models, so would need to be part of (or immediately adjacent to) Mike's stand.
I think Geoff has in mind a full scenic display (e.g. a dockyard scene or industrial site, such as steelworks or gasworks) which would be a splendid "setting" for the loco plus a few Flexikit wagons.
The idea would be to demonstrate to the punters the idea that a "starter pack" (at a low cost by comparison with existing products) could evolve into an attractive layout.
At the AGM we would be preaching to the converted (to G3 that is) but the thrust of the exercise is to tempt newcomers (through exhibition stands and mag. reviews) into G3 with an affordable "package", either as a simple self-assembly job or RTR "train set".
John.
OK John, I got the message, have already switched off the idea & now concentrating on my mainstream projects.
Dave
454
Dave,
I wasn't trying to deter you, simply pointing out that it might be a lot more work than you had bargained for!
It was good of you to offer and a small portable layout ("micro layout" as Geoff called it) would be ideal for exhibitions where the likes of "Blackgang"or "Warton Road" could not be accommodated.
Regards,
John.
Hi Chaps
Blackgang in its original guise was always intended to be a 28' working diorama. But as you all know that did not last long. It could still be exhibited in the 28' version but the no where near as much fun as the BIG version. On the plus side in the small size it can be runb on minimal stock and staff and be packed away in double quick time.
The sentinel sounds interesting i look forward to seeing its progress.
Mark
John has understood my thinking exactly, a working layout in a very small space with all the extra detail possible in our scale. My Y6 tram will push 9' wheelbase wagons around 4' radius curves, but even with 5' rad you'd probably still need a wagon's length of straight within a reverse curve, to avoid buffer locking.
I will be very interested in seeing how the motor batteries and RC all fit in the loco. One of my (many) fantasy projects is one of the railbuses BR tried out in the late 50's, early 60's. Which wouldn't need the chain drive.
To keep me busy (when the garden line has been finished) I had already been considering building a small, transportable, indoor layout using the four base modules which have been lying in the garage for the past 20 months.
The original purpose in buying them had been to construct stacking storage modules for wagons but I shall need more extensive storage than anticipated, so the modules will be redundant.
Four modules (aligned two deep) provides a length of 6ft and for a "fine scale" and realistic rendition of an industrial or dockyard scene (with all the minor detail required as well as bespoke buildings and machinery) that length will be sufficient to keep anyone occupied for a long time!
If the display is to be "static" (for promotional purposes) then the "diorama" is all that is required but for a working exhibition line, then extensions either end could be added.
If the chosen subject is a dockyard, then one end could run out onto a jetty, with a crane or two for discharging coal from small, coastal, colliers, to be used in the foundry, etc. (alternatively along the side of a dry dock containing a ship under repair).
At the other end, the tracks could disappear through openings into large workshop/foundry/stores buildings (in half relief) to disguise the stock storage area.
Laying the track is the easy part but constructing a convincing industrial scene (with all the clutter and detritus usually present at such places) would be no small task.
Everything would probably need to be scratchbuilt down to the last mooring post (unless there are marine model accessories available in 1:24 or similar scales).
No, I am not volunteering to do all this but would be willing to help out with some constructional aspects ..... I'll now sit back and wait on the rush of volunteers.
It could be the project to "make it" onto the pages of that new "finescale" mag., about which there was a debate in this forum a few weeks back.
John.
Steady on John, this simple cheap Sentinel project is being transfigured into a grandiose theme.
Why can't it just be kept simple, achievable & viable?
We are talking from now to AGM time for completion here which is completely realistic for a simple theme but not for potential interest in a "Finescale" mag. Unless of course the Sentinel is really intended to be a "fine scale" matching component of a grander scheme which I suspect according to the original brief it is not.
Dave
454
John,
So how do you intend to demonstrate the Sentinel at the AGM?
e.g. if the dockyard theme is only a longer term idea.
Dave
454
For the past couple of years, at AGM, I have had a 6ft display table adjacent to Mike's ("Flexikit" display) and, on the assumption that the same arrangements will apply this year, the Sentinel was to be displayed with a few "Flexikit" wagons ..... the "train set" example.
It was Geoff's suggestion that has sown the seeds of an alternative scenario.
John.
there is an OO layout that might be copied, try googling Upbeach St Mary. early versions of this layout fitted in three old box files.
Dave's right, the priority is the train itself, but showing it in a small layout will fire imaginations and boost sales. Perhaps a loading bay, track imbedded in a road, a crane and lots of weeds.
The scene does need to match the wagons that you're going to offer, but I haven't found any photos of the real locos in action with those sorts of wagons, yet.
Perhaps this topic should be split into two?
Geoff, yes, I shall split thread, which has strayed off-topic....mainly my fault!
I am currently casting loading bay and platform walls in resin, both stone and brick (English bond) patterns for the garden, so a few extra for the display will be no problem.
There would have been coal/mineral and stone (limestone/roadstone) wagons at tarstone and cement works and suitable Flexikit wagons are available.
Regards,
John.