Welcome ebbwjunc

My apologies I meant to address last post to Chris not Gary. I claim "Oldtimers" and too much single malt on New Year.Norm.

 

G'day TOTO, all the buildings on the layout are scratch built mostly of card. At shows when people ask we tell them that they are all rubbish which usually sets them back and then we go on to explain that they are made from card from old cornflake packets or similar. we also mention that we use old matchsticks, lollypop sticks, bits of old toys, drinking straws, knobs and lots of pieces that most people bin. We also let them know that railway modellers are the original recyclers and to just have a go and let their imagination take over. For instance make a simple building and paint it the chances are they will not be satisfied with their effort so bin it and do it again. Chances are after a couple of attempts they will start to get the hang of it and will be more satisfied with their efforts and just for the cost of some cheap glue and paint. They can use better materials when they feel more proficient and need something more specific but it all comes with practice. We have had several people come back at subsequent shows and thanked us for our encouragement which makes it all worthwhile

 

Hi ebbwjunc
Dairy farm was at the end of Kanahooka Road on the left heading towards the lake. Just past it the road tar ended and it was dirt up to the old sailing club on the lake shore.
They later turned the farm into a drive in movie theatre before a housing subdivision took over.
No motorway existed and we could walk in a beeline across to Dapto shops. The school I attended was a single level affair in Brownsville on Kanahooka Road.
I bet the whole place has changed by now.
Andrew

 

Hi Norm

It was interesting to see that you are one of the gang responsible for Blagdon, that was in my final cut of three before I decided on Hemyock so I have always had an interest in seeing a model of it.

Good to hear that you have been passing on your knowledge to others as well, it's that sharing that makes better modellers of us all.

Jim

 

G'day Jim, nice to think that you thought of modelling Blagdon. My late departed friend Dave who built it came from that part of Somerset so knew the area well. The model is not true to prototype as he felt that it would limit operations for exhibitions. The goods shed and loading dock were proposed but never built but do look acceptable. The stables alongside the goods line into the yard were left out to compensate. Dave scratchbuilt the original loco and train but we ran typical trains that could be found on similar lines to make it more interesting.
Now for the present, Christmas and New Year now behind us for another year and the silly season finished????? for another year, I am waiting for the date for my operation. I am restricted in what I can do physically so have decided in using the time to plan what I'll do once my recuperation is over and I can do some real modelling. So far I have two things to decide first. I spoke to my friend Chris about our proposed 7mm narrow gauge layout and it will have to be built at my place as Chris has no room so first thing to be done is a major clean up in my garage to give us enough room plus I need to be able to store Blagdon as well. My second decision is do I continue with a new 00 layout that I started a couple of years ago before my wife was diagnosed with cancer. I have all the boards built with a new idea support system that folds up. No track has been laid and should I start I think I will wait for the new Peco bullhead rail to be available first. As a recent convert to DCC as all my friends have now gone down that path both the above will be in that format. My last project was a DCC test track, mini plank, so I am chomping at the bit waiting to make a start. I am hoping that I can plan most things so that there will be no delay once I get the OK. I have gone through all of Gormo's posts to follow his progress and gained some inspiration from it, being a fellow GWR aficionado, but I still have a lot of other posts to catch up on. So for now a little more research and I will endeavour to keep my thoughts posted for comment.
I was lucky that most of my single malt survived new year so it will be used strictly for medicinal purposed only, but maybe it might not survive until the operation.http://www.click

 

thanks Pete for your kind remarks. I am trying to attach a photo of my friend Chris and his previous layout, Vintage Port, which was sold on to make room for 1/2 pint creek. If I can get the hang of posting photos I will endeavour to show how I approached some of my modelling challenges. These include my answer to easy erection of my new layout? and how I mounted a small video colour camera with sound into an Airfix autocoach with transmitter to a small TV that we took to several shows so the public had a drivers view from the train on the layout. I have just returned from hospital where I was diagnosed with kidney stones so I am not in the best of condition right now. It gives a new meaning to "getting stoned".
More later.

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G'day All, I am not exactly back on deck yet but with Christmas and New Year well and truly over I thought that although I cannot do much modelling I can still use the computer. That was again delayed last week when my wife called an ambulance and I was taken to hospital where I was diagnosed with kidney stones and a gall stone. I was forced to spend the day under observation while they made up their mind on wether to operate or not and the not won out so I was sent home with orders to rest up. It was too painful to move much so I complied. I am feeling a lot better as the stones have seemed to have passed so I have decided to try again with the computer. I mentioned in my very early post that my friends and I have displayed three layouts. Blagdon was the first and the second was Vintage Port not put into port as I stated. Looking through the photos I have on computer I found these which I thought might be of interest. It was a fiddle yard to end of line secondary American during fifties sixties and DCC with sound. As with Half Pint Creek all building are scratch built from card by Chris as it was his layout.

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Thanks for your reply Ian but I thought I had posted several pics but obviously I have not got something right so I will try again.

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Looks like I will have to post them one at a time.

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Last one for now.

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