Andrew and Neil's Loft Layout

QUOTE So what do you think? Constructive critisism welcomed.

I think we should start by asking you "What do you want from your railway?". Do you want to watch the trains go by? Do you want to do some shunting? Do you want to really go for it on the scenic side and take photos that are almost indistinguishable from the real thing?

How you answer these questions will determine what sort of advice or criticism would be helpful to you.

To my eyes, the large gap between the double track is far worse than the tightness of the curves. I know it is dictated by the geometry of the points and crossings you are using, so maybe that's the way it has to be. Depending on what it is you want to achieve, there may be a way to avoid this gap altogether by going for single track line.

David

Hi Andrew it's looking good and I can't see any mistakes apart from the curves and I know some will say something about the gaps between the tracks being wide but thats hornby for you,which is something I have come to live with seeing as it's my first Layout but switching to all Peco Streamline track on the next layout.

Also it's best to use 2nd and 3rd Radius Curves as some newer Locos won't run 1st Radius curves.

And one other thing can you resize the photos to 640x480 to make reading your thread better.

Thank You

As far as I know the curves are 2nd radius but I will figure a way of changing them to 3rd radius.

And whats wron with the gap? It's fine as far as locos passing eachother.

QUOTE And whats wron with the gap?
It's much larger than on the prototype and it's larger than you get using Peco streamline track. There have been a number of threads on the Forum about how wide it should be, so there's no need to repeat those arguments here. Use the Search option on the top menu bar if you want to find them.

QUOTE It's fine as far as locos passing eachother
It's as big as it is to compensate for tight radius curves.

I'm not "having a go" just making an observation. As I said in my first reply, it all depends what /you/ want. It's your railway.

David

QUOTE (dwb @ 3 Nov 2007, 22:00) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>It's much larger than on the prototype and it's larger than you get using Peco streamline track. There have been a number of threads on the Forum about how wide it should be, so there's no need to repeat those arguments here. Use the Search option on the top menu bar if you want to find them.
It's as big as it is to compensate for tight radius curves.

I'm not "having a go" just making an observation. As I said in my first reply, it all depends what /you/ want. It's your railway.

David

Sorry. It did sound like I was getting a bit uptight there. I wasn't.

Meh, To me it looks fine. Locos pass close enough to each other.

QUOTE Sorry. It did sound like I was getting a bit uptight there. I wasn't.

That's ok. Unlike a conversation even compared with one over a phone, there are few clues in the printed word to indicate mood etc. I find over time reading people's posts that you pick up on their style and start to recognise their mood from experience. In the early exchanges with a new correspondent there will be the occasional misunderstanding.

David

It looks basically OK to me, Obviusly It will improve as more is added.

Would the other error be you've run out of sweets?

Regards

lol. No there was never any sweets and the key is... erm... invisible.

Looks like a good start to me!

The key is to enjoy it. Iif it looks right to you, no matter what anyone else tells you, it is right!

Rob

Hi, is most of your stock about 30 years old? I recognize most of the stock from my very first Hornby catalogue from about 1977 or so.

QUOTE (simonj @ 5 Nov 2007, 22:54) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Hi, is most of your stock about 30 years old? I recognize most of the stock from my very first Hornby catalogue from about 1977 or so.

Looking at some of the couplings on the rolling stock I would put some of it as first generation Triang of around 1959/60 as they are the mk 1 tension lock. Is that a Hiawatha I see lurking as well?

Regards

QUOTE (simonj @ 5 Nov 2007, 22:54) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Hi, is most of your stock about 30 years old? I recognize most of the stock from my very first Hornby catalogue from about 1977 or so.

Yeah, It's my dad's old stuff.

QUOTE Is that a Hiawatha I see lurking as well?

I have no idea what that is. lol. I'm not a simplton.

Yes. Its sundeala. Really annoying because it has 2 small holes in it where elbows have gone straight through.

Thats a good idea. I like the bomb crater one. Mining subsidence sounds better tho. How would you make it look like subsidence? Put warning signs and fences around it?

QUOTE Mining subsidence sounds better tho. How would you make it look like subsidence? Put warning signs and fences around it?

I thought of mining subsidence because I thought there used to be a lot of coal mining in Fife? If there was, ask around in your area for stories on subsidence. If you're really keen, try contacting your local newspaper and ask if you can check their archives. That might be a good introduction if you've an interest in a career in journalism as well.

If you're a Buffy fan (perhaps too young?) you could make it a "Hell mouth"?

David

Actually, com to think of it, when they built my high school (only 6 years old I think) they had to plug 2 or 3 mine shafts. But I don't know of that many mines around the place. Lots of quarrys. Not many mines.

Yes, I was a Buffy fan, I was just old enough to see the last series on the Beeb.

QUOTE (Sir Galahad @ 10 Nov 2007, 07:36) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Actually, com to think of it, when they built my high school (only 6 years old I think) they had to plug 2 or 3 mine shafts. But I don't know of that many mines around the place. Lots of quarrys. Not many mines.

Yes, I was a Buffy fan, I was just old enough to see the last series on the Beeb.
The mines were more up my way in Wemyss, Kirkcaldy, Buckhaven, Denbeath, Dysart and Methil. My school used to settle an inch a year appparently due to mining subsidence. We wished it sink faster.