I believe the Aussie expression would be "somewhere between Buckleys and none".
Not sure how it works in NSW, but in VIC that would mean you were probably doing about 51 or 52, they always knock a couple off, to hopefully save people contesting it.

This option is available:

https://lincoln-loco.co.uk/lms-lts-tilbury-tank-4-4-2/

It is 3mm scale and but you they will reduce it in scale if you ask really nicely. It is on my 'todo' list at some point.

Rob.

Speeding fine.

Came across a fine that had been sitting in the letterbox for a few days. Camera on the hill near the Illawarra Grammar school. Last day of school, and I was on my way to see the prostate doctor. 49km/hr in a 40 zone, 11 minutes before the zone went back to 60km/hr. There weren't any kids to be seen.

I'm going to contest it, but we all know what chance I have there.   

Quote from: thebrighton on January 03, 2026, 09:00:57 PMSimon did here but it looks like all the photos have gone:
https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=27835.0

Gulp--15 pages of it..but i think its waaaay out of my comfort zone.

Simon did here but it looks like all the photos have gone:
https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=27835.0

has anyone scratch built or kit bashed one of these ?

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=27185552981044514&set=gm.2670361299991963&idorvanity=711170475911065

Quote from: GWR_XC on January 03, 2026, 02:45:08 PMYou'll soon see, as when I attempt to make small layout & eventually the door layout I can make a new thread on this forum with the progress

Hi

We all have to start somewhere just don't bite off too much in one go otherwise you may create a self fulfilling prophecy. I completely get where njee20 is coming from but you need to build your confidence with simpler items.

Cheers

Paul

Mac c thanks for the advice and video will definitely have a watch thank you

Will - I did watch that video yesterday your friend Matt did - he did a fantastic job building that small diorama - very impressive in how quickly he made it all look realistic

njee - yes that is partly true in my case what you are saying though I am very grateful for everyone advice and suggestions and I can be open minded - but at the same time my interest is based on 

south west trains, gwr modern - since it rebranded to gwr green it's current livery, cross country, freightliner then some early 1990s stuff hst intercity regional railways etc

I have done tons of research over the years and still doing lots on track, scenery, baseboards, electrics, DC or dcc, I have decided on going dcc and I was going to use a door for the baseboard as a door is about the maximum free space I have available

But before I start work on the door, I will attempt at having a go at building a small shelf layout like will suggested

Also njee I would really like a class 444 model but I could never in my lifetime build/paint it - and let's say I did give it a go, I would make a pigs ear of it and it would look horrendous because I wouldn't know where to start I know nothing about painting models and would probably use poster paint or something lol I'm absolutely useless at everything

You'll soon see, as when I attempt to make small layout & eventually the door layout I can make a new thread on this forum with the progress

I think it can be difficult because we all want different things. The OP wants a 444, so building steam era vans and tiny dioramas may not be a productive use of time/funds/skill, even if there's transferability. I'm much the same. I could've completed myriad bucolic branch line termini, but it isn't what appeals to me, I've no interest in the finished article, hence there's no motivation to do it. I'm happy cutting my teeth on bigger projects. They may go wrong. They may never get finished, but I'm motivated by the end result.

I think sometimes we're too quick to say one should start small, to build up, but in the OP's situation I'd just buy the 444 and have a go. Worst case it languishes in the 'roundtuit' pile for years unfinished.

I realise the OP has said he doesn't want to do that either, but just providing a bit of a counter to the "start small" mentality; it's ok to start big as well, it's all fun!

I class myself as a very basic modeller and having been a member of the N gauge society took advantage of the kits they offer.  I chose a box van as my first model.  It's as simple as it gets, 4 sides a top and a base.  I even documented the build on my Youtube channel


The first didn't quite come out perfect, I could have lined up the mitred edges a little better, but the end result met with my approval as as I'm the only one who will see it running there is no pressure.  The video isn't the best (lighting issues and framing - but then that was also a new hobby    )

I'm sure if you follow the instructions in the kit and watch the video you too cold have some kits built.