My current layout is wildly non-prototypical. I struggle with this, because sometimes I want to make it look more realistic, but sometimes I want to run something based only on whimsy.
I am in the process of tightening up my rolling stock a little bit so things make more sense, and if/when I start my next venture I plan on making it more prototypical (at least with the rolling stock, if not the scenery which might not pass muster).
How about you?
At exhibitions, we try to stick to a consistent location and period. In the clubrooms or at home, anything goes so long as it is the right gauge (we've even been known to test 009 loco on the N gauge layout!)
Hi Scott,
Good question. My Wemyss Private Railway will run to as close to prototype as possible regarding wagons and engines. The Bangor and Aroostook on the other hand runs what I can get my hands on. The engines went through 3-4 various colour schemes but I have seen photos that show all variants working together.
Also the wooden freight cars ran well into the late 50's early 60's and in all manner of colour schemes so I can basically run a mix of wooden reefers with steel freight cars. I've also got two private railroads for good measure as well.
Alex :wave:
I am spectacularly unprototypical.
I just added a monorail, and have a spectacular back story to allow me to run American trains on my layout... :confused1:
Would love to read the back-story!
Astonishingly unprototypical...
Though I do try and build vague geographic regions for particular countries
Graham
I came to the conclusion a while ago that I'm a 'train set' man. Oval loops, stations on spurs, and those big rampy level crossings that you hardly see in prototype.
In answer to your question, I'm not after prototypical. I've relatively little knowledge about real trains anyway.
Nope, sorry, Rule 1 here too :D
Although I'm a newbie I reckon at best N gauge is about an allusion of a railway. So although modelling real places is required for me, reduced scale distances, simplified track formations, combination of the most attractive bits of different timelines (1920 trackplan with 1960's locos), and whatever locos I like the look of, are all fine for me. I particularly won't be going to confession if my coach rakes aren't strictly to the book - as long as my platforms and with a brake at the end is perfect.
More educated philistine than prototypical.
Ha! My layout is a 70s early to 90s BR blue oval trainset, consisting of a load of unsecured Kato sitting around my Ikea dining-tabletop 'desk' - the blue diesels look like they're running in a pine desert!
When I first started out, I only envisaged a single loop with 0 series bullet trains/orange TGVs/Eurostars running round but shunting was too tempting so that's where it's gone.
I do try to make my consists prototypical but sometimes I'll have a large logo 47 running with MCO 16t minerals... I started out with the large logo 47 and bought early 90s Yeoman hoppers (bought on the weight of them being weathered) thinking I'd do a 90s layout but then I realised that the interesting/cheap wagons were in an early period and started buying 80s blue stuff. Recently I've been getting all 70s blue after buying the Newspaper express so I might have a class 24 pulling 1992 onwards TTA shell wagons but seeing as I'm the only one looking it doesn't matter.
That's why I'm planning on getting an 8F austerity which will pull TOPs coded wagons.
I like these answers! :claphappy:
At show's try to run as near to current scene but a odd out of time visitor may appear even Thomas and co have been seen will now go back to the cupboard
kevin 141
Both my layouts set out to provide an impression of the area rather than be a total replica of a prototype.
I've had comments like "it looks nothing like the real Furtwangen" followed by an admission that "it does look like a small town in the Black Forest", which is what I'd aimed for with Furtwangen Ost. At home it is sometimes used as my analogue test track so a WD or a 4MT tank in the Black Forest.......
For Hawthorn Dene there is no chance of fitting the prototype of Easington Colliery into a 20 foot layout, let alone the ten feet I have available. So an impression of the area is all I can achieve.
As for stock- a D20 (extinct in 1957) never met a Class 37 (new to the area in the mid sixties), Billy Butlin didn't buy Silver Link and so on- but if at an exhibition I can create a convincing impression of the Durham Coast line in the early sixties I'll be happy. The New York Central switcher and the Erie Lackawanna SD45-2 won't see use when the layout isn't in the shed.......
All the very best
Les
Totally fictitious location in Oxfordshire which gives me licence to run Western, London Midland, Southern and Eastern region stock from steam through to green/maroon diesels so late 50's/early 60's.
My only aberration is a Blue Pullman which I just couldn't resist.
(said it before Bealman jumps in :P)
I'm marginally more prototypical than railways in TV programmes ;)
I do try to run prototypical trains but that's about as far as it goes, the location of my new layout will be fictitious, I like it that way, a chance to use my imagination.
Totally fictitious location and no idea of which engine pulled which train at the moment. Am trying to learn though for my next layout which will be based around Harrogate. Besides this forum have also joined the local MRC so hope that will give me a bit more insight.
Rule 1 for me
Well you see North Haverbrook is the mainline interface for the US military complex at RAF Ogdenville. As a foreshadowing of the Baghdad Green Zone a project was initiated to minimise disruption to visiting troops and prevent security breaches by isolating them from outside influences, with a hint of Cold War paranoia.
This meant basically building an entire self contained American community with shops, bars etc. run by American companies and built in an American style.
The ultimate excess of this project was to use 'American' trains and rolling stock to bring supplies into the site via the North Haverbrook junction. Due to the loading gauge restrictions, a series of US designs were scaled down slightly (almost as if they were 1:160 scale compared to the 1:148 of British Rail... :hmmm: ) and built for use on these trains...
I'm half and half.
My layout contains a fictional terminus station on the Waverley Route. As such it's not prototypical at all. I do however only run locomotives appropriate to the WR in 1958 (all steam) and separately 1964 (diesel / steam ). I've renumbered them so that they represent locos allocate to sheds on the WR at the time, and use a mix of Stannier/Thompson/Gresley/Mk1 as appropriate fr the two timescales.
I think I am a bit of a contrary *** with this!
It pleases me when I see, say, a Coal livery 58 with a rake of coal sector HAA's.
BUT on my layout:
A) The loco and wagons are both spotless (have you EVER seen a gleaming HAA???).
B) There is not so much a single lump of coal in any wagon, no matter which direction the train is going in.
C) There are only 8 wagons in the rake
Add this to the fact that the 58 is allocated to a depot (but does not currently have any depot plates) which it shares with 2 56's (one is in coal, so plausible?) a 60 in petroleum (at least the same era) and both 66 and 67s in EWS (ok pushing it now!) and you see my point.
I like certain trains to "look" right, but am happy to ignore the fact that they are too clean, too short and would probably never have run on the same line (let alone the line my layout is "inspired" by) together with time-travelling locos.
Its been said before here, but on my home layout at least, rule 1 / my rules should rain supreme :D
Skyline2uk
This is becoming like a rule 1 debate. As to a Bagdad green zone. What is that?
FWIW, my few cents worth:
I am a 'freelance' modeller, and as such have no prototype to copy. HOWEVER, because my fictional railway system (the Tickford Valley Railway Co. (London) Ltd. (TVR) interchanges with the larger national carrier (New Zealand Government Railways (NZGR), it has had to adopt certain of the national carrier's practices. Failure to do so would result in no NZGR rolling stock being allowed to move over TVR tracks and no TVR vehicles permitted to run over the NZGR system.
As a result most TVR wagons have NZGR-pattern drop-type handbrakes, and are of similar (but not identical) classes, while NZGR-style McKenzie and Holland semaphore signals (where they still exist) are also used. For 'safety' reasons, NZGR operating procedures have also been copied (but not slavishly).
Lest it be thought that I am merely cloning the NZGR, there is actually an historic national precedent for what I am doing. Between 1881 and 1908 there was a privately-owned public carrier located in the lower half of New Zealand's North Island which was in active competition with and against the NZGR. This line (the Wellington and Manawatu Railway Co. Ltd.(WMR) was described as being 'A Colorado Narrow Gauge railway, transported to the South Pacific', and followed American practices, while running Baldwin locomotives. it was ultimately absorbed by the NZGR as part of the establishment of a unified national railway system at a time when no such thing existed.
As the 'owner' of the TVR I operate on the premise that it is the WMR by another name, transported to a more-remote part of the country and still doing something economically 'useful'.
It's an interesting question. Thanks for asking it.
The Baghdad Green Zone was (is) the secure area in the centre of Baghdad, also known as the 'bubble'. It's where all the facilities and accommodation for 'visiting' personnel in Baghdad were post Saddam's downfall. It had (has?) a Burger King and Subway in there and so forth. Obviously the nature of the situation and the surroundings made this bubble an inevitability of sorts.
So I mentally took the concept and transplanted it (without the hostile surroundings)
I would like to be but don't have the space or patience to be because I like running my trains fast.
Plus there is the 1:148 /1:160/1:150 question and that I want to run the beautiful EMUs & DMUs from the UK and Europe + the odd FGW HST together :)
Stating the obvious, if you are running 1:148 then that is not prototypical.
Quote from: Pengi on January 26, 2014, 07:43:52 AM
I would like to be but don't have the space or patience to be because I like running my trains fast.
Oh Pengi.
My layout is based on my interpretation of how New Basford station on the GC would have looked had it been closer to Nottingham Victoria and closer to the Sherwood area of the city, and if the GCR had built a loco shed there. My chosen period is 1948-1960 ish, so allows me to run LNER liveried locos and coaches alongside BR liveried stock. I'm told that some LNER liveried locos and coaches weren't reprinted for a while after nationalisation, so that's my 'loophole' to running them with the BR stuff!
As for train lengths, I'm limited to a main board of 8x3', and my loop lengths dictate no more that loco+5 coaches or 14 wagons, but the 'rule of thirds' make these lengths look ok.....
Rule 1 applies in everything!
Peter.
Quote from: Chatty on January 26, 2014, 08:20:18 AM
Quote from: Pengi on January 26, 2014, 07:43:52 AM
I would like to be but don't have the space or patience to be because I like running my trains fast.
Oh Pengi.
Eurostar, Thalys, ICE etc are designed to run fast in real life :) And that's my excuse :D
There are quite clearly levels of approach to the hobby here that would fit the classic normal distribution curve. Even in this small sample of replies there are approaches bordering on almost boring rigidity at one extreme, and flights of fancy bordering on eccentricity at the other end.
But what do the classic 80% in the middle portion do? How close to the rivet counters do we get? Or as I suspect do we just enjoy ourselves to the level we can afford? I suspect that for the absolute purists it is a very slow hobby
I have a small train set type table top layout where's there's not much storage space and have to stack the board away after use.
Most of my collection is arranged so I can run an operating session consisting of small groups of appropriately matched stock for the era and location, e.g.
2 x 101 Met-Cam DMUs plus blue 37 and 47 and 4-wheel traditional wagons, around 1976/77,
or,
Grand Central HST plus Northern 158 with EWS liveried 66 and Europorte 66 709 "Sorrento" with container and Channel Tunnel compatible wagons, around 2012/13,
or,
Britannia, 9F, A3, and Std 5 4-6-0 with Gresley crimson/cream carriages and maroon Mk1s and appropriate wagons, around 1957
I've never focused entirely on one era or location and have had to curtail my use of Rule 1 due to storage issues.
At one stage because of the poor running of UK Farish models, I ran Kato Japanese DMUs and EMUs (the budget types) with Bachmann Spectrum Co-Cos or Fleischmann BR 218s hauling British and European stock together on a freelance basis. I had much better running and reliability out of all this mash-up!
My only current use of Rule 1 is running a Farish WD with a Fleischmann Prussian 4-6-0 in black with NS (Dutch) markings and a Union Mills J25 with my modified Farish carriages representing ex-Great Eastern Rly types and my other Gresley stock and wagons in LNER condition, post-1945.
I'm trying to depict the B R blue era after Tops. I've taken the decision to try and run with Tops numbering especially on the locomotives but retaining (supposedly) meaningful head-codes. Having said that, I have blue-grey (refurbished) dmu's and will probably get a Hymek with a false 35nnn number just because I like 'em ! About the closest year that might allow all of this is 1976 but in truth, the Hymeks were gone, headcodes that displayed numbers and letters were probably unrelated to the train they were pulling and there were just one or two refurbished dmu's in service.
I know that If I displayed a layout with these discrepancies in the UK a few people would very quickly point out the mistakes but I'm down here in South Africa so very few people either know or care. Happy days, now where is that rule book again......
My layout is Horeham Road and Waldron as it was in the late 1890's so has a mix of appropriate LBSCR stock. However initially the line was to have to joint running powers with the SECR which ever happened but as I have appropriate stock in the model world the SECR did take up joint running powers.
Despite this it isn't unknown for 3rd rail EMUs to pass through, the GER has gained some running powers, numerous BR steamers appear, the line did survive to see NSE liveries and a Blue Pullman regularly hurtles past!
Gareth
Well, I model a real location on the contempory scene BUT to keep the operational interest - I reinstated a Cement works that has been demolished (Crossrail now use the site) and stopped using the rail link in the 90's.
I run a Class 465 EMU in contemporary livery but I also run an unrefurbished 4 CEP in Blue Grey livery (Heritage tour of course).
A Malcolm logistics liveried Class 66 which was taken out of service in 2004 and anyway never ran on the North Lent line.
A Freightliner 66613 on the Cement working (which Freightliner we're not contracted to). Using both PCAs & JPAs.
GBRF run the Intermodal to Thamesport (I think Freighliner do really).
When my chipped Class 73 arrives back from Wickness Models it will be used on Autoballaster workings from Hoo junction but only after a repaint which would put it in the wrong pool for this working but it's an easy repaint…
So in terms of prototypical - close but no cigar…. Well not even close really…
My layout is based somewhere in the North West, fictitious location. I do want to model a realistic location one day, an easy one would be Gorton Station, or, to give myself a bit of a challenge, the plans are drawn up, Manchester Oxford Rd Station
My rolling stock spans an era from 1976 to 1990ish, rule 1 does allow me to run my 156 and 123 at the same time :D , albeit, I do try and stick to realistic rakes though.
:NGF:
Steven
My preference is for fictitious locations in a defined part of the country during a certain time period. I try to run the locomotive types that fit the chosen area and time period, and train formations that in length and composition are a fair reflection of reality. Last but not least, I try to operate the layout as realistically as possible. I'm probably (ok, I am) a bit of a stickler and if I were to compromise on anything it would be allowing 'foreign' locomotives to stray into my chosen area, which in reality did of course happen.
Having never modeled in n gauge before I decided to construct a twin track oval with storage sidings on one side and a scenic section on the other. Not being very good at building structures, I decided to model a cutting with a grass bank, a hedge and a few trees with the line disappearing into a tunnel at each end, imitating the full size railway which runs more in the countryside than in built up areas.
Having no lineside details this layout could be almost anywhere, any time. For convenience I have set it somewhere between Bristol Parkway Station and Westerleigh Junction on the main Paddington-South Wales line. The time is the present day and I try to run it prototypical, as my house overlooks the line I only have to look out of the window to see what I should or should not run.
For passenger stock I run FGW and Cross Country HST's, the former awaiting Dapols' TGS to be an 8 car set, the latter is a prototypical 7 car set plus a FGW 153 and a XC Voyager.
For Freight I run EWS, F/Liner and GBRf 66's on coal, container and Biomass trains, although the latter is not strictly correct as there are no covers on the hoppers. A DBS 60 on the Theale-Robeston empty tanks but branded Texaco and not Murco and two DRS class 20's on the Bridgewater-Crewe flask train.
The layout is 6ft by 2.5ft so I am limited to running 10 wagons and not the 20 normally in the coal and biomass consists also this meant I had to take a spur off the outer track to a storage yard on a separate board to stable the trains as the longest siding inside the loop is only long enough for the 4 car Voyager.
There are several other regular trains that could be ran; stone, steel, cars, cargowagons, a Colas coal train, plus special workings and the DRS loco variation on the flasks using 37's 57's and 66's but space and money preclude these for the foreseeable future. So there is enough variation of locos and livery to make it interesting and I can just sit there and watch the trains go by.
One thing that I have learnt is that modern era n gauge needs space and deep pockets if you intend to run prototypical freight trains. An EWS class 66 coal train with 20 HTAs would cost nearly £550 at new discounted prices and is about 9ft long.
Geoff
Quote from: ParkeNd on January 26, 2014, 09:33:21 AM
There are quite clearly levels of approach to the hobby here that would fit the classic normal distribution curve. Even in this small sample of replies there are approaches bordering on almost boring rigidity at one extreme, and flights of fancy bordering on eccentricity at the other end.
But what do the classic 80% in the middle portion do? How close to the rivet counters do we get? Or as I suspect do we just enjoy ourselves to the level we can afford? I suspect that for the absolute purists it is a very slow hobby
I think we are in grave danger of forgetting that regardless of whether we are boringly rigid, eccentric, 'rivet counter' or purist..........we are all of us playing trains, mostly trying to model what we remember from our youth (without using a broad brushstroke)
Quote from: newportnobby on January 26, 2014, 04:43:26 PM
Quote from: ParkeNd on January 26, 2014, 09:33:21 AM
There are quite clearly levels of approach to the hobby here that would fit the classic normal distribution curve. Even in this small sample of replies there are approaches bordering on almost boring rigidity at one extreme, and flights of fancy bordering on eccentricity at the other end.
But what do the classic 80% in the middle portion do? How close to the rivet counters do we get? Or as I suspect do we just enjoy ourselves to the level we can afford? I suspect that for the absolute purists it is a very slow hobby
I think we are in grave danger of forgetting that regardless of whether we are boringly rigid, eccentric, 'rivet counter' or purist..........we are all of us playing trains, mostly trying to model what we remember from our youth (without using a broad brushstroke)
I think Mick we are singing from the same hymn sheet - I said "
Or as I suspect do we just enjoy ourselves to the level we can afford?"
Ok, I'll bite . . .
Pengi: can you explain your comment : 'Stating the obvious, if you are running 1:148 then that is not prototypical'
Thanks.
Quote from: Komata on January 26, 2014, 05:45:43 PM
Ok, I'll bite . . .
Pengi: can you explain your comment : 'Stating the obvious, if you are running 1:148 then that is not prototypical'
Thanks.
I suspect he is referring to the fact that standard gauge is 1435mm, whereas 9 times 148 gives 1332mm, or about 4 feet 4 inches gauge in old money..
Something that most of us ignore- together with the fact that a prototypical roundy-roundy main line in N might just about fit comfortably into the average sports hall-....
Personally I don't care. I ignore the narrow gauge and hide the worst excesses of my sharp corners.
Having said that, if modelling 1:150 (Japanese N) are you modelling Standard gauge on track that is too narrow or Japanese 1067mm gauge on track that is too wide- either way, who cares if YOU don't.
All the very best
Les
I know there are certain things wrong with my layout, particularly the "trainset" points and lack of signals. But I try to run trains that are plausible for a 1960s Western region line in the Midlands. So plenty of ex-GWR locos and rolling stock plus other classes if I know they were fairly widely travelled. I've not got as far as renumbering to match the locos assigned to local sheds but I may do so in the future.
I also try to be prototypical in how I drive trains. Where possible stopping short before buffering up to stock for coupling and trying to accelerate and decelerate gently.
It isn't stuff I ever saw happening for real and, above all, I am just playing with trains and wouldn't ever pretend otherwise. If I didn't enjoy running trains I wouldn't do it.
Quote from: newportnobby on January 26, 2014, 04:43:26 PM
I think we are in grave danger of forgetting that regardless of whether we are boringly rigid, eccentric, 'rivet counter' or purist..........we are all of us playing trains, mostly trying to model what we remember from our youth (without using a broad brushstroke)
Yes - I am modelling what I remember from my youth....2007. I was 45. I didn't realise at the time how young I was!
Cheers Jon :)
Often it seems to me the real railway is not prototypical. I saw a green class 47 in Bristol the other day and a blue class 20 somewhere else - maybe Peterborough. Countless other examples. :no:
Quote from: willike1958 on January 26, 2014, 03:15:13 PM
My preference is for fictitious locations in a defined part of the country during a certain time period. I try to run the locomotive types that fit the chosen area and time period, and train formations that in length and composition are a fair reflection of reality. Last but not least, I try to operate the layout as realistically as possible. I'm probably (ok, I am) a bit of a stickler and if I were to compromise on anything it would be allowing 'foreign' locomotives to stray into my chosen area, which in reality did of course happen.
EXACTLY what I'm planning to do with Cant Cove and Penmayne, fictional stations on an imaginary line that runs from Wadebridge on the other side of the River Camel to Penmayne (opposite Padstow and a real place but MUCH smaller and with a very different history) via the passing loop station of Cant Cove (a real place). However, the WR invested in the line from Bodmin - Wadebridge - Penmayne when it took over from the SR and Penmayne had always been a joint station from LSWR / GWR days . . . I model 1961 - 1969 with appropriate working timetables based on augmented versions of Padstow's.
Hi all,
Try to be with poetic licence.
My french/spanish border layout (due to space, well under the bed now so not a lot of space) is now a fictional principality jutting out into the Med operated by both the SNCF and RENFE.
Don't care about the gauge difference to view although they each have their own tracks to keep it real.
Was set in the 80's/ early 90's and the french stuff is pretty much right era and location but the spanish stuff is a bit all over the place. Two locos never been north of Madrid, one never been 50 miles from Valencia and my latest purchase think didn't come into service until 2005 but could not resist.
RULE UNO!
Compromise really. However wouldn't have the Flying Scotsman towing a rake 2014 German open goods wagons with dinosaurs called Thomas. :D Saying that, my sister gave me a bottle of very strong spirit for Christmas so you never know! :beers:
Cheers weave
how prototypical? well lets see....
black 5s hauling the teaks....a spam can on plum and custard gresleys....tornado on windcutters.....L94 on snow plough duties....LNER apple green locos hauling staniers...
dont think im very prototypical lol, i run what i like! the joys of heritage railways!
Rule one applies, if we like it we will run it, with four lines running simultaneously the effect is very entertaining
:NGaugersRule:
Another rule 1 here, as I like to make some units have livery's that they never had. I do try to stick to a time period of 1980-2000 though. But I'm not THAT worried about it. :)
The general feeling on this topic seems to be that many people just like running their trains
and are not bound by prototypical practices. I have a few Peco TTA tank wagons painted in
various colours, if I were to paint one pink they would look like a set of wheeled snooker balls. ( 1:147 scale. :D )
When i can and the mode takes just playing with my trains is all i want to do
kevin141 :bounce: :claphappy:
Quote from: Agrippa on January 27, 2014, 02:45:08 PM
The general feeling on this topic seems to be that many people just like running their trains
and are not bound by prototypical practices. I have a few Peco TTA tank wagons painted in
various colours, if I were to paint one pink they would look like a set of wheeled snooker balls. ( 1:147 scale. :D )
I dare you , you show us your's and i'll show yoy my compleete train of hoppers and the loco .....
alan
Quote from: Agrippa on January 27, 2014, 02:45:08 PM
The general feeling on this topic seems to be that many people just like running their trains
and are not bound by prototypical practices. I have a few Peco TTA tank wagons painted in
various colours, if I were to paint one pink they would look like a set of wheeled snooker balls. ( 1:147 scale. :D )
The SNOOKER SHUNTING GAME.
Excellent idea! Haven't thought the rules through yet but would have to be timed (I think).
21 coloured wagons and one white loco so maybe cheap ebay Lima stuff so if it goes horribly wrong, doesn't work or you get bored (by boxing day) with it, won't be too disastrous.
:) weave
Quote from: Tank on January 27, 2014, 02:32:36 PM
Another rule 1 here, as I like to make some units have livery's that they never had. I do try to stick to a time period of 1980-2000 though. But I'm not THAT worried about it. :)
In science fiction terms, there are many books about alternative realities - e.g. if Germany had won WW2 etc.
We could apply the same thinking to model railways, or just go for a fictitious country or world. I can think of a couple of examples; Tanks "NSE ran everything" approach and Quintopia's fantastic EDO video. And I believe there is a "Discworld" layout. But how about:
Privatisation never happened: BR blue 66s, NSE liveried 350s
Beeching never happened: Lots of modern BLTs, or specifically a present day "Great Central"
We never gave up steam: "Modern" steam locos in EWS, DRS etc liveries pulling modern freight stock
We did HS2 years ago: Thalys's, ICEs running though the Midlands
With any of these, it wouldn't matter that they are not prototypical, but the joy would be in the consistency of the vision.......
Cheers Jon :)
Quote from: PostModN66 on January 27, 2014, 04:25:07 PM
Quote from: Tank on January 27, 2014, 02:32:36 PM
Another rule 1 here, as I like to make some units have livery's that they never had. I do try to stick to a time period of 1980-2000 though. But I'm not THAT worried about it. :)
In science fiction terms, there are many books about alternative realities - e.g. if Germany had won WW2 etc.
We could apply the same thinking to model railways, or just go for a fictitious country or world. I can think of a couple of examples; Tanks "NSE ran everything" approach and Quintopia's fantastic EDO video. And I believe there is a "Discworld" layout. But how about:
Privatisation never happened: BR blue 66s, NSE liveried 350s
Beeching never happened: Lots of modern BLTs, or specifically a present day "Great Central"
We never gave up steam: "Modern" steam locos in EWS, DRS etc liveries pulling modern freight stock
We did HS2 years ago: Thalys's, ICEs running though the Midlands
With any of these, it wouldn't matter that they are not prototypical, but the joy would be in the consistency of the vision.......
Cheers Jon :)
I agree, for me, it's the consistency of the vision that is important; so I have a detailed, plausible back story all worked out for Penmayne and Cant Cove. If what I want to do fits that vision then it's fine by me. For others, such limitations would not be want they want for their layout and that's entirely up to them. 8-) Equally, for me, any of the above scenarios are a vision TOO far!
For the last few years I have tried to stay with BR Blue (small logo) only but have recently thought s** it, it's my railway and have now decided I'll have BR blue days and BR late crest days....the blue Pullman with yellow ends did it, the DP1, a Britannia (Dapol), the Royal Air Force Royal Scot Class (Bachmann), a B1 (Dapol), and an A1 (Bachmann) and all run well too (I haven't managed to DCC chip the A1 yet as I am currently having difficulty moving the 2 screws in the tender :veryangry: )
I model the 1961 - 1969 period for precisely that reason: I can go from BR Late Crest steam to BR Blue diesel via BR Green diesel. I will try not to run all the period mixed up though!
I do have a Rule 1, but it does come with it's own rules. I have decided to, as far as possible, stick to the stock and motive power that was extant in Scotland in General and on the Glasgow/Aberdeen, Glasgow/Inverness Edinburgh/Perth and London/Perth & Inverness routes during my chosen time period, 1964. My signature trains will be the 3hr expresses between Glasgow and Aberdeen and eventually correctly numbered A4s and A2s will haul them. Other than that I'll try to employ correct motive power where possible.
The layout will be run to a timetable of sorts, in that the sequence of trains will reflect the 1964 timetable for Perth (without the 20 minutes wait in between trains!), although it may take some time to reach the stock levels to enact a full 24hour schedule
Where possible, the make up of rakes of coaches will be recognizable as authentic.
That said, one of my Rule 1 Sub Rules is that two years on either side is acceptable, so 47s are possible, for instance. 50s, unfortunately are not.
Class 20s are allowed as there were a number sheded at Kittybrewster for the GNoS lines. But unfortunately desirable engines, such as the Merchant Navy/BoB/etc, and the Diesel Hydraulics are not, as there can be no plausible (to my mind) reason for them being at Perth.
The Blue Pullman does make it in, by virtue of it being a Perth Races special from Manchester. Class 108 DMUs didnt run in Scotland, but I have one, and if I cant get enough 101s, then I'll end up with more of the former, my rationale being that some 101s were swapped for 108s in another reigon for trials purposes.
On the whole, I'd like it to be reasonably authentic, within the bounds of what the manufacturers offer us.
Not for me running 60s steam/green diesels with modern engines and stock on the same layout. That said I respect everyone's right to do so if they wish.
I agree Scotty: "On the whole, I'd like it to be reasonably authentic, within the bounds of what the manufacturers offer us.
Not for me running 60s steam/green diesels with modern engines and stock on the same layout. That said I respect everyone's right to do so if they wish." But, with 1961 - 1969 I CAN run different timetables with prototypical stock as I have working timetables for 1962, 1963, 1964 and can project to 1969. So, no you won't see a BR Black T9 with BR SR Green Bulleids and Mark 1s and a BR Blue diesel with Blue and Grey Mark 1s running together BUT a preserved T9 120 (if I ever get a model of her) with a rake of BR SR Green Mark 1s MIGHT! 8-)
For DMUs it is a similar problem: diesel railcars and Class 101s only until I can scratchbuild the types that DID run in North Cornwall.
Do you know, it just occurs to me that there are two alternative realities that must surely be allowed for everyone, on the basis that to deny it would be excessively harsh:
DP1 preserved in running order, occasionally working main line specials
Ditto a Blue Pullman
The reason I trust is obvious!!
Cheers Jon :)
Quote from: PostModN66 on January 27, 2014, 07:08:01 PM
Do you know, it just occurs to me that there are two alternative realities that must surely be allowed for everyone, on the basis that to deny it would be excessively harsh:
DP1 preserved in running order, occasionally working main line specials
Ditto a Blue Pullman
The reason I trust is obvious!!
Cheers Jon :)
I certainly have no problem with that but I'd like to add the other lost diesel prototypes: D0280 / 1200 "Falcon" (I saw 1200, at Bristol), HS4000 (never went to U.S.S.R.; which I missed seeing), D0260 "Lion", at least!
Dang! I want a model of D0280 "Falcon" now!
Quote from: Chris in Prague on January 27, 2014, 07:12:52 PM
I certainly have no problem with that but I'd like to add the other lost diesel prototypes: D0280 / 1200 "Falcon" (I saw 1200, at Bristol), HS4000 (never went to U.S.S.R.; which I missed seeing), D0260 "Lion", at least!
Well, Chris, since you would have to make any of that lot yourself, you would certainly have absolution from me!
Cheers Jon :)
Oh, and I forgot the Bulleid mainline diesels, too!
Quote from: Chris in Prague on January 27, 2014, 07:41:45 PM
Oh, and I forgot the Bulleid mainline diesels, too!
That's a lifetimes work right there - keep us informed of progress :D
Cheers Jon :)
Quote from: PostModN66 on January 27, 2014, 07:56:07 PM
Quote from: Chris in Prague on January 27, 2014, 07:41:45 PM
Oh, and I forgot the Bulleid mainline diesels, too!
That's a lifetimes work right there - keep us informed of progress :D
Cheers Jon :)
Alas, I don't have that much time nor that much skill in scratchbuilding locomotives.
I am new to N gauge although many years ago modeled in "00" gauge.
I buy engines, rolling stock, and scenic items that I like, my only criteria being it must be British Outline and can be both steam & diesel, and either Graham Farish or Dapol.
Similarly with the layout I like to see 2 trains continuously running on different tracks at the same time (therefore a minimum 2 track oval layout), and design the layout according to the space I have and don't copy any "real" designs.
I am not very good at making things so try and avoid "kits", and prefer to buy ready made buildings etc. I do use spare bits and pieces I find to make some things though, my current layout containing an Industrial area made up mainly of things I have "cobbled" together from spare household items.
Being an Ex-Pat living in Tenerife I have to import everything or pick up things at fairs & swapmeats when I come over to the U.K. Have just had a 2 year old granddaughter & a 9 week old grandson out here, and they seemed to enjoy seeing my trains run, although their Dad (my son-in-law) might not be too happy with me as I think my granddaughter will be asking him to buy her a train set when they get home.
I guess I am not protypical then?.
Doesn't matter as long as you enjoy yourself.
Many members of the forum probably don't stick to strict prototypical operations (myself included) so build your layout to suit yourself, your space and your budget. The main thing is to have fun. :thumbsup:
I personally try to keep everything very prototypical (I probably go too far!). I designed in some leeway with my layout by setting it in a location where the track plan didn't change for over 50 years, meaning that I can cover quite a wide variety of stock without being 'wrong'.
Whilst I model a real world location and real world trains I can certainly see the appeal of a 'train set' (not my phrase and not meant to be in any way derogatory). It's definitely a personal choice and one where the only person you need to keep happy is yourself.