Hi All,
Hope everyone is well :D I've been absent for a bit but am catching up with the forum, and here's what my "state of play" is :thumbsup:
I have now completed my move, got my old house sorted and tennants moved in, and am now settled into my new house.
I have got the downstairs re-decorated and how I want it (apart from a new sofa I am waiting for) so am now tackling upstairs and getting it model railway friendly ;)
However this has taken me a bit longer than expected as the weather has been really good, so I have had to explore my new town, which is another way of saying I've been on a 2 month pub crawl :D :beers: :D :beers: :D
During the move I got rid of a whole load of junk I don't need, and now I am in, the stuff I might need one day is stored away, and the stuff I will be using is in my new modeling room which is the second bedroom.
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/154/5755-040925124300-1546741415.jpeg)
This end will be where my work bench will be, the other end has a wardrobe and cupboard.....
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/154/5755-040925124259-1546721868.jpeg)
I will put shelves in the wardrobe so I can store boxes .....
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/154/5755-040925124259-1546711732.jpeg)
The other cupboard is really deep, so I can store all the sheets and board I used to keep under the bed, as well a load of other stuff .....
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/154/5755-040925124259-154657992.jpeg)
The other end of the room is where I will have my workbench .....
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/154/5755-040925124259-1546721322.jpeg)
The bench will be L shaped, along the back wall and running under the window, and supported on a motley mish mash of dressing table units and computer desks, or at least that's the plan :hmmm:
The worktop has been ordered from B & Q and all the bits will be arriving over the next week, so I will keep you updated. :D :) :D
As far as modeling goes, now I have more space, I can build bigger layouts. I am still going to do a harbour layout, but I can now make it on a 2 x 4 baseboard (tiny by comparison to your layouts, but enormous compared to my little case layouts :D )
However let's get the room sorted first :D :D :D
All best wishes
Kevin
:beers:
It's good to see that you are now settled in your new town Kevin.
2x4 is a good size for N Gauge so I'm looking forward to whatever masterpiece you comevup with.
Cheers
Martin
Glad to hear you're seeing light at the end of the tunnel, as long as it's not some sod with a torch bringing more work :D
Hi Kevin
Glad you are settled in and that I echo what Martin and mick have said. The storage space looks useful.
Good see you posting and up and running
Chris
Quote from: Newportnobby on September 04, 2025, 02:25:19 PMGlad to hear you're seeing light at the end of the tunnel, as long as it's not some sod with a torch bringing more work :D
or the 2:48 express from Paddington...
Thanks Guys.
Swanage is a fab town. It's a bit smaller than Weymouth, but with so much more going on. The week after I arrived was Carnival week, with the Red Arrows starting things then live music, parades, fireworks, and pleanty of cider, then a week off and it was lifeboat week and all the fun and frollics started again :D :D :D :D :D
Next week it's the Folk Festival :D :D
I am in an end of terrace house and my next door neighbours are really nice, and have shown me round and introduced me to some nice friends :thumbsup:
They also have an allotment and keep bringing me round all sorts of produce. I don't think I have ever eaten so many fresh vegetables, and unlike Martin, I don't have to grow them myself :D :D
Talking of Martin, thank you for your Kind words ;) A 4 x 2 layout would be good for me to practace on before getting on to the big layout in the roof. I can still use the bits I made for my case Harbour Layout, but see how I get on with code 55 track which seems to be what people use on full size layouts.
This will be what I am going to base the layout on....
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/154/5755-040925204236-1546972423.jpeg)
Also Martin, I went down to the pier to look for the brass plaque you have there. I didn't find it as there are over 13 thousand. :o I started looking but gave up as there was cider and rum that needed drinking :beers:
I need to get the room sorted first. The units are arriving tomorrow and saturday, with the worktop coming next week sometime, so will keep you updated :D :thumbsup: :D
All best wishes
Kevin
:beers:
Keep looking for that plaque.
It is there amongst the 13,000.
Have you come across the chap that sells second hand model railway stuff just off the main street?
Lots of junk but a few gems to be found if you are lucky.
All looks wonderful! :thumbsup: :beers:
Cheers George,
Just catching up, seems I missed your birthday :-[
Hope you had a fab day :beers: :toot: :claphappy: :laugh3: :claphappy: :toot: :beers:
All best wishes
Kevin
:beers:
Cheers, Kevin! I can't even remember what I did! Oh yeah, I had a night in Sydney. :beers: :beers:
Bending code 55 into sharper curves is interestingly annoying (even if you know the secret about the arrows on the back) so it's actually often easier making big layouts with it than small!
Thanks for that bit of info. :thumbsup:
Not having used code 55 track before, I did not know it is more difficult to bend to curves than code 80 is. :hmmm:
When I get the room sorted, and workbench up I can get onto the layout and start a thread about that, but I do appreciate your heads up about the track.
I also think I will need some advice on points to use, but that is for later ;)
All best wishes
Kevin
:beers:
I bent code 55 down to 1st radius with no issues. I wouldn't want to try it with code 80 flexi as code 55 is stronger
Hi All,
Cheers Mick, I was finding on Windmill hill that on the really tight curves on the top level the rails were tending to ping out of the sleepers unless I was very careful, but I heard that the rails on code 55 are set deeper.
When I am ready I will get a length of code 55 to have a play about. I am nearer to Poole now, which is where my nearest model shop (Sechfields) is. My bus pass arrived yesterday so a trip out is on the cards.
First though I will get my workbench put together. All the units have now arrived ....
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/154/5755-070925193434-1547261219.jpeg)
The worktop arrives Wednesday, so I should get it all done this week, cider permitting ;) :D ;)
I will keep you informed :)
All best wishes
Kevin
:beers:
Quote from: Phoenix on September 07, 2025, 07:50:14 PMAll the units have now arrived ....
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/154/5755-070925193434-1547261219.jpeg)
Wahey :claphappy: A bedroom shed with a few bits left over ;)
Hi All
Yay ..... nearly finished ::) :hmmm: ::)
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/154/5755-080925191156-1547702460.jpeg)
All best wishes
Kevin
:beers:
Looks like you need more space
Hi Martin,
I think I will need some more space when the worktop arrives ..... it's 3m long :goggleeyes: :worried: :goggleeyes:
God knows how I'm going to get it upstairs :confused1:
I really must think these things through :hmmm:
All best wishes
Kevin
:beers:
Hi Kevin.
Depends on the weight ask if the delivery driver will kindly help and offer a coffee ?
Looks like progress is being made.
Hi All.
Getting there bit by bit, some more stuff arrived this morning, including the worktop :D
It is REALLY heavy :worried:
38mm thick and 3m long, it would not go up the stairs as there is a 90 degree turn on the stairs so I cut the end off downstairs and then it wasn't too bad :thumbsup:
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/154/5755-100925200441-1547751669.jpeg)
Can't wait to get everything done so I can get down to a bit of modelling :D :D :D
All best Wishes
Kevin
:beers:
Probably need a pint after all that Kevin
Best suggestion you've ever had, Chris! ;D
Great advice Chris .....and I did take it :D :pint: :D
All best wishes
Kevin
:beers:
Hi All,
I's been a bit rainy here, so I've been getting on quite well in getting the workbench built. :D
To give me more room, most of the stuff has been piled up at the opposite end of the room I'm working in
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/154/5755-130925120149-15481053.jpeg)
Now I've been putting things together at the "bussiness" end :thumbsup:
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/154/5755-130925120149-1548101540.jpeg)
Apart from the weight of the worktop making it really hard to move around, the hardest part was getting all the different units the same height without affecting the drawers and cupboard doors, and also getting all the drawers to work ok .
All seems to be fitting together well, so I've got a whole bunch of brackets and stuff to hold it all together,
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/154/5755-130925163126-1548331506.jpeg)
When everything is secure I can think about what I need on the back wall along with a couple of organizers I have :hmmm:
Incidentally, one side effect from all this is having a cupboard full of polystyrene to carve hills and valleys from :D :D :D
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/154/5755-130925120149-1548141981.jpeg)
All best wishes
Kevin
:beers:
Excellent work Kevin
@Phoenix , are you a kitchen fitter in your spare time!
Tim
Thanks Tim ,
I wish I was a Kitchen fitter, then what I'm doing would stand up to closer inspection :D :D :D
All best wishes
Kevin
:beers:
Sounds like a pint or two is in order
That is indeed an impressive work area. :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Hi All,
All is going well, and thank you George. :D
The advantage I am finding is I have a free canvas to do what I want, rather than adapt a "Second hand" space :thumbsup:
All the units are in place now and held together with the brackets
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/154/5755-160925182256-1549442352.jpeg)
There are plug sockets on the back wall that I won't be able to reach, so I am doing the same as I did before, and running an extension lead from the socket through to a filler panel next to one of the drawer units
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/154/5755-160925182256-1549441707.jpeg)
For lighting, I have a magnifying lamp I got last year from "Expo" at the Basingstoke Exhibition. It was an ex display lamp that was at a very reasonable sale price :D :thumbsup: :D
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/154/5755-160925182257-1549622112.jpeg)
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/154/5755-160925182257-154961694.jpeg)
All going well, and the modelling room should be done soon. I have got the first model out ready to build :D :D :D
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/154/5755-160925182629-154963189.jpeg)
All best wishes
Kevin
:beers:
The room is beginning to take shape Kevin and impressive magnifying lamp. After all that another well earned meal and pint are in order !
Cheers Chris,
You're coming up with some great suggestions :D :D :D
All best wishes
Kevin
:beers:
Hi All,
Hope your weekend is going well :D
Yay .... I've now got a workbench :claphappy:
I've also learnt something. After crawling on the floor under the worktop getting the units level and adding the brackets to hold everything together, when I get a big layout upstairs I'm not having anything under the baseboard. ;)
My back and knees hurt, I've got about a million bumps and bruises on my head, shoulders knees and toes (cue for a song :D )
Every point motor, bit of wiring, electrical connection, shuttle, power pack, lighting control, etc will be on the top, and I don't care how many trees, hills and buildings it needs to hide them :D :D :D :D
Seriously though, I now have every sympathy for anyone who has to go under their baseboard to fix anything ;) ;D ;)
The plug boards are now fitted in and wired and all the cupboard and drawer handles are fitted
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/155/5755-210925144359-155032422.jpeg)
Also the magnifying light is now in position. It goes back against the wall when I don't need it but easily swings out when I want it
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/155/5755-210925144358-1550171285.jpeg)
There was a slight gap between the two wings of the worktop so I filled it with plastic wood to be sanded down when dry
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/155/5755-210925144358-1550172056.jpeg)
All done, and looking better than I expected :D
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/155/5755-210925144359-1550321378.jpeg)
Although I will have a big cutting mat in front of me, the top is light bare wood, so I got some stuff to treat it. :thumbsup:
All looking good so far .... soon be modelling :D
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/155/5755-210925144359-155034879.jpeg)
I'm pleased with the wall units at the back. They come with loads of hooks. boxes and holders
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/155/5755-210925144359-1550341824.jpeg)
Between them I will put up a load of shelves to keep my little boxes of bits, to replace the unit I had before
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/117/5755-191221234106-1174421910.jpeg)
There is more space here, so instead of 4 boxes, I can fit 6,
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/155/5755-210925153929-155038489.jpeg)
This means I won't have to go as high with the shelves, so I can reach the boxes easier :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Soon be modelling :D :D :D
All best wishes
Kevin
:beers:
It's all coming together nicely Kevin and soon be usable and now advice is to enjoy a Sunday lunch , roast, rest the joints and sink a couple or more glasses of / pints
Quick addition :D
These are the boxes I have, mostly scenic bits, and I'm not sure if I need all of them :hmmm:
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/155/5755-210925160356-1550421593.jpeg)
All best wishes
Kevin
:beers:
Kevin
You may never know when you may need them even for other things in life. Flooring up, cabinets etc. Looking good. Have a well earned meal and drink
Quite inspirational... If things go to "plan" I should be moving around this time next year, and I hope to have one room dedicated to modelling and other electronic hobbies, and those units and work surfaces look really good
Excellent, Kevin. Truly a wonderful work area. :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
It's right what you say about working underneath stuff, though. Unfortunately it's too late for me to fix my situation these days! :*(
Quote from: Phoenix on September 21, 2025, 03:44:11 PM(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/117/5755-191221234106-1174421910.jpeg)
Good to see you have a space for everything, even the emergency bog roll :poop: :D
:beers:
Hi All,
Thank you for your comments, and good luck with the move Malc. It's great to have a dedicated work-room as you have a blank canvas to work with. Where I was before I had to work around a spare bedroom and try to fit what I wanted between beds and bedroom furniture.
Here I can do what I want :D ;D :D
Today started well, with plans made to get things done, however it all went a bit :poop:
I got the first coat of wax on the worktop last night, and this morning on went the second coat. The plan then was to work on the shelves in the wardrobe while the wax dried :thumbsup:
The 12mm ply for the shelves was due to arrive lunchtime, which it did. However there must have been an ordering malfunction in my head :dunce: :doh: :dunce:
Instead of 2' x 4' boards these arrived, the metric equivalent of 4' x 8' which would not even go through my front door :o
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/155/5755-220925152125-155068729.jpeg)
Oh bugger .... I had to set up an outside work station :worried:
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/155/5755-220925152125-1550712049.jpeg)
Luckily it was a fairly bright day and not raining, so I cut them down to manageable sizes :thumbsup:
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/155/5755-220925152125-1550682490.jpeg)
They are now in my hall, and after a quick shower guess where I'm going :D :pint: :D
All best wishes
Kevin
:beers:
Looking good Kevin
You have had the same thoughts as mine of yesterday!
Enjoy. You could take a notebook and pen and jot notes. Happy modelling
Looking on the bright side this morning ..... look how many baseboards I've got :D :D :D
All best wishes :beers:
Kevin
Hi All,
Good news, everything is now finished, and all my bits and pieces are stored and staqcked, mostly in the same general place as I had in my old place. :thumbsup:
I'm now ready to start on the new larger harbour layout, and due to my :-[ oops :-[ moment ordering plywood I can go a bit bigger than 2' x 4' if I need to. :D
I will start a layout thread, and put some pics of my new room up later, meanwhile here is a picture of a toad sitting on a tiny pony :D
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/155/5755-041025174353-1552821722.jpeg)
All best wishes
Kevin
:beers:
Hi Kevin
Glad the room is nearly or finished. After all that sorting i think you will agree a couple of pints and a meal is called for.
Have a great weekend whats left of it!
Ok, I'll ask a dumb question - why is a giant ugly big toad sitting on a pony?
Reminds me of cane toads which are horrible things here. They're migrating south too. None so far where I live, thank heavens!
Hi All,
Everything is done now :claphappy:
The room went from this .....
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/155/5755-051025135631-155316201.jpeg)
via this ....
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/154/5755-080925191156-1547702460.jpeg)
to this ....
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/155/5755-051025140632-1553171416.jpeg)
I got the worktop finished and started fixing the shelves up. I was loosing a lot of little bits, mainly people doing a runner down the back of my previous worktop so I put a self adhesive trim along the back to stop this happening here :thumbsup:
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/155/5755-051025134640-1553082326.jpeg)
Then the wall organizers went up
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/155/5755-051025141557-155318473.jpeg)
All looking good so far :D
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/155/5755-051025134641-1553101040.jpeg)
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/155/5755-051025134641-1553101501.jpeg)
Up the other end of the room I have cupboards that hold a lot of stuff. I also have from my old place a really useful white unit that makes a firm bench for the little table saw I bought ages ago. The saw has been fantastic for cutting the worktop and its units to fit together. :thumbsup:
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/155/5755-051025134641-1553122077.jpeg)
Far easier than if I had just used these :D
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/155/5755-051025143456-1553192400.jpeg)
Here you can see there is a gap of about 6" between the wall and the cupboard to keep some things tucked away.
With all the plywood I had mistakenly ordered I built shelves in the wardrobe
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/155/5755-051025134641-1553132486.jpeg)
So all the carpentry was done. Now back to the workbench. When the sun is out there is plenty of light coming in through the window.
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/155/5755-051025134641-1553101040.jpeg)
However in the evenings or on dull days it is not so good. The room only has a ceiling light with a 100w bulb, and as this is behind me it casts shaddows on the bench. :(
So I got two of these to make things better :thumbsup:
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/155/5755-051025134640-155308158.jpeg)
I fixed them on the ceiling, linked together using what I learnt on the forum, but with proper big electric rather than little 3v LEDs for little buildings :D
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/155/5755-051025134641-1553141297.jpeg)
They light up the workbench really well, and with the magnifying lamp I can actually see what I'm doing :D
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/155/5755-051025134641-155314916.jpeg)
So there it is ..... a new workroom ready for Harbour layout version 3 :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
All best wishes
Kevin
:beers:
Kevin
Lighting looks just impressive, spotlights, magnifying lamp. Impressive storage.
After all that just need a fridge for drinks / snacks and happy modelling
Crikey Kevin that is all so very neat and tidy.
No wonder you can produce such fabulous models.
You should see the muddle that I work in!
And all that paint neatly to hand. None of the sorting through three or four boxes to find the pot of paint that I require.
My hat is doffed to you in due reverence :D
Question is though......where has the bed gone?
Cheers :beers:
Martin
Cheers Guys,
I had not thought of a fridge .... not a bad idea :D
I'm pleased and glad it's all done now, and the only reason the room is so tidy is I've not started modelling in it yet. I can see it getting gloriously chaotic pretty soon though :D
Bed ..... who needs a bed when I've got a model railway :D ;) :D
Actually the bed was the previous owners and the photo was from my first viewing :thumbsup:
I'll start a thread of what I want for my new layout soon, as I will need a bit of help to get started :hmmm:
All best wishes
Kevin
:beers:
Genius at work...
Tim
Quote from: Phoenix on October 05, 2025, 04:02:53 PMI had not thought of a fridge .... not a bad idea :D
Yeah right and I'm a teatotaller :(
I can recommend a fridge like this one though :beers:
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/149/medium_262-030325001327-1497291639.jpeg) (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=149730)
Just had a look. Super dooper uber cool, Kevin! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
I concur with fridge suggestion. :D
:hellosign: :greatwork: :greatpicturessign:
Wow all looking superb Kevin, genius at work :thumbsup:
:beers: stay safe regards Derek
Hi All,
Thank you for your comments .... not sure about genius at work, just a silly old sod with a big hammer :D :D :D
I like the fridge John, trouble with that one is there dosen't seem to be any cider in it :D :D :D
All best wishes
Kevin
:beers:
P.S. I've started modelling again :claphappy: :laugh3: :claphappy:
Wow! If you consider making it a profession, I'd give my right arm to be ambidextrous have a room like that. It probably wouldn't stay like it for very long as I'm a very messy worker :-[
P.S. I've never seen such a big cutting mat :no: :goggleeyes:
Cheers Mick,
The reason I got such a big cutting mat is I'm a messy worker as well :D :D :D
I don't want to spoil the work top as it looks so good ;)
It was quite expensive, but worth it as it is 1.20 metres x 1.00 meter. From that I actually get 4 mats. I cut it along the centre so have 2 mats 0.5m x 1.20m and each mat has 2 sides.
What a cunning plan :D :thumbsup: :D
All best wishes
Kevin
:beers:
Quote from: Phoenix on October 06, 2025, 01:10:57 PMWhat a cunning plan :D :thumbsup: :D
All best wishes
Kevin
:beers:
So cunning you could put whiskers on it and call it a fox :)