My new retirement project - Baymouth Town and Baymouth Quay.
A Southern Region late 1960s-mid 70s pastiche of the south coast. Lots of worms - EMUs, DEMUs, WR DMUs and cross country services, SR locos on parcels, short cement trains (Tunnel cement, Southampton) and even short Boat Trains, WR locos on Yeoman aggregate traffic. Think anywhere between Weymouth and Littlehampton, but stealing ideas from Fareham (aggregate siding), Gosport (lifted quay lines), Crewkerne (station overbridge), Swanage (seaside town), Weymouth (quay), Lymington Harbour (quay), etc.
There is a main line to London, a coastway line to Brighton, and a diesel only line to the Quay. There is a bridge where the model railway line terminates, which historically would have gone down to another quay (think Gosport). This leaves it open for extension if I ever got a bigger room. Rationalisation means the main lines are bidirectional now (I didn't have room for a double track main line into the fiddle yard).
It's just down the line from Bishopstoke, my N gauge roundy roundy, which is somewhere near Eastleigh, and is mainly Era 5-6, plus Rule 1 era 7 and 8, whereas Baymouth is more fixed in Era 6-7.
Stage 1: Baseboards
The baseboards arrived today, from Model Railway Solutions in Poole. These are 9mm Premium Birch Ply, laser cut, plus backscenes, supplied with all fixtures, fittings and even glue.
These are so beautiful, I had to post these photos of the pristine parts. Don't worry, they will be assembled ASAP so they don't warp. I hope they go together well!
There are 3 baseboards: 5' x 2' plus 6' x 2' make the long length and then 5'10" x 2' make the L shaped fiddle yard and town quay.
The layout is DCC sound (so that I can learn all about DCC and DCC sound, which is 100% new to me). There is only one problem for you, my readers. It's in OO. But what I learn with this build, and hopefully from my new membership of Syston MRC, will help me finish my N gauge project, which has somewhat stalled.
More photos of the build will follow, as these things cross between all scales.
Bob G
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/157/1517-200126180432.jpeg) (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=157445)
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/157/1517-200126180452.jpeg) (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=157446)
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/157/1517-200126180511.jpeg) (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=157447)
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/157/1517-200126180542.jpeg) (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=157448)
Strange - my heap of empty cardboard boxes is bigger than yours. That means I've been buying more than you, which I never thought possible :hmmm:
Quote from: Newportnobby on January 20, 2026, 06:45:34 PMStrange - my heap of empty cardboard boxes is bigger than yours. That means I've been buying more than you, which I never thought possible :hmmm:
I've had a clearout to allow me to build the baseboards on the garage floor. Sorry to disappoint.
Good luck bob especially with 3rd rail juice territory
Look forward to updates. Chris
Today I started with the smallest board. A 5' x 2' one.
Lovely assembly, and the choice of assembly tools was just right :D
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/157/1517-210126192813.jpeg) (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=157473)
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/157/1517-210126192836.jpeg) (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=157474)
Tomorrow its screw the ply baseboard to the frame, make the other two boards and rehome them in the garden office railway room
Bob G
The lump hammer's a bit worrying :worried:
I guess you need something like that when you're dealing with OO :D
Quote from: Newportnobby on January 21, 2026, 09:53:02 PMThe lump hammer's a bit worrying :worried:
Those interlocking ply parts are very snug. It was a very helpful persuader :D
Two days on and the three baseboards are finished.
Big shout out to Model Railway Solutions of Poole, for the laser cut ply. It was wonderful to work with.
Positives: everything went together exactly as designed.
Negatives: I like screwed rather than glued fixings, and I was about 30 screws short. Not a problem, as I'm off to the tip and B&Q tomorrow to dispose of the cardboard packaging and get some more screws.
Tomorrow we also move the boards to the former Garden office now model railway room.
Bob G
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/157/1517-230126233055.jpeg) (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=157561)
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/157/1517-230126233123.jpeg) (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=157562)
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/157/1517-230126233150.jpeg) (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=157563)
Quote from: Newportnobby on January 20, 2026, 06:45:34 PMStrange - my heap of empty cardboard boxes is bigger than yours. That means I've been buying more than you, which I never thought possible :hmmm:
No. It's just that you don't have to hide the evidence of purchases like Bob does.
Quote from: emjaybee on January 24, 2026, 12:00:04 AMQuote from: Newportnobby on January 20, 2026, 06:45:34 PMStrange - my heap of empty cardboard boxes is bigger than yours. That means I've been buying more than you, which I never thought possible :hmmm:
No. It's just that you don't have to hide the evidence of purchases like Bob does.
I don't need to hide anything. I have to fight my way through piles of handbags and shoes in certain rooms...
Quote from: Bob G on January 23, 2026, 11:34:58 PMI like screwed rather than glued fixings, and I was about 30 screws short
Hence the term "He's a few screws shy of a baseboard", maybe :-X
Quote from: Bob G on January 24, 2026, 09:04:57 AMQuote from: emjaybee on January 24, 2026, 12:00:04 AMQuote from: Newportnobby on January 20, 2026, 06:45:34 PMStrange - my heap of empty cardboard boxes is bigger than yours. That means I've been buying more than you, which I never thought possible :hmmm:
No. It's just that you don't have to hide the evidence of purchases like Bob does.
I don't need to hide anything. I have to fight my way through piles of handbags and shoes in certain rooms...
Bob, how you dress in the privacy of your own home is your business.
:goggleeyes:
Quote from: emjaybee on January 24, 2026, 09:15:17 AMQuote from: Bob G on January 24, 2026, 09:04:57 AMQuote from: emjaybee on January 24, 2026, 12:00:04 AMQuote from: Newportnobby on January 20, 2026, 06:45:34 PMStrange - my heap of empty cardboard boxes is bigger than yours. That means I've been buying more than you, which I never thought possible :hmmm:
No. It's just that you don't have to hide the evidence of purchases like Bob does.
I don't need to hide anything. I have to fight my way through piles of handbags and shoes in certain rooms...
Bob, how you dress in the privacy of your own home is your business.
:goggleeyes:
:laughabovepost: :smiley-laughing:
This is the last set of baseboard photos.
The boards are in place (but not screwed together because the boards need to come up for tracklaying and wiring) with a bit of track, trains and buildings placed to show what I'm working towards. A Southern 1970s look. The plan is 11' x 7'10" and I can just about separate each board from the others to get underneath! The fiddle yard will take 2-car EMUs on the branch and 4-car EMUs with a loco or e.g. a Motor Luggage Van on the main line.
I've chosen this era because the stock is much more available in OO than in N, and it is what I remember from my trainspotting days. My N model is slightly earlier transition era southern and western, and there is more than enough stock (with some 3D printed models) to do that some justice.
I've kind of stalled in my N gauge modelling, so this is giving me new enthusiasm.
The next set of photos will cover wiring, as I'm sure you are not interested in OO gauge layouts or what happens above the baseboard ;)
Huge shoutout to Model Railway Solutions as I'm very happy with the boards - you can either pay for baseboards in time or money, and as I didn't want an open-frame design, after a seven week wait, including Christmas, these went together in three days. I didn't have the time or inclination to build these from scratch, and in any case they are better (and lighter) than I could have done.
While I was waiting for the baseboards, half of the storage units underneath them were rebuilt from full height storage cupboards for my paperwork when I was self-employed, so they were recycled into half-height cupboards and additional shelving, while waiting for the baseboards.
That's it for now.
Bob G
PS The pictures on the wall are geology themed, by a former London artist, who has exhibited in London. They are watercolours and oils on board.
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/157/1517-250126112913.jpeg) (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=157592)
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/157/1517-250126112947.jpeg) (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=157593)
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/157/1517-250126113018.jpeg) (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=157594)
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/157/1517-250126113041.jpeg) (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=157595)
Quote from: Bob G on January 25, 2026, 11:49:32 AMI can just about separate each board from the others to get underneath!
At least you don't have to stoop :laughabovepost:
Quote from: Newportnobby on January 25, 2026, 01:33:28 PMQuote from: Bob G on January 25, 2026, 11:49:32 AMI can just about separate each board from the others to get underneath!
At least you don't have to stoop :laughabovepost:
When Star Wars was at its height in the 1980s, I used to be called Luke Groundcrawler (amongst other less printable nicknames)
Quote from: Bob G on January 20, 2026, 06:28:27 PMMy new retirement project - Baymouth Town and Baymouth Quay.
A Southern Region late 1960s-mid 70s pastiche of the south coast. Lots of worms - EMUs, DEMUs, WR DMUs and cross country services, SR locos on parcels, short cement trains (Tunnel cement, Southampton) and even short Boat Trains, WR locos on Yeoman aggregate traffic. Think anywhere between Weymouth and Littlehampton, but stealing ideas from Fareham (aggregate siding), Gosport (lifted quay lines), Crewkerne (station overbridge), Swanage (seaside town), Weymouth (quay), Lymington Harbour (quay), etc.
There is a main line to London, a coastway line to Brighton, and a diesel only line to the Quay. There is a bridge where the model railway line terminates, which historically would have gone down to another quay (think Gosport). This leaves it open for extension if I ever got a bigger room. Rationalisation means the main lines are bidirectional now (I didn't have room for a double track main line into the fiddle yard).
It's just down the line from Bishopstoke, my N gauge roundy roundy, which is somewhere near Eastleigh, and is mainly Era 5-6, plus Rule 1 era 7 and 8, whereas Baymouth is more fixed in Era 6-7.
Stage 1: Baseboards
The baseboards arrived today, from Model Railway Solutions in Poole. These are 9mm Premium Birch Ply, laser cut, plus backscenes, supplied with all fixtures, fittings and even glue.
These are so beautiful, I had to post these photos of the pristine parts. Don't worry, they will be assembled ASAP so they don't warp. I hope they go together well!
There are 3 baseboards: 5' x 2' plus 6' x 2' make the long length and then 5'10" x 2' make the L shaped fiddle yard and town quay.
The layout is DCC sound (so that I can learn all about DCC and DCC sound, which is 100% new to me). There is only one problem for you, my readers. It's in OO. But what I learn with this build, and hopefully from my new membership of Syston MRC, will help me finish my N gauge project, which has somewhat stalled.
More photos of the build will follow, as these things cross between all scales.
Bob G
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/157/1517-200126180432.jpeg) (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=157445)
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/157/1517-200126180452.jpeg) (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=157446)
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/157/1517-200126180511.jpeg) (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=157447)
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/157/1517-200126180542.jpeg) (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=157448)
I'd love to know what that cost but don't want to be told to mind my own beeswax. :D
And, I wish there was something like that near me.
Quote from: scottmitchell74 on January 25, 2026, 03:13:41 PMI'd love to know what that cost but don't want to be told to mind my own beeswax. :D
And, I wish there was something like that near me.
I'm assuming you meant someone who builds baseboards?
If we just deal with the ones who do it for a living (and answer emails), there are several baseboard manufacturers in the UK who design in laser cut ply. I'm sure you could find a laser cutting service in Aus.
You get what you pay for, looks and quality wise. Five boards rather than three would have been potentially easier to carry but how often would I move them, and it added about £200 more, because of the additional materials. I could have cut the price a little using 6mm ply rather than 9mm, or cheaper ply rather than premium birch ply, but it was really the number of boards that made the biggest difference cost wise.
I looked at these three manufacturers before choosing:
White Rose https://www.whiterosemodelworks.co.uk/department/online-product-range/
Grainge and Hodder https://www.graingeandhodder.co.uk/shop
Model Railway Solutions https://www.modelrailwaysolutions.co.uk/collections/modular-baseboards
I costed up comparable baseboards and backscenes (which can also come in cheaper MDF)
Prices came in at between £400 - £700. What you see, including 6mm ply backscenes, all screws, alignment dowels and bolts, was ~ £500 plus £80 shipping. I chose MRS because their website was easiest to use to achieve custom sizes, i.e. sizes that fitted my room.
Some people swear by their preferred supplier. I didn't want a canopy but I wanted an attractive raw finish. And yes the mallet was used to interlock the ply because laser cut material can be a really snug fit.
The woodwork is possibly the bit I enjoy most. Laying and wiring points is probably the least enjoyable bit, and that's next!
Cheers
Bob G
I'm closing this thread and asking for it to be locked, because some of the NGF users don't like me talking about my interests in other scales.
As I said in post #1 above "The layout is DCC sound (so that I can learn all about DCC and DCC sound, which is 100% new to me). There is only one problem for you, my readers. It's in OO. But what I learn with this build, and hopefully from my new membership of Syston MRC, will help me finish my N gauge project, which has somewhat stalled.
More photos of the [baseboard] build will follow, as these things cross between all scales".
I've lost my N gauge mojo right now, and the new build with new things to learn about DCC wiring and operation apply to all scales. But I'm not prepared to share these scale-agnostic experiences with the Forum when I'm just as likely to get lambasted for mentioning the Orribly Oversized scale, which I have continued in my posts to point out that's not the reason I'm posting. I've been talking about generic skills.
So a small number of NGF users can feel very self-satisfied now in shutting this thread down, and ultimately shutting me down, at a time when my modelling mojo was at a low point. Quite frankly I don't know when I want to bother posting anything here again, because of the intolerance of some members.
Enjoy your hobby.
I'm so sorry to read that Bob.
I fail to see why people complain.
It's the same old story.....if you don't want to read a thread then don't.
There are many threads on here that I don't read but I don't complain about them.
As a long established member of this community I think you should reconsider your decision and remain active and, hopefully, get your N gauge mojo back.
Hi Bob,
I enjoy your posts about stock (and your helpful notes on the 120!) and I like following your N gauge progress.
I am sorry you've lost your N mojo but I think this happens to us all from time to time.
Having said that, I also feel that, however useful some of the shared techniques may be, a thread entirely devoted to a OO layout is not appropriate here.
After all, there are many other forums devoted to other scales and where would it end? Do we accept OO layout threads because the ballasting, woodworking or scenic techniques are useful?
I do hope your N mojo returns and I hope in future you can share what you learn during this build when you apply it to a cool new N gauge layout we can all enjoy!
cheers
Ben A.
Hi Bob,
I can understand some people thinking/saying "it's an N Gauge Forum" but the "General Discussion" thread does say "Other Scales" so perhaps you could post it there (I think Tank posted his garden railway there).
I, personally, was enjoying your build as I was brought up near Woking and travelled a lot to Portsmouth and Bournemouth so those are the only UK trains I really remember and have fond memories and know it is far easier to model in OO.
I don't really like the rmWeb so please ask the Mods if that's OK, ignore the knockers (way hay :) ) and Keep Calm and Carry On!
I'm sure your N Gauge mojo will return so please don't burn any bridges and then regret it.
Hope helps.
Cheers, weave :beers:
Bob,
I was enjoying your '00' diversion - simply looking at the size of your baseboards reminded me how big 4mm scale actually is. I found your observations on building the baseboards interesting and was looking forward to seeing progress with the layout and your return to active 'N' gauge modelling in due course.
@port perran is absolutely correct - if one finds a thread (or a board) is not one's thing, then don't read it. That's what I do and I hope others do regarding the three active threads I hold myself accountable for.
I do so hope you'll remain active on our Fabulous Forum and our Marvellous Moderators can help you find the best place to locate this thread.
@Bealman was especially helpful in advising me where to put my 'Coarse Guide to the Steam Locomotive' thread.
Model Railways are Such Fun! - please stay with us. Please!With the very best of good wishes.
John
No!!
Don't let the whiners get/take you down.
:hellosign: :greatwork: :greatpicturessign:
Model railways are still fun in any scale & we can all learn from each other.Shame you can't have a space for all interested people
:beers: stay safe regards Derek
Quote from: weave on Yesterday at 05:25:03 PMI can understand some people thinking/saying "it's an N Gauge Forum" but the "General Discussion" thread does say "Other Scales" so perhaps you could post it there (I think Tank posted his garden railway there).
Cheers, weave :beers:
I haven't seen that area of the forum but that may be the optimal solution?
cheers
Ben A.
I think it is an excellent idea. Hope you're reading this, Bob! :thumbsup:
Quote from: Bob G on Yesterday at 04:02:30 PMI'm closing this thread and asking for it to be locked, because some of the NGF users don't like me talking about my interests in other scales.
As can be seen, this has not yet been locked. I have mailed Bob asking whether he'd like me to move it to General Discussion (excellent solution
@weave ) or to lock it as he requested. I fear it may be too late and we have lost a valuable source of knowledge and a very good modeller. :(
We can only see what Bob says
This is the first time I have dipped into this thread. It has to be said that, whilst N gauge is great and by far the best scale for many of the things I want to do, other scales do have their good points. I am sure that many of us here have layouts in other scales.
My current project is in 009 and I also have a G scale garden railway. I haven't posted any photos of my 009 layout here (yet) but I am sure I have posted the odd photo of my garden railway over the years. Whilst I would agree that this forum should always be primarily N gauge I hope Bob carries on with this thread as it is interesting. It is also good to see what other non N gauge railway modelling is being done by fellow N gaugers.
I agree, and it's really just a simple matter of posting it in the general section.
Thank you everyone for your kind words.
It's hard stopping work and retiring. You feel a little bit worthless. I'm struggling with that.
I had thought that I had chosen the right place for this Orribly Oversized thread, but if you think there is a better place, then fine. But I don't feel drawn to add anything to it any more, right now.
The NGS Helpline Coordinator role ends up being you doing it all. The only person I'm coordinating is myself. It's easy if you are talking DC, but DCC is not yet my forte, and I hope that I actually learn something playing with DCC sound in OO. I've never wired up points with dropper wires or used slow action point switches either, so that's new too. I had thought that everyone could benefit from my learnings, especially as this is effectively "from scratch". But it doesn't matter now.
Currently, my whole heart is affected by the lack of fairness and the level of bullying and cruelty there is in the world. I gave up my Pilates class before Christmas because the trainer wasn't making any concessions for my abilities (I've replaced it with Syston MRS and their local chip shop).
When we went to the Caribbean before Christmas, I deleted LinkedIn from my phone so that, just in case the US immigration looked, they would not find my support for Ukraine and disdain for the current administration. The idea that on a whim, I could have been turned round, terrifies me.
Driving to TINGS last year, a wannabe vigilante filmed me sitting in the middle lane of the M69. The vigilante made it known on his dash cam video that he didn't like BMW drivers, sent the film to the police, and they wrote to me indicating they would prosecute me for spending more than 30 seconds in the middle lane without pulling in. After a written statement and last week a voluntary interview, I have accepted a training course to help me improve my driving. I will have to be good for 3 ½ years or I can still be charged for the original offence. I wonder if the vigilante, whose dash cam footage showed him eventually overtaking me at 75, was let off his offence by reporting my offence? Or is it now allowed to exceed the speed limit to overtake?
It's like Minority Report. I am now scared to go out of the house, imagining all the surveillance on me, from people you would not even expect to be filming you. When we got a video doorbell, a few years ago now, there was a huge fuss being made about making sure you didn't video beyond your property boundary, because that was an infringement of people's civil liberties (and I don't want to have videos of all those dogs and their walkers weeing on my garden wall). Now, when there was a recent burglary three doors down, the police asked us if we had any video footage of the burglars in the street. I don't like the way the world is going at all.
So, because I'm feeling out of sorts with the world, please no more jokes about my height or weight, or even my straying into the world of OO.
Oh, and things like lighting circuits and switches break in OO too, just in case you thought it just happened in N.
Thanks again to those on here who have found time to send me messages of support, both here and in my PMs. It is truly appreciated.
Topic moved to General Discussion as suggested
I am so very pleased to see this thread preserved and moved to General Discussion, after all I understand that this section of the Forum is set aside for a wider range of topics other than those more directly related to our Gentleman's Scale. Frankly, I am intolerant of folks who are intolerant of the good efforts of others - more power to your elbow Bob G! There are enough bullies in this world as it is, without them rearing their ugly heads and shouting on this excellent Forum! Keep us up to date Bob G!
Rant over!!
I, for one, will be interested to see how Bob G gets on with his new project - it doesn't matter what scale it's in, after all he's currently talking about baseboards and so forth... and in any case, most model railway techniques and principles are universal regardless of scale/gauge! I'll be quite curious to see how the third-rail aspect will be tackled (and, yes, I do know that Peco make the relevant bits). When I was planning my own N-Gauge layout, called Trewenn, my son, on learning that it was going to be a joint Western/Southern Region layout, became quite curious as to how I was going to deal with the conductor rail - and when I said that Trewenn was set in North Cornwall, where the third rail never went, he seemed quite disappointed; my other excuse is that I'm trying very hard not to invoke "Rule One"... So far, so (fairly) good!