Conclusion to my Mates Lovely Gift.

[longbridge]

This is a follow up to "A Very Unexpected Gift" thread posted last weekend.

After visiting the Nursing Home my friend and his wife are moving to I spoke to the manager but  my friend and I don't think it is practical to have a layout at the home, there is not enough room in their quarters but there is a possibility of putting one in the corner of the recreation room, but we were warned that some residents suffer with dementia and get pretty destructive at times.

He was pretty much adamant with original intention that I fulfill his dream, he told me he wanted me to have his equipment to enjoy and that he was getting past it because he wanted to devote as much time as possible to his wife.

I put it to him that I have several hundred railway DVDs that he has access to and can watch them at his leisure, we are also planning to have a morning out each week so we can go for a coffee or in my case a tea he can then come to my place for an hour or so to run trains.

He loved that idea as it would get him out of the nursing home for a little while, so his side of the business is now settled.

What about me, well I was getting pretty bored with the American type of model railroading and was considering building my own design body shells over the US mechanisms.

For someone who has been a wee bit vocal at to the running qualities of British N gauge stuff I must admit that the 3 diesels he gave me run every bit as good as the US stuff.

I think I will convert my USA type scenery to either Welsh or Scottish seeing as they have Conifer Forests in both locations its just a matter of clumping my 250 pine trees into one area on the layout and the rest should fit in.

I know the various types of British diesels but don't have a clue as to what ran where or when so my friend and I decided a preserved railway would be the way to go, after watching a few Youtube videos of the 2012 Diesel Galas at various locations back home it is easy to see that any diesel between a Class 04 and 66 are quite at home either as a visitor of part of a fleet.

It seems that there is a lot of mixed rolling stock from various regions plus a few demonstration goods trains to make things interesting so this is the way I will be going and try to involve my friend as much as possible.

[scotsoft]

By the sound of things it appears both of you are winners with this gift 

If you are doing either Wales or Scotland you will need plenty sheep 

cheers John.

[Newportnobby]

Hi Dave,

Shame about the layout, but it seems as though you have both worked out a solution that pleases everyone and I'm sure you'll both enjoy the shared interest.
Good on yer

[upnick]

Hi  Dave,   

Your friend being able to get out for an  hourt or two each week  will be good for you both &  a superb compromise to   his wishes,  sure  it will  inspire you to  make up the layout   as he  indicated,  a  rolling countryside of  Wales   /Scotland woulnt look  out of place i'm  sure as long as theres plenty of greenery  present.

[Mustermark]

That's a great idea and a very noble thing you are doing too.  Top man!

[Dock Shunter]

Good on yer Dave....
Glad things have worked out for both you and your friend...
Will be looking forward to seeing your plans coming to fruition.

                                           

[Jack]

Thanks for the update Dave, it sounds like a very good arrangement, you'll both inspire each other. 

As to what loco ran where, Google & Wiki have been a good friend to me as I didn't  have much of a clue to start with (I'm not that much better now), but at the end of the day, Rule No1 applies....

By the sound of things it appears both of you are winners with this gift 

If you are doing either Wales or Scotland you will need plenty sheep 

cheers John.

Oz has plenty of sheep, from what I remember the have sheep stations the size of Wales!

[longbridge]

Thanks for the update Dave, it sounds like a very good arrangement, you'll both inspire each other. 

As to what loco ran where, Google & Wiki have been a good friend to me as I didn't  have much of a clue to start with (I'm not that much better now), but at the end of the day, Rule No1 applies....

By the sound of things it appears both of you are winners with this gift 

If you are doing either Wales or Scotland you will need plenty sheep 

cheers John.

Oz has plenty of sheep, from what I remember the have sheep stations the size of Wales!

Funny you should say that Jack, I applied for a job as a gardener on a sheep station back in the late 1970s, it was located at a place called Hay, the property was 37 miles long and 20 miles wide, beautiful gardens but I missed out on the job because it also entailed killing a sheep every now and again for food, no way known was I going to look a sheep in the eye and kill the poor little bugger.