Ok so nearly 18 months have gone by since my last post and you may be say what now or you may not be! So what is new in Backofanenvelopeland for a start off I have made a new years resolution to actually achieve something this year or throw it all in and start basket weaving or something. In reviewing my responsibility landscape I have come the the conclusion that I need to have a number of interests to keep me going and so when the muse wains I can flick to something else. So those areas are loosely encompassed by geographical and scale/gauge requirements.
My main interest lies in 2mmFS as this affords me the most bang for buck in terms of space and as that is at the moment the crucial factor I am focusing on this as my primary scale. However, my likes of all things RhB (Swiss Metre Gauge) means that there will be something coming along in this in the not too distant future. Couple that with a desire to build something based on the NER Wensleydale branch that I grew up around and a suburban maybe London, Sussex coast green period layouts gives you the idea that I will have my hands full. Obviously this wont all happen at the same time and till I have some suitable space most of these are just backofanenvelope plans!
So to progress in my NYR I have decided to start out small and try out techniques on a micro layout based on modern practices albeit with some modellers license given that most modern trains now are block transports. With two points operations will be limited but will allow for some shunting. The industry chosen is a specialist castings manufacture that exports the products all around the world but mainly to Europe. This means that it can be taken from the local siding and marshalled into a block train to all points Europe. The majority of goods both in and out are transported by cargo wagons which are loaded/unloaded by forklift truck but occasional exceptional loads are taken away on flat trucks.
All traffic is moved by DBS and a regular Class 66 is in charge of all movements unless deputised by random hire motive power. Below is a mock-up of the micro and shows early morning at ESC.
The layout is going to be constructed with foam board and protected by 3mm ply and will measure 700x200mm. I have yet to decide about fiddle yard but have some ideas about that. As there are only 2 points on the layout and they are nothing special like slips or tandems and I am going ot use Easitrac for the straights permanent way should be relatively easy, famous last words. Orders have been placed at Shop 1. Finally it will be DCC'ed to test out practices and equipment. I already have a Digitrax system and a SPROGII now so that should be fun.
So when will this start happening.. hopefully very soon as I am away from my home at moment but hope to return in the next couple of weeks. This gives plenty of time to accumulate the necessary goods and chattels to start this project. More of this story later..
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