Garden Railway Forum

MDLR:78060 wrote:I've fired off a link to this thread to both the Editor and the MOTY organiser........................

............... and I've had an answer! Basically, as far as William Bickers-Jones (who organises it) is concerned, it would be a non-starter for 2013 as modules don't fall into any of the existing categories - he nearly had a dickey fit! However, if a Standard can be agreed upon reasonably rapidly, it might be possible to come up with something for 2014, though I suspect William might want somebody to organise the assembly of the modules into a running layout...................

sorry for asking but what is the MOTY?

It's the Model Of The Year at the 16mm Association's annual Convention - see the images at: http://www.16mm.org.uk/newsite/show/default.html

I see. thanks for that MDLR !!

I think it would be a great idea to put it in the MOTY.

now we just need some standards to work to, we could have the makings of a branch line here.

This could end up as a Forum project for Peterborough 2014............

Hello All, I have to say, I was quite relieved to be shown the threads of conversation, and therefore interest in the Idea I wrote about In SMT. I have not heard anything from the SMT Team yet. I have drawn quite a number of boards. Will Email the drawings to anyone who might be interested. To answer some of the questions, and comment on some of the ideas. Re Backscenes, or not. There's no doubt that a backscene adds to a layout. Please remember, there's no need to stay behind the layout when operating a manual loco. Its becoming fashionable to be 'front of house' and chat to the public.
I agree that a common season and 'tone' of the scenes is desirable. Being sponsored by a company like 'Woodlands Scenics' or similar would be a great idea. The idea was to build a 'Super Layout' and wow the public into becoming involved in our scale. I Imagined a 'proper' narrow gauge railway with purpose. Hence 'Joined Up Thinking'. I look forward to hearing from those who fancy building some modules. Best Wishes, Gareth. garethl.jones@hotmail.co.uk

Welcome to the forum Gareth
I think that if you were to publish some standards then most would be happy to use them. I realise that you don't want to organise this on the net but do use it as a sounding board

Don't tell william who suggested it as he may kill me at the next meet

He knows already.......................... You DO realise you could get drafted onto the team for this?

Them what suggests it, gets lumbered with it...............

Also the one that volunteers others usually gets the job him/herself

I think this could be the start of something rather awesome

laurence703:78119 wrote:Also the one that volunteers others usually gets the job him/herself

I've no doubt I'll be helping somewhere - I usually do..................

Just an idea... but not everyone uses 32mm or 45mm so would it not be an idea to have two layouts or one dual gauge one so that its not being gaugeist?

laurence703:78122 wrote:Just an idea... but not everyone uses 32mm or 45mm so would it not be an idea to have two layouts or one dual gauge one so that its not being gaugeist?

It's being complicated................ Having said that, the Show is always scratting around for 45mm gauge railways, so................

Could almost be a competition in its own right... SM32 Vs. SM45... Who can bring together and run the biggest layout lol

Hello All, have been thinking about this subject, whilst busily finishing the drawings of the Return Loops and loading free 10mm thick sheets of 4' x 4' plywood into my Friend's Pickup. It gets chucked away at work!
There is some clamouring for Standards, which is fine - but please don't let this blinker your imagination. Please think more of a set of standards that control the ENDS of your boards. What you do in the middle, is ENTIRELY up to you.
As I mentioned in my article, I would love people to build a set of boards, perhaps 2, 3 or 4, .... where the track deviates from being parallel to the front. Perhaps the ground in front drops, and the rear rises, perhaps contains a loop, but ends as a common interface, with the running line centre 150mm from the front of the board, and perpendicular to the board end, 900mm from the floor.
Pieces of existing layouts could be adapted to 'join the party', perhaps a sinewy 'Nant Mawr'?
The Sky is the Limit.

The American system in the link below is far to regular - too 'Toy-Like' tracks parallel to the baseboard edge, and samey.

http://deloropacific.org/

We can do better than this, .........

Have been frantically looking for a Layout that Mark Found featured on one of his productions from the Dortmund Show. A Huge rambling European line that twisted and turned in a most prototypical manner.

Does anyone know the one I mean?

Best Wishes,

Gareth

I am with you there. all the needed standards are the end parts that meet the next section what goes on between the ends is up to the individual as per some of your illustrations in the article in SMT.

MDLR:78090 wrote:He knows already.......................... You DO realise you could get drafted onto the team for this?

Them what suggests it, gets lumbered with it...............

oops I'm in trouble  Does that mean I have to go to peterborough and enjoy it

Back to main topic sm32 is very common and therefore perfect to give a track standard but I understand that 45mm is also popular. A set of standards for the ends for either 32 or 45 may be the way forward as forcing dual gauge on all would not be popular.

in theory we could literally run anything on it as well given clearances and radii are big enough... who's to say we couldn't have a slate quarry next to a brick kiln next to a sand quarry etc?

laurence703:78151 wrote:in theory we could literally run anything on it as well given clearances and radii are big enough... who's to say we couldn't have a slate quarry next to a brick kiln next to a sand quarry etc?  ;)

Absolutely nothing! To mis-quote an old Woolworth's advert "It's the wonder of modules..........."

imagine your favorite bit of track and re-create it or build an imagined setting, as long as the ends are in the right place the sky is the limit. now where can I get a tardis and shuttle craft from in 16mm