Brian’s been in touch with his N scale helicopter layout:
“Hi Alistair
Firstly, thanks for a brilliant newsletter – it’s great to see so many modellers sending in pictures and videos of their layouts.
I’m one of the support team for the N Gauge Journal of the N Gauge Society responsible primarily for advertising. I’ve also written several articles now for the Journal on topics such as the 1988 Paris to Hong Kong Orient Express, The N Gauge Tomix Thomas the Tank Engine range, and modelling water.
My N Gauge layout built on three independent levels is totally fictitious and not based on any particular era. With my father, Grandfather, and Great Grandfather all working for the Great Western Railway, it was important to provide part of the layout for the running of my GWR stock.
I’m old enough to remember the last days of steam in Plymouth during the sixties, so I wanted to include this era as well. And then with the four Grandchildren only seeing today’s private liveries, it was essential to provide for them.
The bottom level activity (essentially a twin track loop) centres around Mill Bay station and harbour. Mill Bay is a small seaside town and fishing port somewhere on the West Country main line.
The middle level, again a twin track loop, has two main areas – West Hoe station and The Friary through lines and sidings has a small engine shed for overnighting visiting steam engines and a diesel maintenance depot (Peco). West Hoe is another small town on the main line and a busy through-route for rail and road users!
I imagine the top level as a heritage line running on a single track loop with a branch line to the once busy Northlew terminus and goods depot, and the Rocks Chocs factory making fine speciality chocolates with only the best of Devon milk from the local Farm.
I don’t know why, but I like helicopters, and so I’ve added an RAF Westland Sea King performing a daring rescue off the cliffs of Mill Bay. I’ve also just completed an RAF Chinook which will take its place hovering somewhere over the layout.
Have attached a few photos and here’s a link to my YouTube video experimenting with adding real sounds – great fun!:
(All images are clickable)
Thanks again.
Brian”
A huge thanks to Brian for sharing his N scale helicopter layout. Stunning stuff.
And now here’s something completely different, thought it would be fun to go from a finished layout (are they ever finished?) to a new one. Brand new in fact:
“Well, the bug has bitten me and I have started my “Chicago Northwestern” HO prototype.
Here are some early stage photos.
I know I’ll be referencing you guys as I get into the finer details of this awesome hobby.
Tom”
Not much to see, I know, but this hobby is all about making a start – that’s why I post ’em.
And lastly, here’s a tip that Mike has sent in that I thought was clever:
“Cork sheets of any dimension x 1/8″ thick SOAKED in water (with any outdoor scent) until the sheet is totally pliable!
Lay the still soakedly wet sheet over any object with your preferred shape even some objects gathered together to form your shape.
LET IT DRY until it is firmly dried out of all wet.
Periodically during this drying period, hand & finger press areas in order to guide the drying shape closer to your preferred shape’s details.
After the shape is COMPLETELY DRIED, move the light weight structure (usually a mound or rock face) to wherever it was meant to stand.
PAINT the shaped cork sheet as required. Use white glue (dries transparently) to emphasize raised spots.
Mike”
That’s all for today folks.
A big thanks to Brian (N scale helicopter layout), Tom (brand new layout) and Mike (another good tip).
Please don’t forget the Beginner’s Guide, if you want to get going on your layout.
