I haven't updated the site for a while, and neglected this blog for even longer, but the construction of Gaite's Farm on the Waterley Bank Estate Railway is still ongoing, though forced to do so at a slower pace due to the demands of university. However, incrementally the layout approaches basic completion and the final major works are in sight now.
I have continued to update my Gnatterbox thread frequently, so if you want an account of every bush and fence post and the hows and whys thereof, take a look there. As I said before, the construction story on this site is an overview only, with all the minor additions compressed into major summaries.
I have even allowed myself to consider further layouts in the future. I would like to build more Gn15, but am undecided as to whether I will build an extension to the first layout using the same overall structure and techniques to seamlessly create a larger layout, or try a new and completely different format of micro-modules that can join up to create many different layouts, increasing the interest value and number of possible exhibition appearances several times over. I must emphasise micro modules, this is not modular as in the classic modular layout format of a set of stations, yards and junctions that can be arranged into different large networks.
The concept I am referring to has much smaller, tile modules a few inches across with just a straight track (or two in parallel), or a curved track, or a point linking tow tracks with one track, each tile may or may not have additional lineside features such as a tree or building. These tiles each form a small part of a yard, for instance two pointwork tiles, a single curved track tile with lineside halt, and a two parallel straight tracks tile together form a small passing station. This allows the flexibility of modular layouts to be employed in a much smaller space and with less track than, OR with more possible layouts in the same space as, classic large modules. This concept is inspired by the tile terrain system used by miniature wargamers.
I know of only one example of model railway micro-modules in use thus far, and the largest problem seems to be getting the scenic dressings on different modules to integrate effectively with each other and their surroundings. Has anyone else got any experiences of using sub station-sized model railway modules?
I have continued to update my Gnatterbox thread frequently, so if you want an account of every bush and fence post and the hows and whys thereof, take a look there. As I said before, the construction story on this site is an overview only, with all the minor additions compressed into major summaries.
I have even allowed myself to consider further layouts in the future. I would like to build more Gn15, but am undecided as to whether I will build an extension to the first layout using the same overall structure and techniques to seamlessly create a larger layout, or try a new and completely different format of micro-modules that can join up to create many different layouts, increasing the interest value and number of possible exhibition appearances several times over. I must emphasise micro modules, this is not modular as in the classic modular layout format of a set of stations, yards and junctions that can be arranged into different large networks.
The concept I am referring to has much smaller, tile modules a few inches across with just a straight track (or two in parallel), or a curved track, or a point linking tow tracks with one track, each tile may or may not have additional lineside features such as a tree or building. These tiles each form a small part of a yard, for instance two pointwork tiles, a single curved track tile with lineside halt, and a two parallel straight tracks tile together form a small passing station. This allows the flexibility of modular layouts to be employed in a much smaller space and with less track than, OR with more possible layouts in the same space as, classic large modules. This concept is inspired by the tile terrain system used by miniature wargamers.
I know of only one example of model railway micro-modules in use thus far, and the largest problem seems to be getting the scenic dressings on different modules to integrate effectively with each other and their surroundings. Has anyone else got any experiences of using sub station-sized model railway modules?
