Page 11 - May June 1999
P. 11

   has never happened and maybe that’s for the best, for as well as only being able to run two mainline trains without DCC or special circuitry, not many halls would be big enough to cope. Furthermore could anyone guarantee the necessary sweetness and light between the operating teams?
The curved end boards which are meant to link the modules into various formats have, in practice, just been used to provide us with a simple oval. As such they are dead space, from both spectators’ and exhibition managers’ viewpoints and ours are scheduled to be replaced as soon as possible with new, landscaped sections.
Paul has a very valid point about the track. The removable 6” sections may be handy for handling variations between boards but are an aesthetic calamity in terms of presentation. It did not take us long to realise that we would have done better without them and this year will hopefully see them going the same journey as the end boards. The main advantage, probably the only advantage in retrospect, has been that the modular system has given other members in the group the chance to build their own sections and participate with these at home, rather than at the club where, as most folks know, building invariably takes second place to gossip and socialising. With a layout like Westmorland Enginehouse being designed as a complete unit it is maybe easier for us to set standards for construction, for example the height and appearance of the backscenes which, as Paul says, can badly affect the appearance of a layout if left to the whim of each modeller in the group.
Assuming there’s a good reason for preferring a modular system to a conventional layout I’m sure it can be made to look good and work well but not without much self discipline and meticulous standard setting. However, from a personal viewpoint I keep coming back to two general points.
Firstly, when discussing our layout with visitors I invariably end up saying, “Well, it’s just a modular layout......” What I am actually doing is apologising for the Code 100 track that we were told to use on the mainline. No way is this stuff good for RP25 wheelsets and worse still, those chairs are so obtrusive. So how about considering a new ‘standard’ with at least Peco code 75 or better still Micro Engineering and/or handbuilt pointwork. Martin’s idea of a rigidly controlled jig would come in here. At least the track will look right.....track to the ends of the baseboards, too. Tough luck for those who want to run their old Rivarossi steamrollers.
Secondly, as part of an exhibition management team, I’m sure I would consider a modular type layout with radically differing sections, should they all be built to a sufficiently high standard. Maybe also having some form of
 physical separation between sections which, if neatly done, would enhance the work of each individual builder and give credence to the modular concept. Sadly, however, all too often I see American modelling being represented at shows by legions of ‘straight out of the box’ unweathered and untouched locos and freight cars, which does little for the layout they’re running on and even less for the reputation of American modelling amongst British enthusiasts.”
Weird or what?
There are some weird things going on these days. At the Brunel Spring Meet I was shown some photos printed out from the Internet, which are taken by cameras fixed up at trackside. These cameras automatically take and send back a photo every time a train passes, or in some cases at fixed intervals of say 10 minutes, regardless of whether anything is going on. So you can access a site such as Tehachapi and receive a shot of everything going past. An amazing development, but a little weird too!
Problems with foam packaging!
Did a restoration job a few weeks ago on an ancient “United” HO brass loco, a C.P.R.GClassPacific,whichhadsuffered greatly from the Old Foam Disintegration Lurgy. If you tend to store up old brass locos in their original boxes, check the condition of the foam rubber lining. I’ve never before seen one act quite as viciously as this, but the only recourse was to strip the loco down to its every component part, clean off the foam particles (some of which appeared to have etched their way into the paint (and repaint the model.
Fortunately the old paint job was no great loss, having originated from the “Teach Yourself Tar Brushing” Department, but it is very possible that some nicely finished locos could be totally ruined by this problem. If in doubt either discard the old foam entirely or wrap the loco securely in clear polythene or similar. I’d far sooner use some bubble pack, or put new foam in place, than hang on to the original material for the sake of authenticity.
Athearn gets all steamed up!
Many modellers will have now heard of Athearn’s welcome return to steam outline with their HO USRA light 2-8-2. Following on from Spectrum’s 2-8-0 and projected light USRA Mountain, it seems we will have a range of high quality steam locos on offer, comparable with the best diesels. The Athearn loco, at $140, is produced in conjunction with Samhongsa, and with typical options such as high or centred headlight, footboard or full pilot, and in accurate finishing for at least 9 roads, Undecs. will be available in both pilot versions too.
Forming part of the new Genesis series, it is unlikely that Athearn will stop at this one model and it will be very interesting
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JUNE 1999
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 to see whether they (or anyone else) breaks away from the obvious generic prototypes, especially into the larger machines which conceivably find less numerous homes on layouts. No doubt the commercial success or otherwise of these initial offerings will determine what comes later.
YARD LIMIT
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