Page 11 - September October 2014

BACK TO BASICS – A NEW SERIES?
Mike Arnold explains what you will find in the centre spread of this issue of Roundhouse
This is an experiment, to see whether members like the concept and want to learn more. Roundhouse is the primary means by which members can share experience through articles on all aspects of their modelling, and we are always looking for ways to improve its content. As far as I am aware, this has not been tried before, but then we have not had as much experience of all aspects of our hobby as we have now. The idea for this project came about during a conversation I had with Jim Dickinson of Black Diamonds earlier this year. We were discussing what he would like to see more of in Roundhouse – more coverage of N scale was his own personal request. But, and this is a big BUT, he said it needs to be less technical and assume less knowledge on the part of the reader. We need to remember how we all started, he said.
We very quickly realised that when we were new members to the NMRA we knew very little about many aspects of the hobby, especially the North American prototypes and where to source models, accessories and parts. From separate discussions I have had with members in my Division it is clear that many are new and would welcome some grass-roots advice to help them get started, whatever that may be. So with Jim’s suggestion to the forefront of my mind, the BOD with input from Mike Hughes very quickly came to the conclusion that a series of articles would be ideal, starting at a very general level, followed by successive parts looking at all aspects of our hobby in turn, written by members who have trodden that path already and have some wise words to share.
Part One – ‘Getting Started in North American Modelling’ is to be found in the centre of this issue, which allows members to
A LAYOUT DESIGN IDEA
A decent limited-space home switching layout that can still
connect with others at a Freemo event
Regarding the snippet in the regional news “Could you design and build some boards that make a decent switching layout in limited space at home and still connect with others at a Freemo event?”
Assuming a “limited space” might include a layout you set up to use and put away at the end of a session, I’ve gone for about 9' to 10' by 18". Here is an idea I’ve been kicking round for a couple of months. I have a built, but unused, car float and matching car float apron (both Walthers). I was inspired by the layout “Decal Transfer” at Eurotrack in February and tried to work out how that layout could be adapted to work as a Freemo model. The track plan shows a recessed dock that can just be fitted in without compromising the main line (the car float apron is 8" square and flush mounted, the structure on top is about 7" square). To fit into a 4' 6"-long module the car float will need to be shortened by about 40% for it all to look pukka.
remove it and file it separately in what may become a compen- dium of how we model what we do in British Region. It will never be definitive, just the views of those who contribute. Hopefully, though, the words will be wise and share lots of ideas, even for more experienced members. This first part is based very closely on an article written by Doug Geiger MMR for the July 1996 issue of the NMRA Bulletin (forerunner to the current NMRA Magazine). I saw this as a possible marketing tool, a handout if you like for the display stand. However, it needed to be revised, updated and adapted for the British market.
Subsequent issues, if the concept receives favourable support from members – we will be asking members for views at this year’s AGM – will cover in depth all other areas of our hobby starting with the various main scales, layout design/planning, construction techniques, wiring, DCC, scenery, track design and laying, operations, structures and anything else I have forgotten. Anyone with views, ideas or offers to help and not able to attend the AGM, please contact any member of the BOD or Martin Boyask. If we do decide to proceed, we shall need an army of volunteers to contribute articles, of four-page length if possible with illustrations. Some of you have already indicated a willingness to participate, but we shall be approaching many others to fill in the gaps. No-one will be asked to write something about a subject they are not comfortable with.
So this new project starts by going back to the future. We hope you will enjoy the ride.
John Levesley
The right-hand module I’ve assumed would also be a 4' 6"-long module but looking at it I’m pessimistic I can fit in all the turnouts, a practical switch lead and the main line track crossover in that length. There is a transfer spur to interchange cars with other Freemo modules, but otherwise it can operate as a stand-alone switching layout. I’ve assumed that locomotives can’t go onto the car float so the switcher will need helper cars. Loading/unloading car floats is quite a skill in real life and if done in a representative way can be an absorbing switching task. Add in switching the two industry spurs and the transfer road, and it should be good for an hour or two’s fun.
Maybe in 2015 I’ll mock up the right-hand module, adjust accordingly and build them as Freemo modules – design rules permitting, but if anyone else wants to refine and use the idea please do, after all I borrowed it from Decal Transfer in the first place.
British Region Convention 2015
23 to 25 October in the old LMS signalling school at Derby Conference Centre, organised by the Black Diamonds. This will be the 70th birthday of British Region too.
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