Smoke & Steam And new layout?

Phil.c

Western Thunderer
I must admit that I know very little about what is fitted and how it works, I know it's via a decoder and having watched a few video's, it seems to me that the 0 gauge are better, correct me if I'm wrong but they seem to have a lot more room to fit the larger smoke and steam units, they also chuff smoke in sync with the sound where the 00 ones just seem to release it continuously.
I'm getting to a stage now where I have been modelling scenery for a very long time and not running any trains, however, I have changed over to DCC a few years ago, fitted sound decodes it a few loco's and built that 43xx brass etched loco that I posted here a couple of years ago, Model Rail are coming to do a follow up for the magazine at the end of the month, the station is nearly finished...well one platform anyway, so...after that, I will probably get the track maintained and get something moving, I am also toying with the idea of after about thirty years of Pen Y Bryn, scrapping it!...and changing over to 0 gauge and building something special and of course adding those steam and smoke loco's.

My layout is 18' X 10', ok, if I changed to 0 gauge, I wouldn't be able to model anywhere near enough scenes as Pen Y Bryn because of space and the corner turns would need to be of a larger radius. The other thing is, I have lot's of scene cameo's that took a long time to build, what do I do with it as I feel binning it so not the way to go, also the running stock with kit and commercially bought loco's?

I would be very interested in members suggestions and ideas.

Another thing is, if I changed to 0, I would want the closest to scale track, I haven't a clue what is out there, all my points are hand built including double slips etc so that wouldn't be a problem if I had to go down that road, I also don't know a lot about what 0 gauge loco's are available?





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Phil
 
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Heather Kay

Western Thunderer
My first thought is the proposed model railway museum and exhibition centre here in Kent. It's not built yet, but the man behind it has been rescuing and storing numerous layouts from around the UK of all sizes and scales.

I realise Pen Y Bryn is built into the room, but that hasn't stopped the AIMREC chaps before!

If you would like me to see if they're interested, you might drop me a PM. It might take a few weeks to organise something, but it's a thought.
 

Phil.c

Western Thunderer
Thanks Heather,

I haven't made any decisions yet as I realise that starting again in 0 is going to be a big project, but I will certainly keep your suggestion in mind.
 

allegheny1600

Western Thunderer
Me 3!
Although it would be a bit of a shame to see your lovely layout disappear, in whatever form, I appreciate the need for a new challenge. I think you could do wonders in your space in 7mm and as for locos and stock, well there is quite a selection available now in RTR form and during the timescale of such a build, who knows?
As for kits, I think there are examples of just about everything your heart could desire but I have no idea of how many are suitable for S7, sorry. But, if you're going to change up a scale - why not go for the finest available?
Good luck,
John.
 

Phil.c

Western Thunderer
Thanks.

"Finest available" sounds good but has it's pitfalls with available loco's etc to run on it, I was also told that, even though it was very close to proto, there was not that great a difference with ready to run stuff?
 

Phil.c

Western Thunderer
Only telling what I was told JB B, it's all in the eye of the beholder as some people see the finer side of things that others can't!

Phil
 

Geoff

Western Thunderer
Hi Phil,

As another poor soul who is sat on the fence regarding a change to '0' gauge, I think you might find it beneficial to have a dabble before you axe Pen Y Bryn. I bought a couple of kits, and one of those new Dapol wagons, made a few card mock ups and downloaded some track templates. Then had fun playing around with various ideas, and now know exactly what I can fit into the space at my disposal.

In my case the jury is still out, but good luck, whatever you decide to do.

Geoff
 

Dog Star

Western Thunderer
I have my doubts about some of what has been written on your thread over there... if the viewer understands the niceties of permanent way then that person is going to appreciate what can be done in S7 using fixtures and fittings that are available from members of the S7 Group. S7 is more than track, to some S7 modellers the standards allow for a more acceptable representation of prototype engines.

Noting what has been written about some RTR models and curved track, the tolerances in 0-FS enables a loco to traverse radii that are alien to the prototype. As an example, a 12":1' GWR 5700 0-6-0PT can work down to 5 chains at dead slow speed, that is something like 7'6" - yes, a 0-FS model of that class might work around Peco set track curves.... does the finesse of the RTR model deserve such treatment?
 

Scale7JB

Western Thunderer
Whenever I have manned the S7 publicity stands at shows and people have shown a vague interest, the first question I always asked, is there a very active O-Fs club near to you? If so I would probably advise against S7 as all of a sudden it can be quite lonely.

Thankfully I am a part of two large (one of which is very large) layout groups, so I am very lucky. If you were to let us know your (rough) location, Graham might be able to look into your nearest group.

JB.
 

Phil.c

Western Thunderer
Thanks all, I still haven't given up on Pen y Bryn but 7mm is still a possibility, I just don't want to get into too many problems, but the rail templates seem a good idea just to see where I am, BTW my location is close to Merthyr Tydfil, twenty miles north of Cardiff.

Phil
 

allegheny1600

Western Thunderer
For me, the beauty of S7 - as demonstrated to me at a show "some time ago" - was the fineness of the crossing gap and the flangeways. I was invited to push a wagon through a point and there was no drop at all as the wheels were fully supported all the way through.
Despite this, I continue to use RP25 standards in half 0 scale, sorry! (for a host of different reasons).
 

Phil.c

Western Thunderer
S7 sounds good but I gather that commercial loco's need wheel changes to run properly on it?
 

allegheny1600

Western Thunderer
Yep! Just like changing from '00' or 'EM' to 'P4'!
I guess either by turning them down yourself, getting someone else to do it or buying them. I'm not aware of any UK outline companies that do RTR, although the Yanks do some but I digress, sorry.
 

Oz7mm

Western Thunderer
One or two of the top end RTR manufacturers like Masterpiece will supply in S7.

Diesels such as those from Heljan are easy to convert and there are wheel re-profilers such as Eastsidepilot of this parish who will do the job for you at reasonable rates.

Steam locos present more of a challenge but nothing insuperable. Once again, Eastsidepilot will do conversions on most of the smaller steam RTR offerings - and no, I am not his agent, just a satisfied customer and a friend.

If you are not yet committed to a 7mm project then don't be intimidated by S7 especially if you are a diesel era modeller. The results in terms of appearance and running are well worth it.

If you are in the general East Anglia region, there are plenty of us to contact. PM me for more details.

Regards

John
 
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