Greetings from the Antipodes Lee trust you are tolerably well. As the minimalist approach to scenery is what pleases your heart and mind in order to focus on running I think that you could just have the road emerging from the hillside and leave it at that. No need to extend the bench work now. As you aren’t aspiring to build a diorama you can nevertheless indulge in vignettes with the pastoral structures and tunnels and bridges that you have so far but add to those as other projects appeal to you in the future. The overall design is steadily emerging and ultimately it is your aesthetic which is most important to please. Being different to others is your gift to the community. Your new HST set is very handsome and I hope that you will develop it over time to satisfy yourself. Always happy to see your occasional posts on progress. Regards Ian.
Hello Ian. Lovely to hear from you, as always, my friend. I totally agree with the road coming straight out. I think sometimes a lot of layouts false things in that just wouldn't work/look right in the real world. There's a great philosopher and writer (Alan Watts), and he once said, "False nothing, to false something will make it unnatural." Yes, I don't like to copy others, although I do like taking ideas. Glad you like the new HST, this livery really means a lot to me. Ian thanks so much for watching and giving your support as you always do. Take care my friend and best wishes. Lee
Hi Lee, great to see you back. The country scene looks great. With extending the board and the pub maybe add a road but with just a few country houses and cottages leading up to the pub. I really like the HST I have one purchased about 5 years ago, a great runner and looks really good going around any layout. All the best Lee. David
Hello david, nice to hear from you as always. I'm actually halfway through your last update. Yeah, I've sort of got my heart set on the pub scene, so whether it's a road or canal, the pub has to be there. I like your idea of cottages/houses leading up to the pub. I've just got so many ideas now and gotta make a decision. Thanks as always david for your support, always look forward to hearing from you. Thanks again. Lee
I was thinking the same thing, and nowadays there's just so many details you can buy from different manufacturers, like you said with the washing line and you can now even buy a bbq. I'm glad you like the orientation of the house because I did that deliberately. Thanks again. Lee
Hi Lee, excellent work mate, that whole scene is taking shape nicely. I agree with you about keeping it simple, i.e. just country side, but I do like the idea of a country pub by the bridge, maybe a nice scratch build project or perhaps have a bit of a kit bash and use the Metcalfe kit and use the plastic brick and roof tiles to make it a look a bit different. A canal wouldn’t be to out of place as many ran under tunnels through the hills. As for the addition you’re going to do to the baseboards fields would be just fine but I find often as I go things develop so don’t be to against adding a little scene of interest, maybe a nice pond surrounded by some trees or something. Like I say see what develops. Hope you’re all well, great to see you that you’ve been working on the layout. I’m struggling to get back to mine after the summer, so many things to do at home as well as trying to paint the cabin, but it keeps raining!!!! Lo! Cheers Lee, John
Hello John, wasn't sure when you was back from your trip, but great to hear from you mate as always. John, you know what mate, the pub idea just won't leave my head because I always imagined a little pub just by the bridge. After doing the bridge using Wills stone walling sheets, I'm really considering using it to make a small country pub (think I'll end up doing that tbh). I like the pond idea too as water is another thing I've always wanted to have on the layout. I got back into fishing this year after 10 or so years and if I did a water scene, I'd have to do fishermen. It's all getting quite exciting now, but unfortunately, just like you, I have so much to do to the house. Thanks as always John, and like always, great to hear from you. Take care mate, Lee
hi Lee, yes been back for a while, Melanie (Mrs Exehaven) had to go back to work, we were in Australia for about a month in August, then I went off to France to play some golf. Your plans sound good mate and I look forward to that pond with the fisherman, you should get yourself scanned and a model of you made as a fisherman! Is it Modelu that do that?🤔 To be honest my mojo as they say has gone a bit but it is coming back, I’ve just started working on the 1950’s freighter ship kit from Scalescenes which I’m enjoying. I’ll get back into it soon I’m sure, I got the layout running again just before I went away which was great and highlighted a couple of areas of track that needs to be improved and changed so that’ll be the next stage. Great to hear from you, I’m just off out with my old mates from work for a walk along the seafront and breakfast in a restaurant overlooking the estuary, we do it every Thursday morning, something I really enjoy, sadly now we talk more of our ailments rather than football and boobs! 🤣, still great fun though as we’ve all know each other for more than 40 years! Cheers mate, John
John, sounds like you're living an amazing life right now, a proper nice actually, and good on you. I've always wanted to go Australia and work out there for a couple of years teaching in the schools and colleges, but unfortunately (or not really, depending on how you look at it) I have massive family commitments here and there is no emancipation from that. To be honest, when you say about mojo, I kinda lost mine too, then I had this unexpected email from Hampshire Models saying they they have my hst in stock that was ordered 2 years ago and I sort of got excited again. I've had so many comments saying to run a canal and not a road through the hill, that I'm now on the fence about it all. I'm probably going to stick with the pub and road scene and somewhere water and those fishermen. I've heard of that modelu company and quite fancy that idea. It'll be easy doing me, bald head and stella belly! John enjoy your Thursday meet up with your mates. Thanks as always, Lee
Lee, Australia is a great commitment either going to work there or holiday, I really believe you need a good reason to go as it's so far, it's a horrendously long journey, if we go again we'd split the journey and stop somewhere on the way. The reason we went was that our best friends have moved out there otherwise we wouldn't have gone! There is no need to go that far as there are so many fabulous places much nearer! 👍
I know John, but it's just somewhere I've had on my mind for years... sunshine, english speaking, lovely beaches and they drive on the right side of the road. Just seems easier to settle there. Oh, and more importantly, crocodile dundee lives there! Lol
Hi Lee. Great vlog Lee Agree with you with the stone wall, just did a vlog with the other foam stuf. Got my control panel over it so don't notice it so much. Did a vlog on it, not had any negative comments. I'd seen the walls you used before I bought the foam stuff. Peco tunnel mouth looks great better than the Metcalf cardboard ones. If you add a field, you can then add animals, trees grassy knolls etc. Love the HST great rake of carriages. Got the hornby 125 with the light upgrade. No sound though. Thanks for sharing Lee. Thumbs up thumped 👍 ....Pete....
Hi Pete, welcome to the channel, and thanks for watching, I've just seen your other comments on my other vids, so I'll read those after this. Yeah, the stone wall came out really nice, I think I'll be using it again to do a scratch build on something, maybe another barn or some shops, maybe even a pub. The foamboard you got is supposed to be good, but I've never used it myself. The peco tunnel mouth came after looking at many different ones, and this looked the best, as the Metcalfe stuff is just not an option for me, but that's just my opinion. Right, Pete, I didn't know you had a channel so just searched and found it and subscribed. I'll have a look through mate, and comment. Thanks Pete. Lee
Hello mate, firstly, I just want you to know I've subscribed to your channel for ages and ages and love your work. I'm glad you like the country scene. It's nowhere near how it's going to eventually look. You're not wrong about a classic hst, they really are legends. Thanks again for your kind words, and look forward to seeing more of your layout too. Best regards Lee
Hi Alan. Yeah I agree with the farm house (nice decent size one). The 125 is amazing. It looks great and runs brilliant. Thanks again, take care and speak soon. Lee
It is looking good Lee, but i really think that a stream or small river coming under the bridge would be much more rural looking than a road. The odd ancient tree and some shingle as the water is low on a summer day would appeal, with a few cattle drinking. A lovely remote hillside scene, something like the S&C as it looks close to it now. Hst looks really good.
Yeah, I've had so many comments saying to do a river or stream and that it's more natural than a road, I'm going to take your advice here and go with a waterway. Because I do a lot of work in kent, I see a lot of roads going through hillsides, but according to you guys, it's just not the way to go and go with a river. From your message, I can tell that you certainly know your staff, and taking your advice seems very wise right now. Thank you for this, it really is useful. Take my friend and thanks again. Lee
Great progress, lee. You could have a canal going through a hillside, they have lots of canal tunnels through hills and stuff up north! It's your layout so you stick to what you want though. Ive just bought that same hsT as you. Jadlam were doing it for £349 so a good saving on Rails. Then I bought the coaches pre owned but never opened boxes for £34 each. Couldnt get the buffet so am going to have to pay full price for that! I recommend using the magnetic couplings that come with the coaches, makes the rake look a lot better. Hadnt noticed the A, B, C etc on the coaches though!
Do you know, I've bought a load of things from Jadlam (mainly rc), and never knew they did trains, especially things like this hst. You got yours cheap and a brilliant deal. The reason I said about the road and not the canal going into the hillside, is I do a lot of work in kent and see roads going through the most extreme size hills. The layout I was referring to has done a canal through the hillside and the layout is based on a location up north, and it looks amazing. Thanks for watching and commenting, I've enjoyed this chat. Thanks again. Lee
Hi Lee, doing a grand job hillside looking very realistic I do like those flexible stone walls you didn’t say what make they were or where you got them from those Jarvis ones looked like a hedge with snow on them , have a road in front with a country pub the HST set looks really nice cheers Al
Thank you, I'm glad you like it. It's funny because this tunnel has been the talk of the video, and it's brilliant because that's why I do videos, just for support and ideas in the comments. Right so, this tunnel MUST be a canal for it to make sence (makes perfect sense to too now, or has to go altogether. If it's a canal, I'd have to change the mouth to a more traditional one. What's your thoughts on that? Sorry to have to ask questions, but I'm just really interested in what you all think. Thanks again. Lee
Hi Lee, The country scene will be super looks good now so with the greening done a super place to film your HST's and I have the cross country HST pack on order from Key Model World as with you the sound one so hope not to long to wait for it but with the 12 cosches I have may be a bit big for the end to end layout me thinks!!!! Well done for doing all this and working as well keep well and fit and will await the next video. Cheers Robert.
Hello Robert, thanks for watching and commenting because I do enjoy my chats with you. Yeah once the static grass goes in, it'll really lift the whole look. I'm looking forward to seeing your crosscountry hst when it arrives. Thanks again Robert for our chats and your support. Take care my friend, Lee
Ah nice one Alan thanks for that. I'm glad you messaged me because I've done a tunnel for a road that goes through the hill. Now a lot of comments are saying no, it should be a canal and right they are too. One guy even told me to reference it, and he was absolutely spot on so I'm going with the canal. Reason I wanted to ask you is because I was thinking of the road tunnel at Folkestone that goes through that massive hill heading towards Dover. You know the one I mean?
@@leewhall2504 Hi Lee. Yes as I live in Dover I do know it !! . Have you seen my layout as it has hills and two levels. As for your tunnel/bridge, have what you wish !! I thought the road with a vehicle looked very interesting, Like you I don't care for too much goings on, less is more in my minds eye. Regards Alan in Dover
Alan, I watch your channel a lot and that's what made me ask you, because I knew you'd know. Keep up the good work Alan, your layout looks really good and always good to watch. I don't comment that often, but maybe I'll send some in your 'live with Alan in the loft' episodes. Thanks again Alan, Lee
Hi Lee Great work on the country scene and the stone walls do look good . I love the HST and it looks good running through the country side . I think you don’t want to over do it so a simple country scene and you could get away with a canal running into the hill. Cheers Kev
Hello kev. Funny enough I going call you to ask you how the hm7000 works, but innthe end, I just rannit as standard ddc with sound. Yeah a few people have commented saying about the canal, so I might give that a go. I totally agree that the hst really does look at home in the countryside and it's going to look really good when the details are added tobthe grass etc. Kev we really must meet up buddy. Are you going GETS?
You don't need luck kev, you'll be fine (hopefully) haha. I'm not going GETS either, it's just too busy, completely mental there. I'd rather watch people's videos
Hi Lee your Layout is coming on great .super hills and contours so real looking. Yes I know what you mean about roads and how many buildings etc . Less is more countryside and as you say the Trains passing through the hills and fields looks lovely. I wonder if a stream or narrow river winding it's way along the area before it gets to the edge you were saying about adding more baseboards. Just a thought I don't want to interfere with your plans . It's all looking wonderful enjoy your Landscaping. Best wishes Richard Canterbury.
Ah thanks Richard, that's really encouraging, thank you. I've always wanted to do water on the layout, when using some of the techniques, the water effect really can look amazing, so yes, I like your idea and I suppose the stream running along the embankment would be perfect for keeping cattle away from the railway. I really like your idea. Thank you. And also thanks for all your support, it's really appreciated. Best regards, Lee
Looks really good. Remember the old saying less is more and that really applies to your layout. The only thing that I would suggest is that the stone walling could be damaged and a Gerald type character (Clarkson’s Farm) could be repairing it.
Lol Clarksons farm is great and so is your idea. There's a guys on youtube that did a damaged stone wall using the exact stone wall and it came out really well. It's definitely something I'd like to do. Thanks again. Lee
Hi Lee the layout is really looking great now, and that country scene is really looking fab, personally i would extend it with some more fields, but try and keep the road running through it as like u said u want the eye to follow the trains rather than have diaromas everywhere, im so envious of u having that 125 mate, i had one when i was younger but im always looking to go and get another one, it looks and sounds superb, take care mate best wishes Norman
Morning Norman. I allays look forward to hearing from you when I post a video. Hope you've been keeping well. I agree with you, the board needs extending just to add those fields in front to give that look of the train going through the countryside and not running on the edge of a board with a huge hill behind it. I'm glad you like the 125, and hopefully, you'll get one one day. You won't be disappointed, mate, they are absolutely brilliant and run brilliant. As you know, I also have the swallow livery, and that is no different. Take care, mate, and enjoyed hearing from you as always. Lee
Hi Lee love your train diarama May be an idea for the flat area on the left, in front of the track, to keep this a country scene, is to make the flat area, or part of it a carpark, for ramblers. Create a footbridge over the railway, a worn footpath up the hill and a stile over the stone wall. In the carpark a notice board with information about the local walks. You could add some ramblers with backpacks climbing the footpath. I hope you like this idea.
That is actually a really good idea, I like that, and it's something I haven't thought about, and no one has suggested it. It would stick to the country scene, but also add some interest. Yes, I like it, and thank you. Lee
Looks good. U mentioned a town on that hill. If u used n gauge it would create perspective and make it look further away. Just an option Regards Daniel
Hello Daniel, You're on the money here with that comment. I can't remember the layout (massive and very popular) and they did just that with n gauge buildings in the distance and it really did look the part. Definitely taking that on board, so thanks for that. Take care mate and thanks again. Lee
That hill is going to look the pucker once it's finished. Tunnel looks nice.i don't know much about all this but the wall is getting there.have the Rd coming out of the tunnel leading up to the pub.nice view for the passengers on board 😀
Hello Mark. Thanks for watching mate and commenting. I know what you mean about the pub, I did really want a pub in that area. There's some really nice pub kits on the market, and some that you can add your own touch to, so haven't dismissed the pub idea yet. Thanks again Mark. Lee
Just found your channel, subscribed. That layout is going to be grand. I see what you mean about rotten fruit channel, if you had the stone tunnel mouth. As others have said maybe keep it minimal. The foam stone walls look perfect. Maybe have it like a moor?
Yes! Exactly. It will be too much like that rotten fruit channel, and I don't think I could bare looking at it. I'm doing exactly what you said (and the plan). Keep it minimal, and I've already started working on that idea. Thanks for subscribing. That means a lot, and so do your kind and useful comments. Thanks again, and I look forward to speaking again soon, Lee
Hi, great video of you scenery progress, your HST and rake of coaches is very nice indeed I got the intercity swallow from 2020 8pin dcc version, the coaches are very hard to get hold of because they’re rare and popular, I’m going to run mine with sleeper coaches eventually, I do like the original yellow/blue/grey intercity livery, unfortunately the 21 pin version model has fans that are noisy and very annoying, well my other sets are so I disconnected them, I’m prepared to wait until the price drops and hopefully the fan issues have been addressed, the coaches are very good for the money and don’t throw up any issues to be fair, thanks for sharing.
You hst swallow is the same as mine i think (it's appeared in many of my previous videos). Yeah, the swallow coaches can be quite hard to get hold of, I grabbed mine when I got the swallow hst, but still even at the time, they were really expensive. Best off, keeping an eye on ebay for some. They are however, like you said, very good coaches and extremely reliable. The other reason I kitted out the new hst with it's proper coaches, is I want to run the full swallow livery train at the same time as the executive. Thanks as always for watching and commenting, means a lot. Best regards, Lee
@@leewhall2504 My HST swallow set has buffers on the fronts of them and they’re the 8pin dcc models, I’m not sure if the set I would like if fans are fitted and work properly so I might give the set a look, the price is way too high for what you get in my opinion, I prefer ESU decoders in my locos, the HM7000 TXS decoders don’t really float my boat, I like a decoder I can get access to unfortunately the TXS decoders won’t let you do that.
My swallow hst is also 8 pin, and as for the hm7000 blue tooth control, I haven't even looked into how it works, just running it from my normal ddc controller
Great to hear your comment about focusing on the trains and not on all the ancillary stuff people seem to think they need to model.N. American modelers do this more and it makes those layouts more realistic IMO. HST looks brilliant.
Thank you for these kind words, and Im so glad you agree with my thinking of not blurring the trains out with diorama nonsense on every inch of the board. Thanks for your time to watch. Really appreciate it. Lee
Great video Lee mate, your country side scene sort of reminds me of Dawlish Warren to Dawlish in Devon, have you thought about doing a beach scene towards the front just do shingle and sand and then you don't have to try and do a water scene, the bridge could be like a soak away from the hills and railway, just a thought mate, glad to see you back on you tube. Keep up the excellent work mate, All the best mate from Dave at Chartwell Regis 👍👍👍
Ah thanks Dave, and thanks as always mate, enjoy hearing from you. It's funny you mentioned the Dawlish beach, because when I ran the hst for the first time, it actually reminded me of the exact same thing (that classic scene of an hst running along the dawlish seawall. I love that idea of just shingle and sand to avoid modelling the sea. Without sounding nasty, I haven't seen any layout that has successfully modelled the sea (just my opinion) so that's why I like your idea of givingbthe impression of a beach. Take care Dave and that again mate, really appreciate it and like your ideas. Lee
Less is more so they say and it can be tempting to fill every space, so I'd say keep it simple or even leave that bottom section until an idea pops up that would fit perfectly. Love what you've done so far and you can't beat an HST running at speed in the country :)
Thank you. I totally agree, you just cannot beat an hst blasting through countryside, it really does look good. Thanks for watching and commenting and also giving yiur support. Best regards, Lee
Hello Mike, hope you're keeping well. Always look forward to hearing from you as I always say. Yes, the Paxman Valenta engines where really loud due to that turbo wine, which actually does sound awesome (especially in real life). I do actually like the model's sound, but after a while it starts to grate the ears a bit. The Paxman is crazy knowing that it is a submarine engine sitting in a train. Mike thanks as always mate. Lee
@@leewhall2504 hello Lee, I am very well thanks and hope you are. I like the natural flow of the new scenery, but wonder if any part of Upminster still remains on the other side? Cheers for now, matey.
Hello Mike, yes mate, Upminster still remains untouched on the other side. I still need to do more to Upminster, such as build the other canopy, roads, carpark etc, but did the other side for now for a change and also when the other 2 boards get done, it'll all link in nicely. Take care Mike and thanks as always mate. Lee
@@leewhall2504 You too, Lee. I think this time you'll enjoy building it, then you can spend some time running the trains you want. Here's to the layout!
A great update. Already looks like the moors of the Pennines. I think less is more. A view primarily driven by my utter incompetence at scenery. The countryside railways run through is often very empty though. It makes a great background to view the trains. You could detail the 10 foot with signals, cable trunking. The road can be enough on its own. No need for a pub in the middle of nowhere. Unless of course it’s a venue for American werewolves or more likely a pub that has closed and waiting a new tenant.
You know what, you're right, why would there a pub in the middle of nowhere? The American Warewolf bit gave me the giggiles.It's really given me something to think about. Talking of the moors, that is the look I'm going for and also a minimal look
Hi Lee. The landform you've created looks very Yorkshire Dales-ish to me, so the sheep would be very appropriate, but if that's the image you're trying for I would go light on the trees and bushes on the higher areas above the line. In front I think fields would be good, perhaps with a narrowish 'B' road meandering along so it only appears in the scene in places rather than being visible for the whole length of the scene. If you wanted you could also, even closer to the board edge, give the impression of a rocky stream in places. Anyway, whatever you do I think you've got a great foundation there.
Hello Oz, I always look forward to hearing from you, buddy. Yes, I'm going for a total countryside scene here, so the sheep are definitely going on. I like your idea of the B road not always being in the scene as having it running alongside the railway is just too obvious and false. I also really like the idea of the stream because I really want some sort of water on the layout. The stream would look good with some cattle drinking from it, maybe. Eitherway, the B road idea coming of the board and not running the length is brilliant. You're right about trees, I'm not going to over populate everywhere with them and also choose the number of bushes carefully as sheep and cows are usually in grassland, not overgrown wastelands. Great speaking to you as always and you're comments have been really useful, so thank you and thanks for you're ongoing support, really appreciate it. Lee
After watching your video, in my opinion I would recommend that you remove the whole road along the edge of the layout and have your meadows with sheep , a small stream , a few bushes and few trees a wire fence would be nice and maybe a small dirt road for a farm tractor going a foot long. 😊 remember keeping it country !!!
Yes, I totally agree, and after long thoughts, that is exactly what I'm going to do. I would like a water scene, so it's going to be a river or a stream, fields and animals, 100%. Thanks again for your comment and for watching. Best regards, Lee
Remember less is more and keep it country ….. I would remove the road and have meadows with sheep and a small strem with a wire fence 😊 …. And I just subscribed
That’s a very nice piece of scenery . You are right on that dry stone wall - it looks very effective . Looks very Westmorland to me Settle Carlisle or the WCML around Lune Gorge . Only thing is where does the other side of the road come out from your bridge?
I know, where doe's the road come out? I thought the same about the canal, but apparently according to everyone that has watched it, I couldn't have been more wrong. I just want the layout to be convincing and I think to achieve this, the road idea will have to be scrapped in favour of a canal. This is why I do videos, to get comments like yours, it really is useful and means a lot. Glad you like the stone wall, I was really pleased with that. Let me know any other thoughts, because I really take them on board. Thanks again. Lee
Just watched this with my grandson (12) he loves the landscape you've created. He's busy building a 009 layout at the moment and finds videos like this inspiring. If you've not seen it, have a quick look at Dylan's 009 build on his Dylington Model Railway channel. Which also features videos filmed on his OO layout, some with stop-motion animation. Great video again... Cheers James 🙂👍
What a lovely comment. Tell your 12 year old grandson I said hello and I've just subscribed to your channel. It's so nice hearing youngsters getting into the hobby, and amazing that my video is inspiring. Thanks for your kind comments and warching. Lee
@leewhall2504 Thank you, Lee. I will be sure to tell him he'll be so pleased you've subscribed. He's doing all the work himself on his 009 layout, and I must admit he's doing a nice job of it 🙂👍
If it's him doing it, it will always be a good job because it's how he sees it, which will also make it right every time. I'll be watching and commenting. Take care mate, and thanks for sharing your veiws and giving me the opportunity to subscribe to your channel. Lee
The drystone walling comes from 'That Model Railway Guy'. He has a website and also a RUclips channel. Thanks for watching and your kind words. Best regards Lee
Hi Lee great update mate. I like the new hst very smart. Are you going to fit hunts couplings? As for the front bit of the layout I like the fields option. You can add so much detail with hedges, odd trees, maybe a small stream. The list is endless and it'll give a nice countryside perspective for the trains. The back bit ie the road from the farm house to the hill top I'd be inclined to have it as a farm track leading up to a moorland type area. Again it's countryside and it won't detract from the trains. In the end it's your layout, your decision. Atb Andy
Hello Andy, great to hear from you as always mate. Yeah, I'm with you on the fields at the front as I really want to keep that countryside look and feel, I've always wanted a water scene too, so I like the idea of a stream. That top part is not a bad size area really to do something with and your idea would keep to the countryside theme. Like in the video, I just want the focus on the trains and the hst blasting through the countryside looks amazing. Glad you like it Andy and always good to speak to you. Take care mate. Lee
Ah, thank you. Yeah, the catenary would actually look the part, but I wouldn't have the confidence to model it, so it looked right. Thanks again, really appreciate your kind words, and thanks for watching. Lee
@leewhall2504 Catenary is really moving on these days .. folks in the industry have really come to the table on how big it can be .. and it's really quite simple and there's no shortage of it to see .. as more lines are being added to "" the knitting "" kind regards, Kat
as you are extending the board and you want a countryside setting, a canal would be ideal. Use the existing section as a B road and track. This will offer you a few options for tiny set scenes, bus stop, walkers, canal and even a small pub on the canal side. Great idea and a new sub
That's actually a really good idea. I really want a pub and have done for ages, I also would like water and your suggestion does both. Thanks for the sub and also your comment, much appreciated. Best regards Lee
Hi Lee, From the HST point of view, my 1986 Platform 5 book says Western was a mix of 7/8 Carriages, Cross Country tendered to be 7, ECML was 8, and Maybe put a Farm in the space at the bottom. But the layout is looking good
Yeah, you mentioning your p5 book, I've got a hardback book on the hst, and they really are amazing. That 7th coach I need is the trailer guard second and it'll be interesting to know what running number and letter it has. Just can't find one at the minute for sale. The farm is a good idea, as the back hills are also farmland, can't see it yet but once the animals go in and maybe a tractor, it should start looking the part. Thanks for watching and commenting with your ideas, means a lot. Take care. Lee
It's definitely either got to be changed to a canal, apparently there's a canal that runs through something similar called Standedge Tunnel in Yorkshire that runs 4 miles long (moe convincing a road). So it's either a canal or no tunnel at all. What's your thoughts? Thanks again. Lee
Great video lee. The lanscape is fantastic and a great view to watch the trains go by. But i know you are a perfectionist. And thats why i dont think you will be happy with that bridge. It looks great dont get me wrong, but it doesnt work. It doesnt go anywhere. The other side of the tracks is just hills. Hmmm
Yes! Exactly! But I do a lot of work in kent and there are road tunnels that literally go through mountain size hills (Folkestone) is a perfect example. Thats why if I keep it, it'll have to be a road tunnel. What do you reckon?
Nice set up, just took delivery of my hst's been on so called "pre order" I always thought you got them ahead of everyone else 🙄 anyway, though the trains themselves are ok,I understood prior to purchase they came with working fans ? Got the noise of em , but no sign of working fans in my book. Just wondered what if any your thoughts were on this ? lot of money for them otherwise I think.
Hello mate, thanks for watching and your comment. They really are lovely trains although expensive. I've only ran my one once and to be honest I didn't even think about the fans. I'm curious now, so I'll check it when I get a moment to go up there and I'll let you know. Thanks again. Lee
It took me along time to get my favourite hst barbie blue ,I'm running 2 plus 7 that includes the guard coach and the dearest one the buffet car ,letter on the coaches all run in sinc but as you said dose it matter as you won't see them when running yes this is true but the think is we know we done our best to get it right ,I live in Cornwall and sometimes they run a 2 plus 8 then 2 plus 7 which seem a bit better ,well anyway enjoyed the video .
Your absolutely right, it's just knowing we did our best and even though you won't see the numbers, we know they're there. Your hst sounds lovely, but then I also love Cornwall, been to many places there. Thanks again, Lee
Hi, As you can imagine, I know Silvertown very well. I grew up in Poplar, then moved and lived in Canning Town for many years. Thanks for watching and commenting. All the best, Lee
Keep it simple. You have a great base. Don't turn it into Disney land in the foreground. "Simple" fields are more than enough. Like you said, the focus is on the trains. Everard Junction did some phenomenal work in a similar space - yours will have it's own style.
Lol! Disney Land gave me the giggles. But you're right 100%. The aim of the countryside was to focus on trains not so much scenery. I'm having a lot of comments on the bridge, as it should be a canal, not a road. I know now that the canal makes perfect sense and not the road., so either a canal or get rid of it, what do you reckon? Thanks again. Lee
@leewhall2504 canal works a treat. Or just a shallow Dale's stream, whichever floats your boat. Water is always an eye catching feature and you've got a decent bridge in place.
The plate girder bridge looks great but where does the proposed road go? Directly behind is the hillside and without some sort of tunnel definition behind the bridge, it is hard to justify its presence. Also, the side opposite your view lacks the other girder. Perhaps instead of a road, you carved out a waterfall behind the plate girder and ran the water beneath.
I really like that idea, but it would be difficult to pull off the waterfall modelling wise To be honest, I'm not sure the girder bridge goes with the scene at all?
Yeah, I know exactly what you mean. The mk3 coaches are really long. Although you can't run it, you could have it set up on a long slim shelf? Then maybe take it to club for a good run? Or maybe even set it up as a display piece on a shelf (full rake) and then runnit with just a few coahes? Just a thought. Take care and thanks. Lee
@@leewhall2504 I have just started a 12ft x 1.5ft for filming. I left the club that had a 36ft layout. Unfortunately, DCC was a risk on that layout and some people's decoders burnt out. It was good for DC though.
I wouldn’t have a road coming out of the hill. With the age of the landscape and railway a canal coming out of a canal tunnel under the railway bridge would be much more realistic. Roads back in the day went over the hill not through it
Yes. You're right, and I've decided since posting this video that it has to be a canal or no bridge at all. "Roads back in the day went over hills, not through it." Really love that comment, and it's so terse too, but true. Thanks again, Lee
Hi Lee I live in marsden West Yorkshire and we do have a canal tunnel going under the moors that’s nearly 4 mile long and it also runs parallel to a Manchester-Leeds main line with scenery very similar to yours google - Standege Tunnel end and you will see thanks
Now this is what we are talking about. Omg, I just googled Stanedge tunnel, and I am blow away! You are absolutely spot on. The road idea is going, and an appropriate looking tunnel mouth and canal is taking its place. Thank you so much for sharing. Lee
TECHNICAL ISSUES - CODE 75 VERSUS CODE 100 AND MINIMUM RADII !!! Your layout is coming along nicely. A couple of technical points to note however, are the issue of track type, and curvature. The reason for the existence of Code 75 & Code 100 track, which today only seems to afflict Britain, is as follows. In 1989ish the NEM Conference in Germany, which invited all European based manufacturers. Was to introduce refined STANDARDS generally to Model Railways in Europe including Britain, thanks to the availability of more modern computerised tooling then becoming available. First on the list was of course track, as it was now possible to actually make rail sizes exactly to scale. Hence Code 75 was introduced. But changing both the height & width of rail, required changes to ALL wheels by ALL manufactures to suit the new profile. Which meant wheel tread width had to be reduced, as well as flange depth, and most importantly the curve between wheel tread and flange. This last was now set at RP25 (Radius Profile 2.5mm) !!!! What this means is that models trains with older Pre NEM wheel types would not run on the new Code 75 track fluently, and new NEM wheelsets would NOT run perfectly on older Code 100 track. As the distance between the rails has itself been fractionally increased, due to the fractionally thinner rail. PECO (UK) were of course heavily involved in the NEM conference ! The biggest issues created by refining track to Code 75, are the pathways through checkrails of points, and the frog area, which are noticeably narrower. This means using the older Code 100 pointwork the flangeways are to large for Code 75 wheels. The result is often spurious derailments by modern models when operated through old Code 100 pointwork, especially Steam locos with long rigid chassis. CURVATURE - IS A MAJOR ISSUE NOT WELL UNDERSTOOD ! An even bigger issue is the "Minimum radius" of curves. In real life a Diesel loco such as a Class 45 1-Co-Co-1 or a 4-6-2 Pacific such as Flying Scotsman requires a MINIMUM RADIUS 4.5 Chain curve to be taken at WALKING PACE. 4.5 Chains = 297 feet. So in 4mm OO scale this is a radius of 1188mm or just under 4ft radius !!! A 30mph curve therefore works out at around 4ft 6in, and a 50mph curve in OO at around 5ft 3in radius. So even Hornby with its now horrendously outdated Code 100 clip together track system (Still made for Hornby by Roco in Austria) has had no choice but to set the minimum radius for larger models at "Radius 2" (438mm around 17inches) !!! BUT and its a BIG but. The Laws of Physics apply equally to real trains and models. The relevant Physical Law is that with EVERY degree of Radius in a curve, the power available in the Locomotive must increase by the SQUARE ROOT. A typical well known test for model engines is to run a Hornby (Code 75) Flying Scotsman, through various curves from Radius 2 (438mm) upwards, and see how many carriages it will pull. At the minimum 438mm Radius 2 such a loco will only pull usually 4 bogie coaches before wheel slipping sets in. But the same loco will happily haul 12/13 coaches around 5ft 3in Curves. Most importantly, the larger the radius the less stress is exerted on the Motor and its gearing, increasing Motor & gear life considerably !!! MODEL CURVATURE TESTS REVEALED... In large scale tests carried out around 10 years ago, on a large four track mainline exhibition layout (90ft x 30ft) , some very interesting findings were discovered testing over 100 British outline locos types and dozens of carriage types. From Bachmann, Hornby, Dapol, Heljan and specialist manufacturers such as DJH. This also involved the use of the current "British tension lock type coupling" & the U.S Kadee (British Buckeye type) auto magnetically uncoupleable type. Firstly minimum radius for scale length trains (loco & 12 coaches) using the shorter Kadee magnetic Buckeye type coupling. This revealed that perfect running even through complex Slips & Double Slips required curves no less than 5ft Radius. Which allowed coaches to be realistically Close coupled so corridor gangways touched without derailments, and the gap between locos & their tenders to also be reduced to real life settings. If the traditional British tension lock (toy) coupling is used, then radii of 4ft 6in MINIMUM still allowed reliable running, with the penalty that coaches could no longer be Close coupled to the point where gangways touched as in real life. The Club layout as a result set a Minimum 5ft for all curves, except in Goods yards which was set at 4ft 3in, due to the generally small locos and short 4 wheel wagons used in such Yards. This of course also dictated that ALL visible pointwork would have to be handbuilt (about 115 points). Only in the Fiddle Yard were Peco Code 75, Large 5ft radius points possible. Further the handbuilt points required proper sturdy Fulgurex 12v DC Motor Driven Motors, as being the only type strong enough to cope reliably. They also, when purchased directly from Fulgurex in Switzerland work out cheaper than virtually all other types. Indeed "SOLENOID" mechanisms are never used, as these will destroy PECO points due to their constant hammering of the blades, which results in the plastic tiebar breaking loose !! On a Club layout the cost of commercial points such as PECO is prohibitive, when it is understood a 6ft radius handbuilt point can be built in around two hours for just £5.00 !!! I built the points using code 75 Bullhead rail (which is quicker and easier to file than flatbottom rail) and Copper Clad sleeper strip provided by "Marcway Models" in Sheffield. They have a Website, and are also very helpful on the phone with any questions you have about track building 😀 Happy Modelling.
Oh yeah, they really are excellent models. I've had the swallow livery hst for a few years now, and it still runs perfectly. I like the blue and yellow one you have, it's the original livery. Thanks for watching and commenting. Best regards Lee
Just found your channel and like the uncluttered scene which really frames the trains running through. It looks like I’m modelling a similar era to you judging by your HST’s and just wanted to say running mixed executive and swallow power cars/coaching set formations was commonly happening in the late 80’s as seen in the videos on here of the likes of @MrDeltic15 and @spompeytransportvideo as the repainting programme cycled from blue grey to executive then swallow. It would give you a good excuse to use the TGS from your Swallow set with your executive set, as breakdowns led to temporarily adding in coaches from other sets, and also mix and match your power cars if you so wanted.
Hi. Firstly, thank you for watching and secondly thanks for your comment. Yes you are quite right there with the mixed coaches. I do in fact, have a tgs swallow livery, but I also have the hst in swallow livery too that I use on it. Apparently the tgs are quite difficult to get, but I'll keep looking as it would be nice to have the full rake 125 livery running with a full rake swallow. I just need to be patient. I'm glad you like the countryside theme, and the purpose was exactly how you said it, to see the trains. Thanks again. Lee
Hi Lee,
You have been busy.
The new scenic section is a real contrast to your station area.
Your HST looks & sounds superb too. 👍
Ah thank you and also thanks for all your ongoing support, I really appreciate it. Lee
Greetings from the Antipodes Lee trust you are tolerably well.
As the minimalist approach to scenery is what pleases your heart and mind in order to focus on running I think that you could just have the road emerging from the hillside and leave it at that. No need to extend the bench work now. As you aren’t aspiring to build a diorama you can nevertheless indulge in vignettes with the pastoral structures and tunnels and bridges that you have so far but add to those as other projects appeal to you in the future.
The overall design is steadily emerging and ultimately it is your aesthetic which is most important to please. Being different to others is your gift to the community.
Your new HST set is very handsome and I hope that you will develop it over time to satisfy yourself.
Always happy to see your occasional posts on progress.
Regards
Ian.
Hello Ian. Lovely to hear from you, as always, my friend. I totally agree with the road coming straight out. I think sometimes a lot of layouts false things in that just wouldn't work/look right in the real world. There's a great philosopher and writer (Alan Watts), and he once said, "False nothing, to false something will make it unnatural." Yes, I don't like to copy others, although I do like taking ideas. Glad you like the new HST, this livery really means a lot to me. Ian thanks so much for watching and giving your support as you always do. Take care my friend and best wishes. Lee
Hi Lee, great to see you back. The country scene looks great. With extending the board and the pub maybe add a road but with just a few country houses and cottages leading up to the pub. I really like the HST I have one purchased about 5 years ago, a great runner and looks really good going around any layout. All the best Lee. David
Hello david, nice to hear from you as always. I'm actually halfway through your last update. Yeah, I've sort of got my heart set on the pub scene, so whether it's a road or canal, the pub has to be there. I like your idea of cottages/houses leading up to the pub. I've just got so many ideas now and gotta make a decision. Thanks as always david for your support, always look forward to hearing from you. Thanks again. Lee
Fair dues Lee, plenty progress, it's coming along nicely.
Thanks, and thanks for watching and commenting 😊
Great train and layout. I like the orientation of the house as well. A patio / garden and maybe a clothesline will look great.
I was thinking the same thing, and nowadays there's just so many details you can buy from different manufacturers, like you said with the washing line and you can now even buy a bbq. I'm glad you like the orientation of the house because I did that deliberately. Thanks again. Lee
Hi Lee, excellent work mate, that whole scene is taking shape nicely. I agree with you about keeping it simple, i.e. just country side, but I do like the idea of a country pub by the bridge, maybe a nice scratch build project or perhaps have a bit of a kit bash and use the Metcalfe kit and use the plastic brick and roof tiles to make it a look a bit different. A canal wouldn’t be to out of place as many ran under tunnels through the hills. As for the addition you’re going to do to the baseboards fields would be just fine but I find often as I go things develop so don’t be to against adding a little scene of interest, maybe a nice pond surrounded by some trees or something. Like I say see what develops.
Hope you’re all well, great to see you that you’ve been working on the layout. I’m struggling to get back to mine after the summer, so many things to do at home as well as trying to paint the cabin, but it keeps raining!!!! Lo! Cheers Lee, John
Hello John, wasn't sure when you was back from your trip, but great to hear from you mate as always. John, you know what mate, the pub idea just won't leave my head because I always imagined a little pub just by the bridge. After doing the bridge using Wills stone walling sheets, I'm really considering using it to make a small country pub (think I'll end up doing that tbh). I like the pond idea too as water is another thing I've always wanted to have on the layout. I got back into fishing this year after 10 or so years and if I did a water scene, I'd have to do fishermen. It's all getting quite exciting now, but unfortunately, just like you, I have so much to do to the house. Thanks as always John, and like always, great to hear from you. Take care mate, Lee
hi Lee, yes been back for a while, Melanie (Mrs Exehaven) had to go back to work, we were in Australia for about a month in August, then I went off to France to play some golf.
Your plans sound good mate and I look forward to that pond with the fisherman, you should get yourself scanned and a model of you made as a fisherman! Is it Modelu that do that?🤔
To be honest my mojo as they say has gone a bit but it is coming back, I’ve just started working on the 1950’s freighter ship kit from Scalescenes which I’m enjoying. I’ll get back into it soon I’m sure, I got the layout running again just before I went away which was great and highlighted a couple of areas of track that needs to be improved and changed so that’ll be the next stage.
Great to hear from you, I’m just off out with my old mates from work for a walk along the seafront and breakfast in a restaurant overlooking the estuary, we do it every Thursday morning, something I really enjoy, sadly now we talk more of our ailments rather than football and boobs! 🤣, still great fun though as we’ve all know each other for more than 40 years!
Cheers mate, John
John, sounds like you're living an amazing life right now, a proper nice actually, and good on you. I've always wanted to go Australia and work out there for a couple of years teaching in the schools and colleges, but unfortunately (or not really, depending on how you look at it) I have massive family commitments here and there is no emancipation from that. To be honest, when you say about mojo, I kinda lost mine too, then I had this unexpected email from Hampshire Models saying they they have my hst in stock that was ordered 2 years ago and I sort of got excited again. I've had so many comments saying to run a canal and not a road through the hill, that I'm now on the fence about it all. I'm probably going to stick with the pub and road scene and somewhere water and those fishermen. I've heard of that modelu company and quite fancy that idea. It'll be easy doing me, bald head and stella belly! John enjoy your Thursday meet up with your mates. Thanks as always, Lee
Lee, Australia is a great commitment either going to work there or holiday, I really believe you need a good reason to go as it's so far, it's a horrendously long journey, if we go again we'd split the journey and stop somewhere on the way. The reason we went was that our best friends have moved out there otherwise we wouldn't have gone!
There is no need to go that far as there are so many fabulous places much nearer! 👍
I know John, but it's just somewhere I've had on my mind for years... sunshine, english speaking, lovely beaches and they drive on the right side of the road. Just seems easier to settle there. Oh, and more importantly, crocodile dundee lives there! Lol
Hi Lee.
Great vlog Lee
Agree with you with the stone wall, just did a vlog with the other foam stuf. Got my control panel over it so don't notice it so much. Did a vlog on it, not had any negative comments. I'd seen the walls you used before I bought the foam stuff.
Peco tunnel mouth looks great better than the Metcalf cardboard ones.
If you add a field, you can then add animals, trees grassy knolls etc.
Love the HST great rake of carriages. Got the hornby 125 with the light upgrade. No sound though.
Thanks for sharing Lee.
Thumbs up thumped 👍
....Pete....
Hi Pete, welcome to the channel, and thanks for watching, I've just seen your other comments on my other vids, so I'll read those after this.
Yeah, the stone wall came out really nice, I think I'll be using it again to do a scratch build on something, maybe another barn or some shops, maybe even a pub. The foamboard you got is supposed to be good, but I've never used it myself. The peco tunnel mouth came after looking at many different ones, and this looked the best, as the Metcalfe stuff is just not an option for me, but that's just my opinion.
Right, Pete, I didn't know you had a channel so just searched and found it and subscribed. I'll have a look through mate, and comment. Thanks Pete. Lee
@@leewhall2504 Hi Lee.
Thanks for the sub. Not got a big layout, 10ftx10ft not as nice as yours.
Cheers bud.
....Pete....
Fantastic video thanks for sharing looking forward to more 👍🏻
@darrenfawkner2018 ah lovely, thank you, and thanks for watching and commenting. Best regards, Lee
Countryside scene is coming along very nicely and you can't beat a classic Intercity HST. Thanks for putting the update together and sharing.
Hello mate, firstly, I just want you to know I've subscribed to your channel for ages and ages and love your work. I'm glad you like the country scene. It's nowhere near how it's going to eventually look. You're not wrong about a classic hst, they really are legends. Thanks again for your kind words, and look forward to seeing more of your layout too. Best regards Lee
hi Lee, a farm house in that top corner would look good. That 125 looks fantastic. Great video. cheers fella.
Hi Alan. Yeah I agree with the farm house (nice decent size one). The 125 is amazing. It looks great and runs brilliant. Thanks again, take care and speak soon. Lee
It is looking good Lee, but i really think that a stream or small river coming under the bridge would be much more rural looking than a road. The odd ancient tree and some shingle as the water is low on a summer day would appeal, with a few cattle drinking. A lovely remote hillside scene, something like the S&C as it looks close to it now. Hst looks really good.
Yeah, I've had so many comments saying to do a river or stream and that it's more natural than a road, I'm going to take your advice here and go with a waterway. Because I do a lot of work in kent, I see a lot of roads going through hillsides, but according to you guys, it's just not the way to go and go with a river. From your message, I can tell that you certainly know your staff, and taking your advice seems very wise right now. Thank you for this, it really is useful. Take my friend and thanks again. Lee
Great progress, lee. You could have a canal going through a hillside, they have lots of canal tunnels through hills and stuff up north! It's your layout so you stick to what you want though.
Ive just bought that same hsT as you. Jadlam were doing it for £349 so a good saving on Rails. Then I bought the coaches pre owned but never opened boxes for £34 each. Couldnt get the buffet so am going to have to pay full price for that! I recommend using the magnetic couplings that come with the coaches, makes the rake look a lot better. Hadnt noticed the A, B, C etc on the coaches though!
Do you know, I've bought a load of things from Jadlam (mainly rc), and never knew they did trains, especially things like this hst. You got yours cheap and a brilliant deal. The reason I said about the road and not the canal going into the hillside, is I do a lot of work in kent and see roads going through the most extreme size hills. The layout I was referring to has done a canal through the hillside and the layout is based on a location up north, and it looks amazing. Thanks for watching and commenting, I've enjoyed this chat. Thanks again. Lee
Hi Lee, doing a grand job hillside looking very realistic I do like those flexible stone walls you didn’t say what make they were or where you got them from those Jarvis ones looked like a hedge with snow on them , have a road in front with a country pub the HST set looks really nice cheers Al
Thank you, I'm glad you like it. It's funny because this tunnel has been the talk of the video, and it's brilliant because that's why I do videos, just for support and ideas in the comments. Right so, this tunnel MUST be a canal for it to make sence (makes perfect sense to too now, or has to go altogether. If it's a canal, I'd have to change the mouth to a more traditional one. What's your thoughts on that? Sorry to have to ask questions, but I'm just really interested in what you all think. Thanks again. Lee
Hi Lee,
The country scene will be super looks good now so with the greening done a super place to film your HST's and I have the cross country HST pack on order from Key Model World as with you the sound one so hope not to long to wait for it but with the 12 cosches I have may be a bit big for the end to end layout me thinks!!!! Well done for doing all this and working as well keep well and fit and will await the next video.
Cheers Robert.
Hello Robert, thanks for watching and commenting because I do enjoy my chats with you. Yeah once the static grass goes in, it'll really lift the whole look. I'm looking forward to seeing your crosscountry hst when it arrives. Thanks again Robert for our chats and your support. Take care my friend, Lee
Nice looking hillside, I like that it's uncluttered with over detail, trains are going to look great thundering by. Regards Alan :o)
Ah nice one Alan thanks for that. I'm glad you messaged me because I've done a tunnel for a road that goes through the hill. Now a lot of comments are saying no, it should be a canal and right they are too. One guy even told me to reference it, and he was absolutely spot on so I'm going with the canal. Reason I wanted to ask you is because I was thinking of the road tunnel at Folkestone that goes through that massive hill heading towards Dover. You know the one I mean?
@@leewhall2504 Hi Lee. Yes as I live in Dover I do know it !! . Have you seen my layout as it has hills and two levels. As for your tunnel/bridge, have what you wish !! I thought the road with a vehicle looked very interesting, Like you I don't care for too much goings on, less is more in my minds eye. Regards Alan in Dover
Alan, I watch your channel a lot and that's what made me ask you, because I knew you'd know. Keep up the good work Alan, your layout looks really good and always good to watch. I don't comment that often, but maybe I'll send some in your 'live with Alan in the loft' episodes. Thanks again Alan, Lee
Hi Lee
Great work on the country scene and the stone walls do look good .
I love the HST and it looks good running through the country side .
I think you don’t want to over do it so a simple country scene and you could get away with a canal running into the hill.
Cheers Kev
Hello kev. Funny enough I going call you to ask you how the hm7000 works, but innthe end, I just rannit as standard ddc with sound. Yeah a few people have commented saying about the canal, so I might give that a go. I totally agree that the hst really does look at home in the countryside and it's going to look really good when the details are added tobthe grass etc. Kev we really must meet up buddy. Are you going GETS?
Hi Mate - yes must meet up 👍🏾👍🏾 I’m not going to GETS this year as I’m doing a 50km charity walk instead - wish me luck 😀😀
You don't need luck kev, you'll be fine (hopefully) haha. I'm not going GETS either, it's just too busy, completely mental there. I'd rather watch people's videos
Hi Lee your Layout is coming on great .super hills and contours so real looking. Yes I know what you mean about roads and how many buildings etc . Less is more countryside and as you say the Trains passing through the hills and fields looks lovely. I wonder if a stream or narrow river winding it's way along the area before it gets to the edge you were saying about adding more baseboards. Just a thought I don't want to interfere with your plans . It's all looking wonderful enjoy your Landscaping. Best wishes Richard Canterbury.
Ah thanks Richard, that's really encouraging, thank you. I've always wanted to do water on the layout, when using some of the techniques, the water effect really can look amazing, so yes, I like your idea and I suppose the stream running along the embankment would be perfect for keeping cattle away from the railway. I really like your idea. Thank you. And also thanks for all your support, it's really appreciated. Best regards, Lee
Looks really good. Remember the old saying less is more and that really applies to your layout. The only thing that I would suggest is that the stone walling could be damaged and a Gerald type character (Clarkson’s Farm) could be repairing it.
Lol Clarksons farm is great and so is your idea. There's a guys on youtube that did a damaged stone wall using the exact stone wall and it came out really well. It's definitely something I'd like to do. Thanks again. Lee
Hi Lee the layout is really looking great now, and that country scene is really looking fab, personally i would extend it with some more fields, but try and keep the road running through it as like u said u want the eye to follow the trains rather than have diaromas everywhere, im so envious of u having that 125 mate, i had one when i was younger but im always looking to go and get another one, it looks and sounds superb, take care mate best wishes Norman
Morning Norman. I allays look forward to hearing from you when I post a video. Hope you've been keeping well. I agree with you, the board needs extending just to add those fields in front to give that look of the train going through the countryside and not running on the edge of a board with a huge hill behind it. I'm glad you like the 125, and hopefully, you'll get one one day. You won't be disappointed, mate, they are absolutely brilliant and run brilliant. As you know, I also have the swallow livery, and that is no different. Take care, mate, and enjoyed hearing from you as always. Lee
Hi Lee love your train diarama May be an idea for the flat area on the left, in front of the track, to keep this a country scene, is to make the flat area, or part of it a carpark, for ramblers. Create a footbridge over the railway, a worn footpath up the hill and a stile over the stone wall. In the carpark a notice board with information about the local walks. You could add some ramblers with backpacks climbing the footpath.
I hope you like this idea.
That is actually a really good idea, I like that, and it's something I haven't thought about, and no one has suggested it. It would stick to the country scene, but also add some interest. Yes, I like it, and thank you. Lee
@@leewhall2504 I am delighted you like the idea I look forward to the video of the build.
Looks good. U mentioned a town on that hill. If u used n gauge it would create perspective and make it look further away. Just an option
Regards
Daniel
Hello Daniel,
You're on the money here with that comment. I can't remember the layout (massive and very popular) and they did just that with n gauge buildings in the distance and it really did look the part. Definitely taking that on board, so thanks for that. Take care mate and thanks again. Lee
That hill is going to look the pucker once it's finished. Tunnel looks nice.i don't know much about all this but the wall is getting there.have the Rd coming out of the tunnel leading up to the pub.nice view for the passengers on board 😀
Hello Mark. Thanks for watching mate and commenting. I know what you mean about the pub, I did really want a pub in that area. There's some really nice pub kits on the market, and some that you can add your own touch to, so haven't dismissed the pub idea yet. Thanks again Mark. Lee
Just found your channel, subscribed. That layout is going to be grand. I see what you mean about rotten fruit channel, if you had the stone tunnel mouth. As others have said maybe keep it minimal. The foam stone walls look perfect. Maybe have it like a moor?
Yes! Exactly. It will be too much like that rotten fruit channel, and I don't think I could bare looking at it. I'm doing exactly what you said (and the plan). Keep it minimal, and I've already started working on that idea. Thanks for subscribing. That means a lot, and so do your kind and useful comments. Thanks again, and I look forward to speaking again soon, Lee
Hi, great video of you scenery progress, your HST and rake of coaches is very nice indeed I got the intercity swallow from 2020 8pin dcc version, the coaches are very hard to get hold of because they’re rare and popular, I’m going to run mine with sleeper coaches eventually, I do like the original yellow/blue/grey intercity livery, unfortunately the 21 pin version model has fans that are noisy and very annoying, well my other sets are so I disconnected them, I’m prepared to wait until the price drops and hopefully the fan issues have been addressed, the coaches are very good for the money and don’t throw up any issues to be fair, thanks for sharing.
You hst swallow is the same as mine i think (it's appeared in many of my previous videos). Yeah, the swallow coaches can be quite hard to get hold of, I grabbed mine when I got the swallow hst, but still even at the time, they were really expensive. Best off, keeping an eye on ebay for some. They are however, like you said, very good coaches and extremely reliable. The other reason I kitted out the new hst with it's proper coaches, is I want to run the full swallow livery train at the same time as the executive. Thanks as always for watching and commenting, means a lot. Best regards, Lee
@@leewhall2504 My HST swallow set has buffers on the fronts of them and they’re the 8pin dcc models, I’m not sure if the set I would like if fans are fitted and work properly so I might give the set a look, the price is way too high for what you get in my opinion, I prefer ESU decoders in my locos, the HM7000 TXS decoders don’t really float my boat, I like a decoder I can get access to unfortunately the TXS decoders won’t let you do that.
My swallow hst is also 8 pin, and as for the hm7000 blue tooth control, I haven't even looked into how it works, just running it from my normal ddc controller
Great to hear your comment about focusing on the trains and not on all the ancillary stuff people seem to think they need to model.N. American modelers do this more and it makes those layouts more realistic IMO. HST looks brilliant.
Thank you for these kind words, and Im so glad you agree with my thinking of not blurring the trains out with diorama nonsense on every inch of the board. Thanks for your time to watch. Really appreciate it. Lee
Great video Lee mate, your country side scene sort of reminds me of Dawlish Warren to Dawlish in Devon, have you thought about doing a beach scene towards the front just do shingle and sand and then you don't have to try and do a water scene, the bridge could be like a soak away from the hills and railway, just a thought mate, glad to see you back on you tube. Keep up the excellent work mate, All the best mate from Dave at Chartwell Regis 👍👍👍
Ah thanks Dave, and thanks as always mate, enjoy hearing from you. It's funny you mentioned the Dawlish beach, because when I ran the hst for the first time, it actually reminded me of the exact same thing (that classic scene of an hst running along the dawlish seawall. I love that idea of just shingle and sand to avoid modelling the sea. Without sounding nasty, I haven't seen any layout that has successfully modelled the sea (just my opinion) so that's why I like your idea of givingbthe impression of a beach. Take care Dave and that again mate, really appreciate it and like your ideas. Lee
Less is more so they say and it can be tempting to fill every space, so I'd say keep it simple or even leave that bottom section until an idea pops up that would fit perfectly. Love what you've done so far and you can't beat an HST running at speed in the country :)
Thank you. I totally agree, you just cannot beat an hst blasting through countryside, it really does look good. Thanks for watching and commenting and also giving yiur support. Best regards, Lee
Welcome back, Lee. Nice HST, that really annoying whistle is correct for any Paxman-engined power cars! Cheers, Mike
Hello Mike, hope you're keeping well. Always look forward to hearing from you as I always say. Yes, the Paxman Valenta engines where really loud due to that turbo wine, which actually does sound awesome (especially in real life). I do actually like the model's sound, but after a while it starts to grate the ears a bit. The Paxman is crazy knowing that it is a submarine engine sitting in a train. Mike thanks as always mate. Lee
@@leewhall2504 hello Lee, I am very well thanks and hope you are. I like the natural flow of the new scenery, but wonder if any part of Upminster still remains on the other side? Cheers for now, matey.
Hello Mike, yes mate, Upminster still remains untouched on the other side. I still need to do more to Upminster, such as build the other canopy, roads, carpark etc, but did the other side for now for a change and also when the other 2 boards get done, it'll all link in nicely. Take care Mike and thanks as always mate. Lee
@@leewhall2504 You too, Lee. I think this time you'll enjoy building it, then you can spend some time running the trains you want. Here's to the layout!
Thanks Mike
A great update. Already looks like the moors of the Pennines. I think less is more. A view primarily driven by my utter incompetence at scenery. The countryside railways run through is often very empty though. It makes a great background to view the trains. You could detail the 10 foot with signals, cable trunking. The road can be enough on its own. No need for a pub in the middle of nowhere. Unless of course it’s a venue for American werewolves or more likely a pub that has closed and waiting a new tenant.
You know what, you're right, why would there a pub in the middle of nowhere? The American Warewolf bit gave me the giggiles.It's really given me something to think about. Talking of the moors, that is the look I'm going for and also a minimal look
Hi Lee looks really nice haven't seen all of the video yet. It's marl jays mate you enjoy fishing 🎣 👍
This is a great video. Love the buildings. The back is best facing you.
Ah thanks mate. Yeah I just think the house would back onto the railway not the other way round. Thanks for watching and commenting. Best regards, Lee
Yes. It makes more sense. The entry should be facing the road and the back of the cottage facing the railway.
Hi Lee. The landform you've created looks very Yorkshire Dales-ish to me, so the sheep would be very appropriate, but if that's the image you're trying for I would go light on the trees and bushes on the higher areas above the line. In front I think fields would be good, perhaps with a narrowish 'B' road meandering along so it only appears in the scene in places rather than being visible for the whole length of the scene. If you wanted you could also, even closer to the board edge, give the impression of a rocky stream in places. Anyway, whatever you do I think you've got a great foundation there.
Hello Oz, I always look forward to hearing from you, buddy. Yes, I'm going for a total countryside scene here, so the sheep are definitely going on. I like your idea of the B road not always being in the scene as having it running alongside the railway is just too obvious and false. I also really like the idea of the stream because I really want some sort of water on the layout. The stream would look good with some cattle drinking from it, maybe. Eitherway, the B road idea coming of the board and not running the length is brilliant. You're right about trees, I'm not going to over populate everywhere with them and also choose the number of bushes carefully as sheep and cows are usually in grassland, not overgrown wastelands. Great speaking to you as always and you're comments have been really useful, so thank you and thanks for you're ongoing support, really appreciate it. Lee
After watching your video, in my opinion I would recommend that you remove the whole road along the edge of the layout and have your meadows with sheep , a small stream , a few bushes and few trees a wire fence would be nice and maybe a small dirt road for a farm tractor going a foot long. 😊 remember keeping it country !!!
Yes, I totally agree, and after long thoughts, that is exactly what I'm going to do. I would like a water scene, so it's going to be a river or a stream, fields and animals, 100%. Thanks again for your comment and for watching. Best regards, Lee
Remember less is more and keep it country ….. I would remove the road and have meadows with sheep and a small strem with a wire fence 😊 …. And I just subscribed
I just replied a moment ago, and forgot to say thanks for subscribing, really appreciate it. Best regards, Lee
That’s a very nice piece of scenery . You are right on that dry stone wall - it looks very effective . Looks very Westmorland to me Settle Carlisle or the WCML around Lune Gorge . Only thing is where does the other side of the road come out from your bridge?
I know, where doe's the road come out? I thought the same about the canal, but apparently according to everyone that has watched it, I couldn't have been more wrong. I just want the layout to be convincing and I think to achieve this, the road idea will have to be scrapped in favour of a canal. This is why I do videos, to get comments like yours, it really is useful and means a lot. Glad you like the stone wall, I was really pleased with that. Let me know any other thoughts, because I really take them on board. Thanks again. Lee
Just watched this with my grandson (12) he loves the landscape you've created. He's busy building a 009 layout at the moment and finds videos like this inspiring. If you've not seen it, have a quick look at Dylan's 009 build on his Dylington Model Railway channel. Which also features videos filmed on his OO layout, some with stop-motion animation. Great video again... Cheers James 🙂👍
What a lovely comment. Tell your 12 year old grandson I said hello and I've just subscribed to your channel. It's so nice hearing youngsters getting into the hobby, and amazing that my video is inspiring. Thanks for your kind comments and warching. Lee
@leewhall2504 Thank you, Lee. I will be sure to tell him he'll be so pleased you've subscribed. He's doing all the work himself on his 009 layout, and I must admit he's doing a nice job of it 🙂👍
If it's him doing it, it will always be a good job because it's how he sees it, which will also make it right every time. I'll be watching and commenting. Take care mate, and thanks for sharing your veiws and giving me the opportunity to subscribe to your channel. Lee
@leewhall2504 Thank you. we are onboard with you as well. I hope you enjoy his videos... Cheers James 🙂👍
Where did you get your drystone wall from, it looks great as does your layout
The drystone walling comes from 'That Model Railway Guy'. He has a website and also a RUclips channel. Thanks for watching and your kind words. Best regards Lee
Hi Lee great update mate. I like the new hst very smart. Are you going to fit hunts couplings? As for the front bit of the layout I like the fields option. You can add so much detail with hedges, odd trees, maybe a small stream. The list is endless and it'll give a nice countryside perspective for the trains. The back bit ie the road from the farm house to the hill top I'd be inclined to have it as a farm track leading up to a moorland type area. Again it's countryside and it won't detract from the trains. In the end it's your layout, your decision. Atb Andy
Hello Andy, great to hear from you as always mate. Yeah, I'm with you on the fields at the front as I really want to keep that countryside look and feel, I've always wanted a water scene too, so I like the idea of a stream. That top part is not a bad size area really to do something with and your idea would keep to the countryside theme. Like in the video, I just want the focus on the trains and the hst blasting through the countryside looks amazing. Glad you like it Andy and always good to speak to you. Take care mate. Lee
Nice work Lee, first chance I really could see some mk1 catenary sticking its head through the tunnel portal .. Great work though 👏 👌 👍
Ah, thank you. Yeah, the catenary would actually look the part, but I wouldn't have the confidence to model it, so it looked right. Thanks again, really appreciate your kind words, and thanks for watching. Lee
@leewhall2504 Catenary is really moving on these days .. folks in the industry have really come to the table on how big it can be .. and it's really quite simple and there's no shortage of it to see .. as more lines are being added to "" the knitting "" kind regards, Kat
Yes, there are a few good options out there. Maybe something to consider. Thanks again kat. Best regards Lee
as you are extending the board and you want a countryside setting, a canal would be ideal. Use the existing section as a B road and track. This will offer you a few options for tiny set scenes, bus stop, walkers, canal and even a small pub on the canal side. Great idea and a new sub
That's actually a really good idea. I really want a pub and have done for ages, I also would like water and your suggestion does both. Thanks for the sub and also your comment, much appreciated. Best regards Lee
Hi Lee, From the HST point of view, my 1986 Platform 5 book says Western was a mix of 7/8 Carriages, Cross Country tendered to be 7, ECML was 8, and Maybe put a Farm in the space at the bottom. But the layout is looking good
Yeah, you mentioning your p5 book, I've got a hardback book on the hst, and they really are amazing. That 7th coach I need is the trailer guard second and it'll be interesting to know what running number and letter it has. Just can't find one at the minute for sale. The farm is a good idea, as the back hills are also farmland, can't see it yet but once the animals go in and maybe a tractor, it should start looking the part. Thanks for watching and commenting with your ideas, means a lot. Take care. Lee
Good landscaping work.
Just one thought, what happens beyond the girder bridge? Still looks a bit “tunnel-like” to me. Good luck.
It's definitely either got to be changed to a canal, apparently there's a canal that runs through something similar called Standedge Tunnel in Yorkshire that runs 4 miles long (moe convincing a road). So it's either a canal or no tunnel at all. What's your thoughts? Thanks again. Lee
I just came across this video ... Subscribed!!! 👍
Ah nice one for that mate. Really appreciate it. Lee
@@leewhall2504 You're very welcome 😁
Great video lee. The lanscape is fantastic and a great view to watch the trains go by. But i know you are a perfectionist. And thats why i dont think you will be happy with that bridge. It looks great dont get me wrong, but it doesnt work. It doesnt go anywhere. The other side of the tracks is just hills. Hmmm
Yes! Exactly! But I do a lot of work in kent and there are road tunnels that literally go through mountain size hills (Folkestone) is a perfect example. Thats why if I keep it, it'll have to be a road tunnel. What do you reckon?
Nice set up, just took delivery of my hst's been on so called "pre order" I always thought you got them ahead of everyone else 🙄 anyway, though the trains themselves are ok,I understood prior to purchase they came with working fans ? Got the noise of em , but no sign of working fans in my book. Just wondered what if any your thoughts were on this ? lot of money for them otherwise I think.
Hello mate, thanks for watching and your comment. They really are lovely trains although expensive. I've only ran my one once and to be honest I didn't even think about the fans. I'm curious now, so I'll check it when I get a moment to go up there and I'll let you know. Thanks again. Lee
It took me along time to get my favourite hst barbie blue ,I'm running 2 plus 7 that includes the guard coach and the dearest one the buffet car ,letter on the coaches all run in sinc but as you said dose it matter as you won't see them when running yes this is true but the think is we know we done our best to get it right ,I live in Cornwall and sometimes they run a 2 plus 8 then 2 plus 7 which seem a bit better ,well anyway enjoyed the video .
Your absolutely right, it's just knowing we did our best and even though you won't see the numbers, we know they're there. Your hst sounds lovely, but then I also love Cornwall, been to many places there. Thanks again, Lee
Nice update Lee, it’s coming on really well 👍
Nice one for that buddy. Take care and thanks for watching. Speak soon mate, Lee
Looking good 👏
Nice one, thank you
@@leewhall2504 you're welcome.
Saw the sign for canning town, I lived in Silvertown, but moved in the 70s
Hi,
As you can imagine, I know Silvertown very well. I grew up in Poplar, then moved and lived in Canning Town for many years. Thanks for watching and commenting. All the best, Lee
Keep it simple. You have a great base. Don't turn it into Disney land in the foreground. "Simple" fields are more than enough. Like you said, the focus is on the trains. Everard Junction did some phenomenal work in a similar space - yours will have it's own style.
Lol! Disney Land gave me the giggles. But you're right 100%. The aim of the countryside was to focus on trains not so much scenery. I'm having a lot of comments on the bridge, as it should be a canal, not a road. I know now that the canal makes perfect sense and not the road., so either a canal or get rid of it, what do you reckon? Thanks again. Lee
@leewhall2504 canal works a treat. Or just a shallow Dale's stream, whichever floats your boat. Water is always an eye catching feature and you've got a decent bridge in place.
Yeah, I'm defo going with the canal or stream. You guys have been brilliant and made it so clear. Thanks again. Lee
The plate girder bridge looks great but where does the proposed road go? Directly behind is the hillside and without some sort of tunnel definition behind the bridge, it is hard to justify its presence. Also, the side opposite your view lacks the other girder. Perhaps instead of a road, you carved out a waterfall behind the plate girder and ran the water beneath.
I really like that idea, but it would be difficult to pull off the waterfall modelling wise To be honest, I'm not sure the girder bridge goes with the scene at all?
I bought one too but don't have a big enough layout for the coaches. I bought a full set but can't run them. Nice layout too.
Yeah, I know exactly what you mean. The mk3 coaches are really long. Although you can't run it, you could have it set up on a long slim shelf? Then maybe take it to club for a good run? Or maybe even set it up as a display piece on a shelf (full rake) and then runnit with just a few coahes? Just a thought. Take care and thanks. Lee
@@leewhall2504 I have just started a 12ft x 1.5ft for filming. I left the club that had a 36ft layout. Unfortunately, DCC was a risk on that layout and some people's decoders burnt out. It was good for DC though.
I wouldn’t have a road coming out of the hill. With the age of the landscape and railway a canal coming out of a canal tunnel under the railway bridge would be much more realistic. Roads back in the day went over the hill not through it
Yes. You're right, and I've decided since posting this video that it has to be a canal or no bridge at all. "Roads back in the day went over hills, not through it." Really love that comment, and it's so terse too, but true. Thanks again, Lee
Who makes the flexible stone walls?
The drystone flexiblevwalling is from a guy that has a youtube channel called 'That Model Railway Guy' he has an online store. Best regards Lee
Hi Lee I live in marsden West Yorkshire and we do have a canal tunnel going under the moors that’s nearly 4 mile long and it also runs parallel to a Manchester-Leeds main line with scenery very similar to yours google - Standege Tunnel end and you will see thanks
Now this is what we are talking about. Omg, I just googled Stanedge tunnel, and I am blow away! You are absolutely spot on. The road idea is going, and an appropriate looking tunnel mouth and canal is taking its place. Thank you so much for sharing. Lee
@@leewhall2504 maybe an N scale tunnel mouth?
Funny enough, I was thinking the same thing, because when I looked at the standedge tunnel, it does have quite a small mouth
Can't beat hst proper train 😊😊😊
Yeah, it's my favourite and this is actually my all time favourite livery
TECHNICAL ISSUES - CODE 75 VERSUS CODE 100 AND MINIMUM RADII !!!
Your layout is coming along nicely. A couple of technical points to note however, are the issue of track type, and curvature. The reason for the existence of Code 75 & Code 100 track, which today only seems to afflict Britain, is as follows. In 1989ish the NEM Conference in Germany, which invited all European based manufacturers. Was to introduce refined STANDARDS generally to Model Railways in Europe including Britain, thanks to the availability of more modern computerised tooling then becoming available. First on the list was of course track, as it was now possible to actually make rail sizes exactly to scale. Hence Code 75 was introduced.
But changing both the height & width of rail, required changes to ALL wheels by ALL manufactures to suit the new profile. Which meant wheel tread width had to be reduced, as well as flange depth, and most importantly the curve between wheel tread and flange. This last was now set at RP25 (Radius Profile 2.5mm) !!!!
What this means is that models trains with older Pre NEM wheel types would not run on the new Code 75 track fluently, and new NEM wheelsets would NOT run perfectly on older Code 100 track. As the distance between the rails has itself been fractionally increased, due to the fractionally thinner rail. PECO (UK) were of course heavily involved in the NEM conference !
The biggest issues created by refining track to Code 75, are the pathways through checkrails of points, and the frog area, which are noticeably narrower. This means using the older Code 100 pointwork the flangeways are to large for Code 75 wheels. The result is often spurious derailments by modern models when operated through old Code 100 pointwork, especially Steam locos with long rigid chassis.
CURVATURE - IS A MAJOR ISSUE NOT WELL UNDERSTOOD !
An even bigger issue is the "Minimum radius" of curves. In real life a Diesel loco such as a Class 45 1-Co-Co-1 or a 4-6-2 Pacific such as Flying Scotsman requires a MINIMUM RADIUS 4.5 Chain curve to be taken at WALKING PACE. 4.5 Chains = 297 feet. So in 4mm OO scale this is a radius of 1188mm or just under 4ft radius !!! A 30mph curve therefore works out at around 4ft 6in, and a 50mph curve in OO at around 5ft 3in radius. So even Hornby with its now horrendously outdated Code 100 clip together track system (Still made for Hornby by Roco in Austria) has had no choice but to set the minimum radius for larger models at "Radius 2" (438mm around 17inches) !!!
BUT and its a BIG but. The Laws of Physics apply equally to real trains and models. The relevant Physical Law is that with EVERY degree of Radius in a curve, the power available in the Locomotive must increase by the SQUARE ROOT. A typical well known test for model engines is to run a Hornby (Code 75) Flying Scotsman, through various curves from Radius 2 (438mm) upwards, and see how many carriages it will pull. At the minimum 438mm Radius 2 such a loco will only pull usually 4 bogie coaches before wheel slipping sets in. But the same loco will happily haul 12/13 coaches around 5ft 3in Curves. Most importantly, the larger the radius the less stress is exerted on the Motor and its gearing, increasing Motor & gear life considerably !!!
MODEL CURVATURE TESTS REVEALED...
In large scale tests carried out around 10 years ago, on a large four track mainline exhibition layout (90ft x 30ft) , some very interesting findings were discovered testing over 100 British outline locos types and dozens of carriage types. From Bachmann, Hornby, Dapol, Heljan and specialist manufacturers such as DJH. This also involved the use of the current "British tension lock type coupling" & the U.S Kadee (British Buckeye type) auto magnetically uncoupleable type.
Firstly minimum radius for scale length trains (loco & 12 coaches) using the shorter Kadee magnetic Buckeye type coupling. This revealed that perfect running even through complex Slips & Double Slips required curves no less than 5ft Radius. Which allowed coaches to be realistically Close coupled so corridor gangways touched without derailments, and the gap between locos & their tenders to also be reduced to real life settings. If the traditional British tension lock (toy) coupling is used, then radii of 4ft 6in MINIMUM still allowed reliable running, with the penalty that coaches could no longer be Close coupled to the point where gangways touched as in real life. The Club layout as a result set a Minimum 5ft for all curves, except in Goods yards which was set at 4ft 3in, due to the generally small locos and short 4 wheel wagons used in such Yards.
This of course also dictated that ALL visible pointwork would have to be handbuilt (about 115 points). Only in the Fiddle Yard were Peco Code 75, Large 5ft radius points possible. Further the handbuilt points required proper sturdy Fulgurex 12v DC Motor Driven Motors, as being the only type strong enough to cope reliably. They also, when purchased directly from Fulgurex in Switzerland work out cheaper than virtually all other types. Indeed "SOLENOID" mechanisms are never used, as these will destroy PECO points due to their constant hammering of the blades, which results in the plastic tiebar breaking loose !!
On a Club layout the cost of commercial points such as PECO is prohibitive, when it is understood a 6ft radius handbuilt point can be built in around two hours for just £5.00 !!! I built the points using code 75 Bullhead rail (which is quicker and easier to file than flatbottom rail) and Copper Clad sleeper strip provided by "Marcway Models" in Sheffield. They have a Website, and are also very helpful on the phone with any questions you have about track building 😀
Happy Modelling.
Blimey! That blew my mind! Thank you. I have to ask, was that a cut and paste job? Best regards Lee
I purchase the blue/yellow BR intercity 125 class 43 HST and I am really happy with it. Looks the part these latest Hornby HST models.
Oh yeah, they really are excellent models. I've had the swallow livery hst for a few years now, and it still runs perfectly. I like the blue and yellow one you have, it's the original livery. Thanks for watching and commenting. Best regards Lee
Just found your channel and like the uncluttered scene which really frames the trains running through. It looks like I’m modelling a similar era to you judging by your HST’s and just wanted to say running mixed executive and swallow power cars/coaching set formations was commonly happening in the late 80’s as seen in the videos on here of the likes of @MrDeltic15 and @spompeytransportvideo as the repainting programme cycled from blue grey to executive then swallow. It would give you a good excuse to use the TGS from your Swallow set with your executive set, as breakdowns led to temporarily adding in coaches from other sets, and also mix and match your power cars if you so wanted.
Hi. Firstly, thank you for watching and secondly thanks for your comment. Yes you are quite right there with the mixed coaches. I do in fact, have a tgs swallow livery, but I also have the hst in swallow livery too that I use on it. Apparently the tgs are quite difficult to get, but I'll keep looking as it would be nice to have the full rake 125 livery running with a full rake swallow. I just need to be patient. I'm glad you like the countryside theme, and the purpose was exactly how you said it, to see the trains. Thanks again. Lee