Andy Glascott

Wow! As a kid I threw out all the boxes, didn’t see the value in keeping them once I’d built the train etc, but this is just fabulous.

Love the dancing fingers part way through when you get the 2nd train running , one of the joys of the 12v system to prevent crashes.

I’m trying to find words/phrases that others haven’t used to express my awe at this and I simply can’t, it’s beautiful, detailed, magnificent and everything else.

I agree, but in this case it's intentional. My longest train is just short enough to catch it's tail on that size of loop, and is also about the limit for a train with a single 12v motor. BR 37 on loop (DSC09745) by andyglascott, on Flickr

Awesome, love the active little switching yard.

So, after nearly 2 months, I'm back from a trip home to Ireland and have the first module of the 1st 12v loop ready. This loop is primarily for my 2 non-passenger trains. Both are headed by British Rail locos, one hauls mixed freight and one hauls an engineers/maintenance consist. If I can find photos I'll edit this post later. This is the section I'm working on at the moment, and when complete will sit next to the 4.5v section already completed. Freight Loop by andyglascott, on Flickr The "C" of track on the right is part of the bigger passenger loop that will be next. Here's the full module, like the rest it's 5x3 baseplates, and is one end of the loop, with siding inside it, hence the two sets of track here. The tiled grey and yellow area is the beginning of a loading area that allows access to the train in the siding, and, if that is empty, a train parked on the main line. It will continue onto the next module. DSC01860 Edited by andyglascott, on Flickr The small building in the center acts as both a site access office and control center for the loop. DSC01863 by andyglascott, on Flickr As part of this loop will be focused on maintenance of way I thought I'd include an old, broken rail that's been abandoned... DSC01864 by andyglascott, on Flickr Lastly, a few town houses that back onto the line that will (eventually) be part of the city section of the layout. DSC01861 by andyglascott, on Flickr AS always, comments, thoughts, suggestions always welcome.

Looking at this and drooling as a fellow 12v fan! That’s a fabulous collection of everything that is great about the classic system. I love the number of loops and options you have for switching and so on.

Just stumbled across this, absolutely stunning work!

I remember these trundling past when I was growing up and fishing on the beach or rocks in Killiney, I could feel the vibrations! The IR locos are notoriously difficult to model in 6w because of the curved fronts, narrow bodies and so on, and the white stripe in brick is really tricky. I did a push-pull set with the class 121 and settled on squared lines rather than curves, but am tempted to redo it with stickers… This is a good take on a 141, something that is on my “will build eventually” list, the older locos have a bit more character to them than the 201s. The ammonia is cars and barrier wagons are instantly recognizable, well done. (Note to self about the shade of orange for future reference!)

It’s been interesting following this topic. I typically log on every day to see what’s new or has been updated. Some threads take off, some don’t. I’ve started threads that get traction and others that sink without trace. Right now things do seem to be quiet, but the collective knowledge that has been shared here over the years is priceless, I’ve bookmarked many topics, and while I don’t post as much as others I hope what I do post helps/entertains/informs or whatever. Farewell Max, but you did say you wouldn’t be reading replies… I echo @Phil B, how about we just remove the topic @JopieK?

Fáilte @EWay! Always great to see Irish stuff on here, and that’s a great rendition of the 29000. I have some memories of that color scheme from visits home, but you’ve captured it really well, particularly the arrow being brick built.

Very nice!

I can’t comment on the wheel issue, but under 85 quid sounds like a bargain for what you got!

Thank you all, I’ve really enjoyed this first section, hopefully the rest turn out just as well.

The first section, the 4.5v era is complete! Well, almost, but enough to show last Saturday at Ashland Train Day in Ashland, VA as part of the Richmond VA LUG. And by almost, I mean the top of the third module is flexible space that can be adapted depending on the show/event, so will be remodeled from time to time. Anyway, on to the pics and a video. The whole 4.5v layout complete for the first time, during set-up last Saturday. 4.5v layout by andyglascott, on Flickr And video of it all in action. It turns out the clutch power on a 40-ish year old battery car is a bit suspect, the lid kept popping off, hence the rubber band to keep it in place on the day. It'll be clear tape next time. 4.5v layout by andyglascott, on Flickr This module doesn't have a lot of detail, just a lot of mountain as it is also one end of the elevated 12v loop that is part of the overall project. I might play with the tunnel entrances a bit over the summer to dress them up a bit. Tunnel Entrance by andyglascott, on Flickr The top can be repurposed, but will be used each Halloween to dispense candy both at home on the day of and at our church Trunk or Treat, and by October will have more detail to it, but can also easily be turned into a lake or other feature. The conveyor does work, and was fitted only a day or two before the show. There are a couple more pics and 2 more short videos over on Flickr. I've got a lot on over the next 6 weeks or so, so I suspect work on the 12v section won't start of a couple of months, but putting this together has been a joy.

So, module 2 is complete and module 3 is underway. I have a deadline too, these 3 modules, the 4.5v part of this overall project are due to appear at Ashland Train Day with RVALUG on April 30th, so if you are in the greater Richmond, VA area, drop by. Here are the pics. Module 2 Complete by andyglascott, on Flickr The full module, which should line up with the other one.... I'll test that when all 3 are ready. Billboard and a bit of story by andyglascott, on Flickr Billboard with a little of the story behind the layout. Level Crossing on a curve by andyglascott, on Flickr This was the biggest challenge on this module. All the track is ballasted, so raised up one plate, which means the regular level crossing slopes don't work. Add in the curve and it took a bit of engineering. Thankfully the new 1x2 plates with curved ends made it all possible. Picnic/Rest area by andyglascott, on Flickr You might call this the feature of this module, a rest area for folks on the road. All my cars, trucks etc are boxed away for now but will appear on the 30th.

Like everyone else has said, that is one heck of a collection. I suspect it’s an urban myth, but it’s all edged an Irish sports commentator was rather surprised by a goal in a particular game and blurted out “____ me pink it’s a goal!” Kinda sums up my reaction, that’s some goal you scored with that lot!

So, module 1 is complete (apart from the addition of minifigs, that tub is still taped up, and oner piece I need to order. Here are a few pics. Module 1 by andyglascott, on Flickr Crops and sheep by andyglascott, on Flickr Taking a break in the fields by andyglascott, on Flickr Siding and loading deck by andyglascott, on Flickr

Everything what @Toastie just said!

Thanks y'all. @Feuer Zug, the recent period builds were part of the inspiration. @zephyr1934, the small goals are a must! I've found over the years when I build a big layout all at ones I concentrate on the big picture to the detriment of details. Years ago I built a 4 module layout and spent time on each one adding the details that make a layout pop and am enjoying doing that on this first module, mentally designing some stickers while having dinner with the family putting the repetitive hills etc together and so on.

(Click to skip to the post with the latest photos) The Backstory: For years I've wanted to be able to display my 12v collection at shows/exhibitions/libraries or wherever, but the wiring is a challenge - I reckon on my last full layout there was 250 to 300 feet (75-90 metres) of the stuff, which on a static layout is one thing, but one built in modules for transport is a challenge. Three or four months ago I came up with a solution (more on that below) and the dreaming started. After much playing in Bluebrick, and nostalgic posts appearing here about older era trains, I settled on a plan. I still had a bunch of my old blue track from the 4.5v era, but no motors. Off we go to Bricklink then! The Layout So, here's the plan. Ten years ago I had a small portable layout on 4 modules, each 3x5 baseplates, and over the years have simply added more of these. Following my Bricklink spree, I now have 2 working 4.5v motors, so rebuilt the loco from set 183 and I have the loco from 7720 in progress. These 2 will feature on the 4.5v loop below, which is 3 of those modules. Next to the 4.5v loop will be the showpiece, the main 12v loops. 12v Lower by andyglascott, on Flickr And on the right of the layout will be the 9v loops. Unlike the other 2 eras, I will have 9v track left over, so this is likely to be expanded in due course, particularly as @michaelgale releases motors, power supply etc. 9v Loops by andyglascott, on Flickr Lastly, there will be another 12v loop, elevated, which will run across the back of all three eras. 12v Upper by andyglascott, on Flickr Putting all of those together looks like this (the white baseplates are roughly where the mountains, tunnels etc will be for the elevated sections. The green and grey sections are simply so I could keep track of where the 3x5 modules were to try and avoid having curves/points on more than one module. When it all comes together, in most likely a couple of years, I'll be able to run 6 trains at a time. Whole Layout by andyglascott, on Flickr The Beginning After all the planning, and clearing away of my last (incomplete) layout, I've finally started building the first module, part of the 4.5v loop. I decided to start here as this will be the quickest era to build, and to a large extent, each era can also be displayed as a stand-alone smaller layout. These three modules will be countryside/farmland, and the trains will reflect the farming side of it when they get built. Module 01 Pic 02 by andyglascott, on Flickr The 12v Wiring The solution that I've come up with is fairly simple, but does involve taking a drill to some baseplates.... At each of the 12v points or signals I'll drill a small hole through the baseplate and the wood for each module, thread the wire through and attach either the original Lego plugs or a quick connect/release plug/connector so that when the layout is set up I'll use already measured lengths of wire to go from that point to the control panels, which will be on their own module. This is going to be a heck of a journey, and build, I'll post updates from time to time, particularly at landmark moments such as completing an "era". I always said, growing up, I was keeping my Lego for my kids. It was really only an excuse, and I'm really glad I didn't sell my old blue track even though I didn't, for years, think I'd use it. Sadly my original 4.5v motors, battery boxes, lights and even signals are long gone, but I was only 7 or 8 when I got 7720....

I suspect that once a locomotive is sitting on top of the motor any bump will be hardly noticeable. The motor unit is so light on it’s own that any small bump will be noticeable.

Thank you. Part of my plan is to leave the sleepers yellowed. I’ve worked out a way to do a large 12v layout that is transportable to shows etc, so am starting a new one from scratch that will have 4.5v, 9v and 12v sections, so the yellowed sleepers will help show the age of the blue track

@Paperinik77pk Thanks for the Stud.io wok on the lights. I'm going to at some point play around with these options. Beyond that, I finally got a video to upload, and the good news is that the other motor arrived and works, so the chances of 7720 getting built have improved. IMG_1080 by andyglascott, on Flickr

Partly inspired by some recent "retro" style posts, and partly after an idea for my next layout, I decided to see if I could recreate one of my first trains, set 183. I knew I had some of the original parts in my various bins, but obviously it's impossible to say that I only used original parts, partly because the motor and battery car disappeared a long time ago! A Bricklink search turned up both, so I took the plunge and came up with this. I'm missing one of the 1x1x2 windows, but it is available on Bricklink, so will arrive at some point. DSC01211 by andyglascott, on Flickr Like I say, not an authentic replica, but close enough. I did buy 2 4.5v light bricks at the same time and put one in this, I'm not sure if I like it though. I do have the original 1x6 headlight brick I could put in. DSC01214 by andyglascott, on Flickr I have another motor arriving in the next few days that may or may not work, if it does I might have a crack at 7720 as well. I do have video, but it's taking a while to upload from my phone, so I'll add that tomorrow.