Exehaven Harbour 72, N Gauge Model Railway

[@philbrown3685]

Good stuff John, I like your thinking for the plans, lots of mulling , I like the idea for the kits too, individualised for the location. Brilliant example with the cottages .Best line of the vid…..where’s my hand gone? Love it 😂 Looking forward to next one , cheers mate, Phil.

[@exehavenharbour]

Hi Phil, lol! Yes one of the joys of filming you can’t find your hand when you need it!😂 The plans are coming together with a few compromises but that’s not unexpected. I’m really happy how the cottages have turned out and learnt stuff on the way. Next time it should all be a bit quicker, I kind of felt my way along with the cottages. Thanks a lot for watching mate, cheers for now, John

[@SC68]

Hi John, your plans look great for the 4 tracks snd stations and it should all come together and with the flat board build should be much easier. Looking forward to seeing it all come together and before you know it it you will have running trains and be able to crack on with the scenery! Your metcalfe cottages look top draw! Cheers Gary

[@exehavenharbour]

Hi Gary, good to hear from you mate, hope you’re well. Thanks, just a bit of tinkering to do, I’m probably going to run 7 coach trains now rather than 8, it really does make the track geometry, i.e the curves easier to do and the trains still look fine. I’m so pleased with the Metcalfe cottages, I’ve learn’t a lot and it should be asier and quicker the next time I do it. Cheers for now Gary, John

[@jezbo7827]

Hi John! Brilliant video as always! I have to say, I’m really looking forward to seeing Exehaven Harbour station develop. It keeps reminding me of Brighton station, albeit on a much smaller scale. Loving the new track plan which is coming along nicely. Can’t wait to see your rolling stock on the move again! The four track mainline certainly makes sense, I’ve got three running at any one time on my layout and it’s great to just sit back and watch the trains go by. Have a good weekend mate, Best regards, Jeremy.

[@exehavenharbour]

Hi Jeremy, I’m looking forward to that moment again to have trains running and especially with 4 trains running at once! It is the thing I enjoy watching the trains run and although there will be plenty of opportunity to do some other stuff around the docks it’s predominantly and unashamedly a tail chaser to watch trains! The kit has now arrived for the station building and it looks great and I look forward to start building it once I return from my holiday. Not sure if I’m going to make an overall roof yet but it’s a possibility. Thanks as always for your support mate, cheers for now, John

[@medwaypeninsulaMR]

Hi John The new plans look good but it’s always a compromise somewhere . I like the look of the new station and will be interesting to see the buildings you have in mind . I make you right in simplifying the track plan by keeping it on the same level . Mrs Exehaven has taught you well with an excellent Hoover action . Cheers Kev

[@exehavenharbour]

Hi Kev, it’s amazing really how many compromises you have to make, even with N Gauge but I do enjoy working it all out. The kit has arrived now for the station building and I’m looking forward to to start making it when I come back from holiday, hopefully it’ll start to bring the layout to life. I’m looking forward to the day when trains start running again and especially when the 4 tracks are up and running. Cheers for now Kev, John

[@wheezypalacemodels7726]

Hi John, as always some great ideas and no doubt you will overcome some of the curves. Always best to have a straight run to and from stations. Planning always pays in the end. Good to see you back with track. Keep selling them sucking machines in Somersex…😅..all the best..Chris

[@exehavenharbour]

Hi Chris, I put the hoovering segment in at the last minute as I thought it might appeal to Messrs Ireland and Sheedy’s sense of humour 😂 Compromises are always needed even in N Gauge, but the track plan is coming together and I’m looking forward to those trains running again. A kit has arrived for the station building at Exehaven Harbour and I’m looking forward to building that, which for me is all part of the fun of building a model railway! Thanks for watching mat, cheers for now, John

[@lynganddistrict]

I think West Hill Wagon works have been inundated with the n scale rail joiner orders! I've bought some too and omg its made life so much easier!! No more stuck joiners in my thumb! I've managed to get one line in completed with points installed and runs much more smoothly than previously thanks to small gadgets like the rail joiners. Working on the second inner track at the moment and will hopefully have that done by next week with a video update. I like the idea of keeping to four tracks, that gives you more flexibility. Its all looking grand John! Regards Steve

[@exehavenharbour]

Hi Steve, and thanks, yes what a difference, it is so much easier, seems like I have another spare pare of hands. I’ve got the bit of kit to help screw or pin track in which I like to use here and there especially on bends. If you have n gauge screws you know how fiddly they are to get in the sleeper! I’m just back from holiday so looking forward to getting back to track planning and laying. Look forward to your next episode, cheers for now Steve, John

[@iansngauge]

Evening John! Great to see the track planning process using actual track! I know I couldn't do that! I must admit that I thought the curve would be far too tight, but when you said the inner loop was 3rd radius, then all is obviously good! Shame you couldn't fit in the extra platforms in Exehaven Harbour station but being able to store full length trains is excellent! Just remember to add on a few inches more to allow for run around points! I thought the extra mods you made to the Metcalfe cottages looked excellent, and it's a great idea to take some continental and American kits and give them a bit more of an English vibe! Loved the hoover action at the beginning mate - gotta keep those work areas clean! 😂 All the best, Ian.

[@exehavenharbour]

Hi Ian, I’m very much a visual planner as it were. I have a basic plan in my head and go from there. I find that it helps me make things look right to my eye doing it this way. As for the 3rd radius curve, it’s ok but, to be honest it does look a little wrong to the eye and I’m actually investigating losing one carriage from my rakes so that it gives me extra inches/cm’s which will ease the inner curves to 4th radius. From what I can see losing one coach doesn’t really affect the visual look of the actual train so I may run with that. There will be run round points in Exehaven Harbour station I just haven’t put them down while I’m planning. I’m trying to keep it simple but it’s amazing how quick the points and crossovers mount up! I have also now got the station kit just turned up for the Harbour station too, so watch out for that. I’m really pleased with how the cottages have turned out, I’ve learned a few lessons too and next time it should be a quicker process. I have the excellent Metcalfe 2 road engine shed lined up for the same treatment next. I’ve been well trained with the hoover Ian, it was a condition of retirement that Mrs Exehaven was very keen on!!!😁 Cheers for now mate, John

[@Miertreg1]

Super 🛤️👍👍. Greetings Gert

[@exehavenharbour]

Hi Gert thanks for watching , glad you’re enjoying it, cheers for now, John

[@Wickford_N_Gauge]

Ooh 😱 very impressive Hoover Action 😇 no wonder you're an Innocent Tales Star 😎 Those Metcalf host buildings have turned out a treat 😍 Fantastic to see you back laying track again ✌️ looking forward to seeing your Class 33 back in action soon 🤞 Very best wishes from the other Wickford ☘️

[@exehavenharbour]

Hi Paul, lol! I added the hoover scene at the very last minute, Mr Ireland found it quite funny. I’m pleased with the Metcalfe buildings and I’ve learn’t a few lessons with this kit and next time will be much quicker. Getting the track out and some of the stock again has really got me going again, i can’t wait to have the trains running again. I’m off on holiday next week so there will be a short delay in getting cracking again but I’ll have plenty of time to think about things while I’m away. Cheers for now Paul, John

[@davidcutts2650]

Hi John. All sounds good, just a thought on the track planning, remember sometimes “less is more”, knowing you are keen on the scenic & building as well. Are you planning in a “train storage yard” in end plans. Having built around 20 or more Metcalfe kits in N, I know what you mean. Cheers mate.

[@exehavenharbour]

Hi David, yes good advice mate, and I’m starting to angle to less is more in terms of Exehaven Town Station which looks a bit big across that diagonal, we’ll see! Storage will mainly be layout based David, there will be plenty of room for what I currently have but will in probability have to take some off at some point as my collection increases. Just adding those brick textures does make those Metcalfe kits look different, it’s been nice to see the transformation. Cheers David, John

[@ngaugefouroaksstreetstatio6932]

All the time in planning will be repaid in the long run, very interesting John to hear your thoughts as you work through this vital stage.

[@exehavenharbour]

Hi Chris and thanks, some changes are ongoing just as I write this, I’m going to probably lose a coach or two on my rakes as they don’t look right in an 8 or 9 coach rake. They seem to over power the scenes a bit, it also allows more room to get the track round the corners more convincingly. Anyway more to do on that front as things take shape. Cheers for now mate, John

[@piccadillymodelrailways]

Hi John, good to see you back with track. You are right to keep the tracks as straight as possible in and out of Exhaven H station, as the tight curves would have caused all sorts of issues. You feel better when the main tracks are back down and you have trains running again. Its a long journey but you’ll be so glad you did it.

[@exehavenharbour]

Hi John, yes the tight curves were a step to far, the whole point of this layout is to keep it fairly simple and to be able to have 4 trains running at once and having those curves would have made that more difficult to do. The kit I’m going to use for Exehaven Harbour station has arrived now and I’m looking forward to building that when I return from holiday. I might even scratch build if I can an overall roof but that remains a possibility at this stage. It will be a while yet before trains are running but I can’t wait to see 4 trains running at once where I can sit back with a cuppa and watch them go! Thanks for watching and your support, cheers John, John

[@Elvenhome]

Good to see your plans John. I think the final result for Exehaven Harbour looks good and will give you a lot of opportunity for scenic work. A four track terminus would be about right. I can't remember whether you are using code 80 or code 55 track, but if it is code 55 don't overlook single and double slips. You may have some complex junctions by the looks of things and they are very good at saving space at junctions and giving a lot of operational flexibility. The Metcalf buildings have come out well and you wouldn't immediately think they were met calf. You might want to try some of the Redutex textured sheet. Rails of Sheffield now also supply it. It isn't cheap and you don't get a lot for your money, but I've used it on a a number of buildings to give me a nicely textured roof. It is very easy to cut and work. There is also a wide choice of slate type, and it takes paint easily. Stephen

[@exehavenharbour]

Hi Stephen, I use code 80 so I’m a little limited with what I can use but I seem to have worked out the junction into Exehaven Harbour station. My philosophy on this layout is to try and keep things relatively simple but it gets complicated quite quickly without trying🙄. I had a couple of suggestions from Mr Ireland which are good and something I’m looking into. The Metcalfe kits have turned out quite well and I’ve learnt a few things whilst doing them and they will be much quicker next time. Redutex is on my list they do do some nice textures and it’s great Rails are doing them. It’s really good to get cracking again and my mind is buzzing with ideas and I do love the process of getting it all set up. I’m off on holiday this week so plenty of time to think about things, cheers for now Stephen, John

[@thegrowler-blackwoodngauge]

Hi John - I was positive I had posted a comment a few days ago - seems to have vanished 😮. Now the opening shot with vacuum cleaner and that cheeky grin - 😅 ( be lost on those who don't follow the Innocent Tales of Piddle Folk). Platforms at Exhaven Harbour - are they wide enough to carry buildings and canopies (thinking Metcalfe canopies). Also the main station - consider curving the platform to give you more sweeping curves at the left hand side (as viewed on the video). Cheers Euan

[@exehavenharbour]

Hi Euan, that’s funny that I had the same thing with Ian at Ian’s N Gauge a few weeks back🤷🏻‍♂ Lol! Yes you’re right, most won’t understand the opening, I added it last minute, Mark enjoyed it I know! As for the platforms they’re 4cms wide which is 20 foot. I’ve done this wide to allow for what I want to do and I think it should be ok although I still may build my own canopies, we’ll see, and possibly a small overall roof but that’s all on the back burner whilst I sort the track geometry. Now I had thought of a curved platform but after a conversation with Mr Ireland I think I’m going to change the length of the trains probably only by one coach as it’s amazing the difference that makes. Plenty of time to think about it as I sit here with a beer on my balcony overlooking the Ioanian sea. Cheers for now Euan, John 🍻

[@Amberlea-Model-Railway]

good (re)-start John! sounds like a plan... will be following with interest alongside my own build.... Chris

[@exehavenharbour]

Hi Chris, it’s starting to come together, I’m away on holiday next week so plenty of thinking time and I can really get cracking when I get back. Just subbed to your channel mate, cheers for now, John

[@Amberlea-Model-Railway]

@@exehavenharbour Cheers John, we have a bit in common, I'm a golfer too and off on hols next week also.

[@exehavenharbour]

Have great time Chris 😎

[@moorlandmodelrailwayandy]

Hi John very interesting plans. Im sure that youll make it work to how you want it. The roofs are always the hardest to do using plasticard. They do look good atb Andy.

[@exehavenharbour]

Hi Andy, hope you’re well mate, yes a bit of fiddling around and I’m sure I’ll come up with something, the simpler the better, lol! Yes that roof was a swine to get get just right, it looks ok now but probably still needs a little fettling. Nice to see you around again, cheers for now, John

[@wimbletrain]

Hello John, I like the effort you are going to in trying to make the Metcalfe kits looks a bit different from the standard, particularly the change of colour with the one on the left.

[@exehavenharbour]

Hi John, yes I’m pleased how they’ve turned out. I’ve learnt a few things and hopefully they’ll be quicker to do next time, cheers for now John, John

[@sodor_dan-da-man]

great video. do you have an email address i can send a suggestion to you please

[@exehavenharbour]

Hi, yes it’s [e-mail] all suggestions greatly received, thanks for watching, cheers for now, John

[@sodor_dan-da-man]

​@@exehavenharbouremail sent. I was a dumbass and had included harbour in the email address initially lol