N Gauge Model Railway Layout Designing the cliff face for High Elven Elvenhome EP 147

[@roystudds1944]

Great update Stephen. Sorry to hear that you have been unwell and glad you’re feeling better. I really like that perspex idea, I will have to look into that for my layout. Look forward to seeing the next update. Take care and thanks for sharing. Roy.

[@Elvenhome]

Thanks very much Roy. The perspex has worked very well and was easy to buy on line once I knew what size I needed. Stephen

[@petertownsend8276]

Hi Stephen. Nice progress. I totally agree with those suggestions about the road. It would not run through the wood yard, but the wood yard would have it's entrance leading off the road. This would allow you to have a gentler gradient on the road and take it round the back of the yard cut into the hillside. Pete

[@Elvenhome]

Thanks Pete. I’ve had just had a suggestion made to me which explains why the road comes down where it will. The Woodward is going to become a later arrival taking over a space once used for something else. Lots for me to think about. Stephen.

[@Wickford_N_Gauge]

"What a fine mess" 😉 love the piano 🎹 movers 😍 though you will have to get a chimpanzee with a teapot 🫖 next 😇 3D printing is such a game changer 🧐 for N Gauge 😇 Great tip on the perspex, too 👍 Very best wishes from the Emerald Isle ☘️

[@Elvenhome]

Hi paul and tanks. I shudder to think what it would be like to paint a chimpanzee in N scale. L&H really are good models and I do like to see them in the playground. I need to get a horse and cart to stand outside the school. The perspex really was an inspired idea and so easy to order. Stephen

[@BuggleskellyStation]

Hi Stephen, I'm a few months late to this video but somebody shared the link to your review of my Buggleskelly wagon so I had to take a look. I'm glad you're pleased with Stan and Ollie, you've done a fine job painting them up. You'll be pleased to know that the N scale wagons have been popular so I'm inspired to create some more wagons in N, though I'm not sure which will be next yet. Best wishes, Tom (Buggleskelly Station)

[@PaulSmith-pl7fo]

Hi Stephen. The idea of using Perspex in place of the wall in front of the canal was brilliant and well executed. I think I would like to see the return of the bowstring bridge. Yes, it's a real shame about the couplings - I was looking forward to seeing you implement them. I'm sure that a modeller of your calibre could have manufactured a sleeve to take up the slack that would still allow you to remove them at a later time (if you wished). Yes, I'm old enough to have guessed who the two figures moving a piano were going to be.

[@Elvenhome]

Hi Paul. The perspex has worked very well. The problem with the couplings is that they are not wide enough so they jiggle from side to side. However I have been told about conversion kits for older PECo wagons and I am going to give that a go. I do want to use the easi-shunt couplings at High Elven. I think the bowstring bridge will make a return after a point made by another commenter and an idea I have been given for linking High Elven with the bottom. Stephen

[@afm1948]

Stephen, an idea for intergrating Highelven. Before the wood yard took over, the area was a Quarry with the stone going out by barge. This gives you a compete rational for vertical benched cliff faces. Would also duffice as a rational for the canal being built to there in the first place, as a wood yard would not justify the expense of canal building. Arthur

[@Elvenhome]

Arthur, you are an absolute star. What a great idea. It can also explain the Pub and Harpers Yard. I’ve got a number of ideas running in my head now. The power of KZbin. Thank you so much. Stephen

[@thegrowler-blackwoodngauge]

Hi Stephen - hope you're over the dreaded lurgie. The perspex gives a very professional finish - best of both worlds - protecting the scenery whilst still allowing you to view the scene. It's strange how you can think you have plenty of room and then discover something as simple as an access road eats away a chunk of the wood yard. Don't understand why Peco have fitted non standard NEM pockets to a new tooled wagon. Now Dapol do a kit which allows you to put proper NEM pockets on wagons. I had some Farish wagons with the spring couplings - removed them and glued on the pockets from the Dapol kit - allowing me to use the easi-shunt couplings. Just a thought...... cheers Euan

[@Elvenhome]

Hi Euan. Pretty nearly though the lurgi now thank you. The perspex was a great idea and I was astonished how much I could customise and buy almost any size with no minimum size I could see. I am astonished with the NEM pockets on the wagons. They are too wide it seems. I received a call from Mr Ireland informing me about the kit with directions to a good supply on eBay. One has now been purchased. We'll see how that all turns out, but they seem easy to do. Stephen

[@thegrowler-blackwoodngauge]

@@Elvenhome ah the National Treasure that is Mr Ireland - I spoke with him myself last night and he gave me a website address for something I was looking for. Where would be without him 😅

[@Elvenhome]

Indeed so. We should get his bust set up in Somerset☺️

[@SimonLivertonCentral]

Very good use of Perspex, Hornby use a lot of the same on all their layouts at the Visitor Centre where I live. I have started to look at other layouts,to include your, for inspiration on ideas for my layout…Simon

[@Elvenhome]

Thanks Simon. It was a great suggestion and I am very pleased with the result. That’s a good idea to look for inspiration on other layouts. We all borrow ideas. From each other whether through KZbin or at model railway exhibitions. Stephen

[@iansngauge]

Good evening Stephen! The perspex edging makes a real difference to the scene! Good to hear your ideas about the road route into the wood yard! I'll be watching intently as you implement it as I've got a similar situation going on! I can't quite believe that Peco have implemented nonstandard sized NEM pockets, I mean, how foolish of them! Laurel and Hardy figures look fantastic! It's amazing what you can do with a 3D printer isn't it? Can't wait to see how the cliff progresses! All the best, Ian.

[@Elvenhome]

Hi Ian. I am really impressed with the perspex and it does really help the view across to the viaduct. Having a KZbin channel is just so helpful at being given ideas. Talking of which, I think the road is going to be fine landing where it does, especially given a superb idea I have been given about the nature of the rock face linking High Elven and the area near the canal basin. I really don't understand PECO's thinking but a number of people pointed me in the direction of conversion kits, one of which is on order so I will convert an older PECO kit. L&H are a nice addition. When I saw them I just had to find a way to get them on the layout. Stephen

[@joanhudson4286]

Hi Stephen. Thanks for yet another interesting video with your acknowledgments. Your layout is so complex, yet full of accurate detail and moments of humour. I love the Laurel and Hardy figures delivering the piano. I know nothing of railway modelling so please forgive this (probably) naive suggestion, but could you fix your new couplings in the carriages with minute pieces of white blue tack? I can near the laughter, so, apologies for that. All your considerable expertise and I suggest blue tack! We’ll intentioned I assure you. Many congratulations. Your layout is truly amazing.

[@Elvenhome]

Thanks Joan. As soon as I saw the models of Laurel and Hardy I knew they had to be found a place on the layout somewhere. The coupling pockets are very small. It would have to be a tiny piece of blue tack and it would therefore have very little adhesive effect. Even using the much sticker black tack probably wouldn't be enough. In any event the couplings need to work freely, particularly for the kind of coupling I am going to be using. So using any kind of shim or sticky stuff will hamper their effective working. It is why I was so sniffy about the suggestion of using super glue by the manufacturer. Stephen

[@ngaugefouroaksstreetstatio6932]

All looking good Stephen, the perspex is a great idea. The integration of High Elven to the lowest part of the layout is key, If the cliff face is too high as a plan B you have the option of dropping high Elven (albeit a big job) to near the tunnel portal height but would also require the gradient up to High Elven to be reduced (another painful job). However this would open the opportunity to connect High Elven by road. Anyway I'm sure you will make plan A work well, most enjoyable. Cheers

[@Elvenhome]

Thanks Chris. High Elven has to be linked to the land from below somehow. I don't think it will be too high provided it isn't a sheer drop and too straight. That isn't what I have in mind, but if can pull off what I do have in mind is the question. I think it can be done but we shall see. Stephen

[@peterjackson-cheadleheath1182]

Hi Stephen Good progress there, its coming along nicely. I do like the perspex idea that is brilliant, you can see through the scenery, makes a better view all round I think. Re the Peco couplings, I did speak to the M D of Peco (can't remember his name, just now) at the N G S show in York recently (I was asking for some new more modern wagons, lol) but I did ask about the use of NEM pockets and was told that these new coupling pockets are a version of NEM standard but not exactly the same as the other manufactures use. Seems very odd to me! Anyway a great update, thanks.

[@Elvenhome]

Hi Peter. The perspex was an inspired suggestion and as you say it does work very well. I find the PECO decision on the NEM pocket baffling when the wagons are otherwise so good. By not using the industry standard they much be losing customers who would want to use them for easi-shunt couplings. Never mind. I've been told about conversion kits to fit NEM pockets on older PECO wagons and I am going to try that out. Stephen

[@exehavenharbour]

Well, what an elegant solution Stephen and I’m so pleased I was of some help. It’s such a nice scene and you can now see it. Can you tell me where you got the perspex from? I’ve had a look at couple of online suppliers myself but it’s good to compare. The wood yard is developing nicely and it’s such a good idea to test fit the road. I know with Exehaven I want a road system that connects across the layout and the smaller scenes where a road comes into is so important to make it look right and realistic! I’m really looking forward to the cliff going in and what you’re going to do with it and I’m guessing you won’t really know how it’ll look until you start making it. I really like the cottage, it’s another little scene that will make the layout come to life. The new Peco wagons look great I must say shame about the coupling pockets, why can’t things like that be standard it would make life much easier! Good work on the Laurel and Hardy, I’m looking forward to painting some figures but there is so much I have to do first!!! Lovely update as usual and I’m glad you’re feeling better, cheers for now Stephen, John

[@Elvenhome]

Thanks John and I’m grateful for your earlier comment. The Perspex was from Perspexsheet.uk. I’ve had a cracking idea this morning that will help enormously building the cliff face. Need to do a bit of research first for some images but once again the power of KZbin triumphs. The gatekeepers cottage does look nice and it will give more interest than a signal box, which by the junction it would more likely be. Don’t understand PECO with the couplings but I’ve had advice from Mr Ireland about conversion kits for older PECO wagons. I find painting really therapeutic notwithstanding the small size. It’s so nice seeing the figures emerge from the unpainted state. Stephen

[@exehavenharbour]

Thanks Stephen 👍

[@bobwatson2531]

Hola from Spain,a suggestion about the road to the woodyard,if you have the road going behind the two sheds,then you could isolate the road from the woodyard but allowing free access to the pub beyond the viaduct,without going through the woodyard,with all of its inherent dangers.Hope you find this constructive,it is in no way supposed to be a criticism.

[@Elvenhome]

Hi Bob and thanks for commenting. I think that makes a lot of sense and thanks for that idea. It does help starting to block things in, even if the idea you come up with first isn't the one you go with eventually. Stephen

[@kst1958]

Hi Steve, an excellent video as always. In answer to your thoughts about a bridge or tunnel for the road. I would not want to suddenly approach a level crossing after going through a tunnel. Keep up the good work. Keith

[@Elvenhome]

Thanks very much Keith. THE issue of a road exiting a tunnel straight to a crossing has been the thing that stopped me getting on with that part. I think you are probably right that it does need to be a bridge. Stephen

[@davidrauger]

Thank you for another video and sharing your progress. Laurel and Hardy make a nice cameo on the layout. The gap between the tracks on the viaduct and its approach from the left seems quite wide. I keep thinking this everything I see it. Is there space for a refuge siding between the tracks? You could have the remains of one to suggest that it is long disused, or actually connect it up and have it live. It might be an optical illusion but there seems to be quite a clearance. My heart sank when I read the piece about the new Peco wagons when I read the piece in the N Gauge Society Journal. It seems such a waste and the excuse seems a little .... ridiculous? ... when you consider that everyone else other than Peco seem to be able to fit NEM pockets on some of the wagons in their range!

[@Elvenhome]

Hi Dave. I am pleased with L&H and it's nice to have them on the layout. The track is all now glued down and settled in its formation. It's deliberately wide there to make sure there is no possibility of clashes. It may e a remnant of an earlier alignment but all knowledge of that is long gone. Maybe it was originally Broad gauge! I agree with you about the PECO NEM pockets. I just don't understand why, if you doing new tooling you don't use an industry standard. Still Ive been told about a conversion kit for older tooling which I am going to have a go at. Stephen

[@stephenriley9084]

Stephen, An interesting video. I have comments! The road should come down as far left as it can in the woodyard, go behind the buildings and loop around, and rejoin at the base of the slope. The buildings should butt upto the road. The yard should extend as close as possible to the tracks in the foreground to make an easy road loop and a flat extent for stock, loading and unloading adjacent to the canal. Blacktack for the couplings, methinks. If you had the same cold as me, you have my sympathy! There are a lot of "should" in this comment, but you know what I mean 😊. Stephen.

[@Elvenhome]

Hi Stephen. You have a similar idea to another comment and I think you are right. The issue with the couplings is that the pockets themselves are too big for the east-shunt coupling. However there is an easier answer for some older PECO wagons which is a conversion kit. I have been directed to an eBay site to get some and I will give them a go. Thanks for comments about the cold. I don't like giving into colds but this one was very demanding of my attention. Stephen

[@edmorris631]

The NEM pocket situation in our scale is frustrating. The few vehicles that Farish supply with them are usually the least likely to appear in a goods yard, and they appear to have no intention of upgrading older designs. Do you think you will try the Dapol NEM conversion kit? Best wishes -Ed.

[@Elvenhome]

I agree Ed. It is so surprising that PECO decided not to go with the common standard. I didn't know about the conversion kits until I put this video out. I have some on order and I will be converting some of the older PECO wagons to use for shunting. Stephen

[@davidb4040]

Very interested to see your use of perspex on the layout edge as I am planning to do this too, but I'd be interested to know where you got it. Could you point me in the right direction? Thanks!

[@Elvenhome]

Hi David. It was from Perspexsheet.uk. Very easy to set out what you wanted and complete the order. I'm pleased with the result. Stephen

[@robertstrainset6556]

Hi, As always you are getting on well and just commented due to the problem with the couplings you want to use in the new wagons no glueing in is a no brainer but could you not pad out the coupling with masking tape etc to tighten it up as a OO modeller n scale is a bit of a lack of knowlage to me so please if this is impractacle just throw it in the bin but I would rather say it and help than keep silent. Cheers Robert.

[@Elvenhome]

Hi Robert and thanks for commenting. The issue is the the pocket is too wide, by a millimetre or so. It's the right height but any coupling who wiggle sideways in the pocket. It might be possible to put a shim in, but I suspect it will hamper the lateral movement of the coupling. However I've been told about a kit Dapol make to convert older PECO wagons to a standard NEM pocket. So I am going to give that go and leave the new wagons just to run around the layout. Stephen

[@robertstrainset6556]

@@Elvenhome Ok just athought as auto couplings are great to have on a layout.