Greetings All....

[King Anorak]

Just joined the forum and thought I'd say hello.

I came back to modelling after a long hiatus and am slowly building my first proper layout. It represents BR's Southern Region in the mid-1960s and is set somewhere on the south coast as electrification is nearing completion. It means I can run steam, diesel, electric and EMU - no wonder I never have any money! It's all DC and about 8' x 6' with a central cut-out.

Anyway, looking forward to exchanging ideas and having some good banter.

[Screwdriver]

Welcome to the forum.

I've recently came back after a long hiatus too so you are not alone.

[508035]

Welcome to the forum

There is a wealth of information on here that should hopefully be able to help you with any issues you might encounter or any questions you may need to ask. We're always here and ready to help if we can.

I tried modelling 3rd rail electric units when I attempted to create a Brighton Belle EMU out of Hornby Railroad pullman coaches into which I had fitted a motor and at the time I also attempted to create working 3rd rail pickups to power the motor via 1 side and track power to the other side of the motor. For a while it worked well and also had the benefit that allowed me to operate the unit completely independent of all my other loco's.

Currently, at this point in time, I am looking into purchasing a resin kit from ebay of a class 508 EMU as a 4 coach unit in order to model a few of them as if they had arrived here in the wirral still in their original 4 coach formations instead of the 3 coach units they actually were when we got them here in the early 1980s, I remember tyem being delivered to Birkenhead North EMU Depot although I never actually saw a delivery happen but hey, still the best EMU's we've had here in Merseyside instead of the class 777 3rd rail trams we now have ( as they have been nicknamed ).

[bulleidboy]

Welcome - you have joined a great forum. It might be a little quiet at the moment, as it's summer and members are doing other things. I have a BR (SR) layout, which includes the 3rd rail. I run Bulleid pacifics, a Class 205 "Thumper" and many other SR loco's from the 50/60's period. Only an end-to-end around three sides of a10x7 room, but it keeps me busy.

[Brian]

Welcome to the MRF I'm sure you will gain much information to help you along the model railway path.
We look forward to reading more posts from you as you progress.

[King Anorak]

Welcome - you have joined a great forum. It might be a little quiet at the moment, as it's summer and members are doing other things. I have a BR (SR) layout, which includes the 3rd rail. I run Bulleid pacifics, a Class 205 "Thumper" and many other SR loco's from the 50/60's period. Only an end-to-end around three sides of a10x7 room, but it keeps me busy.

Sounds like a great layout. Ordinarily I'd be doing other things in the summer but I bought a DJH kit recently (a BR Standard 2-6-4T) and it fired me up for doing a bit of modelling. I'd like an end-to-end layout but, unless I extend outside, I don't have room sadly. I've built a long, grass covered tunnel so that trains can 'disappear' for a while and add a bit of realism.

I'm running Bulleid Pacifics too, a MN and 3 lightweights, all heavily weathered. They work alongside 2 BR Standard 4-6-0s, class 04 and 07 shunters, a class 24, a visiting 45 with a seaside special and a BR green 4-CEP. I'm now waiting for the next batch of the EFE 'Boosters' to be released as the BR green ones sold out double-quick. I'm making the layout look worn and uncared for, much as the railways were then, and apart from a few flower boxes at the terminus station, the overall picture is one of slow decay from its previous majesty.