tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20340207.post366226567184222076..comments2024-03-18T09:41:44.450+00:00Comments on Phil's Workbench: London Festival of Railway ModellingUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20340207.post-54427411211622427662014-04-02T14:15:17.807+00:002014-04-02T14:15:17.807+00:00If you repeat the "Edgeworth" talk at (s...If you repeat the "Edgeworth" talk at (say) RMweb Live, it might be interesting to specify what you mean by building a layout.<br /><br />I suspect you might find that a number of people have never built a "real" layout - but have thrown together lots of ovals of snaptrack on the floor / table.<br /><br />Some (me included) have also tried building short test tracks - and "chainsaw" layouts which (although they could never form the basis of any proper layout) would have taught us a lot about what is / is not feasible.<br /><br />In my case, I've also adapted the "chainsaw" approach to locos and rolling stock - by building "part models" to test out different ideas.<br /><br />It's amazing how many lessons I've learnt in this way, at a very low cost.<br /><br /><br />A lot of people (me included) will also have learnt lots of relevant stuff through work environments - stuff like building things in sections (so they're easy to faultfind / fix when they go wrong) - using the biggest wires you can fit in, then labelling them and keeping the wiring neat - documenting everything you do (have you ever had to trace wiring without a proper wiring diagram?).<br /><br />In my case, I also fitted loads of strain gauges - so I'm also very conscious of the limitations of different adhesives.<br /><br /><br />Many people also have other hobbies which will have taught them other relevant stuff. In my case, this means electronics - so I know how to use a soldering iron. (Unfortunately, whitemetal soldering is a completely different animal - or should that be "monster"?)<br /><br />I don't claim to be an expert in any of these these areas - but I know enough to get by. The same probably applies to a lot of people who might be interested in starting out in modelmaking<br /><br /><br />Where does this leave me? I guess I might have to start actually building some complete models - assuming I get enough time in one "block", that is. Time will tell ... .<br /><br /><br />What about you - with your "Edgeworth" talk? I suspect that, even though many of the audience have never built a "proper" layout in their lives, most would be more than capable of doing so (space and time permitting). Most would also be capable of building individual models - locos - rolling stock - buildings etc..<br /><br />Whether any do, of course, remains to be seen.Huw Griffithsnoreply@blogger.com