2015 challenge

[rue_d_etropal]

Enough discussion, time to set the challenge

2015 is the centenary of the opening of the 15in gauge Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway, well more like the conversion from to 15in from 3ft gauge.

It seems a good opportunity to tie this in with the relaunched forum, as I would hope there is some interest and publicity in model railway press.

Here is my proposal then.

size to be 19 by 15 in(1915 connection) , no extra for fiddle stick etc(the extra 4in on base should be enough), and that is outside dimensions including backscene. This means it could be placed inside a piece of 15in gauge track as part of exhibition.
Gn15
Working , not static
At least one operational point or turntable (suggestion from Martin, I am not trying to promote my 3D printed wagon turntables, really... ).

Aim would be to show as many off as possible in one place, but could include video of those too far away. Also would aim to get something in model railway magazines, September issues as they tie in with the centenary event.

Back in 2006/7 Michael launched a challenge to build something in paper, and my effort by pure chance happens to be 19in by 15in. Luckily I still have photos, which I have put on one of my own webpages for speed and simplicity .
http://www.rue-d-etropal.com/Model-pics/Chateau-d-etropal/chateau-d-etropal-pix.htm
Hopefully this should show you can fit in quite a lot ,but it does not have to be continuous run, it can be like Carl's original module.

[martin]

I'm in!

[rue_d_etropal]

I have tried to contact the Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway about their centenary event, but given the time of year had no reply yet.
As I mentioned before I actually already have a mini layout which is 19in by 15in, from the paper challenge. I plan to get that cleaned up, and build another layout, this time hope to use 3D printed track if it works OK. I had done some very rough 10cm radius sections, but plan to design new one based on what I have learned over past year. I will draw inspiration from some of the mini layouts that have featured here.
I am currently also getting my rail mounted wheelie big operational again, and started on some small wagons based on Underground Ernie coach bogies, as they are very free running.
Hopefully someone will do something Ratty inspired.

[cjwalas]

I think I'm in as well. But don't expect anything too realistic from me... sorry. Is there a timeframe established?
It seems I can only get onto the Gnatterbox for about three hours a day for some reason. anon know what that's about?
Chris

[Nevadablue]

I'll try to do something. I doubt that anything I make would be 'magazine quality', but the size limit fits (sort of) into my diorama module size. I have settled on 16"x 24" to make it fit standard US lumber size, but I can make one smaller and fit it into the overall layout.

[rue_d_etropal]

The R&E centenary event is at end of August as far as I can tell. That sounds like a good target date, but I might try contacting magazines to see if they are planning anything.

[martin]

I think I'm in as well. But don't expect anything too realistic from me... sorry. Is there a timeframe established?
It seems I can only get onto the Gnatterbox for about three hours a day for some reason. anon know what that's about?
Chris

I don't think i'll be doing anything too realistic either. if I had the time I would, as I don't ill be taking the easy option!

[martin]

I'll try to do something. I doubt that anything I make would be 'magazine quality',

Making something "Magazine Quality" isn't really what Gnatterbox Challenges are about... it's about getting people modelling, showing what can be done with minimum gauge and minimum space. Besides your modelling is great!

[Nevadablue]

Thanks Martin, I guess you are right about the purpose of the challenge. I just can't see my work in the same class as the other stuff I see here and elsewhere. I suppose it really doesn't matter. If I have fun that's great and if someone else enjoys it that's even better.

[Chris18]

Thanks Martin, I guess you are right about the purpose of the challenge. I just can't see my work in the same class as the other stuff I see here and elsewhere. I suppose it really doesn't matter. If I have fun that's great and if someone else enjoys it that's even better.

You're absolutely right.

[Chris18]

One question about this challenge: Am I right ?

[Geeky Gecko]

Chris said:

One question about this challenge: Am I right ?

http://imageshack.com/a/img909/4450/w0idFN.jpg

Is there a height limit?
If I have a go at this challenge, I hope nobody will mind if I use existing stock made for 1:25. After all, I'll have to make a rail bender and probably construct points and/or a turntable. Each will be a first for me.

[rue_d_etropal]

I suggest no height limit, it makes it more fun , as some of the most unusual/fun mini layouts have been tall .

[Chris18]

OK. I was wrong.

[Simon]

Following in the best traditions of Sir Jack (ignoring what other people say), I'm in, but am going to massage the rules slightly.... I believe that the idea of having a mandatory turnout as so that there was some operational interest to the layout rather than just round and round. Thus, I've come up with a design* that does have a fair bit of operational interest and no round-roundy but has no turnouts - it has a couple of turntables instead. Hope this doesn't cause too much upset?

* second go after the ban on fiddle sticks meant going back to the drawing board.....will save that one for another day.

[rue_d_etropal]

that's why I included turntables, but maybe some might think I meant both . Just checked, I did say 'or', and that is the 'inclusive or', so either,or both, but at least one. Think that makes sense

[Gerry Bullock]

Hi Simon, where does it say mandatory turnout?
"size to be 19 by 15 in(1915 connection) , no extra for fiddle stick etc(the extra 4in on base should be enough), and that is outside dimensions including backscene. This means it could be placed inside a piece of 15in gauge track as part of exhibition.
Gn15
Working , not static
At least one operational point or turntable (suggestion from Martin, I am not trying to promote my 3D printed wagon turntables, really... )."

Clearly states 'or' so you are Gnot 'massaging the rules'.
By the way when I ran similar defined comps for my Rail Club any contravention of aforesaid rules resulted in disqualification.
Previous challenges on Gnatterbox have been voted on by the membership therefore rule compliance will undoubtably be noted in the comments posted prior to any vote on this Challenge. Assuming that is the intention of Simon D.

[rue_d_etropal]

Gerry, I think I agree. Just noticed I think you mean the other Simon. I will have to modify my signiature, so that I am officially Simon D.(and I do remember the DJ with name that sounded the same )
I would have liked to have put it out to membership, but feared it would drag on, and there is not that much time, I think it is waking people up though.
I was also trying to get some publicity for Gn15, and that can take time to get organised, so have placed some big hints around. It has also been noticed elsewhere that Gn15 is a bit quiet these days.

[martin]

I may be wrong but I think the turnout/turntable rule is there to add operational interest.. I swonder if other prototypical mechanical line/route changing devices would be accepted?
(not that I think the rules need changing)

[Simon]

Apologies for confusion - I was referring back to the original discussion of the mandatory turnout. Of course, being a bloke I never read the correct instructions fully (could this be reason for all of these unfinished kits?).

Anyhoo, planning has commenced properly and I think that it'll all fit...just. Mine will be a rock crusher/grader. Rock comes on in V skips, is tipped onto a conveyor that takes it up into the crusher, it then gets dropped (in the crushed form) out of a hopper into open wagons and is taken away. Am also trying to shoehorn a boiler house in so that coal can be brought in and tipped down the chute. Thus it will all have some prototypical operation even if it is all squiged into an area much smaller than reality. Lots of corrugated iron sheeting for the crusher plant should make it fairly quick to build.

[rue_d_etropal]

Simon says

Of course, being a bloke I never read the correct instructions fully (could this be reason for all of these unfinished kits?).

I normally finish kits, but quite often, not as intended in instructions

[NotHarryPotter]

Hi folks,
so long as I fit within the stated width/height/length parameters, I am assuming that a traverser would be allowable?

[Colin Peake]

Mooching about in the shed the other day I happened to run a tape measure over a dismantled APA box... the depth when laid the way Ikea intended it is 14.5", so with a little shortening and something to bulk up the depth front or back...

Colin

[martin]

Hi folks,
so long as I fit within the stated width/height/length parameters, I am assuming that a traverser would be allowable?

Is that as a replacement to a turnout/turntable?

[NotHarryPotter]

Martin,
If you want the traverer as an alternative for a point then add it to list of requirements. I am just playing with ideas in my head at present.
If I can include a point as well then that is a bonus, but I am more just asking while I think of it.
cheers