Hello From Oxfordshire

[PaulR]

Hello Everyone,

It's good to be joining this forum because it means that I've moved from being a 'lurker' to having serious intentions about model railways again after a lifetime of starts and stops (not all my fault - work and life's 'stuff' have been constant interruptions). It's the old story I think, Dreams and good intentions wrecked by a mixture of outside influences and a wandering mind. I do have some O Gauge stock which I built and I'm quite proud of. I'm now working in 4mm OO Gauge - the RTR locos are so good these days, and a good wagon kit is always a pleasure to build.

I love all railways but my particular interest is the LBSCR area (including South London), in all periods up to the late 60s. I also like those trains further east - the old enemy, the SECR!

With a friend, for the past four years we've made a film each summer based around his Gauge 1 tinplate garden railway. We post them free to view on YouTube:

We are hoping to have episode four ready to upload on December 1st. They're very whimsical, but what better way to pass a lovely summer's day!

Meanwhile, I'm a gnat's whisker away from entering the MRJ Cameo Competition. The layout is planned and the intention is that I'll finally complete a layout!

Paul

 

[Heather Kay]

Welcome aboard Paul!

I love those little films. I think someone shared one hereabouts last year, so to hear there's a new one coming is something to look forward to.

 

[cbrailways]

Welcome. That layout is absolutely amazing. It has working signals, correct head and tail lamps on the trains and even telegraph poles...

....and those little videos.....made my day

 

[allegheny1600]

Welcome Paul,
I do have a fondness for things 'southern' so will be pleased to see what you're doing with that.
As for the G1 garden stuff, slobber!
Cheers,
John.

 

[adrian]

We are hoping to have episode four ready to upload on December 1st. They're very whimsical, but what better way to pass a lovely summer's day!

Meanwhile, I'm a gnat's whisker away from entering the MRJ Cameo Competition. The layout is planned and the intention is that I'll finally complete a layout!

Thanks for posting - the Cameo Entry will no doubt be entertaining then.

I love those little films. I think someone shared one hereabouts last year, so to hear there's a new one coming is something to look forward to.

We did -
Scattergun - Duck End videos

 

[Yorkshire Dave]

Welcome Paul

I love all railways but my particular interest is the LBSCR area (including South London), in all periods up to the late 60s. I also like those trains further east - the old enemy, the SECR!

This is nice to see. Similar interest as myself - nothing west of the LBSC triangle (apart from Reading-Redhill).

 

[Mike W]

Welcome Paul.

As you know, on here we all strive to improve our modelling standards of details, wheel and track etc etc - real rivet counters. Whereas of course your friend's Gauge 1 is vintage, course scale and just not to today's standard ... and we absolutely love it! Your fabulous films are far and away the best films of model railways I have ever seen and I have pointed so many people to them on t'Internet. Thank you.

Mike

 

[PaulR]

Thank you very much for the kind replies. This looks a supportive and friendly place, just what I need to keep me on track, as they say. I love the idea of the cameo layout and see it as a way to develop and hone skills within a manageable space. It brings its own challenges though - how to make the scene look credible, and without resorting to the 'centrifugal' effect where all buildings seem to be flung to the edges. I'm on the case - but making no claims!

Thank you for the kind comments about the films too. It always amazes me how those old trains, many of which are pre-WW1, come to life when filmed from a low angle and the sound is added. It's quite a challenge trying to tell a story with two film stars who are about two inches tall, can't move and are fixed to a flat square base!

 

[Ian G]

Welcome to the mad house good county to live in

Ian G

 

[Ressaldar]

Hi Paul,

welcome to WT, I look forward to your postings and photographs.

regards

Mike

 

[Simon]

Hi Paul, great to see you here and learn that you are still making films on that lovely garden railway.

There is something magical about those older models, and I really like the way your friend has used "natural" materials, all further enhanced by the line being laid at ground level.

And then there is the additional magic of your film making, props, moonlight, sound and smoke.

Although my garden line is different in many ways, the atmosphere that you have created on your friend's line with your films remains truly inspirational and I fancy some "storytelling" on my line one day too.

I am looking forward to the next episode!

Simon

 

[PaulR]

Hi Paul, great to see you here and learn that you are still making films on that lovely garden railway.

There is something magical about those older models, and I really like the way your friend has used "natural" materials, all further enhanced by the line being laid at ground level.

And then there is the additional magic of your film making, props, moonlight, sound and smoke.

Although my garden line is different in many ways, the atmosphere that you have created on your friend's line with your films remains truly inspirational and I fancy some "storytelling" on my line one day too.

I am looking forward to the next episode!

Simon

Thanks Simon,

Peter is a quirky railway enthusiast who was probably born in the wrong era (he wouldn't mind me saying that), but he has built up a wonderful stud of old tinplate trains. We've made him a website about it - all his own text and photo choices: Home

In my own railway modelling I like to make things look as realistic as possible, but he is more happy using, as you say, natural materials, and almost revels in finding an alternative use for an old brick or a metal bracket of some kind. For example, the metal parts of the viaduct are old Victorian lintels, and the seat by the electrical control box is an old GWR boundary marker .

I suppose our aim is to make the trains look 'pseudo-real' with low film angles and edited sound. They're basically shot with a Sony Handycam and edited on Photoshop Premier Elements with no visual special effects - we have to squirt the smoke machine at exactly the right moment (I'm giving our secrets away here!). To spend the summer in a garden filming gorgeous old trains, and when the autumn draws in, go inside and mess about with sound effects, what could be better?

Anyway - to the MRJ Cameo Competition - plans almost ready!

 

[PaulR]

Oh, and by the way, I live on the route of the old Fairford line and regularly walk along a stretch of it, so I am also here as an appreciator of the 'Western'.

 

[40126]

Welcome Paul

Steve