The following will provide links and some brief comments on what I have found useful whilst constructing the layout or surfing the web for inspiration. 

Lighting, Signals & connected electronics

Excellent Quality, Speedy delivery, Bespoke construct if required

Hand made street lights, the lights come in three colours, white, orange and yellow and are produced as single or double head. In addition Yard\ Station lights are also produced in single and double head, these are black (see images page).

They manufacture and sell a range of electronic controls for model railways. Many of these use infrared train detection.  I have used in conjunction with Signalling to good effect. 

Shops & DCC Suppliers

A very small but well stocked model shop. Prices are very competative with excellent customer service - nothing is too much trouble. And they are local! 

A large well stocked retailer - advertises heavily in the model rail press. Look out for Special deals and bulk buys. Premises in Liverpool are large and well stocked.

Based in Sheffield its premises are probably one I would not visit again unless I was local, however I have found their online service excellent. They have special deals throughout the year and I would recomend subscribing to their newsletter. Their web site is frequently updated.

 www.kernowmodelrailcentre.com

This model shop gets mention, not because I have yet to buy anything from it (only because I prefer where I can to support my local shop), but due to its weekly newsletter. The newsletter arrives by email each Saturday and gives me a good indication of what the big two manufacturers are releasing. They have a good online presence and often commission their own special editions. I am sure I will visit one day when in Cornwall.

 www.tonystrains.com

I have used Digitrains for items of Lenz DCC equipment including Lenz GOLD decoders, Gold Decoders are equipped with soldering pads to which the cables of the Lenz POWER 1 storage module's must be soldered however these are very small and my soldering is not very good so Digitrains provide them pre-soldered (only place in UK I have been able to find so far).

Also used for the purchase of the CMX Clean Machine and other DCC products ie LDt RS8.

Bachmann produce some excellent engines and rolling stock. Even within the last few years the improvements made, with lighting, sound and looks are fantastic.

My only gripes are:

• Bachmann’s web site in my opinion is poor and I would like to see much more information and usability.
• I would like to see much clearer delivery dates - setting expectations is key in my opinion.

The poor cousin of the big two and falling behind, though I have found the quality of models produced high with a feeling of weight and quality – I have a couple of Class 47’s and these are good runners (though I have had to do a little tinkering) – how long these remain will depend on the coming offerings of Bachmann. Hornby’s 47’s are too much like toys to consider and also many years old.

Hornby are where most of us start, their new models are excellent (Class 60 especially), their old and still released ones best avoided (Class 47 for example). They still cater for new comers and children which is good. and are expanding and acquiring other companies as they do. Recent releases from the Lima stable have been an improvement over original releases but no where near as good as the new releases from either Bachmann or Hornby.

They have yet to catch up with Bachmann in the Sound arena and have recently joined the DCC revolution (a little behind Bachmann) – I have not tried their or Bachmann’s DCC controls so cannot comment.

Their Skaledale range I can’t get enough of – I have learnt the hard way that if you see something in the Skaledale range buy it – if you wait a while you may miss out as only so many I believe are made before the moulds become unworkable.

Hornby's web site has been reworked recently (end of 2006) and is much better.

Reading Material

An excellent monthly publication which provides great inspiration - and you never know Stafford Central may be featured one day!

If you are going to buy any monthly model rail magazine this should be it.

Misc Detail

www.peco-uk.com/Products/kandm.htm

 mailto:sean.k@sky.com

Handmade realistic lineside fencing (see WIP 10 Feb 07 for picture), looks good and once painted is quite effective I think. Purchased by the metre - please contact Sean for more details.

Other Layouts used for inspiration\ information

A regularly updated site with some good pictures and video - how I wished I had seen it before I started my own - I especially like the use of the spiral and multiple levels.

One of the first sites I bumped into and one I periodically take time out to read the ramblings on the OMWB page. Some very useful info contained within including DCC advice and guidance.

Some real atmospheric pictures - my favorites must be of those watching the trains from the layby.

A small space DCC Layout with attention to detail that never fails to impress me - if only I had the patience and expertise. Various "how to" guides.