Looking forward

During the past month several people have been asked there considered opinions on the future of Model Railways. Well I thought I would air my thoughts as well. I think that 3D printing will become more widespread. At the moment cost are relatively high but once home units come down in price and become more widespread then this will as they say take-off. There may also become a new market in 3D design files. I can see the time when one buys a file for a Coach, Wagon and a building so that you can print off several copies. The detail on models produced by the mainstream manufactures will further improve. We have seen the growth of DCC operation. I would like to see a further change. Rather than just an ID being given to a locomotive I would like to see the use of another ID based on the train describer. This would then allow the train to operate say out of a fiddleyard automatically. Then would have to operate as per signal settings. In effect one could be come a signal man with the trains operating to your signal inputs. Maybe a further addition could be bell codes sent out be the ID via a computer and not allowing the train to depart until you have given the correct codes in reply.

Although my main aim is to model Rowfant I always have a couple of other projects that I like to play with and plan for possible future use. I thought it maybe of interest to see what I am thinking. So here goes with my wish list of models some may happen others will be just pipe dreams:

An N gauge model of the northern throat of Gatwick station. This would be from the buildings over the station to just pass the Motorway links bridge. I would include a fuel siding by the slow lines and the construction siding by the fast lines.

With the introduction by Hornby/Arnold of the Brighton Belle in N gauge. A model of the Ouse viaduct not to scale. Maybe I could add in a little cameo of the fracking protests at Balcombe.

A model of either Betchworth or Reigate on the Redhill-Reading. I want to model a 3R Tadpole and a good excuse to allow a Western interloper or two.

Using good old modellers licence - The DN & SR had a proposal to build from Shawford via its own line into Southampton. This would have routed to the west of the LSWR mainline coming into Southampton through Chandlers Ford. The terminus would have been close to the present West Quay. I would look at a model in BR days with a combination of services of both the DN & SR and MSWJR services so again Southern and Western trains.

 Another Southern layout - with Hornby producing the 2BIL and Bachmann the 2EPB a model of the proposed Southern Heights light railway. This would be a model of one of the passing stations on a single line and third rail. There would also be a siding just to add interest.

Another might have been - imaging that the Somerset and Dorset did not close. Model based on Sheppton Mallet. This would have a connection to the East Somerset so that aggregates trains could be operated in and out. Passenger service could be in the hand of various diesel locos with 4 Mk1s in tow.

Also a pure interloper - Cardigan Town a GWR branch that closed in 1964. I have photos of the buildings I took back in the early 1970s and have most of the published data.

If I win the lottery and could build the room for it. A model called the Oxted lines to include Oxted, East Grinstead High and Low level Rowfant and Grange road, Groom Bridge and Tunbridge Wells West.

Well I can dream.......