Yes this needs to be very quick. Several Items started but nothing finished. Such is my life. However back in the Back of Beyond work progresses. - I am seriously looking at the idea of getting some model train track and MAYBE a loco and carriages. Can you here me spinning wildly in my grave! (Ok it may be an open grave but the idea is still VALID.)
- Before I get any trains (shudder) I would need to make some track boards (double shudder)
- I started looking at Train layout stuff on eBay. The joy is I am using 20mm wargames figures so 1/72 (or 1/76 you choose I don't care). Which translates to HO/OO for train enthusiasts.
These are perfect for "Back of Beyond" they are 3d Printed (Not an issue just mentioned out of interest). £2.50 for a pack of 10 and £1 postage. And as I will only need a few 10 will be MORE than enough (I hope). So maybe the scenario revolves around needing to send a message, or making sure no message is in fact sent. So this becomes so much more realistic if there are in fact some telegraph poles. So a simple remedy for £3.50. Now I just have to paint them (browny-grey) and mount them on bases. 2mm MDF bases. How hard can that be
On a secondary note my first contingent of opponents has been ordered and I should START painting them next week.
That's it I did say a quick one today.
best Wishes Clint
Good luck with these on the table; I've always found that as I'm clumsy with poles, trees and other 'sticky-up' things n the table, I'm forever knocking them over!
ReplyDeleteThank you Joe. I can see that being the case with me also. But I suspect if used sparingly I may get away with it. We do not after all make ant concessions for trees.
DeleteYou had me at "model train track and MAYBE a loco and carriages" :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you Addict. If I do get any trains It will be as cheap as possible and with a great deal of reluctance. But I can, in this setting see a use for them
DeleteAlways interesting to see when wargamers use model railway bits and vice versa, after all it's all modelling in one form or another
ReplyDeleteThank you Dave, I actually started as a modeller and moved into wargaming when I found out it was an option. With the rise in 28mm figures there are less and less options to make use of railways stuff.
DeleteI, too, sat up and took notice when you said "model track and MAYBE a loco and carriages." Go for it, mate.
ReplyDeleteThanks Bryan. I have not done any railway modelling for about 30 years. There are reasons it is not just a whim and it does involve my nervous breakdown so I do not talk about it .
DeleteClint, a couple of suggestions form working on my monorail.
ReplyDeleteWargaming detail is not model railroading detail. Hand brake levers or wheels can be left off, company logos and lettering in general is not needed, and carriage interiors are irrelevant - blackout blinds all 'round - there's a war on.
Your basic cheap rolling stock is good enough. Bargain bins, thrift stores and bring and buys are your friend.
Christmas is coming. Post Noel there will be a plethora of cheap "around the tree" sets in the sale bins.
Stay generic. You don't really need a Mallard or a Black Five - just a black engine with an even number of wheels.
Wheels do not have to turn and couplers do not need to work (or even exist). In fact, gluing your wheels solid is the better option for the wargames table. My rolling stock just has a couple of little blocks underneath to hold it on the rails - you can't see the wheels so it hasn't got any.
Electrics do not matter, rail ends do not need to connect, and locos need not be motorized. If you want them to have heft, glue some rocks inside the boiler.
Track radii are irrelevant. Compress the hell out of those curves.
At the point you start feeling the slightest frustration, you've gone to far - take a step back and stay there.
Thanks Pat. I appreciate ALL your advice and have already considered it (Prior to your post) This in no way is meant to devalue it or indeed you. Most is "Common sense" and THAT is the Real undervalued Super-power which clearly you have.
DeleteJust know I do value your comment and advice highly. Thank you.
i'm always looking at railway stuff for my terrain products but as you rightly point out most isnt suitable for 28mm. That said those poles should look mighty fine with 20mm!
ReplyDeleteThank you Andy. If they were taller I would also suggest 28mm figs would fit in well. Once painted and based and on the table they should look OK. In fact you can probably see them in the "Flesh" at a local show (at least if I get my way!)
DeleteAt that price you can't go wrong.
ReplyDeleteThank you Michael. That was my thought process when I ordered tem. They are done on a 3D printer and that is clear when you examine them. Not that it is a bad thing at all.
DeleteTrains are a must for BoB. Have a look around at Xmas for suitable cheap plastic train sets. Some of them are actually pretty good and close to HO/OO. The other place to look is eBay - old Triang OO wagons and continental / American outline rolling stock is cheap and indestructible for wargaming. Shellhole Scenics also do a set of sandbags that fit on a Triang flat wagon in their Mex Rev 20mm range.
ReplyDeleteThank you Jackaman. I have already been looking on eBay and brand new sets are pretty cheap if you just want a no frills basic Kids set (which I would). I think the next step is tomake some terrain boards though and see where that leads.
DeleteEmbrace your train spotter , the anorak is very comfy .. I should know
ReplyDeleteThank you Dave. I do appreciate the comment but I will notbe spending hours on a train platform freezing my ***s off. Anoraks are surprisingly comfy I find as well.
DeleteIts amazing how a few of these scattered about brings the table to life. They add some height to the table that aren't trees or buildings.
ReplyDeleteThank you Simon. I agree totally. And yes I do expect them to get knocked over or tangles in jumpers. You know the sort of thing.
Delete