New narrow gauge railway layout - NG11 - The Pizza layout

With the IKEA Lack table firmly glued, it was time to add the Pizza track base. The ring was cut from MDF with my jigsaw and with a track centre of 600mm. I thought 600mm was about the minimum I could get away with without compromising performance of the Hornby 0-4-0 or 'Smokey Joe' chassis on the tight curve.

As you can see the track base just fits on the extended Lack side table.

I used small wooden blocks to raise the track ring as I wanted to have the groundwork extend below track level as well as above it. The wooden blocks and ring were glued and pinned in place which allows me to lift the whole assemble by the MDF track disc.

The plan is for the engines, wagons and buildings to be scratch built to the scale of 11mm = 1 foot or 1:27.7, hence NG11. The same as the OSO Salt diorama and Yellow Pelican layout (see earlier posts for more information).

I would expect more updates soon.

Tony

Christmas 2025 Project - NG11, the LACK table base

The new NG11 narrow gauge layout (11mm = 1 foot or 1:27.7 scale) will be a simple PIZZA LAYOUT based on an IKEA Lack side table.

I have used the table top and the four legs to model a layout base slightly larger than 650mm x 650mm. The edges will be clad with MDF at a later date but for now, I have a strong but light surface to start adding detail. The cut out to the front will house the built-in control panel. So far all construction was done with a mix of PVA and superglue.

I still don't have a name for the layout but the plan is for it to be a lumber or timber yard. Expect more updates soon.

Tony

Exhibition of Paul Kidby's Discworld art at Worcester Museum

Earlier this week I visited Worcester Museum to see the exhibition of Paul Kidby's art work depicting 30 years of Terry Pratchett Discworld inspired art. For full details see this link.

I spent most of my time with a sketchbook and pencil trying to get some inspiration and practice my quick sketching but also took some photos. I can confirm that the exhibition is well worth seeking out and I can guarantee that you will not be disappointed. In addition the museum shop has loads of Terry Pratchett themed gifts and art for sale.

I am looking forward to a second visit with my daughter Holly before the exhibition moves on in January.

Tony

Ogam & Stone featured in the Autumn 2025 issue of The Micro Model Railway Dispatch

The update Ogam & Stone narrow gauge railway layout has been featured in the Autumn 2025 issue of The Micro Model Railway Dispatch. For full details see this link.

The Micro Model Railway Dispatch is a free on-line magazine featuring model railways from around the world, but concentrating on micro or small layout designs and content - if you have never seen this publication before, I can highly recommend it. For more information see this link.

I felt that Ogam & Stone deserved to be seen by more enthusiasts and after all the enjoyment that this publication had given me, I freely gave permission for the short content to be shared. I might even sent future short articles for OSO Salt, Yellow Pelican and even Cold Comfort Lane.

Tony

New narrow gauge railway layout

I recently read of new Bachmann narrow gauge engines under the branding NG7. Which is, I believe to be the same as O-16.5 or O gauge narrow gauge engines running on HO-OO 16.5mm track = 2 foot 4 inch narrow gauge. See this link.

I have four narrow gauge layouts - Ogam & Stone a simple oval built to 7mm = 1 foot or O gauge (O-16.5), OSO SALT a diorama shelf layout built to 11mm = 1 foot (possibly NG11?) running on 16.5mm track equating to 18 inch narrow gauge track and trains, Yellow Pelican also built to 11mm = 1 foot on 16.5mm track another NG11 and finally Cold Comfort Lane which is built to 1/35th scale or NG8.5 or NG8.6 or maybe even NG9?

I hope you are following so far.....

The latest planned layout will be a Pizza Layout built to 11mm = 1 foot running on 16.5mm PECO O-16.5 'Crazy Track' so  an 18 inch gauge narrow gauge railway or NG11 - I am still to decide on a name.

Planning is still at a very early stage but I do have an engine, plans for at least two wagons and earlier today I purchased two lengths of PECO O-16.5 track. Expect updates once the two engineers (grandsons Finley and Charlie) have finalised their plans.

Welcome to NG11.

Tony

Well, well, well - Miniature Wargames issue 510

Issue 510 from Miniature Wargames (October 2025) features a number of scratch built and painted wells and springs that have been constructed by me. For full details see the latest issue.

The first is a small hand pump and trough modelled on one I saw at Launceston Castle earlier this year. The images above show the initial sketch, construction and painting of the model.

The images below show just some of the models featured in the three page how-to article. The models have been built over a twenty year period and most if not all have previously appeared on this site.

Tony

Abstract Acrylic paints reduced in Hobbycraft

I'll start this post with a simple statement; I do not need any more paint.

But.....

These Abstract acrylic paint pouches were picked up for just £1.00 each from Hobbycraft, Worcester. My wife was shopping on the retail estate earlier this week when she picked up three pouches for just £1.00 each so we went back to see if there were any more. There were. So I now have ten packs. As an aside the last post showed the John Blanche limited edition paint set from Army Painter - ten 18ml paints for £35.00 while these Abstract paints were just £1.00 for 120ml! Abstract paints are heavy body, high pigment, ultra strong and light fast so some of the best graduate level paints available, only surpassed by brands like Liquitex or Golden acrylics.

You may be lucky enough to have similarly reduced paint at your local Hobbycraft store.

Tony