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hayfield

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  1. I have had a bit of a brake on loco building the past two weeks for various reasons, today I have received an email from Springside that my order for the outstanding parts are/will be on their way to me Secondly after meeting a friend demonstrating a layout at Alley Pally I have agreed to print some Templot EM gauge plug track turnouts and chairs using a plan he drew up using Templot. This threw up a slight redesign to make it plug track compliant (printable) The easier part is printing the track bases, once I have edited the plan and printed the bases, I then have to learn how to set up the chair files then learn how to print them in resin Martin Wynn challenged me to test out plug track in 7mm scale whilst learning/confirming how to do the alterations needed to the EM gauge track plan. Given the size of the print bed the turnout needs to be printed in 3 sections. The start of the FDM printing ( base of the turnout) Nearing the end of the first print Two of the 3 sections waiting to be spliced together Plug track is in development and is exceptionally good, primarily being developed in 4mm scale, though useable in most scales in various formats. developments are in TT, 2mm and S scale that we know of . For instance in 2mm scale its all resin printed, larger scales use either FDM printed or laser cut bases and resin printed chairs. Turnouts only fully covered at the moment whilst obtuse chairs are designed, but there are a few work arounds in some cases for diamonds and slips, for those unwilling to wait. The FDM turnout base will cost about £2 to print In 4 mm scale the chairs cost about the same as a turnout base, so perhaps £2 per turnout in 7mm scale, plus 2 and a bit meters of rail. Also I can print off reusable filing jigs to the exact size and or angle required for the Vee and switch rails, Other than finishing off the turnout base I will not be printing chairs for at least 2 weeks
  2. I think this is a common occurrence from sellers incorrectly assuming what an item is, most of us if not selling but discussing models on this and other sites I brought a 7mm scale 14xx whitemetal loco and showed it on here, I called it a Springside model, which was totally incorrect, I was told it was a CCW loco and upon checking the chassis was either a Springside or one of a very similar type, certainly not a chassis which was available at the time the kit was available. For me as I visited the old CCW shop in the Bridal Path in Watford (very close to the Junction station) as a very wide eyed 7 year old. My parents could have never been able to buy me one of these this model) The model is of far more worth to me than the Springside kit I now have Clearly from the description I assume its a Wills or very early SEF kit, but without seeing the chassis I may be wrong
  3. To a certain Keyser's were ahead of the game in many ways, even with the HP2M motor in its at least 3 variations I have seen, but these were designed and built 40 if not 50 years ago. And probably were the forerunners of the can and coreless motors we now love. I like the plastic 8ba bolts they once supplied for certain uses. Their complete metal kits at a budget price were models most of us cut our teeth on. Now thanks to the likes of HighLevel, Branchlines and Markits, decent motors and gearboxes are now available, its a very different world to the 70's & 80's Since the demise of Mashima motors from China have flooded the market, some are very good, others worse than useless, a whole new range of cheap weak motors are available
  4. Stephen Agree as this is the method used by most societies in their instructions, plus for both EM & P4 1" long metal strips are sold for this purpose. However a much better tool is made by DJ Wheelrights called a wing rail alignment gauge, which can be used for other gauging jobs https://www.westernthunder.co.uk/threads/em-gauge-block-gauge-with-crossing-alingment-aid.9663/
  5. Hal Nail That's a bit of interesting information and perhaps I may try other days/times. However I thought my best buys were usually are at times other than weekends, either very late or during working hours. The one thing in common is not the time but how the item has been listed, poor photos and or poor description, plus sellers not quite knowing what they are selling. Whilst I have brought items well presented and described, I doubt if any could be called good buys The other thing is eBay's offers usually are over the weekends
  6. What I forgot to have is the job lot I brought (all incomplete kits) with the exception of a couple of locos, I have listed most of them at prices quiet low to reflect their condition and all have been snapped up. This has provided funds to complete the items I have kept (7mm parts are expensive!!) but given plenty of folk the ability to do a bit of building/kit bashing/repairing locos. Kit building is well and alive This Manning Wardle was waiting for the paint shop, extra parts which were missing were ordered and the loco awaiting painting Another part built kit I brought 20 months ago, missing parts were ordered and now I have time to finish off the build, making a start on the chassis before finishing the body
  7. I have a couple of Cotswold/K's 42xx/72xx whitemetal kits to build along with a couple of etched brass sheets for said locos to build a hybrid loco. Recently I obtained a 7mm etched kit Oakville/ Wagon & Carriage Coy kit, the way things are going the 7mm kit will be built before the 4mm ones I have a big box of spares, what does it look like ?
  8. Usually if not always I politely decline offers even if they are way over the starting bid (certainly not if below) as I feel its not fair on those watching and waiting till the end of the listing intending to bid at the last moment. My one fear of this action is to discourage the modeler who desperately needs the part. But to maximize the sale value I always try to end the listing early on a Sunday evening. But I must admit to starting prices close to the items value so rarely get requests/offers.
  9. Quote "As I am 80 this year I have finally decided to retire. So with immediate effect Nucast at Forest Row has ceased trading. All of the stock of the reissue kits I held is being passed to Brian at Branchlines who is not closing down. The future of the Nucast range has not been decided yet and is currently on hold. The moulds and casting machines are now in storage. We are unable to provide any spares or special orders from the range, or produce more stock. Please contact Brian on 01373 822231 as he's currently experiencing email problems.2 I either missed this quote or misread it, its a very sad day where the range has been put on hold again, I totally understand Dave's position and as well as thanking him for the dedication and service to railway (and car) modelers I wish him well in his retirement But a range we thought was being brought back into circulation, now has an uncertain future again. Personally I think its sad these kits are not readily available again, lets hope a solution to the issues can be found
  10. Two of my Springside locos are box-less and as I had a sheet of lightweight 1/8th ply and a bit of 9mm ply. I took them to the workshop and cut them to the required size Simple but joints were decided on 9 mm bottom had sides and ends pinned and glued to it The plan was to have the top and top of the front side hinged Not either been on Amazon or gone to B&Q yet for light weight piano hinges and clip Clip catch(s) needed on the front All seems OK the inside vertical joints will get some quadrant beading for greater strength. I forgot the exact length measurement and could have been 1/2 to 1" shorter for the 45xx I decided to settle on 4.5" width and depth. I will put foam padding in and go from there, but the width could go down to 3.5" . I have looked at Pannier and 14xx which need a box 9.5" long box 4.5" height is fine, width 4" or 3.5" The sizes for width and depth were based on Springside cardboard kit boxes
  11. This loco is an eBay find and came as you see it, its a 7mm kit build I am hoping that someone can identify it for me please I know I can get some missing parts from NGTrains I do have some part used etched detail parts including the roof As for the chassis at worst I can make a simple bar frame chassis Thanks in advance
  12. I am afraid to say I have no idea about either the RTR or collecting (RTR) side of our hobby. But kits and kit building is another story, my knowledge mainly lies in 4mm scale and now learning about 7mm. I would not know a good buy in the RTR/collecting area and thankfully no one has asked me to assist in disposing of their stock. I buy to improve my own collection or find parts to assist in building kits I have. However I am getting much better at letting things go that I don't need, in fact selling these unwanted items actually is much appreciated by like minded modeler's who actually want/need the items I don't require and reduces the cost of my modelling activities My last job lot allowed me to sell off unwanted items at starting prices far below what I would list my own items I want to dispose of, in fact made the items I wanted very cheap (for once). The bulk of which has now gone bar a few items, which hopefully will have totally gone in a month, probably with the exception of 1 item I don't need but is so rare I will not sell it off cheap These are 32mm 0 gauge track gages, the top two are very similar to the Brook Smith P4 track gauges, which in themselves are not too common, but I have never seen them in 7 mm scale. With the inception of Templot plug track the need for gauges is very limited, but to a track builder like myself I would only want to let them (the two black ones) go to someone who would treasure them as I do. I seem to value them far more than anyone else.
  13. I enjoyed seeing the station in the flesh, an excellent model. Thank you
  14. Departures from the UK outside this country carry the same risk whether by passenger train or by air. I agree incoming flights do differ by country of origin. As for the different methods between Le Shuttle or ferry I agree with abd968008 reply
  15. Double standards ? We used Eurostar last year and we passed through security and French passport control very easily and quickly, just like any international airport with the exception that on Eurostar you can take bottles of liquid with you The return journey was much the same in Paris other than both French and British passport controls If anything we were treated better than we have been treated at airports.
  16. I seem to remember as a child anyone who had employed a poor craftsman or brought a dodgy item said they had a bit of bad luck and got on with life, Now we have a mentality of sue for anything we don't like. 7 years ago we had an extension built, after 2 or 3 months we had to part company with the first builder. If we lost money it was in the low £100's not £1000's. As it was a question of the builders cash flow a clean brake was the cheapest solution Now if said builder failed to honor the contract through no fault of yours, in my opinion out of sheer good will certainly a partial refund if not a full refund should be fourth coming. The one contentious issue is the kit being incomplete !! was that true and were you asked to supply the missing parts ? If you only have paid a deposit and the builder supplied parts was what its cost wort it, secondly how much is it costing to rectify incorrect work ? I do agree with chiefpenguin, sometimes its far easier just to put it down to experience if you are not out of pocket by much. Good will does go a long way
  17. A good visit to Alley Pally yesterday and I was able to obtain all the main items I required. A really good show, with some excellent layouts, plenty of different interests covered, and it was very busy so hopefully financially worth doing. Two disappointments very few traders selling parts and tools, lack of specialist traders. Good to see lots of demonstration stands but I went in that area at lunchtime. It was nice to get a free BRN mag but the show guide lacked the usual layout descriptions, but as usual both free parking and courtesy bus from carparks. A big thanks to BRM and I guess the model railway club for an excellent show which was well run and more importantly is well worth going to Whilst I brought a few more bits these are for the kits in question. Thanks to Squires, H&A Models and those on stand 42 (electrical components where I got some thin and flexible wire for the plunger pickups 10m for £1.50 Also you can see a 12ba spinner. Another good find was an 1833 Mishama, unused for £10, I declined the gears and gearbox despite being a name I recognized it had a plastic worm.
  18. There are no reasonably priced hotels near St Pancras, We have booked one of those mentioned and its coat us £180 for the night. You are right to stay overnight, last year we had an 8:00 start which meant leaving the hotel just after 6:00 We have a lie in this year as our train leaves at 9:00. Do pick either Travel Lodge, Premier of other large chain. We had a less than pleasant experience in an dear smaller hotel last year very close to the station
  19. Not if you measure rail head to rail head which was quoted earlier and to what I was replying to. The coach is to 4mm scale, narrowing the gauge will move both lines closer together. As said using track center lines would be far more accurate.
  20. The trouble is the rolling stock is 4mm scale but 00 gauge track is 3.5mm scale. Thus in 00 gauge the rail is 1mm each side too far in. for 00 gauge you have to increase the 6' gauge by about 2.3mm. Even in EM gauge us under gauge. Still the 6' way is the minimum
  21. I had been looking for the 3 parts which make up 112 (steam brake cylinder and support). then realized it had been built and had the piston rod broken off, as was the crank on part 105 ( brake shaft ) The first job was to drill out the old piston rod and replace it The piston rod made from brass rod and some whitemetal scrap was cut to size for the brake crank The parts fitted, the length and size may be incorrect, but under normal circumstances will not be in view Painted dirty dull black which is drying matt Another job ticked off
  22. Firstly can I say these are super detailed kits with high quality castings. They do differ from 4mm whitemetal kits in the way they are assembled where the main part do not necessarily have joining tabs, and I guess owing to the size of the castings may have to be made in several pieces. Also probably because I have been taking over part built kits not until recently twigged how the instructions work, as you have several A3 pages of schematic diagrams and a few A4 written instructions I brought these two kits 2 years apart, one builder being excellent at soldering, the other very good at assembling using glue. Both builders seemingly struggled with with the chassis. The messed up kit (14xx) which was the first kit I brought had an excellent chassis, but a body build which had to be seen to be believed. I doubt the chassis was built by the same person as the body In my opinion the front footplate must be soldered, all wheels are Slaters. All in all enjoyable kits to build Thanks again for your insight in the build process
  23. Tonight's fettling The bottom part of the cabs rear wall stuck in place, each cab side are in 2 parts, the joint was soldered from the inside and gap on the outside filled Tidied up the blemish on the boiled, now smooth to the touch. The smokebox casting is a bit speckled, so am giving it a light sand to smooth The gap between the cab rear wall and cab floor has been filled with Milliput, now waiting for it to harden to enable me to smooth it. All done whilst watching West Ham
  24. I never quoted any country or operator, good to see you state its an option.
  25. adb968008 I have read elsewhere its the lack of border staff or Eurostar unwilling to pay for them at Ashford and Ebbsfleet There is more car parking space at Ebbsfleet than St Pancras so that is a red herring, its more of transport from other stations / bus routes / taxis or friends picking up I understand just before covid signaling at Ashford and Ebbsfleet to enable trains to stop. Its the usual French reluctance to loose their monopoly, which I believe will change in time by commercial pressure
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