steveNCB7754

Operating Team member, at first exhibition after rules are relaxed: "Really looking forward to a trouble-free weekend, of simple movements, now all those bugs have been fixed". [Gets handed the 100-page, 'New Operating Rules', resulting from all the bug fixes] Operating Team member: "AAARRRRRRRHHHHHHH!!!!!" ;-)

Just an addition to what Simond has said; what about the free-running of the motion generally? Sometimes on RTR stuff, part(s) of the motion (esp. crosshead, slide bars, etc.) may be mis-aligned, mis assembled, not glued or clipped into position properly, or very slightly bent (or not 'fettled') and causing a momentary mechanical contact that shouldn't normally happen. This might be constant (in any location), or intermittent (e.g. only when negotiating a curve or perhaps only on LH ones). This also might not show up (so much) whilst at speed (or being run-in at speed), but only at low speed when the effect is more pronounced or noticeable. Just a thought anyway. HTH

Love the pose of that lady at the window - (thinks) 'How much longer is he going to be, because I'm definitely regretting those two bottles of water!' Also, I assume these lighting strips don't have any flicker/fault circuitry (as some coach lighting can have) - the last thing we need, is flashing in the toilet!! :-)

Thanks. Yes, I think someone else here mentioned them and there is an 009 layout on the back page of the recent Railway Modeller 'Setrack Plan Special' supplement, which also suggests adapting them.

Yes, I was slightly confused as well. At the point in the photo (its junction with the main A44), it looks obviously to be a (public) road, but if you go up the (now) main road North to Llanidloes and look across behind the pub (and thus, alongside the old school) it isn't that obvious that there is a right of way. Checking the OS Map I have (2015 copy, updated in 2012) it definitely shows it as a yellow route, off the road north as I mentioned, so I guess that means it is (still) a public right of way. Interestingly, at the junction in my photo (on a wall at the corner, just out of shot on my right), there are a couple of small, white signs with black numbers on them ; 'A44xxxx' (can't remember what the actual number(s) are), but I don't know what their significance is.

Bit of a general update on the whole, location of the road bridge carrying the line through Llangurig village (or at least, the intended line); Taken today (24.01.2021), I had intended to wait for a nice sunny day, but snowy will do just as well. In this image, I am facing North with the main A44 road through the village, behind me. This is almost at the extreme West end of the village (heading out to Aberystwyth) and shows the remains of both the East-West embankment and the road bridge abutments. So as discussed, the road down from the North (to/from Llanidloes), which lies some yards to the right, originally did turn West when it met the embankment (now gone), run along its rear face, and then turned down South again under the bridge, at the location shown in the photo. You can, of course, find the self same spot using Google Street View if so inclined. [Embarrassing note: I actually been living here since April last year, but I've never walked along to this end of the village before (driven past it loads of times). This is because, as a pedestrian, you cannot go anywhere (safely at least) in this direction, because once you reach the village limits, its just grass verges (no pavements) and a (usually) very busy main road]

Yes, that would be difficult to replicate on a model! Great photo BTW - but I think they need more lights on the front of that loco!! Maybe that's the Polish headcode for 'You don't need to know what I'm doing, or where I'm going, just get out of my way!' LOL

Ahh, OK ('my bad').

Just that you can see the fiddle yard area through that opening in the backscene. Putting a building 'flat' adjacent to the opening (up against that concrete building in the corner), would help to hide it. Wouldn't hide it completely, obviously, but sometimes having a bit of scenery, just into the fiddle yard area, helps to disguise the transition. Naturally, this is also dependant on viewing angles. My idea would only be helpful from certain angles - if you can see right into the fiddle yard area from a wider angle, it probably isn't worth it (otherwise the whole fiddle would need scenery (and nobody wants to do that!).

Just a thought - in your first photo (above), if you had a 'mirror image' of the low structure attached to the righthand side of the corner concrete building, attached to the lefthand side as well, it would help disguise further the entry into the fiddle yard (especially with the main building having that awning conveniently masking the transition. Not a criticism, just a suggestion, but I realise this would add yet another 'ToDo' to the To Do List (sorry). ;-)

Yes, you are right, out on the rest of the Narrow Gauge system, you have to 'hand shunt' (or use a horse, I suppose). The layout I envisage, would only be modelling the end of that system, so you won't see what happens to the Standard Gauge wagons (on their transporter) once they leave the scene. One 'wild' thought that occurred to me, was; if I used the Leek & Manifold design transporter (where the wheels/bogies are actually nigh-on invisible to the casual observer), maybe you could get away without using wheels (on the model) at all! Just a suitable 'shoe' at each corner, resting on the rail head, and the transporter wagon could just 'skate' along the track (so no problems with trying to fit wheels/bogies of any sort). Just a thought ('needs more work' obviously).

You make a good point. In my case, I'm imagining that the Standard Gauge station (the main focus of the layout), is also just the 'terminus' (or at least the end) of the Narrow Gauge line (sharing a common goods yard), so what happens after a transporter wagon leaves the scene (with its Standard Gauge wagon load), is not shown. As you suggest, the length of time a Standard Gauge wagon would be on the Narrow Gauge system, depends on a number of factors. In a rural setting, I can imagine that a wagon brought-in to collect milk (in churns) and return the empties, would be in and out pretty quickly (perishable product), but a 7-plank full of coal (being sold 'off the wagon' by the sackful), might be there some time (depending on demand).

Yes, that does seem a bit excessive and does limit operations to those wagons, so-modified. My initial thought (to get round it), was to have the visiting standard gauge loco 'shunt the yard', including the retrieving/placing of standard gauge wagons off/onto the narrow gauge transporter wagon, whilst the latter was temporarily restrained in position at the buffer between the two gauges. Obviously this is not prototypical (at least not on the Leek & Manifold, where it was seemingly done by 'hand-shunting'). Doing it my way, it could either be; 1. A one-off 'movement' = an empty (NG) transporter wagon left in position to receive a new (incoming) empty, or possibly loaded(?) wagon, or it might equally contain a standard gauge wagon awaiting removal (again, empty or full). 2. Multiple 'movements', where the 'duty' narrow gauge loco arrives to assist in the operation and more than one transporter wagon is offered up to the 'interchange buffer', for the standard gauge loco to (again) retrieve or drop off the necessary standard gauge wagon(s) (empty or full). Easy to envisage in one's minds eye, but perhaps tricky to execute (though DCC would really help of course). Wagons would definitely need some sort of 'retardation' arrangement, to ensure that they don't 'wander off' once placed on the transporter wagon! Yes, I would definitely join the society, if this came to fruition, thanks.

Have been looking into this online. So far, all I have come up with is what appears to be a double-bogie transporter wagon (each bogie=3 axles), presumably to allow for at least more than one two-axle, or perhaps a single double-bogie bolster wagon, is that what you meant? If so, it seems a little large for a potential rural narrow gauge line in Mid-Wales (although I appreciate I can do whatever I like of course). Had really only envisioned transporting one standard gauge wagon per transporter.

True, and I suspect trying to incorporate such a thing on the layout I intend, would; a) Be pushing my abilities somewhat, and b) Probably lead to a even greater loss of hair than I have already experienced, whilst just shunting!

Hi, thanks. Yes, I was fortunate enough to see Paul Holmes “Hulme End” at the 2019 Mid-Wales Model Railway Exhibition at Welshpool Town Hall (what a grim, wet and windy day that was!!). His layout features that NG to SG 'exchange' system (standard gauge wagons moved on narrow gauge transporter wagons), albeit as per the Leek & Manifold. Spent far too long that day, just watching the moves on his layout :-) [Happy days]

Phew!! Could have been worse - as in another Gauge 1 QJ (LOL)!

Superb work as always, though to be honest, it didn't jump out at me when I watched that video again. What a video as well - very therapeutic (let's hope we'll get to see it again in the not too distant future)! On the subject of new/improved train formations (and referencing that video) - have you considered any light-engine movements (single locos or even two/three together)? Steve

Hi there, Thanks for the 'roundup' and suggestions (a lot to take in). Also, admire your own work here - saw 'Harz' at Narrow Gauge South in 2018. Lets hope such events make a return in some form, in (hopefully) the not too distant future. Steve

Hi Steven B. That's good to know, thanks. Steve

Hi BernardTPM, Thanks for that insight. Yes, I don't think (at this stage anyway) I envision operations are going to require the larger capacity/heavier rolling stock types (think, 'Oh Mr Porter' starring Will Hay, rather than the Festiniog 'Roofing The World'). On the other hand, having casually suggested lead mining as a source of trade (an activity which was historically common in the district), that I had better investigate what was actually 'exported'. One local farm I have known for many years, has the remains of such a mining operation (which I understand, was often a Winter/supplementary activity on such properties). There appears to have been a wooden 'leat' on the main stream nearby, leading to what looks like a waterwheel 'pit', suggesting ore processing of some sort on-site. So presumably, only the finished product (actual lead, in ingot form?) left the site, probably on pack animals. Whether that would be true of such operations, if a railway was to hand, I'm not sure at the moment. Obviously, from a rolling stock/operational perspective, there is a difference between hauling out just the 'finished' lead, as opposed to shifting relatively large quantities of lead-bearing rock (to be processed elsewhere). Steve

Hi OO9 micro modeller, Thanks for your feedback. Yes, I imagine there will be a (narrow gauge) platform, built up against the 'rear' of my fictional location's standard gauge one. So in practical terms, it probably is going to be sensible to choose a coach type first, and let that set the track-to-platform distance, always assuming that any (prototypical) associated wagons are not any wider of course. Although thinking about it, that also depends on whether you allow mixed trains (so wagons have to be accommodated in the platform road). Steve

Thanks Christopher, Useful information there and does illustrate the potential 'problem' I am worried about. On the other hand, I can appreciate the position other modellers take, that 'Rule #1 Applies' (i.e. its your layout, so do whatever you want). Steve

Thanks Martin, My 'gut feeling' (and I say this having just suffered a tummy bug myself!), is that my fictional narrow gauge 'feeder', will be more of the Welshpool & Llanfair, rather than a Vale of Rheidol. Perhaps something that started life (as 'Sir Madog' mentions) as a horse-drawn tramway, serving lead-mining operations (with a bit of timber and the odd, sparse, community), that later went 'steam' and obliging decided to run the occasional passenger coach on market days/'high days & holidays'. So probably at the smaller size range - I really have taken a shine to the Bachmann Baldwin 10-12-D Tanks, but I wouldn't want it to look like they were pulling stock from a larger scale. Steve

Thank you 'Sir'. So it probably makes sense to decide in advance, 'My narrow gauge feeder is a 'Glyn Valley Tramway clone' (for instance) and only employ locos and rolling stock pertaining to that operation or 'scale' of business.