flexible_coupling

I like the integrated Modratec frame... would rather like to have one of them in my next layout.

Chris, I'm suitably inspired. So much so that I created a segment of 3 foot radius double-check-railed S7 track this evening to test my re-wheel-rimmed Fowler chassis upon. I'm sold on the ability to maintain S7 standards (with small locos), have realistic and functional check-rails, and have "prototypically" absurd curvature - with careful fettling and testing, of course. The Peckett will be a brilliant companion to my little blue beastie.

Martin, if you were considering making more than one, it might be worth considering finding an appropriate diameter pipe/tubing and rapid-prototyping a "dome" and end-caps (put them in polyurethane if you need multiples). Have to be competitive to buying a whole Slaters kit to hack up. I'd be happy to help you out with drawing said parts up to have printed in exchange for a bit of said requisite tubing, as I'd like to make up a pair of the NSW shorty bogie oil tankers one day for myself. Remaining elements for bolsters/strapping would be straightforward scratchbuilding tasks. I wonder if something like a wooden underframe for an LCH or similar small wagon would be appropriate? At a casual glance, it looks to be a broadly similar construction style and wheelbase.

At a quick squiz, looks close enough for jazz, easy enough to modify to fit.... I like the looks of a project like that.

I once found a very inexpensive Ikea timber table which I constructed an embryonic O-9 narrow gauge layout upon... I wish I'd been able to see that layout through to completion, as I'd made rolling stock and buildings for it! Anyhow - a small rectangular table with an imaginary line down the middle diagonally (or in any way you fancy) may give you half "workbench" space, half scenic display... I'm considering such an option myself for a more advanced S7 test track, as I never have enough work space... Edit: a solution (which I'm interested in) with folding legs is this - http://www.ikea.com/au/en/catalog/products/50259488/; A budget option in a smaller size is this - http://www.ikea.com/au/en/catalog/products/60161797/ Those are links to the Australian Ikea page - I expect the same product names apply over there....

The snap looking through the brick arch is stunning. Wow.

The photo of the Southern livery on the Terrier is very sharp. It looks as though it'll be worth the wait (in my singular opinion)...

Martin, I'm looking very seriously at building up the 10-class in 3D to make up a duo for myself. That, and an extended-smokebox belpaire 25 - very smart little loco! I don't currently possess resin casting skills, but I've been interested in gaining that ability...

Smart move on starting with a lighter shade. We love the harsh Australian sunshine, and it loves attacking paint - if you're imagining your SHG has been in service for more than 10 years, it's all fair game as to how light you take it. You could get away with a grey/brown too, as the fade and rubbed-in grime will be quite uniform. Great looking little train! Quite jealous.

It's a glaring error - no doubt it'll get reviewed for a 2nd sample. Looks extremely impressive otherwise from that one snap!

I rather like the LHG/SHG/BHG family... very nicely proportioned little vans, and so useful for branchline work. Martin/Chris - the O-Aust Kits site suggests it's off sale at the moment, have you heard anything different about its' availability (either SHG or BHG)?

The sound of the NA's shunting coaches back up the incline to the sidings by the station at Belgrave is very impressive for what a relatively little loco! Certainly one of my favourite spots to visit when I still lived in Melbourne.

Transistor: poor cousin to the delightful thermionic triode... Love my high-voltage valve audio; not anywhere near as enthusiastic about silicon!

Fascinating project, keep it up!

Gorgeous Coal Tank - really captures the look of it well!

That's an incredibly realistic "glossy metal" look on the green - I'm very impressed as it's something that's nearly never captured right!!

Left-of-field suggestion, if you were up for it Chris.... continuous rolls of embossed rough vinyl - as might be used on flooring. A 360-degree pattern cut onto a 4" diameter roller, hot-pressed onto vinyl about 10" wide.

Delightful looking layout so far! The "American" style coaches are quite interesting - I've never seen anything like them from pictures of UK railways, however they're very familiar as a former modeller of Australian railways!

I did up the HO scale one I owned many years ago (remember Lloyd's Model Railways? Sigh...) in red.... quite fetching I reckon! https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5254/5420690075_664d165c17_z.jpg

I'm interested to try and prototype a signal drive that has a "scaled-up" counterweight to give an authentic bounce. I know it's possible electronically with servos, but a mechanical solution might be fun to fiddle with..... of course for me it's 'horse before the cart' well and truly as my layout plans are still well and truly in the planning stage!

How terrifying.... buy a kit, think you're going along swell and find these kinds of really quite significant errors at this late junction...

Have you got grander plans (based on your lever frame) or are you having motorized signals as well?

Marvellous brake-van... presume you're going to solder up some brass for the distinctive end balconies? I rather like your diorama idea. A small loco (X10 2-4-0T shuffled into a different part of the state?), an SHG and an S truck and you've got a full train - and appropriate sized station!

I have absolutely no personal connection, but I'd wonder if it's worth having a discussion with Mr McGeown about the subject before getting too worried. He seems like the head-screwed-on-straight sort that might've designed his new kit to actually work correctly without need for manipulation? I know from having studied the instructions for the little Polly tank (that I'll be getting myself in the new year as a treat, my first 7mm loco kit after years of N and HO building) that he made basic provision for compensation in that simple loco.... one'd hope that a more complex and expensive loco would have equivalent consideration....

How exciting! It's quite cool to have been able to see a layout develop on here and know the "back story" to what sometimes feels like anonymous and 'untouchable' articles in magazines.