Focalplane

Hi Andy I just popped in to say hello and that I haven't forgotten my RMWeb friends. No surprise that I don't recognize a thing from last time I looked! But I too have changed tack from Mid-Wales to inner Brum - Moor Street Station is the new layout and it's progressing well. Some of your ex-7mm stuff is there, several points and a couple of buffer stops. Latest adventure is modelling the Moor Street traversers with computer control, lot's of help from Simond on this. Glad to see all is well, Paul

To update everyone on Penmaenpool. Quite a lot of progress was made before Christmas on the layout. Since then I have focussed on locomotives and have nearly completed the David Andrews kit of the Dukedog. The project is on hold because I am waiting on a solution to the outside cranks on the driving axles. The problem is not the axles but the white metal castings that are attached to the outside frame. I am also building a Sidelines LMS Period I coach for excursion traffic on summer Saturdays, along with two other coaches not destined for Penmaenpool. On other subjects I am now posting less frequently because I have found that I am not doing enough modelling. I am also beefing up my workshop from time to time, hoping to have a spray booth facility up and running for when the weather warms up a bit. I have a lot of painting and weathering to do. Paul (It took me a long time to work out where my topics could be found on the new software)

Hi Andy, Coming out of "retirement" to say Hi. Your two layouts look great in the making, the refinements are working well. I like that Ivatt (I have the tender version at Penmaenpool, courtesy of Larry G). Sorry to learn your Mum is in hospital, you've got a lot on your plate. Back to the salt mines. Best, Paul

One of the reasons I chose Penmaenpool was that no diesel locos went there. I suppose during demolition it was inevitable that the rule would be broken. No rats down the line for me, Andy! Best wishes on Bala, Paul

Hi Simon The brass strips look good! I like the engine shed too, much more sophisticated than at Penmaenpool! Merry Christmas to you and yours, Paul

Breaking silence to say that I am a member of Western Thunder but strictly read only at the moment. There is also a new forum set up by DCC Concepts and this is where I have pitched my tent! Paul

I am not abandoning my friends! Paul

I am on a sabbatical from RM Web. You can find me on another Forum where the Focus is on modelling. Paul

When I am in France I post at say 8am but it is 7am in the UK. I am not sure what that means to everyone else but I think I own a one hour Tardis. Paul

I made a double slip in 4mm OO gauge for Shipston. It was an interesting experience but I expect it will be easier in 7mm scale. It would have been quicker and easier to build two turnouts back to back but I didn't have the room. I also found that after mastering Templot it was very easy to forget everything I had learned in a matter of weeks. Edit to add that Templot is invaluable! Paul

Sadly I really don't seem to have the opportunity to use flange squeal on Penmaenpool, the original track work was well designed and no tight curves were involved, even in the engine shed roads. Still, when my long long term project of City of Birmingham is completed and Penmaenpool becomes a heritage line for special occasions, the Semi might just let out a squeal or two! Paul

Simon Yes, Intentio have a good range and will make items to order - in my case the most obvious would be the "concrete" supports for the platforms. As to other builders' components, Penmaenpool was built by the Cambrian (with the exception of the possibly unique signal box and goods shed which were by GWR) so nothing was standardized, so I think scratch building is the way to go. Out of interest, are your buildings for Porth Dinllaen based on Cambrian or GWR architectural styles? The restored station building at Porthmadog looked resplendent the other evening, even in a torrential downpour! Paul

While away from the Railway Room I have been able to do some research on various topics, often as a diversion from more pressing family moments. One such area has been the relatively new field of laser modelling. The various kits I reviewed at Telford were all quite amazing but the one problem I had with all of them was that, when you want to accurately model a prototype, there are likely to be few kits out there that will do and even then they will need a lot of customization to represent the prototype. As an example, many reading this would say that companies like the LNWR built their signal boxes along set designs. This may be true but in many cases there were individual changes made due to the land available. For Penmaenpool it would appear that although the signal box was exhibited by the GWR at an exhibition before its installation it may well have been a one off design. Most unusual is the fact that the levers faced away from the track, a rarity that can be modelled quite easily by relocating the interior to match. Nonetheless, I could not find any laser cut kits that came close. What may be useful are individual components, such as window frames, but even these are unlikely to be exactly correct. So it looks as though I will be scratch building the rest of the structures as one-offs, using the brass strip framework employed on the engine shed and rec room. This is another good reason for buying some RTR stock - time is of the essence. The outstanding building/structures include the signal box, the station house (booking office and residence), the hotel, the goods yard shed and two wooden shelters on the platforms. Then the platforms themselves, but this is where one possibility for laser cut parts might work as the platforms were wooden planks on cast concrete supports. The supports could be laser cut as a batch. Going back a few years, Alan Buttler did some sterling work on his diorama of Oswestry Works but this has had to take second place to his Modelu business. Enough rambling. Paul

I am doing something not usually recommended when building etch kits. As I have limited tools with me, I cannot build the Dukedog but I can separate all the parts and fittings and fettle them ready for building. The problem with this approach is that the individual pieces can get lost or mis-labelled. So I have acquired packs of small sized clear plastic bags, each one labelled: Some of the parts will require riveting and folding but in general the construction should go more quickly. Paul

The reasons I contacted Youchoos are: I prefer Zimo decoders over Loksound - a person preference - but also because the set up recommended by Youchoos allows more room for a decent speaker and stay alive. I also like the fact that Youchoos have samples of all their sounds on line. I shall probably use the Hall sound files but I have yet to decide. I plan to standardize all my functions to the same buttons on WiThrottle. I do have a couple of Loksound chips on other locos and they work well so this is purely a personal thing for my current layout. Paul

On a positive note, the missing pony screw replacement arrived today. Thank you, Heljan and Tower Models! Paul

I have a Large Prairie with a 2-6-2T wheel arrangement. Two replacements for the missing screw arrived this morning from Tower Models. Thank you, team Heljan, for getting them to me before I depart. A quick photo, with the ponies attached but no other details at this time: They can wait until after the loco is tested on DC, then run in, then taken apart for DCC sound installation (which may not be immediate as research is still ongoing as to the best options out there). The Severn number plates, etc. need to be trimmed and painted. I will probably do those in a batch with others that are also waiting to be finished. And, real coal will replace the plastic moulding. So 4175 won't be seen any time soon running on Penmaenpool. The pulling power has been demonstrated but I can't find the link. Out of the box the loco pulled 60 wagons with some slipping to get started. That's far more weight than I will ever have. Paul

I hadn't thought of that! Too late now for Penmaenpool. I have made most of the track for Shipston in OO gauge and one day plan to put it all back together again. It does look better in 16.5mm gauge, particularly if the sleeper spacing is correct. Paul

And, copper clad sleepers are expensive! Paul