Harrogate009

Hi, Looking for a graham farish class 08, the newer type with outside frame, for a 009 loco kit I've been working on. A few years ago they'd pop up on eBay for not too bad a price pretty much every weekend, but now they're proving increasingly difficult to get hold of. I'd like to avoid forking out £120 for a new one only to use the chassis, if I can. Livery etc. doesn't matter. Working order preferable, but happy to consider non-working locos too. Thanks, Jason

Hi, A potentially stupid question, but was curious to know what people's opinions on belt drive systems are? I've built a couple of chassis in the past in large scales but I'm current drawing up a 009 loco chassis where the diminutive size is posing problems in terms of sourcing small enough gears / gearboxes, which may require some creativity. I've noticed some 009 loco kits use belt drive systems, but I've not heard about how successful these systems are? My gut feeling is the belt may be susceptible to creep over time, frictional resistance would be higher than gears and a high dependance on how taught the belt is to avoid slipping belts or excessive rotational friction in the driveshaft (the effect of this minimied with small ball bearing?). Are belt-drive systems to be avoided?

A heavy train no doubt, to require the power of two iron horses!

Bit of a squeeze An unusual view atop of Ingra Cottage June, 1940.

Some scenic progress and improvements on High Dartmoor. The burnt grass makes it look a little less model like and little more... dartmoor-like!

Well, I've run out of grass & foliage for the moment. Here's what it looks like currently; the laser engraved High Dartmor sign has been fitted. Scenery is based on this place, Yes Tor Brook, though I reckon some light brown-yellow grass shades are needed to improve the look.

Basic Trackplan

For the school I attend it is mandatory for students to study 4 1/2 A levels; 4 subjects & EPQ, equivalent to 1/2 an A-level. I have an extra 1/2 A level with an engineering scheme on top of my other stuff, so 5 in total. I don't study Art, no, Maths, Further Maths, Physics and D&T. In theory I am a member of the Bridport club though I haven't participated in any of their activities for a number of years now. If I've got my dates right I'll be in Wales during their summer show!

Just a few minor details added to the scene portrayed in the previous pictures. Very pleased with this end-on view, something a bit different. The remains of old No.3 sheeted and tucked away. Stacked timber No.1 creeping over the stone culvert -still got to form the small stream. No.4 rounds Horseshoe Bend New scenic work

150 years ago Dartmoor was not seen as the beautiful national park that it is today, but rather a barren landscape ripe for industrialistation. Tin, copper, granite, peat and china clay were all commonly mined materials and, as a 1946 Dartmoor map in my family's possession shows, there were a huge number of mines and small industries strewn across the moor which few people know about today. Some had there own internal horse-drawn tramways, such as the Vitifer and Hexworthy tin mines, and some had their own dedicated rail links such as the Foggintor & Swelltor granite quarries, Redlake China Clay works and the Rattlebrook peat industry. Many mines, however, were left barren in the landscape and difficult to reach, causing the industries to decline prematurely. This pressing desire to link numerous industries with the 'outside' world, winding through some of the toughest UK terrain, led to the construction of a narrow gauge railway right across the moor. The layout itself remains under construction, but these images will give an idea of the final scene. It's making quite good headway even with the limited time I have with 5 (!) A-levels that I currently study.

What a fantastic layout. The colouring in particular; brick red & dirty - as it should be!