vitalspark

Correct and for a good exhibition layout with a continuous feed of different trains a large up & down fiddle is required and as it would be a long time before a train reappears it couldn't realistically be called a roundy roundy. Alloa is operated very successfully like this and the new project Larbert has a 40ft frontage with long straights that swallow a 50 wagon train or a pacific and a dozen Mk 1s fed from a 14 road fiddle with 42 sections in each up and down so even with long trains occupying double sections there should be around 50 trains to choose from. Anyone that stands that long and complains its roundy roundy will have our resident rotweiller Mike set upon them. Dave.

..learning from the master! D.

I ran out of time with last reply and should really have attached more images. I can upload step by step images of the build process and the home made jig if its of interest. Dave.

As already posted Andrew at Wizard Models has them. Make sure you buy the 3mm and not the 4mm as they are monstrosities..the 3mm however if fitted using the mounting plates and loops with one hook per wagon can be a very effective and neater replacement for tension locks. A home made jig is essential to turn them out quickly and uniformly plus height gauge for wagons too ensure they all match perfectly. Pick your most common wagons that have the lowest underfloor height..we settled on Bachman..and then just araldite the mounting plate directly under the drawbar. Any other wagons that might be slightly higher to the underfloor is a simple matter of adjusting with plasticard shim. Three links from the one hook with the last one being iron to attract the uncoupling magnet and you are complete. A Bill Bedford wire bending jig is a cheap and essential tool to turn out identical loops. The S&Ws propel on the indent on the top of the hook and act on the opposing bar and you will find you can propel long rakes over crossovers with much less chance of buffer lock or derailment than with tension lock. Also theres much nonsense talked about 3mm couplings not being able to negotiate tighter curves..with a single hook and bar set up this is not an issue. Cost wise It also means the hook fret goes twice as far. Bill Bedford wire bending jig for the two loops. Dave.

You are correct as regards the stock however the Caley station pilot has both vacuum and Washinhoose brakes and of course apart from the aforementioned 'bar' coupling it also retains the hook on the buffer beam..for the odd screw which its still partial to. Dave.

One of the locos on Alloa with the typical bar only arrangement at each end. Another excellent kit built loco and a recent addition showing the bar attached to the tension lock of the coach which is not too obvious in operation. The rear coach obviously has no coupling..and a tail lamp! Dave.

We have a mix of couplings on Alloa using 3 link on mineral rakes that are rarely split Kaydees on the likes of Bachmann dmus to close couple and also on coaching with a medium/short combination usually working best but we also still have a large number of tension lock fitted stock however they are the smallest types and confined to wagons within the trains. We are currently working through these to replace with scale alternatives but until then the simple rule of never allowing a tension lock to be fitted to the rear of a coach or brakevan and never on locos works well. We also use 3mm S&W which are much finer especially if fitted with the hook at one end only as apart from more reliable auto uncoupling it means there is always one chain hanging between wagons and not two! Hornby close coupled with mixed length Kaydees simply plugged in to the nem pockets. Spratt & Winkle 3mm couplings on 4mm stock and hook at one end only. Once blackened and viewed from normal operating angle quite discreet and streets ahead of tension lock both in appearance and operation and of course with a 3 link chain hanging from each wagon. Cheap and easy to fit too. Dave.

Common problem on Hornby locos due to too much side play on the leading drivers to allow for trainset curves. Black plasticard down behind the wheels glued to the frames limits the sideplay and should stop this happening. Simple and obviously cheap fix of course it means it will not got round curves more suitable to a dockyard but then the real thing would be having problems there too. Dave.

Its probably the easiest mod to do but remember some decent coal in the tender too! Add a bit of weathering and you have a model to rival the kit built versions. Dave.

Unless its Lord Nelson a 2 cylinder has the same beat as a 4 cylinder. Dave.

Most interesting and glad to learn of this. Thanks for the info. Dave.

Thats interesting as I thought the bearings should be Timken roller but I'll check with the RCTS book. Dave.

Wet and dry paper folded and shaped then superglued on then splash of matt black paint and powders. Takes about ten minutes and costs nothing. I've seen black cartridge paper used also but I prefer a fine wet & dry as it keeps its shape well. Scribed on one side with a blade and then folded concertina style..about 12 folds from memory. Pinch one end between pliers and a touch of glue to form the screen then bend it to a curve at same end to follow tender frame. Another spot of glue and stick on to tender then trim to length. Dave.

McGregor in service on Alloa. Dave.

Nice job but after all the skilled work in weathering I would also consider fitting the characteristic draught screens to close the tender gap. Its an easy fix and compliments a good weathering job. I have two Clans and a Brit fitted with them and it makes a difference. Dave.

Yes it will be a lot of work but hopefully worth it in the end. I have a Kemilway chassis which includes the tender chassis as the motor is mounted within and drives via cardan shaft to the loco. No issues with the boiler and clearances and daylight where daylight should be but it's an involved kit and will it ever get built..??..who knows. Dave.

Its a fine show so pity about the weather. Dave.

Great to see the AMRSS 'Modelrail Scotland' take third place in the BRM best Model Railway exhibition poll. Warley was top of the pile with The London Festival of Model railways second and congratulations to them both but after Birmingham and London Glasgow was next. A well deserved award for Modelrail Scotland which goes from strength to strength each year and a big thank you to all who voted and to the major retailers and traders who support this top event. Show attractions like the AMRSS/Bachmann Limited edition 47/7 plus the choice of Glasgow by Rails and TMC to announce their forthcoming new commissions also endorse this shows popularity. Well done to all concerned. Dave.

..a very popular destination for those of us in the frozen north. D

Read all about it... Limited Edition 47s going like hotcakes.. Dave.

Just in and everything ready to go. Some very nice layouts on show and some extremely nice examples visiting from south of the border with Newhaven Harbour and Canada Street amongst my personal favourites. Weather is great and we have the announcements from TMC and Rails to look forward to in addition to the Scotrail 47/7s going on sale. Another great show. Dave.

The weathers fine up here so have a good journey. Look forward to welcoming you all. Dave

Your hall awaits! Everything checked and ready..just need the trainsets and traders now. Have a great show everyone. Dave.

..ok so its Hull and Barnsley..but youv'e blagged the odd bridge and viaduct..! D.

Now that would be a great idea. I could think of a certain Crail based committee member of Modelrail who would buy a few sets of these! ..and where do you dig up all these old ads Porcy..you really need to get out more. Dave.