ianb26

Hello there, I think I maybe asking the impossible. I'm looking for a Digitrax DS64, I know, they are like "hen's teeth", but I am desperate for just 1 more (already have 4). It doesn't have to be new, a "pre-loved" one would be OK. Doesn't need a power supply as I have a suitable one. One problem is I'm in Australia. If there is one out there at a reasonable price and shipping, I would be most appreciative. Thanks in advance, ianb26.

Hi Peter, As I don't own or have access to a 3D printer, I'm wondering if you can help me. I've been trying to think of a way to make the CW van cupolas. I had 2 thoughts on how make it; 1) making a mold of the roof - did something like that with arch roof trusses for my terminus station by making formers and placing Evergreen plastic I beams in the former and placing them in oven the for about 3 - 5 minutes. They came out quite well. 2) making a wooden block and filing it to shape, then heating styrene to soften it and place and shape over the wooden block. I then thought about 3D printing. Would I be out of line asking if you could do that for me? I would need 2 (of course) and maybe a couple of spares. I intend to use a clerestory roof from SEM. IF it would be possible to do this for me, could you please advise me of costs involved, and a timeline. Thanks for reading this. Ian

Hi Peter, Thank you for your reply. Since I posted my comments, I have searched the Public Records Office Victoria and found original drawings for the ABW cars - Short version of the "W" cars - so they are helping me with the interiors. I think they will work out OK. I have some 80gsm black A5 paper that I was going to try. If they are not successful I'll try black tissue paper or something less thicker than 80gsm for the concertina pieces. As far as the CW vans go, I have started to modify the clerestory roof section by adding cupolas to each end of the roof. Not 100% perfect but they are achieving the desired result. I, going to purchase another AW or BW kit and kit bash into a CW van. My intention is to keep the passenger doors in the position they are currently in with modification of the windows. Then cut out parts of the sides for the doors to the van and use styrene sheets to modify the sides. I know they will be longer than the prototype, but I don't want to "hash" the under frame to make it shorter as my cutting and joining skills aren't what you would call "perfect"! I'll keep you informed with my progress over the next couple of weeks. Thanks again for help, at least it helped me out. Regards, Ian Bell

Hi there, I came across your thread while I was searching for details of VR AW, ABW, & BW cars. I have built the AW & BW SEM kits, with another AW to be started, and an ABW currently under construction. It is constructed by adding window sections from both AW & BW kits as published in Australian Model Railway Magazine, February 1989. I found it is not the easiest of conversions to do, hence me adding yellow stripes above and below the window lines to conceal the joints. I see by your conversion that it appears you have cut an AW & BW in half and joined them in the "right" spot. Seems a simpler method than cutting out parts of the windows in the AW & BW side and fitting them together. Do you have any photos of the interior of the finished product. According to the instructions when looking at the corridor side, the second class end is on the right. Also the details for the passenger emergency brake is to the right, looking at the side with the translucent windows. Is that the way you have done yours? So this a long post but I am trying to get the finished model as close to the prototype as possible. I may try and do another one later using your method. Do you know if there is a kit anywhere for a CW guards van. I have a CV kit which is shorter than CW. Or is it possible to kit bash either an AW or BW kit. Hoping you can help me in some way to achieving my goal. Ian. EDIT: I forget to mention. How do you make the concertina pieces on the walk through to each car. I tried when I did my AW & BW kits, but I could not get it to work, so I placed them temporarily in "the to hard basket" intending to come back later. That was a year or so ago.

Just what I was looking for! I also have a GP30 (Bachmann) purchased off ebay, and I need to remove the shell for paint stripping prior to painting in my customised livery. I will be soaking it in Dettol, yes Dettol, to remove the current colour. It is a "crap" job of painting, a kindergarten kid could have done a better job! Dettol doesn't affect any clear plastic such as windows. Never knew an antiseptic could act as a paint stripper! This will be the 3rd shell I have stripped the paint back. It also has all the hand rails missing which I want to replace. Does anyone know where I can get replacement railings and stanchions from? FWIW I'm in Australia. I have checked on Bachmann's website but no luck there. I believe GP35 uses the same parts, but I would prefer the GP30 parts.. One thing I noticed is that one side has 8 stanchions and the other side has 9. if you look at the shell side with short hood on the left, there is 8 holes where the stanchions fit. FWIW the part numbersare : 76005-00D01 (x2), 76005-00D02, 76005-00D03, 76005-00D04, 76005-00D05 Hoping someone can help me. Ian

Don't you have any friends who are "Sparkies" or any into Electronics that can help you? Or for that matter someone who has a basic knowledge of soldering? Maybe a plumber? It would be a shame for you to throw in the towel now after all the work you have put into it including all your hard work building the shed, besides, I like your posts, they have given me inspiration for my layout albeit VERY MUCH SMALLER than yours.

Hi Peter, Nice to meet you. I'm trying to keep my costs down, so have been purchasing gear from eBay, so I don't want to spend to much more unless it's absolutely neccessary. I've just spent about $150 on 2 new locos, (well new for me Australian National livery and a VR single ended "S" class), with another on watch on eBay - Flying Scotsman - so I have watch what I'm spending, being a Senior Citizen. Haven't had a layout for about 15 - 20 years, so have practically started all over again. It's only 1800mm x 1200mm but enough to play with and also for the grandson to use. I hope you don't think I'm being to presumptuous, but would it possible for you to have a look at my layout sometime soon and give me some advice . I purchased a used Digitrax DCS50 at the recent Waverley train show, and want to get it working. I've been running in DC for testing purposes - See my post in another part of RMweb - http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/100916-eventually-going-dcc-advice-needed/- but I was advised to go straight to DCC ASAP. I apologise once again for being presumptuous. Thanks

Thanks. Hope I can "pick your brain" sometime. See my post http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/100916-eventually-going-dcc-advice-needed/ I edited to show the link.

Hi all, I'm in Cranbourne East, Victoria.

Hello there. Just joined the forum, and saw this post. I would like a copy of this article, if it would be possible please. Do I need to give you my email address or would it be as a PM in the forum? Thanks.