rynd2it

There's quite a lot on YouTube, search for track weathering

No links but I have had good experience with various methods. First off are the Woodland Scenics rail paint felt pens, they work but tend to be a bit too 'orange'; they also can wear out the tips pretty quick. I am currently using very diluted acrylic paints, mixed to get the colour I want and applied using a small paint brush allowing the liquid to soak into the ballast and running the brush along the rail sides. I have also seen an airbrush used to good effect, blending in various shades by varying the number of passes and the size of the spray paint. On a big layout the airbrush saves a lot of time, but probably overkill on a small 009 layout like mine.

Thanks , I'll check that out

Well there have been requests for this but no answers so far. Anyone know how to get the body off?

Thank you for that - I will check them out. Any other recommendations for French suppliers would be appreciated, I currently use Baron du Rail, Star boutique and micro modele

Good point, any recommendations from the Valljo range ( I have some)

Interesting idea and plausible - but how to get at the motors? I can see no way to do this and it would invalidate the warranty if I could.

I was recommended to use Humbrol DB0173 matt track paint for airbrushing the track bed, rails etc. However, it seems this particular shade is unobtainable in France and rather than incurring shipping and customs costs etc, is there a suitable alternative that I might be able to find here. There are stockists of Humbrol and Vallejo - just not the one I wanted. Suggestions please

I'm beginning to suspect the pick-up to wheel contact though why that should manifest itself now is beyond me. It's beyond my pay grade to start stripping it down so it looks as though I shall have to contact Bachmann.

No shorts detectable - as for the axle, not likely after several monhs of running

Wheels are clean, first thing I did.

I have owned my Double Fairlie (Livingstone Thompson) for almost a year and it has always run beautifully. However about 6 weeks ago I had to pack some stuff away for plumbers to get to my railway room and I put all the rolling stock into a glass front display cabinet. On getting it all out again, the Fairlie will simply not run, the most I can get from it is the sound and a brief motion of about 1 or two turns of the wheels, then it cuts out and the sound stops. Nudging it slightly simply repeats the process for about 1 -2 seconds. I know it isn't the track or the control system as I have other locos (including a new Double Fairlie) and they all run great. I cannot imagine how this has failed as it was running great when I put it away. Anyone any ideas or suggestions?

Thanks for that, I'll check it out

Probably the most expensive grey undercoat I've ever bought - almost an exact match for the Dulux Weathershield I use for a baseboard base coat. Useless

Update. The PVA trick failed - the paint dissolved the PVA, so I've been using a hardware store grey primer which does seem to do the trick. The only problem is to get a fine enough spray so as not to mask any detail. As soon as my airbrush is up & running I'll try with that. Washing doesn't seem to help when using the primer but it does if painting direct onto the plastic. Thanks for all the input

I think shunting mode is analogous to yard mode and basically turns off all the momentum, acceleration and deceleration features. It gives direct control to allow very short movements

Does this happen with any other loco? If so, I'd start with measuring the output from the controller, if not then definitely a call to Bachmann is indicated. I found Bachmann very helpful but you'll probably have to send it to them.

That's my conclusion at this point, somehow the plastic is preventing the paint from sticking. Very light sanding does help but I've got a load of parts to paint this week so I'll try the soap & water firts. Thanks for the tip

Fencing is always one of the very last jobs, it's too easily damaged when other work is going on. The weigh bridge is a problem as wherever I place it there is no turning room even for a small lorry. When I finish the timber yard I'll be able to experiment more and I will post the result

In the first photo there's no room for the timber yard hence the move to the other end; I can make a bit more space near the point. I take your comment on the crane but I want to be able to see it😉 Thanks for the insight, all good input

I just melted mine 😃 and I do already have one (the maroon one). I could not resist this, such a great model and I had to buy a couple of green livery coaches as well!

That's an interesting idea, might try it when I've finished the timber yard building, thnaks

Thanks all good input, I had actually tried that idea

I'll give that a try, thanks