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Billy Boy

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Everything posted by Billy Boy

  1. The view from Lime Tree Avenue, when looking towards the back of the semi-detached houses on Newfield Drive, Crewe on my (fictitious) 1980's layout Black Dog Lane.
  2. Very sad news indeed. Condolences to his family. Les was a warm, friendly, lovely man.
  3. Really saddened to hear this news. A visit to Haslington Models was a staple in my Saturday routine for many years (pre-children). Les always welcomed you into the shop and could be relied upon for sound advice on many modelling subjects. Refreshingly (for this day and age) he wasn't too concerned whether you bought anything or not. He seemed confident that his excellent customer service would mean that you would be back for your next purchase - and like me, his regulars returned many times over. Regrettably I wasn't able to visit over the last few years, mainly due to other obligations on a weekend and a house move that meant I was living some distance away from the shop. I wish Les (and Mrs Kent) a long and happy retirement. Thank you for your service and advice throughout the years. Mark
  4. Hi Andy, As promised, a few photos from my layout "Jamestown & Harryville" - named after my two young sons. The baseboard is 6' x 2'. The track plan is an oval with two passing loops (at the stations) and few sidings so that the Little Controllers can shunt wagons and carriages. I've tried to put in as many cameos as I possibly could - in order to retain the interest of a 5 and 9 year old! The original plan was to have a home for Skarloey, Rheneas and Rusty to stretch their wheels, but I've enjoyed building it so much I continue to add little scenes here and there. For example, I hadn't noticed, until I took the photos, that Austin Powers is missing from his Union Jack Jaguar. I must remedy that! I forgot to add on the advice list previously supplied (see post above) - simply enjoy whatever you create. Have fun! After all - it's a hobby. All the best, Mark
  5. Hi Andy, I would cover the whole surface with some sound "softening" material - not just the track bed. I've got a couple of layouts where cork was laid before any work was carried out and another where it wasn't. The difference in sound is very noticeable. Try "royston.g" as the seller in ebay. I have no affiliation with Roy - other than he has supplied some wonderful products to me during the past couple of years. Very highly recommended. I will post some pictures of my own layout here shortly to try and help. I would say "inspire" but I don't think that will be the case! Thanks Mark
  6. Hi, Having just completed (in my mind anyway) my first 009 layout, I would suggest the following :- 1. For simplicity and availability, use Peco set track. The starter set is ideal; 2. Keep the wiring simple - the pre-connected wire tracks from Peco are a god send in this regard; 3. Stay clear from complicated point motors. I've had murder with DCC Concepts board level motors; 4. Before doing anything, lay some cork sheet (or other sound reducing material) on the baseboard. The noise only gets louder once you ballast the track! 5. Try to utilise some of the excellent ready-to-plant buildings that are available. I have obtained some corkers from a seller on ebay who has scratch built them to a very high standard; 6. Don't overload the baseboard with track; 7. Try to get some form of backscene in place - which helps set the tone for the layout. I've just installed pictures of the Welsh countryside on mine and it really looks the part. Hope this is of some help! All the best, Mark
  7. Hi, I'm enjoying reading about the progress on your new layout. It is really starting to take shape! I particularly like the backscene. Are these your own photo's or did you buy them? If it is the latter, please can you confirm where? Many thanks, Billy Boy
  8. Hi Corsair, I have used Dapol's GWR signals for my 009 layout. Not prototypical but easy to install, operate and play with!!! N Gauge signals look best (in my humble opinion) for 009 layouts. Mark
  9. Hi brushman47544, Thomas and Friends is shown daily on Channel 5 at around 7am. I usually watch this, as my little terrors (aged 8 & 4) are up and about by this time. It's a lovely start to the day to sit down and view it together. We are lucky insofar as I have managed to source quite a few Bachmann Thomas products already. As such we have a 009 layout graced by Skarloey, Rusty and Rheneas. All are fabulous models and we are looking forward to the release of Peter Sam this year! The OO gauge products are also very good but we have run into a few teething troubles concerning pulling power (James) and faulty mechanisms (Oliver). Both are in the "Steam Works" and are waiting for Victor to work his magic............ I wish Bachmann every success with this particular franchise. Billy Boy
  10. Having just taken an enormous amount time to install 8 of these motors to my modest 009 layout, I would like to share these nuggets of wisdom (if I can boldly claim that....) :- 1. The motors mounted straight on the board alongside 009 set track points do not work. The height of the connecting rod you need to use between the point and the motor means that any passing locomotive or rolling stock derails. I have had to tweak the connecting rod for each point so that they do not foul the trains; 2. On each motor, before installation, I have had to set the motor to its fullest setting (XL) on the control board. This is to ensure that the point is mounted the further position away from the point itself, again to stop the above derailments from happening. I then reduced the size of the point throw to "Medium" accordingly, which is more than enough for my points; 3. One motor, after using it successfully for two weeks, decided (seemingly) to give up completely. It was only when I was fiddling around with the connections that I realised that the extension lead was faulty. Henceforth, if you are not connecting the motor directly into the control board, check the cabling; 4. Installation is fiddly and time consuming. It can take a good 1-2 hours just to install one motor successfully; 5. Having removed the point springs to assist in the free movement of the track, I realised that needed to reposition a couple of the motors again so that the point fully switched. Not having DCC on this layout meant that not all tracks are "live." This is an issue when you are relying on the electrical connectivity of the point. This has led me to introduce further wiring to connect up those lines where point connectivity is not the best; 6. They are very noisy when in operation. This suprised me, as I thought that the days of points and their motors clacking were gone, as I had opted for a supposed upgrade on the usual point motors available. In conclusion - having had experience with other makes of point motor, I won't be rushing out to buy any more Colbalts SS. However having said that, I am yet to use the system over a lengthy period of time. However, if current experience is to go by, things don't look good..........
  11. Richard thoroughly deserves this award! The shop is well stocked, nicely presented and all queries are dealt with honestly and professionally.
  12. My 8 year old son and I had a fabulous time at the exhibition on Saturday. Well done to all concerned! One particular highlight for me was asking my son (after standing watching Bear Creek Junction for over 20 minutes) whether he would like a bite of something to eat. He turned to me aghast and replied - "but Daddy, I haven't seen everything on the layout yet!" It retained his attention for a good long while. Excellent layout with continual interest and wonderful detail.
  13. Thanks for all of the advice so far. Very much appreciated.
  14. Hi, does anyone know if there is an off the shelf 009 level crossing available? if not, what is the next best option? im looking for a crossing with the traditional gates rather than the modern barrier arm type. thanks billy
  15. Thanks for the responses so far. I should have clarified my initial post - some of the points are out of the reach of my 3 year old, hence the need for point motors to be installed. I take on board the point (excuse the pun) made by Joseph about the size of a surface mounted motor, however I am doing this to enable play value - rather than for the aesthetics. As such I am looking for easy to install and reliable point motors. Thanks again, Mark
  16. Hi, I (and my two young sons) are embarking on creating our first 009 layout. We have a baseboard and a track plan in place. However, I would ideally like to install surface mounted point motors, as I have experienced difficulty in the past installing below board motors on my old 00 gauge layouts. From my initial research, DCC Concept's SS Cobalts seem to fit the bill. Has anyone had experience of fitting these to Peco set track points? How do they fare against the Gaugemaster range of surface mounted motors? Any feedback would be appreciated. Mark
  17. Fantastic! Thank you for the explanations. I will try to source some MK3's!
  18. Please go easy on me - this is my first post to RM Web! I have purchased a sound fitted Class 47/7 in Scotrail livery and obtained the matching DBSO (which are fantastic by the way) and expected further MK2F releases in 2019 (with DCC lighting functionality) to complete the rake of coaches in the same livery. However, there seems to be nothing of the sort. Is there any reason for this? By the way, I am not Bachmann bashing in any way, shape or form - I happen to be a very satisfied customer of theirs. Just wondering why the omission?
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