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Keith Addenbrooke

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Posts posted by Keith Addenbrooke

  1. 2 hours ago, John Besley said:

    With the lettering now done the PW coach had its paintwork faded by washing on a thin coat of light green, ready for the next stage of lettering for its change of identity, this is shown alongside the guard coach to show the difference

     

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    Interesting - I particularly like the way the lettering on the Departmental coach is in its ‘original’ position to emphasise the change of use (I’d not doubt have centred it without thinking).  Could I ask how you did the fading of the paint - clearly a very effective technique?  Just wondered.  Thanks, Keith.

     

     

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  2. If it’s an HO Scale model I’d go for Bachmann USA 61241 model of a high hood EMD GP50 #6551 of the Norfolk Southern. The GP50s were introduced in 1980, with most new purchase operators having low hoods - the Southern had their built with high hoods, and these later became Norfolk Southern Locomotives.  Some have been rebuilt, but I’m afraid I wouldn’t know what to look for to find out if this is a model of one that has been rebuilt or not.  Happy to be corrected if wrong, but hope this helps, Keith.

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  3. I believe just four Re 4/4 iv locos were built?  (Perhaps four was someone’s lucky number?). Although the class didn’t become more widespread, a lot was learned from them that was incorporated into later models, so an interesting loco to have as part of the model fleet when you can get a DCC one.  I think they were also used to try out different liveries, so each one was unique in that sense when introduced too, Keith.

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  4. I can’t find an exact match, but I’m not a bus expert - the distinctive shape at the rear looks to be modelled on the Daimler Fleetline 1960s rear engine design (later the Leyland Fleetline) which had the cutaway section and the lifting rear bonnet on the engine compartment.

    The side window arrangement (entry door, small window, large window, four panel exit door, etc) looks more like a Leyland Victory Mk2.

    The front with the solid section splitting the front window in two isn’t one I recognise (I’d be tempted to remove the centre pillar and have a single panel window).

    Don’t know if that helps?  Keith.

  5. It is sometimes possible to find the instructions / spares sheets on the internet or in the roco archiv, which may help?  Based on the age of the box and other Roco locomotives I have from this period I'd be inclined to expect it doesn't have a socket, but I stand to be corrected by anyone with product specific information for this item, Keith.

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  6. Congratulations to @Tony Wright and all those who made the shortlist for RMweb Modeller of the Year.  I find it’s not just the quality of the modelling (which is inspirational across the board), but often the standard of the communication too that encourages me to raise my game when it comes to Modeller of the Year.  “Thank you!” to all.

     

    I know Modeller of the Year is the category I spend longest thinking about when it comes to voting (and, like @PaulRhB and others have already noted, I also only vote where I feel I can make an informed choice).

     

    Thanks also to @AY Mod for organising the poll - always interesting to see the results, Keith.

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  7. Am following with interest - commuter lines are quite possibly the most travelled and least modelled sections of railroad, so it’ll be interesting to see how this develops.  As others have commented, the concept across two levels is really good.

     

    Just for information / reference, I understand the original definition of a micro-layout has an area that is usually 4 sq. ft or less (in any shape and irrespective of scale, but with the question of non-scenic staging not specified), but this is a hobby so outside of specified competition builds Rule 1 applies anyway.  It’s certainly a compact shelf layout.  Have fun, Keith.

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  8. 12 hours ago, St Enodoc said:

    I'd never heard of winning draws and losing draws until I started playing for Garforth in the (then) Leeds League. I still don't know how to work out the difference...


    I believe the simple answer is a comparison of run rates - which must favour the team who batted first, hence the term “batting out for a losing draw” (as preferable to falling short in an impossible run chase and losing in the process).

     

    As always, happy to be corrected by those who know more - whether it’s railways or anything else, Keith.

    • Interesting/Thought-provoking 2
  9. I was really taken by Zeedijk when I saw it at the Macclesfield Show in 2022 (might have been its first outing?).  Although a very simple ‘parade track’ layout, there was quite a variety of trains running and it was one of those layouts that just ‘worked’ for me.

     

    Not a great photo, but I tried to get one of this distinctive Dutch Railcar (an NS Mat ‘64 Plan V 2-car unit), Keith:

     

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  10. Hi Keith @melmerby, there’s something I’m not understanding here, sorry.  To me, it looks like both the exit rails from the frog (marked A in my copy of your photo) are bonded together by the yellow wire and the black wire to the upper running rail (B):

     

    IMG_0787.jpeg.0b43621603367dbae2e570127887644e.jpeg

     

    In my mind then, when the turnout is set straight, both running rails exiting to the right have the same polarity?  What am I missing?  Sorry, electrics / electronics are not my thing, but I’m trying to learn, Keith.

     

  11. Very nice (I think it’s called “shed envy” 😀).  Could make for a very nice micro.  Just a couple thoughts if I may:
     

    Will there be an ‘end-on’ view when it’s done (or is the roof removable?)?  If not just a bit concerned there’s very little open track for you to actually see your trains running in and out? 
     

    Clearance looks tight at the corner of the shed for the stabling track so I hope it will take your longest vehicles OK (Health and Safety would no doubt want some very clear warning signs at the corner so employees don’t get caught out by trains coming tight around the corner).   
     

    Hope that’s OK, Keith.

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  12. Further delays - I’m also trying to clear a small backlog of part-finished kits before we move house, so I don’t have to shift largely empty boxes.  I say small, this particular one isn’t, standing over a foot tall (and long):

     

    IMG_0759.jpeg.7677442675d9d5225835c31bbeb2ec64.jpeg

     

    The Wathers HO Grain Elevator - very much a not-narrow Gauge model, but one I’ve been wanting to tackle for some years.  The start of this build appeared in an American HO modelling thread that has now ended.

     

    I built it largely per the instructions, just adding some extra styrene reinforcing pieces in the elevator head building (including one to cover the gap where the cylindrical silos meant there was no floor at all):

     

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    A prototype would almost certainly be more heavily weathered than mine, even allowing for the low sun today making it harder to take photos.  This shot shows a bit more - it was easier to weather the head house and unloading sheds before assembly:

     

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    It was actually the thought of carrying structures like this up and down our steep attic stairs when I’d need to move my modelling stuff out of the attic room for guests that persuaded me to switch to narrow gauge modelling in the first place, so I suppose (in a roundabout way) it has a place in this thread too.  Have a good week, Keith.

     

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  13. Hi @melmerby, I agree with the others who’ve already responded - £30 for a quiet running loco in almost new condition seems reasonable to me in today’s market.  
     

    Bachmann Plus aren’t super-detailed models (compared to some other US brands), as you acknowledge in the opening post, but this should give many hours of enjoyment.  In other words: good value.  The key thing I always look at are the couplers - as long as a loco doesn’t have the old horn hook couplers fitted, I’ll take a closer look, Keith.

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  14. 5 hours ago, saxokid said:

    Looking over main station build so far with group members…

    IMG_3627.jpeg


    Does the team have adding some platform shelters (waiting rooms and / or awnings) on their list?  Just a thought as they work their way round the layout upgrading it.  The passengers might welcome some cover at some point (especially seeing the weather here today!).  Have fun this evening at the club, progress looks great, Keith.

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  15. Hi Andy, are you able to check the “back to back” measurement for that wheel set - it looks from the photo that the flange is riding up on that third axle?  Is it catching on the check rail* inside it?

     

    The other questions in my mind are the obvious ones?

    • Does it just happen on one side of the loco?
    • Does it happen on just one side of the slip - or in all directions?
    • Does it happen on any other Code 55 Insulfrog points?
    • Does it happen with any other rolling stock (you mentioned lightweight wagons - do the same tests with them?)

    Basically it’s all about eliminating the variables before any irreversible filing begins - just as with electrical problems (which I know nothing about).  Nothing original in my thinking, but I hope it helps, Keith.

     

    (* may not be the correct term in a double slip)

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  16. 1 hour ago, Chris Williamson said:

     I'm still considering how to construct the tiny pitched slate capping. 

     

     

     


    Hi Chris, if I might make a suggestion, one way would be to use a jig - perhaps from thick plasticard or wooden coffee stirrers glued together to form an inverted L bracket on the workbench (or maybe just stiff cardboard creased to the desired angle). Make the small slate roof on that, then transfer it to the model.  If it doesn’t work first time (I’m sure mine wouldn’t) then no damage is done to the model.  Just a thought, Keith.

     

     

  17. 3 hours ago, AndyB said:

    @Keith Addenbrooke fwiw I used chinchilla dust on the last layout. But I might think to sieve it this time to get the finest grade possible. 


    For N Gauge you will probably need to sieve it.  For my H0e / HOn30 mini-layout I used Calci-sand (another pet shop product):

     

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    Being a sand, it did turn the colour of, well, sand, when I wetted it, so it wouldn’t work for everyone, but the size was OK for 9mm gauge track in the larger scale, Keith.

     

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  18. 35 minutes ago, AndyB said:

    For me getting the ballasting right is key. Too many decent layouts spoiled by ballast that looks like boulders. 


    I’ve got that T-shirt!  
     

    Made the mistake with an OO micro layout a few years ago of using Ballast sold for 4mm scale - not realising it’s standard practice to use ballast for the next scale down!  That project went no further.  Shame was I’d spent ages widening the sleeper spacing on the OO track I was using, removing the webbing and making it look like track spaced for UK use.

     

    A bit like @AndyB and his point (though I was far less brave), widening the sleeper spacing was something I’d been keen to try, but just did not enjoy (at all).  Meant I could decide to accept the compromise that is commercial trackwork knowing I had at least had a go at an alternative (of sorts).  One day I’d like to try handbuilt track, but probably not on a layout.  Keith.

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