Joe MCMLXI

My layout runs Hornby Live Steam, so similar to DCC, I put dropper wires to EVERY piece of rail, to ensure reliable distribution of power. Which = reliable control. Live Steam loco's don't like voltage drop ! To do this, I use Wago connectors on each board, to distribute the power to the individual rails. The Wago connectors are Hot Glued to the underside of the baseboard. The Wago connectors then all daisy chained together, back to the controller. I also use small, screw in, Brass Cup hooks, to support wires on longer runs. When everything is tested and settled, I then use small cable ties to keep the wires in tidy bundles. Joe

Well it'e been awhile since I posted anything..... I now have both loops wired.... so a bit of Live Steam action I really need PECO to release a Bullhead curved point, so I can get rid of the Streamline Code 75 ones. Then ballasting can start. The current station buildings and signals are LNWR, but I feel I might change to the Highland lines, as Peco have brought out their Laser cut West Highland buildings and I have a good collection of WHR and Kyle Line coaches.... so the soldering iron might make a return to create some WHR 'flavour' signals ...... would they be 'Lattice' construction ?? Joe

An answer to my own question.... contacted the Bachmann service dept and they helpfully pointed out that there were 4 deeply recessed small screws holding the chassis to the body, ( I missed them ! - I should book in to SpecSavers !) then carefully unclip the body off, by sliding thin plastic sheet to 'lift' the clips - hey presto I'm in....

Hi, can anyone enlighten me on how to get the Parlour and Kitchen coach bodies off, so I can add passenger detail ?? Power cars are easy, just 4 screws and a careful unclipping.... BUT I don't seem to be able to do the other coaches... any ideas what I'm missing ? thanks.... Joe

Recently, the soldering iron has been out to make a 'L&NWR' gantry signal. Not based on a prototype signal, just a 'flavour' of L&NWR... Arms are poseable, to prevent SPAD's..... a pet hate on layouts An obvious omission is the back binders, which I shall look at adding soon.... Coaching stock? were just to hand at the time... Joe

What a great first loco PI have given us. Could not resist a nicely made industrial loco. Even better when you get to see it in the flesh. Runs a treat, very smooth and with a realistic top speed. It looks the business with a rake of PO quarry wagons. After the disappointment of the Fell loco saga, which I bought (and subsequently sold) this has really restored my faith in smaller manufacturers. They did a smart job, fitting coal, etched plates and crew and a light weathering..... top job. Can't wait to hear what might come next from the PI guys...... Joe

One of the issues with Hornby Live steam, is that they tend to be sluggish, when running at first, as the engine rids itself of 'wet' steam from the pipework / cylinders, (always best to wait as long as possible, before you run the loco, to allow the superheater element to pre-heat the rotary valve/ cylinders, as much as possible) With this in mind, I wanted a way to try to improve this situation. My plan is to run the loco, on its own, before attaching its rake of coaches....... So, I have cut out a section of baseboard, attached a section of a Peco inspection pit and added a set of compression springs - this keeps it in the lowered position, I manually push it up, when I want to drive the loco off. The next photos show the pit lowered, for test running the loco and then raised when the loco is ready to drive off..... so now to complete the wiring and test the theory...... well, that's it for 2022 @ Brockley Lane - so I wish you all a Merry Christmas and happy modelling in 2023 ! Joe

Final run, before the wire and soldering iron come out again.... OO LIVE STEAM CLUB, LTD ED A4 - KINGFISHER 60024 - Beautifully painted and lined by Warren Heywood. Joe

Well, I got an A4 round the layout, so now with A3 Scotsman and some highly unlikely stock behind..... still loads to think about, but running LiveSteam again after a 2 year gap, should spur me on.... Joe

Finally got my first Live Steam loco around the layout. This is Woodcock, with Mk1's. A few problems have shown up, but nothing that can't be sorted in the future. Because the plain track is Peco's new Bullhead and the curved points are Peco Code 75, a couple of derailments have occurred, mainly at faster speeds, but this is down to me not fitting fishplates between the two track types. But this should Ok when, hopefully, Peco bring out Bullhead curved points - and I can swap them out (and fit the correct fishplates) - fingers crossed. plenty to do..... Joe

So where are we now.... All track has beeen laid, inner loop temp wired, so first test runs, using DC, can take place. First train round is a C&HPR x-NLR Tank loco with a few MK1's This went OK, so now to wire in my Live Steam controllers and 'LiveDrive' and see how we get on. Baseboards are very light construction, as I don't see this being a long term layout. Joe

Just received by order of L&NWR coaches.... wow very impressed with the detail, the livery application, the lighting and the compact, thoughtful packaging... overall a great (for me) product, well done Hattons ! Now I have a complete, RTR, L&NWR themed train.... who'd of thought of seeing that a few years ago ! Here's Lucknow standing at Brockley Lane.... Joe

I'm not over impressed with having two differently detailed sides, especially after all the info that was shared and offered..... I live near the old Midland line through the Peak District, so the Fell seemed an appropriate loco to own....... I don't have a layout currently (its still under construction) so can't test it just yet, so in a quandary as to keep or not... Joe

To try to explain the Ash pit being used as a 'rolling road' for a better Live Steam engine warm up... You can't drain the cylinders of a Hornby Live steam loco, to rid wet steam before running it. It all has to pass through the cylinders and up the chimney, so you often get a slushy wet start. So, running the loco briefly on a rolling road, will help the situation, it's also useful for diagnosing issues. I'm going to use a Peco ash pit, which I can lower once the driving wheels are over the pit. Once the Ash pit is lowered, I can then run the loco and ...... Joe

So, where to start.... A House move in 2019, meant 'Slancote', my DC layout in a Garden Shed, was dismantled. Near the end of the layout's life, I had bought a Hornby Live Steam set and was enjoying running it on the upper level. A tiny garden meant no new shed layout. So, nothing happened for a couple of years, but I still wanted a layout. The house (just over 200yrs old) has a small, vaulted ceiling cellar, but it contains a Stone cheese press ! and associated stone prep shelves and stone 'sink', these I didn't want to disturb, as they are part of the houses' history - so the plan is to build a lightweight, high level, layout, again with a LNWR flavour. Nothing like making it easy ! So where are we in 2022. The baseboards (6) have been made, these dowel together. The track is Peco's new Bullhead, Code75, points are a mixture of Large radius Bullhead and Code75 Streamline curved points - hopefully, in the near future, Peco will produce Bullhead versions, and these can be swapped over at a later date. The track plan is basic. Two complete circuits, each with a passing loop at the 'Station'. The station being an Island platform, with LNWR style building The outer loop is generally going to be DC but with the possibility to switch to Live Steam. The inner loop has a couple of sidings, one being specific for Live Steam preparation, as I am building a drop-down section of track, to form a 'built in' rolling road - pictures will explain this better. All track is laid on top of 5mm closed cell rubber sheet. I thought about Super elevated curves, but when i got hold of the first piece of Bullhead, it seemed so flimsy in comparison to the Code 100 I had use on 'Slancote', that it scared me off, I didn't think I would have the skills to make this work successfully on the transitions and across the board joints. Wiring has started and for live steam you really need every piece of track linked to a common bus and not rely at all on fishplates, especially as the Bullhead ones are tiny ! Very detailed and look great.....But very TINY ! The cheese press is to the right, in the corner... Access is ok, more a dip under than Duck under..... 'Woodcock' is a Renumbered/Renamed Dwight D Eisenhower Live Steam loco I've a soft spot for the West Highland, but have MK1 rakes in Maroon and Crimson/Cream as well. Track laying using Copydex, Tracksetta's and lots of weights ! So, a bit of a mishmash, LNWR / LNER & WEST HIGHLAND - Joe