robmills

Well, starting out on my new 7mm layout, based round some Marcway points I have acquired here and there,I thought I would splash out on 21st century point control. I have gone the Cobalt slo-mo route, but find that they do not really work. The force required to move the curved blade across is too great for the motor, and the operating wire just flexes. When I unsoldered the point blade from a couple more sleepers to ease it, that helped but I then found the tie bar was fouling on the underneath of the stock rail, especially where the tie bar had been gapped. I've tried filling and sanding the gap, but still not 100% effective. Does anybody out there use Marcway points, and if so how do you operate them please. Can't help thinking I've made an expensive mistake with the Cobalts (and to be fair I think Tortoises would have the same problem) Thanks in advance for any advice Rob

Hi Rob, I'm a fan of the 'timesaver' layout (just google for it). It has a runround, so is much more interesting to operate than the classic inglenook. I'm currently building one in O gauge, about 8' x 1'6" Cheers (another) Rob

This has been discussed before - try this link http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/98814-Dapol-nine-plank-20t-unfitted-er-coal-wagons/ Cheers Rob

People might be interested to know that Bristol St Philips is the latest layout built by the Thornbury & South Glos MRC, in 00, and will be appearing at our show in Thornbury on 18/19 November - and, we hope, in the December issue of the Modeller. Cheers Rob

Isn't the photo of the cupboard door LNER version, not the drop down door as per Airfix, Dapol etc?

I was interested to see this thread as I have had a couple of these since they were released as part of Airfix's original range, back in the 70s (and assumed they were of NER origin). Attached is a photo of a Mainline iteration in the Charringtons livery - which I always thought was fictional - matching the photo found above. So what we can draw from all this is that we have is a quite nice model of an RCH wagon which Airfix muddled with the LNER loco coal eight-planker as described and pictured in the early Tatlow book. It is not inconceivable I presume that some PO nine-plankers were repainted in the BR unfitted livery, so all that is demonstrably incorrect with the Airfix/Mainline/Hornby/Dapol grey version is the number, which should be P prefix as opposed to E, and the lack of the end door stripe. Learning new stuff every day! Cheers Rob

PS Doh! the Durham Modellers website, where I got his number from, lists his range http://www.durhammodellers.com/news/index.htm Rob

I called Dave this week on the number above - to order a J26/27 kit - which he told me he was in the process of casting up as we spoke. Very pleasant chap. Obviously still in business, he told me he had stopped doing the diesels as they were all coming out RTR, but was forging ahead with new steam outline kits I think he mentioned a Q6 and Y7. cheers Rob

Here's my conversion of the Triang Weltrol to a (fictional) Flatrol MA. I carved away the cross girders, and substituted two heavy duty longitudinal girders. Changed the buffers, fitted loading shackles, and the bogies are from Parkside. When I find another one, I'll convert it to a more accurate rendition of a Weltrol by replacing the full height cross-members with lighter weight girders, which on the originals were moveable and not to bear the full weight of the load. I wonder why none of the RTR manufacturers have fitted the longitudinal timber baulks to any of the weltrols/crocodiles released over the years. The load is a Rosencombe Replicas Blaw Knox excavator - just posed on the wagon, I know it wouldn't travel like that! Dog of a kit, but looks good with a bit of effort, and is not as imposing as the Ruston-Bucyrus from BW Models or, now, Corgi. Cheers Rob

hi Jonathan, me too! cheers Rob

It's in 4mm, 00 - surprising what you can fit into a small space! I'll see if I can posst some pics later. Cheers Rob

I live not far away from the Forest, on the other bank of the Severn. I first went to the FoD mountain biking with my son, and hiking with his Scout troop. As a died-in-the-wool anti GWR/country branch line modeller for many years, the gritty industrial nature of the railway system in the forest environment was a revelation. I then came across Peter Smith's 'An Historical Survey of the Forst of Dean Railways'(OPC) and there was no excuse not to start modelling, helped along the way by the 'Severn and Wye Railway' series, and the Ben Ashworth books mentioned in earlier posts. What i find amazing is the scale of the enterprises in the Forest - like Cannop Colliery, where the biking centre now is, of which there is really no indication now, only 50 years or so after closure. I am currently engaged in finishing off two small modules, which in theory fit together but in practice never have, due to space constraints at home. One is a 6x1 shelf, on which sits my version of Coleford S&W, called Colford, as it's not quite Coleford. The other is a 4x2 Whitcliffe Quarry, inspired by Whitecliff. Having just moved into semi-retirement, I am negotiating with the Home Secretary for the release of one of the (now absent) kids' bedrooms for modelling purposes. What's next? Speech House Road? Lydney Town and Tinplate Works? Coleford GWR to join onto Colford S&W? The possibilities are legion! Rob Mills