Middlepeak

Sadly I have relate an incident that caused some damage to the Litra N. Having enjoyed a productive modelling afternoon at a friend's house I was driving home when a piece of idiotic behaviour from another road user caused me to brake sharply, sending the N in its little box onto the floor of the car. The result was two broken buffers where the heads had snapped off. I've dropped the repair to the back of the queue, but this afternoon I took the plunge and drilled out the original Weinert plastic buffers to take turned down Wizard buffer heads. There's also been some progress on the firebox backhead, but still a simplified tangle of pipework to be fitted to the top. I wish I knew what it all did! G

A few months of on/off (mainly off) activity has finally seen the south portal of the Youlgrave Road bridge ready for the painting stage. I'm a bit nervous about what follows, because getting the various colours within the stonework looking right is not something I find particularly easy. I may do this portal first, as it will actually be out of normal sight when placed on the layout. So "why spend ages carving the stonework?" you might ask. The answer is that I enjoy doing it and I don't want to rule out the possibility of rotating this baseboard for a photo shoot at some stage. With another etch due from PPD soon, I will hopefully be able to get back to the North London Tanks in the near future. G

An enquiry about a hitherto unnoticed extension to the back of the engine house at Middleton Top. I'm in the middle of refurbishing my model, which graced my Middlepeak layout for many years and is too good to throw away. Instead it will be mounted in its own case as a small diorama. While I was looking at photos to pick up additional details to include on the model, I noticed a small stone extension to the back wall, which in one photo had a rather rickety slate roof and in a later photo was virtually derelict. Photo Cty Transport Treasury, ref MP90229, 12-08-1953 Can anyone throw any light on what this was for? The drawings I have make no reference to it. Thanks, G

Too right Jay! That's half the fun of this hobby, although I sometimes feel that my rate of progress is somewhat glacial! Keep going though. It will be worth it in the end, and shout if you need any assistance. My two NLT's are awaiting further etches for new coupling rods before I can progress any more, but hopefully we'll be back at the workbench soon. G

Keith, Thanks for your observations and kind comments on the film. I think we sometimes miss the point that presentation of a model to the public is all important, and that exhibition managers have a role to play in that too. I spent quite a long time over the weekend talking about the late Iain Rice with my Dutch friends, all of whom knew him very well. He was in many ways the pioneer of a new style of presentation, with the layout set higher, the proscenium arch to frame the view and the use of a full height backscene with operation from the front or the side. It was interesting to see just how many of the layouts at Ontraxs were built and presented in this style. However, the organisers hadn't really picked this up and the overall presentation of the exhibition suffered as a result. All in all, quite thought provoking, and it will be interesting to see whether this conflict persists over the next few seasons of exhibitions, both here and abroad! Best wishes, Geraint

Just one other thought from yesterday, while I remember it. There were no barriers anywhere at Ontraxs. OK you may say, but in my view this made for a very poor viewing experience. Why? Well largely because of the many, even perhaps the majority of people whose viewing of layouts is all down to the collection of images and videos on their phones. In many cases they are stretching over the front of the layouts to get that exclusive shot. On a long layout, where it's important to get an impression of the whole model, it's just not possible to see more than a couple of feet to either side of you and the visual impression is totally destroyed. On a more practical note, the French layout that was the subject of the third photo in the last post was set up for operation from the front with DCC. At least 70 feet long, and with the poor drivers trying to follow their train from one end to the other, you had the unfortunate sight of the operator having to walk behind the barrage of photographers pressing against the front of the layout and often totally obscuring his view of the road ahead! Whenever Obbekær goes to an exhibition, I normally like to insist on barriers being available. After yesterday I think I might be even more insistent in the future! G

An observation today, rather than a specific update. I've spent a very enjoyable day with Dutch friends at the Ontraxs exhibition at the National Railway Museum in Utrecht. Lots of nice layouts positioned carefully in between the permanent exhibits, so much to look at. Without going into too much detail, one of the immediate impressions of the day was the quality of scenic modelling and weathering present on most of the layouts, together with the wealth of suitable materials available from the trade stands. No "box shifters" but genuine supporters of the modelling craft. Lessons a plenty for UK modellers and maybe for exhibition managers too. Some photos to back up the assertion. Back to reality and the workbench next week! My apologies that some of these are mis-oriented, but you get my drift! G

Jay, I've posed the question to a local contact who is extremely proficient when it comes to electronics. He has built DC controllers which perform beautifully, so let's hope it will be possible to get them linked to the layout with WiFi. I know nothing of such things, but if you don't ask, you don't get! G

Jay, That was my assumption. Haven't got round to examining the impact on the wiring diagram yet, but it should be fairly simple, and mainly in the panel. The only product that mentions a wifi facility is at www.blueRailways.co.uk, although I'm not sure I like the design of the hand held, and I'm definitely not one to be using a mobile phone! Regards, G

A different sort of conundrum, which has just occurred to me whilst testing the NLT chassis. The layout will be DC controlled, partly because it's what I'm used to and partly because getting to grips with DCC would mean time and money away from the ultimate purpose - building the layout and enjoying its operation. Friden yard was worked on the basis that two trains arrived from opposite directions, shunted and exchanged wagons and then left in the direction from which they had arrived. Two locos in the yard at once means two operators and two controllers. Quite straightforward so far, but what happens when the two locos swap ends? Assuming that the two operators might want to follow their locos, they will need to swap places, which means that there is potential for them to get tied up in controller chords if they are not careful. So what's the potential for wireless DC controllers? An internet trawl suggested that there is a UK manufacturer, but they advise that their units cannot be used where there is a common return arrangement for switching sections, as there will be at Friden. So ........... answers on a postcard please. Is this feasible and how do I go about it? Please bear in mind that I border on electronic incompetence, so any solutions would have to be explained very carefully! Thanks, in advance, G

Having survived my first Missenden weekend and made some good progress with the Friden bridge, I thought it was time to revisit a rolling stock project. So, back to my plan to create two North London Tanks for the High Peak trains as part of the 1950s sequence. Previous posts showed progress to create an etched chassis that would fit under a pair of Mallard etched kits. This week's task has been to fit wheels and rods to the first chassis. Wheels are Sharman's, assembled on their axles with a GW Models quartering jig. The rods are from my own etches and pivot on the centre crankpin. The motor is a Mashima 1220 driving onto the rear axle through a High Level gearbox. The view from below shows the continuous springy beams, formed from .33mm spring steel wire. Everything runs nice and sweetly, without binding, but there's still a good deal of fettling to be done before I can move on to cylinders and connecting rods - with all of this to be repeated on loco 2! More soon, hopefully, after a visit to Ontraxs in Holland this weekend! G

A bit of light relief in amongst the fitting and scribing of stones on my P4 Friden bridge at Missenden yesterday. Here's a blast from the past - a DSB Kulkran, which I was given as a laser cut kit back in 2004, some time before that kind of process was commercially popular. The crane was used to lift small tubs which were then emptied into locos. A twee little model, which might grace the coal siding at Ribe Skibbroen - if or when that comes to fruition! G

A rare and welcome chance for a bit of High Peak modelling this weekend on the Structures course at the Missenden Spring Weekend. Side 2 of the Youlgrave Road underbridge is slowly emerging, assisted by the handily placed coffee machine just outside the modelling room! G

This was an LNWR drawing, which probably dates from yhe opening of the line. Maybe the others were added later? G

Thought of you today when I was delving through some archive material at the LNWRS Research Centre and came across this. Geraint

The picture was taken 4 years after the line closed. Whilst Longcliffe Quarry is shown as having a siding in the 1890s, I think that the yard in the picture is the current site, which doesn't appear to have been rail connected. So I assume the van body has been shipped in from elsewhere. G

Brian, I hadn't noticed before that the swing gate over the adjacent siding bears the legend 'STOP'. A nod to the English audience maybe, or is it to disguise the real location of the Quai? Either way, it keeps me guessing and it's nice to see some new pictures to inspire us! Best wishes, Geraint

Some more detail added to the footplate unit, including cab steps and front axle springs. That marks the end of soldered assembly on both boiler and footplate units, so I can now turn to plastic items such as buffers before applying the primer. Not much progress on the chassis. It rolls very smoothly and I've now sorted out how to do the crankpin nuts on the front axle, where clearances are minimal. However, the cylinders will have to be redesigned to get the crosshead clearances right, so this may be another application for 3D printing. Sadly the loco won't now be finished for our next show outing at Biggleswade on the 18th, but it may have a quick run up and down when no-one's looking! G

Congratulations Jonathan, that's a very welcome piece of news. I look forward to seeing further progress on the town scene. Are there any outstanding projects on the rolling stock for the layout? Geraint

Nothing much of late to report, as the workshop has gone Danish for a while, pending an exhibition commitment in mid-February. All the hornblocks are now fitted, and the next stage will be to assemble the gearboxes. More updates to follow towards the end of next month. G

Thank you for your kind comments Mikkel. There's always a different challenge in modelling the railways of a different country - as you do so well with "Farthing"! It's just a shame that Obbekær will be unlikely to leave the UK again, thanks to Brexit. We really enjoyed the DMJU exhibition in Kolding, back in 2014. Best wishes, Geraint

With the boiler unit now finished and the 3D printed parts suitably bedded in, attention turned to the footplate and cab today. First off, the cab roof, which is removable and now needs a whistle and rainstrips. Secondly the lubricator that sits on the edge of the footplate in front of the left hand splasher. 9 separate bits of brass and nickel silver that finally came together without the soldering iron causing any damage, (apart from my frayed nerves!). I must say that building this little loco has really developed my utmost respect for those who scratchbuild in 2mmFS. Hats off to you folks!!

A bit more progress on the boiler unit over the last couple of days, with the steam and sand dome now attached, including pipework for the sanders and safety valves. Just the chimney left to fit and some filling around the 3D printed items, and the boiler unit will then be done. The smokebox door proved to be a real pain, in particular the hinge straps. The etched versions looked too thick and were difficult to shape over the compound curves of the door, so in the end I used paper strips, secured with superglue. Next stage is probably the cab roof. G

Looking good Jay. You're bringing back memories of projects long gone, but still in the store cupboard. I might try to sneak this onto Friden somehow. I love a good shed! G

I've had a bit of a break from things Danish, largely because of the need to redesign some parts for the Litra N, but with the arrival of the new etch from PPD just before Christmas, there was no longer any excuse. First stage was to add cab doors and handrails to the footplate / cab unit. I used 2mm handrail knobs this time, which have a less conspicuous profile than the 4mm ones. At the front end I've now fitted the raised and curved profile to the footplate, which also overlaps the buffer beam slightly. Tank fillers have also been added and a hinged lid on the left hand tank, which could be the access to a small coal bunker. All these bits of detail emerged from the photos received from Denmark in October. Next some improvements to the boiler unit, which has to be detachable to slide over the motor and flywheel. At the front end we have a handrail and smokebox door hinge, together with two lamp brackets. Behind those, there's a clack valve either side of the boiler and a handrail. Finally there are two spindly safety valves just behind the dome. These will be trimmed down later when the dome is fitted. Put the two units together and it starts to look more like an engine. One of the critical things at this stage is to plan ahead. For each unit I need to do all the fittings that require soldering first. With those done, I can then move on to the 3D printed items and one or two small plasticard bits that will give added detail. The boiler unit is just about ready for those now, but there's still some more soldering to do on the footplate unit. And as for the chassis ........ !!