bertiedog

Just got in Hummy in weathered finish, and very impressed with performance and finish of Peggy etc. All run in now, several hours running light, then with coaches etc. They run very cool, cheched with optical thermometer at a few degrees above ambient room temperature, with very light current drain running light, and not much increase on loading or inclines. No driver or fireman figures fiitted yet to Hummy, or Ashover coaches bar one kit version, roll on the Bachmann versions coming. Haulage is good at four coaches from Peco or equivalent assorted O09 four wheeled stock. The speed remains pretty constant on a feedback controller, but it also works fine on a plain Hornsby unit, with good slow speed as well. All D.C. not DCC, with under board sound system, run from my computer. Certainly the best 009 made so far, and more to come with the 040 locos promised. Stephen

A hard to catigorise actress who had a very long stage career, with few films at her own desision. She appeared very private as there was little publicity about the popular actress, only the publicity for shows. Distinctive voice of course and a welcome guest on many 1950’s TV shows. Perhaps more of a personality than a major star, sadly missed.

Try a vacuum cleaner on the vents, full power, it should draw it out.

A piece of string is represented by a specific length related to the particular piece of string, but the confusion comes with not specifiying a particular piece but try to provide a general argument to cover any length of string without knowing the parameters involved in the calculation of it’s length. A general rule is that it is nearly always too short or too long, although with too long it may be shortened quite easily, resolved with scissors or a negative value equal to the excess length of string. Knotting in extra string tends towards confusion, as the string in the knot is not easy to calculate. The formula X=L, where L equals length seems the most useful..................Why is Crossrail so delayed?

Last bits of track in now plus some points from the L& B layout. A short Y point has been sourced, a GF live frog unit. Board cut out in MDF with MDF bracing screwed and glued to the edges to keep it braced flat. The glue used is titebond, much stronger than PVA glue. The layout has only two folding legs as the back will be supported by a desk or wall mounted. To fix down the track before ballast is applied with glue, later on, holes are drilled alongside each set track and screws with a large washer are added. The washer holds the track but can be slackened off to adjust alinement, and you can slip paper etc under the tracks to get vertical alinement without relying on the fishplates. When all laid and tested, the track is edge flooded with dilute glue, and the screws removed. Once the ballast is added with further glue, the track will stay in place. Got to work out suitable sections to wire, basically simple as it is nearly all loop line. .

The Atlas track arrived and is very good track, pity the Peco 55 is a little odd in design to allow for larger flanges.

More assorted set track has arrived via eBay, proving much cheaper than flexible at new price. A bit of an assortment but join nicely. Got to check the radius of each as they do not match so called numbered radius range. There will be flexitrack used to tidy up the layout design Electric breaks will be added later on. The points will have wire in tube operation from a lever frame. Not sure yet whether to leave the fiddle area fixed or fit cassettes or moving tracks. As it is not for public exhibition use it really does not matter. Stephen.

Might add "factory/mine/plant" on extra spur later on, with a bridge road access to a raised area.

A bit clearer view to plan with. Stephen

A revised plan allowing for minimum radius track and live frog points, overall about 4x3, maybe a bit more. The left-hand side is covered, the yard sidings are open top but walled. The black hole could be left open or covered with a rock formation. Beginning cutting out soon. Some more track to arrive. Stephen.

Thanks, it confirms the details, which although in relation to 009 still applies, and like your layout the gathered up track has Peco and Fleischmann code 80. I have very long experience of track etc, but did not want to get a surprise when it arrives! The points are Peco live frog types and the layout will serve as a test track for N gauge as well as 009. Stephen.

Can I ask for confirmation that the Atlas Code 55 N gauge track is actually using code 55 rail, not the larger height rail that is used in Peco Code 55, which uses the extra thickness to act as a key into the sleepers, leaving 55 thou exposed? I am buying some bargain Atlas for use on 009, the sleepers spacing makes no difference as the track is over ballasted, covered, or out of direct view. Joining to other track codes is easy for me to arrange. My understanding is all modern flanges will run on it, as all NMRA compatible N gauge stock runs fine on Atlas setrack etc. My 009 is all modern with the same flange sizes as US Stock. I can wait to test it will be alright, but the offer is limited and it might be worth getting more Asap. Stephen.

Changes to the design, it is being folded into an L shape as I have the space and some more 9mm track available, no longer in length but with a width extension at the right-hand end to accommodate a loop of bigger size. I will draw up the new plan. It involves no extra buildings, just a more scenic run. Stephen

It was approx 40 years ago and 35 years ago they were done in 4mm and no photos exist now, sorry, long sold on.