Chris Chewter

Haven't been able to put a huge amount of time on the layout today. I ran out of cable clips, so decided that attemptig the rest of the mimic panel would result in a spaghetti nightmare, so i decided to take on the sign. So on with a coat of matt black, and with a careful wipe over the bits that are supposed to be white, Sankey scenics provide a bespoke station sign set, however the spacing doesn't match the only photo of the Tetbury sign I can find. The close up is a little cruel, and the white needs a bit of touching up, however it looks far better than the photo i took yesterday! Perhaps I might give the rest of the station signage a go!

Well things have been a bit quiet on the Tetbury layout. There's been a lot of reasons and a few excuses too, but I won't go into that. One of the things that spurred me into making a few adjustments on the layout was when the kids asked to run some trains on the layout. But one of the things I noticed was that trying to spot the furthest point was turning out to be a pain, and after watching the kids driving DCC fitted locos through incorrectly set points and setting off the short circuit alarm, I decided something had to be done. There is a point down there. Honest... And a station! I had used the SEEP point motor switch to operate the frogs, so after unsuccessfully dabbling with a points indicator board. I decided that it was easier to fit auto frog juicers and run LEDs off the SEEP point. I've spent the last few evenings soldering and connecting multiple Gaugemaster Autofrogs. They work fairly well, although the furthest point seemed to prefer the original solitary Tam Valley frog juicer, which is a little odd... Well the basic panel works. Its a little bright, and I'm struggling to see from the blinding light it gives off, but it works! Must buy a different diode to calm the green ones down! I also created a signal diagram so that everyone knew which lever operated which switch. However my ambition took hold and asked me why stop there? Why not combine the two? Well, an online order for a picture frame and a bit of CAD wizardry in a lunch break came up with this: Now all I have to do is extend the cabling from each LED. As for detailing, you can see from my first picture, Tetbury has acquired some extensive greenery! I also thought that no station is completed without a sign, and I put together the scale model scenery sign. However it hasn't come out as good as I would like. I'll sort that out another day once I've finished playing with the soldering iron! After all, its a marathon, not a sprint...

Now its been aired and the embargo lifted, I can show the photos taken during the filming. Missenden Modellers Strangers on a Model Train Filming taking place: Back of house. The modellers den! And the fleeting glimpse of some bloke called Tim Shaw.... (He's the tall fella in case you're not sure)

My pair were defiantly 6 pins if that helps.

Just emailed in my entry, but do you get an email back confirming that your entry has been successful?

I tried to swap over the CDU output, but there was no change.

After a bit of fiddling, still no joy with the point indicator board. What I can categorically say that wiring the LED's to the SEEP is a lot easier! Just temporarily rigged one pair of LED's up with total ease! 1 down, 8 to go.

Thanks Brian. I'll give these a go and see if any of these will solve the issue. Regarding the switches, are you saying that the point indicator board cannot be used with non locking centre spring toggles? (I've also tried the Peco passing contact switches but with no success)

Because parts of my layout can be difficult to see, I decided to invest in a points indicator board to supply a mimic panel so that I can see which way the points are set. I've used SEEP PM1 switches, however the output of these already switches the power to the frog, so I decided to invest in a points indicator board to supply the LED's. I purchased a Micro Miniatures board and wired it up as per the attached instructions, and the READY light is lit, However, try as I might, ALL LED's are on regardless of how any switches are operated. I can only conclude that I have done something wrong, but I cannot see what. Any ideas how to fault find the problem, because I'm now thinking that a load of frog juicers and wiring the LED's to the SEEP point is now looking a damn sight easier!!

This discussion comes up time and time again. As you can see from my avatar, my figure changes shape depending on my stance, but when fitted within a loco cab, no one looks and goes "My word, that fireman is a bit fat!" This discussion normally goes towards "But most firemen were thin wiry fellows" Perhaps, but in trying to find an example, I came across Fred. One of the regular firemen on the Woodstock branch before it closed. As you can see, Fred is a very large chap, and unusually tall. In fact, I'd go so far to say that I wouldn't argue with him if I found him on a night out in one of Woodstocks fine drinking establishments! My point is, people come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, even in 1949! Unless you are a thin bloke and willing to volunteer for Modelu to be scanned, I really don't think people notice when they are fitted in the cab of your loco. They look excellent, be they fat or thin, and are vastly better than the cast offerings available elsewhere by other manufacturers! Happy modelling folks!

As one wise person once told me: Don’t try to be a jack of all trades, and churn out mediocre results. Instead do what you do well, and aim to be the best. You cannot be the best at everything. Dave, you are able to design and put into production models, something that most of us do not have the expertise to do. Use your expertise to give us excellent models, instead of becoming distracted in forum moderation. Let the quality of your models do the talking!

I read DavidH's post #971 is a generalisation on the running of DJM, and not about the APT project, hence my comment to keep on topic or post in a different thread.

The issue is that this is not the place to be posting it. I wouldn't post about Hornbys financial status under a thread about Pecketts! This is a thread about the development of the APT model, and not about DJMs financial condition. I want to see how the project is developing, not logging on to see the same circular discussions about how Dave should be running his business. Can we move this back on topic please?

I'm after a Bachmann Pannier in NCB green ref 32-210Y - This is the Modelzone version produced in 2010. I'd consider most conditions and either boxed or unboxed, as its going to be used for a project. If you have one that you are thinking of getting rid of, then let me know.

I also suggest hanging basket liner. It worked fairly well for my Tetbury layout. I think I spent £10 for a bulk purchase of liner plus £10 for a set of clippers to trim it back. I then used static grass near the running lines. That gave me enough to cover a 15ft x 3ft space.

Indeed. I've got nothing to loose, but I think Rapido will make a better job than my hamfisted attempt at soldering a brass chassis together!

Attended the final heat today as an audience member. I understand that the grand final is being recorded next week, but its a private invite only. We were requested not to post any images of the layouts on social media, which is understandable. Its also a shame because the layouts today were very nicely put together! I shall post these up when the programme goes live. However I understand that images outside the filming venue are fair game, especially as they will be familiar to anyone who has visited the Fawley Hill Estate. So whilst we wait for the grand final to be filmed, and the editing to take place, here's a few snaps to whet your appetite!

Its great news that someone has decided to make a model of these pocket panniers. However what am I going to do with this! I was going to put a 3d model on top of a brass chassis, as I thought no one would do a 16xx until the end of the next ice age. How wrong I was!

After messing around with the video clips last night, I've edited together a short video. The video has been shot from a hand held mobile phone, so isn't the best. I also think the music is probably a bit too dramatic, but I wasn't convinced that I could use the "APT Round Trip to Glasgow" music without infringing copyright, so I was a little bit stuck with the free tracks available from Youtube.

Just got back from travelling home from Crewe. A few photos of the day for those who could not join us: Steps being removed for the first time in perhaps 30 years! The scanning commences despite the drizzle! Scanning with the nose up. Up goes the drone. A view inside the cab of 006. The Pantograph. Note the aerofoils! Pleased that the power car from Coventry has found a new home. And finally, the classic Rail Riders profile. Looking forward to seeing the cloud data that the team have managed to capture. I also took some video on the iPhone. I just need to edit it together and I'll post it once I'm done.

I suggest you email Dave at info@djmodels.co.uk as per post 719 and see what he says!

I was trying to find a donor pug, when I decided to check whether a Peckett would do. Amazingly the W4 Peckett had the same wheelbase and wheel diameter as an Avonside. All I need to do now is wait for the next Hornby Peckett release to find one to chop about!

The 3D print arrived from Shapeways yesterday. Today I've managed to unpack it and compare it against the Trojan cut-n-shut, and the IR Society website. You'll notice that there is no backhead, but that's probably to do with the motor which completely obscures this area. Also, the rear of the cab has struggled with printing and has bent outwards. The cab struts are also not straight, and after i took the photographs, got knocked off. Its no issue really as when I was inspecting the model, I was going to replace with a bit of wire. Its also devoid of rivet details, however it needs a bit of sanding to remove the print lines which would probably loose the rivet details anyway. In a crude comparison with the irsociety drawing, it compares fairly well, although it needs whistles, safety valves and a door dart. The 3d printed representation for safety valves isn't anywhere near right. I'm interested to see how it goes onto a Hornby pug chassis, as I found the boiler had to be shortened to accommodate the motor. I now need to find the time to move this project forwards. However its not an easy case to take off the pug body and affix the new, as you need to disassemble the motor housing first, so I need to find a bit of time to get this project on the go.

Hattons update now states September 2018 for Exe and Taw, with Lew becoming available in Jan/ March 2019

My entry into the pug modification thread. I wanted to see if a Hornby LMS pug and a Hornby Caledonian pug could make an Avonside ‘Trojan’ The build thread can be found here: http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/96593-avonside-trojan-cut-n-shut/