dj_crisp

December and January are odd months as there is always too much to do that is non-modelling related! Also the garage is freezing! I've managed to progress a number of Type 5 projects... I'm pleased that I've actually put back together a number of Hornby 60s which have been wired up with lenz decoders & express model lighting kits, fitted kadees and laserglazed. Very pleased with how they're progressing and they just need a bit of final weathering and a little bit of varnish. Next up is the Grids. The body's are currently having glazing installed which always feels like I'm on the last stage, My least favourite jobs are fitting kadees and lighting circuits. Well at least the Kadees are out of the way! Next up - working out lighting! There are always more jobs to do though. I'm well annoyed that two of my DCC concepts decoder fitted Cromptons have failed on me. The Lenz fitted ones are fine so I've come to the conclusion that I'm never going to go near DCC concepts chips ever again. My last failure was rather dramatic as it simulated some nice exhaust smoke...It has however inspired me to re-visit my Cromptons that have had a bit of work on but didn't replace the roof grilles etc. As soon as my Type 5 splurge is over I'll have a good go at them. cheers Will

Your 60 looks excellent. Being a purist I'm not entirely taken by the the idea of 50s in GBf but admittedly I reckon they'll look pretty good and the livery will suit them. cheers Will

Looks a great project. Nine in railfreight ordered At least this gives me plenty of time to save up for them, cheers Will

I'm looking at various excel addins so it don't have to bin my Excel set up. Trying to avoid moving to new software which is costly both in subscriptions and time to transfer everything. I'm sure it's ultimately going to end up being a quarterly reporting exercise for all accounts...

I've emailed too - Understandably I expect he's rather busy with Cavalex stuff though!

Up to 24.... but getting slower

Hi Lee I totally agree with you over Brian's etches (and especially so for the 56) and you've done a very neat job I'm working on a pair of grids atm. and have fitted his side and cantrail grille etches... I found the hardest part to fitting the side grilles is to attach the frames to the grille which judging by how well you've done the roof grille I'm sure you'll have no problems with! I take an age fitting these so I've no idea how you'd be able to fit them in a commercially viable enterprise However by fitting them it's then really noticeable Hornby got the framing slightly wrong. Brian suggested I try using the frames from the original version of side etches for the old Dapol/mainline one. It's only by fitting these that you notice how much shorter the new etch is (which I believe was done to match Hornby's dimensions)... it's amazing how much of the 56 is slightly out but overall I think it looks great. Hope you don't mind but I've attached a work in progress shot of one of the grids with the side and cantrail etches fitted....which I hope to finish in 2019. Lol Cheers Will

Thanks! I think given my ability in DCC it's very wise you don't recruit me! I'll have a play over the weekend and see if i can get things working better

Hi I've been merrily installing Zimo MX633Rs into my Hornby class 60s and wiring them up to express models light boards and mapping functions using a sprog. My first two have worked a treat, However I've run into a few issues with my last two installs, Loco 1 - It think this was my mistake and I might have accidentally shorted function 6 (which was wired up to the cab lights), When switched on it the cab lights flicker then turn off. I'm using a Sprog with the latest decoder pro installed and am using the alternative function map which doesn't go higher than FO6 - is there any way I could map the FO7 function to be the F06 and use this mapping? (The reason i don't use the standard function map in decoder pro is that I want FO1 to operate on function 4) Loco 2 - Is puzzling me... I have issues with FO5 and FO6 and I don't think it's my soldering. When I wire these into the express models (or a seperate LED) the lights for these functions are on all the time, but are dimmer and flicker. If these functions are selected then normal brightness (and stable) lights work. It's almost like a cross circuit but I've wired up a separate LED and have the same problem so don't think its the Express models circuit board. Any help or ideas appreciated. I'm going to have another bash over the weekend. cheers Will

Always good to be busy Happy New Year! Will

Happy new year Alex. Some excellent photos and the 2nd shot of the class 60 looks superb Cheers Will

Very nice video Thanks for sharing and Merry Christmas Will

Happy Christmas Cheers Will

Happy Christmas all! The shed is looking great

You'll get there! No need to get you down as the next time you have a go it'll be a bit easier than the last time. I haven't yet done a model that hasn't got something wrong with it... adds to the character of it And by the end you'll have a model that's much more personal than RTR. Good tip on the cotton bud. I use a fresh one and work from the centre of the transfer outwards... but be gentle! Also helps soak up excess liquid. Cheers Will

Merry Christmas and happy new year Cheers Will

Looking great!

I use Carr's transfix on a gloss painted finish.... or if i'm renumbering just remove the factory applied satin varnish. If I'm being lazy I quite often use Hornby's Clear first and my preferred varnish is railmatch satin.... still can't seem to spray precisions ready mixed varnish to produce a nice finish. Funny that I've not had any problems with fox transfers but have with Railtech. Fox transfers are very thin so be careful. I've also abandoned their suggestion of warm water with washing up liquid.... the transfix was much more effective hope this helps Will P.S. Does anyone have a good finish with recisions ready mixed varnish? If so what pressure do you spray at?

The cars look cool! Thanks for sharing (I've not watched the video in full but will do over Christmas) Just need a few tailgaters to make it more British cheers Will

Don't listen to the moaners (on here or elsewhere) about lack of movement as I think the best layouts are those that engage you while there are no trains running. I suspect that the layouts of those who moan about no trains running will be of next to no interest to me Roof On for me ! cheers Will P.S. I really enjoy this thread so please do continue to update

Google indexes sites so well that's often all I use... especially on rmweb. site:rmweb.com then search term after works well for me.

If it helps I just unclipped the roof on mine and used humbrol clear to fix the glazing in place. It's a good idea to remove the wire handrails/filler pipes that are attached to the roof.

Having a crazy moment and thinking about redoing the roof ribs. Anyone know what the size of the real ribs? Thanks Will

I think that's the nicest bus I've seen.

To make life a bit easier I'm trying out Precision ready mixed for airbrushing varnishes. TBH I haven't mastered them and also haven't worked out the optimum air brush pressure to use. Personally I prefer Railmatch Varnishes which I seem to achieve a better finish with as the Precision version always seems a little grainy to me. Must be my airbrushing abilities! Anyway I thought I'd try their matt varnish on a Hornby 60 and to be fair I'm quite pleased with the finish; Who said unbranded grey was dull One less model of Canisp in existance.... I'm sure it's going to a rare model one day Just glazing and some Thornaby Depot Plaques to add and then I'll reunite her with a chassis. Happy Modelling! Will