nsl714

Tony and all, Some time ago, I asked for assistance regarding the fixing of the bogie and pony to a DJH A1 I was building, the recommended arrangement in the instructions not being ideal. As of now, the engine is substantially completed, as shown in the below photos. This has been an enjoyable experience overall, and it came together very nicely. I do need to investigate a minor tight spot, which I've narrowed down to the left side center crankpin being slightly ajar (I learned the hard way early on that the nylon centers of the drivers will melt when soldering the retaining washers on the crankpins). The valve gear is otherwise free moving and clear. Please also note the requisite 'wiggly pipes'! The engine will go to a friend to get the paint sprayed on (I don't think my usual brush method will do it justice) and I will add the lining once. When complete, it will be 60123 'H.A. Ivatt' in Express Passenger Blue. Thanks, Zach

It's funny, a lot of the plates look like those that went through auction in America in November.... It will be interesting to see how they make out in comparison to the first auction. -Zach

Tony, The above information was indeed very useful, thanks very much for providing it. This arrangement is much more workable than trying to contort the bogie/pony to fit the body. Onwards! Regards, Zach

Tony and All, I've started in on the DJH A1 mentioned earlier. So far, being careful in chassis assembly has resulted in one that is square and free rolling up to the stage of adding the motor and valve gear. The boiler and firebox here are not secured to the footplate yet, but the prospect of making the engine look more complete was much too tempting for the photo, so they are sat in place. However, I am a bit perplexed at further assembly (hence my sharing here). The diagrams in the instructions outline how the pony, bogie, and footplate are to be secured to the chassis by screws. Fair enough. However, I can't help but notice there's a bit of overlap, and securing the bogie/pony to chassis will not allow easy access to the fixing points for the footplate and vise versa if the footplate with boiler is attached to the frame. Is there a typical work around for this arrangement that differs from the instructions? One thing I've contemplated and made arrangement for is an access hole through both the bogie and pony for a screwdriver. This seems to be the trick for the pony, but the bogie is still going to be much too constrained to get the screw in place I fear. Any suggestions for deviations or other tweaks to make this arrangement more workable would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Zach

Hello Arun, Would the Q23's come back with the other cars as part of this, or are they gone? Once upon a time I fancied a Q stock set, but didn't want a solid train of Q23's, so I never acted on it. Now that the other cars are in the pipeline it's much more appealing. Thanks, Zach

I've been building kits in O scale for the past 4-5 years, and a major inspiration for starting down the path was watching the 'Right Track' films, particularly the loco kit construction one that included a DJH A2. Though they're not my scale or region (7mm GWR for me thanks), it was always in the back of my mind to build a DJH A1 or A2 in OO as in the video, just for the sake of doing so. With rumblings beginning early last week that DJH *might* be winding down the kits, I finally jumped and purchased an A1. Glad I did now, because they're gone from the website this morning! -Zach

The name and two numbers I got will easily fit in my car. I might be in trouble with the other lot I got though, a set of Royal Scot Carriage Boards. Those damn things are 11 feet long! Zach

For those playing along at home, the American auction of GWR names, numbers, etc., was yesterday. https://www.leonardauction.com/auction/auction-310 Looking through the hammer prices, a lot of the plates undersold or didn't meet reserve. There were a few exceptions, like a LMS Princess plate that went astronomical, but things largely stayed down in price. I'm guessing it was because of the sudden saturation in the wrong market. But it was very exciting overall to watch all afternoon. I'm still contemplating the reality that I might have acquired a matched name/number.... -Zach

As an American, I'm both curious about how this lot will sell, and terrified that it's local which means I might have to spend some $$$ on it. There's some tempting O gauge, to speak nothing of the 1:1 scale name and number plates!

Hope springs eternal for someone, ANYONE, to do a proper Saint. One day...

One major obstacle in converting to studs in 3 Rail O is the pickup method. The vast majority of American 3 rail O gauge trains use a roller arrangement as opposed to a sliding shoe that Marklin trains appear to utilize in HO. While the shoes bridge the gaps in the studs, the rollers wouldn't do as well with frequent opportunities to get jammed. Since the roller arrangement is so widespread, that would be significant conversion effort to some to accommodate a stud rail as opposed to the continuous rail arrangement. -Zach

The discussion about where one started their modeling adventures got me to thinking about mine. As a child I had a selection of ready to run Lionel trains, no real 'modeling' in the sense generally seen here. It was only after college where one weekend in 2016 I opened up and decided to make a go of a Revell Spitfire that had been in my closet for at least 5 years. It was rough but I got through it in the end. Note the canopy complete with the telltale fogging. Completing said model opened up a world where I wanted to try more. Over the next few years I built numerous aircraft and ships until, (thanks to the coming of the Dapol Autotanks), I shifted to 7mm O. Little did I know while completing the Spitfire that 7 years later I'd be building Great Western locomotives in brass. The latest is a David Andrews Bulldog, as below. It's fun to look back and see how far one has come. -Zach

Yesterday a GWR 15xx arrived stateside for a friend (Hattons' trunk makes it very easy for me to be a 'dealer' for said friend's OO obsession while I whittle away at O scale). I checked it out to see how it was and looks to be just fine. No real evident wonky-ness unless looking SUPER close. Any glue marks are minimal and entirely manageable. Having assembled many an O scale kit, the degree of absurd assembly required here in half the scale makes the little niggles perfectly fine in my view. It won't run until said friend has received it, so I can't comment on how this one behaves. But my is this a proper heavy boi. I also appreciate that the inherent humor of the Canadian Mothership has seeped over into the owners manual. A very convenient page break after "If you fry your electrics, we will be pleased" and the general concept of "Acts of You" had us in stitches. Overall it's a lovely model, and here's to more! -Zach

Before this, the signboxes were empty, and there were vinyl stickers over them, as below.

London RM1133 made it to the Illinois Railway Museum about a week ago. It's going to stay there through October. Now being in striking range of myself and co-owner, it's getting some attention. Early items on the agenda were solving some electrical issues with lighting and installing correct destination blinds in the bus. Before it goes home, we're hopeful to give it a good buffing to put some shine back into the red. -Zach