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Hi Vjonelong, nice build with the 4 wheel wagons, I am surprised just having one wagon bumber is there a reason for that.

 

Like the work shop what I am lacking, mine is an open air work shop.and only have a hobby room to build kits and scratch building.

 

I completed the circular saw cross cutting jig today took three days to build, like a mini radial saw arm square cut every time pics on my post in garden railway.

 

How is your holiday going in Kent still down there or back home now.

 

Tony from down under.

Edited by ozamrr
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Nice places in Kent, but don't forget to go and spot a few of those overgrown EMU'S with the go faster stripes before the Eurocrats brick up the tunnel :jester: i'll try to get some NG pics' and post 'em on here if enough are interested? enjoy your Hols' Matthew  :sungum:

 

Thanks Pinzer. Yes please to the pictures from North Wales. Kent was good, but didn't see much in the way of main line rubbish. I have gotten some photos of some alternative narrow gauge though. Hope you have/had a lovely time!

 

Hi Vjonelong, nice build with the 4 wheel wagons, I am surprised just having one wagon bumber is there a reason for that.

 

Like the work shop what I am lacking, mine is an open air work shop.and only have a hobby room to build kits and scratch building.

 

I completed the circular saw cross cutting jig today took three days to build, like a mini radial saw arm square cut every time pics on my post in garden railway.

 

How is your holiday going in Kent still down there or back home now.

 

Tony from down under.

 

Hi Tony.

 

Thanks for the compliments. Cross cutting jig sounds good. I'll drop in on your railway topic - would be good to see some photographs. All my stock is central buffer. Most narrow gauge railways in the UK use a central buffer in one form, although a notable exception is the http://www.talyllyn.co.uk/ railway. 

 

Holiday was fantastic thank you. Came back very late last Saturday, and spent Sunday/Monday catching up on some sleep, washing, etc, and now back in work with a great big bump!

 

I managed to visit two railways while on holiday, although most of the time was spent on the end of a bellrope (it was a bellringing holiday after all). I've uploaded the pictures I took here:

http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/124355-a-visit-to-the-sittingbourne-and-kemsley-light-railway-july-2017/

http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/124356-a-visit-to-the-bredgar-and-wormshill-light-railway-july-2017/

 

I have some video as well which I will upload as soon as I can.

 

Of course we did manage to do a few other things as well. Driving on the way down we got overtaken by this. I am now seriously concerned that Father Jack has a driving license (google Father Ted for more information).

35721492541_88c8e939c2_c.jpgIMAG0975 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

 

On the first evening we visited the Abbott's Cliffe sound mirror which is located between Folkestone and Dover. There is another one at Hythe, and several near Dungeness, but this is by far the easiest accessible. It was constructed (I think) in the 20's as a early warning system for aircraft attack.The sound mirrors weren't terribly effective, and were soon over taken by radar.

35043907453_8b6fbc4aa1_c.jpgIMAG1163 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

35721463711_a081b61bfa_c.jpgIMAG1157 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

35684374892_fd2d83dcbe_c.jpgIMAG1158 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

35465583420_cd01736e14_c.jpgIMAG1159 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

35043907673_41a24de4d0_c.jpgIMAG1162 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

 

Here's the view of the English Channel from the sound mirror.

35465583230_5d1fb1182a_c.jpgIMAG1160 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

35465583030_7a8df416b4_c.jpgIMAG1161 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

 

I also dragged SWMBO to the Battle of Britain Memorial at Capel-le-ferne near Folkestone. It's still one of the most moving memorials I have been to.

35043906953_79e16a222e_c.jpgIMAG1166 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

35043906743_e872c802b5_c.jpgIMAG1167 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

35043906563_c99242ee47_c.jpgIMAG1168 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

35043907083_5e0fe074d3_c.jpgIMAG1165 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

35043907253_59b133d6e2_c.jpgIMAG1164 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

 

On the 3rd day we visited Hythe and Dymchurch, and we took the opportunity to fly a kite on Dymchurch beach.

35043906423_5e1a2ba5d0_c.jpgIMAG1170 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

35043906343_e0b23c7a6d_c.jpgIMAG1171 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

 

Here is a view of Dungeness Nuclear Power Station. Dungeness is the terminus of the Romney, Hythe, and Dymchurch Railway.

35812885776_0d71df28f2_c.jpgIMAG1173 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

35721464301_23c2eae9f1_c.jpgIMAG1175 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

 

On Wednesday we visited Quex Park. The Waterloo Tower is unusual as it is a secular bell tower built in 1819, with bells put in as the land owner was a keen campanologist. 

35043905613_80761ddd47_c.jpgIMAG1177 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

35721463901_f846643137_c.jpgIMAG1178 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

35684371382_8e072111bc_c.jpgIMAG1179 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

 

Another unusual bell tower was High Halden, which is entirely wooden!

35812894576_aa53984cdc_c.jpg19748631_10102765449880068_3221326265916901237_n by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

 

On the penultimate day, I dragged SWMBO down to St Margarets at cliffe, to watch the ferries cross the channel.

35043948743_313c6d9023_c.jpg19780582_10102765451187448_4722400573801251987_o by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

 

Finally, on the way back on Saturday, we visited Quebec House in Westerham, home of General James Wolfe. While there I had a brief education in 18th Century Warfare. 

35721502411_fcd1e704c1_c.jpg19959149_10102765451871078_2488406275411550282_n by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

35721502781_4e66533b64_c.jpg19894849_10102765451995828_2901275664072848723_n by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

35043948863_6519928a1e_c.jpg19748334_10102765452045728_3152978163092655232_n by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

35043949163_d076b2daa0_c.jpg19989758_10102765452085648_5879583389457528481_n by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

 

All in all a very enjoyable holiday was had. Thats it for being 'off topic', normal train service will resume shortly!

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  Hi Mathew  great pics there . Never been on the Sittingbourne ,but it looks a bit dilapidated .I think it nearly went bust a few years ago ?. Sad that it is in the state its in .  phil

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  Hi Mathew  great pics there . Never been on the Sittingbourne ,but it looks a bit dilapidated .I think it nearly went bust a few years ago ?. Sad that it is in the state its in .  phil

Thanks Phil.

 

I heartily recommend Sittingbourne, I loved it. It is very run down, but very interesting. I believe that it did stop running a few years ago, but it does seem to have a new lease of life. It was quite busy when we visited. I think they just need to preserve some of their stock better, but they seem to have a turned a corner so keep fingers crossed! I know with all that dilapidation Pinzer would be in his element.

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Hi Mathew, no worries glad you had a great holiday love the pics, as you say worth a visit seeing the Battle Of Britian memorial over here we have a big memorial in Canberra, I went for a visit in October last year, you need a whole day see all the displays, only had the afternoon and a rain cold day as well., gee nice beaches as well fairly bib beach any big waves.  

 

Those early warning mirrors in the pics I have being watching a British doco called British Coast they  are all over Britain  some huge, pure amazing the bigger ones still work today, could you get up close to the Spitfire and Hurricane 

 

Must ask you what fuel do they use for those narrow gauge tank locos , on room for coal in the cab, like our  Buffing Billy train in Victoria that gauge is 2foot 6inches I think wood like some of those open tour carriages, what gauge is the bigger trains at the end of the video , what a great idea and scale.

 

Looking forward to seeing the video clips when you put them on.

 

 

Tony from down under.

 

,

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Hi Mathew, no worries glad you had a great holiday love the pics, as you say worth a visit seeing the Battle Of Britian memorial over here we have a big memorial in Canberra, I went for a visit in October last year, you need a whole day see all the displays, only had the afternoon and a rain cold day as well., gee nice beaches as well fairly bib beach any big waves.  

 

Those early warning mirrors in the pics I have being watching a British doco called British Coast they  are all over Britain  some huge, pure amazing the bigger ones still work today, could you get up close to the Spitfire and Hurricane 

 

Must ask you what fuel do they use for those narrow gauge tank locos , on room for coal in the cab, like our  Buffing Billy train in Victoria that gauge is 2foot 6inches I think wood like some of those open tour carriages, what gauge is the bigger trains at the end of the video , what a great idea and scale.

 

Looking forward to seeing the video clips when you put them on.

 

 

Tony from down under.

 

,

Thanks Tony. The Battle of Britain memorial here isn't the biggest, but I do find it very moving, especially in the late evening. They have added alot to it since I last went (around 2001 I should think), including the replica Spitfire and Hurricane. You can walk right up to them which is good. There aren't many of the sound mirrors around. There are about 4 on the south coast, and then 3 on the north east coast near Newcastle. They were built after the first Zepplin raids during WW1.

 

So as far as I know the engines are all coal fired. They have a small amount of coal storage in the cab, and have to restock every time they get to the end of the line. I think the Bredgar & Wormshill have a couple of wood fired engines, but they weren't running when we were there. The engines at the end of the video are from the R&HDR. Its a 15 inch gauge railway built by Captain Howey (a 1920s racing car driver and owner). Most of the engines are 1/3 (I think) scale replicas of the Great Northern pacifics (aka Flying Scotsman), but they have a couple of variations as well. There is a full list at http://www.rhdr.org.uk/

 

Okay, so before I went on holiday I managed to spray the wagons in the previous posts to GWR Freight Grey. I spent Sunday and Monday lettering the wagons, so here a couple of photos of them in "ex-works" condition.

35024278474_4d459d8e1c_c.jpgIMAG1181 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

35024277424_6fa52d4e23_c.jpgIMAG1182 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

35054773833_beedaf839d_c.jpgIMAG1183 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

35024276394_c9feee1458_c.jpgIMAG1184 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

35732309481_3374dd447e_c.jpgIMAG1186 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

35732309151_1854f6e972_c.jpgIMAG1187 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

 

Of course they didn't stay like that for long. By the end of yesterday evening they were looking slightly worse for wear....

35024274494_4b9fee4c17_c.jpgIMAG1188 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

35694841622_7986d026ff_c.jpgIMAG1189 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

35054769323_e7f25c453d_c.jpgIMAG1190 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

35732305481_c247af781b_c.jpgIMAG1191 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

35732302681_da593a8677_c.jpgIMAG1192 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

35054766313_c89316372c_c.jpgIMAG1193 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

35732302171_702a807d7d_c.jpgIMAG1194 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

35864076825_a2479332f6_c.jpgIMAG1195 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

35732297901_cfbf1c6cc7_c.jpgIMAG1196 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

35694839182_73352d24c9_c.jpgIMAG1197 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

 

The next stage is to add some 'real rust', and then finally a couple of coats of matt varnish, then they are ready to hit the road (so to speak).

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What a great idea a turn table set to paint your wagons great also for working on them as well, I checked out the link and wow they are neat locos for their scale, I came across a diesel loco never seen it before they must design their own locos big cab for the smaller gauge two crew .

 

Pity you should of had a photo of you standing beside the spitfire my favourite fighter of that era, I can't get over the wide beaches you have in England, the sand over here is nearly white.

 

Was wondering that our Puffing Billy locos may be the same , I get some pics, I like the those locos like to get one and the open tourist coaches too, something different.

 

Keep the pics flowing.

 

Tony from down under

post-31098-0-05797800-1499864762.jpg

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What a great idea a turn table set to paint your wagons great also for working on them as well, I checked out the link and wow they are neat locos for their scale, I came across a diesel loco never seen it before they must design their own locos big cab for the smaller gauge two crew .

 

Pity you should of had a photo of you standing beside the spitfire my favourite fighter of that era, I can't get over the wide beaches you have in England, the sand over here is nearly white.

 

Was wondering that our Puffing Billy locos may be the same , I get some pics, I like the those locos like to get one and the open tourist coaches too, something different.

 

Keep the pics flowing.

 

Tony from down under

 

Hi Tony.

 

Its an Ikea cheeseboard. This one is several years old so we replaced it and I nabbed the old one. I think they are under £5 so dirt cheap and really nifty.

 

The RH&DR is a rather good collection. Its a sort of oddity in a way. The diesels I think were built in the mid-late 80s, and based on American ones I believe.

 

The beaches aren't always that wide, they are usually alot smaller when the tide is in.  :mosking:

 

Isn't this the Puffing Billy? I think you could just fit a 45mm track in your yard... https://www.accucraft.uk.com/products/na-class-victorian-railways-2-6-2t/

NA.jpg

 

Although I was out most of last night I did manage to apply the real rust and the developer before bed. Here are the results this morning.

35850928296_e67cabdc16_c.jpgIMAG1198 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

35850927706_d323ff94f3_c.jpgIMAG1199 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

35082416393_a8e5b9e035_c.jpgIMAG1200 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

35891614305_dab7aa2a59_c.jpgIMAG1201 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

35891612275_ebc9145abd_c.jpgIMAG1202 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

35850926466_5461ee3352_c.jpgIMAG1203 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

35082412103_905f08f53d_c.jpgIMAG1204 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

35850925176_cd6f4abafc_c.jpgIMAG1205 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

35503790950_a7915d7346_c.jpgIMAG1207 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

 

The final chore is to spray some matt varnish on them, and then I can put them out on the line. I do need to add a load to the 4-plank open but I need to find some spare polystyrene to fill most of the gap before putting the coal in. I'm sure I have some somewhere!

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   Hi Mathew      you could always sheet the 4 plank  , or small crates and  drums  or even sacks  for something different . great work by the way   phil

Hi Phil. You read my mind, but I was going to sheet over my other 4-plank wagon as that is missing several of the locking chains at the top of the doors. This one will be a standard coal load.

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Last  evening Mathew, thanks for the link of our Victorian Puffing Billy, one day I will lash out and buy one, nice looking tanbk loco, good if I can get it in 0 gauge, I have an old Hornby clock tank steam loco I plan to re motor but laving the clock working  in. plan to add a coach to the loco  covering the clock working leavers and  the bogie at the other end be battery powered with remote control .

 

I be buying one of those turn tables or make my own, you can buy from a woodturning  supplier turn table part and, I have turned lazy Susan  using the metal turn table , quite cheap, heading to a wood turning supplier end of August to buy three weather instruments for a birthday present .will buy the turn table as well.

 

Great work can see the different from before and after the dusting, I will never weather my locos same sort of thing do you just sprinkle the dust on what you want to bring out the  rust  affect out  on.

 

I am slowly building up my four wheel wagons, for my German trains , got a 2-8-2 tank  steam loco, diesel and electric locos, go well on the branch line I have planned.

 

 

 

Tony from down under

post-31098-0-63833100-1499986194.jpg

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Hi Phil, many thanks for the link was a real loco  unusual name, saved a couple of good pics even though in black and white and can put on an trailer as well what I am planning to do .

 

In South Australia there is a steam rail motor  call ed the Coffee pot still runs today, narrow gauge, I like  the Horwick Jerk, yet another new project be born, I still have to old pipe track will replace the track with brass track later.

 

Tony from down under.

 

 

 

 

post-31098-0-89614800-1500072105.jpg

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Hi Phil, many thanks for the link was a real loco  unusual name, saved a couple of good pics even though in black and white and can put on an trailer as well what I am planning to do .

 

In South Australia there is a steam rail motor  call ed the Coffee pot still runs today, narrow gauge, I like  the Horwick Jerk, yet another new project be born, I still have to old pipe track will replace the track with brass track later.

 

Tony from down under.

  HI Tony the horwich jerk used to run from Bolton to the horwich loco works (which had its own station] bringing in the workers on a daily basis. The standard gauge Horwich crab was made there for years phil 

 http://www.madeinpreston.co.uk/Rail/crab.html

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Thanks chaps.

 

I managed some filming on Friday evening, featuring the now complete wagons. I had hoped to use Countess (so as to make it as authentic as possible), but she is out of action again after the bolt connecting the expansion link disappeared again. I think I might loctite it next time. In the end No. 14 came out again and provided a decent service. I hope you enjoy!

 

 

P.S. I visited the Foxfield Railway gala on Saturday, and got some cracking videos of the trains assaulting the 1 in 19 out the colliery. Once I have finished editing and uploading I will put a link in here!

Edited by vjoneslong
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Sorry to go a bit off topic but as mentioned above we went to the Foxfield Summer Steam Gala last Saturday. I took some videos, while Dad tried out his new Digital Camera. Here are the photo's he took:

 

35137965194_b0afc3cf1d_c.jpgDSCF0182 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

35167647843_b16129e260_c.jpgDSCF0183 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

35977857895_b908496267_c.jpgDSCF0184 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

35137962704_6c16f9ac47_c.jpgDSCF0185 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

35167644563_bc23ae7557_c.jpgDSCF0186 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

35845124731_ebaafcaaf7_c.jpgDSCF0187 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

35167641253_9919161206_c.jpgDSCF0188 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

35137958914_9d1c37f10c_c.jpgDSCF0189 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

35588722210_0fb2542fee_c.jpgDSCF0190 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

35137957044_34ea96e2b2_c.jpgDSCF0191 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

35588720520_587e97bd3c_c.jpgDSCF0192 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

35588719570_b9dea0cc49_c.jpgDSCF0193 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

35137953794_193335835f_c.jpgDSCF0194 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

35137952874_73dcab1de4_c.jpgDSCF0195 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

35137952054_389d1425c9_c.jpgDSCF0197 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

35137951164_8625ceb820_c.jpgDSCF0198 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

35137950014_4b6f704c11_c.jpgDSCF0199 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

35137948714_8a4ecbc318_c.jpgDSCF0200 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

35137947544_eb873ae2ee_c.jpgDSCF0201 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

35137946254_4757aee907_c.jpgDSCF0202 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

35137944794_e35008515f_c.jpgDSCF0203 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

35167630203_05a08eef81_c.jpgDSCF0204 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

35807221262_07ceb97620_c.jpgDSCF0205 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

35936478166_1a7c6cd872_c.jpgDSCF0206 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

35807219632_7fd2a55fe8_c.jpgDSCF0207 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

35936475546_c3ef490096_c.jpgDSCF0208 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

35137938024_9a43f4628b_c.jpgDSCF0209 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

35936473246_739032aaac_c.jpgDSCF0210 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

35807216312_50f08045e9_c.jpgDSCF0211 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

35936470486_98e63afcf6_c.jpgDSCF0212 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

35807215052_9fca467a72_c.jpgDSCF0213 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

35936468266_3a567ccf46_c.jpgDSCF0214 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

35936467126_13f0e689d5_c.jpgDSCF0215 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

35807212982_82cfa24f0b_c.jpgDSCF0216 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

35807212102_73c4b34126_c.jpgDSCF0217 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

35807211252_6fabb4eaca_c.jpgDSCF0218 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

35807210542_b94033faa7_c.jpgDSCF0219 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

35807209702_71e88550d2_c.jpgDSCF0220 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

35807209022_6624456455_c.jpgDSCF0221 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

35845086741_2b865a71a4_c.jpgDSCF0222 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

35807207492_7ff49e6025_c.jpgDSCF0223 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

35845084611_5b4937fb8f_c.jpgDSCF0224 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

35807206202_0c42481181_c.jpgDSCF0225 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

35936454336_0764994b1d_c.jpgDSCF0230 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

35807204572_bd17fbfa6e_c.jpgDSCF0231 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

35167651283_7685d3039d_c.jpgDSCF0232 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

 

And here is the video (once it has uploaded):

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iW6z2BtE0CE

Edited by vjoneslong
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  great pics there Mathew The last time I went there the steam crane  was in a lot of rusting bits awaiting refurbishment and rebuilding . Been meaning to go back but never found the time. I used to live in Burton so it was a 20 min. drive .   phil

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Thanks chaps. Found a couple more on my phone last night.

 

35175255053_741a369e87_c.jpgIMAG1236 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

35853167921_e58e739947_c.jpgIMAG1237 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

35814838762_11ca2f9a4f_c.jpgIMAG1208 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

35596550520_097978c2af_c.jpgIMAG1209 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

35596538960_7fc828297a_c.jpgIMAG1222 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

35985686315_72d3cfc065_c.jpgIMAG1223 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

35944019826_da9dd95355_c.jpgIMAG1224 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

35814808452_64f2c9a81e_c.jpgIMAG1225 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

35985674635_06056f5be3_c.jpgIMAG1234 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

35853169311_c13e6330fd_c.jpgIMAG1235 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

 

Enough of the foxfield for now. Anyway, last night I spent doing some chores, but since it was so lovely I couldn't resist throwing a battery loco on the track and let it pootle round for several hours (just over 3 I think in the end). 

35985670555_e4635fee96_c.jpgIMAG1238_BURST002_COVER by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

There is something satisfying about just watching a train gently meander around the garden. 

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Hi Mathrew , nice lot of pics, I like the steam crane , would of looked good in actin did they use it at all.

 

WOW three hours batter power, what brand is the batteries and cost, I be looking for those powered bogies get them in all scales.

 

There is a branch line not far from me the other side of Ipswich never being to it will have to go one day, hope they are running an old diesel rail car they call the red Fred, Queensland Rail  runs on narrow gauge, the main line modern diesels are huge for a narrow gauge railway 3ft 6iinches, we had the first high speed tilt train as well only as far as Rockhampton diesel tilt service to Cairns, should be standard gauge all the way to Cairns, but the speeds are 150k max for the tilt trains.

 

Keep the pics flowing, Tony from cold down under, 2 degrees tonight, we could g lower .

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Hi Tony. Yes they do use the steam crane, there are videos of it lifting various things on Youtube. I just spent more time half way up the bank rather than in the colliery itself.

 

Standard rechargables. I think they are 2900mah capacity. They came from componentshop.co.uk - not sure they will post down under!

 

Sounds interesting. What is standard gauge in Australia? Is it the same as here (4foot 8&1/2 inches)?

 

Well I had intended to run some trains last night, but I got home and it was picking/spotting with rain all evening, so I decided to construct a track cleaning wagon. The issue with live steam is that they tend to leave a oily film over the rail head which can quickly build up. This isn't a problem if your line is flat but as I have a gradient they can start to struggle after a while with slipping. So I wanted to build a wagon which I could tow round periodically to clean the oil off. When I purchased the wooden track, I was also given a rather crude but very large/long bogie flat wagon. This hadn't been used, so I decided to convert it.

 

I purchased a 180 Degree Globe valve for 1/8th pipe, a t-piece for 1/8th pipe, and two lengths of 1/8th pipe from Maidstone engineering. From ebay I purchased a 500ml fuel tank for a RC plane/boat and silicon fuel line

 

I mounted the globe valve in the middle of the wagon, with the aim of having the fuel tank sitting on one of the bogies. I soldered a short section of pipe into the union and fitted it the globe valve, and slid the silicon tubing over this to connect to the fuel tank.

35200510074_cef46d6cbd_c.jpg2017-07-20_08-33-00 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

35200490584_d43a59198d_c.jpg2017-07-20_08-32-23 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

 

I soldered up another short piece of copper pipe to connect the globe valve to the t-peice, and then two more short sections which I then annealed and bent to shape to act as droppers for the liquid (degreasent) onto the rail head.

35869063782_f47b1c29a1_c.jpg2017-07-20_08-32-12 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

 

This was then put behind a diesel, and tested to see if it worked.

 

I also wanted to add some form of brush to help clean the railhead. This was done using two cheapy toothbrushes from Wilkos, with the heads removed from the body. The heads were carefully drilled to allow a 8BA bolt to the fed through, and were mounted to a piece of scrap plasticard with a spring from a biro pen to help keep the heads down at rail head height but allowed some flexibility. Finally the plasticard was mounted to the body with some woodscrews with some washers to help get the toothbrush heads to the correct height so that they were gently touching the railhead.

35990602566_4e141c69b2_c.jpgIMAG0007 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

35990580226_89a4b36a6e_c.jpg2017-07-19_10-09-05 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

 

By this point it was pretty late so it hasn't been tested yet, but I will hopefully have the chance in the next couple of days. I intend to use "Gunk" engine degreasent which is what I use for removing the oil off the locos when performing maintenance.

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Hi Mthew, thanks for the battery link will have to check them out over here  mainly the  charger power difference, we are 240 here.

 

Will be keeping a close on your track clearning car build, I have on th edrawing board modifing two DD40AX locos to the MPV British track cleaning locos, mine will haecleaning drums in each, front loco be unpowered ., HO/00 scale garden railway have big issues in keeping the track clean, run my track leaning locos around the layout first.

 

Tony from cold down under had zero this morning  7degrees now.

 

post-31098-0-62561500-1500590060_thumb.jpg

post-31098-0-41255100-1500590076.jpg

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Thanks very much chaps. Well I can report that I tested the track cleaning wagon, and it was a great success. Took the oily film straight off in about four laps, and even the weakest of my diesels can haul it so I'll call it a success. 

 

Tony - I feel your pain. Cleaning the rail heads on my old OO garden railway was always a pain. In the end I used some wet and dry fixed to a block of wood on a stick and lubricated with paraffin. When running frequently I found you could go for about 3-4 days between cleanings if you used paraffin. 

 

Well, I did manage to run some trains during the weekend between the showers, but most of the time was spent removing the grass/muck from the patio area behind the house so we can start to sit out in it. However, while it was raining I decided to make some progress on another project that I had been putting off for far too long.

 

Sometime ago, Pinzer (Owd'bob) was selling off some stock, and I jumped at the chance to own some of the magicians creations.

35993504721_40e59deaa1_c.jpg2017-07-24_08-39-29 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

 

Now I needed a chassis. Pinzer had used the Swift Sixteen ready to run bogie, but I opted for a cambrain chassis (as I had two in my bits box). These are dead easy to use, though a little fragile. They are simply two bits of plastic, with various axle holes to choose from, and three hexagonal frame spacers. 

36127151245_240a8a1c22_c.jpg2017-07-24_08-39-56 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

35993507721_0243d35277_c.jpg2017-07-24_08-39-47 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

36127153695_811e5e05d4_c.jpg2017-07-24_08-40-09 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

 

I opted for Binnie wheels. 29mm 8 straight spoke, which require 1/8th (or 3mm) axles. Once I had decided on which axle holes to use, I then plugged the surrounding unnecessary holes with the plugs supplied in the kit.

36127160805_3abb27dc71_c.jpg2017-07-24_08-40-36 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

 

I purchased a Cambrian 3d printed gear box, with large 3volt motor and 40 to 1 gears. This was mounted in the rear axles.

36127156445_cabbe40a49_c.jpg2017-07-24_08-40-20 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

35275187984_1cfea18231_c.jpgIMAG0014 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

36115291095_8f9c5b87db_c.jpgIMAG0018 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

 

The final job was to cut the axles to the correct length and loctite the binnie wheels to the axles. Hey presto, a chassis!

36115291675_8a799b3c1d_c.jpgIMAG0016 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

35993521231_2326530b9b_c.jpg2017-07-24_08-41-02 by Matthew Jones, on Flickr

 

I had to call it a day there as unfortunately the receiver I had scheduled to fit appeared to be knackered. So I ordered a new one. My next challenge is making the rechargeable battery pack. Hmm!

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