RMweb Gold john dew Posted August 10, 2021 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted August 10, 2021 5 hours ago, amdaley said: Great to see you back John. This thread is a tonic for anyone in these trying times. Stay safe. Tony. Thank you Tony thats really very kind of you. Its good to be back! 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold john dew Posted August 10, 2021 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted August 10, 2021 3 hours ago, richard i said: Glad to here you are improving. Hope the turntable behaves itself. richard Thank you Richard I am glad to say the TT is behaving impeccably. They are actually very very reliable. Malfunctions are usually self induced. You may recall , about 5-7 years ago I managed to spill a jar of ballast on the TT on the other side of the layout. Once I corrected that unforced error it has run perfectly and accurately without ever a moments hesitation 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold john dew Posted August 10, 2021 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted August 10, 2021 1 hour ago, brianusa said: Hi John, glad there is an improvement. My tale has not ended yet, sad to say! A couple of months ago I broke my hip, the classic eighty six year old problem. While its been fixed the pain still exists although it will get better, so I'm told. Like you it has prevented "workin' on the railroad" and I've got a train caught between two blocks, out of reach naturally, so no playing trains until I can get up and get under. Getting under the layout is a lot harder these days than when it was all set up about twenty years or so ago so it may be a while yet Always good to see your recent additions Brian. About to retire to the A/C train room for a few days. If I can't play trains, at least I'll be cool! Hi Brian Its good to hear from you but I am so sorry to hear that your hip is still painful and preventing you from "playing trains". I know how frustrating that can be. I also share your dislike of having to crawl under the layout to fix something.......lithe and flexible are not adjectives that spring to mind. There is no way you can work around the stalled train or recruit a helper......its a bit far for me to pop over. I envy your A/C. The Railway room is in the basement and its pleasantly cool here but right now the mercury is climbing upstairs. Its unusual to be writing on here to someone in the same time zone and near identical weather I do hope your hip continues to mend and it will not be too long before the trains are running again Best wishes 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Neal Ball Posted August 11, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted August 11, 2021 Morning @john dewglad to hear you’ve got over everything and clearly as a bonus for all those pills, you have a new bright shiny turntable. Glad to have you back and posting again. RMWeb hasn’t been the same without our visits to Granby. Take care, Neal. 4 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium M.I.B Posted August 11, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted August 11, 2021 So pleased to see you back in the railway room John. 3 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold john dew Posted August 11, 2021 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted August 11, 2021 11 hours ago, Neal Ball said: Morning @john dewglad to hear you’ve got over everything and clearly as a bonus for all those pills, you have a new bright shiny turntable. Glad to have you back and posting again. RMWeb hasn’t been the same without our visits to Granby. Take care, Neal. Thanks Neal that is very kind of you. I have been remiss in not congratulating you on your new turntable. You did a super job with the painting. I am rather envious of the appearance. It is a far more accurate representation of a GWR turntable than mine. I am afraid I had to sacrifice appearance for functionality. I have tried to eliminate the more obvious traces of its continental origin but it still looks nothing like a GW table. Is yours working now? I am interested in how it deals with indexing Best wishes 2 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold john dew Posted August 11, 2021 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted August 11, 2021 10 hours ago, M.I.B said: So pleased to see you back in the railway room John. Thanks Tinker.......in this weather I am glad to be back down here in the cool. How is your 12" to the foot building getting on? I do hope everything is on schedule. Best wishes Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Mikkel Posted August 13, 2021 RMweb Gold Share Posted August 13, 2021 Hi John, glad to see you posting again. Sounds like it's been an unpleasant spell. Pneumonia and forest fires is one thing, but a malfunctioning turntable! Only joking of course, pleased to hear that it's behind you. It's interesting that Fleischmann don't do turntables anymore. I wonder if that's because there isn't a market for them, or are they too much trouble for them? 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
richard i Posted August 13, 2021 Share Posted August 13, 2021 5 hours ago, Mikkel said: It's interesting that Fleischmann don't do turntables anymore. I wonder if that's because there isn't a market for them, or are they too much trouble for them? Most popular era in Germany is the early diesel and electric era. No need for turntables. Also much more a “ have lots of tracks and watch many things go round and round” types of layouts too. richard 2 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denbridge Posted August 13, 2021 Share Posted August 13, 2021 5 hours ago, Mikkel said: Hi John, glad to see you posting again. Sounds like it's been an unpleasant spell. Pneumonia and forest fires is one thing, but a malfunctioning turntable! Only joking of course, pleased to hear that it's behind you. It's interesting that Fleischmann don't do turntables anymore. I wonder if that's because there isn't a market for them, or are they too much trouble for them? Fleischmann is now part of Roco. I guess they dropped the formers table in favour of the latter which is a more 'scale product. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold john dew Posted August 13, 2021 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted August 13, 2021 8 hours ago, Mikkel said: Hi John, glad to see you posting again. Sounds like it's been an unpleasant spell. Pneumonia and forest fires is one thing, but a malfunctioning turntable! Only joking of course, pleased to hear that it's behind you. It's interesting that Fleischmann don't do turntables anymore. I wonder if that's because there isn't a market for them, or are they too much trouble for them? Thanks Mikkel You omitted the heat dome….which has returned…..with the smoke ……certainly been a summer to remember! Regarding Fleischmann, I was told that some of their H0 track tooling had worn out and it had been decided, no doubt by Rocco, that they would not replace it but concentrate on N gaude Best wishes 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Popular Post john dew Posted August 18, 2021 Author RMweb Gold Popular Post Share Posted August 18, 2021 (edited) Thanks for all the ticks guys, its nice to be back I spent most of last week painting and ballasting the turntable storage sidings. I broke the monotony by painting some Modelu figures: The front of the Talbot has looked rather strange since its opening six months ago. Plenty of Cars and Taxis but until last week.... no people! Granby Town Council have carried out some much need road repairs since this photo was taken. Moving left to right some rather cruel close ups Two chauffeurs converted from WWI soldiers Their chat is about to be interrupted......Colonel Sir David Powell MC rtd. has finished his lunch: Of course, his tie really should have navy stripes (Royal Welch Fusiliers) but there are limits to my painting I am afraid that the Head Porter looks a bit like an Austrian general. I wanted him to have a top hat to go with his frock coat. Sadly couldnt find a suitable figure so settled for a Victorian stationmaster and some gold paint. Struggled to think of a legend for this gentleman. He is too fashionably dressed to be a commercial traveler, and they dont stay at the Talbot. Perhaps a Sales Director up from London? No problems with this guy. Its Dave Thomas emerging from the Public Bar. Looking rather enviously at the toffs and their posh motors before crossing Chester Road to catch a Crossville Bus. To finish, a couple of shots from the Box Brownie: I hope you enjoyed my flights of fancy. Next week, not before time, some loco shots Regards from Vancouver where we are enjoying some much needed rain Edited August 18, 2022 by john dew Photos 18/8/22 16 4 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Neal Ball Posted August 18, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted August 18, 2021 It’s great to see the Talbot hotel again @john dew, you have a lovely set of characters there. It looks as if Dave Thomas has had one or two too many pints of mild, I’m sure I can see him staggering there! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold john dew Posted August 18, 2021 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted August 18, 2021 1 minute ago, Neal Ball said: It’s great to see the Talbot hotel again @john dew, you have a lovely set of characters there. It looks as if Dave Thomas has had one or two too many pints of mild, I’m sure I can see him staggering there! Thank you Neal ….My that was quick….I hadnt even finished editing the title! You may be right about Dave. Good job for him that I havent finished painting the policeman! I am glad you popped in because I wanted to ask which of the Heljan and Dapol railcard you like the most? I am particularly interested in reliable running. Best wishes 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold 5BarVT Posted August 18, 2021 RMweb Gold Share Posted August 18, 2021 2 hours ago, john dew said: Its Dave Thomas Given that it’s Granby, might it be Dai Thomas? All very nice John, both the painting and the stories. Paul. 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold john dew Posted August 18, 2021 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted August 18, 2021 1 minute ago, 5BarVT said: Given that it’s Granby, might it be Dai Thomas? All very nice John, both the painting and the stories. Paul. Thanks Paul. You are correct, of course it should be “Dai”. That was careless of me. I will try to remember to include some Dais with the next batch! 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Mikkel Posted August 18, 2021 RMweb Gold Share Posted August 18, 2021 2 hours ago, john dew said: Brillant John, especially those last two shots. Very classy. My only question is: Who sweeps the pavements? 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold john dew Posted August 18, 2021 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted August 18, 2021 3 minutes ago, Mikkel said: Brillant John, especially those last two shots. Very classy. My only question is: Who sweeps the pavements? Hi Mikkel I guess the same guy who didnt check the road was in good nick before taking a load of photos Glad you like the photos 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold 5BarVT Posted August 18, 2021 RMweb Gold Share Posted August 18, 2021 (edited) 3 hours ago, john dew said: of course it should be “Dai”. Which will completely change the pronunciation of “Thomas”! Paul. Edited August 18, 2021 by 5BarVT Grammar 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Neal Ball Posted August 19, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted August 19, 2021 13 hours ago, john dew said: Thank you Neal ….My that was quick….I hadnt even finished editing the title! You may be right about Dave. Good job for him that I havent finished painting the policeman! I am glad you popped in because I wanted to ask which of the Heljan and Dapol railcard you like the most? I am particularly interested in reliable running. Best wishes Interesting question @john dew hopefully I can answe in just over a week when the sound decoder arrives for the Heljan railcar. The Dapol ones have proved to be smooth running, with excellent creep capability. At the moment, I’m not pleased that to get the full lighting ability, on the Heljan model, I have to order an ESU decoder. As I understand it, it would be possible with a Zimo decoder, but I would have to rewire the board and/or change the parameters. I have therefore ordered an ESU v5 with Legomanbiffa sounds from DC kits, which will be my first sound from them. Looks wise, the Railcars from both Dapol and Heljan are great. I will let you know the rest of the story when the decoder arrives. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium M.I.B Posted August 20, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted August 20, 2021 Excellent painting John. Has really brought that outstanding building to life. 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold john dew Posted August 26, 2021 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted August 26, 2021 (edited) Ballasting and weathering the storage turntable continues. Meantime here are some shots of Granby's latest loco Bachmann's 0-6-0 Pannier Tank.........here it is straight out of the box: This news is not exactly hot off the press. The model was finally released in January, after an interminable wait. It took me a further 3 months to convince myself it was ok for Granby. Then summer etc intervened before I was able to start weathering and detailing. It was only last week that she was finally ready for service! The 94xx class was designed as a replacement for the long serving 57xx pannier tanks. The design criteria included increased power along with a more "modern" appearance. Allegedly the GWR General Manager "requested" that the CME get rid of the "old fashioned" dome. Here is a comparison: Although over 200 locos were produced only 10 were made before nationalistion. Of these, only 9408 ventured north of Watford...... to Oxley (Wolverhampton). There is no evidence it ever got to Chester or Wrexham, hence my hesitation about it being ok for Granby. The model received very favourable reviews so I decided it may have spent a week or so at Granby as the station pilot. I then promptly ordered the wrong etched plates 9407.......so thats top of the to do list. I have tried to make the weathering reflect less than a year in service Light dusting of mud/rust below the running plates on brake pads etc. Roof and running plates painted with matt black and light dusting of soot Modelu Headlamps and crew added. It is great being able to slip the lamps directly on to their irons. Smokebox painted matt black/steel mix Touch of steel paint on some steps where paint has been pretend chipped off by Modelu boots. Inside of bunker rusted. Fire Irons and real coal added. DCC requires a Next 18 chip. Accessing the PCB involves removing the body which is very easy. I learned from the Youchoos install guide (a really useful resource) that there are easily accessible solder points on the PCB for a Stay Alive which was a big plus because you cant directly attach Stay Alive to the economy Zimo Next 18 Performance without Stay Alive was not great but once I squeezed a couple of Tantulums in and set CV 56 to 22 (its a coreless motor) it was stunning......very happy camper. Its a gorgeous model. The detail is superb. Like the prototype its very heavy and handles long heavy trains with ease. Regards from Vancouver Edited August 17, 2022 by john dew Amended "request to get rid of dome" photos 17/8 13 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denbridge Posted August 26, 2021 Share Posted August 26, 2021 (edited) 2 hours ago, john dew said: Ballasting and weathering the storage turntable continues. Meantime here are some shots of Granby's latest loco Bachmann's 0-6-0 Pannier Tank.........here it is straight out of the box: This news is not exactly hot off the press. The model was finally released in January, after an interminable wait. It took me a further 3 months to convince myself it was ok for Granby. Then summer etc intervened before I was able to start weathering and detailing. It was only last week that she was finally ready for service! The 94xx class was designed as a replacement for the long serving 57xx pannier tanks. The design criteria included increased power along with a more "modern" appearance. Allegedly the GWR Chairman told Collet, the CME, to get rid of the "old fashioned" dome. Here is a comparison: Although over 200 locos were produced only 10 were made before nationalistion. Of these, only 9408 ventured north of Watford...... to Oxley (Wolverhampton). There is no evidence it ever got to Chester or Wrexham, hence my hesitation about it being ok for Granby. The model received very favourable reviews so I decided it may have spent a week or so at Granby as the station pilot. I then promptly ordered the wrong etched plates 9407.......so thats top of the to do list. I have tried to make the weathering reflect less than a year in service Light dusting of mud/rust below the running plates on brake pads etc. Roof and running plates painted with matt black and light dusting of soot Modelu Headlamps and crew added. It is great being able to slip the lamps directly on to their irons. Smokebox painted matt black/steel mix Touch of steel paint on some steps where paint has been pretend chipped off by Modelu boots. Inside of bunker rusted. Fire Irons and real coal added. DCC requires a Next 18 chip. Accessing the PCB involves removing the body which is very easy. I learned from the Youchoos install guide (a really useful resource) that there are easily accessible solder points on the PCB for a Stay Alive which was a big plus because you cant directly attach Stay Alive to the economy Zimo Next 18 Performance without Stay Alive was not great but once I squeezed a couple of Tantulums in and set CV 56 to 22 (its a coreless motor) it was stunning......very happy camper. Its a gorgeous model. The detail is superb. Like the prototype its very heavy and handles long heavy trains with ease. Regards from Vancouver The real reason there wasn't an 'old fashioned dome' was that these locomotives were basically pannier tank versions of Collett 2251 tender engines. Incidentally, the 94xx was designed by Hawksworth after Collett had retired. Edited August 26, 2021 by Denbridge 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold john dew Posted August 26, 2021 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted August 26, 2021 5 hours ago, Denbridge said: The real reason there wasn't an 'old fashioned dome' was that these locomotives were basically pannier tank versions of Collett 2251 tender engines. Incidentally, the 94xx was designed by Hawksworth after Collett had retired. I know they used the 2251 boiler but maybe that was because they wanted to eliminate the dome? I notice that Locomotion refers to Sir James Milne, GWR General Manager ( not Chairman) "requesting" that the design be a modernised version of the 57xx class. I knew Hawksworth was responsible for the design. I think I was mistaken in assuming that the original request was directed to Collett. I had forgotten he retired in 1941. Thank you for commenting, I will amend my original post 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denbridge Posted August 27, 2021 Share Posted August 27, 2021 10 hours ago, john dew said: I know they used the 2251 boiler but maybe that was because they wanted to eliminate the dome? I notice that Locomotion refers to Sir James Milne, GWR General Manager ( not Chairman) "requesting" that the design be a modernised version of the 57xx class. I knew Hawksworth was responsible for the design. I think I was mistaken in assuming that the original request was directed to Collett. I had forgotten he retired in 1941. Thank you for commenting, I will amend my original post Apart from lengthening the frames to accommodate a bunker everything "under the skin" is identical to the 2251 class. Sadly, these days, the NRM is the last place to rely on for accurate information. Their descriptions of the priceless collection are pitiful. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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