evolsurt Posted September 12, 2012 Share Posted September 12, 2012 Hi, Have you decided which couplers you're going to use yet? I've just finished track laying and wiring my small layout and I want to be able to carry out hands-off shunting using one of the delayed action uncouplers - after hours of research I've decided that the MBD couplers appear to be the best all round one but would like confirmation from someone with practical experience of fitting and using them (not having to do any soldering is a big plus in my book!). Regards, Steve T. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
D1059 Posted September 18, 2012 Author Share Posted September 18, 2012 Hi, Have you decided which couplers you're going to use yet? I've just finished track laying and wiring my small layout and I want to be able to carry out hands-off shunting using one of the delayed action uncouplers - after hours of research I've decided that the MBD couplers appear to be the best all round one but would like confirmation from someone with practical experience of fitting and using them (not having to do any soldering is a big plus in my book!). Regards, Steve T. Hi - sorry, only just noticed your posting. I'm going to use MBDs I have a couple of test wagons fitted with MBDs and shuttled them up and down my test board over a gaugemaster electro-magnet. They work really well, and these were the first pair of couplings I had made so were quite rough compared to more recent ones after a bit of practise. I could even uncouple on the fly pushing them over the magnet without stopping, then leaving the wagons further down the siding. Still got to work out how to attach them to the locos, but I don't think it will be too hard. Layout progress - point mechanisms are all in place and have started soldering up some 25 way D connectors to take the wiring over the board joint. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bridgiesimon Posted September 18, 2012 Share Posted September 18, 2012 I have been using MBD couplings on my layout, P olpendra, for the last 3-4 years and have found them to be very reliable, easy to construct and fit and look ok as well. You can see the layout for piccies here - http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/43113-polpendra-cornish-branch-in-n-1958-62/page__p__465207&do=findComment&comment=465207 I use Seep electromagnets rather than permanent ones to stop the unintentional uncoupling. Also, it is worth including small details/vegetation/marks by the electromagnets as they are impossible to see when shunting etc - saves lots of frustrating back and forth trying to uncouple!! Best wishes and enjoy! Simon Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
D1059 Posted September 19, 2012 Author Share Posted September 19, 2012 (edited) A couple of shots showing the general layout underneath one of the boards with the electrical chocolate block mounted bicycle spoke point rods Edited September 19, 2012 by D1059 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
D1059 Posted January 6, 2013 Author Share Posted January 6, 2013 Wiring is now more or less complete, locos are moving, the magnets work and the MBD coupling system seems to work OK as well. Some shots attached The trailing wires are temporary and show how my emergency power supply (Gaugemaster D) is attached to supply 16vAC to the Pictroller DIN socket and 12vDC to the magnets (which work on AC or DC) STEVE Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
D1059 Posted February 15, 2013 Author Share Posted February 15, 2013 City Basin Goods will be at the Abingdon & District MRC show on 2nd March Although I've helped operate numerous other layouts at shows over the years, this will be the first time I've shown one of my own................gulp The layout is being displayed as work in progress - very little scenic work done yet, I've been concentrating on getting it running reliably and converting stock over to the auto couplings. Doesn't look like I'll get the new Dapol 22s in time though. If you're at the show, drop by and say hi. STEVE Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
D1059 Posted March 14, 2013 Author Share Posted March 14, 2013 (edited) Now that City Basin Goods first show is over I've got to start pressing on with some scenic work, and ballasting and rail painting are first up. The main run round loop will be ballasted with Woodland Scenics fine brown and buff ballast, but its too large for the yard areas so I've been experimenting with some Geoscenics extra fine ash type powder. Below is a pic of my test piece of track along with one of my mineral wagons that I have finally got round to putting a load of real coal in. Usual methods used to stick the ballast down - Woodland Scenics scenic cement with some extra washing up liquid in it applied with a pipette. Does it look yard like to you ? Next question is how to blend in the yard ballasting with the mainline ? Edited March 14, 2013 by D1059 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
D1059 Posted July 8, 2013 Author Share Posted July 8, 2013 A few pics to show the start of the scenics. A long way to go yet though. Shot with my iPad so not up to usual photo standards 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
D1059 Posted August 7, 2013 Author Share Posted August 7, 2013 A few update pics to show progress Thanks to Missy for donating the tank unloading gear 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
D1059 Posted August 7, 2013 Author Share Posted August 7, 2013 And one looking the other way towards the emerging parcels depot - a bit of a mess here still 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
D1059 Posted August 18, 2013 Author Share Posted August 18, 2013 Took the oppotunity to take a few more in decent light with a better camera 7 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
D1059 Posted August 21, 2013 Author Share Posted August 21, 2013 CBG will be at the Banbury show on 29th Sept - 5 weeks and an awful lot still to get done Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
D1059 Posted September 9, 2013 Author Share Posted September 9, 2013 Took the opportunity to pose the green Hymek in a soon to be impossible to photograph location (from this angle anyway) Must fix that guttering on the signal box ! 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
D1059 Posted September 27, 2013 Author Share Posted September 27, 2013 See what the postman delivered this morning Couplings changed and ready for service on Sunday at Banbury. See you there 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
D1059 Posted September 30, 2013 Author Share Posted September 30, 2013 Banrail went well, only a couple of bugs - one duff rail joint being the only one that needed attention there and then Didn't get round to taking any pics of stock so have had a session today 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanielB Posted October 1, 2013 Share Posted October 1, 2013 This is a fantastic layout, amazing work. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
D1059 Posted October 1, 2013 Author Share Posted October 1, 2013 (edited) This is a fantastic layout, amazing work. Thanks Just realised I posted a duplicate image - this one was missing Edited October 1, 2013 by D1059 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
D1059 Posted October 3, 2013 Author Share Posted October 3, 2013 (edited) Another lesson learnt at Banrail was that I need a reliable coupling height gauge to ensure consistent, reliable operation A few scraps of plastic rod, card and a spare coupling base-plate have been put together and it doubles as a buffer stop in the fiddle yard Edited October 3, 2013 by D1059 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Class 74 Posted October 3, 2013 Share Posted October 3, 2013 Like that very much, lot of shunting possibilities! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanielB Posted October 3, 2013 Share Posted October 3, 2013 Love the new photo of the shed, very nicely modeled. Odd question, but what did you use for the grass on the embankments? it looks great! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
D1059 Posted October 3, 2013 Author Share Posted October 3, 2013 Love the new photo of the shed, very nicely modeled. Odd question, but what did you use for the grass on the embankments? it looks great! Thanks. I can't claim credit for the wooden goods shed. It was built for me by a fellow club member, very nicely done as well. All I did was paint and weather it In the era of static grass this is very old fashioned - medical lint, dyed olive green, stuck fluffy side down with PVA and the backing pulled off when dry. It needs some tonal variation adding at some point using water colours Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
D1059 Posted October 6, 2013 Author Share Posted October 6, 2013 (edited) A small Sunday afternoon project - that and adjusting all the coupling heights Edited October 6, 2013 by D1059 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
D1059 Posted November 29, 2013 Author Share Posted November 29, 2013 (edited) After City Basin Goods first 2 shows its time to start weathering some of the locos into more typical late 60s condition First off, one of the blue Warships (renumbered and named as well) and the layouts solitary Diesel Electric Still a few things to do - eg headcode panel numbers for the 47 and a touch of dirt for the wheels on the Warship Edited November 29, 2013 by D1059 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
D1059 Posted February 2, 2014 Author Share Posted February 2, 2014 (edited) Have completed weathering my Dapol 22 so took advantage of some rare sunshine to photograph that and the layout Edited February 2, 2014 by D1059 4 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bridgiesimon Posted February 5, 2014 Share Posted February 5, 2014 Your layout is looking most excellent, I am very impressed! Best wishes Simon Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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