RMweb Gold LH&JC Posted December 18, 2014 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted December 18, 2014 Hi all, that's me done for the year I think. It was the last running day of 2014 on Sunday. Minnie was doing the honours as she's had her cuff pipe removed and I wanted to see how she performed. Removing it has made quite a difference, not only in terms of the sounds she makes, but also the exhaust steam is now once more allowed to go straight through meaning the exhaust effect looks better and I'm certain that is affected the haulage power of my Millie as she would start the day as surefooted as a mountain goat but towards the end of the day she'd be struggling to lift moderately heavy loads. I've finally finished the second Swift Sixteen hopper, all my P-Way train needs now is the VoR brake coach and it'll be finished. And here is a short video Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold LH&JC Posted January 19, 2015 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted January 19, 2015 A number of us turned up on Sunday the 18th braving the cold, ice & snow to do little more than play trains! I took Dylan as meths fired locos are preferrable in winter, partly because meths isn't effected by the cold, also there is nothing like the smell of a meths fired loco and if you get desperate you can drink the meths! Things were going well until my brakevan derailed as I pulled into a siding, the van took the train, including Dylan with it onto the ground. Dylan doesn't appear to be too damaged, thanks mainly to the fact that she landed on her cab roof, putting a sizable bend into one corner, bending her footplate, dislodging one of her spectacle plates, putting quite a few cips & scratches into her paintwork, and twisting the loco-tender drawbar. Fortunately it seems that the damage is confined to her body, although she hasn't been fully inspected yet, once that's done I plan to send her body & tender tank off to be repainted and possibly lined out. I don't think this damage will polish out! Dylan was in steam in these next two photos, honest! A video showing some of the action on the garden railway Finally, a pair of photos of a coal fired loco and a brief evaluation of the three fuels for garden railways, gas firing is very popular however it is sensitive to blocks in the system, meths firing is simple however you can set the track on fire, coal firing is more authentic although you can get lost in fog sometimes! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giggle pin Posted January 22, 2015 Share Posted January 22, 2015 Excellent, and i like the comments. i have a Charles Poorter loco and a few carraiages. I am looking forwars to the summer and then i can put some track down to run it.. Bri Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold LH&JC Posted January 24, 2015 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted January 24, 2015 I can understand why you're looking forward to summer, Pooters are lovely pieces of kit. The York club is open to guests running, if you want to run before summer send me a PM. It's a bit of a trek from Holmfirth but summer feels a long way away! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold LH&JC Posted May 10, 2015 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted May 10, 2015 Apologies for not posting since January (doesn't feel that long ago! ) 'Diving' Dylan didn't fare too badly in the fall, she was put right quickly and the damage to the paintwork was minimal so I've left her as is. Besides a heritage loco should carry some scars, each one tells a story and goes to show that she's been used and doesn't just sit on a shelf! Dylan at the head of a partial P Way train, which was my project for winter A Peter Angus Sentinel is seen with the rest of the P Way train Minnie's also been in the works this year, having her axles & rear bearings replaced due to wear & tear, another of the trials & tribulations you don't need to worry about in the smaller scales. Definitely not a shelf queen, look at the grime! This view clearly shows her new axles, and overhauled rods, as well as the whistle she's got hidden in her tank. Without wanting to blow my own horn it is one of the better sounding whistles out there, considering she's based on a generic turn of the century loco. Another view of Minnie the last time she was out to play in York. For some reason I've rarely run Dylan with my passenger stock. I made sure to put that right at the most recent running day, the fact that quite a few of my wagons are out of action pending works attention has nothing to do with that at all! As well as maintenance of the current fleet I've also got quite a few kits waiting for assembly, from memory there's a loco & 4 coaches based on the Groudle Glen Railway's stock to build, a freelance box van, covered wagon and well wagon to build as well as a Darjeeling box van which I intend to modify a bit as I've got it into my head that I need a fish wagon. With all those on the go I should have just finished them the week before the 2016 16mm show! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jongudmund Posted May 23, 2015 Share Posted May 23, 2015 Lovely photos. Thanks for sharing. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
alant Posted June 10, 2015 Share Posted June 10, 2015 I have only just started taking an interest in 16mm scale, thanks for sharing your photos etc. One question, sorry if I have missed this, but are you using 32mm or 45mm gauge? Thanks. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Storey Posted June 10, 2015 Share Posted June 10, 2015 I have only just started taking an interest in 16mm scale, thanks for sharing your photos etc. One question, sorry if I have missed this, but are you using 32mm or 45mm gauge? Thanks. It is all in 32mm, representing c.2ft gauge, most common in North Wales (such as the 1ft11.5ins Corris) and the L&B. 45mm is more normally used for metre gauge representations, but can also represent some of the wider than 2ft gauge UK lines, such as the Welshpool and others. But it doesn't really matter - some people choose to go 45mm anyway so they can run many of the continental outputs which are not always gauge changeable. Modelling the Corris I will naturally assume that only 32mm will do, but then I am strange along with many others of us in the 16mm NGM society. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
alant Posted June 10, 2015 Share Posted June 10, 2015 It is all in 32mm, representing c.2ft gauge, most common in North Wales (such as the 1ft11.5ins Corris) and the L&B. 45mm is more normally used for metre gauge representations, but can also represent some of the wider than 2ft gauge UK lines, such as the Welshpool and others. But it doesn't really matter - some people choose to go 45mm anyway so they can run many of the continental outputs which are not always gauge changeable. Modelling the Corris I will naturally assume that only 32mm will do, but then I am strange along with many others of us in the 16mm NGM society. Thanks Mike, I will take a look at the 16mm NGM Society as well. Alan. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
P.J. Posted June 10, 2015 Share Posted June 10, 2015 Great looking models and good to seem them used properly. Must get my 16mm stock out again.Just one comment... the Corris is 2' 3" gauge not 2' (or 1' 11 1/2" as Mike Storey says). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Storey Posted June 10, 2015 Share Posted June 10, 2015 Great looking models and good to seem them used properly. Must get my 16mm stock out again. Just one comment... the Corris is 2' 3" gauge not 2' (or 1' 11 1/2" as Mike Storey says). Quite right!!! That line should have read Festiniog!! Doh! I have Corris on the brain, what's left of it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold LH&JC Posted August 9, 2015 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted August 9, 2015 In the months since I last updated this I've bought a few new toys, namely a new lined Roundhouse Beddgelert, with three NWNGR coaches to go with her. I still prefer freelance locos & stock, but I simply couldn't resist Beddgelert & the coaches Thirty or so years separate these two, hopefully they'll both be going strong for many more years to come. Isn't she lovely? As today was a diesel & electric themed running day Beddgelert looked somewhat out of place at times! I haven't really done much with Minnie recently but Dylan has been away having 'new' cylinders and a new regulator fitted to solve the problem I've had where Dylan is either flat out or stalling no matter what. The cylinders originally fitted were Roundhouse's original design and the ones fitted now are their 2nd design. I'm pleased to say that the surgery worked perfectly, Dylan is now a powerful and controllable machine. One last photo of Dylan before the bigger cylinders were added. They're certainly not factory fresh but that's saved me the rigmarole of running them in! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold LH&JC Posted December 19, 2015 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted December 19, 2015 As I haven't kept this up to date more often this might be a long post. Since the last post all 3 locos have been in use, with Dylan seeing the most use this year with Minnie fairly distant 2nd and Beddgelert only just behind Minnie. Hitting one of the gradients with a loaded train and the safety valve is lifting, meths firing is the way forward! Returning with the empties It might look like it's been raining however it's just condensate from the cylinders which is harder to clear without the draincocks the older cylinders had. While it was freezing cold during the last running day photos like this and seeing any loco running as well as Dylan was makes it all worthwhile Minnie was taken into the works for some attention, and back again as there were some troublesome leaks affecting her burner. Now that she's sorted again she can go out to play a lot more and is more pleasurable to run. A low point for the Millie, failed with leaking fittings that flooded her burner Minnie is shunted by Beddgelert Back to full health Minnie is hard at work I have to admit Minnie looks rather good with the NWNGR coaches, I want to add more coaches to the rake one day, a roundtoit job I fear. Beddgelert being a new loco needed some running in, the only work that's been done was adjusting the regulator as part of the running in process & fitting a cast brass front coupling to replace the pressed steel original. Showing the Swift Sixteen coupling to good effect Beddgelert is put through her paces with the loaded opens. Have a merry Christmas and a happy new year everyone Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
CME and Bottlewasher Posted December 20, 2015 Share Posted December 20, 2015 As I haven't kept this up to date more often this might be a long post. Since the last post all 3 locos have been in use, with Dylan seeing the most use this year with Minnie fairly distant 2nd and Beddgelert only just behind Minnie. Hitting one of the gradients with a loaded train and the safety valve is lifting, meths firing is the way forward! Returning with the empties It might look like it's been raining however it's just condensate from the cylinders which is harder to clear without the draincocks the older cylinders had. While it was freezing cold during the last running day photos like this and seeing any loco running as well as Dylan was makes it all worthwhile Minnie was taken into the works for some attention, and back again as there were some troublesome leaks affecting her burner. Now that she's sorted again she can go out to play a lot more and is more pleasurable to run. A low point for the Millie, failed with leaking fittings that flooded her burner Minnie is shunted by Beddgelert Back to full health Minnie is hard at work I have to admit Minnie looks rather good with the NWNGR coaches, I want to add more coaches to the rake one day, a roundtoit job I fear. Beddgelert being a new loco needed some running in, the only work that's been done was adjusting the regulator as part of the running in process & fitting a cast brass front coupling to replace the pressed steel original. Showing the Swift Sixteen coupling to good effect Beddgelert is put through her paces with the loaded opens. Have a merry Christmas and a happy new year everyone The Seasons Greetings to you too! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold LH&JC Posted January 17, 2016 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted January 17, 2016 Brrrrr it was a cold one today! Dylan was out as methylated spirits don't mind the cold, Minnie was out earlier this week but the gas was a liquid due to the cold which meant that Minnie was very difficult to light, once she was lit she was fine but Dylan (or any meths fired loco) is a much safer bet in very cold weather. Unusually most of the locos that ran were meths fired, as a result we were in good spirits all day!. Dylan ran well all day occasionally taking heavier loads but she was content to plod along with my coaches for most of it. At speed with the exhaust enhanced by the cold weather, despite that there was only steam coming from where it should be I'm pleased to say Dylan working hard, there was plenty in reserve but it's best to not work a loco too hard & grip would be a problem with a heavier load This loco is worth mentioning, it's a Millie like my Minnie but is believed to be the only meths fired example in existence. The tram body is one of 2 that can be swapped in about 10 seconds Dylan meets Dylan after Dylan took Dylan's train as Dylan had run out of meths and Dylan was nearby. I can see Dylan getting a lot more use this year, but hopefully it'll be warmer next time so Minnie or Beddgelert can come out to play. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold PaulRhB Posted January 18, 2016 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 18, 2016 Sounds like you need a hot water jacket to warm up the gas a bit I wonder if just warm water in a thermos poured on the tank would help enough for just lighting up? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Storey Posted January 18, 2016 Share Posted January 18, 2016 Just so. Cold gas is a common problem, and if you can either provide warmth to the canister, as suggested above, or leave the canister in a warmish room just before you use it (if that is possible on the site you use) then you will find all should improve. Also, are you using a straight butane gas? If so, try using a propane/butane mix instead when it is cold. Propane is less affected by low temperatures and fires much better in the cold. However, it is stored at higher pressure, hence the mix with butane to temper it, and the use of straight propane in our little models is not advised. You should be able to get the propane/butane small canisters from camping stores and suchlike, but you may also need to get an adaptor for your valve, which are readily available from various 16mm suppliers. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold LH&JC Posted January 18, 2016 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted January 18, 2016 Thanks guys, I was using butane/propane mix as I always do in winter but poor planning caused a poor performance from me that day as I failed to prepare for the cold myself so it wasn't just the long suffering Millie that was wishing for a nice warm place. I did hear of a fellow who soaked a rag with meths then lit it to warm his gas tank up, I'm told it worked but everyone else gave it a very wide berth! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold PaulRhB Posted January 18, 2016 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 18, 2016 So would I no telling what damage to rubber seals and paintwork and potentially Blummin dangerous if the tank seal goes. Hot water is safe and most people have a flask lying around, I have seen a garratt where the rear steam supply and exhaust was used to keep the tank warm as it sat on top where they went into the pivot. Very neat but not much use on initial start up. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold LH&JC Posted January 26, 2016 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted January 26, 2016 Finally done some modelling, as opposed to repairs, for the first time for over a year as I've been motivated to build a couple of box vans I've had lying about for too long. First on the bench was this Brandbright generic box van, a lovely kit to build that practically fell together. The only bother was fitting the roof as I should have used superglue as opposed to the used on the rest of the wagon. I've wanted to have a fish van for a while, and it's something a bit different. Second on was this IP Engineering Darjeeling box van, which proved to be a more trying build than the Brandbright one due to a less thought out design IMO and warped wood, once I was able to get the main body built then it was plain sailing. I haven't bothered to model the Darjeeling brake gear as this isn't a DHR van, this is built to the same design but for the RHBR, that's my excuse anyway! They both need some more attention, a bit of paint here and some more hinges for the Darj van as there were only enough for 1 side included but if I'm feeling lazy I could pass them both off as finished now, which I might! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold LH&JC Posted March 14, 2016 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted March 14, 2016 Another lengthy update beckons, not because of laziness (for once!) but because last week saw me at the society on Tuesday testing Minnie, Saturday with Minnie & Beddgelert as the club was the location for the Southern Federation of Model Engineering Societies AGM and Sunday was a normal running day so Dylan got to play as well. On Tuesday Minnie was running perfectly, however on Saturday she started playing up again, I think she suffers from stage fright! This was Beddgelert's first run of the year and she ran faultlessly as one would expect from a loco that's barely a year old On Saturday things might have gotten slightly silly at one point! I evidently didn't learn my lesson from the last time I did double heading as I soon remembered that it's more trouble than it's worth so Minnie was retired to the steaming bay. Two NWNGR 0-6-4s in steam together, not something you see everyday! Dylan will go with just about anything it seems. On Tuesday I endeavoured to take some video footage and I've got a lap of the track whilst running wrong line that I hope to upload tomorrow. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold LH&JC Posted March 15, 2016 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted March 15, 2016 As promised, or threatened, I've uploaded the video of a lap & a bit of Minnie hauling my loaded open wagons. A sole train passing empty sidings makes me think of a line near closure. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold LH&JC Posted September 7, 2016 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted September 7, 2016 Since I last updated this I've added two more locomotives to my fleet, the 1st is a Mamod built recently mainly from a kit but also from a box of bits which has been modified with a better boiler, cylinders, meths tank and centre couplings to make her more suited to the work I like my locos to do. The 2nd is a Steamcraft Mountaineer, from the same era as Dylan and she's also been modified with Roundhouse cylinders and slip eccentric valve gear, a meths burner and an enots valve replacing the crosshead driven water pump as originally fitted. The plan is to keep the Mamod looking close to a standard Mamod, although there are concessions to performance and a larger meths tank is to be fitted. Can I justify this as a running in turn? The Mamod has it's origins as a kit in the 80s but was only built earlier this year so is she younger or older than Minnie? I like to think that this photo proves that you don't need to have a fully accurate model dripping with detail to capture the 'look' of a loco. She is definitely not a model for close scrutiny, but she looks like Mountaineer and she runs well, and that is what matters Taking a turn with the opens to see how she handles heavy loads. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Storey Posted September 16, 2016 Share Posted September 16, 2016 That Mountaineer is a beauty William! Keep 'em coming.... Very nearly ready to prepare the trackbed for the first part of my garden railway (in 32mm), just finishing a long retaining wall, but now the heavens have opened. Will post a new thread when there is something to photograph. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold LH&JC Posted September 16, 2016 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted September 16, 2016 Thanks Mike, I'm looking forward to seeing the work on your line. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.