West Kirby Town: narrow gauge may be coming to town.

[81A Oldoak]

He's here!!  The Gronk has landed!!

 

Very,very pleased, I must say, with how it/he looks, at least.  Here's a few pics of him being put straight to work, getting ready to pull out the Mark 1s after arrival behind the 50:

 

P1050341 (1280x960).jpg  P1050342 (1280x504).jpg  P1050344 - Copy (1280x512).jpg

 

Actually, the camera does lie as there's no power to the track as it's not got a chip in it yet!!!  I've bought one of Paul Chetter's Protodrive ones.

 

In the meantime, I'll run it on DC on my rolling road and at the club on Monday if the chip's not come by then.

 

In the fullness of time, it/he will be renumbered 08078 which, according to my (well, my son's!!!) 1979 Locoshed book was allocated to Chester.  (Neither Birkenhead North or Mollington Street had any 08s at that time, according to the book).  However, I've found a photo of the same loco on Brian Daniels' Flickr photostream at Swindon in October 1979, looking all nice and shiny and clean  but with yellow coupling rods.  I assume it was overhauled/repainted at Swindon: whether it went straight back to Chester, I haven't a clue but the 1982 book shows it/him at Chester.  So, I'll keep it/him pretty clean and say he's just back from overhaul!!

 

Repainting those coupling rods is a bit of a priority as I don't like the red ones anyway.  That'll probably get done before the renumbering.  

 

I've seen Andy P's comments about a bass reflex speaker: although I've ordered a twin speaker with the chip, I've a couple of bass reflex ones, so I'll try both with the chip to see which appeals to me more.

 

Watch this space!!

 

Rod

 

PS  What is the convention for describing an engine?  He or she - or just it???  I can't see an 08 as a "she" somehow!!!

have always favoured the female pronoun for describing locomotives, ships, aircraft and cars. There are several explanations for this, but a good one is that the gender of the Latin word for “ship” — Navis — is female. This results in some contradictions on Cwm Bach where my Hudswell Clarke "ELIJAH", Manning Wardle "PALMERSTON"  and Fowler diesels "KITCHENER" and "MONTY" are referred to as she. More recently one of my Pecketts has been named "LORNA" after the mem sahib and my personalised Victory 0-6-0T will probably be named "VICTORIA". The Rev W Awdry, of course, broke with this custom by giving his engines male names and carriages female ones. However, I was never certain about the sex of the troublesome trucks; perhaps they fit better into  a Huxwellian system of social classification?

[muddys-blues]

Nice 08 there Rod, it certainly sets the scene nicely moving the Mk1's around, it will look great on the parcel stock as well.

 

I find everything mechanical is given the Female pronoun, especially as what I have heard in the garages I have worked over the years as most mechanics talk to the vehicles they are working on eg "it's seized on come you b#tch come off" etc etc etc, along with many other colourful expletives mixed in with the word b#tch, and a lot of the vehicles are called Norah as well with the word effing before the name.

 

Apologies in advance to any Females who may read this and be offended by my observations of my work life experience.

 

Best regards

Craig

[84B Oxley]

Hi Rod

 

The 08 looks very good, I'm hoping my green one will arrive soon. Those houses certainly lift the layout into another league and are superb. I presume you will be installing a fence between them and the railway?  I know how keen you are on Health and Safety!!!!

 

Jeff

[Simond]

I concur with the generality of female names for things mechanical, including cars, ships, boats, planes, trucks & locos. I wonder if it was simply a by-product of their (almost) exclusively male escorts - certainly the RAF were somewhat gung-ho, cockpit, joystick, etc, although Chris' reference to Latin genders may be relevant.

 

There is an issue with named locos however. King Henry V is always going to sound odd as a "she"...

 

Mind you, we should be broad minded in this enlightened day & age...

 

Best

Simon

[Dmudriver]

It looks like it will be "she" from now on, then!!     Mind you, I shared a rather funny (to me) video on Facebook of a woman parking a car and my daughter's comment was "It's stereotypically sexist actually"!!!!  So maybe I'm being sexist calling a brawny powerful loco "he"!!!

 

Fun and games with her (the 08, not my daughter!) since my last post.  I tried her on my rolling road last night and one coupling rod was clicking and a centre driver jumping on every revolution  "Quartering's out" I thought.  Rang Hatton's this morning, got a return label and just happened to mention it in conversation with a pal.  He's had exactly the same, but on the track the clicking disappeared: so I tried it on DC on a spare piece of track and , yeah!  no clicking.  Thanks, Dave.  Big sigh of relief as Hatton's had none left and I couldn't find one anywhere else, either.  (Have told Hatton's just in case anyone else has the problem).

 

So now we're friends again (the loco, I didn't fall out with my daughter!!!) and I'll get on with repainting the coupling rod and renumbering - though the latter might take a bit longer.

 

Rod

[Dmudriver]

Hi Rod

 

The 08 looks very good, I'm hoping my green one will arrive soon. Those houses certainly lift the layout into another league and are superb. I presume you will be installing a fence between them and the railway?  I know how keen you are on Health and Safety!!!!

 

Jeff

Hi Jeff.

 

Yes, there will be a fence (and no trailing wires!!)  [sorry, folks, that's an "in joke"]   Made from tulle - see post 1434.

 

Rod

[Dmudriver]

Hi all.

 

The 08 saga continues!  

 

I've got the chip from Paul Chetter and it's really good - it's the Protodrive one.  I've fitted it, tried 3 speakers and have installed the one I think sounds best.

 

It's taking a while to get used to the scale top speed of 15 mph:  the chip is programmed for this and it seems so slow!!   [CUE - discussion on scale speeds!!]   I've a 10 mph restriction through the station throat and I thought I drove my DMUs slowly, but they're certainly faster than a scale 15 mph!!

 

I've also repainted the coupling rods and here's a pic:

 

 

I'm renumbering it and I've come across a problem.  I've scraped off the last 3 numbers and was going to use those off the HMRS sheet 15 - below in the picture.

 

However, the numbers on that sheet are bigger than the ones Dapol have used.   I've tried 5 of the HMRS numbers on the cab side, but they don't fit (well ... they do, but it's a very tight fit and doesn't look right.)  

 

So, a question:  where can I get numbers of a size to match the ones Dapol have used?  

 

I've looked for sites that describe prototype number sizes but I can't find one.  All of the 08 pics I've see have this style but I seem to have read somewhere there were different sizes used for locos.

 

All help will be gratefully received.

 

In the meantime, I'm going to paint the handrails white.

 

Rod

 

EDIT.   Having thought further after writing the above, I measured them.  As close as I can get, the Dapol ones are 3mm high, whereas HMRS  (and Fox) are 3.5 mm.

Edited December 9, 2016 by Dmudriver

[MarshLane]

So, a question:  where can I get numbers of a size to match the ones Dapol have used?  

 

Have you tried Railtec Transfers?  Steve is on here I think..

 

Rich

[railtec-models]

 

So, a question:  where can I get numbers of a size to match the ones Dapol have used?  

 

Railtec has a pack available where you specify which number and depot allocation code you would like. Most folks remove the existing 08 numbers and replace with complete numbersets that can be applied as one easy transfer rather than try to line up individual numbers in a straght line. The Dapol numbers certainly seem smaller than 6" which is what appeared to be standard throughout much of BR, which makes an attempt to renumber a bit of a nightmare as it seems they have used a non-standard size for which there's no real match in terms of off-the-shelf numbering!

 

7mm-C0804: BR blue class 08 with your number and depot code

http://www.railtec-models.com/showitem.php?id=2362

Edited December 9, 2016 by railtec-models

[Jintyman]

Hi all.

 

The 08 saga continues!  

 

I've got the chip from Paul Chetter and it's really good - it's the Protodrive one.  I've fitted it, tried 3 speakers and have installed the one I think sounds best.

 

It's taking a while to get used to the scale top speed of 15 mph:  the chip is programmed for this and it seems so slow!!   [CUE - discussion on scale speeds!!]   I've a 10 mph restriction through the station throat and I thought I drove my DMUs slowly, but they're certainly faster than a scale 15 mph!!

 

I've also repainted the coupling rods and here's a pic:

 

P1050350 - Copy.JPG

 

I'm renumbering it and I've come across a problem.  I've scraped off the last 3 numbers and was going to use those off the HMRS sheet 15 - below in the picture.

 

However, the numbers on that sheet are bigger than the ones Dapol have used.   I've tried 5 of the HMRS numbers on the cab side, but they don't fit (well ... they do, but it's a very tight fit and doesn't look right.)  

 

So, a question:  where can I get numbers of a size to match the ones Dapol have used?  

 

I've looked for sites that describe prototype number sizes but I can't find one.  All of the 08 pics I've see have this style but I seem to have read somewhere there were different sizes used for locos.

 

All help will be gratefully received.

 

In the meantime, I'm going to paint the handrails white.

 

Rod

 

EDIT.   Having thought further after writing the above, I measured them.  As close as I can get, the Dapol ones are 3mm high, whereas HMRS  (and Fox) are 3.5 mm.

 

Hi Rod,

 

I feel your pain.

I've ordered two sets of custom numbers off Railtec and they are spot on for the Brassworks 08, but after doing some measuring of cab lengths, I've discovered that the Dapol cab is shorter than the Brassworks one.

Dapol total length of cab = 37.5mm

Brassworks Total length of cab = 39mm

 

Dapol front section where number goes = 16.5mm

Brassworks section where the number goes = 19mm

 

So the Dapol front section to the door is 2.5mm short.

 

I believe the Railtec numbering is correct as the 08 numbering is the same small numbering for most BR Blue locos, so Dapol I believe to be too short.

 

Maybe ask Steve at Railtec if he could do number sets about 2.5mm shorter in length to compensate.

 

Jinty

[Jon Fitness]

Soooo. which is correct to scale..Dapol or Brassworks?

 

Rapidly runs for the door, shutting it quietly behind him!

[Jintyman]

Soooo. which is correct to scale..Dapol or Brassworks?

 

Rapidly runs for the door, shutting it quietly behind him!

 

 

You  can run all you like,                  the answer is Brassworks!!!!

 

Unless Bachmann's OO gauge 08 is incorrect

 

Jinty

[Jintyman]

Here is a Brassworks 08 fitted with Railtec transfers numbering.

As can be seen, the numbering is the standard typeface and size, and only just fits on the cabside of the Brassworks 08.

The correct size TOPS numbering, be it Fox, HMRS or Railtec will not fit on a Dapol 08, as it is shorter by 2.5mm

 

 

 

I have e-mailed Steve to ask the question of shrinking them down.

 

Jinty

[Dmudriver]

Here is a Brassworks 08 fitted with Railtec transfers numbering.

As can be seen, the numbering is the standard typeface and size, and only just fits on the cabside of the Brassworks 08.

The correct size TOPS numbering, be it Fox, HMRS or Railtec will not fit on a Dapol 08, as it is shorter by 2.5mm

 

WB 026.jpg

 

 

I have e-mailed Steve to ask the question of shrinking them down.

 

Jinty

Hi Jinty.

 

You've beaten me to it - I'd decided to email Steve the same question, but I'll wait for the answer to yours if that's OK by you.

 

Rod

[Simond]

I'm astonished. The Dapol 08 looks brilliant, yet there's a five-inch discrepancy in the length of the cab???

 

What a shame.

 

Best

Simon

[Jintyman]

I'm astonished. The Dapol 08 looks brilliant, yet there's a five-inch discrepancy in the length of the cab???

 

What a shame.

 

Best

Simon

 

Morning Simon,

 

Yes, I think that although there is this discrepancy, the model itself is still an outstanding model for the money. If slightly under scale transfers could be sourced, I still think it will make an excellent addition to anyone's layout/collection.

 

Sorry for the hijack Rod

 

Jinty

[muddys-blues]

Morning all, anybody want to buy a Dapol "factory un-numbered" Blue 08 ? I won't be able to live with the shame of buying one of these models after being told so by some of the doom mongers on the Dapol thread .... Oh why did I not listen to the all hail Gods of the keyboards ?

 

Or stuff that and just hope Steve at Railtec comes up with the goods as he generally does.

 

Craig

[railtec-models]

I'm happy to help everybody out with non-standard size numbers. The "08 pack with your choice of number and depot code" above by default has the standard BR blue 6" numbers (as I think it reasonably should) but if folks need smaller to suit the Dapol then that's fine. At the end of the day we can make things whatever size people need. Drop me a line privately and/or when buying the pack just let us know it's for the Dapol (Contact Us link is probably best). Whilst we're currently dispatching these custom 08 packs within about 1-2 days, please do bear with us though as the workload continues to be beyond eye-watering.

[Dmudriver]

Morning Simon,

 

Yes, I think that although there is this discrepancy, the model itself is still an outstanding model for the money. If slightly under scale transfers could be sourced, I still think it will make an excellent addition to anyone's layout/collection.

 

Sorry for the hijack Rod

 

Jinty

No problem at all, Jinty.

 

Rod

[Dmudriver]

Just a bit more information.

 

I've checked the data panel on the cab side of the Dapol 08 and that's smaller than true scale, too.  I didn't manage to check the shed code as I'd scraped it off, but I suspect that is smaller, too.  The double arrows are the correct size but I didn't check the other items as I don't need them.

 

I've contacted Steve at Railtec and asked him to shrink the 3 items.  As I've said before, the 08 will end up as 08078, shedded at Chester (CH)

 

Rod

[deltic17]

Just re the size of TOPS numbers on 08 shunters......I have studied this in detail in the past.....before renumbering a Brassworks one.

 

Some 08's have the standard size TOPS numbers that were applied to mainline locomotives whereas a lot have slightly smaller numbers - I spent ages looking at this on the photographic site Flickr!!!

 

For my Dapol 08 (I bought an un-numbered one) - I used rub on 4mm scale Network South East numbers that were produced by Replica Railways a while ago (I don't think they do them anymore unfortunately) but they are perfect in size for the slightly smaller numbered 7mm 08's. I will try and post a photo in a day or two but I imagine others do these - although if Railtec are offering to shrink numbers down then that is great for those who require them.

 

I believe the size descrepancy of numbers on 08 shunters is simply down to in which BREL works they were overhauled at. I think if I recall overhauls at Derby Works had the slightly smaller numbers applied. So the Dapol slightly smaller numbers are correct for many members of the class.

Edited December 11, 2016 by deltic17

[Dmudriver]

HI all

 

I've been a bit quiet on here the last couple of weeks: lots of things going on, but mainly due to Christmas coming on fast!!  I've done bits of modelling, but no photos yet:

 

1) I've taken all the cabside information off the 08 (with very little damage to the paintwork and that has been covered by a very thin coat of Railmatch Rail Blue - and the difference is scarcely noticeable).  Steve at Railtec has printed me the shrunken fleet number (08078), a shrunken data panel, and a shrunken shed code (Chester CH).  As I didn't want the other detail on the standard 08 sheet, he left it off for me.  All done in a couple of days.  Fabulous service!!  (No connection, just a very satisfied customer).  I hope to fit them over the holiday - maybe as early as Boxing Day!!

 

2) I've painted the handrails on the loco white as per the picture I've got of it.

 

3)  I've given my Heljan oil tanker a wash of thinned weathered black paint, with some track dirt on the underframe which takes away the "out-of-the-box" plasticky look.   Photos of both to follow in a couple of days.

 

4)  one of the buffer heads on said tank wagon had fallen off and,try as I might, I couldn't get it back on.  It's on a sort of spindle which only just protrudes beyond the buffer shank and the spring is not strong enough to hold it when you try to fit the head.  Eventually I lost the spring, so the head is now superglued on (unsprung)!!!

 

All that remains is to wish you all a Happy Christmas and, in case I'm not back before, a Happy New Year.

 

Rod

 

PS  One of my Christmas presents comes a bit early tomorrow - my daughter's taking me to Status Quo at the Echo Arena in Liverpool.  Yup, I'm an old rocker and I won't be sat down  for long!!!  Unfortunately my blow-up plastic guitar has been punctured so I'll have to pretend I've got one!!

[Jon Fitness]

Can't beat a good gig to fire you up! Have a great time and enjoy Xmas. All the best mate.

Cheers

JF

[Jintyman]

All the best for the festive season Rod, and nowt wrong with a bit of air guitar either!

 

Jinty

[Tove]

Satus Quo....it`s not another one of their farewell concert`s again is it ..!!

 

Keep rock`in Rod,& have a happy xmas.

 

Brian.