cctransuk Posted May 23, 2020 Share Posted May 23, 2020 21 minutes ago, Tony Wright said: Good afternoon again, Andy, Did you put a one eight taper reamer through the driving wheel bearings after they were inserted? And, also, did you put that same reamer through the driven axle's bearings and the gearbox's bearings at the same time? It's my experience that one eighth bearings and one eighth axles produce a friction-fit without this procedure. By inserting one eighth Peco fibre washers on the axles on the insulated side, the wheel rims won't touch the frames. If you're not sure where a short might be, wait until dark, then run the chassis at full voltage - you'll soon see where there are any shorts! Regards, Tony. What is not often mentioned - and can be the principal cause of wheels running excentrically and thereby touching the frames - is that the square hole in a Markits wheel will, nowadays, rarely accommodate the square end of the axle without the application of force. The problem is casting flash or worn moulds, but the worst thing that you can do is to place the wheel on the axle as far as it will go - usually hardly at all - and then use the axle nut to 'pull' the wheel onto the axle. The usual outcome is that the axle will force its way into the wheel; not properly quartered and eccentric to the axle centreline. My practice with these wheels nowadays is to, extremely carefully and using a square, rat-tail need file, open the square hole in the BACK of the wheel, until the wheel fits exactly onto the square end of the axle. It is vital that no metal is removed from the FRONT edges of the square hole in the wheel, or correct quartering will be lost. What I do is to place the wheel onto the end of the square file from the back, and at an angle so that the filing only affects the back edge of the hole; this is repeated for each of the four back edges. Very little metal needs to be removed - just enough to remove the taper in the square hole. It is a bit fiddly, but worth it in order to get true-running wheels. Of course, it would be better if the wheels fitted the axles as supplied ! John Isherwood. 2 4 1 7 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium thegreenhowards Posted May 23, 2020 RMweb Premium Share Posted May 23, 2020 2 hours ago, Tony Wright said: Good afternoon Andy, I haven't finished any of the kits in the boxes I pictured, but they've all been opened. '(cue howls of anguish!).' Indeed! How anyone can contemplate getting a loco chassis to run well without its being assembled on a jig of some description, I have no idea. Even where frames have screw-together, turned spacers (SEF, for instance), I'll still check everything for accuracy by using jig axles (Markits/LRM), adjusting as necessary. Your A5 chassis could be made rigid by employing jig axles. As mentioned with regard to the J17 of late, though all the etched spacers' tabs fitted perfectly into the etched frames' slots, after a couple of initial tack joints, it was clear I would end up with a parallelogram. Using a jig sorted the problem out. As for missing grubscrews - why not order spares? I have dozens, bought from Markits as part of much larger orders. The floors of railway modellers' workshops must be littered with tiny (but vital) bits which ping into oblivion! I also order crankpins/crankpin washers by the hundred, rather than in packs of six or eight. All-conquering RTR? Yes, and isn't the model railway scene the duller for it, with far too many identical items seen on layouts and in the media (both electronic and paper)? One could argue that LB has far too many Bachmann Mk.1s, though all have been modified/improved. Regards, Tony. With regard to the jib, I assumed that it wouldn’t be required for a compensated chassis. It’s all tab and slot and fits together very well, so not much chance to get things out of square. If I give up open compensation, then obviously I’d need something to keep it square while soldering it up. I have a box full of motors and gears, but the grub screws in there didn’t seem to fit. There doesn’t seem to be a standard size to keep as spares. Obviously if you major on DJH GB1s, then it would make sense! I tried the taper reamer but because the top hat bearings float with the compensation, i had to do them before assembly and it wasn’t easy to get traction, so they only had a very light ream. I didn’t;’t do the gearbox, so will try that. Thanks for all the comments. I now feel duty bound to bury my head in that wet towel and give it another go. I will report back in due course. Regards Andy 1 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clem Posted May 23, 2020 Share Posted May 23, 2020 2 hours ago, Tony Wright said: It's each to their own. Your WD runs exceptionally well, and if it's because of compensation, then that's good. Hi Tony. Thanks, but one correction: it's not compensated, it's sprung. But I agree, it's very much each to their own. As I've said before, we've all got our own methods. It's what works for you. I tend to use compensation more on 6-coupled. On 8-coupled I've used springing. I think the key to good running whether rigid or compensated/sprung is setting up the chassis with a jig using the coupling rods to ensure accuracy. That, and making sure the axles run freely in their bearings and coupling rods not overnight - or the opposite, over sloppy, particularly fore and aft. It takes quite a long time from being fairly inexperienced in building locos to then learn and develop and finally focus on your own individual approach and, of course, you learn the biggest lessons by your mistakes. I'm still very much at the learning stage. (...and enjoying it... with one or two moments otherwise ;-) ) 3 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clem Posted May 23, 2020 Share Posted May 23, 2020 22 minutes ago, thegreenhowards said: With regard to the jib, I assumed that it wouldn’t be required for a compensated chassis. It’s all tab and slot and fits together very well, so not much chance to get things out of square. If I give up open compensation, then obviously I’d need something to keep it square while soldering it up. Hi Andy, a compensated chassis, with horn blocks set up from the coupling rods, would allow acceptable running in a chassis out of square (although you wouldn't want it). However, to achieve a square chassis you need to use something like a set of Comet jigs ( I think they are still available) which you can get at Wizard models. For the setting up of horn blocks, I mainly use an old set of perseverance coupling rod jigs for Gibson/Ultrascale wheels and I've got another set of pointy ones that will set them up for Markits wheels. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Wright Posted May 23, 2020 Author Share Posted May 23, 2020 (edited) 2 hours ago, cctransuk said: What is not often mentioned - and can be the principal cause of wheels running excentrically and thereby touching the frames - is that the square hole in a Markits wheel will, nowadays, rarely accommodate the square end of the axle without the application of force. The problem is casting flash or worn moulds, but the worst thing that you can do is to place the wheel on the axle as far as it will go - usually hardly at all - and then use the axle nut to 'pull' the wheel onto the axle. The usual outcome is that the axle will force its way into the wheel; not properly quartered and eccentric to the axle centreline. My practice with these wheels nowadays is to, extremely carefully and using a square, rat-tail need file, open the square hole in the BACK of the wheel, until the wheel fits exactly onto the square end of the axle. It is vital that no metal is removed from the FRONT edges of the square hole in the wheel, or correct quartering will be lost. What I do is to place the wheel onto the end of the square file from the back, and at an angle so that the filing only affects the back edge of the hole; this is repeated for each of the four back edges. Very little metal needs to be removed - just enough to remove the taper in the square hole. It is a bit fiddly, but worth it in order to get true-running wheels. Of course, it would be better if the wheels fitted the axles as supplied ! John Isherwood. Good afternoon John, I'm slightly puzzled by your findings. Which specific Markits drivers are you having difficulty with? Since Christmas, I've fitted 18 26mm Markits drivers, 18 19mm Markits drivers and six 21mm Markits drivers. Last year, I built some 20 locos, all shod with Markits drivers and found no difficulties. If ever I've had a too tight fit (very, very rarely), I run a Swann Morton curved blade at 90 degrees to the square hole in the wheel in a fine scraping motion. This removes any burr, but does not alter the square's accuracy at all. Another dodge to ease fitting is to VERY, VERY carefully take a fine file and just dress the extreme ends of the squares on the axles. This will not affect the quartering, but gives a slight 'lead' for the axle to be inserted. Yet another dodge (and Mark Arscott will be horrified if he reads this) for getting the axles through the bearings and the gearbox's bearings with ease is to slightly file the extreme edge of the axle being inserted. On occasions, I'll find the axle just won't go through without this very minor alteration. Regards, Tony. Edited May 23, 2020 by Tony Wright to clarify a point 2 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Wright Posted May 23, 2020 Author Share Posted May 23, 2020 1 hour ago, thegreenhowards said: With regard to the jib, I assumed that it wouldn’t be required for a compensated chassis. It’s all tab and slot and fits together very well, so not much chance to get things out of square. If I give up open compensation, then obviously I’d need something to keep it square while soldering it up. I have a box full of motors and gears, but the grub screws in there didn’t seem to fit. There doesn’t seem to be a standard size to keep as spares. Obviously if you major on DJH GB1s, then it would make sense! I tried the taper reamer but because the top hat bearings float with the compensation, i had to do them before assembly and it wasn’t easy to get traction, so they only had a very light ream. I didn’t;’t do the gearbox, so will try that. Thanks for all the comments. I now feel duty bound to bury my head in that wet towel and give it another go. I will report back in due course. Regards Andy Persevere my friend, persevere....... Regarding grubscrews, the ones I have fit all Romfords worms/gearwheels, and every 'box made by DJH. If anything, the DJH ones are a tiny bit short. They'll also fit Comet's 'boxes - Markits make the worms/gearwheels for these. If you ream the gearbox, it's important that it's done in situ - in the frames. Regards, Tony. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Wright Posted May 23, 2020 Author Share Posted May 23, 2020 3 hours ago, Headstock said: Don't worry Tony, there is a vaccine for too many MK1's. I was inoculated many years ago and haven't looked back. I thought 1951 (when the Mk.1s were introduced) was too late for your modelling period, Andrew. I admit there are over 100 Bachmann Mk.1s on LB - that's an awful lot of roof ribs to remove! With the nasty ribs gone, wheels changed, couplings altered and concertina gangways fitted, plus some weathering, they really look the part. The time spent in altering them is well-spent in my view; it's a fraction of what it would have taken me to build so many. I just make the types not made RTR. Regards, Tony. 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post grahame Posted May 23, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted May 23, 2020 Further to my earlier posting about some buildings and mention of a Georgian terrace that will be in front of them, I've been playing around positioning them in their (almost correct) places to get an idea of how the group will look. These will form the front left edge of the layout and the railway will be on a viaduct behind with the station to the right. The space front right (in the pic below) will be a steel framed building construction site as a 80s style building was erected in that position (although that too has been now demolished and replaced) Should anyone be interested, here's a quick snap of the scene. Everything is scratch-built and N/2mm scale. Apologies it's not a steam locomotive ;-) 18 15 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cctransuk Posted May 23, 2020 Share Posted May 23, 2020 37 minutes ago, Tony Wright said: I'm slightly puzzled by your findings. Just my invariable experience, Tony, of Markits wheels generally in recent years - both those bought from Wizard Models recently, and those bought some time ago and stored with the kit in question. I don't use them in the quantities that you do - but I've already fitted several sets this year. Perhaps my practice and yours achieve the same end - that of easing the entry of the axle square end into the wheel. I assumed that the 'tightness' is due to some wear in the casting mould which produces a wheel with a square hole that is slightly tapered. It could be, as your practice suggests, that the 'tightness' is due to milling burrs on the axle end - either would produce the same experience. Whilst talking of Markits wheels; I gather that these are now being produced with stainless steel tyres as opposed to nickel silver; not sure about my views on this - do you have any thoughts? Regards, John Isherwood. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium t-b-g Posted May 23, 2020 RMweb Premium Share Posted May 23, 2020 When desperate, I have been known to make my own grub screws. When your last one vanishes and you want to get on, you can look through your collection of steel bolts and find one that fits the thread. 12BA is the most common. Cut the bolt to length, cut a slot for the screwdriver with a piercing saw and you have a replacement. To hold it for cutting, put a few nuts on the bolt and you can grip it in a vice without causing any damage to the threads. 4 1 6 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post BurscoughCurves Posted May 23, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted May 23, 2020 21 hours ago, Tony Wright said: I wonder how many of us will have written a 'lockdown diary' when all this nasty business is over? Certainly, I think it'll be forever a different 'normal' henceforth. Speaking personally, I've been more prolific in my making of things. Four locos so far, and counting.........And finishing off the point rodding and building a carriage. Because there are no shows to attend, nor visitors to see LB, I've had more time. Even time to paint the shed with Cuprinol preservative! I don't garden, so that's not a drain on time. I've had to order more solder and more flux (thankfully, our fantastic post/courier systems are still functioning), and I've had orders from DJH, SE Finecast and Wizard delivered. Certainly, looking what others have posted of late, there's some fantastic modelling going on. Please keep them coming. Do others think they've been able to make more during this time? If so, please show us....... Hi Tony, I hope you are well. Having browsed your thread with interest for a long while now, this is my first contribution. We chatted some years ago at the Wigan show, and discussed a good place to start with kit building (a SE Finecast 4F was recommended). It was, and still is my intention to start kit building locos and stock after the scenic side of my layout is at a more complete stage. I feel I am almost at that point! Regarding the increase in hobby time in light of the current situation, I certainly have made far more progress than I would have during normality. Although I have been working from home as best as I can during this period, I have ticked off several projects, big (ish) and small. The main one would be the progress on the last major scenic area of my layout Halifax Powell Street; a what-might have been former LNWR secondary main line terminus in Halifax. This is my first 'proper' layout, located in a small spare bedroom. Having been inspired by many fantastic images of the region (all satanic mills and retaining walls!) I have disguised the exit to FY with some significant feeling mill buildings, and short rows of terraced housing naturally! I have really enjoyed architectural scratch building. Please forgive the quality of the images, I only have a smartphone available to me at the moment. The second project was to replace the over-scale looking smoke deflectors on my Hornby Britannia, changing her identity and giving her a medium weathered finish. I used etched brass deflectors from Silver Tay models, with the midland style hand cut-outs correct for the new identity of 70054 Dornoch Firth at the time modelled. It is my first venture into loco detailing and re-numbering, and definitely improves the look of the model I believe. I have also used the time to set up a temporary spray booth on the work bench and have become more confident in the use of an airbrush. I have made decent headway into changing emblems where applicable (Modelmaster waterslides) and weathering the fleet. Several more locos and plenty of items of stock to go yet. The hobby brings so much pleasure to me and has been essential to my mental wellbeing during the lockdown. It has always been the perfect antidote my day job which I do enjoy, but can find stressful at times. Finally- I'd would like to add how much I admire your layouts and approach to modelling. I can't remember what year it was but it must have been in the early 2000's when at the Manchester show I remember seeing Stoke Summit and it being the first time I saw a familiar model from the magazines 'in the flesh'. I was rather star-struck! Best regards, Pete 39 5 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Headstock Posted May 23, 2020 Share Posted May 23, 2020 (edited) 1 hour ago, Tony Wright said: I thought 1951 (when the Mk.1s were introduced) was too late for your modelling period, Andrew. I admit there are over 100 Bachmann Mk.1s on LB - that's an awful lot of roof ribs to remove! With the nasty ribs gone, wheels changed, couplings altered and concertina gangways fitted, plus some weathering, they really look the part. The time spent in altering them is well-spent in my view; it's a fraction of what it would have taken me to build so many. I just make the types not made RTR. Regards, Tony. Indeed Tony, the 1951 cut off vaccine has reduced the R number and the spread of the MK1 virus to below zero. Such symptoms as shopping, filing roof ribs and despairing at moulded grab handles are a thing of the past, it even stops you building them. Occasionally, I have been known to time travel past the KT boundary, I may post an image but don't tell anybody else on the thread. P.S. It's also proof against some forms of 16 ton mineral wagons and the spread of cupboard door vans. Edited May 23, 2020 by Headstock clarify a point 2 8 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium ArthurK Posted May 23, 2020 RMweb Premium Share Posted May 23, 2020 4 hours ago, Tony Wright said: How anyone can contemplate getting a loco chassis to run well without its being assembled on a jig of some description, I have no idea. Even where frames have screw-together, turned spacers (SEF, for instance), I'll still check everything for accuracy by using jig axles (Markits/LRM), adjusting as necessary. Your A5 chassis could be made rigid by employing jig axles. Regards, Tony. Must have done something wrong. All my early scratchbuilt models were built without any newfangled jigs, but this was fifty years ago. A chassis were built from half inch brass channel all of 1/16" thick. My drill was a hand-drill clamped to a board . The chassis was carefully marked the drilled by pushing the chassis with a block of 3"X4" timber with the left hand whilst turning the drill with the right. Once the first side of the channel had been drilled it was carefully aligned before continuing to drill the second side. Coupling rods marked and drilled undersized then adjusted to fit. In defence of such crudity I always succeeded in getting them to run well. Yes, times have changed. I now use jig(Eileen's) but all my recent modelling is compensated and in P4 which requires a bit more sophistication. ArthurK 5 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
grahame Posted May 23, 2020 Share Posted May 23, 2020 59 minutes ago, BurscoughCurves said: The main one would be the progress on the last major scenic area of my layout Halifax Powell Street; a what-might have been former LNWR secondary main line terminus in Halifax. This is my first 'proper' layout, located in a small spare bedroom. Having been inspired by many fantastic images of the region (all satanic mills and retaining walls!) I have disguised the exit to FY with some significant feeling mill buildings, and short rows of terraced housing naturally! I have really enjoyed architectural scratch building. Love the tyre marks in the muddy track. Great observation and modelling. 5 9 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
landscapes Posted May 23, 2020 Share Posted May 23, 2020 1 hour ago, BurscoughCurves said: Hi Tony, I hope you are well. Having browsed your thread with interest for a long while now, this is my first contribution. We chatted some years ago at the Wigan show, and discussed a good place to start with kit building (a SE Finecast 4F was recommended). It was, and still is my intention to start kit building locos and stock after the scenic side of my layout is at a more complete stage. I feel I am almost at that point! Regarding the increase in hobby time in light of the current situation, I certainly have made far more progress than I would have during normality. Although I have been working from home as best as I can during this period, I have ticked off several projects, big (ish) and small. The main one would be the progress on the last major scenic area of my layout Halifax Powell Street; a what-might have been former LNWR secondary main line terminus in Halifax. This is my first 'proper' layout, located in a small spare bedroom. Having been inspired by many fantastic images of the region (all satanic mills and retaining walls!) I have disguised the exit to FY with some significant feeling mill buildings, and short rows of terraced housing naturally! I have really enjoyed architectural scratch building. Please forgive the quality of the images, I only have a smartphone available to me at the moment. The second project was to replace the over-scale looking smoke deflectors on my Hornby Britannia, changing her identity and giving her a medium weathered finish. I used etched brass deflectors from Silver Tay models, with the midland style hand cut-outs correct for the new identity of 70054 Dornoch Firth at the time modelled. It is my first venture into loco detailing and re-numbering, and definitely improves the look of the model I believe. I have also used the time to set up a temporary spray booth on the work bench and have become more confident in the use of an airbrush. I have made decent headway into changing emblems where applicable (Modelmaster waterslides) and weathering the fleet. Several more locos and plenty of items of stock to go yet. The hobby brings so much pleasure to me and has been essential to my mental wellbeing during the lockdown. It has always been the perfect antidote my day job which I do enjoy, but can find stressful at times. Finally- I'd would like to add how much I admire your layouts and approach to modelling. I can't remember what year it was but it must have been in the early 2000's when at the Manchester show I remember seeing Stoke Summit and it being the first time I saw a familiar model from the magazines 'in the flesh'. I was rather star-struck! Best regards, Pete Hi Some fantastic examples of weathering, the best I have seen in a long time. Regards David 5 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Popular Post Chamby Posted May 23, 2020 RMweb Premium Popular Post Share Posted May 23, 2020 The extra modelling time for me during lockdown has been a little different. Over the winter months, I have been finishing off a garage conversion that was originally intended to be a railway room, but has now become my wife’s painting studio. The upside of this is that our previously shared hobby room is now mine exclusively, so I have been very much focused on expanding into her former workspace over the last few weeks. First up was a widening of the layout to allow the end curves to be eased with a transition curve of 48” leading to a minimum radius of 36” rather than the tight 24” previously used. So... extending the baseboards, lifting the old track, laying, painting and ballasting the new, re-wiring both track and the repositioned baseboard joins, what sounds a simple task has taken quite a while. Since then, I took a dislike to the billiard table smooth baseboard tops, so have attacked them with a multi-tool to create a low embankment that will both improve the scenic profile and give better photographic opportunities as the scenic side of things progress. Apologies for posting the later-than-usual-epoch locomotive and stock, it is intended for a club layout but is what was running at the time. Another outcome of the ‘studio’ arrangement is that a part of the garage conversion will become a modelling workbench with sufficient space for a permanently set up spray booth and DCC programming station. So so it’s been way more DIY than modelling work for me, but very much driven by the hobby opportunities to come. 21 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuffer Davies Posted May 23, 2020 Share Posted May 23, 2020 17 hours ago, DougN said: Thanks for the pickup photos Tony. As most know have been building the V2's, yesterday I sat down to build my most hated item on the chassis..... the brake gear, as I always manage to get it to work perfectly every time.... ie the loco is stopped dead by it! So I am being extremely careful. (I can hear murmurings from the back of he "started with pickups") I think the photo below perfectly sums up the great design by Martin Finney.... but what about the room for the pickups! yes there is pull rods that go back on themselves leaving precious little space for pickups let alone space to get some copper clad to mount them on! Hi Doug, You are a man after my own heart. I too like to build the underside of my models to match the level of detail on top. But as you have discovered this introduces new challenges when it comes to pick ups. Given your situation you might consider an alternate approach to fitting wiper pickups that removes them from the underside of the model. There are several methods I have seen over the years but the method I have used the most is illustrated in the following diagram. I use phosphor bronze strip but I expect Nickel Silver would be just as good. The pickup is soldered to the copper clad which itself is firmly glued to the top edge of the inside face of the frame. There are two things to watch out for with this approach. The first is that the curve at the top of the spring mustn't be so tight as to allow it to touch the top of the frame. The other thing to ensure is that the spring doesn't short against the underside of the footplate but this is unlikely to be a problem with a OO chassis. Regards, Frank 3 1 5 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Wright Posted May 23, 2020 Author Share Posted May 23, 2020 2 hours ago, BurscoughCurves said: Hi Tony, I hope you are well. Having browsed your thread with interest for a long while now, this is my first contribution. We chatted some years ago at the Wigan show, and discussed a good place to start with kit building (a SE Finecast 4F was recommended). It was, and still is my intention to start kit building locos and stock after the scenic side of my layout is at a more complete stage. I feel I am almost at that point! Regarding the increase in hobby time in light of the current situation, I certainly have made far more progress than I would have during normality. Although I have been working from home as best as I can during this period, I have ticked off several projects, big (ish) and small. The main one would be the progress on the last major scenic area of my layout Halifax Powell Street; a what-might have been former LNWR secondary main line terminus in Halifax. This is my first 'proper' layout, located in a small spare bedroom. Having been inspired by many fantastic images of the region (all satanic mills and retaining walls!) I have disguised the exit to FY with some significant feeling mill buildings, and short rows of terraced housing naturally! I have really enjoyed architectural scratch building. Please forgive the quality of the images, I only have a smartphone available to me at the moment. The second project was to replace the over-scale looking smoke deflectors on my Hornby Britannia, changing her identity and giving her a medium weathered finish. I used etched brass deflectors from Silver Tay models, with the midland style hand cut-outs correct for the new identity of 70054 Dornoch Firth at the time modelled. It is my first venture into loco detailing and re-numbering, and definitely improves the look of the model I believe. I have also used the time to set up a temporary spray booth on the work bench and have become more confident in the use of an airbrush. I have made decent headway into changing emblems where applicable (Modelmaster waterslides) and weathering the fleet. Several more locos and plenty of items of stock to go yet. The hobby brings so much pleasure to me and has been essential to my mental wellbeing during the lockdown. It has always been the perfect antidote my day job which I do enjoy, but can find stressful at times. Finally- I'd would like to add how much I admire your layouts and approach to modelling. I can't remember what year it was but it must have been in the early 2000's when at the Manchester show I remember seeing Stoke Summit and it being the first time I saw a familiar model from the magazines 'in the flesh'. I was rather star-struck! Best regards, Pete I'm very well, thank you. This is beautiful modelling, Pete, Thanks for showing us. 70054 seems to be popular Brit choice. I saw it at Retford in the late-'50s on an express freight - very, very rare; obviously borrowed from Leeds. I made a model of it by using a Hornby tender-drive ANZAC, chucking the tender drive away and substituting sets of Comet frames. I used Jackson Evans' smoke deflectors, but retained the handrails. Renumbering/renaming/weathering completed it. I also replaced the rather chunky original chimney - really well worth doing on Hornby Brits. I used it for a time on Little Bytham, but it rarely saw the light of day. It now sees regular use on Shap (or did before shows were cancelled), where it's really more-appropriate. . A decent enough layout loco, I think. Please keep on showing us what you're doing. Personal modelling at its best......... Regards, Tony. 14 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Wright Posted May 23, 2020 Author Share Posted May 23, 2020 2 hours ago, cctransuk said: Just my invariable experience, Tony, of Markits wheels generally in recent years - both those bought from Wizard Models recently, and those bought some time ago and stored with the kit in question. I don't use them in the quantities that you do - but I've already fitted several sets this year. Perhaps my practice and yours achieve the same end - that of easing the entry of the axle square end into the wheel. I assumed that the 'tightness' is due to some wear in the casting mould which produces a wheel with a square hole that is slightly tapered. It could be, as your practice suggests, that the 'tightness' is due to milling burrs on the axle end - either would produce the same experience. Whilst talking of Markits wheels; I gather that these are now being produced with stainless steel tyres as opposed to nickel silver; not sure about my views on this - do you have any thoughts? Regards, John Isherwood. Good evening John, I have a couple of sets of the latest Markits stainless steel-tyred drivers. However, I've yet to use them. When I do, I'll report accordingly. Regards, Tony. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fishplate Posted May 23, 2020 Share Posted May 23, 2020 On 18/05/2020 at 16:03, zr2498 said: There are truss bridge photographs available looking from the outside but views looking along the deck of such a bridge are in short supply. If anyone has some info to help it would be appreciated. Hi Dave I came across this route learning video for Grosmont to Battersea Junction on YouTube. See 12 mins 56 secs. I knew there was a bridge like that on the line. Hope this helps solve your question. Best Regards John 2 1 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Theakerr Posted May 23, 2020 Share Posted May 23, 2020 On 22/05/2020 at 15:42, thegreenhowards said: Tony, I’m in awe! I thought I was doing reasonably well with my A5 kit, but it still doesn’t work well and needs more fettling, so is in the ‘too difficult’ pile for the moment. I find that bit of a kit build the most frustrating and worrying. I seem to be busier than ever now with the house full of kids and wife whereas I normally have it to myself. And the allotment needs watering and weeding regularly - I might need those spuds when the country runs out of food! However as well as the A5, I have managed to get some ballasting done on Gresley Jn which was well overdue, so progress is being made - just much slower than yours! Andy Don't know what the problem is but For information when I built my A5 years ago, a Craftsman kit I think, I had all kinds of problems with the front bogie shorting out. Even running in the dark didn't find one where the front was just catching the buffer where it protuded through the buffer beam. The 'flash' was under the frame and since it was very small was hidden. It took me a long time to get it all sorted because it would run OK for a while then some particular configuration caused it to short again. The back bogie was also a bit of a pain. 1 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Theakerr Posted May 23, 2020 Share Posted May 23, 2020 (edited) On 22/05/2020 at 15:42, thegreenhowards said: Tony, I’m in awe! I thought I was doing reasonably well with my A5 kit, but it still doesn’t work well and needs more fettling, so is in the ‘too difficult’ pile for the moment. I find that bit of a kit build the most frustrating and worrying. I seem to be busier than ever now with the house full of kids and wife whereas I normally have it to myself. And the allotment needs watering and weeding regularly - I might need those spuds when the country runs out of food! However as well as the A5, I have managed to get some ballasting done on Gresley Jn which was well overdue, so progress is being made - just much slower than yours! Andy Don't know what the problem is but For information when I built my A5 years ago, a Craftsman kit I think, I had all kinds of problems with the front bogie shorting out. Even running in the dark didn't find one where the front was just catching the buffer where it protruded through the buffer beam. The 'flash' was under the frame and since it was very small was hidden. It took me a long time to get it all sorted because it would run OK for a while then some particular configuration caused it to short again. The back bogie was also a bit of a pain. Edited May 23, 2020 by Theakerr Somehow duplicated but cannot figure out how to delete Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Theakerr Posted May 23, 2020 Share Posted May 23, 2020 Now that I know the problem and that you are using plunger pick-ups I have a couple of thoughts. I like plunger pick-ups but they can be a bit tricky to set up. First the 'tail' and or the wire soldered to the 'tail' can come into contact with any number of bits inside the frame. Depending on how you have set them up they can rotate slightly and catch. Also depending on how your motor is fixed it may move slightly depending on direction causing the tail and it wire to move. Finally, if your wheels are not true either because of the problem mentioned about the square ends or because the bushings are slightly out of alignment the plunger moves in and out and tends to rotate just enough to cause aforementioned contact. Finally, you need to make sure that all plungers are in contact with the metal tire especially if you only have pick-ups on one side. What happens is that the wheels rotate the connecting rods can push or pull the wheels away from the plunger head. This effect can be amplified if the spacing washers are not set up to the correct thickness. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cctransuk Posted May 23, 2020 Share Posted May 23, 2020 3 minutes ago, Theakerr said: I like plunger pick-ups but they can be a bit tricky to set up. I like the idea of plunger pick-ups but - having tried them - I wouldn't go near them again for love nor money ! John Isherwood. 1 6 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Wright Posted May 23, 2020 Author Share Posted May 23, 2020 2 minutes ago, cctransuk said: I like the idea of plunger pick-ups but - having tried them - I wouldn't go near them again for love nor money ! John Isherwood. I thought plunger pick-ups were a good idea, John, Until I tried them. Never again! They stuck, and for absolute adjustment the wheels had to be taken off too many times. Now, I avoid them like the plague...... Regards, Tony. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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