Dr Gerbil-Fritters Posted October 16, 2021 Author Share Posted October 16, 2021 I'm about half way through tweaking the electrics. Not had much time lately, as work ramps up in October and enthusiasm diminishes as the daylight hours shorten. Everything seems to work ok, apart from one turnout which is still being a nuisance. A remedy is in hand, I just CBA to do it at the moment. 50 1480 got a quick run out to test the new electrical gadget 8 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
F-UnitMad Posted October 16, 2021 Share Posted October 16, 2021 First time I've seen a Hex-juicer 'in action'. Certainly simplifies the wiring. I used Tam Valley mono-juicers myself, as 1) my layout only has 5 switches, not 6, and 2) they are rather spread out around the layout, and Tam Valley warn against having wiring that is too long between juicer & frog (they do say what length but I can't recall what it is offhand!!) 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Railpassion Posted October 17, 2021 Share Posted October 17, 2021 Hi, Glad you are enjoying the new layout, the steamers look heavy and solid works of art. I find that most of my running is diesel as these are the smoothest runners in the garage. I have a Bachmann 24 from years ago which runs faultlessly even on dirty track. A Bachmann 20 (early dcc fitted) never disappoints, despite falling off the layout . The Hornby steam is an apple green N1 which is very temperamental and geared for 150 mph (mostly useless). The only reliable steam is a Bachmann analogue N class in Southern dull green which ploughs on and rarely hesitates. I have a Bachmann V1/3 but it is rather light and not as good. The only Hornby I've had that has worked as well as the superb (and cheap) Trix locos in my odd collection is a blue 08 shunter. Heljan locos seem to start well but run progressively poorly with time (is this the pick-ups and wheels?). I've a Mainline N1 that runs better than its Hornby upgraded version. When I was 13 I was frustrated at having to push Hornby locos at every session. My uncle was exasperated and gave me some money to buy a Fleischmann diesel - it was perfect and I went German. I saw Bachmann's stuff and that got me back into modelling ten years ago. I wouldn't buy anything by Hornby except rolling stock after my experiences with their steam and diesels (except the 08) I've tried US recently on a budget of £30 per loco. Two Bachmann GP's with hoods glide around the track at scale speeds, totally reliably. I was very impressed. Dapol was a series of returns to find something that worked. In what other hobby do you pay £140 or more for something that is faulty? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Gerbil-Fritters Posted October 27, 2021 Author Share Posted October 27, 2021 I finally installed the final six frog wires this afternoon and extended the curve around to the other side of the shed towards the 'it'll be done when it's done' staging yard. In the meantime, to make up for the lack of visual progress... Some shiny new stock has arrived for the locals. Pity the 50 is not push pull fitted. The 65 is, but not yet DCC chipped. 7 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allegheny1600 Posted October 27, 2021 Share Posted October 27, 2021 Hi Dr G-F, Glad to see you’re making good progress. Knowing German railways, there’s bound to have been instances of a BR50 on Silverfish - pulling or pushing! I take it that your BR65 is a Fleischmann model? If so, it should have a 6 pin decoder socket. Don’t bother with the hugely expensive own brand decoder as they’re carp. Go for a Digitrax DZ126 or DZ127 or whichever version they are on now. This is an N gauge decoder officially but has plenty of grunt to deal with the H0 scale mechanism and train. I have most of my Fleischmann 6 pin socket fleet so fitted and they’re brilliant. Of course, if it’s not fitted with a socket, different story and if it’s the Trix version - lucky you! Cheers, John 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Gerbil-Fritters Posted November 6, 2021 Author Share Posted November 6, 2021 The locals need some way to get on and off those lovely new Silberlinge, so I spent a bit of time putting in the foundations for the platforms. Typical low level jobs. 8 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Gerbil-Fritters Posted November 8, 2021 Author Share Posted November 8, 2021 A bit more work on the platforms. This one was straightforward, the smaller station platform needs a bit more thought as it has the freight shed spur inset and interfaces with the Bahnhof Strasse. More balsa needed! 7 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LNER4479 Posted November 8, 2021 Share Posted November 8, 2021 (edited) Looking good ... keep going, keep going ... Am a bit hesitant posting pix in others' threads however, thought you might appreciate this (will remove if offended). In case you missed it (ha!), our GMRC layouts had a recent outing at the Gaydon (British Motor Museum) show recently. I found myself faced with a motive power / stock crisis(!) in terms of 'authentic' Germanic stock; fortunately, a nearby trader had a stash of old forrin' stuff for sale so I selected this Jouef Class 44 of '70s vintage (I suspect). Rather reminded me of how you're reviving locos of a similar(?) vintage for your project. Anyhow, despite only picking up off the front bogie of the tender (the rear one being the drive), and being a bit noisy (not so noticeable in the hubbub of a show), it plodded round for the weekend without any real problems. I shall now strip it down more thoroughly and try and figure out a way of adding further pickups - those wires to the front lights look handy... On the lookout for a similar standard 03 pacific to haul the passenger train in the other direction; that 0-6-0 would be better on the branchline. Edited November 8, 2021 by LNER4479 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Gerbil-Fritters Posted November 20, 2021 Author Share Posted November 20, 2021 Smashing old Jouef stuff. Still fiddling about. Not much time in the shed of late... 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lacathedrale Posted November 25, 2021 Share Posted November 25, 2021 On 24/08/2021 at 17:56, Dr Gerbil-Fritters said: Looking back onto the last page, love all these shots. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Gerbil-Fritters Posted November 25, 2021 Author Share Posted November 25, 2021 (edited) I'm blaming LNER4479, aka Mr Grant Ham for this... Edited November 25, 2021 by Dr Gerbil-Fritters 8 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Gerbil-Fritters Posted December 12, 2021 Author Share Posted December 12, 2021 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LNER4479 Posted December 12, 2021 Share Posted December 12, 2021 (edited) On 25/11/2021 at 17:34, Dr Gerbil-Fritters said: I'm blaming LNER4479, aka Mr Grant Ham for this... Apologies - missed it the first time round! So the ever-reliable dampf kettle once again rescues one of them new-fangled, unreliable wirescrapenloks. Most excellent Edited December 12, 2021 by LNER4479 1 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LNER4479 Posted December 12, 2021 Share Posted December 12, 2021 3 hours ago, Dr Gerbil-Fritters said: And now order is restored - only a dampflok in sight. Quite elegant them Class 50s, compared to the more brutal-looking krieksloks. Below is Meiningen's, safely tucked away inside their running shed. Think I prefer them with smoke deflectors as per your model. 2 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Gerbil-Fritters Posted December 12, 2021 Author Share Posted December 12, 2021 I'd agree that the full apron 50 is a handsome beast, only beaten by full apron with Wagner deflectors. I have a 52 which is butt ugly... the tub tender doesn't help. It doesn't come out of its box too often. I also have a 44 somewhere with a UK cab but full boiler fittings.... the variations of 44 and 50 are many. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
F-UnitMad Posted December 12, 2021 Share Posted December 12, 2021 5 hours ago, Dr Gerbil-Fritters said: To me, this style of smoke deflectors definitely says "German". On the other hand, this style - 1 hour ago, LNER4479 said: ...says "Chinese" to me, as per the Beijiao layout elsewhere on here. Just my impression. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Clive Mortimore Posted December 12, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted December 12, 2021 (edited) 6 hours ago, Dr Gerbil-Fritters said: Would look better with one of Mr Bullyboy's naked processed meat tins. Edited December 12, 2021 by Clive Mortimore Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Gerbil-Fritters Posted December 13, 2021 Author Share Posted December 13, 2021 11 hours ago, Clive Mortimore said: Would look better with one of Mr Bullyboy's naked processed meat tins. What, this one? I believe it was designed to burn grass? Or the designer smoked grass... Something. 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
F-UnitMad Posted December 13, 2021 Share Posted December 13, 2021 Whoever painted the warning stripes needs a steadier hand. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Gerbil-Fritters Posted December 13, 2021 Author Share Posted December 13, 2021 (edited) 1 hour ago, F-UnitMad said: Whoever painted the warning stripes needs a steadier hand. Or anti-aliasing paint... Edited December 13, 2021 by Dr Gerbil-Fritters Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Gerbil-Fritters Posted December 17, 2021 Author Share Posted December 17, 2021 I finished work early today, and decided to amuse myself by fitting a decoder to a Roco DR Br44. I say 'amuse', if you can call dismantling the tender, removing the motor, putting it back together, then having a sixth sense the 8 pin connector was the wrong way round, dismantling the tender, removing the motor, putting the 8 pin connector in the right way, then deciding to test it first before reassembling the tender, finding out that it would run out of control in only one direction, disassembling it again, noticing that the contacts should be on the outside of the motor contacts testing again, it working fine, then reassembling the tender, failing to notice the drive shaft had popped out, popping it back in only to have it pop out again, then working out that the drive shaft can only be fitted after the tender shell is back on, doing all that, getting it back in one piece and noticing that the lights don't work... Here is the ruddy thing, next to a far more useful Br50 I don't even need a DR Br44... far too hefty for my little branchline... 7 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium St Enodoc Posted December 17, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted December 17, 2021 4 hours ago, Dr Gerbil-Fritters said: I finished work early today, and decided to amuse myself by fitting a decoder to a Roco DR Br44. I say 'amuse', if you can call dismantling the tender, removing the motor, putting it back together, then having a sixth sense the 8 pin connector was the wrong way round, dismantling the tender, removing the motor, putting the 8 pin connector in the right way, then deciding to test it first before reassembling the tender, finding out that it would run out of control in only one direction, disassembling it again, noticing that the contacts should be on the outside of the motor contacts testing again, it working fine, then reassembling the tender, failing to notice the drive shaft had popped out, popping it back in only to have it pop out again, then working out that the drive shaft can only be fitted after the tender shell is back on, doing all that, getting it back in one piece and noticing that the lights don't work... Here is the ruddy thing, next to a far more useful Br50 I don't even need a DR Br44... far too hefty for my little branchline... I think you should have stayed at work. 1 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Gerbil-Fritters Posted December 19, 2021 Author Share Posted December 19, 2021 Jumbos Three... Late Eastern Jumbo Late Western Jumbo Early Jumbo 9 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Gerbil-Fritters Posted December 27, 2021 Author Share Posted December 27, 2021 I've done some small tasks on the moba during the Festering Season... Painted the platform surface experimented with rail painting and ballasting... and I constructed a 'bridge' for my rolling road/dcc programming track so that I can keep it permanently accessible, and free up some space for trays from our most recent takeaway curry so I can safely stow all those bits that might be useful and keep my workspace clear. I've got some buildings to assemble when the mood takes me. I still seem to be enjoying this little layout more than the others I've knocked together over the 7 years this thread has been running. 8 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Gerbil-Fritters Posted January 1, 2022 Author Share Posted January 1, 2022 A bit more ballasting this afternoon. It'll need a lot more fettling before I'll be happy, but I am pleased I went with real granite ballast. I've tried Woodland Scenics before and it's too rounded for my taste... looks like pebbles, not ballast. I also extended the power bus around to the other side of the layout ready for the staging yard. Soldering is such a joy. 7 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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