kevo Posted January 5, 2019 Share Posted January 5, 2019 Hi all just made a new start on a box file layout just before the xmass holl started i had been looking at some think to build it had to be small and made from just bits i had lay ing around out he scrap box . i was much inspired by lukes cronton colliery sheds layout . so this is what i have made so far . 7 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luke the train spotter Posted January 5, 2019 Share Posted January 5, 2019 Looks like a great start to the layout. Love that j94. You've got the proportions of the buildings just right. I look forward to seeing the layout develop and progress. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerry1975 Posted January 6, 2019 Share Posted January 6, 2019 Very nice, looking forward to seeing more. Jerry. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sb67 Posted January 6, 2019 Share Posted January 6, 2019 Good start Kevo, look forward to seeing more :-) Steve. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TechnicArrow Posted January 6, 2019 Share Posted January 6, 2019 Looking nice already, I like the height you've given it - it sets the trains "in" the scene, rather than letting them dominating it. I'm interested in where this goes! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevo Posted January 6, 2019 Author Share Posted January 6, 2019 Thanks all for your comments . i have been trying to delve in to box file layouts for some time but was never sure what to try or a plan that would provide some form of interest . i have never really been drawn towards the coal industry in the past then some years ago at a local expo in uckfield i saw the layout stoating bank by oly turner & chris matthews then at the same venue later another one of there layouts six quarters appeared i was hooked . so a box file seemed a good size to start . and as i said early on lukes cronton colliery sheds fired it all off . allso i began to notice that there where some amaze ing small layouts out there built on a shoe string budget and i that i could build some think from every day bits so with a old box file a few cardboard boxes i am have ing a good bit of fun . 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevo Posted January 6, 2019 Author Share Posted January 6, 2019 hi luke the J94 you like is one of the DJ models locos i nearly brought one of the Hornby J94'S . 1ST off its a fantastic model but i have been a bit disappointment by its running performance as i run it on DCC i have tried 2 type of decoders so far a zen 6 pin with a keep alive and then a gauge master 6 pin none of them improved its running i have a NCE power cab but i have not really mastered the art of program ing or change ing the CV's as a last ditch effort i have now brought a LENZ gold mini 6 pin and will try this out fingers crossed Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luke the train spotter Posted January 6, 2019 Share Posted January 6, 2019 hi luke the J94 you like is one of the DJ models locos i nearly brought one of the Hornby J94'S . 1ST off its a fantastic model but i have been a bit disappointment by its running performance as i run it on DCC i have tried 2 type of decoders so far a zen 6 pin with a keep alive and then a gauge master 6 pin none of them improved its running i have a NCE power cab but i have not really mastered the art of program ing or change ing the CV's as a last ditch effort i have now brought a LENZ gold mini 6 pin and will try this out fingers crossed I too have experienced running problems with it. Its pulling power is quite abysmal and for me it started off fine then decreased over time. Apparently it stalls a lot because of the method of pick ups that it comes off the bearings but the grease fitted to them in the factory can apparently break the electrical continuity even by getting into the bearings even on straight track. I've not run my j94 since August and now use it mostly for a photo prop though would love to see it running again. The detail on it is quite fantastic but the actual construction of it is pretty poor. The problem is that it's very difficult to take apart to gain access to the pickups/motor to be able to modify and change the current design. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clover Posted January 6, 2019 Share Posted January 6, 2019 Kevo this is looking good, will follow with interest. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
1722 Posted January 6, 2019 Share Posted January 6, 2019 hi luke the J94 you like is one of the DJ models locos i nearly brought one of the Hornby J94'S . 1ST off its a fantastic model but i have been a bit disappointment by its running performance as i run it on DCC i have tried 2 type of decoders so far a zen 6 pin with a keep alive and then a gauge master 6 pin none of them improved its running i have a NCE power cab but i have not really mastered the art of program ing or change ing the CV's as a last ditch effort i have now brought a LENZ gold mini 6 pin and will try this out fingers crossed I too have experienced running problems with it. Its pulling power is quite abysmal and for me it started off fine then decreased over time. Apparently it stalls a lot because of the method of pick ups that it comes off the bearings but the grease fitted to them in the factory can apparently break the electrical continuity even by getting into the bearings even on straight track. I've not run my j94 since August and now use it mostly for a photo prop though would love to see it running again. The detail on it is quite fantastic but the actual construction of it is pretty poor. The problem is that it's very difficult to take apart to gain access to the pickups/motor to be able to modify and change the current design. Interesting to read. I've been tempted by one of these as I'm pretty sure it's become 'Wimblebury' on the Foxfield Railway. If it's not a great runner I might rethink. Think the layout is a great start. The height of the buildings is, as previously mentioned, a great way of setting the locos in the scene. Looking forward to seeing this develop. Perhaps a little late to suggest but would it be possible to move the loader along the back scene? You'd be able to propel a two wagon train under it then, rather than just one wagon at a time? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luke the train spotter Posted January 6, 2019 Share Posted January 6, 2019 Interesting to read. I've been tempted by one of these as I'm pretty sure it's become 'Wimblebury' on the Foxfield Railway. If it's not a great runner I might rethink. Think the layout is a great start. The height of the buildings is, as previously mentioned, a great way of setting the locos in the scene. Looking forward to seeing this develop. Perhaps a little late to suggest but would it be possible to move the loader along the back scene? You'd be able to propel a two wagon train under it then, rather than just one wagon at a time? If you want a j94 I'd recommend a Hornby one. The detail on them is actually pretty good and they are robust runners and fairly easy to service. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevo Posted January 6, 2019 Author Share Posted January 6, 2019 thanks luke for share ing your experience with your j94 that is very interesting to hear . i must say i am not holding much hope now with the lenz decoder but i will try it and let you know . and i will most likely go for a Hornby j94 next time Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevo Posted January 6, 2019 Author Share Posted January 6, 2019 Hi chris thinking back i may have originally had the loading hopper in the middle in my 1st set up . but that is a much better idea what you say i have not yet glued any think in its final position i could do this but would have to cut the main building in half so the hopper will sit back in the main building . i am go ing to have the hopper load in coal from the back of the layout via a shoot . i shall do some measurements in a bit and see what i come up with . but thanks for the idea it would add a bit more shunt ing interest . 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevo Posted January 6, 2019 Author Share Posted January 6, 2019 ps the hopper in case any one has not guessed yet is the remains of a ratio coal hopper . Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sb67 Posted January 6, 2019 Share Posted January 6, 2019 The hopper looks better in that position Kevo. Interesting to hear about the J94 probs, I've one of each and the DJ runs fine at the moment, it's on DC though. Have you weathered it? It looks good. I recon your sentinal would look good on there as well as a NCB Janus. Steve. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevo Posted January 6, 2019 Author Share Posted January 6, 2019 Thanks steve yes the hopper its a much better set up in that position . the j94 was as it comes weathered . which saved me a job . the janus will be well at home on this size layout . but i no longer have the sentinal any more that was not a good runner as well in the end . there seems to be a fair few problems with some of these small locos . but i may get another one at a later date . i would probly like to build up a few small steamers as well i like the Hornby pecket and the andrew barclay0-4-0 . Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luke the train spotter Posted January 7, 2019 Share Posted January 7, 2019 I think it's the curse of a small wheel base which does it in for these small locos. Even if you pack in a good motor at the end of the day it's the capacity to pick up power that counts. An Andrew barclay would definitely suit this layout very nicely. I'm going to go done the route of fitting high power stay alive units to all my stock I think after seeing the transformation it has done to my peckett. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sb67 Posted January 7, 2019 Share Posted January 7, 2019 Thanks steve yes the hopper its a much better set up in that position . the j94 was as it comes weathered . which saved me a job . the janus will be well at home on this size layout . but i no longer have the sentinal any more that was not a good runner as well in the end . there seems to be a fair few problems with some of these small locos . but i may get another one at a later date . i would probly like to build up a few small steamers as well i like the Hornby pecket and the andrew barclay0-4-0 . I've got a Peckett and an Andrew Barcay and at the moment they happily crawl about my small layout, they are both great runners. I've also got a Hornby Pug which is an old model but after a bit of tweaking and cleaning always runs well. Steve. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevo Posted January 7, 2019 Author Share Posted January 7, 2019 well i haved now moved the coal loading hopper more to the middle hope this looks better . 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sb67 Posted January 7, 2019 Share Posted January 7, 2019 That's looking good Kevo, there's a couple of loco's in the Hornby 2019 stuff that woud look good in there as well, very tempting! Must get on and build my own boxfile! Steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
1722 Posted January 7, 2019 Share Posted January 7, 2019 Great job. Sorry for causing you more work. To me it looks well worth it, hope it does to you. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerry1975 Posted January 8, 2019 Share Posted January 8, 2019 Coming along nicely, I really like what you have done with the coal loading hopper. Jerry. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevo Posted January 8, 2019 Author Share Posted January 8, 2019 No problem chris i am really glad you said about move ing it it will make shunting more fun its really improved its design so big thanks Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevo Posted January 8, 2019 Author Share Posted January 8, 2019 Hi jerry thanks glad you like it i have got some fiddle ing and fitting to do on the hopper and make a shoot and cut a hole in the back seen for loading the coal Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium ColinK Posted January 8, 2019 RMweb Premium Share Posted January 8, 2019 Glad you moved the loader, looks much better now. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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