Coombe Town

[Andy Keane]

37 minutes ago, DRoe96 said:

Well prompted by @Andy Keane’s questions I started painting the point Rodding over the weekend. Just needs finishing off with weathering powders and installing now.

 

I’ve also recovered the Martian yard surface sufficiently to the point where I could add the base layer of static grass on the embankment.

 

 

The big question now is, should the yard ash surface continue all the way to the ballast, or should there be some sort of grassy area in between?

 

Hopefully not too long until the next instalment…

Its looking really nice.

I think between the yard and track would be unlikely to have much grass - who would keep it cut for example. I would suggest a coal ash / cinder surface much like the yard. But in the yard I would add more grime and oil maybe? Also maybe a narrow strip of cinder between the ballast and the grass on the far side to represent the cess?

[CoombeTown]

On 17/01/2023 at 19:36, Andy Keane said:

Its looking really nice.

I think between the yard and track would be unlikely to have much grass - who would keep it cut for example. I would suggest a coal ash / cinder surface much like the yard. But in the yard I would add more grime and oil maybe? Also maybe a narrow strip of cinder between the ballast and the grass on the far side to represent the cess?

Thanks Andy, ash it is then! I’ll probably a few small patches of grass around.

The cinder path had crossed my mind, and I’d agree it is noticeably missing. I’ll add it in at the same as adding in more yard surface. Weathering/grime/oil spills I’ll add in future when I’ve had a chance to order some of the geoscenics weathering products.

[CoombeTown]

Tonight I’ve had a chance to add so rust powder to the Rodding and get it stuck down on the stools. It’s taken months to get to this stage but I’m really pleased with how it has come out in the end, it really does stand out in the scene.

 

 

Just the crank rods for the trap point to add now and the catch pit cover! Before some unsuspecting yard walker falls down it talking a post-work shortcut to the pub…

 

Really impressed with the Modelu crank products though, they’re worth the hassle to get the look I reckon.

[NHY 581]

Morning Dom, 

 

Really nice to see your progress. This is looking lovely. Hardly seems that long ago we were chatting at the Minehead show ! 

 

Rob. 

 

 

Edited February 25, 2023 by NHY 581

[CoombeTown]

On 19/01/2023 at 07:52, NHY 581 said:

Morning Dom, 

 

Really nice to see your progress. This is looking lively. Hardly seems that long ago we were chatting at the Minehead show ! 

 

Rob. 

 

 

Cheers Rob, Minehead certainly seems close in terms of modelling time. In fact I haven't made to a show since Taunton. 

 

I have SWAG in the calendar and that is looking like the first event for 2023 which I look forward to.

Dom

Edited January 20, 2023 by DRoe96
Phone decided to turn the keyboard in a bouncy ball...

[5BarVT]

On 18/01/2023 at 22:04, DRoe96 said:

 

Really impressed with the Modelu crank products though, they’re worth the hassle to get the look I reckon.

Now that’s a nice comp,

Paul.

[CoombeTown]

I had a bit of a play on Monday night and posed 1470 leaving the tunnel to see what it looked like with the Rodding and WIP hedges.

 

I think it’s starting to come together now, at least at this end of the layout. Certainly still some thinking to be done at the far end.

 

First looking down the line, with the Rodding more visible than I’d expected.

 

Then two from across the yard, the surface should be in place on the cattle dock this evening.

 

[CoombeTown]

So a year on, to the day, from a discussion on @Andy Keane’s Helston topic, I finally got around to ordering the sound kit to install into my 14xx. This has jumped up the queue with Rapido’s 45xx announcement, and the fact that the DR5000 controller I was going to upgrade to is out of stock everywhere.

 

initial sound fit won’t include stay-alive, but I’ve bought the capacitors just in case.

but the first bit of the process, she needs a crew as well. So, here they are freshly painted up.

[Andy Keane]

9 hours ago, DRoe96 said:

So a year on, to the day, from a discussion on @Andy Keane’s Helston topic, I finally got around to ordering the sound kit to install into my 14xx. This has jumped up the queue with Rapido’s 45xx announcement, and the fact that the DR5000 controller I was going to upgrade to is out of stock everywhere.

 

initial sound fit won’t include stay-alive, but I’ve bought the capacitors just in case.

but the first bit of the process, she needs a crew as well. So, here they are freshly painted up.

I found the stay alive pretty vital as with such a short wheelbase and few pickups it would not run happily without.

[CoombeTown]

11 hours ago, Andy Keane said:

I found the stay alive pretty vital as with such a short wheelbase and few pickups it would not run happily without.

Thanks for the warning Andy. Mine is currently more reliable than my Rapido 16xx which I think needs sending back for some attention.... 

[Andy Keane]

6 minutes ago, DRoe96 said:

Thanks for the warning Andy. Mine is currently more reliable than my Rapido 16xx which I think needs sending back for some attention.... 

There was also much comment elsewhere on RMweb about how badly the Hattons models run - mine is now fine and I do wonder if many of the complaints could have been fixed with stayalive.

 

Edited January 31, 2023 by Andy Keane

[CoombeTown]

45 minutes ago, Andy Keane said:

There was also much comment elsewhere on RMweb about how badly the Hattons models run - mine is now fine and I do wonder if many of the complaints could have been fixed with stayalive.

 

Yes Andy, sorry if it didn’t come across, I do intend on fitting stay alive in the very near future (hence ordering the capacitors to do the job) but am going to try a plug and play approach first, purely to try the sound. Stay-alive will probably get added over the weekend.

 

I know I am one of the lucky few with a decent running 14xx, but still would expect it to be worse than the 16xx given how many of the former seem to have issue.

[Gopher]

I have a 14xx fitted with a Zimo sound decoder and no stay alive.  It runs reasonably well, and better than one of the 16xxs fitted with a Zimo sound decoder. 

 

I have recently been in contact with the Rapido warranty team about the 16xx.  It appears the 16xx is not fond of Zimo decoders - something to do (I think, and not confirmed  by Rapido) with suppression components and back EMF confusing the decoder so the loco suddenly stops.   I think the only way you can fit a stay alive with the Zimo decoder, is to remove the PCB and hard wire the decoder (might be wrong).  At least if the decoder is hard wired the PCB will be removed, and that may improve the running even without the stayalive.   

 

They also recommended fitting a new set of pick ups, because the plunger pick ups for the centre wheel set lose contact with the back of the wheel on curves.  They are sending me a new set, which will hopefully improve matters.  My other 16xx, has an ESU decoder with a stay alive (no need to remove the PCB), it runs very well now.    

Edited February 1, 2023 by Gopher

[CoombeTown]

25 minutes ago, Gopher said:

I have a 14xx fitted with a Zimo sound decoder and no stay alive.  It runs reasonably well, and better than one of the 16xxs fitted with a Zimo sound decoder. 

 

I have recently been in contact with the Rapido warranty team about the 16xx.  It appears the 16xx is not fond of Zimo decoders - something to do (I think, and not confirmed  by Rapido) with suppression components and back EMF confusing the decoder so the loco suddenly stops.   I think the only way you can fit a stay alive with the Zimo decoder, is to remove the PCB and hard wire the decoder (might be wrong).  At least if the decoder is hard wired the PCB will be removed, and that may improve the running even without the stayalive.   

 

They also recommended fitting a new set up of pick ups, because the plunger pick ups for the centre wheel set lose contact with the back of the wheel on curves.  They are sending me a new set, which will hopefully improve matters.  My other 16xx, has an ESU decoder with a stay alive (no need to remove the PCB), it runs very well now.    

Thanks Gopher, my 16xx already has a Loksound decoder fitted, but I'd be interested to know what stayalive kit you've used inside?

I may ask Rapido for a new set of pick ups as well, although my loss of contact seems to be on the rear wheels.

Cheers,

Dom

[Gopher]

On 01/02/2023 at 09:01, DRoe96 said:

Thanks Gopher, my 16xx already has a Loksound decoder fitted, but I'd be interested to know what stayalive kit you've used inside?

I may ask Rapido for a new set of pick ups as well, although my loss of contact seems to be on the rear wheels.

Cheers,

Dom

Hi Dom

 

I am afraid I copped out and asked Richard at Road & Rails to fit a stay alive to my ESU fitted 16xx.  Sorry I do not know which one he fitted, but it is small and sits on the cab floor, and the PCB is still in place 

 

Best Wishes

 

Clive 

Edited February 2, 2023 by Gopher

[Andy Keane]

If you have the room I can recommend these: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/393488456418?var=662291378867 I have just added three of of the 0.22F supercaps to a Heljan class 45. It now runs for about seven or eight seconds without power which I find very good in such a big and heavy loco (and yes I do know Peak's never ran on Cornish branch lines - but sometimes I weaken).

[Gopher]

Received the new 16xx pick-ups from Rapido today (excellent customer service)

 

The pickups are longer than those originally fitted to the loco, and the springs are a bit more substantial.  I fitted them this afternoon. Not a difficult job, apart from making sure the springs do not disappear into the ether.  There is a video showing how to replace the pickups

 

 

The loco definitely runs better.  Used it for some shunting this afternoon, it only stalled once.  

[CoombeTown]

15 hours ago, Gopher said:

Received the new 16xx pick-ups from Rapido today (excellent customer service)

 

The pickups are longer than those originally fitted to the loco, and the springs are a bit more substantial.  I fitted them this afternoon. Not a difficult job, apart from making sure the springs do not disappear into the ether.  There is a video showing how to replace the pickups

 

 

The loco definitely runs better.  Used it for some shunting this afternoon, it only stalled once.  

Thanks, It looks like like a much simpler change than I was expecting. Rapido have been contacted and new pickups requested, hopefully they’ll arrive soon.

[CoombeTown]

This evening I embarked on a fiddly project, installing sound and stay-alive in the 14xx. Apart from a brief puff of smoke (stay-alive wired backwards…) all went smoothly. The relevant components now stowed in the smokebox.

 

Fireman Bob and Driver Dave were also added to the cab before returning the engine to the layout. The plan for tomorrow being to fettle the programming with synchronisation etc. If I can work out how I may upload a brief running video.

 

[CoombeTown]

As promised, a short video of 1470 entering Coombe Town this afternoon, the video also shows some of the scenic work that I’ve been doing today.

 

 

A few stills highlighting the work.

Firstly, I’ve started adding the ground cover between the back siding and the running line. The grounded body has been permanently fixed in place.

 

I’ve put the base flock on the hedge row and it into position at the top of the embankment.

The lorry will be replaced by a cattle truck in time.

[MrWolf]

That corner is really developing it's own character now.

What did you use for the hedges?

[CoombeTown]

8 hours ago, MrWolf said:

That corner is really developing it's own character now.

What did you use for the hedges?

Thanks Rob,

Hedges are the classic rubberised horsehair, teased out a bit, sprayed with Humbrol 29 as a base. Then they’re hit with a good dose of spray of glue and covered in Woodland Scenics Medium Green Coarse Turf.

 

In due course I’ll add a few accents with light green fine turf to represent new growth and add some variation.

cheers,

Dom

[MrWolf]

Thanks, that's how I have done my first experimental hedge, it just looked different in your photos!

[CoombeTown]

It’s been a busy month, but I have managed to finally complete the static grass on the embankment this week.

As per my previous experiment, a blend of WWS 4mm spring and summer on top of the 2mm base layer with a top of 6mm Wild Meadow.

 

The 6mm was deliberately built up around the end of the siding to give a rougher transition into the embankment with a bit less definition.

 

With some spare time today I plan to tackle weathering a Rapido Iron Mink, it’s part of a new policy of actually weathering rolling stock before it goes into service to try and have fewer pristine vehicles around!

[NHY 581]

Morning Dom, 

 

All looking very nice indeed. I definitely prefer the WWS static grass over the Woodland Scenics equivalent. I get better results without too much drama. 

 

Better mix of colours as well. 

 

 

 

Rob. 

Edited February 25, 2023 by NHY 581