NSE 108 Posted July 22, 2010 Share Posted July 22, 2010 Any chance of getting a scan or PDF of this article? British mags are hard enough to get around here, let alone past issues. I'm off on holiday for a week this week so I'll see what I can sort out when I get back Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
br-nse-fan Posted July 23, 2010 Author Share Posted July 23, 2010 Was playing around with layout ideas, yet again... And took an idea that was floated about, and that was to use a double line in from the fiddle yard. Due to space restraints, I can not actually run two line in, but I can make it look like there used to be two lines, with one having been lifted years ago and now only a lengthy passing loop exists. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
br-nse-fan Posted July 21, 2011 Author Share Posted July 21, 2011 Wow.. it's been almost a year to the date since I last posted... My, how things have changed! Since then, I've moved to a larger place and have a whole new layout plan I am working on. I've posted my various thoughts and musings in the track plan section, as well as my previous layout here. The last couple of months have seen slow progress on the layout, but I have finally reached a point where I have the baseboards up.. and am in the process of laying track and figuring out how things will go. Here are a couple of shots showing the overall space I have to work with... I am currently working on the track plan for 'Bog End'... no real prototype that I am attempting to model.. but this is a very crude track plan I roughed up in Windows Paint: To give a better perspective of what I am thinking, I've grabbed some shots of the actual track laid out in a rough idea. Starting from left (in the plan above) to the right, and following around to the suspension bridges on the opposite side of the layout... Comments? Thoughts? Suggestions? All welcome of course! Thanks! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
br-nse-fan Posted August 4, 2011 Author Share Posted August 4, 2011 Hey all Small update.. been in the process of laying the track on the ramps at the one end of the layout.. I'll try to get some photo's up over the weekend.. but here is a rather crude plan I knocked up in AnyRail... hope this give a better idea of what I am doing at this end of the layout... The stations will be at the other end, as indicated on the plan. Derek Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
br-nse-fan Posted December 10, 2012 Author Share Posted December 10, 2012 Hi All It's been a while since I posted anything... My layout has gone through a number of changed, but I think I have finally(?) settled on a layout plan. Still the same general idea... mid-1980's... border of Southern and Western Regions... BR Blue/Grey, NSE, Railfreight... ect... I was feeling rather overwhelmed with the plans that I had, so instead of having a multi-tiered layout, I've settled to a single level, with an elevated branch (If I ever get around to it). This way, I am not dependent on having multi levels in order to run trains. This new idea also allows for continuous run and end-to-end (terminus to fiddle yard). I've attached a couple photo's showing the main station function. More will follow as I get more done. Looking both ways: From the end of the station towards the junction: Test train to measure for length: On a side note... I was able to find a combination of couplers in order to get my Hornby ex-LNER Buffet to close couple to my Bachmann MK1's and look the part. Just wish the grey on the Hornby was not so 'white'!. LNER - MK1: And compare to the MK1 - MK1: Comments and suggestions are welcome! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
br-nse-fan Posted December 20, 2012 Author Share Posted December 20, 2012 I've had a couple requests for a track plan... so I knocked this up in Anyrail in about 5 mins. It's not perfect, but I think it shows the plan fairly clearly. Thoughts... comments... suggestions are all welcome! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Mallard60022 Posted December 21, 2012 RMweb Premium Share Posted December 21, 2012 Ashamed to say I've only just spotted this excellent project and what a great name for a layout - made my day!! Duck @ 36E Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
br-nse-fan Posted January 5, 2013 Author Share Posted January 5, 2013 Small update... installed the small TMD and head shunt... not a whole lot done, but it's something! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
br-nse-fan Posted January 7, 2013 Author Share Posted January 7, 2013 Adventures in Kadee couplers... Did not have a whole lot of time to work on the track and wiring this weekend, but I did have some time to work on fitting Kadee couplers to some of my stock. This of course brought no end of frustration to my evening! Case in point... two brand new Bachmann wagons... the new Pillbox brake van and a 16T mineral wagon. Both came with straight couplers out of the box. You would probably think the same thing I did... that the NEM pockets would be at the correct height! Well... I couldn’t be more wrong! The brake van pocket is too low! There may be some droop, but not much... you'd think by now that they'd get this right! And before someone suggests, I've already tried flipping the pocket upside down... The evening was not all lost however! On a whim, I pulled out my vintage Airfix MK2D coaches... and found that the Kadee # 146 is a perfect fit! It simply glues to the top of the existing coupling pocket... the hole in the kadee coupler fitting perfectly over the nub that protrudes from the top of the Airfix coupler... The end result is a nice close couple... not quite as close as the stock Bachmann MK1 & MK2 coaches... but certainly closer than the stock couplers, and no messing about the other 'close coupler' systems! I've run my two test coaches through crossovers forwards and back... through an S curve as well as through the tightest radius curve (22") that I have on the layout without any problems! Next will be to see if the #16 coupler will work as well as the 146! Hope others find this useful, and if anyone does happen to try this on the latest Hornby MK3 coaches... do let me know... as I'm interested in a set! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
artizen Posted January 7, 2013 Share Posted January 7, 2013 I have been looking at 146 couplers as well for my layout as they come complete. What is the difference between a 16 and a 146? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
br-nse-fan Posted January 7, 2013 Author Share Posted January 7, 2013 I have been looking at 146 couplers as well for my layout as they come complete. What is the difference between a 16 and a 146? Hi Artezin, The 146 is the same length as the 16, thus making it a perfect replacement for the 16. It is however one of the newer 'whisker' type couplers. I use the 146 in conjunction with the #252 box as it can be reversed if a couple extra millimeters are needed. #146 coupler #252 gear box Hope this helps! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
artizen Posted January 8, 2013 Share Posted January 8, 2013 That's a fantastic answer. I will probably need the ability to lift or drop the gear box when retrofitting to a mix of Fleischmann, Bachmann and Hornby stock! (Can you see why I need one style of coupler?) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
br-nse-fan Posted January 8, 2013 Author Share Posted January 8, 2013 That's a fantastic answer. I will probably need the ability to lift or drop the gear box when retrofitting to a mix of Fleischmann, Bachmann and Hornby stock! (Can you see why I need one style of coupler?) More than likely! However, you may get lucky and be able to use the NEM Kadee's if the stock has the NEM pockets. I am attempting to attach a Kadee to a Horny VEE tanker... will update with my results! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
br-nse-fan Posted January 14, 2013 Author Share Posted January 14, 2013 No track or electrical updates from this past weekend, but I did get a couple Lima 6-wheel tankers converted over to Kadee's. They ended up being quite straight forward as there was not a lot of work required to convert them. I used the #146 coupler with the standard box, and looks quite good. I don't have a picture of the converted wagon, but this is the one I am talking about: I'll post a photo of the converted wagons this evening. One thing I did notice with these, is that they seem to be of a far higher quality of finish, including finer, blackened wheels... not the typical brass wheels Lima was known for. I am assuming that these wagons would have been found in and around diesel maintenance sheds? It has an engineering number on the solebar and the end of the tank (ADW 2592)... so I am thinking I could run it with the ex-GW Siphon in BR Blue 'Enparts' livery, as they move from depot to depot? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
br-nse-fan Posted January 15, 2013 Author Share Posted January 15, 2013 As I was finishing up adding Kadee's to my Airfix MK2D coaches, I took a photo (almost forgot!) of how the couplers are actually fitted to the bogie.... The original coupler pocket is retained, and is in fact, in the perfect location to fit the Kadee #16 or #146 w/ #252 gear box, on the little nub that protrudes... giving a close couple effect almost as good as Bachmann & Hornby coaches with close coupler systems. I've also taken a few photo's of my Lima 6-wheel oil tankers with Kadee's installed. I cut off, and filled down the raised peg that the old Lima coupler plugs into, so that it is raised about 1mm from the bottom of the chassis. I then used the #146 with the standard gear box that they come with, and using an epoxy, the coupler fits perfectly on the bottom with the couplers lining up with the buffers perfectly. There is a small lug / post of plastic that hangs down that the gear box can sit up against... and as I stated, this leaves the couplers at near perfect distance. And here are two of them coupled together: And coupled with a Bachmann MEA, correct NEM height / location! Thanks for reading! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Removed a/c Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 Oh the joys of the dreaded couplers !!! I will have a look at the 146s as you suggested. I was looking at using a whisker Kadees and just putting them in the pocket where the tension lock went. When I get some (may have to order them) I will try them out on the Mark 3s. The layout is looking great. I may have missed it but what size does it occupy? Regards Scott Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
br-nse-fan Posted January 15, 2013 Author Share Posted January 15, 2013 Oh the joys of the dreaded couplers !!! I will have a look at the 146s as you suggested. I was looking at using a whisker Kadees and just putting them in the pocket where the tension lock went. When I get some (may have to order them) I will try them out on the Mark 3s. The layout is looking great. I may have missed it but what size does it occupy? Regards Scott Hi Scott The whisker couplers (146, et all..) don't fit in the old Airfix pockets unfortunatly... I've tried. Too much slack and and the wrong height also. If the MK3's are the 'new' ones from Hornby, you should be able to fit the #16 and/or the #146 w/ #252 gear box in the same fashion that I have to the MK2D's above. I don't have a measurement of the space handy, but if you look at the top of this page, you'll see a couple over-all shots of the space I have, and that will at least give you an idea. Derek Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
br-nse-fan Posted June 4, 2013 Author Share Posted June 4, 2013 Well.. it's been quite a while since I did anything on the layout, but I was able to get some work done over this past weekend thanks to some help from my Dad. I now have the two main loops in place, allowing trains to run the full length of the layout, in both directions! Well.. I will be able to do so once the wiring is completed.. In the photo's below, the line that has the 58 on it is powered, so I am able to run one train through the secondary platform. Sorry about the quality, but they were hastily taken on my phone as I walked out the door to work this morning. My new bullion van, an ex-Lima custom built without replacement sides. Just need to attach Kadee's and I'll be all set: And the station with the completed lines. Next job, after the wiring, is to put the platforms in: Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ess1uk Posted June 4, 2013 Share Posted June 4, 2013 looking good. nice era to model Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Removed a/c Posted June 4, 2013 Share Posted June 4, 2013 Very nice Derek and much more progress than I have managed. Thanks for the info about the couplers (I somehow missed it) I will put an order in for the Kadee #146 as it appears the #16s have been discontinued. Regards Scott Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
br-nse-fan Posted June 7, 2013 Author Share Posted June 7, 2013 A couple more photo's that my Dad took last weekend when he was down for a visit... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
br-nse-fan Posted June 26, 2013 Author Share Posted June 26, 2013 A couple small updates... I've installed four storage lines along the back wall. Enough to store up to 8 trains of various lengths. These lines will be hidden behind a scenic wall, as well as an upper level over part of it. I've decided on an industry to model. I found an almost complete set of the Bachmann Scenecraft Cement Works through an online retailer, Morris Models (excellent service!) to go along with my collection of V tankers, and the forth coming Bachmann cement tankers. Next, is to finish the platforms in the main station and put a plexiglass barrier up to prevent accidental visits with a concrete floor! A question: For the cement works, I am interested in a shunter of sorts. I like the private owner Heljan class 14, but they are a little on the expensive side for me at the moment. Other options would be another 08 (but I already have 3 of them) or an 03. I like the looks of the yellow 03 that Bachmann has coming, but it's for the National COAL Board, and would look a little silly in a cement works. Any thoughts or suggestions? Would I be better off holding out and saving up for one of the private 14's, or would a blue 03 be suitable? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Classsix T Posted June 26, 2013 Share Posted June 26, 2013 Hi Del. Love the station throat pointwork, gorgeous! Private owner shunter? Class 04 offers some variety on the 03, or forthcoming Sentinel? C6T. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Removed a/c Posted June 26, 2013 Share Posted June 26, 2013 Yes have you looked at the Sentinel £45 from Hattons and DCC fitted. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
br-nse-fan Posted June 26, 2013 Author Share Posted June 26, 2013 Love the station throat pointwork, gorgeous! Private owner shunter? Class 04 offers some variety on the 03, or forthcoming Sentinel? Thanks! Took me a while to get the point work and track down in such a way that it looked natural. Nothing I hate more than unrealistic bends and sharp curves. I limited point work to mediums, and where possible, large. Smalls have only been used in yards. As for the shunters... The Hornby sentinals are all labeled as a specific company / industry, none of which are cement. I was thinking of one of the following: Blue Circle Class 14 British Steel Class 14 - although this is not a 'cement' livery, it does not indicate what it is on the loco and as such, can be explained as being 'recently purchased' BR Class 03 If I am to bend the rules, and use a loco that is not correctly liveried, I would go with this one : NCB Class 03 Maybe say that NCB stands for 'Noddy Cement Bros.' or something like that... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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