67A Posted May 28, 2017 Author Share Posted May 28, 2017 Glad to hear the couplings are working well. If you can get them to work for a week on your helices, they should work a treat when just on the flat. And happy forthcoming birthday. I hope you get lots of relevant pressies ("oh no, not socks - again!!") Jeff ps. Scott has posted a fetching pic of one half of AbFab on KL2. Yes I saw it last night Jeff, it did give me the urge............ to laugh that is, naturally! As for socks - two feet -v- hundreds of the things taking over the furniture. More on the TTA's later but up to now they have performed faultlessly BUT the open barrier wagon is prone to derailing despite similar weighting applied to the underside of the chassis so I've swapped it for a van which I can also add weight inside and all seems okay at the moment. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
67A Posted May 29, 2017 Author Share Posted May 29, 2017 Hi all, A bit of an update... Here is the first glimpse of the loco my mates got me for my impending birthday. Southbound we catch D6801 and brake tender as it hauls a heavy oil working. Looks like washing day again. Rumbling through nicely This is the rake just converted to my Instanter coupling design and is performing well. The light engine is about to be stopped. Close-up of 'City of Nottingham' The Duchess is pulling up as the oil working passes. A cloe-up shows the 'Instanter' coupling. The Type 3 heads for the gloom of Widdale tunnel. Cont/... 13 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
67A Posted May 29, 2017 Author Share Posted May 29, 2017 Rear view also shows the signalbox locker room lights are on, some adjustment to the locking gear perhaps. A nice period view across the car park picks out an AA motorcycle, a Morris Traveller and a Riley saloon. Oh in the background is Clan Pacific 72009 'Clan Stewart' in charge of a southbound cattle working. The two coalmen are too busy to even look at the passing Clan. I did like the Clan's even though the first 5 were scrapped before my interest was sparked, utter madness then as it is even now with the 60's and 90's. A nice vista of Dentdale The Clan's crew are lost in that large cab the Standards have. In case you thought I was jesting this view just shows the driver at the controls, it looks like 72009 got a wash of very dirty coal when passing under the coaling tower. As the cattle disappears a 9F exits Widdale tunnel. 92058 is hauling an Iron Ore hopper working north to Ravenscraig Steel Works near Motherwell. Cont/... 12 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post 67A Posted May 29, 2017 Author Popular Post Share Posted May 29, 2017 To finish we shall follow the 9F's progress... that's it guys. 20 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew P Posted May 29, 2017 Share Posted May 29, 2017 Very nice mate, Thanks. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ben pez Posted May 29, 2017 Share Posted May 29, 2017 That last shot is a very different & nice view. Great work Cheers Ben 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
danstercivicman Posted June 8, 2017 Share Posted June 8, 2017 This really is a staggering work of art! What an amazing layout! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
67A Posted June 9, 2017 Author Share Posted June 9, 2017 Hi all, I'm off for a day out tomorrow at the Bakewell show, its not a large event but always find a visit worthwhile. I may take detour to take in the old Millersdale station followed by Peak Forest as a bit of scenic splendour works wonders. 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
67A Posted June 11, 2017 Author Share Posted June 11, 2017 Hi all, Bakewell was well worth the trip, picked up some Stanier coaches, a CCT van and a few sundry items but best of all the club's stall had a large collection of books at rock bottom prices so I dug deep and got some real crackers. I've just been doing a bit of maintenance on the layout today so we'll have to see if I get around to running any services! 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
67A Posted June 18, 2017 Author Share Posted June 18, 2017 Hi all, I've been busy on the wagon loads again so here are some of the latest... A wagon of life expired rail And another Various barrels A pair of cable drums on a 'Lowmac' Rough sawn tree trunks Machined timber loads Used timber loads More to come 7 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
67A Posted June 18, 2017 Author Share Posted June 18, 2017 Steel section And again Steel tube sections on 'Salmon' wagon to comply with loading gauge. Bright steel bar section Steel pipe with flanges Steel section an bright bar mixed Precision machined pipe assembly General 'I' section steel Steel tube cont/... 9 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
67A Posted June 18, 2017 Author Share Posted June 18, 2017 BR Std. 9F 92125 rolls through Dent with a northbound coal working. Southbound sees a BR Std. Clan Pacific 72009 'Clan Stewart' on a cattle working. Next northbound freight is in the charge of Stanier Mogul 42969 on an express container service Ex: LMS Jinty 47410 exits Widdale tunnel with a pick-up freight. The steel working heads south behind BR 'Peak' D4 'Great Gable' That's it for now. 12 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew P Posted June 18, 2017 Share Posted June 18, 2017 All good pics and Loads Mike, BUT, It's the first shot in the last batch with the 9F and Coals, that really shows off the lovely curve through the Station to it's best mate. wonderful stuff, thanks. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
67A Posted June 25, 2017 Author Share Posted June 25, 2017 Hi all, Just a note to say I am in maintenance mode for the time being. I cleaned the spirals and scenic section yesterday plus the wheels on stock that was on the 'up' fiddle yard, today I'm cleaning the fiddleyard and the 'down' stock that is out. Due to the major work involved in cleaning there will be no running until all loco's and stock are done to prevent deposits from wheels dirtying the track, I know the layout is based on the S&C but this has to be the real 'Long Drag' so please bear with me for a week or two as there is a lot of stock to work through. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
67A Posted June 28, 2017 Author Share Posted June 28, 2017 Hi all, Just had a couple of unexpected days off work due to the quickest hospital procedure I have ever known! Had an appointment on Monday morning at the Podiatry Dept. I was told to re-attend at 13.30 to have the job done then back again today for re-dressing, needless to say work was out of the question so I have spent the last two days on my 21T hopper wagon rake converting the couplings from those awful(ly) large Hornby tension locks to my own design of Instanter. Full details will of course follow once completed but if they turn out as reliable as the TTA and Anhydrite rakes I will be delighted. I bought almost all of these wagons for around £3 at exhibitions and club shop in the usual 'BOLSOVER' and 'NORSTAND' liveries then stripped, re-painted and detailed them to the present condition, so this will be a fitting end to the conversion when those old couplings are consigned to the bin! Although in a view like this you may not see much of a change but I have deliberately avoided close-up shots up to now. As a teaser here are the chassis units being worked on, so keep a look out! Oh and I'm still cleaning wheels also!!! 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Physicsman Posted June 28, 2017 RMweb Premium Share Posted June 28, 2017 And people seem to think building walls is tedious.... I HATE cleaning wheels! Nice, moody view of the layout there, Mike. Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold PeterBB Posted June 28, 2017 RMweb Gold Share Posted June 28, 2017 You and Jeff must both have the patience of a saint to be able to spend so much time on aspects that would make most of us pull our hair out. You both deserve accolades. Peter Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
67A Posted July 3, 2017 Author Share Posted July 3, 2017 Hi all, Well I'm sorry to say I'm still in maintenance mode, my intention is to systematically check all my rolling stock as I clean the wheels and set the back-to-back settings which so far have been alarmingly far out. I choose 14.50mm for my initial setting then if I detect any fouling I can re-set to 14.55mm, 14.75mm or 14.85mm sadly I have not been able to find a gauge at 14.65mm which would help due to the variable flange thicknesses throughout my stock, I would love to renew all the wheels to a particular standard but the cost is obviously prohibitive. I actually have all my rolling stock on a database and as they get checked I can make notes on further attention to particular points such as: Livery & Running No. Wheel cleaning & setting Detail to be added Weight to be added Suitable loads Weathering Damage repairs e.g missing buffers etc. Alterations & conversions e.g 21T hoppers converted to 25T Anhydrite hoppers Troubleshooting e.g Derailing problems and coupling issues, the latter is a real nightmare Locomotives are treated similarly with a couple of additional aspects: Service record; oiling, cleaning etc. Detail alterations, such as scale pony and bogie wheels fitted Weight to be added, steam outline especially require additional weight in order to climb the spirals! So far I've done about 25% of the rolling stock so still have a lot to do. 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Clive Mortimore Posted July 3, 2017 RMweb Premium Share Posted July 3, 2017 Cor Mike That's a bit organised. If it don't run properly on my train set, back in the box it goes and it might be sorted out should I remember. I did do a list of my diesel locos, I was very surprised in having 36 Brush 4s in various states of destruction. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew P Posted July 3, 2017 Share Posted July 3, 2017 (edited) WOTS MAINTENANCE? Edited July 3, 2017 by Andrew P Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
67A Posted July 4, 2017 Author Share Posted July 4, 2017 Hi Clive, I was not aware you modelled 'Vic Berry's' until the condition of your 47's became apparent! When I worked at Toton I found the real thing the easiest class to work on from power unit to bogie and all in between, so I can't understand why you should be having any trouble with the 4mm version, come-on man get to grips they need to earn a crust. Hi Andy, Don't give me that old story, I bet when you say your away for days on end (quite often) really you are in the potting shed going through your stock, aren't you? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tangoman69 Posted July 9, 2017 Share Posted July 9, 2017 Mike, I've just spent the last 2 weeks going through every page of this amazing layout. The standard you have achieved is some thing most of us can only dream about, well done, it is truly fantastic! I have particularly enjoyed the descriptions of the work you have completed, the banter and the photos taken. It is one of those layouts that portrays a real life location that is very easily recognisable, my brother in law said straight away 'that's Dent!', you've captured it that well. All the very best, Regards, Karl 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
67A Posted July 9, 2017 Author Share Posted July 9, 2017 Mike, I've just spent the last 2 weeks going through every page of this amazing layout. The standard you have achieved is some thing most of us can only dream about, well done, it is truly fantastic! I have particularly enjoyed the descriptions of the work you have completed, the banter and the photos taken. It is one of those layouts that portrays a real life location that is very easily recognisable, my brother in law said straight away 'that's Dent!', you've captured it that well. All the very best, Regards, Karl Hi Karl, Many thanks for the uplifting comments just when I needed them! While you were trawling through 167 pages I have just about completed my mega-maintenance program, your post was very timely and gave me a boost so many thanks. I hope you continue to enjoy the journey. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
67A Posted July 9, 2017 Author Share Posted July 9, 2017 Hi all, Hopefully this will be the final update without any trains running! So far I have cleaned all the track by hand with Isopropanol and following this mammoth undertaking my thoughts were along the lines (no pun intended) of 'never again' and therefore my decision is most definitely never again. I made some enquiries regarding a mechanical means and having tried various options and found all of them so far to be pretty useless I was directed to the CMX unit from the USA. Needless to say I tried the usual UK options without success so had to order direct and the photo below shows it in action. My version of the Network Rail weedkiller! Now remember I have just about done myself in cleaning the track and low and behold its still dirty, but I have to say it certainly works and works very well, probably one of my better purchases it must be said. Its pretty expensive at $175 (£135) and in addition to the cost there is Import Duty of £37.00 to add - which I was oblivious to - AAAARRRRGGGHHH!!!! The whole of this week while I was off work was taken up with cleaning all the rolling stock wheels and re-setting all back-to-back's to 14.5mm, you really don't want to know how many there are because if you do you may all think I'm as mad a Jeff (KL2) the DAS king! Still the mundane make men of us, that's what I tell myself. To finish here are some shots of the current situation... I'll throw a couple of archive shots in to make up the numbers! Brush Type 4 D1929 on a southbound cross-country working Haymarket allocated Type 5 Deltic D9004 "Queens Own Highlander" just pulling out of the north end of York with a Kings Cross-Newcastle working That's it for now guys. 9 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew P Posted July 9, 2017 Share Posted July 9, 2017 Hi Mike, I've given a LIKE for the above post, even though there is a Picture of a Deltic included, hahhah Where the heck did you put all the Stock whilst cleaning the Storage Yard mate? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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