67A Posted February 21, 2017 Author Share Posted February 21, 2017 No excuses for all the likes Mike. Especially when you get right in there with the camera, it really brings the layout to life. Also the variety of trains is a real treat, the patriot on the fish empties was a winner. How are you getting on with the goal post couplings on those down grade helix's? I tried something similar but was loosing the stock at one end of the layout. Regards Shaun. Hi Shaun, Long time no hear! Thanks for all the likes but its much nicer to get a chat. I've not had any problem with the goalpost couplings on the helix's but found when reversing into a siding it worked best if I placed a wagon with an older large style tension lock coupling next to the loco this allows the wider bar to rub along the goalpost as it moves from side to side. I set the height by placing an 8.5mm spacer directly below the cross-bar as I was fixing it in place, this works great on most stock but not on many of the Dapol stock due to the built-in sag that is so apparent on this manufacturers products whilst still brand new in the box, I find Dapol items almost impossible to shunt so tend to run them in rakes and hope for the best! How's the weather on your side of the pond? 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AireValley1962 Posted February 22, 2017 Share Posted February 22, 2017 Sorry for jumping in, but as regards the sag in Dapol couplings, I found it was fairly easy to unscrew them from the wagon body and then reinstall and glue them in place with no sag and then add the screw for added security. They won't wiggle from side to side, but there will be no sag. Just my tuppence. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
77philg Posted February 22, 2017 Share Posted February 22, 2017 Hi mike just out of curiosity ,do you use dust covers when the layout is not in use? Phil Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
67A Posted February 22, 2017 Author Share Posted February 22, 2017 Sorry for jumping in, but as regards the sag in Dapol couplings, I found it was fairly easy to unscrew them from the wagon body and then reinstall and glue them in place with no sag and then add the screw for added security. They won't wiggle from side to side, but there will be no sag. Just my tuppence. Thanks William but sadly my spirals are bit too tight for the small couplings without 'wiggle' room, good info for others though. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
67A Posted February 22, 2017 Author Share Posted February 22, 2017 Hi mike just out of curiosity ,do you use dust covers when the layout is not in use? Phil No Phil I'm too house proud to allow dust to settle hahaha . Around 4 month intervals I remove all the stock and using my compressor I blow over the layout to dislodge dust, I then clean the track and vacuum the scenic trackbed, spirals, fiddleyard and any other areas which won't get damaged or the scenic's disappear up the pipe. Also most rakes of stock run with a 'dust monkey' attached to an axle which keeps the track dust down. I've not really had much trouble to date due to this planned maintenance - boy scout and all that eh! If you ever see a complete change of stock on Dent then I've been a busy boy and at the moment a lot of the removed stock goes in for further detailing such as detailed weathering or fitting loads and such. I do get misled very easily as I always thought railway modelling was a hobby, I find its more like another job at times! 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
77philg Posted February 22, 2017 Share Posted February 22, 2017 No Phil I'm too house proud to allow dust to settle hahaha . Around 4 month intervals I remove all the stock and using my compressor I blow over the layout to dislodge dust, I then clean the track and vacuum the scenic trackbed, spirals, fiddleyard and any other areas which won't get damaged or the scenic's disappear up the pipe. Also most rakes of stock run with a 'dust monkey' attached to an axle which keeps the track dust down. I've not really had much trouble to date due to this planned maintenance - boy scout and all that eh! If you ever see a complete change of stock on Dent then I've been a busy boy and at the moment a lot of the removed stock goes in for further detailing such as detailed weathering or fitting loads and such. I do get misled very easily as I always thought railway modelling was a hobby, I find its more like another job at times! Curiosity again mike ,Do you get volunteers to assist with cleaning or is it a one mug sorry man operation? And with couplings have you tried kaydees? just curious how they would perform on your curves phil 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
67A Posted February 23, 2017 Author Share Posted February 23, 2017 Curiosity again mike ,Do you get volunteers to assist with cleaning or is it a one mug sorry man operation? And with couplings have you tried kaydees? just curious how they would perform on your curves phil Mainly one mug operation Phil as I tend to do this work at the weekend when I don't have running sessions. I have tried Kaydee's and still use them on my pick up goods selection but found problems again over variable heights and drooping on many items does not inspire confidence, they performed poorly on both my TCE & Waverley set and I have now fitted both these trains with the fixed bar system which works really well. I get very frustrated over the coupling issues in this country, my friend John operates American outline as his preference (told him many times to seek help) and all the various manufacturers rolling stock come fitted with the Kaydee style coupling and consistency in design alleviates the UK issues, I have a box with an assortment of spare couplings and its pretty mind boggling the variations, I'll post a picture later to illustrate the point, why our manufacturers can't standardise is beyond comprehension to me. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
77philg Posted February 23, 2017 Share Posted February 23, 2017 (edited) Hi mike with Bachmann not having a standard height to the other manufactures on their earlier models and fitting that stepped coupling as a compromise not very professional . Coaching stock im going to fit the close couplings ive seen . But I use Kaydees for shunting and on most of my stock . I use the kaydee height gauge,when fitting them. As for the cleaning mug surely you could con another mug to assist phil Edited February 23, 2017 by 77philg 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
67A Posted February 23, 2017 Author Share Posted February 23, 2017 Hi mike with Bachmann not having a standard height to the other manufactures on their earlier models and fitting that stepped coupling as a compromise not very professional . Coaching stock im going to fit the close couplings ive seen . But I use Kaydees for shunting and on most of my stock . I use the kaydee height gauge,when fitting them. As for the cleaning mug surely you could con another mug to assist phil I have so much stock with indifferent fittings the whole issue really 'gets my gander up' as the chap on Fawlty Towers would say. There is not much scope for shunting on Dent so I just have a selection for the pick-up goods which of course can be changed at will. I think it was around Xmas when I said I was going to invent a decent coupling system following the purchase of some new rolling stock where the matching of couplings was verging on the ridiculous, Polly (Southern 42) registered an interest immediately - problem is I don't have any ideas yet On the cleaning front don't get me wrong, if I'm in the middle of cleaning the track my mate John who comes around Wednesday and Friday nights willingly lends a hand but I do tend to do it at a weekend. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
77philg Posted February 23, 2017 Share Posted February 23, 2017 I have so much stock with indifferent fittings the whole issue really 'gets my gander up' as the chap on Fawlty Towers would say. There is not much scope for shunting on Dent so I just have a selection for the pick-up goods which of course can be changed at will. I think it was around Xmas when I said I was going to invent a decent coupling system following the purchase of some new rolling stock where the matching of couplings was verging on the ridiculous, Polly (Southern 42) registered an interest immediately - problem is I don't have any ideas yet On the cleaning front don't get me wrong, if I'm in the middle of cleaning the track my mate John who comes around Wednesday and Friday nights willingly lends a hand but I do tend to do it at a weekend. So mike occasionally Its a two mug oops man job? I agree on the coupling issue, what with drooping nem pockets on the newer stock too and nem pockets falling off. The cost of changing all that stock ,the coupling system would have to be spot on phil Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Sasquatch Posted February 23, 2017 RMweb Premium Share Posted February 23, 2017 Hi Mike. The weather has been harsh, I've got a lot of chain saw work to carry out. As regards the Dapol slop. Try removing the screw and gently filing the screw mount down flush with the coupling surface or if you want them stiffer, just shy of it. Regards Shaun Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold PeterBB Posted February 23, 2017 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 23, 2017 (edited) Mike (Dent) "I said I was going to invent a decent coupling system following the purchase of some new rolling stock where the matching of couplings was verging on the ridiculous, ... problem is I don't have any ideas yet" I can see why you had a response so soon but your end quote should get a 'funny' and reminds me of 'politicians' and the 'marbles in the mouth joke' i.e. take one out at a time and when you have lost all your marbles ... Edited February 23, 2017 by PeterBB 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
67A Posted February 23, 2017 Author Share Posted February 23, 2017 Hi all, Firstly, following on from the coupling discussions here is a shot of my collection just to show the total chaos the British outline manufacturers force upon us poor modellers, each division contains a variation of types e.g. long - short - cranked - straight - wide - fixed etc etc. Now as requested here is a batch of photos from my wagon loads... Coiled wire reels - DUHA product Steel plate - unsure of maker Heavy steel sections - DUHA product Steel girders - Original Mainline Steel pipes - Unsure possibly DUHA Steel pipe with flanges - DUHA Flange detail Steel pipe - Handmade from drinking straws Heavy 'I' section steel more tomorrow or Saturday, ask if you want any further info. 15 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Barry O Posted February 24, 2017 RMweb Premium Share Posted February 24, 2017 Mike, my coaching stock is being fitted with KDs but at floor height using number 5 couplings as the NEM coupling boxes are so variable. At the ends of the rakes (and on my locos, vans and wagons ) I fit DGs which have a height gauge (provided for club members by Mike Edge) to get them the correct height. On some of the Herculaneum Dock track these have to round tight Dock curves and work OK although there is sometimes a need to fit a wider coupling moving bar. If you need any more RTR couplings I have bags of them as the wagons and van stock modified for Carlisle is all 3 link/instanter fitted. Baz Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
67A Posted February 24, 2017 Author Share Posted February 24, 2017 Mike, my coaching stock is being fitted with KDs but at floor height using number 5 couplings as the NEM coupling boxes are so variable. At the ends of the rakes (and on my locos, vans and wagons ) I fit DGs which have a height gauge (provided for club members by Mike Edge) to get them the correct height. On some of the Herculaneum Dock track these have to round tight Dock curves and work OK although there is sometimes a need to fit a wider coupling moving bar. If you need any more RTR couplings I have bags of them as the wagons and van stock modified for Carlisle is all 3 link/instanter fitted. Baz Hi Baz, My my, you really are a glutton for punishment - 3 link and instanter plus assembly of all those DG's and No.5 Kaydee's, it all makes the Dapol droop acceptable, ermmmm maybe not! if I need any RTR options I'll know who to call, many thanks. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Anotheran Posted February 24, 2017 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 24, 2017 Mike, Really like the loads. The flanged pipes and girders are particularly good but my favourites, which you may not want to hear after you spent the money on the others, is the load of drinking straw steel tubes. I think they're excellent. Kind regards, Neil Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
67A Posted February 25, 2017 Author Share Posted February 25, 2017 Mike, Really like the loads. The flanged pipes and girders are particularly good but my favourites, which you may not want to hear after you spent the money on the others, is the load of drinking straw steel tubes. I think they're excellent. Kind regards, Neil Typical ! :jester: Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sp1 Posted February 25, 2017 Share Posted February 25, 2017 Nice pics. Now where did I put those drinking straws..... :-) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
67A Posted February 25, 2017 Author Share Posted February 25, 2017 (edited) Hi guys, here's the second instalment of the wagon loads series haha. This one slipped in last time, its another DUHA offering I think but unsure of its type, some sort of packed block materials. This is an aluminium slab, well actually its a vertical blind weight! It does the job though. These mechanical digger components are from Langley Models, I made the retaining framework and applied Langley chains, to finish the job the chains need a little weathering. These are Base Toys cable drums suitably attached with acrylics and fitted with retaining frame and Langley chains. White metal propeller kit from GEM I think with similar retaining system. Ten Commandments sacks, this needs packing out somewhat. Next up is this mixed goods fitted freight hauled by Britannia 70043 'Earl Haig' Planed timber loads partially covered with tarpaulin and secured with heavy cotton thread. That's it for now. Edit: Just moved the first photo from the bottom to the top, this one does not want to be in the right place - technology eh! Edited February 25, 2017 by mike61680 11 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
67A Posted February 25, 2017 Author Share Posted February 25, 2017 Mayhem in above post, its not in that order as I read it on here so hopefully you can work it all out cos' I give up 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
67A Posted February 26, 2017 Author Share Posted February 26, 2017 Wagon loads part 3... A couple of Ten Commandments (TC) products Scrap and and more coils; TC I think. More scrap! TC timber with tarpaulin Engine & Machinery from Langley I think TC logs More scrap Packing case Iron ore, some foam rubber in bottom of wagon with suitable filling secured with dilute PVA more yet to come... 9 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
67A Posted February 26, 2017 Author Share Posted February 26, 2017 Weekend update with a nocturnal theme... EE Type 4 D210 'Empress of Britain' hurries north with fish empties The interior detail in the box' shows up well in this view The station building illuminates the fish trains passing The Station Master's house must be hosting a party! I have not got around to that 'little' job yet - but I will BR Sulzer Type 2 D5211 trundles through with an iron ore train for the steelworks at Ravenscraig Cont/... 11 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
67A Posted February 26, 2017 Author Share Posted February 26, 2017 Ex: LMS 3F 43474 is again heading north this time with a coke train, the station lights casting a welcome light especially as dusk sets at Dent, the real Dent that is! BRC&W Type 2 D5331 in BR Blue livery is on CM&EE duties with a ballast spoil train, the first view also shows up the detail around the box well hope you like! 11 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Sasquatch Posted February 26, 2017 RMweb Premium Share Posted February 26, 2017 Looking good Mike. Strange request ... can you please post a picture of the traction engine/steam roller that's parked up next to the station building. Regards Shaun. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
67A Posted February 26, 2017 Author Share Posted February 26, 2017 Looking good Mike. Strange request ... can you please post a picture of the traction engine/steam roller that's parked up next to the station building. Regards Shaun. Will do Shaun, its only an Oxford Diecast or similar from memory. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now