well filled baps The Sheep Chronicles : These are the adventures of a Sheep, the Works Forecat and Naughty George,

[keefr2]

10 hours ago, NHY 581 said:

I think it lifts the model, just a smidge.  

 

 

A smidge? Mighty big smidge in my eyes! Cracking weathering again, really nice work!

 

Keith

[NHY 581]

Thank you all for your kind words, 'likes' etc..

 

Spurred on by the improvement in appearance, I decided to revisit the uex L&NER Toad, also by Hornby and also having a ' dropping out if the screws are tinkered with floor'.........

 

 

 

Same approach taken, here's the results.....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rob. 

 

Edited April 4, 2022 by NHY 581

[Dunsignalling]

10 hours ago, woodenhead said:

Proof you actually can make a silk purse from a pigs ear.

Actually, Rob used the all-new Hornby LMS brake, not the 40-year-old ex-Airfix one, and it's a pretty decent model to begin with.

 

He's just breathed life into it in his inimitable style. Anybody else notice he's getting even better at it?

 

John

Edited December 5, 2021 by Dunsignalling

[Tim Dubya]

I've been having a game of spot the tension lock, took me a while to actually see it!

 

You're good you are

[NHY 581]

On 05/12/2021 at 10:52, Tim Dubya said:

I've been having a game of spot the tension lock, took me a while to actually see it!

 

You're good you are

 

 

Ta. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited April 4, 2022 by NHY 581

[NHY 581]

Morning all, 

 

My apologies for a quiet time as of late.

 

Despite joining the ranks of the retired a little under two weeks ago, I haven't stopped! 

 

It's not a full retirement, simply the end of one job. A couple of months off then I'll look for a little something to keep me occupied. 

 

In the meantime, I have dabbled with project x. It's all about Kadees and DCC as of late. Enlightening would be one way of describing it. 

 

Hopefully a bit of perhaps more meaningful updates will follow in due course.........

 

I thank you. 

 

Rob. 

[Oldddudders]

Congratulations on stepping away from that particular role, Rob. You let slip a while back some of the unconscionably long hours you were putting in, and that is simply not sustainable forever if health is not to suffer. I hope a rest and a less demanding role in future leave you more time for what you enjoy most. 

Edited December 12, 2021 by Oldddudders

[NHY 581]

2 minutes ago, Oldddudders said:

Congratulations on stepping away from that particular role, Rob. You let slip a while back some of the unconscionably long hours you were putting in, and that is simply not sustainable forever if health is not to suffer. I hope a rest and a less demanding role in future leave you more time for what you enjoy most. 

 

 

Thanks OD. Those hours and that period in general contributed towards my decision. A few other things came together at the same time along with a particulary trying day and my mind was set. They had an additional 18 months out of me. 

 

When I'm ready, a little something without weekend working will do me. 

 

Recharge the rather empty batteries first. 

[Captain Kernow]

That's the thing about retirement, you're never without things to do. There are people around who's role it is to ensure that you are fully occupied!

 

[NHY 581]

1 minute ago, Captain Kernow said:

That's the thing about retirement, you're never without things to do. There are people around who's role it is to ensure that you are fully occupied!

 

 

Morning CK. 

 

Not wrong there. Not withstanding the time of year, there's plenty going on....apparently. 

 

All good though. Even managed a glass of port the other morning. 

 

Rob. 

[Captain Kernow]

1 minute ago, NHY 581 said:

Even managed a glass of port the other morning

How very civilised!

 

[NHY 581]

9 minutes ago, NHY 581 said:

 

Morning CK. 

 

Not wrong there. Not withstanding the time of year, there's plenty going on....apparently. 

 

All good though. Even managed a glass of port the other morning. 

 

Rob. 

 

7 minutes ago, Captain Kernow said:

How very civilised!

 

 

 

Quite. Not sure what the other people waiting to see the Doctor thought but I was happy. 

 

R

[Gilbert]

13 minutes ago, NHY 581 said:

 

 

 

Quite. Not sure what the other people waiting to see the Doctor thought but I was happy. 

 

R

Good old NHS Wales - you obviously opted for the "club lounge" waiting area...

[DonB]

You got to SEE a doctor !! You must have friends in high places. Here we can only get a telephone consultation if we ring immediately after 8.00am

And wait in the "queue", and then appointments are only for that day. 

Due to the "plague" I am waiting for a hospital follow-up appointment but there's a 14 week waiting list for non-Covid cases.

 

Welcome to the retirement brigade, The difference for me has been that I have plenty to do, but age-induced slowing means that things take a little longer so that I am convinced that I am busier than I ever was, as the "to do jobs" pile up. 

[MrWolf]

I can understand your decision to make the change Rob, there's nothing like feeling as though you're pulling the cart all by yourself to make up your mind.

I'm a good way off retirement age yet, if they ever let us (The memsahib is convinced that her generation will have to give employers notice before dying.) After my father retired, he maintained that he was so busy he didn't know how he ever found time to go to work.

Best of luck with whatever you decide to do next. 

 

KBO.

[JustinDean]

Similar to Rob I’m a very long way off this; about 20 years. To be honest I’m not sure if retirement will be an option for me by then!

 

I hope you get to do all things you’re hoping to with your new found freedom mate. Obviously subject to ‘jobs’ provided by those around you. 
 

Jay

[Stubby47]

I got 'retired' last month, but with about 6 months pay. Still some years off my pension, I have managed to find some model railway-related 'work' for a local company, so keep looking around Rob, you never know what's around the next corner.

[Guest]

Rob, congratulations on your semi retirement, I was lucky enough to retire 11years ago and can honestly say it’s the best job I have ever had. However you may find that life is so busy you will wonder how you ever had the time to go to work!

Stay well and enjoy the freedom

 

Best regards

 

John

[NHY 581]

Hi John, 

 

Indeed. I haven't stopped. 

 

However, I have managed to carry out a few tests regarding the Kadees and have now installed the magnets on Project X and added couplings to a selection of wagons and locos. Still learning and it's very much a work in progress. 

 

My plan ( there's that word once again) is simply once I'm happy with the operation of them, I will pick up on actually progressing the scenic side of the layout. 

 

I'm also adapting to DCC and in particular, managing 'momentum' in respect of loco settings which is an interesting concept for the newby..........especially on a small layout..............

Edited December 12, 2021 by NHY 581

[PMP]

4 hours ago, NHY 581 said:

. 

 

I'm also adapting to DCC and in particular, managing 'momentum' in respect of loco settings which is an interesting concept for the newby..........especially on a small layout..............

That’s why a circle or simple over of set track of 3rd radius is helpful. You can see how far they run and adjust momentum to suit. I’ve come across some DCC settings on tuning the motor response where the loco sets off at full speed, decelerating to a full stop.  On rollers or a circle this works fine, on a shelf layout, not so much. Don’t ask.

[Oldddudders]

6 hours ago, PMP said:

 I’ve come across some DCC settings on tuning the motor response where the loco sets off at full speed, decelerating to a full stop.  On rollers or a circle this works fine, on a shelf layout, not so much. Don’t ask.

Ouch! I hope it wasn't expensive.

[NHY 581]

Morning all, 

 

Thanks, Paul. Yes. Agreed. Some of these locos are pretty heavy. Add in the effect of the flywheels and off they jolly well  go.....Even the Hornby 08s are hefty chaps but I think I've got there now. 

It was a bit tricky to get them to stop where you wanted them to initially but I think I've got it pretty much sorted now. As an aside, the Hornby 08 will be the sole examples of the type. I will move on the Bachmann examples I have.  I simply prefer the Hornby jobs. They run very well and, as discussed before, have a finer appearance about them. 

 

I spent a quiet hour simply playing trains yesterday evening and it was very satisfying. The remote uncoupling worked well after all the trials and tribulations involved in setting it up for the first time. 

 

Repeated 'testing' should confirm this to be the case. 

 

I've certainly  come to the conclusion that presently,  I am more comfortable with their use on diesel locomotives that I am with them on steam locomotives. Purely from an aesthetic point of view. To that end, I may well add them to a J15 and see how I get along with that. 

 

However, I am now looking to start  adding some colour to the layout and begin the process of bringing it all to life.........

 

I mean, it's not as if it's first appearance at an exhibition is a little over four months away is it...........

 

Rob. 

[NHY 581]

Evening all, 

 

By way of an update, Project X  now has a name and henceforth will be known as.........

 

EWE. 

 

 

 

 

 

Letters acquired, layout nameboard to follow. 

 

Rob. 

 

 

Edited April 4, 2022 by NHY 581

[Graham T]

Project U, surely?  

[JustinDean]

Isle of Ewe

 

For that special beast in your life.