RMweb Premium JDW Posted June 16, 2016 RMweb Premium Share Posted June 16, 2016 Only just come across this, and some very nice modelling going on. In answer to your last question, personally I'm not a fan of a scenic fiddle yard, I always think it defeats the object, but I can see where you're going with it, and it could be a nice little model in its own right - almost using the main layout as a fiddle yard for when you want to just operate the yard. That said, as someone who always has way more stock than will fit, from a purely practical point of view I'd go for the extension around the corner! Going back to your comments on your Lima 47 though, it sounds like it might be as simple as dirty pick ups and/or a poor connection. I find most of my Lima stock runs as well on DCC as on DC, and most runs fine, within the capabilities of the motor, so long as the pickups are clean, not just the wheels. Make sure the wheel backs are clean, and dismantle the bodies and clean the pick ups and axles too, to ensure a good contact throughout, it'll probably cure the problem, or at least get it responding properly again. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparxD428 Posted June 17, 2016 Author Share Posted June 17, 2016 Got me thinking, This is how the fiddle would look scenic. Just a few details to set the scene. Mess room, maybe big lighting gantry and urban backdrop. " cesscot yard " ! The dotted line is a possible right angle extension , but it would mean a 19 inch radius Curve era ing the fiddle in one of the bottom two sidings - I think it would look strange ! And I'm not sure what extra it brings. What does anyone think ? Is it worth making the fiddle scenic as I'm loosing a lot of real estate at present. Bachmann also have an ideal mess room on the market at present .image.jpeg Hi Rob, Got a feeling you posted this on my thread by accident, just in case you have been shouting at your computer wondering where your post went !! Would be happy to have you and 31415 over at some point soon. Once the layout is in almost "completed" state in the next few months I will hold a running night for fellow RM Webbers to run the first proper services, as you can probably tell from the pics I'm a bit short of stock for a full western region commuter night so will be pleased to invite you along. Cheers, Stu. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparxD428 Posted June 17, 2016 Author Share Posted June 17, 2016 looks great but you need stuff like bubble cars and class 104 conversions. Possibly have 2 bubble cars with a 117 trailer in between, have seen that. Other than that, taking shape really well Hi Matthew, I agree, I am a bit short of stock and have concentrated my spending on getting the materials to get it complete although occassionally get sidetracked with the odd purchase. I do have an old Lima 117 DMU which I am thinking of hard wiring DCC but despite my weathering efforts about 25 years ago it may need a bit more TLC before its acceptable. I have run the centre car and trailer DMS being pushed by the DPU occassionally so have that option in the short term. I would very much like a new Bachmann 117 when its released and a 121 when I can find one. And a 31, few 47s, more 50s, HSTs..... In regard to 104s if I remember a few came later in the 1980s when they were used on the Goblin so might not be likely to appear on my layout but I may stand corrected as my knowledge of DMU's is almost postage stamp material. Cheers, Stu. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparxD428 Posted June 17, 2016 Author Share Posted June 17, 2016 Only just come across this, and some very nice modelling going on. In answer to your last question, personally I'm not a fan of a scenic fiddle yard, I always think it defeats the object, but I can see where you're going with it, and it could be a nice little model in its own right - almost using the main layout as a fiddle yard for when you want to just operate the yard. That said, as someone who always has way more stock than will fit, from a purely practical point of view I'd go for the extension around the corner! Going back to your comments on your Lima 47 though, it sounds like it might be as simple as dirty pick ups and/or a poor connection. I find most of my Lima stock runs as well on DCC as on DC, and most runs fine, within the capabilities of the motor, so long as the pickups are clean, not just the wheels. Make sure the wheel backs are clean, and dismantle the bodies and clean the pick ups and axles too, to ensure a good contact throughout, it'll probably cure the problem, or at least get it responding properly again. Thanks JDW. I agree regarding the Lima 47. I remember that I stripped it out a while back after I purchased it second hand for a full clean, grease and gear sprue trim etc. when it was on my old DC layout but for some reason thought it was done much more recently than I did, so it probably just needs the same TLC to make it a little smoother, although it does run OK once a happy constant speed can be found. Cheers, Stu. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparxD428 Posted June 20, 2016 Author Share Posted June 20, 2016 More work this weekend on the embankment and with yet more ballast infill in light grey, trying to break down the overly brown appearance. Also started project 117. A full service on the Lima DMBS and had it running beautifully on a DC test track. Fitted a DCC Gaugemaster chip and after a bit of research and tweaking of CV's have it running pretty well under DCC on the layout. Also tweaked the settings for the Lima 47 and now this is running much much better on DCC so will be retaining its services. Started repainting the BR Blue on the DMU trailer and centre car as well to improve the appearance after the dreadful weathering of my youth some 25+ years ago. It will be reappearing as set L419. Hope now to detail it and might even have a go at flushglazing, as this weekend I did my first flush glaze kit fitting on a Lima BSK and it has improved the appearance no end, so with a renumber and weathering on that as well will be useable on the layout. So coach numerals and set numbers are on the shopping list. Having a night off though to watch England v Slovakia Will try and get some pics of further work later in the week. Cheers Stu. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
deltic9014 Posted June 20, 2016 Share Posted June 20, 2016 Taking a night off toy trains to watch the football Tsk tsk tsk... Keep up the good work Stu, it looks and sounds great. P.S. 'Go on England!!!' Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob D2 Posted June 21, 2016 Share Posted June 21, 2016 Hi Rob, Got a feeling you posted this on my thread by accident, just in case you have been shouting at your computer wondering where your post went !! Would be happy to have you and 31415 over at some point soon. Once the layout is in almost "completed" state in the next few months I will hold a running night for fellow RM Webbers to run the first proper services, as you can probably tell from the pics I'm a bit short of stock for a full western region commuter night so will be pleased to invite you along. Cheers, Stu. Sorry stu, was using the little Apple not the full size one ! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparxD428 Posted June 26, 2016 Author Share Posted June 26, 2016 Another busy weekend on the layout has resulted in a little more progress. Some light grey infill ballast has been put round the curve and needs completing and weathering now that the 4 foot weathering has been completed on all of the scenic section. Last weekend I continued constructing the embankment and this is looking a little better now. Still have to finish off the retaining walls but getting there. However, most of this week and weekend has been spent working on the Lima 117 DMU now that it is running under DCC and performing OK for such an ancient machine. So, things I have done on the Lima DMU so far:- Repainted all the BR Blue Repainted the Yellow Ends. Flush glazed the cab windows by using plastic clear packing used on Peco points, and cut to (almost) perfect size by several trial and error attempts Used plasticard to reshape the headcode boxes to more realistic size and mix paint to colour roof grey. Painted the seating blue in the DMBS and TCL Made a "READING" indicator blind for the DMBS Painted most of the door handles/rails silver until I ran out of silver paint Painted the exhausts on the DMBS silver Put a couple of passengers in the DMBS (although I cant really see them..) Numbered the fronts "419" and put electriification flashes in windscreen Weathered the DMBS underframe a little. Added BR arrows and numbered DMBS-51356 , DMS-51398. TL remains with the Lima W59508 number Things I still need to do to the DMU:- Cut off the couplings at the fronts Fit proper size Oleo buffers and beam detail Make up and fit Windscreen wipers to screens Paint the seating in the DMS and tidy up the DCC wiring Fit another indicator blind in the DMS probably also showing Reading as destination. Add a driver in one or each cab Flush glaze the sides of each car. Add an "L" prefix to set numbers And possibly remotor it in the future and do the DMBS/DMS conversion but I think thats enough for now though I probably missed off a few things. So after such a list a few pictures to lighten the mood.. Cheers, Stu. L419 arriving at Acton Green with 51356 leading 50011 on parcels whilst 33004 / 50004 idle Work on the embankment / ballasting progress around the curve viewed from various angles And finally some more pics of L419 8 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob D2 Posted June 27, 2016 Share Posted June 27, 2016 I could feel the anticipation of standing on the platform ! Good work. I think when Bachmann get their 117 out I may do a model for it ! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
croydon junction Posted June 27, 2016 Share Posted June 27, 2016 Yeah, I've been interested in 117's for a while and having looked around the internet, apparently the lima model is inaccurate and once you change 1 part the rest looks wrong. If I was to make a 117, I would chop up some 121's as they are meant to be similar. Other than that, great model and hope it turns out alright! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
class"66" Posted June 28, 2016 Share Posted June 28, 2016 More super photos here Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob D2 Posted June 28, 2016 Share Posted June 28, 2016 Yeah, I've been interested in 117's for a while and having looked around the internet, apparently the lima model is inaccurate and once you change 1 part the rest looks wrong. If I was to make a 117, I would chop up some 121's as they are meant to be similar. Other than that, great model and hope it turns out alright! Where would you get the bubbles ? Not many limby ones around now - I'd just wait for the Bachmann one. I have fond memories of traveling on these - the rhymic vibration, the pause whilst the gear changes, the efficient underseat heating and the comfy springy seats......almost makes me sleepy. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
croydon junction Posted June 28, 2016 Share Posted June 28, 2016 Hornby does 121's, and on that point, there are pics on the internet of a 117 trailer sandwiched between 2 121's Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
deltic9014 Posted June 28, 2016 Share Posted June 28, 2016 Class 117 looks good Stu, the only thing I would suggest is that the large tension lock couplers look a bit unsightly. Are you considering replacing them? I've seen people use wire loops which improve the appearance no end. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob D2 Posted June 28, 2016 Share Posted June 28, 2016 Hornby does 121's, and on that point, there are pics on the internet of a 117 trailer sandwiched between 2 121's Yeah, I know. But I think he wants the 117 not some strange lash up of bubbles and trailers. All sorts of strange sh..stuff, was cobbled together just before the turbos took over Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
spiket4 Posted June 30, 2016 Share Posted June 30, 2016 There was many strange lash ups involving 117s and 121 Dmus in the 80s and 90s regards Mark Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparxD428 Posted August 14, 2016 Author Share Posted August 14, 2016 Been a little while but managed to get some time on the layout this weekend for the first time in ages. A complete track clean done yesterday followed by a little construction on the remaining retaining walls today has dusted off the cobwebs. Have a week off coming up soon so hopefully will have a few more hours to continue. Took a couple of pics as normal. 50031 rounds the curve where the final retaining wall and scenic break is under construction DMU on an up stopper with DPU on the fueller Down fast vac powered runs through Hope to update more and catch up with other posts soon. Cheers, Stu. 9 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparxD428 Posted August 26, 2016 Author Share Posted August 26, 2016 I have been busy recently with some scratchbuilding of buildings for the town/road backscene as well as ideas of how to fill the space using perspective to hide the roads vanishing points. I have also completed the retaining walls now and just need to finish the 2nd scenic break bridge. I was in the middle of sculpting polystyrene for the embankment between retaining walls when this arrived... After an early derailment on the inside line (Down Main) across the lift section I was a little concerned only to remember I clouted in to it earlier in the day and dislodged the locking bolt !! Duly rectified and she runs fine on the inner line which to be honest is where she will spend most of her time running round. I need to tweak the DCC settings for slower speed as this is the first item I have ever ordered DCC fitted, so need to reprogram settings although with the second decoder in the dummy will check all current settings before messing around and killing the trailing lights. In total I have a 5 car set as 7 will probably be too much for this size layout and at present the new Mk3's are mix of Eastern & Western so will be duly renumbered long in the future. I also have some more platform and street lights to paint and plant before wiring. Unfortunately back to work next week and away for most of September due to work so making the most of the time now. A couple more pics Retaining walls done in this image now just need to finish sculpting and creating the embankment Cheers, Stu. 8 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparxD428 Posted August 27, 2016 Author Share Posted August 27, 2016 Much more modelling today including painting and planting the rest of the station lights as well as a few more signs. Completed the embankment section mostly, just dotting a few bits of foliage and lichen around. Currently constructing the wall for the scenic break inner as well as the bridge itself. And planted the 2 remaining 4 aspect signals. I have opted not to add feathers to the relevant ones for the time being anyway. Took a few more pics of some late trains running tonight 50011 on a short parcels on the down relief about to exit the scene Side view of the new retaining wall and embankment with No.11 passing And view of rear of train showing the 2 new Up signals in place 33004 on a short trip freight on the up relief gets held at the signal check If I have time tomorrow I may try and complete the bridge section or wire up the station and yard lights. Cheers Stu. 7 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
vulcan product fan Posted August 27, 2016 Share Posted August 27, 2016 The new HST looks ace and the work on the scenics are coming along nice great photos of the 50 and 33 mate . Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ess1uk Posted August 27, 2016 Share Posted August 27, 2016 Looking great. Liking the HST Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparxD428 Posted September 1, 2016 Author Share Posted September 1, 2016 Continued working on some buildings recently and they are coming along slowly. For now, they will do to help start filling the void that was the street scene. The flats have now been weathered and also i created some printed inserts for the balconies using brickwork pattern and simply just MS-Paint. Just a few snagging jobs on those and they will be complete. I downloaded a Kingsway free shop kit as a test and built it backed on card and mount board. I shunted 2 together and anglicised it a little to create a run of flats and shops with flats above, and added some pipe to represent drainpipes. Again snagging work needed but they are filling the background. I need also to create a small panel for flat door buzzers for them. Finally I purchased a Metcalfe Cinema kit and am very taken by it, though in 1980s style I fear that the Regal would have closed and a load of snooker tables would be inside, hence it is Acton Snooker Club. Took a few pics, not great but at least progress can be seen. Cheers, Stu The flats now looking more grubby With passing HST.. View over the road bridge And the Snooker club 7 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
vulcan product fan Posted September 3, 2016 Share Posted September 3, 2016 super detailing mate like the look of the flats Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob D2 Posted September 4, 2016 Share Posted September 4, 2016 Those flats look great, really add to the scene ! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold fishytrains Posted September 4, 2016 RMweb Gold Share Posted September 4, 2016 Just found this thread and had an enjoyable time reading my way through it. I really like the work you have done and will be following this from now on. Mike 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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