tender

Seems a shame that Kernow are producing the Seaton allocated Gate Stock coaches and no pull push fitted O2 to push/pull them.

Did the Green Thumper (without yellow V) ever appear as a 3H unit? I'm no expert in this field, maybe someone more knowledgeable can advise.

That's interesting, will come in useful when I get around to the building proper (from the card mock-up).

That drawing looks familiar, Will be watching this develop from the other side of the estuary.

Hi George, Andy, Must admit, not much happened to the layout over Easter. Been side tracked into building a Chassis for Polly's 43xx. It's had the old Bachmann split chassis so not a easy DCC conversion. I've had the Comet chassis bits lying around for a few months so thought I'd better get on with it. Anyway, back to the Trawler, it's an Artitec kit (Dutch I think), It wasn't cheap, but is a very well moulded resin kit with a lot of detailed brass etch parts. I think we picked it up from Langley Models. No doubt by the time I finish it you will have built one together with a layout to put it on. Ray.

Bachmann wagons without NEM sockets are a doodle. Remove the existing coupling, drill a 2mm hole in the root of a Kadee #19, screw it on to the wagon. Job done. All the ones I've done to date are at the correct height as measured by the kadee height gauge. You can cut the NEM prongs off the Kadee if desired, and the redundant outside locating lugs on the wagon.

Back to coupling, one of the cheapest options I've seen is to retain the standard Hornby / Bachmann tension locks but remove one hook from each piece of rolling stock. 'Tufts' of g***s are then placed in the centre of the track where uncoupling is required. Reversing over this in the right direction lifts the hook to uncouple. It's very effective if you can put up with the sight of tension locks. Ray.

You don't have to convince me Andy, I'm already hooked. Like you say 'a MODEL COUPLING THAT WORKS' I've yet to see another type that is as reliable (and robust).

I did think of that but they always ended up in strange places, like half way along the platform. I forgot to fit some on 'Camel Quay' so I'm going to have to retrofit some neodymium magnets as shown herehttp://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/60560-pwllheli-next-stop/page-2 post #44

There's a bit of (rather poor quality) video here http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/51879-avago-the-old-sidings/ post #9 Showing 'delayed action' shunting (only one magnet before the point ladder), the loco pushes the wagon back into the siding after uncoupling without recouping.

You only need to change the stuff that you want to uncouple. I.e the coupling on a loco/tender and the first and last end couplings on a rake of coaches. If the coaches are to remain as a set you can leave the originals in place or fit fixed close couplings. Same applies to goods, just fit where you want to split up the wagons, but I'd have them on both ends of a brake van. You can of course replace them all but it can get expensive. Think carefully where you want to uncouple, then you can use under track magnets before laying the track, the between track magnets are not very nice to look at and totally un prototypical. Ray.

Not done much to the layout recently, but did manage to pick up this nice little trawler kit. With a bit of work I'm hoping to convert it to a small coaster (as pictured in an earlier post #87) for the transportation of China Clay from the quarries that will arrive at the quay in covered wagons behind a Beattie Well Tank.

Hi Martin. Watching this with interest. I bought one of the servo brackets last year when I joined the MERG group but not got around to putting it together yet. Your pictures will be a great help. What are you using to control the servos? Something from the MERG range I guess.

Hi Dave. I have tried the Carrs Range, but i think it may have been the Nickel Silver product and applied with a cotton bud. You say you dunk it in, is that like the whole thing in one go? Presumably you have a far quantity to do this. How long do you leave it?

I wonder what's new about it (the chassis), it looks the same as the one in 'Guild Hall' released a few years ago (DCC fitted, 8pin). Edit to avoid confusion - (the chassis)

Hi Dave, How do you do the chemical blackening? I've had several attempts at this using different formulations but none have been particularly successful. Ray.

Hi Jim. Don't want to worry you but when laying click- loc flooring you usually lay in a brick fashion to avoid the long horizontal joint you seem to have going across the shed. Could be a weak point that might fail with time. Also don't forget to leave an expansion gap around the edges.

Hi Keith. I think (although I may be wrong) Olivias Trains were supplying the sound for the Thumper, It's listed on their website as a Loksound V4 DEMU Class 205 http://www.oliviastrains.com/pages/71/0/DCC_CHIP_AND_SOUND___MAIN Could save you the wait.

Hi Andy, going back to the ballast, have you come across the Geosenics (of Warrington) range? It's made from natural rock so shouldn't need any painting/colouring (apart from a bit of weathering). They do a good range and there's a nice reddy/ brown that might just suit. Mix and match is also an option.

Plan A gets my vote for the same reasons. Brings this layout to mind, one of my favourites at Preston recently. Even has the tunnel, and lots of GRASS......... Regards from Pollyfilla

Doh, still asleep.

Sorry for not noticing that, I was half asleep at the time of my post. But I still feel there is too much contrast between the sleepers and the ballast. Emac's pictures show quite a low contrast between the two even though there is a far bit of colour variation. Do you intend painting the ballast as well? Ray.

Option A gets my vote, will you paint the sleepers before ballasting on the real thing? Ray.

Interesting use of foamboard Andy, do you do this with your 00 and 0 gauge layouts too? I'll try and watch this one from start to finish and pick up some of your trade secrets. Ray.

Popped into B&Q this morning on the way to work and it's all gone. With summer coming I don't think they will be getting any more soon. I think Wickes stock it as well. Just as well I bought enough for Camel Quay when they had it.