Vonzack

Hi JB, Ah, if you only ordered a few weeks ago, that would explain things. I would imagine Rails stock of these coaches would have sold out, so they were probably in the process of ordering more from Dapol. Here are some pics, as requested. Cheers, Mark.

Hi jivebunny, These have actually been with suppliers since mid December. Cheers, Mark.

Hi Adgariglio, Ooops, that's someone else's video, but your post made me think about it so I put the link on for you. You should be able to contact Winward through his YouTube channel. Cheers, Mark.

Excellent work!

Hi, As I also have an interest in US Outline, here's something for over the pond, a QTTX 66' 4 Truck flatcar. It's designed to use Micro Trains 2 * 1023 couplers and 4 * 1036 Barber Roller Bearing trucks. Cheers, Mark.

Hi, This may not be a solution for you, but I've seen other people have a trouble trying to drive an LCD display from the same Arduino that they are using to decode/encode the DCC Packets. It's down to the timing frequencies required by the libraries. To combat this, I've seen two Arduino's used, one to decode/encode and one to handle the display. This YouTube video may be of help - Hope it helps. Cheers, Mark.

No Swallow logo's on the door glass for my IC Swallow Buffet, First and Second coaches. Same for everybody else?

Hi, To add to Roundhouse's comments: For Loco hauled Mk3's - short on both ends, can be pulled OK on 12" but not pushed as you get buffer lock, short on one end and long on the other seem to work OK. For HST Mk3's - short on both ends works OK, whether pulled or pushed. Using Short couplings on both ends can be tricky to couple as the coach ends meet before the couplings click home, so you have to lift the bogie on one coach. Small price to pay for such close coupling though. Cheers, Mark.

Hi, Just a quick update as there's been a fair bit of progress with the scenic work. Cable Ducts When we were looking at the detail we wanted to incorporate in the model we decided that we would like to model accurate (or as near as) trackside detail. So, AWS Ramps, TPWS Grids, Signals, Cabinets, Signs, Point Motors and Cable Ducting. When we first looked at the ducting, we were going to install styrene strip which would have been been scored so that it looked like the usual sectional duct. This would have given us the detail we wanted, but it would have looked too uniform and would have lacked the natural variation that you see in the 'real world'. So we decided that rather than use a scored strip, we would chop the strips into 6.5mm lengths and then lay these individually. Once the strips are down, we would then paint them with a concrete colour and do a wash of black to pick out the sections. For those out there who may be wondering how many 6.5 mm lengths go into 27', its around 1,300 Strips being placed, just using PVA to secure them to the board and a few shots of them in place. Retaining Wall More good progress has been made with the retaining wall, this time we added a large run of completed arches to one of the boards. This only really leaves us with around 7-8 feet left to do. This is only the base of the wall though and there will be a brick built parapet running the whole length too. But it's fantastic to see it coming along. End Loops The End Loops of the layout are progressing quite nicely at the moment and one of them has had a little more scenic work done on it. We are using it as a kind of test bed and have applied some static grass to it. Although the overall affect is quite good, you can still see through to the board surface, so to describe it, it looks rather like a farmers field would look as the crop is growing and it's still quit young. So I think the approach we will adopt is to cover the board with scatter, place any small bushes and then go over with a light covering of static grass. Scenic Modules / Buildings Just a few shots of each module (left to right) and a few shots of the Signal Box and Large Business Unit. Cheers, Mark.

Hi Darren, Something like this? - http://ukrailwaypics.smugmug.com/UKRailRollingstock/J-/JXA-bogie-scrap-carriers/i-nkqxR6H/A Cheers, Mark.

Hi Lee, I put the IIA-D aside to finish off the KFA and FEAs. I still need to have a re-think about how to produce this. At the moment, I think the best way forward is to produce the chassis and upper body using laser sintering, as printing in FUD would be very expensive. It would mean that the wagon would need some work to get a nice smooth surface, but the shape of the wagon should help with any sanding. I'd then FUD print the brake system and lifting gear. I'm working on the TF25 bogies at the moment, which I think this wagon uses from the pics I've seen, so it's still on my horizon. Cheers, Mark.

Hi Ben, Yes, that's the document I've worked from to get the overall dimensions and Martyn's excellent pictures for the closer detail's. I think I've got 3D Printed bogies cracked now as long as I use the Laser Sintering process. The material is flexible and hard wearing enough to accommodate axles without any 'top hat' bearings. They will lack some detail as the current printing processes are just unable to do it, but the CAD models are detailed, so who knows one of these days we might get everything. The TF25 bogies are also used on the IOA-E which I've modelled, so another reason to do them. I hadn't realised Dapol still had designs on doing them. I pre-ordered some from a shop a while back, but cancelled the order when the product codes were verified and they turned out to be the 'OO' versions. Oh well, at least I'll have some in a few months. Cheers, Mark.

Hi, I've just spent a few hours roughing out the overall shape of an MJA. Mainly just the dimensions and side ribbing of the wagon at the moment but here it is. All pictures I've seen of these have them running in twin-sets, as far as I can tell. Does anybody know if that's the case? Cheers, Mark.

Hi Guys, There are a fair few KFA's and FEA-F's on their way to people at the moment, so I thought I'd do a quick post detailing the mods required for the Dapol NEM Pocket couplings. The NEM Pockets come in 2 basic parts, there is the outer which attaches to the chassis of a wagon or a bogie and an inner, which clips into the outer and allows the coupling to move from side to side. The coupling would then clip into the inner. Outer Pocket Modification Although the inner of the pocket allows the coupling to swing from side to side, the width of the outer pocket limits this movement somewhat. For short wheel based wagons or for stock where this pocket is attached to a bogie, the width of the pocket is fine. However, the KFA and FEA's with a chassis mounted coupling, end up having quite an overhang from the bogie and this means the coupling must move a greater distance, it can't and the stock is just pulled from the rails. Dapol in effect provided a solution for this with their FEA-B, if you compare it's outer pocket with that of the replacement kit, you can see that its a good bit wider and this allows the coupling to move that little bit further and keeps everything running nicely. With a small modification the outer pocket from the replacement kit can be made to do the same. I've sketched out a standard (left) and modified (right) outer pocket from the replacement kit. You can see that the outer has some walls and these effectively stop the inner pocket from moving too far. If these walls are filed away carefully, so that the lower surface is flat and matches the upper surface you will find that the inner pocket can now move freely from side to side. The modification effectively doubles the lateral movement of the coupling and the results are as good as, if not better than the Dapol FEA-B's coupling pocket. Inner Pocket Modification (if required) The inner pocket has two 'whiskers' which stick out either side of the moulding and these keep the coupling in a central position. In running tests I found that even though these exert little force, there is still enough to drag the empty wagon from the rails as these models weigh so little. To stop the couplings moving back to centre, simply remove the 'whiskers'. The inner pocket on the left is unmodified, the one on the right has been modified. If you are planning to add containers to these models, then this modification may not be required as the containers themselves (Dapol / Bachmann) add a significant amount of weight or they can be weighted further. I hope this info helps, if there's anything you need to ask or if I've not been clear, please either PM me or use the forum. Cheers, Mark.

Hi Guys, I had the opportunity to do a bit more track testing with the models today at our club meeting. The KFAs, FEA-B and some KTAs going through their paces on Heworth Sidings. Also a few shots of the underside of the wagons, the KFA and FEAs have a void in the spine where brass bar can be inserted if they need weighing down. Cheers, Mark.

Hi Guys, It's been quite a while since I had any updates to share, but I've finally sorted out the niggles with the models and they are now running reliably. Here's some video of 2 KFA's and an FEA-F (used for RHTT trains) negotiating an R2 curve on my test track. The KFA uses Y25 bogies (N Gauge Society or ATM), the FEA-F uses my printed bogies (FEA-B/E/F/S) and both require 5.1mm wheels from Parkside. Along with these wagons the FEA-B and FEA-E/S are also ready. Cheers, Mark.

The advantage of a Winter scene would be that we wouldn't have to take much stock to exhibitions, as most services would have been cancelled ;-) Definitely, aiming for Spring / Summer with the scenery though, watch this space.

Hi, We've had a few working sessions on the run up to Christmas and we have been making good progress on the scenics. The Plaster bandage which we have used to form the basic terrain has been covered with a layer of textured artex. This is simple enough to brush on and when dry leaves a nice surface to paint with base colours. The Bridge continues to make headway. We have been discussing various options over the last week or so, such as resin casting parts of the structure. If we choose to use this technique, then we will be able to use the moulds to re-produce repetitive items like the brick piers, which we are currently building individually. The Catenary is coming along and 15 out of the 20 2 track portals have now been completed. Once the final 5 are done, attention can turn to the remaining 3 track portals which require register arms fitting. But most importantly, we found time to have a little run on the layout before the year ended, so here's a little video showing the movements. The last two sections of the video are taken with a train cam and are trips around the layout. Hope you all have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Cheers, Mark.

Hi, When we started considering buildings for the layout, it was decided as a group that we would like to have them scratch built. Initially we hadn't decided what materials we were going to use for the construction other than that the core of the buildings were going to be constructed from 2mm card. Our decisions was to be whether we would clad the card core in printed brick paper, or textured plasticard. To aid our decision process we produced a sample building which was half and half. Here is the half covered in printed paper Here is the half covered in textured plasticard Each method had its relative merits and once appropriately finished and weathered there wouldn't be much to choose between them. However, the decision taken was to use plasticard, as we felt this would produce buildings that would probably age better, as the plasticard would make them a little more robust. Signal Box The signal box, as we envisage it, controls the pointwork for the passing loops and the entrance to the on-scene sidings. We have still to decide whether this box will be occupied or abandoned due to centralisation of the signalling, but it will be replaceable on the layout, so it will be possible to provide both, depending on the era we wish to run. The current version is very much a working box and is based on that found in Mill Lane Junction, at the entrance to Bradford Interchange in West Yorkshire. Industrial Units We intend to have a group of industry buildings with a shared yard which will be just to the right of the centre board. Our plan is to have two main units, one large which is assumed to be the main production area and one smaller which would probably be used for storage or as an assembly / shipping area. These units have also been based on some commercial units close to New Pudsey Station in Leeds, with rough dimensions being calculated from Google Earth. Cheers, Mark.

Hi, With had our last club meeting of the year at the weekend, so it was a good time for everybody to get together and make some headway on the layout. Bridge Excellent progress is being made with the Bridge and things are really taking shape now. Brick cladding has been added to most of the main structure and the piers are looking fantastic. Buildings We also have a few industrial units and a signal box being constructed. The basic structure of the buildings is being built in thick card, then the building is being clad in textured plasticard to add relief. You can see the signal box in this picture and I will post an update with the industrial units in a few days. Catenary As we are modelling an electrified line we are making use of N Brass Loco's excellent Mk1 Catenary etched brass kits. On the main scenic boards, we are using the 3 track portals and on the end loops we are using the 2 track portals. As the 3 track portals have already been built, I volunteered to put the 2 track versions together. I haven't done much if anything with brass before, so for me this ended up being a bit of a steep learning curve. Forming the legs and the main gantry was quite easy, but I found that with the legs being so small, it was hard to get an accurate bend around the former and more often than not a little attention was needed to square things. To assemble the kits I decided to solder them together. This was relatively simple, but I found I had been using way to much solder to start off with, but once I started to be more sparing with the solder (and flux) the results got better and I had to do less filing and cleaning up. When the portals are together though, they seem to be quite sturdy, which will be good for us as we intend them to be lifted off the layout when it's being stored. To make them removable, we have designed some 3d printed bases which accept the portal legs and also a 3mm dia. x 1mm high magnet in the base. When a washer is glued to the baseboard this provides an accurate and stable fixing, without having to have any pins etc. It also looks like the portal is fitted to a concrete base. With the Portals together, the next job was to fit the Register Arms and Cable Supports. This is quite a time consuming and fiddly job. The arms come in two pieces which have to be soldered together, then you need to add the insulators. On average it's taking around 2 hours to fit the arms to 3 portals and there are another 14 to do The result is rewarding though as they look pretty good when done. Just need to paint them now. Cheers, Mark.

I think the ones Kernow are selling are the incorrect liveried Intercity Executive mk3's that are discussed earlier in this thread, the product numbers are different.

Hi Guys, Looks like Hattons and I guess other suppliers have got some Intercity Swallow Loco Hauled Mk3s in, priced at £19. 2P-005-221 - 1st Class #11065 2P-005-222 - 1st Class #11073 2P-005-231 - 2nd Class #12004 2P-005-232 - 2nd Class #12019 2P-005-233 - 2nd Class #12037 Cheers, Mark.

Hi, Just had an email from Hattons, January 2014 for the Blue Grey and Swallow buffets. Cheers, Mark.

Hi, A little more progress has been done on the Bridge now, putting together some of the main buttresses with capping stones. Cheers, Mark.

Hi, Just a quick update as we had a group meeting and managed to progress a little work on the layout. On Scene / Off Scene Bridge and Retaining Wall There has been quite a allot of work done on the bridge which will provide the on scene / off scene access for the layout. The Bridge / Retaining Wall are being scratch built by one of our group, who is using various materials, such as plasticard, brick sheet and even some 3d printed items. As can be seen from the images below, the main Bridge structure is already in place and the finer detailing is well under way. The lower half of the Retaining Wall is being produced (there will be nearly 4 metres of this eventually) and there is a real mix of materials here with hand cut brick sheet, laser cut plasticard arches, 3d printed arch supports and brick sheet clad plasticard columns. View under the Bridge to the Off Scene sidings Above the bridge looking onto what will be the disused track bed Close up of the bridge construction Close up of the Retaining Wall Wall and Bridge in the distance Sketchup of the Retaining Wall Catenary Having agreed the height of the Catenary (36mm or a scale 18'), we've set about shortening each portal so that they aren't too high. We are also wanting the flexibility to be able to run the layout with or without the catenary in place and maybe in the future having the option to run a mix of mk1 / mk3 or just mk3 catenary. To make this possible, we have designed some bases for the portal legs to fit into which can accept a 3mm round magnet. We can then fit a small piece of metal or a washer at the sides of the track bed where the portals will stand and without affecting the pull of the magnets we should be able to put a thin covering of ballast over these. So we should end up with a completely hidden mounting point for our catenary. This is a pic of one of our 3 track portals and also a shot of the top and bottom of the bases Cheers, Mark.