dantimmy

Anyone know if Dapol plan to re-release these models as everywhere is sold out? Many thanks

I'm not too keen on that livery anyway. I already have an airfix 48xx (14xx), which requires new lettering after its had the mainly trains detail pack added

Hi, After returning to the hobby for a very long time I have decided to make a start on that layout that has been knocking around my head for years. Since returning I have been browsing layouts online and in magazines, learning all about 'the prototype' (as initially my ideas had more resemblance to a train set) and generally finding out many fantastic things about this massive hobby. In fact I do wonder what I have let myself in for, but its too late, I've been bitten by the model railway bug. My layout will be based on the GWR in the 1930's as I like the look of the period and thanks to my Grandads stories from his time as a GWR fireman, it just had to be this company. Initially I wanted a large mainline station (who doesn't) but lack of space will see that wont happen, well not till I get a nice large house or win the lottery. So its going to be a branch line and in an attempt to avoid the infamous BLT mine will be a through station based loosely on Litchfield on the DN&SR. The above picture shows the current plan, although inverted from the Litchfield track plan, please feel free to comment. This is going to be my first proper layout and any help will be welcome Currently I am collecting pieces for the layout and have constructed the platforms, shed and cattle dock and also making interiors for the signal box and station. Dan

On the model they are NEM couplings

I always leave this blog as the last thing I read in this case "saving the best till last"... pure understatement. Well done

Fantastic, I remember seeing Tim Ventons 'Clutton' on youtube and he talks about the lighting in a similar way

I agree, this fantastic model deserves a good home

I purposely didn't glue, solder etc because i'm not sure if i like these couplings, the look a bit 2D for my liking, this is more of a intelligence/ experience gathering exercise before I commit myself and growing fleet of stock to them. Rowsley17D, buffalo & Jon020 I'm hoping to purchase these other manufacturers couplings and see which is the most realistic & reasonably priced as they will only be 'cosmetic' details and wont be required to couple the loco's and stock together Thanks everyone for your comments Dan

As part of an effort to improve the look of 5029 Nunney Castle of the 'Legends' range I purchased some cosmetic screw couplings from shirescenes. These are not as easy and straight forward as I had anticipated, and resulted in one failed attempt. What do you get? x3 frets with enough components to make x6 couplings, bare in mind that these are purely cosmetic and will not work. In addition you also get a rather vague instruction that I felt hindered more than it helped. I wont bore you with how I managed to destroy a coupling by following the instructions but here is a step-by-step photo of construction Firstly you can see how brittle they can be if you bend the wrong way The next items along are what you get from removing the components from the fret, the bottom piece will need to be folded to make the coupling, I did this by bending the screw part on each side in opposite directions, usually dictated by the detail that differs from each facing, this forms a complete coupling, which just needs to be attached to the hook. (see pic below) Once it is all attached, the coupling can be attached to the hook, like so; Notice I haven't fixed them permanently together yet.... in-case this is the wrong way! Now temporarily fixed upon 5029 Hopefully it is to some benefit to someone out there and I hope to try romford or markits to see the difference

Have started to detail 5029, etched plates went on this morning (first time i've done anything like that), hit a few snags but looking ok. New steam pipes, 'cosmetic' screw couplings and fire irons are due in the post. And I have a nice sack of real welsh coal to add to the tender. That leaves; lamp, lamp irons, a crew and the cap detail to be painted. Have I missed anything?

Just found this while pottering about on the net, looking at collieries in N. Somerset http://www.halsgrove.com/proddetail.php?prod=9780857040909 Great stories Mikkel, I really enjoy reading them. Dan

you have just highlighted one of my headaches. I am trying to base my future layout around 1934-1937 (give or take) this makes it hard to find RTR models in the correct livery Having said that, it is not completely impossible to re-raint

your thinking along the same lines as me. After these pictures were taken the couplings were removed and I plan to add; lamp irons, a crew, cosmetic screw couplings, etched plates, fire irons and realistic coal for starters

Due to the lack of information available on this range of models which include: GWR Castle class, 4073 Nunney Castle BR 9F, 92220 Evening Star LNER A1, 4472 Flying Scotsman LNER A4, 4468 Mallard Have I missed any? These are all DCC ready and appear to be of the railroad range. Nunney Castle comes with a Limited Edition certificate, information booklet, decoder sleeve and locomotive with tender. This houses the motor and DCC decoder (when installed) Sprung buffers Not the greatest level of detail. I don't like this clear plastic job Molded coal, although there may be room to add more realistic looking coal Although its not the greatest detailed Castle out there I wanted a Nunney castle and now get to detail her a bit more. Comments etc welcome Dan

I can guarantee it will only be for personal use cheers

I hope everyone had a great Christmas. I have to say a massive thank you to everyone that has contributed to this thread, especially the stationmaster. I personally think the book would be a great idea ;-) I'll try to upload a more detailed diagram of the layout soon. Stationmaster is it OK for me to copy and paste everything into a single word document so i have a hard copy in the highly probable case that my internet decides not to work

I have been thinking about that, got to wait until next week (when i'm home) to see if i can make any changes

Updated. I think I will properly use a ground disc to control the exit from the sidings.

thanks beast, i do wonder where my head is sometimes lol Anyway I have just spent the morning reviewing certain aspects and it would seem I have (if I do some demolition) the room to introduce a headshunt, which as said earlier can act as the trap

I look forward to your next topic

In regards to my layout I can have a 'siding' signal to allow traffic to leave the sidings and enter the main line. And the lines that branch off in the sidings will be controlled by ground discs??

thanks for all you help everyone, will re-read this later when I get home and make the nessicary changes etc. Dantimmy

I think I am starting to get this now. The non shaded area is the area I will be working on with a future stretch on clear line up to a halt, with a junction after that. If I wanted the up goods traffic to shunt into/ out of the yard is this correct? Can you have three on a post like this? I haven't included the ground discs because I'll wait for your piece on them (save you typing it out twice) and for (e) would I need a stop to allow traffic to move from the goods shed/sidings to the main running line? Regards Dantimmy

No problem mate, hope everything gets sorted soon

Thats what I was thinking. So why do the GWR use additional signals and what are the reasons behind ground discs and their use? dantimmy