jcarta

Paul Below is a picture of the two gears 37/47/55 on the left and 31 on the right. After cleaning them up the gear is totally different and the shaft is slightly smaller on Class 31 which I think the picture captures this, so give Howes a call and order some spares up.

Paul The cluster gears are very slightly different but I will try and place a 37/47/55 gear into the other bogie and give it a run and I will then update you. If it works I will be calling David again.

On a happier note, two new characters have arrived in the area, I just wonder where Rodney & Trigger are?

Guess what........ Had to contact Howes to see if they had any cluster gears in stock as the Class 31 has been into the workshop as this has suffered from the dreaded split gear syndrome, mind you it was only on No1 bogie end. One was totally split as the second one has started to split so I just changed the pair of them. I think I best order another set just in case, although these are quite similar to the 37/47/55.

Paul I have two first generation Class 33's and one Class 26 and they suffered from split gears early in there lives so I replaced them and now they are great workhorses. I've just received an email from David @ Ultrascale to say that the cluster gears have been dispatched so next week I think I am going to be very busy as I have six loco's to sort out. Hopefully that should be all the early Heljan loco's sorted.

Morning Hal I have just made the leap and converted all my early loco's with Ultrascale gears as I was always replacing the cluster gears every couple of years, 4 per loco so it's not a cheap option. I did order up the smaller gears but I have never had a failure with the Heljan ones 🤞. I do believe Ultrascale will still continue to make these gears into the future but this is the statement on their website. Future Gear set and Conversion pack availability "It is with much regret that I have to inform you that as of the 31st December 2023 Gear Services (Letchworth) Ltd will no longer be taking orders for gears, other than the ones shown on the web site, after the above date. This includes other items, such as conversion packs that use brass gears in their construction. However, other products, such as Eco. conversions, Disc diesel wheels, wagon and coach wheels etc. will still be available."

Please don't think you have given any misinformation you can only go on what you have been told at the time.... I personally just hope they will go on delivering the great service that they do. When I booked my order 9 days ago the website stated 7 months delivery time, hence why I thought. I just do all my loco's as I am so fed up with the Heljan failure rate of their gears on their earlier models... I do feel so sorry for all the companies that have had their rent go through the roof but it is a sign of the times, I am just so pleased that they can keep my loco's operational.. Big thanks to Ultrascale for all you do for us modellers.... 😄

afternoon all i ordered up some Heljan gear’s from Ultrascale only last week and they have already sent an email to say that my order is now complete. I know that they are going to stop doing some gears at the end of 2023 (something I read on the website) but they are still delivering gears for my fleet. I hope this helps.

Friday and yesterday was spent installing magnetic couplings to the stock which was quite fun and then sorting out the corridor connections so they didn't interfere when the stock was traversing the points and causing a derailment. I am impressed with the couplings so I have placed another order so the stock can be converted over the next few months. Apologies I can't get the picture to turn correctly but this is the front of the loco with the magnetic coupling. As the train approaches the both couplings will rise and connect Both couplings rose and ready for coupling so hopefully no more faffing about with 3 link couplings etc.

Over the past year I have been converting a Dapol Class 08 and it finishing up as a Class 13 master & slave shunter. The kit was provided by Protoneo and I had to get a colleague to make up an additional side tool box as one of the shunters never had one. These are both motorised so in order to get the speeds correct we had to place it on Ray's railway as it has a continuous loop, here it is working up the bank.

Just after Christmas I placed a bid on an auction site and travelled up to York to pick them up so I became the proud owner of these little beauties, only to hear that Peter Cowling whom originally built these had past away a few weeks later. These are a set of 8 that will run as two sets of 4 as my railway stations can't accept a train of 8 😢

Haven't posted anything on RMWeb for sooooo long, it's about time I start to play catch up with what is happening with my life and the railway. In December 2022 it was 'er indoors' special birthday so she was treated to a 3 day trip to London to celebrate. Jane was not aware of the trip so it came as a surprise for her. One of the days were spent on the Belmond Pullman, a trip from London Victoria via Margate, Dover & Tonbridge and back to Victoria. Here are a few pictures of the day starting with the birthday girl. (IMG 2582) Arriving at London Victoria (IMG 2537) Our coach for the day, Audrey (IMG 2566) Interior of coach Audrey (IMG 2546) Our table for the trip (IMG 2549) (IMG 2550) We were hauled 67007 which was a nice touch..... (IMG 2578) (IMG 2577)

That has come out rather well and it covers up the join in the back scene 👍

David The more I look at this picture the more I am convinced that the Class 20's are propelling the brake van towards the junction. I take it that is the signal box in the distance and is at the same location as today (looking on google maps). The signal is clear for the main and it looks like the train is on the furthest track or is the train working on the wrong road or has the picture been uploaded back to front, I'm just intrigued.

Ray How about leaving the lower part as an embankment and around about the station area this will then turn into a wall right up until the bridge at the far end?

If I remember correctly the Class 37 motor is located over the middle and rear wheels of each bogie and the Class 31 is located over the centre wheels thus giving the Class 31 more movement.

What a great looking loco, hopefully we will see more of it hauling 10 coaches around your wonderful layout.

My Dad, probably about 1978 or so jumped down from the cab of his lorry.... He had grabbed hold of the roof where the rain gutter was and his wedding ring on his finger attached itself to the gutter and his weight as he jumped down ripped his finger / hand apart.... luckily his finger was saved....

I just think that his website has a few gremlins at this moment as some of the pages will allow you to see items. If you still have issues here are some contact details 020 8464 0696 or 07941 934907

Looks very nice....... Is that the new CCTV for the level crossing hiding behind the loco?

I'm Definitely behind you on this.... This will give you more scope as well as some great modelling. Watching this with more than usual interest.. Good Luck Paul

Evening Ray Now that looks the bee's knee. lovely and tidy as well as nicely hidden...... Maybe I should stop coming around for the pair of us to discuss the best way forward on how to hide all the electrics... Nah.... I certainly don't think that's the best way forward 😄

Ray I think these look perfect now that they are sunken into the boards...... easier to cover up with the scenery.

Great picture especially with the young lad wheeling his Raleigh Chopper bike along the platform.

That looks great, even better when the cinders are added 👍