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Secrets out! Great that NYMR has had an alternative income during the pandemic - two film productions. This one and a Tom Cruise movie. Dave

A German 9F!

I reckon Santa Claus can go on holiday this year.

Came across this by accident when hunting for bridge guard rail information. Basic stuff, but the explanation of how switches and crossings work is excellent. Useful for those starting in track building. Lots of very interesting stuff on U-tube Network Rail. Did not find what I wanted. Looking for design / picture of running rail and guard rail laid on longitudinal timbers with transoms / tie rods gauging the width. To be used on a bridge design. Any help would be appreciated. Dave

I'm currently working on yet another bridge. The plan is to create a bridge based on the marvelous Findorn Viaduct (as below), which is a lattice truss deck bridge. It will be converted to double track, and I'm hoping to use many of the components from a CVMW double track Parker truss bridge. Quite a task , so lots of kit bashing and extra bits of styrene will be needed. I'm still undecided about the track. The existing rails are laid on standard ballasted sleepers with internal guard rails. I would like the option of using longitunal sleepers as below But the bridge would need the guard rails as well. I have hunted high and low for a design / picture of running rails and guard rails laid on longitudinal timbers with the transoms / tie bars gauging the width. Any help with this would be appreciated. I seem to remember seeing this formation on an exhibtion layout but was that based on a prototype design? Dave

Thanks for the update. I'm not on facebook. Would appreciate a copy and paste here if that is OK with you.

Enjoy the ride. Luckily, the NYMR is near by. Wonderful scenery when out walking but need to get back on board, especially after seeing the Pullman dining car. It's been too long. Dave

It might help if Markits were to improve their web site so that there is an easier ordering prodedure. The catalogue is out of date but time to update that would be taken away from the manufacturing. Prices are really not fully known until an enquiry is made and having to call for ordering and payment is time consuming for both customer and supplier. I heard that 1000's of wheels have been produced lately so they are very busy. When I do call and get through it is always a friendly and interesting discussion.

Strange! These are not shown as in stock on the TMC web site but clearly they have landed?

And another alternative that I have used (carefully) in a Proxxon TBM 220 drill to extend slots. https://www.shop-apt.co.uk/micro-diameter-end-mills-2-flute-altins-coated-ultra-fine-grain-carbide-60hrc.html Perhaps this could be used in a pin vice to open out holes?, but better to mount in a drill stand so it is kept straight (even if turned by hand). Dave

Rather expensive (£22 each), but with these ultra thin flat and round files it might be just the job. A 'long term' investment. https://www.metalclay.co.uk/ultra-thin-file-medium-fine-flat/#/ https://www.metalclay.co.uk/ultra-thin-file-medium-fine-round/#/

I guess my layout is much the same (built into the room - double decker / heavy / free standing but 2mm from the walls all around). Not planning to move but if I do then, model railway for sale, complete with house!

I believe the Tyne Dock conversion will also need the tender changing / converting to a BR1B type

Nice bridge. Hope they leave it alone!

I am going to call the RSPCT

Tony Perhaps not on your original list of criteria, but an additional achievement has been to share your layout with others (visitors and U-tube), giving plenty of inspiration and enjoyment. Thanks

Martin Found the BOX files on old laptop and copied to new. Yes, they were C10 so will have to get back into Templot and then get the glue out! Dave

Thanks Martin It's all coming back to me now. I had a go at Templot for this quite a while ago. And they were much longer turnouts to keep the minimum radius to 30". Sadly when I changed over from my sloooooowwww computer to a new one I cannot find the files I produced. Fortunately I did print out the design as can be seen on the photos. This was my first attempt and I knew that I would need to accurately get the layout interface positions and approach angles corrected before sitting this design in between them. I guess I will need to make my own pointwork. Perhaps the Missenden track making course will come in handy after all. I'm quite sure there may well be other parts of the layout where are can use Wayne's kits Thanks for your help. Dave

Hello Martin I'm planning to make crossovers on much tighter curves than Bob (in OO-SF). A straight double track and a straight single track joining and transitioning into three tracks onto sweeping radii of 34", 31.75" and 28.75". Hopefully I will also be able to curve Wayne's kits sufficiently? Dave

Dare I say that many younger recruits (and some older), might well be modelling the late steam / transitional period but with DCC and especially much improved chip and speaker technology for sound, then conversion of older kit built models might be a barrier. Perhaps it is time for the kit manufacturers to move (adjust) their design so that DCC / sound / lighting is an option from the start.

8/20 I'm feeling quite depressed. Guess many are 'work in progress' and after working for ICI and DuPont then accidents (thus far), have been few (safety drilled into us). Would like to add No.21 = Weathering of a loco or rolling stock based on a prototype photograph - then 9/21 (Mick B would approve).

Thanks so much for taking the time to send info and photos. I will check the lubrication of the 9Fs of course, as recently purchased 'used'. Smooth runners thus far and I do not see a major issue with the Bachmann design as long as the clearances between axle and slot are well designed, and the lubrication is adequate. One would think a round shaft in cylindical bearings would be better. It will make the manufacturing tolerances and possible maintenance (if ever needed) easier to achieve, however there is also point loading with this type of arrangement, just the same as the Bachmann slot. It is a shame that reviews can be put out there with little in the way of engineering 'know-how'. There were plenty of comments after that said review which praised the Bachmann 9Fs. It is good to get more reassurance re the Bachmann before I invest a fair bit of time with the conversion and detailing + crew and weathering of course. Cheers Dave

Just about to do Tyne Dock conversions to a couple of 9F Bachmann models, including double to single chimney. They aready have the BR1B tenders. I have the comet models valve assemblies and and some copper wire to beef up under the cab (firemans side), which I believe is a little undersized. A kind gentleman via RMWeb let me have the Dave Alexander kits for the Westinghouse pump conversion. Would be interested to know what else is worth correcting or detailing if I am going to make a proper job of them. I always read reports about how well they run. I guess the 10 drivers does help traction but as the drive mechanism does not include bearings on the axles I would be surprised if they had a long running life? Dave

Looking for 4 kits to make up the full compliment of 9 (already have 5 kits). Would like to complete the kits even though KR models have an RTR model coming out. More fun building the kit version. Dave

Heard the news yesterday and feel so sad that one of the 'good guys' has been taken from us far too early. His humour, coupled with patience and tutoring skills in the art of weathering will have touched so many. We are all more confident at weathering those pristine models, but even more so we are better for knowing him. My first event at Missenden was for a week at one of the Summer retreats. I spent the whole week under the guidance of Mick and step by step he set me on the road to the different aspects of weathering. I have to say I felt rather nervous beforehand but was soon put at ease by him and have not looked back since. A few more Missenden visits later and a couple more courses from Mick, Tim and Stuart on weathering and tree making changed my whole perspective on the art and fun of railway modelling. I owe Mick so much but then he would help anyone out at any time. A true gentleman and I will miss him. Dave