figworthy

Not sure what type my controller is, but it is the very basic Bachman that they supply with the Train Sets. The track it was running on was hand built C&L, and it failed within a few minutes of being taken out of the box. The replacement has probably done over an hour now, and so far it has been OK. I run stuff under DCC, so I only use a basic controller for testing locos (and newly laid track) before converting to DCC. Adrian

We've had several good evenings in the Red Lion, opposite the old brewery. Adrian

My first one went back with a failed motor, that was within half an hour of it coming out of the box. The replacement has probably had 1.5 hours of trundling backwards and forwards over a short test track, with no signs of problems as yet. It is still on DC, at some point I will get it chipped. Adrian

Have you tried : http://www.steamdaysmag.co.uk/view_issue.asp?ID=5533 ? Adrian

Dad set off to work one morning in his SIII. About 5 minutes later the phone rang, could I tow him to work as he had snapped his gear lever off at the top of the ball. Once he was at work (fortunately I was on afternoons that week), I got sent down to the local surplus dealers for a "new" gear lever. It hadn't occurred to us before that they were handed, but once fitted, it turned out to be for a left hand drive landie, so the stick was one notch to the left of where it should have been. Made getting into reverse a bit of a stretch. Adrian

That was my initial reaction, but ... Looking at them, there is something just behind the front door, which could be the fuel filler. On my IIA, the fuel filler was just next to the drivers door. I'm not sure if the left hand drive versions had the filler on the left. However, my recollection is the the military versions didn't have external fillers, but you filled the tank directly (by removing the seat). The civilian version had a tank under the drivers seat, the military version had two tanks, one under the drivers seat, one under the corresponding seat on the other side. The other thing (and it could be a trick of the photo), is that the galvanised bits look rather shiny. Are they bumperettes on the back, or is it a painted up rear cross member. I would have thought that shiny bits were not a good idea on a military vehicle. Adrian

That one was sent off Monday tea time, the replacement arrived mid-afternoon today, so fair dos to Hatton's on getting the replacement out. A quick look suggests that it has survived the journey OK, but it will be Friday before I've got time to get it on some track and see what happens. Adrian

I had a 266210 arrive on Saturday, and that also had a loose filler cap (which I caught before it disappeared for good). More troublesome though was the front motor usually ran when it was reversing, but only intermittently when going forward. So it is now winging its way back to Liverpool. It'll be interesting to see how the replacement runs. Adrian

Rising sea levels ? Adrian

Progress ! I've now got the track laid for the connection to the fiddle yard, and I've got the first stage of the baseboard for the Figworthy side built. Whilst I should be able to reach all parts of the baseboard, it is easier to lay the track for the outer loop before I install the remainder of the baseboard. This afternoon I started to layout the Templot templates. These are currently lined up to a close finish, but they need a little bit more work before they are glued down. Coming in at the bottom can be seen the outside loop as it curves around from the fiddle yard connection (which is under the camera) and the hinged flap. Adrian

The ex-GWR Bala - Festiniog route between Transfyrwyd and the point at which it starts the drop down to Bala. The engineering as it clings to the hill side always amazes me when I go past. Sadly it closed far to early for me to have had the opportunity to travel along it. Adrian

The Dearne Valley line I think.

Typically a wiring loom for one or two point motors, so a pair of wires to drive the motor, a pair to provide power for the frog, and a pair to show which way the point is set, all held together in spiral wrap. I've now started to put a blob of super glue on when I first apply them, so far they seem to be holding. What I'm not looking forward to is regluing the ones under the fiddle yard, which is only accessible by crawling underneath it. Adrian

I've been using those, but found after a while that the adhesive fails, so I find looms of drooping wires under my baseboards :-( Adrian

Progress has been made over the last few weeks. Track has been laid over the timbering shown in the last post, including building the turnout, although this has yet to be motorised. The hinged section seems to be working OK, it now has micro switches on both ends, so I won't be able either drive anything off the end into the abyss, or into the near vertical surface of the raised flap. I've started on the frame work for the final section of the layout (which will hold Figworthy Station), and the first bit of baseboard is in place for that. That section of baseboard allows me to start laying track beyond the turnout, and the first bit of that has been done. The bit that I've done so far allows for access to the fiddle yard. A temporary connection to a DC controller has allowed me to run a loco over the new track, and all seems well so far. Not sure if it is me or the camera, but it looks better in real life. Adrian

Things have been happening over the winter, but not much. I've done a few bits, none of which are obvious to look at, but in the last couple of weeks, I've made some visible progress. The sections runs across the bottom of the track plan is meant to be "off scene", allowing me to run trains round in circles, rather than just from end to end. I've now started to work on that part of the layout. The first bit of the frame is in place, as is the hinged section that will allow access to the central well. Templot templates for that section have been laid down, and the timbering put into place prior to the start of track laying. Two shots looking in opposite directions. The wooden blocks on the right in the first one operate a micro switch, which will cut the power to the track when the hinged section is open, I'll also fit one at the hinged end when I get some more M2 bolts. Adrian

Next one. Passenger traffic lost in early 50s, track lifted early/mid 60s. Adrian

Withington, Gloucestershire. The old M&SWJ.

I've got a couple of tortoises that are mounted above the baseboard, and I'm fairly sure that if you look through the "Peterborough North" thread, you'll find several examples there too. Adrian

The Hornby Magazine stand at Warley last year had one with a sound chip, but they didn't know what the chip was. Adrian

The canal could well have been busy in the 50s, so loaded and empty narrow boats (please, not barges) may be in order. Might be an excuse to put Hoss to work. Adrian

Thanks for posting those, I'd be happy to see more. Adrian

There have been a few problems there caused by quangos. Adrian

I'm sure that I saw something almost identical to that pulling out of the Aldwarke works in 1986. It looked dated then. Adrian

Thanks. If it will produce some guide lines that can be enhanced by hand, that would be a good start. Adrian