SMR CHRIS

I can’t find my smart switch instructions at the moment,   but from deep memory I think it needed a Independent power supply for the electronics within to function fully,  is it the type that will actuate the servo if you run through the frog with the point incorrectly set ?? And yes it should work with DC or DCC if wired correctly.

I eventually went a different way with points on my O scale layout after deciding I would no longer cater for duel DC/DCC and installed Tam Valley Frog juicers, for the Auto frog polarity.

I have the kept the Smart switch’s for a future project DC/DCC layout project.

If I find the units and instructions to jog the memory I’ll let you know, I do remember they weren’t that clear re the power supply side. 

Best of luck 

Looks a little chilly Bob 

thankfully it wasn’t that cold down on the coast.

 It actually gives the layout a very unique look for Australia.

Bob this UK track supplier produces some of the nicest G1 track 

Cliff Barker link    http://www.cliffbarker.me.uk/ worth a look 

yes Peter Sansom,  Auto correct will change it every time to Samson 

yes getting rare rare to find anything of much interesting at any of the B&B’s anymore.

14 hours ago, robertc said:

So basically a case of suck it and see then Chris. The Hunter/ central Coast  garden groups haven't agreed on a standard.

I have my gauges from years gone by somewhere ( I hope). I made them to G1MRA standards so probably not much use with this mob. 

Had I not abandoned my G1 NSWGR layout I intended to concrete the steam up track if/when I got a live steamer.

I note the Tenmille track still seems to be more popular than the Peco for some reason in blighty. I'll have to ask why.

However I'm not intending to make a layout this time around, just have a couple of things I can bring to a running session somewhere.

 

I might make it to Newcastle this year, if Peter Samson is about he might be able to clue me up on what the NSWGR modellers he is associated with are doing.

cheers

Bob

 

Hi Bob 

basically yes track from LGB to Sunset Valley and everything in between 

if you made your wheels to the G1MRA standard should be ok 

as I said most of the propriety track standards are a compromise between both standard and fine.

I think the Tenmille is used a lot in UK as you can get in slightly larger profile so a bit more solid, plus point kits for various types. 3 ways,  slips etc. 

I’ve never seen Peter Samson at any Garden Railway meetings in the Valley

I think Peter said he was going to the Newcastle show this year I’m guessing he will have his Sn3  layout. I know Peter did a lot of masters for models for G1 and built quite a few models but don’t know if he still has them or if he is still modelling in G I keep forgetting to ask him when I see him. 

The little loco is coming along very nicely Martin 

it looks like its is a very plausible representation of a small industrial loco 

5 hours ago, robertc said:

Hi Chris, do the builders of these G1 layouts have any standards they work to?

I've seen a lot of problems mentioned about non compatibility between various G scale wheels and pointwork.

It would be good to know before I make something  :>)

cheers

Bob

Hi Bob 

I think Marty has summed it up 

so many wheel standards then the track manufacturers have varied standards as well. 

the sunset valley track that you see on the video with my 38’s is ok but lacks the finesse you would expect for the $$ it costs, I think Sunset have gone for a compromise between fine and standard specifications the switch rails need a bit of finishing off with a file to get them to sit nicely also the check Rails aren’t set for fine or standard wheel flanges they are somewhere in-between.

My 1/32 scale 3801 has scale flanges and I’ve found it has a few issues with most standard RTR points it will climb the crossing V on the standard points as the check Rail are set to cater for the thicker flanges of the standard wheels.

but has no issues on the Gauge 1 fine scale track made by Peco. 

Im looking at using peco fine scale G1 track on my railway for the running lines and then the corse 332 aristocraft/LGB track I already have for the steaming areas or set up sidings as it is very robust and will take a bit of abuse as I’ve noted a few of the guys often set the track on fire with their meths fired locos whilst trying to get them going,  the fine chairs and rail of the peco won’t stand up to that, but the heavy plastic of the aristocraft will take a fair bit of heat before the chairs will let go or the gauging is affected.

My 1:20.3 scale Rio Grande rolling stock has standard scale wheels and I find they are able to negotiate all the different track standards without issues 

they will go through the large radius corse LGB points ok ie a bit clunky but won’t derail and the Sunset Valley they roll through very nicely. 

To sum up the scale wheels work well on scale track but have a few issues on the standard semi corse point settings used by most of the popular Track manufacturers 

The standard spec wheels (Semi scale) are sort of a good compromise and will negotiate most of the various track standards. 

Just a bit cool this morning Bob,  the Rails would have been a bit icy. 

20 hours ago, robertc said:

Looks to be running very smoothly Chris.

cheers

Bob

 

Thanks Bob 

yes a couple of adjustments getting the valve timing and a few other items that the Chinese factory failed to assemble correctly or solder on to the body and it’s a beautiful performer.

Still photo of it from the last run 

This month is Garden Gauge again 1/32 scale 

Having not been able to set up the O scale railway since its last exhibition the G1 has taken the interest for some Winter Steaming, we had one attempt that had to be postponed due to poor weather however the next available day was a cracker of a Winters day,  perfect for some steam.

I took along 3820 and some NSWGR stock the start of a passenger train and a small Goods 

YouTube link a few minutes of steaming 3820 performed beautifully and clocked near 2 hours of running over the afternoon.

15 hours ago, hartleymartin said:

Chris and I assisted Gary with running his small O gauge layout at the Epping MRC Show at Rose Hill Gardens today. Here are a couple of shots of my Hudswell Clarke and a couple of my wagons running on the layout, named "River Dee Meats"

 

 

 

Great Day with Martin and Gary at the show 

the little Hudswell looking good on the Gary’s River Dee Meats layout 

showing layout a layout in the build stage with that shows what is below the scenic’s 

it was good to have so many people interested in the technique’s Gary has used on the build and asking questions 

the most asked Question was were do I get that Foam you have used for the scenic’ land form ?? Answer “Bunnings” I’m sure Bunnings will have a few less sheets in stock by the end of the weekend. 

Wow just found this Topic 

Can I echo all who have praised your work in creating something very different to the main stream BLT model

i absolutely love the rundown look with overgrown platforms track consolidated, with the ruins ,removed rails etc etc.its almost a less is more approach but in the reality it’s actually a lot harder to pull off this look and I congratulate you on what you have achieved so far will definitely be following this from now on.

A Big thank you for sharing your work 

Hi Bob

Just got the latest Aus7 7th Heaven mag in the mail 

Congrats on a nice article on the Fast Electric Parcel Van.

On 29/05/2019 at 09:26, robertc said:

April 2016.

Just look on the search function of AMRM for articles by Peter Sansom.

Watch out, G1 is addictive and there are more places to run your trains than G0. :>)

cheers

Bob

 

 

Hi Bob and Martin 

Bobs spot on the Gauge 1 journey dose become addictive 

a couple of years ago I had 6 items of Garden Gauge stock thats now heading north of 7 locos and 50items of rolling stock now over NSWGR and RioGrande stock and around me there are more people modelling and actually have railways than the O scale guys 

unfortunately the O scalers mostly are gunners and railways are few and far between just like meet ups 

In my area the garden railway guys are doers, and mostly welcome others to come along and run there trains, plus they meet most  weeks of the year on a round robin between the running railways.

Be warned as bob said it’s very addictive and much more welcoming than o scale and actually slightly cheaper modelling for the actual trains, the layout it self may be the other way round as scenic’s usually involve large scale garden landscaping not just some Ply and. Wood framing.

1 hour ago, robertc said:

That is running very nicely Chris.

cheers

Bob

Thank Bob

a few minor mods and it’s a very smooth runner the next thing is RC as the throttle is super touchy and it can easily get away at break neck speed if you get it wrong. 

On 25/05/2019 at 23:10, Mersey507003 said:

My question related to all the locos, my apologies for any confusion. 

 

Mike Beard  ( Mersey507003 )

No problem Mike 

hopefully the few examples of the later pictured locos helped with an idea of loadings 

see link below for a video of my 1/32 scale 38 class model running with a small  but heavy  train all the wagons are well weighed.

On 24/05/2019 at 01:52, Mersey507003 said:

Got to say the locos are veey impressive

 

Wgat is the maximum load they will haul,

 

Mike Beard ( Mersey507003 )

Hi Mike 

it all depends what loco your talking about.

as an example I’ve tested 5917 and 4821 on a 20 wagon load and they don’t even look like slipping 

the new build 30 tank 3039 has hauled 17 so far without slipping.

the little 19 class slips at the 16 wagon mark but can just get them moving.

my C38 Pacific 4-6-2 will pull away easily with 7 good size passenger cars 

my little Ixion Hudswell Clark 0-6-0ST amazes, some friends got to 58 slaters midland 4 wheel wagons with out it slipping I’m sure they would have got more but I called it proven, on not wanting to break a gear on a brand new model.

On 22/05/2019 at 13:24, robertc said:

How did thing go at RVR Chris?

Was there much in the way of other layouts?

cheers

Bob

Had a good weekend at RVR

With BBQ dinner sat night at the meadows residence for the exhibitors that wanted to. 

We took the Camper Up and camped sat night at RVR.

There were quite a few layouts at the show mostly train set style or small basic setups typical rectangular board etc

Peter samson has a nice Sn3.5 Scale Shunting Layout with various Australian prototype models running on it all of his own build. 

Saturday  was a little quiet with the election being on and a competing exhibition in Sydney by the Hills club this year,  but Sunday was very busy at one stage had 15/20 people constantly in front of the layout for 1/2 an hour and got lots of very nice comments from the visitors over the weekend.

Moonan Flats operated faultlessly all weekend 

As far as trains. I took a CPH RM No28,    4821 ran passenger service with 2 end veranda cars  5917 on one Goods train with 3039 for the other goods train and 1903 as a spare loco. 16 Goods wagons and 2 Guards vans   

The two goods trains worth of wagons with the remaining wagons in the goods siding that you could alternate between each time you cycled the train Goods trains into the.station from the fiddle yard/ sector plate.

The 30 tank could have 6 wagons and a Guards Van when on the sector plate  the 59 5 wagons and van. Plenty to keep things interesting esp with the combination of hook and knuckle couplers I have several wagons and vans set up with transition couplers fitted to cater for the Hook draw gear only locos like the 30tank. The 48 also has transition couplers for coupling to the HFO-BI set that has hook draw gear only.

A great weekend in all 

RVRM had the little Clyde built 0-4-0 Marjorie in steam on a pair of Bob cars running down to the main road due to the main track still having to have sleepers replaced and bridges replaced after the bush fire damage.

The ACM is looking good out in the sunshine Bob

It must have been a heavy mail load this week with all the electoral returns needing a double header on the New England. 

Click of Exhibition details   

Moonan Flat is all set up for the  Exhibition

Exhibition

Whilst testing the layout after set up it was noticed the 48 class were multiplying 

1 hour ago, robertc said:

Hope you have a good time at Richmond Vale Chris.

I might get to do some of these smaller exhibitions again next year.

cheers

Bob

RVR is usually a quiet show more family’s with a only 1/2 the attendees Modellers will be interesting to see how it goes this year with the Hills club having moved their exhibition to the same weekend.

a good excuse to run some trains anyway.

Getting Dirty weathering 

With Moonan Flat due at an exhibition for set up this Friday I thought I would take along some of the latest loco additions so be the time the weekend is over they will be run in ready to have a big weekend at the Rosehill show that’s also coming up.

So the newer locos chosen for this weekend are 5917,  4821, and CPH 28  all being X works they were spotless, and looked way too clean so out with the pan pastels and within minutes 3 dirty locos.

layout is now packed up ready for loading and a trip up to Richmond Vale Railway Museum’s Steam and Model Trains weekend.  https://www.richmondvalerailwaymuseum.org/

5917 lightly used not long out of the workshop condition 

4821 with the classic Alco oily top casing and light road grime 

CPH No28 as it still has crown lights in a period that most were under rebuild,  it’s a rather grubby example waiting/ getting close to it’s trip to the works for rebuilding with Masonite siding and crown lights deleted.

still need to paint the shiny wheels though.

https://www.richmondvalerailwaymuseum.org/

I also thought the CPH has better earn its keep and before it got dirty the passengers boarded 

courtesy of EBay $4:50 got a pack of Chinese people good enough to fit the roll filling the void that was a empty interior, the Chinese are slightly under scale but I have found scale people don’t fit in the seats as plastic and metal figures don’t have squishy parts and soft garments.

The driver of this CPH is a popular boy with two young lady’s riding up front.

The ACM is looking good Bob 

the substitute near enough bogies look the part under the car I don’t think you will need to change them for some time as long as they work ok 

The large scale was out running on the weekend 

1/32 scale live steam 

First photo Shows the latest loco in the Steam fleet Britannia Pacific No70019 Lightning at the head of a rake of MK1 passenger cars 

Next NSWGR C38class Pacific non Streamlined 3820.

Next 3801 being passed by 3820 with some BR Mk1’s As a bit of a load 

3801 out on the main line, passing streamlined  3803 in Lined Black

Some great info in the trolley wire mag Bob,  not just on the car Marty is planning on building but other tram plus railway info and some great old photos.

I don’t guess car 84 survived the fire at the park looked in a poor state when in transit.

Exhibition time again 

My Moonan Flat O scale Model Railway will be attending the Richmond Vale Railway museums, Model Railway weekend. 18-19 May 2019

located just outside Kurri Kurri  in the NSW Hunter Valley the RVR is a mining and railway museum.

May 18th and 19th is their annual Model Railway weekend I attended last year and they requested Moonan Flat again this year. 

https://www.richmondvalerailwaymuseum.org/model-exhibition/

This was the layout set up in the old mine administration building last year