SMR CHRIS

The NSWGR 30 Class tank arrived and has been into the workshops for a quick modification to the gear drive disable the clutch drive and a temporary DCC decoder install for motor only until a sound decoder is sourced and a full install is done with some detail additions to the model and Hook Draw Gear for couplers, etc is the plan.

The ETS Model is scaled to the Euro 1/45 scale not 1/43.5 scale normally used for NSWGR in O scale however it’s not that noticeable when the loco is on the layout.

Thank you to Bob for the info re this model 

 

photo straight from the box and a quick video below of its first movement on DCC 

 

 

 

Just found your layout Topic 

you have done a good job of capturing the style of a SA countrys Railway yard look.

somthing very different for the UK  nicely done.

 

On 20/01/2019 at 14:04, robertc said:

Have you got your C30 yet Chris?

cheers

 Bob

 

Hi Bob 

apparrently the 30 class will be delivered Tomorrow going via the tracking.

had a bit going on recently.

I will PM you.

The Railway is looking good Bob 

the Grass makes a very effective ground cover and will be very durable for out side in the weather.

Apparently my 30 tank arrives tomorrow going via the tracking.

what are the secrets to pulling it apart as will need DCC etc 

I'll measure it up tomorrow, nice idea.

What about a Carriage shed in place of the Dairy, Andy to park the Auto coach under that way there could be 4 goods trains on the sector plate and the auto service runs to the empty fiddle yard road after the goods has arrived and started to shunt the yard.

Hi Andy

It’s great to draw inspiration from all the layouts in mags and online don’t get to caught up in the scale of the layouts just look at how the track work flows

There are lots of online resources for actual real railway track diagrams plus many publications that include original drawings

If you have a location in mind or a region/ era look at some of the books or reference material available specifically for these.

When your drawing up plans it’s also worth having an idea of how big the points are eg if using peco download the templates and place on your board so you can see how much realestate they take up nothing worse than drawing out a line drawing and finding your way off on the dream plan

Also look at the track planning programs like Anyrail or Scarm as they have templates of popular track brands.

Best of luck with your planning

Hi Bob yes will let you know when the 30 arrives

 

The photo with the 44’s looks good the Astro turf really looks good for the photos

Last weeks bargain buys from eBay with DCC sound, top stuff.

There is a, as new 49 class on eBay this week I can give you the direct contact for the seller if your visitor is interested.

Hi Bob

30tank is ordered/paid for, I asked if they could leave the numbers off so could number different to your loco, but the reply said that all the body’s they have made are fully finished with paint and numbers already and like yours this will be a custom build to be a 2 Rail version

Looking forward to this arriving later in January with a bit of luck.

 

Re another loco they could do a 2-8-0 53class would be nice.

On 03/01/2019 at 11:01, robertc said:

Hi Chris, the buffers appear to be close to 22mm centre height.

Wheels have insulating bushes so I would take it they can be removed with a puller or tapped out if you wish to replace them.

Bogie wheels are 19.5mm.

cheers

Bob

Thanks Bob

 

Email received from Zuzana, the model can be supplied without couplers so it’s in progress.

Zuzana was just checking the postage. Not cheap I’m guessing but cheaper than a trip to Europe to pick up.

 

Really looking forward to the models arrival, as I can see it will be fun to detail up with a few additions like Coal bunker extension, cast water fillers for the 4 tanks fillers, timber buffer beam, maybe even some NSWGR loco buffers, hook couplings, lamps etc.

Hi Chris, I think the low flange height might mean automatically that it will be set to 28.6mm BTB but have not yet asked to confirm.

I just sent them an email asking for 2-rail, dc, low flange and 28.6mm BTB just to be sure.

If I was buying another I would also ask that no coupler be fitted. The single links that came with mine were never meant to come undone  :>)

cheers

 Bob

Hi Bob thanks for the info

Email sent to ETS just have to wait for a response now

What’s the buffer height like for the model is it close to the Australian spec for buffer Center line height of 23.9mm

Dose it look like the the wheels can be adjusted on the Axles for BTB ?? I’d probably replace the bogie wheels with slaters eventually anyway as they look a bit like the ones on a old bergs HO 30class, made under scale size for operating reasons for corners etc

 

Happy modelling

Chris

Thanks Bob

I’ll do an email to them with all the details as I want the loco and see what the response is.

What curancy did they do the transaction in ??

On 01/01/2019 at 23:01, robertc said:

A few months ago they did a special batch of 3-rail 30 tanks for the HRCAA.

They must have had a few extra made and when I noticed they were on their cattle dog and could be supplied suitable for Peco C124, the rest is history Martin.

cheers

 Bob

Hi Bob your 30 is a really nice looking model

 I remember a few of the Modellers at AMRA we’re getting their chassis blocks for their 3 Rail models from ETS a few years ago.

 

Rail travel the most relaxing way to travel down the New England to Sydney esp this time of year with all the Holiday traffic

 

It’s a shame about the AMRA layout I’m guessing the numbers are dwindling with the passing of time and with no alternative for “Fine Scale standards” it days may be numbered, also as Marty pointed out its a fair hike to get there this is the main reason for me as it’s can be 4 hours + worth of traveling to get there and back.

 

A 4 car suburban set would look really good esp if you mix up the colour schemes in the set, I’m a big fan of the PTC blue and white that many didn’t like but I think they were quite striking when compared to the all Red sets.

Re the PO hoppers under wires Rule 1 Or you could add a branch line off the outdoor layout circuit.

I can't remember if I had to alter the BTB with the brass one I have.

cheers

 Bob

The BTB on this Sunset 3rd Rail Model was well under the standard recommended 29.2mm and it actually has quite a small flange profile but a wide tread, so after a bit of checking with a wheel set out and manually rolling it though the points I found setting to 29.45mm BTB worked well.

In the photo you can see the step machined on the axle and the wheels were installed hard against this.

Hi Bob

The Fast Electric Parcel Van is coming along nicely, it’s certainly something different and not often modelled

Your railway is getting a very metropolitan mix of models now. I wonder what will be next a 46 Electric may be.

It is either extra pickups or a decent stay alive for use of a sound decoder Chris. :>)

 

A 2-rail 44 tonner would make a good first loco for starting in NSWGR O gauge.

 

cheers

Bob

Hi Bob missed this, Sorry for slow reply

 

Extra pickups will be needed currently using the Keep alive to keep things ticking over ok, The KA will run the sound for 35 seconds after shut down when not in motion, but with the old style can motor it only gets about 2 seconds of motion when power removed but enough to keep it running ok.

 

It’s now got a SoundTraxx Tsunami2 2200 decoder the 2 amp version with appropriate engine sounds for the Duel Motor Shunter, very basic really as it reves up and goes, only really has any character as the engine slows or as it’s idle’s

 

Had to pull the wheels sets out and adjust the back to back as it was well under gauge on all axles and wouldn’t go through the peco points with out climbing over the check rails.

 

All things considered it’s a very Cheap NSW style loco, all up has cost less than a Current HO Shunter like the 70class by IDR Models, and as you say would be perfect for a Start with NSW O scale Modelling will get put to use as a Carriage Shunter for Newcastle.

 

Whilst I was getting some decoders I got a new TCS WOW V4 to replace the test one I fitted to 5917 so will fit that up and see what the difference is.

Coming along nicely Chris.

The brass one I picked up s/h from the AMRA guys at a Liverpool exhibition a few years back performs very nicely.

With all that weight at my disposal it comes in handy as the banker for getting trains up the access ramp. :>)

 

cheers

Bob

Hi Bob

Yes for its size it is a weighty model the chassis comes with a big chunk of die cast on it as well for extra weight.

I haven’t done any load trials yet just a quick test run with a TCS T1 with a KA installed, it ran OK and I’m sure it will pull a decent load I’ve got a sound decoder for it currently in transit down under.

The Chassis is very basic and may need some work to the Bogie piviot point at some stage. It’s pickups are currently via 2 wheels on each Bogie so a set of wiper pickups is next on the list to do when I do the sound install.

 

I’ll do another 79 class as I also have a Rich Yodda 44ton Brass Model, to do a second more detailed model of the 79class it will be in the Tuscan livery it’s a much better base model fine scale O unlike the 3rd Rail model that’s a little less refined being a compromise for 3 / 2 Rail originally.

Weathering stage 1.

Using a photo of the Prototype 7920 I’ve stated to emulate it.

7920 must have had a leaking set of motors as the walkways to the cab actually had some sort of absorbing material down to soak up the oil, with staining all over the walk ways.

In the photo it’s only the side with the cab door that has the absorbent so have tried to get the look of this.

 

Just about Finished the 79class 44ton swithcher I started this a long while ago and have been waiting to solder on the last detail parts just need to find some time to do so, today was it.

Needed to be done with the resistance soldering unit so got the RSunit out and finished the loco body and painted today.

The model started out as a 3rd Rail USA 44toner and has been Australianised with buffers angled cab roof new marker lamp assays, also the removal of a lot of US only parts like sun shades, hand rails etc.

 

Here it is, in the platform at the Flats unfortunately it is no longer a nice new looking,/clean model as I’ve started weathering it to look like it’s just about to expire with leaking oil and dust and dirt as per photos of the prototype in Central station yard

 

I will have one of each of those two variations brought around for a test run soon.

However I will have to do the switch to my radio dc control for the running test.

No doubt they will then get put back in their boxes to emerge who knows when!  :>)

 

cheers

 Bob

Well Bob that’s not where they should be all cooped up in boxes, they need to be set free and running. HaHa.

Look forward to seeing the photos

A pair of branch line Alco’s arrived at Moonan Flats recently and have been fitted up with DCC and sound.

The NSWGR 48 Class in Orignal Tuscan livery and the Anniversary 125year Green and yellow livery

 

 

 

5917 finally gots Cab side Numbers fitted well to one side of the cab unfortunately discovered the 1 is missing from the second set so will have to make up a 1 a job for another night.

 

To attach the brass numbers I like to use Arleen’s tacky glue this dries clear gives a bit of wiggle room when fitting and if you ever have to remove the numbers will come away without damaging the paint below

 

I set the numbers in place aligned on the cab side then lay over a piece of clear sticky tape, then lifted the tape back with the numbers stuck to it leaving some of the tape attached to the cab side, then you apply the glue then folded the tape back down onto the model, let set for 10 min then peal the tape off and as the glue stays tacky any small adjustments could be done.

 

On the work bench number fitting using clear tape method

Tape rolled back for glue to be applied to the backs of the numbers

 

 

 

And back on the layout

 

 

 

Another great day Sunday running large Scale trains out in The sunshine

Had my NSWGR live stream C38 Running with a MHO passengers guards van then a train of Coal hoppers.

 

 

 

Video of some of the days trains

 

 

 

One of the guys had a drone and got a great photo of the layout with us running trains

 

Hi Chris, the 59 is looking good. Makes a big difference getting it down to correct height.

Do I take it your friends layout is all handlaid track?  Big job!

cheers

 Bob

Hi Bob yes this track is all hand laid track all sleepers hand cut as well

Link to a video of some train running round the garden

https://youtu.be/jQAaqVMnuoQ

5904 a old Fox model that was too high by 5-7 mm over its length front to rear it is now at the correct level after machining the Chassis and bearing block now to move on to the tender to reduce its height.

 

 

 

 

Interesting comparison of 59 class models the early Fox semi scale model and current DJH model.

 

And as this is 7mm and above topic thread

Some photos of Garden Railway Running recently in the Down Under winter sunshine and into spring.

 

Everyone’s caboose’s on one train not taking these things too seriously 26 all up just a bit of fun.

 

A few locos in the afternoon shade

 

Aster Schools in the spring sun shine

 

It’s not all about big trains and big locos