latestarter

Can anyone advise me on the name and type of the Dapol couplers I need to replace the broken ones on a oo gauge wagon (see photos). The Hornby ones I have have prongs that are too wide (splayed and inflexible) to fit. Thanks for any help. Stephen

A drone flight over the spectacular Gleensk Viaduct, a disused railway line between Kells and Glenbeigh on the Ring of Kerry. https://youtu.be/Tt0S4Q7RXi4

My first painted modelu 'figurine' installed on my first (ever) layout. A tiny 1/76th scale mini me - a portly professional photographer - going about his business. Actually does resemble me from the back!

For inspiration...Gleensk Railway Viaduct, near Kells, Co. Kerry. Part of the Great Southern and Western Railway Line, which ran from Valentia Island Harbour to Farranfore Junction for nearly one hundred years. Not far from where I live now!

4 months work on my first ever model railway layout - and it's 90% finished! Thanks for all the advice offered here to me, to date! The centerpiece is a farm, to reflect where I live now in County Kerry, Ireland. A far cry from my NW England urban roots!

https://youtu.be/mDDkA_alLVk

Very helpful and informative reply, thank you. I'll see if I can find some ash barrels. Since posting I have ordered some balsa strips to make planks. I've got a lot of ash and Coal ballast in other areas of the layout, so I didn't want to go overboard here.

I've completed this engine shed and hard-standing area, with rough ground to the rear, on my (first ever) layout today. The problem is that there is no direct access to the area (if it were prototypical). Can someone advise me where to buy or how to model the ground-level walkways that cross tracks? I can't recall the actual name for them. Thanks for any tips. Stephen

My Dapol Large Prairie 5101 arrived yesterday. This is a quick review and first run. I hope you find it interesting.

My Dapol Large Prairie (GWR 5101 class - number 4143) arrived from Hattons yesterday. My short review and first test run is now on YouTube. I hope you find it helpful.

Firstly, my disclaimer: I know next to nothing about model railways and only started my first layout only a few months ago (aged 66). I also know very little about prototypical locos, although my father worked as (and drove) a shunter for 40 years. However, due to my background in healthcare and academia, I do know something about empirical research; and forming conclusions that are objective and based on evidence. I also know that subjective, personal and very biased views can be dangerous at worst and unhelpful at the very least. As a part of my huge learning curve in railway modelling, I have been watching a lot of YouTube videos (in addition to subscribing to magazines, including BRM, and purchasing several books). I subscribed to 'Sam's Trains' as he seemed very knowledgeable and well-informed on model locos. Unfortunately, as my own understanding has grown, I have come to see him as someone with a negative bias to Hornby in general, and this appears to have pervaded many of the reviews he makes on their products and even on announcements that Hornby make about future products, which he has had no opportunity to review. As a result, I have unsubscribed from his channel and even left my own comment on one of his videos in relation to what I regarded as his regular Hornby-bashing. My main concern is that he does seem to have a large contingent of acolytes who will take whatever he says as gospel, and this may be having a consequence in relation to the purchase (or otherwise) of what may be perfectly acceptable Hornby products. Incidentally, DHL are due to arrive at my house today with my Large Prairie, from Hattons. It's the Dapol model (not the Hornby) and my choice was made after reading two well written and objective-sounding reviews in BRM and Railway Modeller magazines.

I decided not to try and open the tender. Instead, I added a large metal nut over the post in the smaller, rear compartment. I then covered this with a sheet of wet-and-dry with a coating of cinders ballast. I also stuck a layer of the same ballast to the plastic coal in the larger section of the tender. It seems to have added some weight. I can't test it yet as the track is still messy from some landscaping I'm doing.

I was told I might be able to get the 'top' off, from someone who has a similar model, but I won't risk it given your comment. Thanks again.

Thanks for all the additional help guys! Much appreciated. I have some very small screw drivers, so I'll have a look to see if the coal load will (gently) pries off. If not, will see if I can locate the screw under the coupling. I also need to see if I can get a back-to-back gauge. I was on Hatton's website this morning ordering the new Dapol Large Prairie and forgot to order one.

It's the Railroad version (as mentioned in the OP).

Thanks for that - I missed the '5', and have corrected the OP and title. Can you advise what I should check for on the wheel-set and how to adjust them? Is it the width of the back to back. I don't have a back-to-back gauge (not easy to obtain in Ireland).

I got the Hornby R3395TTS 'Mallard' (Railroad version) at Christmas, and haven't had a lot of time to run it, as I've been working on my new layout. However, I have noticed that the tender derails quite easily, and seems to be very light - which may be a factor. Has anyone else noticed this issue? Would adding weights to the tender be a possible solution and, if so, is there a way to get inside the tender easily? Thanks for any help. Stephen

Good to hear from you again and that is very interesting information. My small brain is puzzled as to why that should be, though, if model ballast is not exposed to the elements as in real life? I'm wondering if it's perhaps more to do with the eye getting used to it and the brain compensating for the contrast in tones?

Thanks for the help everyone. I have added a Mig 'Tracks Wash' to the ballast on the right of this photo, and on some curves. It has toned it down a lot and blended in with the ground paint. I've also used it on the large area of ballast in the centre, and added 2mm static grass.

Thanks. I have probably watched everything he's done so far. He and Luke Towan are geniuses, but way ahead of my level. I used a track wash in a Mig set I have to tone it down for now.

Reminds me of a video from @Phil Parker where he talks about a more accurate name for the colour of suitable ground paint. Unfortunately, I don't have any 'dog poo brown' wash.