KH1

Thank you, two very sensible answers - still waiting for 'if the engines can talk then why can't they have magnets that defy the laws of physics. it does make sense but unfortunately can't test theory as toys have returned home along with owner! I have a horrible feeling that I did try them upside down though in an attempt to do anything to get them to repel and it didn't. Also, despite having loads of button magnets here I don't have any bar magnets at the moment so can't start any experiments into practical uses next.

Just to find a silver lining on another very annoying fact of life i.e. the postman arriving with a parcel (full off tufnol offcuts I hope, for some other experiments!), when I had popped out to get milk - I now have to go to the sorting office tomorrow. Said sorting office is right next to mega toy store so may find myself returning with a sacrificial wagon. Oh, and in the hope that writing it down will help me to remember, a new can of grey primer from Halfords!

Am thinking along the 2x1 route but maybe made up into 'L' girders that will bolt together to form a sort of tray that the layout will fit into. Have plenty of bolts left over as Screwfix make it stupid not to buy a hundred at a time!

Had not thought of ball catches (have a handy tip that I will share soon on door bolts though). Trouble is though, it is more of a vertical alignment problem I seem to have although I have thought that adding an extra runner in the middle could well help. Am pretty sure that I am going to be really boring though and go for points instead. Was pretty sure when I built it that I would operate mostly from the left hand (traverser), end but as it has turned out I seem to be more comfortable at the other end when I am by myself so makes sense to go for points really.

As to why the Y would go only one way I have no idea! Am sure there is a reason somewhere but is going to be far easier just to replace it - I hasten to add that I usually abhor replacing rather than repairing but sometimes frustration just takes over!

Thanks very much for all the kind comments but not being one to sit on any laurels (they are far too uncomfortable!), will make sure that it all works even better next time - see next post for details.

Sorry, forgot to say Thank You for the kind comments that preempted this post  and were left on the previous one!

Unfortunately it is necessary to have the gearboxes back to back as the motors just won't fit the body the other way around. I was hoping to have a second one working today but the extended running in has shown up a very poor mesh on one gear box so that will have to be another rebuild. The first Dick Kerr is going pretty well except for a bit of slowing down in points. Back to back and wheel alignment is fine so fear it is just that because the gearboxes are such a tight fit between the frames there is no lateral movement on either axle making the whole thing a bit stiff. Think I may just have to live with it.

I did try this but requires the band to go in a figure of 8 and it rubbed badly on the cross over point. Am sure there must be a way though. Good news though is that one of the 20HP Simplex is up and running albeit pretty noisily. Bad news is that the motor on the other has not responded well to the extended running regime and tool up smoking which as we all know can be fatal!

Bloody Hell! Works much better than mine - perhaps I should give up this scale rubbish and get Thomas in !

I have one sitting in it's box starring at me right now  and saying come on plug me in if you are man enough!

Great variety of trains but hope you were wrapped up nice and warm!

Do you think I got a bit too carried away this time?

Ha! I shall turn it up to 11 then!

Sometimes, locos are not the best means of sorting problems out - get a cheap multi meter from Maplins and this can show you exactly how much current is getting through. The squeezing bit might be the clue to this as is probably a problem with those nasty little contacts on the blades - try cleaning them and the area they contact under the rail (not easy I know but could well be gummed up with PVA after ballasting). I think this will cure it but at the end of the day an extra feed as suggested by Don with polarity changed by a switch is the only real long term solution.

I know, I rather like it as well. Just waiting for someone to point out that the wire is not going through the pickets though - might have to plant some stakes for it instead.

Thanks for all the comments and likes - think that might be a record! I just knocked it up over a couple of days! OK, maybe not entirely true as I had been thinking about it for a while but the actual construction was very rapid indeed. The thing that made it really easy though was the omnipresent Google, a quick search on WW1 dugouts brings up loads of pictures and I just took the bits I liked from them and recreated them from odds and ends in true Blue Peter fashion.

Greenscene do something that would replace the clay which is just painted on. Mind you it does remind me of a slightly rubbery Artex so you could experiment with a bit of that and PVA or even decorators caulk and fine sand to give a bit more texture.

In that glorious country of France they sell sirop of grenadine etc in metal tube like containers. I know it might not be as exciting as beer to drink but am sure they would be long enough to do a coach in one go.

'Bottom of the garden' contains a very small amount of artistic license but is not far off the truth - can hear and smell them every day but can only see them in Winter when there are no leaves on the trees! The station is only a minutes walk away though and often down there for a look around and the twin delights of a quick pint or ice cream!

With the Hudson, the water tank is out as it is filled with the compensating mechanism so that does leave the on of the side bunkers as the best option. I will need to remove one bulkhead though. The thing with the boiler though is that there is room for a sound chip and speaker which just wouldn't fit anywhere else.

Sure;

https://www.shapeways.com/shops/recreation21?section=1%2F43+versions&s=0#more-products
 

Thanks Mike,

I knew I had seen something like this but would never have found it myself! My mock up uses white faced melamine and the two smooth surfaces do slide very nicely - much better than ordinary wood on wood but as I say, not sure for how long!

Your cellar looks just like mine with all the lime wash blown out around the mortar joints. I have not yet managed to get any rails down there yet and maybe some time off due to the unfeasible amount of junk down there. Don't forget though that the most important thing in keeping a cellar damp free is venilation and am looking at some rather more modern solutions than just air bricks.

Thanks for all the nice comments - really makes it worth while! Now for some answers...

Most impressive - I'm glad it all worked out in the end for you - even if there were a few minor issues . . . . . .

What other shows do you have planned?

Mike

Weston , in Derbyshire I think - really must make sure where it is! (organised by Andy from this site) on 14th November and Nottingham 21st and 22nd March next year. I also have a feeling that there will be a few more in the pipeline.

Fantastic

 

Congratulations to you and all your family and helpers.

 

Mike

If you knew the times I have been going to bed you would definitely be telling me off again! Was that your article in RM this month? Didn't know there was a smaller version of the cameo cutter - one will be arriving here shortly!

It wouldnt be an exhibition without some issues, thats why they make life fun

 

Nice pictures, are you the one in the left or right?

Left right, left right left right left ..... Neither I am afraid - these were a couple of the re-enactors that happened by. I don't actually thing there are any pics of me!

Nice to see it all come together!  There is no greater test of a layout than to exhibit it.  You survived with honours!  Congratulations.  Let us know if you're exhibiting in the South - I'd love to see this one!

 

Regards

 

Ian

One of the approaches I have had is in the lower quarter of the country.

Spent most of the afternoon dismantling the cooker after a botched attempt at changing a grill element  so no action today but will be an up date tomorrow,

Kevin.

I also meant to say a big Thank You for all the kind comments and encouragement  - it is very useful and appreciated!

At least we now have Trip Advisor to get our own back!

The LEDs are warm white. I may add an extra row of cool white to vary things if necessary. They are, indeed, very easy to use and pretty cheap really. The other thing to try might be the colour changing RGB versions. I think it was Job who wrote a blog on these recently.

As to flickering lights on the horizon this is something I have in mind (like sound as well), but with everything else going on at the moment I fear it might not make it for the debut in September.

Having just left a comment on Stringfingerling's blog about chimney pots I should just point out that I have just added a couple to the cafe. Before anyone questions if they would still have been there I do have a photo of a similar building with them still there!

As always, thanks for the comments, they really do lift you, especially you are losing sight of the fact this is meant to be a hobby!