MarshLane

Hi, the link on the above just gives a 404 error - are you aware? Given that these are custom made, is it just the numbers that can change, or can the wording change too? I've got a thought for the Barry Railway style plates. Rich ​EDIT: Ah I've just discovered you've discontinued the custom range - sorry for the message!

Evening all, Well manage to get the morning off tomorrow, having worked god knows how many extra hours the last couple of weeks! So off to get the wood for my little diorama. I'm thinking I'll actually start a new thread for this one, over on the Layout Topics', just to give it a bit more exposure, but I'll still be updating this thread with various snippets, trials and bits and pieces. Just to give all you kind souls a sneak preview (are you really that excited??) The whole thing will be 6ft x 18ins in size (excluding the off-scene fiddle yard), not sure what to call these as they will just be short easily movable 4.5" wide boards that a loco or short train can be run on to, so I'm calling them Fiddle Plates! The idea that I'm working on for this micro layout is that its a somewhat remote outpost on an NCB industrial line, the single track main line winds past the engineering workshops/shed. There's another slight twist in that I'm loosely basing it on the old Harton/Westoe Colliery electric system, although I'm sure my green Dapol 08 and Minerva Peckett may make an appearance. It will have a limited OHL that I'm going to hand-build, enhancing the small demos and bits that I built a few months back. Motive power will eventually be two or three electric locos, based on the North Eastern-designed ES1 kits from Michael Edge, first one has been ordered - thats going to be fun having not built etch brass before but sod it, I'm going to have a go and see how I get on! The prime reason is to play about with trackwork and scenery, as its probably 15 years since I did any real scenic modelling, and much has changed like static grass etc. Also come across some really nice 3D style printed brick and stone papers. There'll be a couple of ground signals from Mr Fitness (couldnt not have signals could I!) and the workshop building is going to be loosely based on a mirror image of High Peak Junction shed/workshops. Track plan, which has now been designed in Templot and printed ready for work to start on the track (after getting a new battery for my laptop, the old one gave up the ghost about two weeks back!) is shown below. Not up to the graphical standard of the work produced by Brian (Tove) but suitable for the purpose! Hopefully, nice and simple, and the ability to progress quite quickly. The plan is to try out some interesting things that are cropping up on the DCC front that I've not really seen tried, but more of them in the coming weeks! I'll post the url on here once, the proper thread is up and running, probably once the boards are built over the weekend. Rich

Oops!! Sorry Jinty .... id say leave it as it is ... and see how many people notice and extra 'Y' ... if anything is said Talyllyn is the English spelling, Taylyllyn is the Welsh! Besides which your modelling and weathering is so good, we need something to be able to tell real pictures from the model in the future! . Haha! Did he ever live that one down?? In a similar vein, a good friend of mine always insists its headlines that get missed in proof reading ... he recalls a story of a book he co-authored, that has a chapter entitled 'All lines lead to Crewe' ... he proof read it, as did his wife, the other author, two photographers, the publishers proof reader and the publisher chap himself (who was an avid railway fan). The book way printed, author's copies arrived .. by pure co-incidence he happened to open the book directly at the start of that and words of 'oh b*gger' .. when he realised the heading said 'All lines lead to Crew' and the last 'e' was missing!!! And that was a very well known railway photographer! Happens to the best of em! Rich

Hi Jinty, Looks lovely - and I'm not nitpicking ... but have they spelt Talyllyn wrong? Its spelt right on the picture ... but not on your miniature sign..... or should I just grab me hat n coat Rich

If it helps.... Carlisle - Grange 105 miles 9 chains Grange - Barrow 19 miles 53 chains Barrow - Carlise 85 miles 56 chains Carlisle - Dalston 4 miles 29 chains Dalston - Wigton 7 miles 43 chains Wigton - Carlisle 11 miles 52 chains Carlisle - Brum 37402 - 90m 25c 37409 - 116m 61c Nice shots and looks like a good day! Rich

Thanks Brian, Just itching to get on with something! Hoping to maybe get some wood later this week, and get the boards built on Saturday (if the weather is decent) then I'll push on and show progress with things! Rich

Hi, Fair comment - just one thought for you, really for background info, talking to Paul Chetter today, he mentioned that the smallest sugar cube speakers are really good for their size - and they fit (with a little adjustment) within the body of a Hornby OO Gauge Peckett, along with the motor and DCC decoder! Should you decide in the future to add sound, then speak to Paul and I'm sure he'll advise, but I'd suspect a small speaker could be found to fit the limited space available. The completion of the frames really does make it look very good - I'm envious! Rich

Evening all, Well just a quick update - things are moving forward (in more ways than one!) and as previously mentioned I've hit on a little diorama/micro layout to keep me occupied, and remarkably quickly come up with a little track plan ... but more of that shortly, once I've something to really show! It will be a test bed of sorts, with some exciting trials to come up too! In the meantime a couple of weeks back I had a wander to the BRM Festival of Railway Modelling at Doncaster, which seemed really well supported. Rather than just putting a couple of pics on here, I've uploaded several to my Flickr site - if you are after inspiration, or like to see the detail in models, take a look. A lot of variety from pre-grouping to modern day, N to O and everything in between! https://www.flickr.com/photos/marshlane/albums/72157679006345420 Any queries, either post on here, or leave a comment on Flickr - I do check it so will answer everything. Sorry, I've only just got round to having a look through what I took! Rich

Hi Phil, They look very good. I'm in the middle of putting a drawing together (well when I get time that is) for my next building. Is there any special addition to the drawings that have to be done for those smooth inter-connected corners? Rich

Also on this topic, Railtec Transfers do Class 08 numbers that are perfect too - just tell Steve when you order that its for a Dapol 08 and he'll print them the right size. Either just numbers, or the full loco detail sheet if you needed. No connection other than as a customer ...etc... etc.. Rich

Very impressed with the layout drawing! Did you decide against a sound option then ... or run-out of space! Rich

Absolutely stunning! Just come across this - nice mix of narrow and standard gauge, and the dual gauge trackwork looks amazing. Well done to all concerned! Hope we see more of it Rich

Thanks for that. I'll give that one some thought. Have to say, I'm probably the same where a gas torch comes into play! Look forward to watching the rest of the build, and hope you'll post what you decide to do with the gearbox - I'll use that as reference! What 33:1 motor would you use? Rich

Thanks for that. What size iron do you have if you don't mind me asking? Yes, I think I'd agree, a lower gear ratio would be an improvement. Almost wondering about replacing the motor and gearbox with something better, although I guess the problem is finding something small enough to fit in the space. Rich

Thanks Paul, Whats your view on the soldering aspect - is it going to be quite an easy job, or somewhat awkward? Im getting to a stage of seriously considering going and getting a kit myself, but I've not done loco kits before hence the queries - the rest of this looks really nice tho - although I'm not sure whether to go Quarry Hunslet to start with or a George England! Before I've finished your thread will have talked me into going 16mm! Rich

Hiya, Very impressed with the high quality of your chassis construction, really does look superb. I cannot see much soldering work on the chassis though, is it just very good soldering or is most of it bolted together? I've looked back on the thread, but cannot quite make my mind up! Whose gearbox/motor do Slaters use for this? As you say, its shame about the little niggles, but I'm sure you'll sort them out. Can't wait to see it finished. Rich

I prefer snoozes to sleep Lol! Its important to get it how you want, and providing the interest and operational level that YOU are looking for. Keep going, you'll get there in the end, and its all fun in the meantime! Although if your anything like me, you go through too many rainforests of paper, old envelopes and beer mats with potential scribbles on! lol! Rich

Hi Larry - it is Hobby King ... link if your interested, they've gone up slightly, but I doubt 8p breaks the bank! https://hobbyking.com/en_us/hobbykingtm-hk15178-analog-servo-1-4kg-0-09sec-10g.html Sorry for hijacking the thread Andy ... hope your enjoying sorting things out, looking for your next update on Beale Street. Rich

Ah but insanity is the best part of this hobby - I was talking the cat earlier about that! . A friend of mine once spraying some lorry model was asked quite seriously why he was spraying at 2am - he replied and said its a dark part with black paint, if I spray it in daylight I'll never see it!!! Amazingly the neighbour said "oh right" and got as far as the backdoor before the penny dropped! Looks good mate. Coming on nicely Rich

Yes very well suited. If you've seen Jon Fitness' O gauge signals on this thread he uses cheap Hobby King servos to control each individual arm, and has had almost perfect reliability. To be honest they are so cheap even if they failed after 12 months, its a throw away and fit a new one situation, but Jon's experience suggests thats not the case and they have been very reliable over a long period. There are a number of options ( and I think MERG do a board too if you like electronics) but Megapoints do a simple plug in board - really easy to work, you don't need to know electronics, and the chap behind it is really helpful. The board has power in, and then one lead to each servo, that plugs into the board (if you can plug in a mains plug you can plug these in!) then there are a couple of push buttons that allow you to set each individual servo up ... I think the board will work 8 servos. For each servo you can configure how far left and right it goes, and (I think) speed, but don't hold me to the last one. You can also configure whether its points or a semaphore signal, and the latter you get a bounce action on reset. I worked out that eight new Tortoise point motors were £128 ish, where as the Megapoints board is £60, and the Servos are £1.80 each - so around £50 cheaper. Also, lets say you have 10 points on your layout, but two pairs are crossovers that could be worked together, then you only need one mega points board - you can purchase a 'Y' cable and activate two servos from the same terminal. The downside is that each will operate at the same time, and both will have the same movement settings, but that isn't normally an issue for crossovers. Course you can also work gates and barriers with servos as well. I also like servos because they are cheap, really easy to set up, don't need electronics knowledge and the extension cables and wiring can be acquired from loads of places on the web, as they've been used for years on remote control planes and cars - so plenty of options. The megapoints board also has an add on to respond to DCC signals if you wanted it. Any queries - shout! Rich

I've not actually looked at this type, but yes, the speed of servos are normally controlled by the 'controller'. On something like a Tortoise you apply power one way or the other and the switch moves at the rate power is supplied. With a servo, there is a controller board fitted between the power supply and servo, which controls how far it moves (both directions) and usually the speed at which you want it to move at. Servos can move very fast, very slow, or anywhere in between! Rich

Have you given any thought to how your going to line the model after painting? You mentioned about putting the decoder in the boiler/saddle - I presume thats all hollow underneath? Making mental notes for when I acquire one! Rich

Hi Giles, Just looking at your YouTube links, the layout is as superb as ever .. I saw it briefly at Bristol and it was stunning. Congratulations on superb scenics, a true example of how less really is more. I think you've started something with remote controlled vehicles tho!!! While looking at the YouTube footage it brought another (older?) layout up .. the loop? A narrow gauge slate line - is there anything on line about that? Im assuming its 0-16.5 again? EDIT: Yup it is! Found the website! http://www.gilesfavell.com/The%20Loop.htm Both are pure inspiration to all of us. Well done, a pleasure to watch them. Rich

Hi, I don't have a link but Paul Chetter (who is recognised as one of the best for DCC sound projects) tells me he has done recordings of most FR locos and two different Quarry Hunslets. If you drop him a line, he's on here as Pauliebanger - or drop me a PM and I'll pass on his email address, I'm sure he can tell you more! No connection other than a very satisfied customer of his other sound projects which are superb and work far more realistically than many others I've used! Rich

Really enjoying watching your build - I've never been into 16mm before, but having seen this, this kit has definitely gone on my must do list! Only trouble is Im going to need a small 16mm layout to run it! Especially as I've discovered that Quarry Hunslet Zimo sound chips are available! Rich