MarshLane

You'll have to acquire one of the DLOS shunters poles Andy - they're extendable a little! See the O gauge Auto couplers thread, but ideal for coupling and uncoupling three links in 4mm and 7mm. As for the final final plan ... I always thought there would be a sequel ... just hoping it's not the Christmas special as they're never as good as the main series!!!! Rich

My Railtec transfers for the Dapol 08 and next 47 repaint arrived yesterday - superb and the clarity is, to me anyway, the best I've seen on transfers. Rich

Have you spoken to Steve at Railtec about 3D printed ones? Rich

Hi Steve, Have to say I like that mate. Looks really good! Rich

Hi Jim, Thanks for the comment. Its a piece of software called Helicon Focus (http://www.heliconsoft.com/heliconsoft-products/helicon-focus/) I'm running on an Apple Mac, but there is a Windows version as well. I have the version that includes Helicon Remote, which allows you to operate the camera from the computer. My Nikon D800 is then connected with a USB cable to the Mac and away you go - it takes a little practice to get the focus points right, but nothing too complicated. Once you've set the focus points in Helicon Remote, the software controls the camera to go away and do its thing, downloading each shot as it goes, and once finished, imports the lot into Helicon Focus ... at its very basic, its then two mouse clicks to merge, but I'm going to play with that tomorrow, as with the latest version I'm sure I can improve these a little bit more! Really is giving me the urge to push on with the new layout however, and get a proper back scene up! Rich

Nice Andy - looks good ... only thing was, Im thinking what about ...... <gagged> Call me cynical, but I get the feeling your not totally keen on four wheeled German rail buses? Seriously, well done mate - looks good, and for your style, I think you've hit the nail on the head. Rich

Had another little play tonight with the camera ... hope nobody is fed up with the same locos! I really do need to change them round for a bit. Just incase nobody is aware, this is a method called Focus Stacking - it involves taking several different photographs at different focal lengths on an SLR camera, which are then merged by software to form one sharp image. This one is is the biggest I've done ... 87 different images focused from left to right, merged into one! Amazing! A couple of others too... Rich

Thanks Andy, I'd love to take the credit, but alas it was all down to the chap that painted the loco for me! But it is a really good weathering job. Very pleased with it. Hi Brian, Hehe - it was only just because it was sat on the board honest!!! . Now managed to find my long USB3 cable to connect the Nikon D800 to the computer, so I'll probably try a few more tomorrow ... I'll swap some of the locos around to hide the 58 this time Rich

Thanks Paul/Marcus. I must say I'm pleased with them. Takes a bit of time to setup, and get used to, but then it's a breeze! Once I get on with Arksey and get a proper background and scenery there, the photos should hopefully achieve one of the aims - to be realistic! As for weathering, i've just about built up the courage to try a wagon! Not sure I'd have the nerve to to try it on a £500 loco yet! But I love what Paul is doing with his 08s - the greasey axleboxes especially! Looks just how I remember them! Transfers have been dispatched from Steve at Railtec for the first of the 08 renumbering projects Rich

Oh I agree mate. I'm very tempted to standardize on Paul's Protodrive decoders - love how responsive they are, and the audio clarity is superb. Adds that extra dimension to things! Rich

Hi Andy, Thanks mate - no problem. You've a lot on you mind at the moment with BSS and BV developments! Thanks for the reply, that's useful. Rich

Hi Paul, To be honest, it's on my list of things to do, I just haven't got to it yet! Also, like I say there's not critism of you or the product implied - I love the decoder and the sounds, and I just wasn't sure if it was me being picky. Also I've been experimenting to try and work out what needed tweaking to get the best out of it with my system, and like I mentioned in our last email I'm sure a lot is me just getting use to things, so wanted to wait until I'd had a good run. I made the comment because I was just interested in the views of others. No disappointment or errors were implied tho, sorry if anything came over like that. However, thanks for the CV configurable, I think my current one is V1, but I'll be back to you soon for a V2 to go in the next one! As they say 1 down, 4 to go! Rich

Very nice mate - can anyone tell me, this might just be me remembering wrongly, but your video shows this clearly. The electric whine of the motors is kicking in when the wheels are just starting to move - of the 08s I've been on, I recall that the loco had to be doing 6-7mph before the whine kicked in? Am I right, or is my memory playing tricks (quite possible!). It bugs me every time I run mine! Any DBC 08/09 drivers around???? Rich EDIT: Thats not to knock Paul Chetter in anyway, I love the clarity and definition of the audio, its superb, and I'll be acquiring them for my other 08s, just interested to know if that whine is right!

Hi Andy, I like the latest two ideas, and either work for me ... one question, whats the background story to the yard? Ie what is it serving, or where the wagons are concerned, what are they doing/on their way to or from? If your anything like me, having that background detail helps work out what you want to do and/or portray? Rich

Thanks Brian, Im going to finish the brake van off first, before diving in, but Im quite looking forward to it now - of course, may change that view once I get started!! Spent an hour or two tonight with the big Nikon DSLR and the latest version of my photo stacking software, playing around doing some pictures and getting used to it a bit ... have attached a selection below, I'm really pleased with them, the quality and better depth of field for modelling is brilliant. Would welcome any comments as usual . These were all just taken on the testbed that runs down one side of my study. Rich

Hi Robin Ah I thought I recognised the artwork! I almost commented that they were on a par with Those by Tove!! In terms of signals, are you going to work on the premise of departing from any siding, or having dedicated departure roads? Rich

Thanks Marcus. I'm a bit cautious about it all having never attempted something that big or complicated, but Laurie was great with the advice, and having seen the instructions, I'm looking forward to it! I think this one will be outshopped as 37512 Thornaby Demon in Railfreight Grey (no red sole bar) livery. But doing the kit, introduces another aspect - i need to learn how to airbrush so I can paint the think! Posted a query on Andy's P painting and weathering forum, and starting to look around at various airbrush options. Looking at motor options, most people on JLTRT kits seem to be going with ABC motors and gears? Hahaha! Yup that's the idea Andy, mind you there are three sat here at the moment, although only one is sound fitted - decided that I'm going to hang back getting the green one painted for now, and hopefully do it myself when I'm feeling more prolific, which has the added advantage of being able to sort out the cab lighting and headlight at the same time. Thanks mate - not sure if its brave or stupid! We'll find out tho! As for 47s moving, well there are five in the fleet at present, ideally want the same again when finances allow and they come up - but saying that, if this 37 works then a JLTRT kit might be an option too! Idea is that each one will be in a different livery associated with the 1980s. God I've just realised the value of what 10 47s would be ... ooops! Rich

Hi Steve, Any recent updates? Rich

Haha! Logical reaction I suppose, but all three of us want them!! Wonder what the minimum number is that they need for a re-run? Rich

Evening all, Just a quick update tonight. I've managed to get an hour to move the brake van on a little so that isn't far off now. No pics tho as the battery died on the phone! The entire day has been spent doing more tidying out in the loft - can actually see the floorboards in places for the first time in decades! About half way through so I suspect another 2 or 3 days work up there and it will be sorted, then I can start work on Arksey yay! Other news I've acquired the latest version of my photo stacking software to work with the Nikon D800 so I'm hoping to try that out over the next couple of days, which should give improved photography! Oh and after much thought and discussion ... I've taken the jump and purchased a JLTRT Class 37/5 kit! What I have let myself in for!! I must say thanks to Laurie at JLTRT whose been really helpful in answering a few questions. Hopefully if this goes together ok it will open the doors to a few more 'refurbished' or 'heavyweight' tractors - well you can never have enough 37s now can you? Exciting times ... just hoping I haven't bitten off more than I can chew! Rich

Yes no problem. I'm going to do a video to show that - I'll try and do it, then pop it up tomorrow. My initial trials have worked well and it's a lot easier than the piece of wire or screwdriver I was using!! I think with practice you can uncouple wagons without much of any movement to the vehicles. Rich

If its anything like mine, it nice and toasty, just as I'm ready to come down and call it a night! Haha! Looking forward to an update Leon, definitely agree on the '37' action! Rich

Hi Robin, Im no expert by any means, and certainly not on LNWR, but I would suggest that on the 'Birmingham Central Goods' Box diagram there would have been a ground signal within the tunnel on what becomes the departure road, but I guess it may have been controlled by the next box, up near Five Ways if this map is anything to go by. Somebody far more knowledgable will no doubt chip in with an accurate answer, but id assume that given there is a box at Birmingham Central Goods, then the block section through the tunnels would have been 'blocked back' (i.e. occupied) for shunting moves, with departures seemingly only allowed from certain roads. Given the lack of passenger traffic at the location, and the terminal nature, there wouldn't be any need for each road that shunting takes place on to be signalled, nor a need for catch points. On your plan , I would have thought there would be a signal on the Docks branch (unless you fully signal the exchange siding and the two roads below it which would seem overkill) which would I guess be Token worked to the next box on the branch or a 'one engine in steam' token issued. EDIT: Forgot to add - like the idea and what your doing, and your illustrations are superb! Following along with your progress. Rich

Paul, What powders have you used to weather it, and (I've never done anything like this) but using a spray don't you find it blows the powered off, or is there some varnish or something already on that the powder sticks too? (Total novice here!) Rich

Wouldn't it be easier just to change the jumper rather than start painting yourself??? Looks really good - shame there are no major rock formations in Lincolnshire, I think the line on my new layout, might have to tunnel out of some rocky outcrop! Well done tho, the colouring and texture look really good - agree with Andy P's comment, its getting harder to tell these days. Hope I can live up to this high standard with mine! Rich