MarshLane

Evening all, Just to update the thread a little for anyone using three-link couplings, these 'Shunters Poles' are now available - in essence a small pen type torch (powered by 2 AA batteries) attached to which is a magnet and used for coupling and uncoupling three-link and screw-type couplings. The smaller one is aimed at both 4mm and 7mm, the larger variety at 7mm. The distance of the magnet from the pen is easily adjustable to suit everyone's own taste. Priced at £14 post free in the UK. If anyone wishes to purchase one, or if you have any questions, either PM me on here, or email marsh.lane@outlook.com I shall be launching a website shortly, on which these will feature, and better photos are to be done, so apologies for the quality of these interim ones. The left hand is the larger, and naturally, the right hand is the smaller version. Rich

On tenter hooks to find out the fate of Beale Street Andy! Rich

Hi Marcus, Very nice! Love the look of that cliff face, any chance of some close up photographs? Your giving me ideas for mine now! Rich

Can't comment on the factory sound, but I'd say it's so simple to fit the sound chip yourself. Have a look at my thread from early December - took me all of 15 minutes and it's dead simple. Rich

Hi Lee, Do love 31s in that colour scheme! Looks superb ... if you don't mind me asking, how come the windows are purple and what is the stand its on? Presume its designed for spray painting locos? Rich

Hi Simon, Superb as ever! Are the various point cranks and rods scratch built or are they commercial items? Any chance you could tell us where the cast numbers on the sleepers came from? Rich

Thanks Ken, Maybe just busy then after the Christmas Break - they are listed at the Bristol 7mm show a week on Sunday, so I'll have a chat with them there. Rich

Hi Andy, Not sure if you've ever done total repaints as opposed to just weathering, but if you have - do you go with Railmatch paints? For that kind of thing, I assume a compressor and airbrush is the better bet, rather than running from compressed air in a can? Rich

Hi Jinty, Can't think you'll have too much trouble selling that, its lovely! If it had been blue I'd have had it for Arksey! Your weathering certainly is nice - package on its way to you soon btw Rich

As a matter of interest, did anyone get a response from Skytrex to their emails? Thinking I might put a call in tomorrow, as I've had nothing back? Rich

Woooowwwoooooohhh Sorry, went a bit overboard there! Well done mate - I said one day the penny (should that phrase be a pound in the current world??) would drop and it would make sense! Rich

Its that secret love of Deltics Rich

See there's always a snag! As for the Buzz kits, I'll bow to your greater knowledge. Really am tempted to make a purchase from them at Bristol of their Freightliner flat, but the cautious nature of etched brass is kicking in! Sorry to hijack Jinty. A day out? Wow, sounds like a world tour! Hope you got your visa stamped going over to Ynys Mon, least you got back out ... and likely earnt some brownie points with Mrs J too Rich

Well we have the 60 ... all depends on somebody producing the wagons hint hint . Nice video tho. Rich

Think London King's Cross is just going to have to become that little known Liverpool King's Square station that took diverted traffic from Lime Street during electrification problem solved! Hehe! Rich

Hi Jinty, I'll take a look at those, thanks. At some point, I am going to have to jump into this brass lark - Arksey will need a bewildering number of BDA wagons - I reckon about 25! So going to have to have a go ... I suppose the upside that I'll be able to build them with my eyes shunt when I'm finished!! Wonder if they do a discount on bulk buys?? But your right, that OTA looks nice, as does their SPA, SSA and TEA tank. Oh look what you've done now! Talking of Ferry Van's different kind I know, but the Buzz Models 3D printed Ferrywagon looks quite neat, although like the Heljan ones wouldn't really work on a small layout - we could suggest it to Brian, if it needed attention at Duddleston Wagon Works Rich

Hi Leon, Oh nice choice - 37711 if I remember correctly? Couple of nice relivery projects to keep you going there Leon. Nice to see SWF back on the board again, looking forward to some photos. Its the period I knew growing up as a kid, albeit not in South Wales, but coming from a steelworks town, I well remember the the metals traffic! Plus SWF has been a big inspiration for my new O gauge layout .. which I'm hoping to get a thread started on in a few weeks time ... so I was really pleased to hear your interest was still there. Keep going Leon, you've a nice layout with nice stock there. Rich

I forgot to mention the previous post - I note that at some point today, we past the 20,000 views mark on this thread, which is truly unbelievable - I would have been amazed had it got over a few thousand when I started back in May last year! Thank you all of you who regularly take look, and especially to those who post with comments/suggestions and advice. Its all appreciated. The coming year should hopefully bring more interesting content, and some images of locos and models actually working! Thanks again Rich

Nice photos John, but that layout is absolutely superb! Hope I can get my track work as good as that. Is there any information online about the layout or its construction at all? No other thread on rmWeb I'm guessing? EDIT: Oops, missed the blogspot link in the first post! Doh! Talk about mind blowing 250 out of 10 my man! Rich

Hi Jinty, I've been speak to Pete Harvey about high-intensity headlights that are suitable for operation, and he's got some if that helps .. I'm sure Pete won't mind me quoting from his email "cast in resin I have designed them so you would just need to cut a square hole in the nose of your model and then glue them in place, then fit the Led from the rear. " Priced at £8.50 + £1.50 p&p for a pair. Rich

Thanks Marcus, Very kind - yes I was surprised when I logged on and found 61 notifications!!! Glad it was enjoyable for you - hopefully much more exciting stuff to come with Arksey, the 'BIG' layout once I finish clearing the loft out and getting it started! Got to master the art of copper clad pointwork for that, as the first 34 points are all CC as they'll be hidden out of sight, then onto the scenic stuff! Rich

Thanks Marcus, You really should be very proud! If I can get Arksey (when I start it next month) half as close I'll be happy! BR blue diesels and plenty of freight lol!! Shrewsbury brings back memories of cold, wet days with no chance of photography because the light metre said go home, or three weeks at f2! Now following along, and looking forward to your next testing session Rich

Dave, Any chance I could come stay for a few weeks, the real railway scene round you way is far more interesting than anywhere else I've found ... 37s, 47s, 56s, 58s, they've all long vanished round us! Anyway enough of the real thing, when are you going to post some pictures of that model of yours? Rich PS I think you've really worked out how to build a time machine and your tricking us with this, it's simply too good! Don't drive a Delorian do you?

Al took the words out of my mouth - stunning layout Andy, not come across that before but really captures the essence of Scotland. Can't wait to see how the scenery turns out on Beale Street for you. My 'BIG' O gauge will be more industrialised, but I'm hoping to get some greenery on it! Rich

Hi Marcus, Wow! What a superb layout - being an O gauge modeller, I don't tend to inhabit the Layout Topics area often, but had a little time tonight so have been wandering round - Peak Dale Wood is superb, well done. I've just spent an enjoyable 20 minutes wandering through it and looking at the images. Have to see if I can get a pass out with the camera and spend an hour on the line side round that area - far better than the 66 onslaught we get round me! Love seeing high quality layouts around, that PDW really does tick the boxes for me - I'll be checking back in regularly. Rich