MarshLane

Hi Mike, Sorry to hear that - no problem, I'm in no rush .... if its easier, drop me a PM as and when. Rich

Hi Brian, All part and parcel of the 'BIG' one! There's a space, that is around 2-3 foot wide, and 10-12foot long, in the middle of the loft, that I was thinking of a goods warehouse style approach, but now thinking that a wagon repair shop would probably suit better, and allow different wagons and some shunting moves to take place! Hence the research! Happy New Year! Rich

Afternoon all, hope everyone had a good Christmas. Pottered along with a few little topics, but not achieved much. Have just about nailed the track plan for the 'BIG' project, more about that in the coming months tho. I've spent many hours looking around Flickr and books for inspiration on a variety of topics and while looking for wagon works images, came across one picture of Toton Wagon Works in Oct 1977 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/davidwf2009/5549688389) that would make a superb diorama! Looking at that shot, led me to the album that its in which is pure nostalgia and well worth a look for anyone. For the industrial or steam guys, scroll down the album selection a bit, but 20s, 25s, 37s, 45s, 46s and even the odd 31 mainly in the 1970s/1980s - lovely ... well worth a look if your board this evening! https://www.flickr.com/photos/davidwf2009/albums/72157626200525911 So with little else to report at this point, I'll take this opportunity to wish you all a Happy New Year - and here's to plenty of productive modelling time! All the best Rich

Hi Paul, Yes not a bad Christmas thanks. It's my spell checker keeps turning Jinty into Minty! Obviously not an LMS fan! Yes the 08 are David's (Jinty) speakers, as the 40 will be too. I need to pop the body off and sort out what space there is 40 the speaker, was hoping to do it the past couple of days but not had time! Rich

At least your base picture is on a decent depot - not one of these merseyside things Proper Eastern Region!

See word has got out about special trains with boxes of things running! Amazing how people gather when there is the potential for freebies in the offing! Looks even better with people tho - and it looked superb before hand! Rich

No problem, once I've done it, if Paul doesn't mind, I'll pop a link to the exact message on my thread with the full how-to - assuming I get it right Rich

I'm more wondering if the risk assessment has been done for offloading it on a public platform! Oh, sorry this is 1950s isn't it, ah easy then guy on the gate to hold the enthusiasts back and get the hand frank crane out - job done!

You'll do fine with it! If you can hang on for a few weeks, I'm in the middle of sorting out with Minty for the speakers for mine, which will gain a Paul Chetter Protodrive Zimo 'big boy' decoder! Which I'll document on here if it helps. Hope you and the family had a good Christmas. Rich

And to you Peter - love catching up on Llanbourne! Always something new and changing . That 31 looks superb, might have to nick that idea! Happy Christmas! Rich

Hi Michael, Thanks. Transfers shouldn't cause a major issue as there's only the numbers/data panel, and the yellow PO plate I think, but I'll have a chat with Steve at Railtec, given time I'm sure he'll be willing! Happy Christmas Rich

Thanks Andy. Yes, I agree the matching of Paul's audio and Jinty's speakers are superb! I just need to master driving it, but we'll sort it! Hi Brian, Oh very! Now let me see .. I've got five Dapol ones and a Bachmann - yup very addictive!!! One will stay as 08202, the other two blue ones are going to be modified so one has the double arrows on the side boxes, rather than the side doors, and the other will become a Tinsley unofficial namer. Of the remaining two, one is the green one which will stay green for Arksey, the other is currently away being repainted - although as Steve's workload at Railtec is heavy to say the least, I'm thinking that rather than the RFS livery that was planned - it might become a Railfreight Grey example instead. Have a great Christmas! Rich

Hi Ian, Really good progress. Can I ask what paper your using for the brickwork as that looks superb. Also, a rookie question, how have you bent your foam board for the arched roof of the overbridge? Happy Christmas to you and the family. Rich

Andy, Thanks for all the help and inspiration over the year - have a Happy Christmas mate. Interesting comment - my test bed doesn't have a fiddle yard, just a single headshunt that goes 'off scene' - I've really struggled with it as a layout, as whatever went off had to come back on next, I didn't have the ability to change the wagons or locos with out lifting them on or off, which I don't like doing, so I'd say you need something, either a couple of sidings or a run-off into interchangeable cassettes, otherwise I think the enthusiasm for running will dip when the realism dips. Rich

Evening all, well a quick update before the festive period begins (probably means more updates than normal haha!) I've not managed to make any further progress on soldering the pointwork connections yet, nor have I had change to progress the final parts of the NE brake van construction. However, the sound decoder for my Class 08 (thanks to Paul Chetter) has arrived, and Jintyman's superb speakers have landed as well - so one of the tasks on Thursday was fitting said items to the first of the 08s. I'll be totally honest and say my initial reaction wasn't as positive as I was expecting, but I think that is more down to my expectations than anything. A quick overview, for those attempting adding a DCC decoder or sound to the Dapol 08 - it really is easy, although there is a small amount of soldering (for which you do need a steady hand and care) if your going to add sound, but it is simple. Dapol have made this super easy, and I can only hope that Heljan take not of what they have done. I admit that one of the easy parts of this is that the 08 motor draws very little amps, and hence its is possible to use a OO gauge decoder with the 21-pin harness. The top of the body pulls off with some gentle and careful movement. If your worrying about this, don't just take it easy and don't force anything. With the top off you'll see the locos circuit board and a row of 21-pins. Once the top is lifted off, there will be a DC jumper located on the 21-pin (see above the loco on my work board in this view) hold it gently at the sides and very carefully rock it backwards and forwards with very little force, gently trying to lift it each time - it will soon move and just lift straight off. If your just adding the decoder and no sound, it is a simple case of pushing the new decoder down onto the pins, but see the notes below. For me, I had one of David's superb base round speakers, to fit. This needs the two retaining screws on the circuit board to be removed, allowing the board to be slid towards the cab and the speak to be dropped in. A lot easier than it sounds. Normally the cables from the speakers should be cut down a bit, but on this occasion I left them. With the speaker located, the circuit board can be put back in place. Note that next to the white plug, neared the camera are two silver connections marked SPK. It is to these that the cables are soldered. Not knowing which was + and -, I followed the picture on David's instructions and soldered the red cable nearest the front, and the black nearest the cab. Then it is is just a case of adding the decoder. You will notice on the above picture, the 21-pin jumper is missing a pin at the bottom most left socket. This is how you know the decoder is the right way up and correct way around. Match that missing pin with the missing hole in the decoder and the rest of the pins should gently slide into the decoder socket. Replace the lid and run! Worth remembering that by default all Zimo decoders (in fact I think all DCC decoders) are pre-programmed to address 3. The loco sounds superb, and the base speak from Minty Jinty is really recommended - thanks David. The little video clip below will allow you to judge for yourself - the first 08 (08227) is a Bachmann Brass model fitted about four or five years ago with an SWD LokSound decoder. The Dapol model (08202) is fitted with Paul Chetter's (Pauliebanger) Protodrive Zimo chip, which are only available direct from Paul for just under £100 including postage. I must apologise for the clutter in the background as well. I'm going to sort this test layout out over the next few months! http://vimeo.com/196961259 I mentioned earlier that it didn't quite meet my expectations. This is no reflection on David's speak, nor on Paul's sound project which is really superb - the audio is crisp and sharp, and very responsive. To me, the loco lacks control, but that could just be needing to get use to a different type of operation. On the test layout that the above video is filmed on, none of the locos really get above 20-25 on the Digitrax controller (the steps on DT go 00-99, although the decoders are all on 128 speed steps), as a result things like the Bachmann 08 start creeping at 01, are moving by 05, and running around 10-15mph by steps 14-17. Hence for shunting wagons, there is a very precise control. The Protodrive decoder is totally different. The brakes release at 01, it starts to creep (very very slowly, superb running and control of the motor by the decoder) around 10-12 and it is moving slowly by 28-30, and really starting to pick up a little speed by 60-70. But on the 08s I've had the ability to ride on, the electric 'whine' of the motors does come until 10-12mph, although I could be wrong - but because of the value before the model moves its coming in way before that speed and makes it sound like the sound is ahead of the speed. I have emailed Paul, and he's been great, and we're going to have another conversation after Christmas about changing a couple of CV values. But like I said, it could be me that needs to get use to it - its just that it makes shunting difficult, because there is no precise control now - its easy on the Digitrax to move the dial +/- 10 clicks, a lot harder to move it +/- 50 clicks in one go. I do like the responsive drive, that when you shut off it coasts to a stand, or you have to use F2 to brake - thats wonderful! Im very impressed with the audio however, beats the SWD chip by miles, and has reinforced my view that the Zimo chips are a lot more configurable, controllable and responsive than LokSound. Im sure we'll get it sorted after Christmas. Other News Another loco for the forthcoming 'BIG' Arksey Project has arrived, in the form of an all-over green-liveried Class 08, from Dapol. This one will be outbased at Arksey Sidings for shunting and tripping vehicles into the adjacent freight depot. I went for an all-over green with no yellow ends thinking it would be a bit different. I do like it! All that is left is to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and hope that you have a safe and festive time. If any of you are out for a drink over the holidays - remember to leave the car at home. I'll leave you with a snap shot that I look of one of the new 08s stabled in the yard as I left last night ... not great as it was between wagons, but hey, better than reindeer! Rich

Hello Mike, I shall be in touch after Christmas about your RTR 7mm JUA iron ore hoppers, initially for one, but with the aim of putting a 14 or 15 vehicle set together. Do you have any pictures, can't see any of that type on your Flickr page? Can I ask what you expect delivery to be? Not that I'm in any rush! Cheers Rich

Afternoon, Definitely still following! I keep reading back over pages because 'Moving Coal' is just such an inspirational layout. Closely watching progress with the tipper, and yes I'd love to see more frequent updates, but as they say, everything comes to he who waits! Happy Christmas Rich

Hi John, Thanks what an interesting idea - I'd never thought of that. I presume you've laid the tube under the board, rather than cutting out a channel? Rich

Hi John, That looks really good - hope I can get mine as straight! If you don't mind me asking what are the servos mounted along the board edge for? Rich

Andy, Sorry to hijack, but Chris, that PDF is superb - I'd love to say I remember reading it, but it was 5-6 years before I was born! But what a fascinating series of articles - is it just me, or do we not get things like this now? It all seems to be here's one layout, eight pages of an all to brief overview and job done, move on to the next? Are the model editors of the view that readers don't want the background, or inspirational insight articles? This seems to be more common place in US modelling today (although I don't see all that much) but there appears to be features that look at layouts, and then return for a photo spread, or to focus on a specific feature etc.. Like Railway Modeller used to do. Maybe its just me mis-remembering things - god thats something I remember my late (and much missed) grandfather said, "I don't remember it being like that when I was kid!" Ah well, back on topic - looking forward to hearing what you come up with Andy. I think in O gauge more than OO, less is more ... which is ironic given what im planning for my big 'Arksey' project in the loft, I couldn't get more in if I tried!! But keep going mate, the planning is all part of the fun and makes it work. Arksey has been 19 months in the planning so far! Rich

According to one of the sales chaps at Warley I spoke to, he said that the 08s will be in Dapol's catalogue for the next four to five years. They intend doing the next version in the series next year, and that was scheduled to be released November/December 2017 - although sources have since told me that the Minerva Pannier announcement could have pushed that back, as Dapol want to get their Pannier out to market asap, so it may be Jan/Feb 2018 before the next ones are out. At the moment, all the construction is done out in the Far East, with just the DCC sound added over here, but Dapol are looking at using their UK facilities, so that construction can be done back in the UK, with just mouldings and initial part creation out East. That will mean that they have the ability to do smaller runs of specific types - an example given was the radio controlled or industrial versions for instance, where a full run couldn't be justified. So in answer to your question, yes there will be more 08s next year/early 2018, and it is their intention to go through all the body styles and liveries. Im assuming that given the thoughts on smaller runs, things like Class 10s, 11s and 12s may also be feasible, although nothing on that has been said by Dapol. EDIT: I don't believe that there are any plans to re-run the first particular body shell again however. Hope the helps! Rich

I would guess because there wasn't (from my limited knowledge) any real 08 type station pilots at the Cross. Stock workings went further out and where in the hands of Baby Deltic, 31s, N2 tanks etc, as the pilots or smaller tanks would have been too slow. Any carriage additions/removals in the 50s-70s were, I think done out at Ferme Park, as the cross wasn't designed for lots of shunt movements which would have blocked the station throat. The above is only from observations however, not inside knowledge, so others are far likely to know more! Rich

Well family stuff on the run-up to Christmas seems to be taking up time, so little done this week on modelling. I did get an hour this afternoon to do a little more on the brake van however as the lost wax lamps have arrived from Slaters. Now, there are two lamps in each pack, what they don't tell you is one is a side lamp and one is a rear lamp! Fortunately, I acquired two packs incase I broke one, so the two side lamps have had their lenses drilled out and been painted white. Next task is to try and feed some fibre optic cable through the sides of them, which will run back to a red LED encased in a black box in one corner of the brake van. The aim being to get the for and aft glow on the lamps. Now I really should know this having done some training as a goods guard on a heritage line, but am I correct in thinking that brake van side lamps show a red aspect front and back?? Its been a few years and I cannot remember! Rich

Hi Mike, Very impressive! May I ask how you did the roof? Regards Rich

Yup, been there and done that! Glad to hear all is well and your progressing with weathering the test bed let me know when you want the production version! Haha! Rich