MarshLane

Al, It has just occurred to me, somebody (I think a club) did a model of this in OO a few years back, complete with working incline. It was on the exhibition circuit for a while and *I think* was described and photographed in Railway Modeller - I'm probably going back to early 2000s / late 1990s however. Can't think what it was called, might have been High Peak Junction or just Cromford Canal ... but might be of help you if you can find the article. Rich

Hi Al, Thanks - I may well do that if you don't mind! Its a lovely building - hoping to pop over next week and do some close up detail shots of the building, so I'll share them on here when I do, if they help (or if you want hires images), use them with pleasure and feel free to shout! I would agree with the handbuilt pointwork, and having just started building my own Im enjoying it, but its one of those what works for one doesn't for another, and personally Im not sure I'd want to build them in OO, but thats just me!! However, as you've said its a quickie so to speak to get some stock running, so go with what works for you! As ever Rule #1 applies. Rich

Hi Andy, Thanks - its one that has always appealed to me, and somehow the slightly darker blue of 60006 seemed to look better than the light blue on 37501. My dad used to work on the works, and managed to get me into the naming of 60006 and 60033 at Frodingham Platform, I still have the photos somewhere! So this was always going to be a must do for me! Just wish I could get things sorted out, so that I can get the big layout moved on, but in the meantime, its down to wagon collecting - although I can see a couple of Heljan centre-head code 20s being added to the fleet later this year! RIch

Evening all, Its occurred to me that I've a few different projects on the go, and that some people reading this may think I've given up with some as I haven't mentioned a couple of things in a while, so this post is really a general round-up of where we are heading into Summer. Im not starting anything else now until a few of these are finished!!! But I do find having a few projects on the go gives me variety. Marsh Lane Depot Building Well things are almost complete with this - just need to finish the roof off and add the interior detailing. But all the lights etc, now work and I'm delighted with the result. With the house-move on the horizon, my original plans for the building have changed somewhat so in some respects I'm at a little bit of a loss what to do with it now! I suspect, it may end up on the big layout (when its built), possibly as the engine shed for the internal diesel fleet, failing that it may end up being sold. LNER Brake Van Kit Now basically completed. Just needs some pickups adding to allow the onboard lights to be track powered. The side lights need fibre optics fitting, and the whole thing needs a little filler, then painting, for which I'm waiting on the better, warmer weather. Metrocar Model This proposal was originally tied in with the layout that would have had the original depot building on, and while still on the go, its a little on the back burner. The whole vehicle is designed in Illustrator, ready to be laser cut from MDF and plastic, but I'm waiting for the cab ends to be complete to check all measurements before proceeding. The cabs are being CAD designed by a chap that I know, but he's been so busy with his day job recently, that things have come to a stop. He's still progressing it however, and once the cab is complete and has been 3D printed, then I can check the drawing measurements and get on with building it. The trailing and driving bogies are all identified as are the pantographs, the only big job (apart from building one!) is working out how to do the detailed bogie sides, which may be a resin cast - assuming I can work out how to do those! Big Loft Layout All on hold, pending a possible house move, but at least the trackwork has been designed, just need to make sure if I do move that the new house has a room large enough for it to fit in! Little Arksey Railway A portable 6' x 18" industrial railway layout. Primarily intended for trying out various scenic options before progressing with the 'Big Layout'. The project is now well underway - see this thread - One board is almost ready for the trackwork to be painted, weathered and ballasted. The other still needs the track work laying, but most items have been built. Then its onto the scenery. Motive power will include Dapol 08s, Minerva Peckett and Victory, and an NER electric loco, for which some overhead catenary will be built, although the real thing also used third rail, so thats an option yet too! Modern Industrial Diesel Locomotive Scratchbuilding This project was always destined to be a long term thing, but improving my knowledge of CAD design is ongoing. The real thing will be photographed and measured up this month, so that will start the process moving on that one, at which point I'll reveal some more details. But this will just bumble along in the background. Once I'm happy with the CAD designs, then construction using 3D printing and brass will start. Judith Egde Kits - NER Electric Now underway, pending a new soldering iron and solder, which have been ordered and should be here within a few days. This loco will, along with the Dapol 08s, be the key motive power for Little Arksey. Again no rush with this one, just take my time and enjoy the build! Like I say, I enjoy variety in modelling!!! Rich

Hi Al, Nice plan - and a couple of photos of the workshop area there that I've not seen before. Im using the Workshop building, that still stands today, as the basis for the workshop building on my O Gauge Arksey layout, a couple of minor tweaks needed to make everything fit, but its a lovely example of its era. Looking forward to watching your progress with the layout as a whole. Rich

Thanks Andy, Must admit Andi has done a fabulous job with it. Just needs a DCC decoder now - I think in all honesty, it may just fit in the back siding (that doesn't currently have any rails on the sleeper) so may make the odd appearance! It will be far more at home on the big layout eventually with a rake of BDA steel wagons behind it! Rich

Well some of you who have been reading my other thread in the 7mm Modelling section all have seen that last year I acquired a slightly damaged Class 60 in Trainload Metals livery - no major problems, just some varnish that had either been spilt down the bodyside or hadn't dried properly, but the more I looked at it the more I decided I didn't like it! So while wanting to recreate a local machine, that was the obvious candidate for repaint. Hence it was dispatched to a mate in Sheffield for a trip through the paint shop and was duly returned this afternoon looking amazing! Its too big to run on the future two-board, 6' long Little Arksey but will be one of the locos for the big loft layout. There's some more pics over on the other thread, click here for Post #743, if you want to take a look, but may I present No. 60006 Scunthorpe Ironmaster, in ex-works condition having just been named! Rich

Evening all, Glad to see there's several of us of a similar vein where alcohol is concerned!! Some of you may recall tat that last year I acquired a slightly damaged Class 60 in Trainload Metals livery - no major problems, just some varnish that had either been spilt down the bodyside or hadn't dried properly, but the more I looked at it the more I decided I didn't like it! So while wanting to recreate a local machine, that was the obvious candidate for repaint. Hence it was dispatched to a mate in Sheffield for a trip through the paint shop and was duly returned this afternoon looking amazing! Its too big to run on the future two-board, 6' long Little Arksey but will be one of the locos for the big loft layout. I have to say Andi has done a superb job with it, and it looks wonderful sat outside in the Spring sunshine on Arksey! These have all been taken on the big DSLR using Helicon software to present a fully focused image. As you can see during the photo shoot 08202 arrived back on shed from its days shunting, so also got in on the pictures! Rich

Haha! Yay another teetotaller! I'm exactly the same, never have. So a trip to Costa coming up then!! Lol!

Is that a case of an answer looking for a question? hehe Rich

Might be worth looking at splitting the entire width in two and going for 18" wide boards? I've done that on Arksey and have to say they are a lot better and easier to lift that 24" boards I've done previously. Just a though for you. Two 18" side by side would give 36" to play with.... Rich

Hiya, Sorry, don't know your first name, but that building is lovely. How have you managed to get such an accurate uniform look to the brickwork? Really nice, looking forward to see how you paint it! If you don't mind asking, what have you used for the handle on the door? Rich

Thanks John, you've confirmed what I was thinking earlier - the search for a new hotter iron is on! Fiberglass Pen's - thats what I was trying to think of earlier for cleaning before soldering. Something else that vill go on zee list ... sorry been watching Dads Army Thanks Andy - one of those minor setbacks, from which we learn and go forward. As my Dad says, you need to make mistakes to learn sometimes. This wasn't so much of a mistake, just not making sure I had the right equipment in the first place ... not like putting Petrol in a Diesel engine is it ... uhmm, can't think why I would have suggested that comparison! . Im determined to build it tho, and if necessary, I'll just keep taking it apart until I get the bloody thing right!!!! Ah right, well I'll stay on the easy track and steer clear of power flow flux for now then. Thanks for the links Jinty, I'll go take a look. Always useful as at least I know what I'm looking for/at! Always welcome such likes, its up to me what I do with them, but often far better than saying oh something that does this and does that! As ever, that helps a lot Jinty .. think I'll have to bring these wagons over and treat you to a pint! lol Don't keep the popcorn to yourself mate! Given the amount of soldering you do, do you use a fibreglass pen for cleaning, or do you have other options? Rich

Hi John, All a very big learning curve for me, but thats good I was always that odd kid out in class at school that actually wanted to be there and enjoyed it!! Hmm, now you mention it, it could be lead free solder, that seems to ring a faint bell somewhere along the line - another indicator its the wrong stuff! I did think about a Butane Touch, but decided that the risks to health, the kitchen worktop and the house insurance were too great to bound into one of them! With the soldering iron the worst that can happen is I need to replace a carpet tile from the spares in the loft, before somebody gets home!!!! Hi Simon, Not heard of powerflow before, but I'm guessing it some form of flux liquid or paste? The flux I've got, which I'll have a look at the brand when I go back downstairs, seems to work well on most things, and doesn't leave a greeny coloured mess. Give both John's comments and yours I'm thinking it could be lead free solder. In which case its maybe not the iron thats at fault? Rich

Hi Jinty, Thanks for the reply - its a Draper 25w I think, to be honest my previous one was a 20watt that I just used for electrical connections and it packed up a few weeks ago, so this was on offer at The Range! I've been thinking about going to a 40-50watt iron, so I'll have a look at what Weller do. The solder is some stuff I've had for a while, and the label has dropped off! But I'm now thinking it was electrical solder and probably not the right stuff. Pete at C&L has suggested going for 145 and 188 degree solder when Precision Paints get their website up and running, which they tell him should be next week, with all of the Carrs product range. So I'll do that I think. Is CIF (what used to be JIF) the best thing to scrub brass over with after its been soldered? Pete also suggested removing some of the spare 'holding' fret and using that to practice doing 90 degree soldering on .. an obvious idea really, but one I hadn't thought about! Not really disheartened, more disappointed that I'd got an entire day of peace and quiet to do something and not really achieved anything! But I enjoyed the bit at the start, so I'll keep that in mind!! Rich

Afternoon all, Well I said I would update the thread with a couple of pictures - thanks to those who have commented etc, responses to follow! Having read through the instructions from Michael Edge several times, I started with this... and removed the frame baseplate from the fret, along with the two solebars. As there are some rivet details on the outer edge of the solebars I decided that the small 'tacks' of solder that are suggested in the instruction should be done on the inside Now as you'll have gathered from my previous comments at lunchtime, getting the solder to actually work proved less than difficult, and having lifted the frame place, I gently placed a finger against the sole bar which confirmed my fear that I hadn't got things right, as it fell over and slid onto the glass board! So just need to wait until next week when I can order some solder - unless anyone can point out another supplier of 145 and/or 188 degree solder?? - and then I'll come back and have another go. I've taken a small file and some wet/dry to both the base frame and solebars, removed all the existing solder and cleaned them back up again, ready to have another bash! I assume there is no special 'tip' for a soldering iron for things like this? Rich

Morning all, Well so far this morning has been a total waste of time!! That's not true, some learning has taken place but having started with the kit, I've had horrendous problems soldering - having been very careful to clean everything up, the solder just isn't taking to the brass. When it does the joint is weak and no where near as strong as I want it to be. So I've come to two conclusions one I think I may have picked up electrical solder by accident and two the iron isnt heavy enough on power, with the result that the brass is taking the heat out of it. As you'll see from the couple of pictures below the base frame is a large piece of brass and I don't think the iron can cope with losing that amount that quickly. So a call to Pete at C&L resolved the query, but also means that I need to hold onto until next week when Phoenix Paints should have their new Carrs website up and running so I can get the proper solder. Pete also suggested that it was likely more the solder than the iron causing the issue. So one step forward and two steps back!! Rich PS Slight issue posting pictures from my phone so I'll update this post after lunch with images.

Evening all, Have a day off tomorrow, and the house to myself! Wooohhh! So much I could do lol! But I've decided that it's time I bit the bullet so to speak and started my NER electric loco brass kit! New draper soldering iron at the ready, and another first for me, never tackled anything brass before so this could be fun ... or a total disaster!!! Hope to have some progress to post tomorrow evening, he says hopefully! Rich

Looking good mate. Just wait till you see your locos sat on there!

Hi Shane, I think thats the point - people weren't aware of that fact, because the 'official' posts from Steve announcing the project made no reference to it. It really is all about communication. But well done to those guys who suggested it in the first place, lets hope it all reaches fruition. The one thing all this has shown me, is that Facebook among railway modellers isn't the be all and end all - I thought I was in a very very small minority not being involved in it, turns out I'm not! Rich

Hi Marcus, Now this isn't fair you know ... when your say your going to play trains, I assume you mean in the loft!!! . Glad you seem to have enjoyed yourself with the 20s - get them up to Doncaster will you Building is coming on well too ... I've started sketching out some drawing for the shed buildings on Arksey, and have been reading and re-reading your posts, suggestions and hints a few times! Rich

Very nice modelling, as others have said - where and why have you been hiding! I love layouts like this - they don't have to be huge, and the detail and quality of the modelling takes over the viewers eyes. Your buildings and ground detailing is wonderful, and I can hear crys of "more! more!" from the auditorium, sorry better go take my pills! Really is superb pre-grouping modelling. Well done! Rich

I think they are suppose to be the indestructible kind!! Sure there is more bolts in that thing that there was in the Titanic ... then again, look what happened to that! Rich

Hi Steve, Purely for the purpose of feedback so your aware of people's view, I would have to agree with the majority of Richie's comments, although having read your response, I can see where some of the confusion has come. Without wishing to be telling anyone what to do - perhaps a better explanation at the start might have helped. I understood it to be an Little Loco project, and Steve's initial post did not suggest otherwise, so perhaps communication is one of the key aspects. However, I'm one of those who is not a Facebook fan and don't have a Facebook account. Also Steve, if I may, you mention Social Media (which is several things, not just Facebook) but have only given two Facebook URLs, was there any information on Twitter, for example? If I may, I also think Richie has raised a very valid point about public perception of the brand image - something that all businesses need to think how any decision would affect their brand. Rich

Hi Steve, Not on Facebook - do you have the address for the crowdfunding page? Know a couple of people who would be interested, but none of us are on Facebook! Rich