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Boiler certificates have become a problem so I have retired the layout whilst I ponder on what to do next, however it will be at G Rail in Nottingham on 19th May.

Hi Richard I use a 2.4Ghz radio control system from Lococontrol.co.uk. Dave Pritchard the owner does a small amount of customisation of the transmitters for me, but his standard offering will work just as well. ( I don't use the extra function buttons and use a switch for direction servo rather than a pot. You can use the bind button which is on channel 5 to opearte a switch if required, my Anne has an electronic whistle on this channel) I like the system for its small size and the ability to bind receivers without needing to gain access to them to fit bind plugs which gives me great flexibility and resilience. The radio coverage is limited in range, particularly in the undergrowth in the garden, but is more than enough for my needs, particularly on my exhibition layout. I get around 30ft in the garden and 50ft indoors but it greatly depends on circumstances and where the aerial is mounted within the loco, most of mine are under the cab floor, so not ideal for reception. There are other alternatives from Fosworks and Micron amongst others. (Usual disclaimer, I have no connection to any of these business other than as a satisfied customer). However, the primary reason for the locos controllabilty is the use of Slomo inertia devices rather than the radio system and I could not operate the layout as I do without these devices. http://smallsteamperformance.com.au/ They absolutely transform the loco performance and I wouldn't have any loco without one.

Please do put the doors on the right way round though, not as in the picture. The diagonal brace should always go from the top outer corner back to the hinge post. Just look at any real life engine shed. It's just amazing how many people get this wrong

Here's the fifth and final loco in the Hambleden Fleet. Its an amalgamation of a lengthened and modified Roundhouse Katie body on a shortened Lady Anne chassis. Has new rear coal bunker, front running boards and other details, including a shortened chimney, a chuff pipe and a Slomo. See it in action on Hambleden on youtube at: or at BRM Alexandra Palace 24/25th March or 16mm show Peterborough 7th April 2018

The run time is purely a function of how fast you burn through the contents of the gas tank. What the engine does or how much steam it uses has no bearing on the run time. You just need to get the burner as low as it will go wothout turning it out. If the burner is left wide open, the standard Roundhouse 32ml gas tank will empty in around 28mins. Given it takes 7-8 mins to raise steam to 40psi, that leaves a running time of around 20 mins. The lower you can set the burner, the more you will extend this time. 50mins is my best.

Just found this thread. Runtimes vary between 25mins and 45 mins. As stated above, the trick is to get the gas turned down as low as possible without turning it out. On Roundhouse locos this has to be done by listening to the burner roar and at exhibitions, background noise can make this diificult to hear, However the gas control knobs are fitted with a pointer to give a visual indiction of the setting. As Mike said above, I now use a timer device and swap locos over after about 25mins to avoid them running out of steam on the layout, plus the audience doesn't want to see the same loco for long periods of time, I currently have four spread over a 90 minute schedule

search for hambleden valley railway on youtube. there are several videos of it in operation including at exhibitions