mdh1950

On 03/12/2023 at 13:25, Tony Wright said:

Speaking of various drives, a few of possible interest which I've found to be entirely successful............

 

In no particular order of merit - merely alphabetical..................

 

 

Backwoods Miniatures and a Mashima powering a B12. Both, sadly, no longer available as far as I know. 

 

Branchlines and Mashima.

 

 

Multi-stage to power a DJH 'Semi'.

 

 

And a single-stage to power a B12.

 

 

Comet and Canon.

 

 

Inside a B1. 

 

 

Prior to Mashimas no longer being made, Comet made 'boxes to suit them (top). 

 

The London Road J6 (bottom) has its own LRM simple 'box, which I later altered to disguise its appearance underneath the boiler (see later).

 

 

To 'slow' D13s down, DJH made a 'box to suit them, though this SEF A3 chassis is still the fastest I've got!

 

 

The current DJH motor/gearbox combinations. Pricey? Yes, but on a par with a second-hand Portescap and (unless it's an old Portescap), much quieter.

 

 

The AM 10 fits snugly into a D2. 

 

 

And an ancient Stephen Poole J15 (which I mechanically-rebuilt for a friend, then sold-on). DJH used Mashimas previously, then supplied their own motor.

 

As for the K's Mk.2................................

 

 

On a small loco, with a low-slung boiler, the drive is invisible. 

 

Michael, I hope you're still happy with this little antiquarian piece. 

 

 

And a DJH AM9, installed in V2 frames (which now romp around Retford). 

 

Just occasionally, a drive will run better in one direction than the other. If that's the case, I just turn it round to give the better performance going forward. When I say better, it's usually down to quietness.

 

 

A High-Level  'box and Mashima. Though this (because of the motor's rotundness) will only drop into EM or P4 frames, the big advantage is that the motor can subsequently be removed without taking the whole assembly out of the frames.

 

The disadvantage? Nothing to do with the motor, but that final gear can only be fixed by an 'adhesive' of some kind. I dislike this arrangement, finding a grub-screw far, far superior.

 

 

Indeed, this High-Level box in this (really ancient) ECJM L1 has a grub-screw. 

 

I've built three High-Level 'boxes now, and found them to be excellent. However, an equal number (installed in locos built by others) I've found new homes for have been rather noisy. I suppose it comes down to care in assembly.

 

 

Which is just what Geoff Haynes did in assembling the frames for this EM 'Buffalo' using a High-Level drive (I built the loco's bodywork - the reason I didn't build the chassis is because the customer supplied friction-fit drivers; something I cannot get on with). 

 

 

London Road Models supply a simple fold-up 'box to go in many of its kits. 

 

I arranged this one (in a J6) to be 'under-slung' (as already mentioned). 

 

 

Whether Markits still supply a gearbox, I don't know (especially now with Mashima's disappearance), but.......

 

 

It certainly made-up well.

 

 

And, with a hefty Mashima, more than enough to power a P2.

 

Again, the design, if necessary, allows for the easy removal of the motor. 

 

 

For those who may never have seen one...........

 

Judging by the packaging, this is an old Portescap - which it is, and it's quiet! 

 

 

The largest one is ideal for powering an A3.

 

 

And the shorter one powers a V2 with equal excellence.

 

A whole new Comet chassis replaced the original Nu-Cast lump and old-style open-framed motor. 

 

 

Even the smallest Portescap has loads of power. 

 

This is installed in the EM frames for CLUMBER. She runs on Retford and, after years of previously-failed attempts with B17s to haul the 'North Country Continental', romped away with the heavy boat train. 

 

 

South Eastern Finecast made a simple fold-up, single-stage gearbox to go with a small Mashima. With the latter's disappearance, I don't know if the 'box is still available. 

 

 

Has anyone ever used one of these?

 

 

Years and years ago, the Rolls-Royce of motors was the American Pittman.

 

There's one inside this scratch-built B2 (builder unknown), painted by Geoff Haynes and weathered by Geoff West. 

 

Though it still runs well (if a little noisily and slowly), it's going to be converted to EM and will have one of the drives illustrated above installed to replace the Pittman. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tony, trust all is well with you and Mo. Yes the “antiquarian piece” is doing well.

Regards, Michael

Tony,

Congratulations on your first 10 years! Hope to catch up sometime soon.

Regards, Michael

21 hours ago, Hawin Dooiey said:

Here is the latest Little Bytham video, filmed by @Tony Wright

Enjoy! (quality will improve as the video processes)

 

 

A truly wonderful video - no commentary, no subtitles just sit back and watch the trains go by! Well done Tony & Tom.

Michael

4 hours ago, AY Mod said:

 

I'd like to respond to this if I may?

 

Over the last few months it has not been possible to originate new material which entails visiting modellers or attending any events and, in this aspect, the layout content drew upon archive material. In several cases alternate or additional images were used which had not appeared on the printed page and in several cases additional or alternate text so that not all were a direct copy of anything which readers may have originally seen. Many 'visitors' may not have seen the previously published content anyway and some print readers may not have seen the accompanying video content so at very least it's taking material to potential new readers too.

 

We did discuss imposing on layout owners to generate additional video material but many of the layouts aren't 'home' layouts and live in clubrooms which couldn't be accessed and would need erecting and filling with stock and that's before getting owners to suddenly become filmmakers. I've seen Facebook Live videos of layouts and, generally, it's not something which works well for a critical audience (putting it kindly).

 

The world's been a different place so we've had to think differently in lieu of the show at Ally Pally.

 

Plus it was free.

Andy,

I thoroughly enjoyed the virtual exhibition and congratulate you and all involved. I particularly enjoyed your photographic piece - most instructive.

Cheers, Michael

Hi, very interesting. Do you have a website?

Regards, Michael

13 hours ago, Tony Wright said:

I decided this afternoon to try some more panning shots. 

 

The failure rate is enormous (some 40 exposures before one is anything like half-decent), but some do work......

 

 

Fairly successful, I think. This is a Golden Age A4.

 

 

Not quite so crisp is this DJH/Geary A1 as it races southwards. 

 

 

Another A1, this time DJH/Wright/Rathbone glides by on the Down Queen of Scots. 

 

 

And another DJH/Wright/Rathbone A1 combination heads north, this time on the Down Flying Scotsman. 

 

 

Perhaps slightly too blurred, but the best I got of 60504 (Crownline/Wright/Rathbone). Despite their poor reputation as vehicles, the Thompson Pacifics could certainly run fast. 

 

 

And a V2 (Crownline/Wright/Rathbone) speeds northwards.

 

 

Another V2 (Nu-Cast/Comet/Wright/Rathbone) takes an Up express through Bytham at high speed. 

 

Getting the numbers crisp is very difficult with these type of shots, and it's really a case of setting the camera on burst mode, with a shutter speed of around a 40th of a second, with a wide open iris, trying to follow the loco as it runs by (at high speed). 

 

A mixed bunch, I think, though since the essence of the ECML is high speed, then worth pursuing? 

 

Has anyone else tried panning? 

 

When the panning does work to good effect it can be quite striking.

 

Striking enough to be the subject of DJH's advert in the current Modeller......... 

 

DJH liked the smoke effects, but I remain ambivalent. 

 

 

Good morning Tony,

Great shots. I think that a little blurring can add atmosphere.

Very many years ago my photography concentrated on motor racing where panning is most important. It takes practice, one of the challenges being not to forget to press the shutter! In those days cameras, well mine at least, a Practika, did not have continuous shooting capability so it was a one shot process.

I have now retired so now I should have time to get on with my layout (Cockfield, Suffolk) and to makeup some kits. 

Take care, Michael

Happy Birthday Tony! Enjoy the rest of your day.

Best regards, Michael

Absolutely superb.

Michael

There is an excellent and quite extensive piece on Alloa on the BBC website today entitled 'How to build the perfect model railway'. It presents our hobby in a very positive way with some excellent pictures and video. Its' clear intent is to promote the Glasgow exhibition - well done them!

Michael

Tony,

Very many thanks for your and Mo’s hospitality today. As always great fun and a privilege to run the trains on LB, also thank you for your help with the footplate.

Michael

Did 'regular' already mean 'normal' or 'standard' then, or still mainly mean 'at equal intervals'?  I know I'm getting old (all right, got), but the first meaning still sounds wrong to me. Am I that far out of date?

I reckon regular petrol is petrol you buy once a week, every week, same day, same time. Or, at most, the 'normal' petrol for you, because you buy it regularly - habitually.

The difference was in octane levels. Regular was primarily suitable for engines with low compression ratios. Higher performance vehicles, with a higher compression ratio, ran best on higher octane petrol; I.e. Super. The peril of running too low an octane fuel was pre-ignition or ‘pinking’ which had the possibility of damaging pistons.

Michael

Unfortunately I missed Tony's Lecture [the OH was complaining about being freezing cold so I went earlier than I'd planned ].

However, I was really lucky to have been one of the only two visitors who attended Geoff Haynes' 10-30am Loco Construction Workshop (though it was actually Wagon construction). Even better, the next Workshop scheduled for 11-30am was cancelled, so Geoff kept going :) . As a result, I and one other had hand-on brass and whitemetal soldering tuition from Geoff Haynes - result!

For anyone visiting the show tomorrow, the Workshop is repeated (10-30 am behind the BRM stand) and Geoff even brings along numerous soldering irons to give as many as possible a go. I certainly learned a lot - many thanks Geoff, if you should happen to read this.

 

Brian

I always enjoy the Peterborough Show but this year was struck by the number of fine layouts which suffered operational issues. The hand of God, derailments, exaggerated rates of acceleration and deceleration and long periods of inactivity being the main problems. Overall my favorites (not in any particular order) were Launceston (009), Trewithick (EM) and Faringdon (P4).

On the question of sound I tend to agree that, at the moment at least, diesel sound is much better than steam. I also agree that for layouts like LB sound would add very little as the unaided sound of movement at speed is quite authentic. However, on small branch line termini I think that the sound of simmering steam locomotives adds a certain atmosphere.

Michael

This looks very interesting!ROD-release-2-1.pdf

Michael

"Wright writes..."  under "Modelling musings & miscellany" page 1009 re magnets.

Michael

I suggest magnets from Magnet Expert Ltd (www.first4magnets.com). They are 10 x 5 x 1mm thick N42 Neodymium Magnets with a pull of 0.6kg (North) - reference no. F1051NA-20. They cost £6.64 for 20 including 1st Class P&P.

They work successfully with S&W couplings on Tony Wright's Little Bytham.

Michael

Tony,

You are to be congratulated on your willingness to sponsor the '38 project and also all those who are contributing. Your photographs are fantastic and inspiring, I look forward to seeing more and more.

Cheers, Michael

Posts from 25215 on page 1009 of "Wright writes..." may be of interest to posters here.

Michael

Good afternoon Tony,

The magnets were obtained from Magnet Expert Ltd (www.first4magnets.com). They are 10 x 5 x 1mm thick N42 Neodymium Magnets with a pull of 0.6kg (North) - reference no. F1051NA-20. They cost £6.64 for 20 including 1st Class P&P.

They are self-adhesive on one side but, as we found, the pull is stronger than the adhesive!

I am pleased that you are happy with them.

Michael

Hi Tony,

Well done! 1,000 pages but also very nearly 25,000 posts.

This thread is truly interesting, educational and inspirational, long may it continue.

Michael

Not railway related, but Freight is referred to in the Marine Insurance Act 1906, which is still UK law so as a term it was around then, and presumably earlier.

But in that context "Freight" means payment for the transportation of goods!

Good Morning Tony,

I agree with you entirely with regard to tension lock couplings - the work of the devil!

I am currently debating (with myself) Sprat & Winkle v Dingham couplings. Would anyone care to share their views on the benefits or otherwise of either.

Michael

Another member is considering modelling Cockfield station building. This is my response:

http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/131762-station-building-query/?p=3069199

Hi, I am in the (early) process of producing a 4mm OO layout based on Cockfield (link to thread below) which I have photographed and measured.

The main building excluding the store and Ladies extension at the southern end is 12ft x 46ft (scale 48 x 184mm). The southern extension is 15ft 8in x 9ft 3in - the Gents was a cast iron urinal which is now at the East Anglian Railway Museum at Chappel in Essex. The platform width is 20ft 6in so the building lies 8ft 6in from the platform edge. This was a small country station and is most unlikely to have had any eating and drinking facilities. There was no back entrance. 

I have had a go at building something along these lines from bits and pieces produced by LCUT.co.uk. Once painted and weathered it will do for the time being but in due course I will try to scratch-build.

Cheers, Michael

In my view BA is Best Avoided!

I remember trolley buses in Ilford, Essex. The trolley bus depot was in Ley Street which was previously a tram depot - in my young day the tram rails were still to be seen.

Michael

I can thoroughly recommend White Rose Modelworks at Bedale Station. A really good job and nice people to deal with.

https://www.whiterosemodelworks.co.uk

Michael