Tony Wright

Thanks Tim, I suppose so. I couldn't have done it without the support of a wonderful, most-understanding wife. Regards, Tony.

Beautiful work Frank, Thanks for posting. Romford/Markits axle centres can be disguised by using the etched covers provided in the sets, or filling the slots with Plasticene. Indolence has prevented my doing this on all but a few, but I do insist on glazing my locos' spectacles.

Carrying on with the theme of building, this SE Finecast J6 represents the equivalent of just under a day's work so far. It's going together very well, with just a few tweaks needed. I'll have it with me at Nottingham over the weekend.

Tony, I think you'll find Mike has built many more locos than I have - loads more, in all scales and gauges. One professional loco builder once told me (not Mike Edge) that, in his career, he'd built 10,000 locos. Yes, ten thousand - by himself). Given that he's a bit younger than me, I expressed incredulity, asking him if he meant, say, two thousand? 'No, ten thousand'. Having got into trouble with my English yesterday, I'd better be careful with my maths, but, let's put his assertion to a 'hard sums' test. Let me be kind and assume a modelling career of 40 years (which meant he would have started in his teens). 40, also being in the tens, makes it easier. So, that's 2,500 locos built every decade, yes? Good going wouldn't you say? That means 250 locos every year. Am I right? Exactly how many is that in a month, a week and a day? A lot! If my arithmetic is dodgy, I apologise, but it's still a lot. Perhaps someone will break it down exactly. I didn't tell him I thought he was talking rot! In the 40+ years I've been building, I'm nearing 500 locos. Granted for near a quarter of a century, I was teaching; not building exclusively professionally (I resisted 'almost exclusively'). I thought I was doing well.

Thanks Jonathan, In the same way that folk often qualify 'unique', wrongly? As I say, one learns something every day. One thing I would say is I'd hate to think that readers of this thread might be reluctant to post anything because they fear their English might be 'corrected', with the implication being that they're not that bright. I don't mind; it's part of the fun as far as I'm concerned and, as Mike has shewn recently, with his missing possessive apostrophe, pendants (and I'm one) get rumbled from time to time. I do try and insist upon correct English, and I should be picked-up on my mistakes, but others shouldn't feel they'll be in the 'firing line'. This thread is, after all, about modelling. Which brings me on to this; the progress so far on the SE Finecast J6. Having spent a lovely time out with some dear friends for lunch today, progress has been slightly curtailed. However, I've got this far in about seven hours, which isn't too bad. P.S. With apologies in advance for any grammatical errors. And, might we see some pedants' modelling, please?

They're not true-round; unlike the Markits ones I fitted to the other locos on the DVD.

Forgive my being thick, Mike, but what's wrong? My maths or my English?

Thanks Tim, However, that self-same 4F doesn't run anywhere near as well (in terms of its nodding up and down in motion) as the Markits-shod 61XX and A2. Regards, Tony.

Thanks Baz, Regarding the situation of 'not being exactly the same diameter across the tyre', are you sure you've got a matched set? Time was when Markits wheels went up by a millimetre each time as the wheels got bigger. Not now, with bespoke wheels. The differences now can be a fraction of a millimetre. Just a thought.

Most interesting points about wheels; many thanks. As Jol has mentioned, different experiences, different opinions. Of course, I can only cite mine and (having built in excess of 480 locos - at least) over the last 40+ years, mainly in OO but occasionally in EM, I don't think there's a better driving wheel made for 'layout' locos than the Romford/Markits type. If I average the number of wheels out, say, six per loco, that's, according to my maths, getting on for 3,000 drivers I've fitted, almost exclusively Romford Markits. I admit, I've had a few in the early days which were a little bit wobbly, but very few. I have never had to put a tyre back on a rim, never had to adjust the quartering and never had a wheel slip on its axle. Compare (contrast) that with the half dozen or so locos I've built with friction fit wheels, say 36 drivers. I've never had a set of six which exactly 'matched', having to pair up (hopefully), those which shared the same lack of concentricity. At least a third have shed their tyres (loads more on wagon wheels, but that's another story) and on at least half I've had to 'pin' the wheel to its axle to prevent it shifting under load; that is, drill a hole at 45 degrees through the boss into the axle, insert a brass pin and glue it in place. Roy Jackson has had to do this as well after wheels shifted on their axles under heavy load. So, it's my experience (and I'm only telling of mine now), that, in order to use friction-fit drivers which work to my satisfaction (and that's debatable), I've had to 'repair' them, modify them and fiddle about with them in a manner I've never had to do with Romford/Markits drivers. In the olden days, I drilled and tapped the Romford wheels to take the crankpins (I could do that, having access to a comprehensive school metalwork shop), but I've been very twitchy about drilling into plastic wheels for the crankpins; not to mention, kn@ckering one wheel as I tried to solder the return crank for the valve gear on one side. Carelessness? Perhaps, but how else does one secure model motion? I could well be that I don't have the skill, aptitude or patience to fit friction-fit drivers (I have used Hamblings drivers in the past, and they were definitely friction-fitted - forever!). Such wheels have a better appearance, I'm told, but Markits now does bespoke wheels for many different types. My 'needs' might well be different from others', but why should I run the risk of opening up the taps of a Pacific on 14/15 bogies and find it's shed a tyre or mangled its rods as the wheels have moved on their axles? My experiences, my opinions..................... If others have had nothing but satisfaction from friction-fit drivers, then I'm delighted. They're more skilled than I am.

It's an interesting point, and one which should be broadcast more. I know of a few P4 modellers who use Markits P4 axles and wheels, not for the finished loco, but because of the Markits system of being able to put the wheels on the axles and take them off again, innumerable times, they're able to set their frames up and keep on trying the wheels on and off until they're satisfied. Then, the other, friction-fit wheels are put on. That's the problem with the latter type of driver. On/off, on/off, then they're not much good. Mark tells me he sells several of his wheels/axles to P4 modellers, but they rarely mention it. They don't want to be pursued!

The minute I believe I'd be singled out for preferential treatment by a manufacturer, I'd adopt a false name, especially when ordering parts. Of course I have a close relationship with kit manufacturers; as you know, I test build and write kit instructions for DJH, I'm building the first 'independent' J6 right now, I've built several of LRM kits for review (among many others) and I'm currently advising two RTR manufacturers. I've known Mark Arscott for years, and knowing him well, I can tell you he's had some pretty strident things to tell me when I've 'mucked up' a report on his products. I respect his integrity entirely. Regards, Tony.

Good morning Baz, Do you mean the modern friction-fit wheels have flat tyres?! And it's certainly not 20 years ago since I rejected a set of such drivers - more like two. I know the wheels have improved, but I still don't think they're as good as Markits for concentricity, durability, ease of use and their ability to be removed from their axles endless times without loss of function. Regards, Tony.

Are they not? I phone up Mark Arscott regularly and order wheels from him. They arrive within a fortnight.

You've read my mind, Jol, I honestly cannot see the point, especially in OO and EM, in faffing around with non-concentric, plastic-centred wheels, which have to be jig or eye-quartered, which then have to be pinned (for true-security, to prevent the wheels subsequently moving on the axles), yet still with the risk of the tyres coming off. The above might sound a bit prejudiced, but I have tried friction-fit wheels with no real success. If I put a big engine I've made on to a big train, where it might well slip a little (entirely prototypically) on starting, the last thing I want to see is the loco nodding along, or the wheels rotating on their axles, bending the rods, or tyres falling off. It has happened, hence my comments, but never with Romford/Markits wheels. In your chosen gauge, then friction-fit wheels would appear to be the only drivers to use.

Andy, Glad to help. The nearer wheels in the second picture, are, as you surmise, live. It is an optical illusion, but the 'service' extension to the pick-ups (for attaching a crocodile clip for cleaning, etc) isn't touching the front axle; it's at least a mil' clear of it. The brake pull-rods (which I've made up) are clear of the pick-ups as well. It's all a bit tight, but, properly-adjusted, there are no problems. I always make my chassis live, and the tender chassis live. I don't suffer the encumbrances of DCC and always give myself enough clearance between the live bits and the insulated bits. It works for me, and that's all I ask.

Graeme, I'll be suggesting to Dave Ellis that he provide a fret of brake shoes in the kit. I've actually got some plastic ones which would fit, and also the resin ones you gave me. The front guard irons are supplied, and are yet to be fitted. I thought of driving off the rear axle, but I've always found (with rigid or jointed rods) that the drive is more balanced in an 0-6-0 off the centre axle. The gear wheel might just be visible, so I'll see. The motor can be easily turned-round. The rods are laminated and solid. Obviously, being Markits (though a bit expensive these days) the wheels are true-round and run perfectly. I've got two SEF J6s to build, because alternative parts for the 521 Series are also included (though there is some modification needed). Seeing how I get on, I'll bring this one to Ally Pally in ten days time, hopefully completed.

The eagerly-awaited SE Finecast J6 kit arrived on Monday afternoon, so, in between dodging the replacement window-fitters (the windows were replaced, not the fitters), I set-to and erected the frames, using SEF's own motor-mount and weeny Mashima. It runs beautifully. Strangely, though positions for the brake cross rods are marked on the frames, no brake hangers/blocks are included. The ones on this chassis came from my spares box. Apart from that, the etched chassis is first-class, and a very far cry from the original Nu-Cast white metal lump. I'll have it with me at the Nottingham Show over the weekend. See you there?

If it's a dunce's hat for me, Mike, make sure it's a large size!

Thanks Peter, At Retford the 'Dead Hour' seemed to be in the early afternoon. That same time slot can't have existed a every station, though, can it? I suppose Clapham Junction was exempt from such things, and there was usually something happening at Crewe. Another busy spot I'd frequent was Trent (station for where?), where it was rare to not see a train for any length of time (in some cases in the distance). But yes, at least an hour of boredom waiting for 'Peg Donny' or 'Peg Lonny' to be shouted. Great days, though, and nobody shouts such things at Retford any more, nor 'Streak!'

Thanks, as always, Mike, As I've said before, I learn something every day. And, in equally-pedantic mode, shouldn't 'dunces' hat have a possessive apostrophe? As in dunce's hat? This is something I love about this thread................... Regards, Tony.

I was going to suggest a 'dose' of crabs, but that's a bit rude; but I've done it anyway! Still, some wonderful collective nouns - most inventive. Many thanks.

Superglue?????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! No, solder. It's adjustable and the cranks can be removed in future if necessary by just reintroducing the iron.

I remember Jack Dugdale's 'Ortogo' (I assume 'aught to go'?) at the Manchester shows many, many years ago I recall a rabbit hopping in and out of hole as a train approached. Am I odd in not finding that sort of thing 'interesting'? I spent much more time watching Mr Slater making things from Plastikard (and disappearing in a cloud of fag smoke). To me (not the smoke), that was much more interesting and 'educational'. 'Gimmicky' things have never held my attention on model railways, though, I concede, they are, to some, entertaining and worth their place at shows.