bgman

E-I-E-I-Oh ! ..... il agricoltore

You know when you're not quite sure what to do, well I thought that last night......

I wanted to do something slightly different at the front of this Italian thingy I'm making so I decided to go with a small rural scene hence this.....

I've tried to produce an open fronted barn ( still working on it and tidy it up around the edges ) which I want to place on a grassed area, adjacent to the tracks.

Not sure if it will work yet but no harm in giving it a go ! 

G

1 hour ago, toboldlygo said:

Human sacrifice anyone?

I'm more mindful to stuff a Turkey ! 

Yours

N.Utroast

10 minutes ago, Re6/6 said:

Lovely film G! You're now making me question my application to Swiss railways!

 

P.S.  Surprising to see snow at almost the same latitude as Nice!

Thank matey, 

Maybe we should arrange for a Latte on a fact finding trip sometime ? 

Nudge-nudge 

Gentlemen,

Your replies to my question are very much appreciated, thank you.

Saluti festosi ! 

G

Saluti festosi ! 

G

1 hour ago, APOLLO said:

Bring back the "Westerners" !!!!!!!!!!

 

 

Brit15

Just saying '

1 hour ago, Brian Harrap said:

Yes Graham, but I cant get artificial light to pierce  under the rail/ ballast gap on the track to the right nor pick out the verdigris green of the OHL so well before it goes black. Just sayin,

Baron

Now you're just being picky ! 

May I ask if anyone knows why the exhaust smoke from the steam loco's always appears to be very dense and black ?

It always seems to be the case on virtually all the videos of Italian loco's I have watched and wonder what type or where the coal is sourced to fire them.

Apologies for the silly question.

G

1 hour ago, Donw said:

I found it was also useful when I had to watch out for a parrot climbing down my arm. Foot off the button and he power was off.

Blimey Don ! 

I didn't know you did modelling demo's at Coombe Martin Zoo ! 

4 minutes ago, john new said:

Thinking ahead - I am guessing that most of what will be for sale will require real cash [not a problem although it is something I haven't needed to use much for over a year] or will the door and refreshments  have a card reader?

It has its own currency so no need to worry !

Some great photographs thank you for sharing them here.

Quite ironic but useful as I am currently experimenting with a small Italian themed layout / diorama.

G

22 hours ago, AY Mod said:

 

 

Here you go...

 

https://dmgelectech.co.uk/product/dual-function-controller-dc-and-dcc-ld101-by-ane-model-5-decoder-pack/

This may also be of some help...

A review of said controller

2 hours ago, Miss Prism said:

 

I'm not sure the GWR did that sort of thing.

 

We'll never know Miss P ! 

3 minutes ago, gwrrob said:

Well we have had two different 5101 prairies and will get two different Manors next year..... Just keep saving the pennies Mike.

And with the greatest respect they all seem to have their own problems / discrepancy's. 

2 hours ago, Brian Harrap said:

you just have to photograph the light while its there

Or use the light switch ! 

6 minutes ago, Tim Dubya said:

Start when you like chaps, I'll catch up.

48 minutes ago, Adrian Stevenson said:

A couple more photos I did yesterday. Already shown in my thread in the 7mm forum. But several said I should  show them here too.

 

The sepia tint is done via a free online  photo ageing tool.

 

Cheers Ade.

 

 

Ade,

Whilst some are supposed to look realistic I would argue that these look like the real thing when done in this format, excellent modelling and glad you listened to your followers ! 

G

Superb once again.

28 minutes ago, NHY 581 said:

Evening G, 

 

Your use of the kadees is very timely.......

 

We can learn together. More of  my adventures to come no doubt......

 

Rob

Good evening to you too Rob,

I have used them in the distance past to good effect on an American layout and found they fitted the bill just fine for shunting etc.

Not certain whether to blacken the "hook" in an attempt to make them lees obtrusive, either way they will be fitted to all stock.

One small problem I have encountered is that some of my earlier locos can't be fitted with them without some surgery. I may then just keep the original couplings on some stock where needed. Maybe another experiment is called for ? 

Looking forward to our parallel doings ! 

G

p.s. I am somewhat pleased that I purchased them when I did as they ain't cheap anymore, which also means it does focus the amount of stock used on a layout.

What's the point ! 

Well I'll tell those who would like to know 

I'm not certain if I mentioned the proposed use of mtb MP1 point motors previously however, as this Italian themed layout is only a small diversion it still presents some interest for using different modelling / techniques on which the motors will feature. I think they will be more suited because of their relatively small cross section compared to conventional or servo motors.

Many years ago I used a Digikeijs accessory decoder to power some signals on a Bavarian HO themed layout and managed to find it for the purpose of addressing the MP1 motors ( more re-using old stuff ).

The Digikeijs DR4018 was originally used on my ESU ECoS Command Station for signals but as I intend using a simple multiMAUS controller here, albeit branded as a Fleischmann product, I had to do a reset of the DR4018. Quite an easy process and once done the unit will control 8 point motors which suits the multiMAUS controller.

Here is a brief shot to show the unit, a couple of motors and an original German semaphore for which it was originally programmed to operate 

The wires from the motors to the DR4018 ( all red ! )  are just a temporary measure just to ensure everything works correctly.

On the multiMAUS unit it shows up as this on screen

Happy with that now onto the next ideas / thoughts.

I said previously that there will be a small bridge / culvert affair, well, I am in the thought process on this one and am thinking about reducing it in size thus

As the whole layout is somewhat experimental I am considering the introduction of printed brick paper plus some 3D work as walling to combine with this, I will do an update when I think it is suitable to post.

Over and above that I am taking a radical......well it is for me.......approach to couplings and changing the stock for this to Kadee's.

Once again I found these in my stash and were also purchased many moons ago, some from my friends shop in Exeter ( sadly now gone ) and some from Express Models at prices well below todays costs.

I have a coupling gauge which ensures all line up when pushed into the NEM pockets on the coaches and wagons that I have....

I know that none of this is ground breaking but I am still running with the theme of using what I have got, with the occasional purchase to suit.

Uncoupling will be done using some Neodymium magnets I have, to be placed either side of the rails at set places thereby making any shunting / uncoupling moves easier, hopefully, and make the layout as hands free as possible.

If you've stuck with me on this so far I thank you.

G

p.s O Gauge is NOT forgotten ! 

A Pasty Shop ! 

'When seagulls follow the trawler, it is because they think sardines will be thrown into the sea. '

E.Cantona

Nope me neither ! 

8 hours ago, PaulRhB said:

ESU decoder if you read cv49 you should get a value of 19, if so try changing it to 18 and see if the juddering goes away?

With all of my locos I first remove the capacitor which in some cases helps to improve running straight away.

Zimo decoders have always seemed fine with it left on but as a matter of choice I snip them off.

If using a Loksound decoder one easy way to see if it improves running is as follows -

 Set CV 54 to 0. Place loco on the main powered track (if not there already). Have at least 2 feet of straight track in front of the locomotive and press function 1 (the bell function). The locomotive will run at a very high rate of speed and then slow to a stop with it's bell / whistle on. Turn the bell off and then test the locomotive for smoother motor control. 

All grist to the mill eh ! 

G

3 hours ago, Nick Gough said:

 

It must have been tricky getting the trains through with those giant letters placed across the line?

I have heard that the GWR employed members of the Magic Circle especially for that purpose !