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martyn11post

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Everything posted by martyn11post

  1. All the best to the staff and thanks for some great models produced. It's strange to think 15 years ago I was last working in the trade and remember thumbing through the magazines to see what was on offer (and normally how much more expensive we were!). Couldn't fault what they did and their customer service was impossible to beat. Many a happy order was placed and received.
  2. Something I may have missed and apologies if it is referred to earlier as I couldn't find it? The 'steam' units featured in the intro, was that cut from the series or did I miss it some how? Or is that to be revealed Jan 10th ? Otherwise an enjoyable series, has it's faults, but as do all series you can't please everyone all the time. Just good to see the hobby getting air time on TV and commendable the way the new generation of the Hornby team got to show their excellent results.
  3. So I thought I would start a new project... The requirements: Must fit in the coffee table 770x855mm N Gauge (Space reasons and added challenge as I haven't been outside of OO for a long time...) Stock: Kato Class 800, Dapol HST & 2+ DMU's TBD Aim to have two loops with sidings. 4+ Trains operational. With computer control sequencing between sidings and stopping at the station. Below is a 'first draft' where I have used Peco Track as a starter on AnyRail with embellishment from paint! The gaps are where standard straights would not fit (i.e. would have to cut short lengths) The station and direction of travel is shown. The hidden area will be the grey area. The purple dots are where the trains should stop/pause before returning to their siding. On doing so the points will change and the second train will do a loop. It maybe possible to also 'double stack' hence the 4+. All will be DC, but with blocks/computer control and hidden reed switches. The first issue is track layout. The size obviously has it's limitations and although only the inner loop uses 1st Radius, the two outer loops of consist of second radius loop and a third radius joined in by first radius points ST-5/ST-6. I expect the Class 800 to be limited to the full second radius loop (and that might even be too tight). I would be interested to hear alternative track suggestions and if the Dapol HST would struggle navigating ST-5/ST-6 points? Thanks, Martyn
  4. I'm after some 4' (16mm) diameter disc wheels for a loco I'm looking to build. Only options I currently have is Hornby class 82 spares or Alan Gibson? Any other alternatives?
  5. As a general rule, open wagons are used for hot material (as in ~>100°C) or anything for further processing (pickling/tubing). e.g. Trostre/Corby/Hartlepool/Llanwern flows. Covered wagons are used for cold material or finished coils. e.g Shotton/Round Oak/Llanwern. So would have happened on the Margam - Llanwern, but probably rare, as the hooded (VTG) are being converted to open and most of the open fleet are used on Corby flows in that period.
  6. Beautiful models, out of interest where did you get such small, but bright LEDs? The Sentinel comes alive with them. Thanks, Martyn
  7. I always wondered why 'you lot up North' had Class 20s What a brilliant run through the fleet, thanks for sharing.
  8. I spent an enjoyable morning at the NRM looking at the GEC archives, one of the locomotives on my backlog that I want to do. I've never looked to see if the centre wheels are flangeless... might be a few weeks before I next see one. I had no intention of modelling the suspension it is way to complex, but fascinating to watch as it undulates on steelworks trackwork!
  9. Worth noting also, the reasons include safety, integrated steelworks are very dangerous places. You don't want trespassers as they may come into harms way by accessing these areas (and ultimately the liability lies with the company). Hence security is tight. Photo's could encourage others to break the law to gain access. Whether for interest, or for more malicious reasons. Also one of the downsides with smartphones, is when an incident occurs it is all too easy for images/information to be in the hands of the media before official channels are used. Which then leads to damaged reputation/misrepresentation of an 'event'. Hence taking photos (without permission) remains a sack-able offence. That said, without these photo's we would lose a wealth of history and I look forward to further instalments! My personal archive (obtained in the same way) will have to remain under lock and key for a few years to come (2050+!) Although I have built up an archive on Steel Company of Wales which is probably out of any copyright issues. Corus/Tata 2008-
  10. Out of curiosity, what is the pink machine above? I was after something of similar size (less of the colour!)
  11. Does anyone know if the wagons will come with coils? The open wagon JSA is implied by the pictures, but I may have missed where it is explicitly stated! If so, the coils look the wrong size from the picture, not a big issue as I will make my own!. As for the wagon, they look superb!
  12. I drive past the real thing daily, they look pretty darn good. I think the metal chassis is genius. Look forward to them being released!
  13. Tidy video just appeared in front of me on Youtube, love watching the tippler and transverser, but the coupling up at the end is incredible!
  14. YES PLEASE! Also as a slight distraction... the internal wagons, I'm curios how you get the 'chalk' writing to look so good. Thanks, Martyn
  15. http://web.archive.org/web/20101125224455/http://modeltrainsweathered.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4411 Always another way (And wow, what a model)
  16. Any ideas what the limestone wagons from ~25min are? There seems to be plenty of a 'standard design'
  17. Sorry will clarify "pence" is a turn of phrase; not an accounting standard practice. The point is CAD drawings are the cheaper part of the production process versus tool making. You can spend whatever you like to get every rivet in place from 3D scanning to good old engineering drawings.
  18. Hi Colin, This sounds good but I couldn't find a UK supplier? Lots of Australian sites, but I can't afford the postage! Any suggestions? Thanks Martyn
  19. I think 2019 will be remembered as the year we may have hit peak "Model Railways" Umpteen suppliers all slogging it out. Retailers becoming manufacturers, new entrants appearing. Great if you're a customer (unless you've been tucked up by crowdfunding); not so great if you are a manufacturer. The press release was bizarre, no question about that, but I suspect it probably is a reflection of how challenging the market has become. Hornby's financial woes over the years have been well reported; and I hope they can turn it around for the sake of the hobby. So if even the big boys struggle, it is no surprise DJM appears to be in not great shape. Unless you have a solid business plan and focus on some core models it will become a runaway beast. No reason why it (DJM) can't be turned around with some careful management (and probably sack the IP adviser and replace them with a PR expert... ) "Always under promise and over deliver... leave them wanting more" And Crowdfunding... bit of advice, only invest in things with track records or have a working prototype; otherwise you're just buying a CAD drawing. It costs pence to knock up a CAD drawing and 3D print a prototype, so in the grand scheme of things that should be the minimum requirement! No matter how much you want that never before made model you've been dreaming of. I've made the mistake before. I've "invested" in about 30 crowdfunding projects, around 5 have been disasters and they were in the first 10 I invested in. I was really pleased to see crowdfunding used in the industry; there have been some notable successes, but the reputation is probably tarnished by the failure to materialise on some notable projects. I really do hope this sorry tale comes to a happy conclusion for all parties.
  20. Hi Justin, I was using Tesco Strong Foil (other brands are available). It has sat in my cupboard for awhile so not sure if newer stuff would have the chequerboard pattern, but I have seen that pattern on some foils in the past. It is still pretty thin. I was also going to try the thicker takeaway containers and see what the result is. I suspect I will get strength but lose detail. My final option was to try using actual tinplate, you could cut open drinks cans, but I have access to tinplate sheet. Just got to be more careful on the edges! Regards, Martyn
  21. Probably not impressed! It is first generation 3D printing.
  22. Thanks all, I've tried monkeysarefun's idea as a starter but instead using Wills corrugated iron as the master and some thick kitchen foil. The results are good, I like how the rivets are kept in place. I've used a cotton bud instead of a credit card as it seemed to occasional tear, but apart from that it is quite time consuming! I read on another forum a suggestion to spray the back with watered down PVA to give strength to it. As you can imagine it is quite flimsy, but it does allow you to add some individual character to each sheet. I think the above is a great idea to increase production flow!
  23. My problem is quite simple... I need corrugated iron, lots of it, to clad an industrial building. My problem is the plastic options (wills/slaters etc) always look very thick. In a similar way to making roofs by cutting individual tiles, my aim was to use 'tin foil' and make individual sheets to give a more realistic look that can be tailored. I have so far found two tools which could do the job: Brunel Models (Australia): https://www.brunelmodels.net/product-page/corrugated-iron-maker1-72 As used by Luke Towan: The alternative I have found is this one from the US: http://masterpiecemodels.com/product/corrugating-tool-set-172-scale-mmtl007-19-99/ The thing that is putting me off is mainly the cost (including postage!). Are there any more 'local' alternatives to achieve the above? Regards, Martyn
  24. I like Bullied loco's, I like kits... but clearly not as much as some people do... https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/292809999562?_trksid=p2471758.m4704
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