Golden Fleece 30

Painted now and will have to wait until the smokebox number from 247 Developments arrives before I varnish it. I do prefer this tender logo, usually, but I wanted the later one and non in stock here and I am not one to wait if I don't have to. The cylinder cover is not fixed yet as that will be once the chassis is finished, hopefully not too long now. Garry

Two more of the "Tri-ang" trio of 8 coupled locos. The 8F and SR class Z. All are fitted with Tri-ang wheels and motors and have run but all 3 still need some work/modification. The 8F needs the rear end lifting slightly, it was a job to get the XT60 in but I managed it. The Z class needs a clearance hole for the cylinder mounting screw as the body is resting on it at the moment. At least they all have a strong "solid" chassis as such and not like tissue paper ones supplied. Garry

Two more of the "Tri-ang" trio of 8 coupled locos. The 8F and SR class Z. All are fitted with Tri-ang wheels and motors and have run but all 3 still need some work/modification. The 8F needs the rear end lifting slightly, it was a job to get the XT60 in but I managed it. The Z class needs a clearance hole for the cylinder mounting screw as the body is resting on it at the moment. At least they all have a strong "solid" chassis as such and not like tissue paper ones supplied. Garry

After yesterdays successful running I had a few minutes spare before lunch today and I have modified Leonard Seeney's WD body for my Tri-ang style chassis and it fits a treat. I do need to get some plain wheels for the tender but looking okay so far. The tender wheels do line up but the frames are not screwed to the body yet. The motor screw mount at the back will be removed and therefore nothing protruding as the motor is held in using the screw through the pole pieces and magnet. Garry

The answer is loco wheels not straight away. There are two different ways to do this. 1) move the wheels out on the axles approx 0.5mm but that can stop them going around Tri-ang track although if Tri-ang track is not going to be used again no problem. I modify the points, straight ones are very easy and it just needs about 0.25 to 0.5 removing from the plastic checkrail only. Double slips and curved points need a little extra work but if you look up GarryHall on YouTube you should find one or two of my videos. My locos are nearly all Tri-ang based but if not the 00 Romfords are used. Some Jinty's, and all open spoked, wheels will hit the chairs so need the flange depth reducing slightly. The stock wheels should be okay if you put a 0.5 washer in the gap. Garry

A few minutes spare before lunch and I have modified Leonard Seeney's WD body for my Tri-ang style chassis and it fits a treat. I do need to get some plain wheels for the tender but looking okay so far. The tender wheels do line up but the frames are not screwed to the body yet. The motor screw mount at the back will be removed and therefore nothing protruding as the motor is held in using the screw through the pole pieces and magnet. Garry

The WD chassis as it looks now after it has had a run. The return crank etc will be attached once the chassis is painted and everything else is attached. Garry

Started the chassis's tonight and looking good so far. Hopefully get one set of valve gear done tomorrow night. Also managed to do some steps folding up on piece of nickel, the solder is to just strengthen the joints and still needs cleaning up. It will certainly make steps easier, and stronger. Garry

Started the chassis's tonight and looking good so far. Hopefully get one set of valve gear done tomorrow night. Also managed to do some steps folding up on piece of nickel, the solder is to just strengthen the joints and still needs cleaning up. It will certainly make steps easier, and stronger. Garry

Fingers crossed everything fits as I planned and I should have a busy weekend with these chassis kits. With 3 to do though it might be longer than the weekend as I only get a couple of hours or so a night. These are an SR Z class 0-8-0, 8F and 2-8-0 WD to use Tri-ang wheels and XT60 motors. Lenny Seeney who does the 3D bodies has made both the 2-8-0 and 2-10-0 WD's. Garry

Fingers crossed everything fits as I planned and I should have a busy weekend with these chassis kits. With 3 to do though it might be longer than the weekend as I only get a couple of hours or so a night. These are an SR Z class 0-8-0, 8F and 2-8-0 WD. Lenny Seeney who does the 3D bodies has made both the 2-8-0 and 2-10-0 WD's. Garry

Butler Henderson "completed" with the 247 Developments name and number plates. The Precision Satin varnish looks to glossy to me (as the J52 did). I may respray one day with Railmatch satin, as in the locos above, but it will be fine for now. The wheels may need touching up but it is a lovely model, especially as I was given it for nothing. I was told that this loco was never lined out in BR black during steam days although it was in preservation so I have gone for unlined. Garry

Put a few name and numberplates tonight, photos show things I did not want to see, things that the naked eye misses lol Garry

The J52 is now awaiting its numberplate from 247 Developments then a coat of flat varnish and it will be complete. Bodies are available from lennyapplegreen on Ebay. Fox 00 small crest and numbers were just a little too big for this so large N gauge ones were used. The numbers and crests are far better to apply than their N gauge lining. The number looks odd in its place high up the bunker but is as prototype. Garry

Another decision, do I put the coach roof boards above or below the cantrail? On BR Mk 1's they were on the sides above the windows, on Bulleid/Maunsell they were on the roof although higher than here. I think because they are 00 and a little over size the above cantrail would be better. I decided to go for the above cantrail only because of the depth too close to the windows, and, I like the look above. Looks okay and will be easily seen when it is a stopper in York South. Headboard from 247 Developments, coach boards Fox 00 transfers on etched plates. Garry

Just received some wheels and crankpins for the WD, 8F and Z locos from the 3mm society spares. I also got a couple of the etched replacement motion brackets for the Britannia and was surprised they are all made up and painted, very good value for £5 for this item where the original does break easily. Garry

Finished putting the transfers and the "247 Developments" nameplates on the B17 and Lord Nelson, just need a sunny warm day to varnish them. I do not like the Fox N gauge transfers and will be using 00 again in the future. The Lord Nelson plates need touching up as they do not have the raised beading the paint has chipped a little, plus I need to draw and get etched some valve gear for it. Garry

17 1/4" radius Kevin Garry

This is how the Peco track can look, the tank is a 3D printed body on Tri-ang chassis. The Scot is an old GEM whitemetal kit on a Tri-ang chassis. Garry

It does depend on what you are after, as Whart says Tri-ang is practically indestructible, easy to service and most items cheap and in plentiful supply. In that respect ideal for children, our own little girl had her own since she was 6. Here is a Tri-ang TT layout built from a 1958 design called "A quart in a pint pot", that was done with flexible track, mine is Tri-ang. The size is 4'9" x 2'6" and has terminus, main line, reverse loop, and second station which gave us fun at a local show. You can go to fine-scale but Whart can tell you more on that as my large layout is Tri-ang based as I do like Tri-ang and although they only made 8 different locos I have 67 different classes of loco I can run on it, mainly with Tri-ang chassis's fitted to 3D printed bodies, the layout uses all Peco track. Garry

Here is a photo of the same loco, A4 Silver Fox, in 0, 00, TT and N gauge. Garry

I don't actually remember Peco making 3-rail track, Wrenn did but as others have said keep away as the fibre sleepers can warp if they get damp. Peco did a copper strip that you placed between the sleepers giving you a stud contact but that is no good for Dublo shoes as they rattle across like running a lollipop stick along railings. I used C&L finescale parts on Peco to make my 3-Rail layout and you can 3-rail the 3 way point without problems. Modern Peco universal is great for Dublo as both track and wheels are compatible and run extremely well. There were actually a lot of Dublo 3-rail track layouts that had scenery on in the 50's and 60's RM/MRN if you can find them. One very good modern one is "I 'ad that" if you Google it. Garry

I changed the window shading on the Bulleid 57' 1st/2nd mainline coaches and here is one fitted to a Tri-ang coach. I put some numbers on hopefully accurate ones as I was drawing these on the printer. I do have an all 2nd and brake to make up a set but need more donors. Garry

Got the drawings done for the WD and 8F chassis's now so just a little wait until they are etched and delivered. The WD will have some overlays for the Tri-ang wheels and will be fitted to Lenny Seeney's WD 3D printed bodies. The 8F is to replace the 3mm society one with a more sturdy frame work and fit Tri-ang wheels and motor then fit to the kit body which having a whitemetal boiler and firebox will give it some weight. Garry

Got the drawings done for the WD and 8F chassis's now so just a little wait until they are etched and delivered. The WD will have some overlays for the Tri-ang wheels. Garry