Andy R
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Posts posted by Andy R
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A frustrating day today.
The first task was to try out a point motor on DCC using the accessory bus I installed last week. That went very well, with the decoder being an absolute piece of cake to program. Operating the motor through the decoder using the accessory address also went well and I have now mapped the frog switching contacts to the solenoid outputs on the decoder terminal block.
The next task didn't go so well and the afternoon turned into one of those sessions when almost anything that could go wrong did. The plan was to fit point motors to the Paddington Down end points. However, the shorter throw of the H&Ms compared to the SEEPs I have used recently meant that I needed a smaller loop on the tiebar, so I changed all those. As I was doing this, on a couple of the tiebars (on the old recycled points) the copper delaminated from the substrate. This meant making up new tiebars - not a hard job but time wasted.
Getting the points motors to stay centralised while marking out and fitting them was not easy. I tried using Blu-Tak to hold the armature in place but this didn't really do the job so some of the points didn't throw cleanly both ways on first fitting, leading to some faffing about with the motor position. Before fitting any more motors I need to find a better way. I might make up some wedges or spacers to go between the main operating pin and the armature cheeks to hold the pin central. Alternatively, I might make a jig to simplify the marking out without actually needing to use the motor itself at all. That will occupy this week's airport and hotel thinking time I reckon.
This is also the first time for many years (since the loft layout in fact) that I have had to install point motors from underneath the baseboards without being able to turn them over. I had forgotten how awkward that can be - or perhaps it's just age catching up with me.
The last straw was when my soldering iron, with its stand, fell off the baseboard and landed on the floor. The weight of the stand bent the iron, which damaged the heating element so it stopped working. At that point, having installed three and a half motors out of a planned eight, I gave up.
Hi
I have just been through this exact scenario in my exercise to retrofit Hawkinsfield Junction storage yard point motors and I have absolute sympathy with your sentiments here...it s bu...er of a job, getting tangled underneath the layout and trying to fix them into position to get good results I found very hard, hot work.
regards, Andy R
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My apologies for not replying sooner, Andy.
My most grateful thanks for your kind comments about Wright Writes. It's the contributions of many which make it what it is.
There are times when I think I'll just post no more. Not because of my being disillusioned (the thread has allowed me to keep in touch during a very dark time in my life) but because the interweb is not my natural home. I much prefer to know exactly with whom I'm in correspondence - I've stated before that I was in a web correspondence with someone I'd known for years, but didn't know (if you see what I mean). How daft!
My natural home (if I ever had one) with regard to model railways is the exhibition. There, I can meet folk face-to-face, discuss things, learn things first-hand, help folk (if I can) and demonstrate techniques which I use in my modelling. Now I'm able to return to exhibitions, I feel much more at home. I can take pictures of layouts (thanks to all those gracious layout owners who allow me to), not now mainly for magazines but for my own pictorial library - for use in books I'm writing.
Though it might seem pompous (I hate pomposity), there are so many calls on my time now (even in retirement) that hours spent posting on the web could (in my opinion) be used to much greater personal advantage. Andy York (to whom we must all be grateful to for starting RMweb) suggested to me that the web allows everyone to have their 'time in the spotlight'. I agree with him, but looking through some threads, folk must spend countless hours posting. Why are they not using that gone-forever time making models? Has the interweb 'allowed' some to become 'celebrities', impossible via any other media?
In fairness, there are many who, for whatever reason, cannot attend shows. The web is thus a great asset. Also in fairness, I've found it to be of great use in my research for projects (though one has to have a powerful sieve!).
Today I have umpteen product pictures to take for BRM, I have an introduction to write for a forthcoming book and there are five locos and two carriages on my workbench needing completion. Tomorrow, a friend will arrive with locos for me to examine from the collection of the late Geoff Brewin of Comet Models. I'll check them and make sure they work so as they're able to be sold on, the proceeds going to Geoff's widow. I have a potentially long list of locos to fix for a friend (he donates to a charity in return) and my layout still has a long way to go (I have two privies to paint, having made them at Glasgow).
There are also the number of visitors who visit Little Bytham. Entertaining them (and they entertaining me!) and running the railway gives me a great amount of pleasure - time, most certainly well-spent.
So, I'll just have to see how time pans out. Looking at the pages of correspondence on the thread when I was away for five days, it'll carry on by itself.
Hi Tony, many thanks for your response to my small commentary on the value you provide to many through this thread. Your response just shows how busy you are and that in itself is interesting for many who cannot get the time, resources or have the energy to do so many things. And, yes the thread might be able to carry-on by itself, but I think you can proudly claim to be the glue that keeps the thing cohesive, relevant and interesting. I think you should be really happy with this. I for one would love you to continue in this role.
regards, Andy R
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Thanks Andy.
Yep, I'm planning on going to TA also. Will you be operating?
Cheer, Les
Hi Les -unfortunately I will not be operating our (now ex) GWR layout as that has been sold and it being retrofitted in a local modellers garage. I am likely to be assisting on the o gauge layout for one day -it would be nice to coordinate our day visits?
Andy R
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Tony- I am not a regular contributor to this thread on the RMweb, rather posting comment mainly on the layout section, but I thought I would respond to your very modest (ie: your continued modesty as to your own significant contribution to the discussion about what makes model railways interesting, accuracy, modelling quality and the like).
From where I sit, about as far south as you can get from the UK in New Zealand, I follow and enjoy the discussion your thread generates and the variety of comment, photos, little digs, humour, understatements, overstatements and everything in-between, your understated wisdom in most responses, because I (and there will be many others) cannot be in the UK to see and enjoy the layouts, models, press launches, commentary etc... that you guys enjoy first-hand as you live there. Your photos for example of the layouts that capture your imagination and give you enjoyment also give us colonials much enjoyment and inspiration: a) because your photos are so good, and b) because you tend to focus in on the 'good' layout modelling; I for one learn a lot from the photos and the comments that go with them.
So, I hope you continue to provide the commentary, photos, opinion, knowledge and humour that makes up your important contribution to striving for excellence in our wonderful hobby, so that people at the bottom of the earth can stay connected and learn from it. That's my perspective on it anyway...
regards, Andy R
First, my thanks to all those who've kept this thread extremely busy in my absence. Who needs my contributions, anyway?
Continuing with anyway, might I catch up on a few things, please?
Banjo domes; thanks to all those who've commented (Hi Jessie!) - only fitted to the final batch of A3s, WINDSOR LAD to BROWN JACK, and then (probably) only until their first boiler change. I've never seen it recorded, but a metal-basher at Doncaster must have seen how much easier it was to make the 'streamlined' dome cover - the sort fitted to the V2s, the A2/1s, the A2/2s, the A1/1 and the Peppercorn Pacifics when new (and subsequently to the A2/3s). Beware both the RCTS green series (2A), and Peter Coster because they both get into a hopeless muddle with the descriptions of A3s boilers/domes! The banjo dome has caused more controversy that any other appendage on top of a steam loco's boiler in my view, though what was underneath (a perforated steam collector) was the same whatever the shape of the elongated dome (apart from those Peppercorn A1s fitted with a round-dome boiler, which had a streamlined cover). Wills must have liked it so much to have included it in its A3 and A2 kits. FLYING SCOTSMAN was even shown on the box lid of the former, even though the loco NEVER sported one. Millholme followed suit with its A2/2 and A2/3 kits, but so much was wrong with the rest of the kits that nobody noticed the dreaded banjo dome. Tri-ang, too (and Trix) happily fitted the banjo dome to all their various A3s, none of which ever carried it in real life. Trix also put it on its A2, but since the also supplied a corridor tender (and a way-out-of-loading-gauge chassis), nobody commented. Look through various spare parts suppliers - the banjo dome is (was) king (Micklner has all mine). The culprits, with regard to the wrong fitting of the banjo dome? Mr Roche and Mr Beattie in my view.
Rebuilt Gresley Buffet Cars; Many thanks to Bill Bedford for the information.
Tenders behind K4s; I bow to those more knowledgeable, though I fitted the small GS tender to my scratch-built one (as preserved), unfortunately now rather smashed up - brass locos don't take kindly to being dropped on a hard floor (not by me).
Other prototypes than my main interest; why not - the more the merrier.
Glossy models looking like the real thing?
Would this look right on a model, especially if it were made of aluminium foil?
My reason for being absent from this thread was my attendance at the Glasgow Show over the weekend. Yes, I know there are things like i-phones, tablets and other mysterious devices. The thing is, I don't own anything like that. I have a decade-old mobile phone, I don't know its number and I never use it.
What a wonderful show! There is none more friendly in the realm; the organisation is exemplary, with no yellow-vested fascists - just bods who only want to help. Thank you all. It's classed as a 'family show', and, as such, has among its exhibits some 'lemons' (or that's how Steve Flint describes them). Lemons or not, these all-action roundy-roundies with everything from road accidents to waterfalls, and drumlins through which a tunnel has been dug (even though all around the terrain is flat), Golden Gate lookalikes carrying no more than a lane (which very shortly crosses the railway again via a level-crossing) and right-angle bends modelled on a roller-coaster are very popular with kids.
However, the 'top-end' for 'scale' modellers (why did Steve look at me when he said that, for I'm most definitely not?) was more than adequately catered for.
My personal favourite was Blackgill in P4, by Eddie Ford. What an atmospheric rendition of goods workings in the NE, brilliantly captured. Being P4, I naturally inspected the running with great interest. It was almost perfect (just a couple of wagon derailments when being propelled). It was, however, very slow (realistic?) and I would have loved to have seen those 9Fs storming through. A future challenge? Another P4 layout had a few derailments (because of my presence?), though it is getting on. Again, though speedy locos were present in the background, none ran fast. It was, however, beautifully presented.
In fairness, derailments were not confined to the most accurate gauges. An HO creation seemed to suffer frequent derailments (because of the high-speed?). There were a few more instances of the hand of God being needed, but the general standard of running was very good (especially on the lemons, and the Hornby-Dublo and Tri-ang systems). The running was also very good on the layout from the Aberdeen Club (thanks for your comments, Gavin). What an eager bunch these chaps are (because so few of them are old gits like me?). I reckon this bunch will go places before long (though, whoever you are, lose that ridiculous hat!). They took on board all my observations and criticisms (with wonderfully good grace), and smugly (with justification) asked me to return to find the right locos on the right trains, and those trains being made up in a much more realistic fashion. Look out for their layout as it progresses - it'll be worth seeing. I was a clot for not taking any pictures.
One of my duties was to pick the winning layout of the Scottish Association Cup. Blackgill is not an associate, but it still would have been a damn close-run thing between it and my choice, Alloa. Built by members of the Scottish Region Study Group in OO, what a superb depiction Alloa is.
The group let my A2 run on Alloa (despite this, it still won!) - thank you kindly. I found myself in a dilemma at times, with regard to my judging. Should knowing them well (and being friends), preclude a group from winning? Especially, as my second and third choices were built by guys I know well?
Another layout which took my eye (though I know nothing of the prototype) was Purgatory Peak, a North American logging line from the Macclesfield MRG. This was DCC which worked perfectly!
Speaking of DCC (or at least in part). Do any other modellers find the plug-in connection between the loco and tender of DCC-compatible RTR locos an absolute fag? At £99.99 for a Hornby Britannia from Locomotion, I couldn't resist. It won't stay the same for long (EARL HAIG), but will be a guinea pig for a chapter in a book I'm writing for Crowood Press. On separating the loco from tender, one of the leads came out of the plug. So, stuff this nonsense. Off with the top, snip the snake's nest of wires off, and just take the two wires to the motor direct (naturally, I soldered them on the wrong way round to begin with). I have decent track, so don't need tender pick-ups anyway. How much easier is this? No wires dragging, and the loco runs independent of its tender. No DCC, so no complication. You DCC guys must be happy with the way these things are configured at source, or do you get others to fix things up for you? I'd be surprised if you did.
For my part, I manned (my wife womanned) a loco/carriage-building stand in the main (when I was not off being critical, judging or just plain wind-bagging). My most grateful thanks to all those who came up for a chat. I certainly leaned a lot.
Finally, my most grateful thanks to all those who put together the Glasgow Show and for inviting me. Six years ago, I let the Association down by not attending. That won't happen again.
First, my thanks to all those who've kept this thread extremely busy in my absence. Who needs my contributions, anyway?
Continuing with anyway, might I catch up on a few things, please?
Banjo domes; thanks to all those who've commented (Hi Jessie!) - only fitted to the final batch of A3s, WINDSOR LAD to BROWN JACK, and then (probably) only until their first boiler change. I've never seen it recorded, but a metal-basher at Doncaster must have seen how much easier it was to make the 'streamlined' dome cover - the sort fitted to the V2s, the A2/1s, the A2/2s, the A1/1 and the Peppercorn Pacifics when new (and subsequently to the A2/3s). Beware both the RCTS green series (2A), and Peter Coster because they both get into a hopeless muddle with the descriptions of A3s boilers/domes! The banjo dome has caused more controversy that any other appendage on top of a steam loco's boiler in my view, though what was underneath (a perforated steam collector) was the same whatever the shape of the elongated dome (apart from those Peppercorn A1s fitted with a round-dome boiler, which had a streamlined cover). Wills must have liked it so much to have included it in its A3 and A2 kits. FLYING SCOTSMAN was even shown on the box lid of the former, even though the loco NEVER sported one. Millholme followed suit with its A2/2 and A2/3 kits, but so much was wrong with the rest of the kits that nobody noticed the dreaded banjo dome. Tri-ang, too (and Trix) happily fitted the banjo dome to all their various A3s, none of which ever carried it in real life. Trix also put it on its A2, but since the also supplied a corridor tender (and a way-out-of-loading-gauge chassis), nobody commented. Look through various spare parts suppliers - the banjo dome is (was) king (Micklner has all mine). The culprits, with regard to the wrong fitting of the banjo dome? Mr Roche and Mr Beattie in my view.
Rebuilt Gresley Buffet Cars; Many thanks to Bill Bedford for the information.
Tenders behind K4s; I bow to those more knowledgeable, though I fitted the small GS tender to my scratch-built one (as preserved), unfortunately now rather smashed up - brass locos don't take kindly to being dropped on a hard floor (not by me).
Other prototypes than my main interest; why not - the more the merrier.
Glossy models looking like the real thing?
Would this look right on a model, especially if it were made of aluminium foil?
My reason for being absent from this thread was my attendance at the Glasgow Show over the weekend. Yes, I know there are things like i-phones, tablets and other mysterious devices. The thing is, I don't own anything like that. I have a decade-old mobile phone, I don't know its number and I never use it.
What a wonderful show! There is none more friendly in the realm; the organisation is exemplary, with no yellow-vested fascists - just bods who only want to help. Thank you all. It's classed as a 'family show', and, as such, has among its exhibits some 'lemons' (or that's how Steve Flint describes them). Lemons or not, these all-action roundy-roundies with everything from road accidents to waterfalls, and drumlins through which a tunnel has been dug (even though all around the terrain is flat), Golden Gate lookalikes carrying no more than a lane (which very shortly crosses the railway again via a level-crossing) and right-angle bends modelled on a roller-coaster are very popular with kids.
However, the 'top-end' for 'scale' modellers (why did Steve look at me when he said that, for I'm most definitely not?) was more than adequately catered for.
My personal favourite was Blackgill in P4, by Eddie Ford. What an atmospheric rendition of goods workings in the NE, brilliantly captured. Being P4, I naturally inspected the running with great interest. It was almost perfect (just a couple of wagon derailments when being propelled). It was, however, very slow (realistic?) and I would have loved to have seen those 9Fs storming through. A future challenge? Another P4 layout had a few derailments (because of my presence?), though it is getting on. Again, though speedy locos were present in the background, none ran fast. It was, however, beautifully presented.
In fairness, derailments were not confined to the most accurate gauges. An HO creation seemed to suffer frequent derailments (because of the high-speed?). There were a few more instances of the hand of God being needed, but the general standard of running was very good (especially on the lemons, and the Hornby-Dublo and Tri-ang systems). The running was also very good on the layout from the Aberdeen Club (thanks for your comments, Gavin). What an eager bunch these chaps are (because so few of them are old gits like me?). I reckon this bunch will go places before long (though, whoever you are, lose that ridiculous hat!). They took on board all my observations and criticisms (with wonderfully good grace), and smugly (with justification) asked me to return to find the right locos on the right trains, and those trains being made up in a much more realistic fashion. Look out for their layout as it progresses - it'll be worth seeing. I was a clot for not taking any pictures.
One of my duties was to pick the winning layout of the Scottish Association Cup. Blackgill is not an associate, but it still would have been a damn close-run thing between it and my choice, Alloa. Built by members of the Scottish Region Study Group in OO, what a superb depiction Alloa is.
The group let my A2 run on Alloa (despite this, it still won!) - thank you kindly. I found myself in a dilemma at times, with regard to my judging. Should knowing them well (and being friends), preclude a group from winning? Especially, as my second and third choices were built by guys I know well?
Another layout which took my eye (though I know nothing of the prototype) was Purgatory Peak, a North American logging line from the Macclesfield MRG. This was DCC which worked perfectly!
Speaking of DCC (or at least in part). Do any other modellers find the plug-in connection between the loco and tender of DCC-compatible RTR locos an absolute fag? At £99.99 for a Hornby Britannia from Locomotion, I couldn't resist. It won't stay the same for long (EARL HAIG), but will be a guinea pig for a chapter in a book I'm writing for Crowood Press. On separating the loco from tender, one of the leads came out of the plug. So, stuff this nonsense. Off with the top, snip the snake's nest of wires off, and just take the two wires to the motor direct (naturally, I soldered them on the wrong way round to begin with). I have decent track, so don't need tender pick-ups anyway. How much easier is this? No wires dragging, and the loco runs independent of its tender. No DCC, so no complication. You DCC guys must be happy with the way these things are configured at source, or do you get others to fix things up for you? I'd be surprised if you did.
For my part, I manned (my wife womanned) a loco/carriage-building stand in the main (when I was not off being critical, judging or just plain wind-bagging). My most grateful thanks to all those who came up for a chat. I certainly leaned a lot.
Finally, my most grateful thanks to all those who put together the Glasgow Show and for inviting me. Six years ago, I let the Association down by not attending. That won't happen again.
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Hi Andy,
Good to hear from you. Sounds as if the cruise ship work is keeping you busy and you're doing a fair few miles. I agree about the weathering of the Dukedog, I don't want to do it either, but I think the black one would actually look quite good weathered, so maybe one day I'll risk it.
We'll be over your way, Waihi Beach, for the next couple of weeks, PM me if you want to catch up (if you have time that is).
Cheers, Les
Les- a long time from your reply and sorry I missed this before today. Yep cruise ships still busy enough but starting to tapper off after next week. Weather too hot for much modelling downstairs, and I have become bogged down in the storage yard points again!!!
. Your modelling continues to entertain many on this web and rightly so- I for one am enjoying your pictures and their back storey. Nice work. I am trying to get to Hamilton Club show at Te Awamutu at end of April Les, so maybe we can catch up then?
regards, Andy
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Thank you David for the extra information, which will be stored away in the meagre brain for another day, when my own branch terminus begins to appear on Hawkinsfield Junction. Similarly, I have your Wills viaduct adaption (as on earlier posts) firmly referenced for future use too David -an excellent series of informative posts there)
Co-incidence really, but I was collecting my newly chipped DCC M7 loco from my friend John today; John runs his Train Depot business locally and he happened to have several cornerstone high street kits on the work bench, similar to what you were probably using as a base- so I had a good look at the potential of them for future reference.
Keep up the excellent modelling
regards, Andy R
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Apologies David- seen post 78 again and that tells me- mix of Wills and Walthers cornerstone -not sure which but I like them
regards, Andy R
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David;
could I check with you what make are the village street buildings please? They look very nice. I may have missed it in an earlier post?
thanks, Andy R
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Relax and enjoy operating your lovely little layout...its yours and you can run whatever you like I reckon. Photos give nice feel to the layout.
regards, Andy R
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Absolutely agree with Nicks comments. I too have not really seen this layout in cruising the RM web and I like it...well done.
regards, Andy R
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Nick -these new photos also stunning...and (as I keep saying)...inspirational!!!
I like the factory scene and its very supple colouring/weathering. We can learn a lot from studying these series of photos.
regards, Andy R
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Nick -the photo by Andy York shows MM to perfection. Your modelling is truly inspirational.
regards, Andy R
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Brilliant modelling....
regards, Andy R
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Les, catching up as you will have seen from my recent posts and having a well earned day off from cruise ship work (Rotorua- Hobbiton trips this week).
I like this little cameo scene very much...and the fireman looking back is a nice touch and moves away from the normal positioning. Its this kind of thinking Les that makes your modelling ideas educational and always interesting. Keep them coming. Like you I acquired a Bachmann dukedog (GWR painted version) and I love it. It runs well from the box and looks superb. I cant bring myself to weather it though!
regards, Andy R
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Hi Les- back from holiday and loving your progress. Well done and good use of holiday time by you.
Keeps me inspired...thanks, Andy R
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Catching up after the holidays and this is just awesome...so much progress...inspirational, excellent modelling sir!
regards, Andy R
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very nice set of photos - I envy the progress you make with your modelling in relatively quick time, and I find following the evolution of this new terminus inspirational and educational. I particularly find your approach to scenic work, shown via the photo series, very useful.
thanks and keep up the good work
regards, Andy R
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Richard (And Tony Gee)
I have come back from work and looked up RM web as I do several times per week and to my delight I have found this post of Richards and Tony's response in reply. I have shared the same delight as Richard and Tony have expressed here after my two visits to Tony and Buckingham (and I'm living in NZ!)
Richard, I am so pleased you have been able to visit Buckingham given your long interest (like many of us) in the layouts evolution and the modelling genius that was Peter Denny. It is just so much fun and challenging as well.. Like you I have many photos I took to cherish and look at for inspiration from time to time, as well as the wonderful DVD of Buckingham operating, coupled with the Denny articles on CD, and the PECO publication of Peters modelling.
Tony, so good to see you are sharing your experiences and restoration progress on the layout with us all via the RM web. It shows there are many modellers out there who are keen to follow progress and share in the joy of operating it...even if they cannot all get to actually do this themselves. I cannot wait to get to my third visit hopefully in mid 2016.
regards, Andy R
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I am trying Les, but time is currently a problem, as well as my lack of electrical nuance ...thanks for your encouragement.
regards Andy R
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Les/John F;
All good points between two fine modellers.
Les, the latest pictures again capture the small rural branch well. Nice work.
In my own efforts I have been reworking the wiring of the Peco points in the storage yard after I had not correctly wired them, according to my electrical friend John G. So, points pulled up and DCC retrofitted as per PECO instructions and off to Greerton (Tauranga) model shop for Peco accessory switches for underneath point motors. I probably should have committed to better point motors but I had so many Peco motors from past layout efforts that I wanted to 'recycle'..hence the wiring problems for my DCC. Slow but steady...!
regards Andy R
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Les- another lovely set of photos. Looking good. Simple, uncluttered BLT that's is deservedly popular with members and getting good feedback.
Andy R
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hi Les- hope you enjoyed the Hamilton show, which I am sorry to have missed. Back from an exhausting 12 day south island tour with 17 passengers, and the cruise ship season starts next Friday in earnest.
Like the progress you are making Les, more than I can say for me at Hawkinsfield.
Regards, Andy R
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Gidday Les...nice little set of photos and looking good. I agree with you about using the coloured pencil approach on plasticard, and I thank you for putting me onto this with your earlier posts. It worked well with my recent warehouse.
Sadly, I cannot make Hamilton show afterall. I have started my part time work with tourists from the cruise ships and this will cut down modelling time for the next six months or so. I am looking forward to doing something completely different!
So, enjoy the show Les. I do know that they will be short of operators on the O gauge layout in the weekend so maybe you might ask for some time operating that?
regards, Andy R
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I've said it before and say it again...and again...this is a superb layout.
Andy R
Wright writes.....
in Modelling musings & miscellany
Posted
Nice overview Tony- I for one value your views on this given your long experience in the hobby and at exhibitions.
Looking forward to trying my eyesight out again on Buckingham in early July- will PM you with further details when train ex London booked.
regards, Andy R