Andy R

Les. Worth exploring that for crane site but would need to alter plinth, which is possible. I think it important to have the crane if I can. See you at Hamilton. Regards Andy R

Thanks Andrew. Should be straight forward. Small job compared with the conversation on Coachmans thread about changing to O gauge... he makes it look so easy! Lovely track work there one day then gone the next. How does he do it??? Regards Andy R Thanks Andrew. Should be straight forward. Small job compared with the conversation on Coachmans thread about changing to O gauge... he makes it look so easy! Lovely track work there one day then gone the next. How does he do it???Regards Andy R

Today I have finally had some time (who said retirement was slow paced?) to spend in the man-cave and work on the refinement of the station loop of Stackton Magna, with the removal of some of the loop track and placement of a small PECO point to provide a small siding off the loop- as outlined in thread posts above. I get at least 3 small wagons or one plus guards/brake van in the new siding, so it will assist operational shunting in the small goods yard. This refinement, based on my learnings from the two days of operating the layot 2 weekends ago. Point and siding now in place and track painted before ballasting next session in normal manner with diluted PVA over spread ballast, moistened with a little water/washing up liquid. Several photos below show the steps today, with some track isolating gaps filled in with super- glued plasticard for overnight hardening. I will file their profile next time and then start ballasting, and filling in ash/ballast also between the tracks. Then flip layout onto side and install the new PECO point motor and wire into the control panel. This layout simply uses the 16 volt AC poer outlet from a old triang controller that sits under the layout at showtime. The one casualty in this change is the lovely Mikes Model yard crane- there is simply not enough room to relocate it within the tight yard. Further thinking required on this -can I locate elsewhere???? (the photos will suggest no easy answer to this as can be seen by the small space in the yard now) Regards Andy R

Sorry to hear you are poorly, but RM web will make you better...lots to see and comment on if you want. I have the laptop on my knee and watching Rick Stein eating and cooking through the Med and also the NZ cricket team collapsing again in India-those indian spinners are nearly unplayable on day three! Andy R

thanks Andrew P ...you are on the case early today!

After the show.... Just over a week since the first showing of Stackton Magna. Time to start those little things identified from the outing for fine-tuning. A start has been made on the kadees on the wagons; rechecking all heights and lengths with the kadee height gauge. If needs be I am changing them with either No 5's, as indicated by Andrew P in an earlier post and photos above, or with a No.18/19 as also indicated. As John Flann observed above...trial and error get us there eventually. Another small project is to install a small point with point motor at the end of the station loop to provide another short siding for storing one-two wagons and the guards van when assembling the outward goods. This will allow some space to 'hold' a train while a local auto-passenger or railcar services the station platform. This task to get underway in the next while. This coming weekend sees one of the larger and successful NZ shows run by the Hamilton Model Railway Club. My two days will be spent helping to operate the O gauge layout- and fighting those three-link couplings! Still the beer tastes good at days end. Another picture of Stackton Magna to finish.

Thanks very much for the stepped process which I have followed through and it worked. Will try another later. Regards AndyR

Thanks. I get that and in fact have used MS paint before to reduce photo size and enhance image. I have a seperate file for RM photos so will continue with applying your steps too. I don't have a problem when using photos taken on normal camera. Regards Andy R

Many thanks David. I have read it several times and still dont get it apart from the holding the I phone (I have an i phone 6) in the landscape position to take photograph. I will experimet further. regards Andy R

Hello Tom- there are a few kiwis active on this RMweb, so nice to hear from another one. You will note I am in Tauranga, so if you are coming this way why not PM me for a possibl visit to my Hawkinsfield. regards Andy R

Cheers Andrew. I will get into it soon with your photos and advice to help. Andy R

Andrew. Thanks so much for posting the photos on here where we can all see and learn. They are very useful for me in my thinking on fine tuning my Stackton Magna stock. Just to clarify, what's the approach where you have NEM pockets? That's one aspect I am not clear on. Regards Andy R

Thanks Andrew. Re kadees: could you PM me some photos of your wagons underside please so I can see how u did yours. Cheers Andy R

Thanks Les. Nice to get your views. I tend to agree with the points situation but will look at one at headshunt end of loop for more yard storage. Kadees a work in progress. See u at Hamilton. Andy

Many thanks for your good wishes John and advice. I can report a successful two days of shunting and survival with minor mental damage! The layout ran ok, indeed beyond my initial expectations but some wagons need kadees fine-tuning before next show. I thought small points actually went ok and it would be shame to rip up them just yet ( agree it would be better but it's risk v reward given small space of station area/ board). I will ponder further. People enjoyed the shunting when they stopped by and noted no fast running roundy train set!!! A good learning experience after many years of this BLT gathering dust. Overall I enjoyed it and the shunting challenges. I will look at changing kadee magnet positions for more flexibility and maybe a new point off the loop to provide a place for another wagon/ guards van storage spot (would necessitate relocation of yard crane). As I commented on Pencarne- you and Andy Peters provide inspiration for this shunting with the kadees: so thanks for that. I still have to get the right combination of wagon with best kadee for each wagon, but as John F says- trial and error. Regards Andy R

Just had another look. Despite detractors I have to say the kadees work well and provide operational enjoyment. I have just finished the two day local show Andy with my Stackton Magna layout and two days basically of shunting local goods. Kadees generally went ok but some wagons need fine tuning. Not quite as smooth as yours in video but the paying public enjoyed something different from the fast roundy- rounds on display ( mine the only layout with shunting). Useful for fine tuning before I show it next but hard work concentrating for two days! Inspiration from you and Mr Flann in developing operations further on this little BLT of mine. Regards Andy R

More brilliance! Really enjoy these Andy. Regards Andy R

Tony- the famous layout will keep you on your toes for ever I am thinking. Part of the fun I think you would say... I will PM photo taken of the two Tonys operating the layout the day I came through. Hopefully you are maintaining enough skilled operators. regards, Andy R

Brilliant work Mr Peters! I am nearly tempted to change to 'dirty diesels' -but not quite. Regards, Andy R

Well Andrew it is doing my head in looking at the file as OK and when attached to post it goes sideways???? So I rotated the file picture and then it came out ok when attached to post. I can't work that one out. But the photos are taken on my iPhone and that may have something to do with this? Regards Andy R

And another of the local navvie (spelling??) Joe Bloggs having a well earned rest on a beautiful summers day near Stackton Magna. He awaits the local goods...which takes forever to trundle down the line to the station.

I have tried another approach and this seems to have got it orientated right. regards Andy R

Hi Tony; and hopefully run some of the timetable on Buckingham! regards, Andy Ralph

And another showing the lighting rig with strip LEDs

Some other photos but for some reason they want to rotate themselves when attached, despite me editing to get right orientation -go figure??