Paperlad

Thanks for the tips guys, there has been some improvement. I dismantled the Garratt yesterday, mainly to tidy up the wiring around the decoder location, add the extra detailing parts and re attach a couple of bits that had fallen off. Interestingly, one part that had become separated was the rotating bunker support which is located above the two leading driving wheels on the rear set. It wasn't totally detached but loose and resting on the wheels. Along with the above I also added a bit of lubrication to the motion and pony wheel axles. After careful reassembly I plonked it back on the track and, hey presto, it works fine. There are now only two areas on my layout that are a derailing problem, one is a reversing curve and the other, a curve followed by points but I can live with that. More importantly, the shorting problem has gone away. After a bit more 'running in' I added my entire stock of wagons (48, so not quite as many as Peter) and, just for good measure, two GUV vans, the Garratt gently pulled away from a standing start as though it was running light engine, astonishing! Next job is to be a big brave lad and set about it with paints and weathering powders but I think I'll leave it a while longer in order to work up a bit of courage. PL.

A bit disappointed with mine. I was originally waiting for one of the heavily weathered versions but impatience took hold and yesterday made a, not inconsiderable, trip to Hattons and bought a lightly weathered plain black version, 47995. After unpacking, the loco looks very good indeed, it's size, weight and detail are all impressive. The weathering is extremely light and, as a previous poster mentioned, little, if any, applied to the boiler and tenders but I had already decided to apply my own weathering in due course. However, the grab handles are all very bright and could, perhaps have been blackened during production for a more realistic look. I then fitted a Lenz decoder into the recommended area under the firebox. For such a large loco I was surprised at the limited space for a decoder and on my example most of the space was taken up by the three plug and socket arrangements plus a lot of excess wiring. The excess wiring was simply rolled up an shoved into the space and for the less nimble I guess it would be easy to, accidentally, break or detach some of the soldered joints. However, then came the running which is a bit of a disaster. On almost every curve (radius three or greater) the rear set of driving wheels would derail and when crossing most points it would short circuit and bring everything to a sudden stop. I guess that the back to back wheel spacing is incorrect but I'll do a bit of further investigating today. The track is all Peco 100 with, generally, large radius points and I have not faced this problem before, despite running large engines, for example, Hornby 8F's and Bachmann WD 2-8-0.....even double heading them has not presented any previous difficulties. Having not had to adjust the back to back wheel spacing before I don't know if it's something I can do accurately or, if it's possible at all, maybe it's a return trip to Hattons. As I said earlier, I'll do a bit more playing and fiddling before I embark on any modifications. Any hints or tips would be greatly appreciated especially if anyone else has experienced similar problems. It would be a shame to use the Garratt as a static display model only as I would love to see it hauling a proper rake of wagons. PL.

Here's my old jalopy. 1973 GT6. I bought it, half restored, from a guy who had run out of cash, finished the restoration and used it for six years. It never let me down once, although, one year it only covered 150 miles between MOT's. Sold it four years ago to move abroad......one of life's regrets...ho hum!

In addition to the loco's and stock, most of the infrastructure was provided by UK manufacturers. Most of the following are from present day Nairobi station and not from the museum.

In addition to the loco's there's a lot of other 'stuff' just lying around:

During a short visit to Nairobi, earlier this year, I had the chance to visit the railway museum. The museum is not really what we would expect and is just a collection of old steam locomotives and rolling stock, assembled in a yard, slowly rotting away. In addition to the five Garretts, standing in the yard, the railway company has three working steam loco's over at the works, including a Garratt. They are available for viewing but only by appointment...I did try my luck but security wouldn't let me in! However, it was very interesting and I took a few pics: The following three pics are of Tribal Class 29 'Masai of Kenya', built in 1956 at NDL, Glasgow Next are some Garratts built at Beyers in Gorton, Manchester. (one may be a Frenchy, built by Franco-Beige) The following shunter was used at Magadi Soda works until 1970 KUR Edi class of 1926 Some more to follow

Here we go chums, pictured earlier this year in Nairobi. OK, it's not the Heljan version but it is a Garratt, and a big one too!

Hold Onto What You Believe - Mumford & Sons

Going Underground - The Jam

I Am The One and Only - Chesney Hawks

I Am A Cliche - X-ray Specs. RIP Poly PL

Morning chums, Ha ha, first in for the first time . Just dropped wifey off at the airport to go back home after an excellent week out here. Will be a bit lonely again for the next couple of months. It's going to be 'nice' again with the temp. forecast to be in the 50's again . Have a good day all. PL

Morning chums, Another scorcher here in the desert today 39C already, it got to 51C yesterday. I did see a cloud a couple of days ago when you were all having those thunderstorms, was only an itsy-bitsy one though B) . The missus is over here for a week to check up on me and keep me company for a bit but I guess the heat will be a bit of a shock. Probs go to one of the new shopping malls later, then I can get a coffee and read the paper and 'er in can do shopping, all in the cool! PL

Morning boys, Another fine day out here in the desert, 41C already Had an excellent day yesterday. Spent the day escaping from crashed (simulated ) aeroplanes using escape slides, then moved on to messing about in the swimming pool, in life-vests, climbing in and out of rafts. But the best bit was being surrounded by 25, or so, cabin crew girlies, largely from Thailand. Brilliant! A bit more down to earth today..........shopping and tidying the house in prep. for the wife coming out here on Friday next. She's only staying for a week though . PL

Morning boys, Recently arrived in Doha, Qatar for a few years work and it's a balmy (or is that barmy) 45 degsC during the day and around 35C at night . Good job the air con. works. PL

A Skaledale manor house, planted and enhanced

I thought that I would join in, but mine are a bit average compared to other posters.

Come What May - Moulin Rouge

New In Town - Little Boots

Daughter Of Mine - John McDermott

Blue Monday - New Order

Seven Days In Sunny June - J K (couldn't spell Jamiraquai)