Wingman Mothergoose

Good point!

Tony if nobody takes the J39 I could be persuaded to take her on, I fancy trying to hardwire a decoder to a split chassis.... Chris G

I’ve been using Ford Rosso Red as BR crimson, seems to look the part Chris G

Morning Jesse, That looks awesome! Would you say that having a gap between the bridge and scenic break works better than having the bridge butted up against the scenic break? I’m just wondering how to do the scenic break on Richmond, there was no overbridge anywhere near the station, and I’m wondering if I should use some modellers licence and put an appropriate looking bridge there or just attempt to hide the hole in the scenic break with foliage or some other kind of structure?

Although the K3 might be more up my street. I have an LNER liveried example that doesn’t fit my chosen era..... Chris

Morning Tony, I may well be interested in the J39 Chris

Yes I'm aware of that, but I was using it as an example. Would have been easy enough I suppose for London Transport to raise the track a long time ago but they chose not to. Anyway, I digress. I've just been out to the layout to test run my new Bachmann V3, and I checked the platform heights, they look about right, and don't think that I'm going to rip up the original platforms on the station to lower them a couple of mm or raise the track any more than I have already. Will see what the whole platform looks like when I've had chance to glue the other side down. Chris

I recall when I used to go out ‘on the bash’ regular that some of the platforms on the Bakerloo Line where it parallels the WCML had platforms higher than the train floors(it’s been a very long time since I was out that way so it’s probably changed now) too. Looking at photos of Richmond, the platforms are fairly high, probably a result of the platform extensions carried out by the NER and LNER. The original platform was really low, and when the NER first extended the platforms it resulted in a fairly steep slope from the station buildings to the platform edge. So I think my platform height probably isn’t too far off what it would have been in BR days, it will look better once I get around to glueing the platform 1 extension down. Before I do I’m trying to work out how to place it so locos using the run round crossover don’t foul the platform edge as they curve away from it.... Chris

Agreed. I’ve been restricted though by the height of the existing platforms on the model, which has meant I’ve had to sink the Peco platform edging into the cork by a few mm to make them line up Chris

Thank you so much! I spent ages looking for something like that with no joy. Will have a go at the retaining block tomorrow evening after work Chris

Hi Tony, I will definitely come over to visit LB! Yes it is the Peco platforms that I’m using, I’ve only glued one side of the edging down so far, and I noticed they were on the high side too. Luckily the track here is laid on 10mm cork tiles, which I’ve cut away and replaced with strips of thin cork sheet so that the Peco platform edging sits lower, and also sits at the same height as the rest of the platform. Well spotted though! Chris

Sorry to resurrect an older thread, but I have a Hornby L1 and it’s really noisy. Getting a grinding type of sound from somewhere inside it, which I’m assuming is a lack of lube on the motor or gears, but I’m quite reluctant to start disassembling the loco for lack of instructions And the worry that I will end up breaking something and it becoming an expensive paperweight. Anybody had to dismantle their L1 to get to the gears and motor to lubricate? Chris

Possibly, not sure how much space either side of the track they need though Chris

I have, but I’m not sure if I have enough room between tracks to make use of it. Chris

Morning Tony, When lockdown is finally over I will gladly donate to CRUK to come visit Little Bytham, will be great to finally meet you also. Lockdown has been good for me layout wise, I’ve been able to finish my garage conversion and reassemble Richmond, as well as build the extension boards, lay more track and run some trains(for testing obviously!). I’ve also managed to finish a Parkside wagon kit and my most recent two Ian Kirk Gresley articulated twin set kits To test the track currently laid, Hornby L1 67755 of Darlington shed waits to leave platform 1 with a train of Ian Kirk articulated twins. I’m itching to try a brass kit, so I may attempt an MSE NER signalbox kit soon, although I do have to go back to work as of today, so time on the layout will begin to dwindle off. Chris G

I’m listening

I’ve decided to build a single track traverser at the end of my fiddle yard, to run my locos round their trains without having to physically remove them from the layout. The only snag is I have no idea how to build a traverser! Any help you guys can give would be fantastic!

Laid some more track over the last few days, got half of the fiddle yard down and wired up So there’s now 4 tracks laid and wired, the kick back fits my 3 car DMU comfortably. I’m also giving serious thought to adding a single track traverser to the end of the yard so I can run locos round without having to physically remove them from the layout. I thought I’d also do a bit of ‘testing’, so here is my L1 67755 waiting to leave for Darlington. The 6 coach train of articulated twins fits nicely in the platform with room to spare, and there’s also plenty of room in the run round loop. Here we have ex works K1 62015 departing platform 2 on a relief troop special for Edinburgh, coaches will be attached to a northbound train at Darlington, and 62015 will make the first leg of its return to March shed in the morning(or whenever I get around to getting her renumbered!). Chris

A little bit more progress today, ordered some more points to try and get track down towards the goods shed and loco shed. Also made a start on building the platform extension. I've used the Peco concrete platform sides, and painted them in grey primer then weathered them with a light blow over of matt black. Just the other side to do now. Chris

So last night I decided to swap out the double slip in the goods yard for a more prototypical pair of right hand points. The double slip will now move to the fiddle yard entrance to replace another one that a couple of my locos didn't like. The lower board(which will be home to my controller, programming track and probably control panel) is a right mess at the moment, but will be cleared up when track laying is completed. the track does seem to flow a bit better now the slip has gone. Also took the opportunity to have a go at rearranging the proposed layout of the fiddle yard, ^ tracks at the moment but will most likely end up as 7, but I ran out of points again! I did add a 'kick back' siding that will probably run back into the scenic area but be hidden behind a hillside, And will probably be long enough to house my DMU or the branch pick up goods train. I want to get the fiddle yard laid and operational before I make a start on the goods yard, so I can at least start to run trains to test the new track. The goods yard will be on another board, which will limit how far toward the rear of the layout I can reach when it's in place, so it will be designed from the outset to be easily removable for access. Now, to order some more points..... Chris

Think I recall seeing a Kirk push/pull kit a while back on eBay, but sadly missed out on it. Think I have more than enough Kirk Gresley suburban coaches now that I won't miss two of them if I put them 'into works' for conversion into a push pul set. The Harris book is on my list, but it doesn't seem to be cheap at the moment! Chris

I do have a bit of a curve ball for you. Is it possible to convert a pair of Ian Kirk Gresley suburban coaches into a push pull set? And if so, what work is required to do so, and which locos would be suitable to push/pull it? Chris

Hi Les! Think I met you a few years ago at the Sileby show, you were exhibiting Hawthorn Dene at the time and you let me come behind the layout and see your fiddle yard and how you worked it. I love your Croft Spa layout, and when I've had a running session on Richmond(before the house move) I always pictured my trains calling at Croft Spa on their way to Darlington! If I can get my hands on a push/pull set, or even convert a pair of suburban coaches then I will. As for a G5, I've pre ordered the forthcoming TMC/Bachmann RTR model, but as I'm getting impatient I'm keeping an eye out for a 'cheap' kit built version that I can hardwire for DCC. Think I'll look into a hybrid 101/108 set, don't think my Lima/Hornby 101 would look that great coupled to half a Bachmann 108 though, so it may soon be time to upgrade to the better detailed and probably much better running Bachmann 101 Chris

Hi Alan, I've been to Richmond a couple of times over the years, last time was about 18 months or so ago while taking my son home to Darlington, and I took a load of photographs while I was there. also had lunch in the cafe the first time I was there, it retains so many original features, and they've even reduced the height of the remaining platform inside the train shed to its as built height(which has gotten rid of the fairly steep slope that resulted from the NER and LNER extending the platform and raising the height a couple of times since opening). It's certainly a beautiful structure, and they have done a lovely job of preserving it. The disused stations website has been invaluable in helping me, as has Ken Hoole's book on North Eastern Branch termini. Chris

Hi Jim, If I'm able to get up to Richmond I certainly will come visit! Chris