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Neil McGrath

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  1. Neil McGrath
    I think you may be correct. I have only seen photos of both models but the cargo hatch on the Tomy boat looks a bit wider. Thanks
  2. Neil McGrath
    Hi all I am bulding a OO gauge Thomas the Tank Engine childrens layout and want to include a dock scene with a working dockside crane. I would like to feature the boat Bulstrode, which could be loaded and unloaded by the crane operated remotely by the kids. I am not after exact scale accuracy but would like the scene to look reasonably proportioned. There are two models of Bulstrode that I am considering. One is the ERTL model and the other is made by Tomy for their Trackmaster system. Any thoughts on which would be the best choice?
  3. Neil McGrath
    until
    Orpinton and District Model Railway Society have huge stocks of used model railway items for sale at our Great Model Railway Sale. Just the one day to treat yourself. Maybe get what you need for a new layout or to buy Christmas presents! Loads of second-owner OO, N & O gauge items to browse through, all at attractive prices. Tested Hornby, Bachmannn, Peco, Triang, Lima, Wrenn and other makes. A large choice of individual locomotives, coaches and wagons & also complete boxed train sets; kits, controllers, track and points, accessories, scenic materials, buildings, tools and electrical parts. Why not also come along to discuss your modelling needs or questions? Adults £ 2 . 0 0 • Children free. On-site parking available
  4. Neil McGrath
    Location: Pratts Bottom, Orpington, Kent Organiser: Orpington & District Model Railway Society Venue: Pratts Bottom Village Hall Norsted Lane (off Rushmore Hill) Pratts Bottom Orpington Kent BR6 7PQ Admission: Adults £5, Children £1 (under 3 free) Amenities: Refreshments, free parking Doors open: 10am Show closes: 5pm Features: Layouts in TT:120, OO, O, N, EM & 16mm Club shop, trader, refreshments & childrens activities Contact: Neil McGrath, 07885 270437 Email: exhibitions-mbox@odmrs.uk Website: www.odmrs.uk
  5. Neil McGrath
    Orpington and District Model Railway Society are pleased to announce one of the areas very popular annual two day events , The Pratts Bottom Model Railway Show is being staged on Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th January at the village hall just off Rushmore Hill. This friendly show is designed to appeal to both families and the enthusiast. It will feature high quality layouts in a variety of scales each depicting a fascinating miniature world through which the trains are kept running. Younger visitors will have the opportunity to operate layouts themselves, some with extra play value for the toddlers.. THE PRATTS BOTTOM MODEL RAILWAY SHOW THE VILLAGE HALL NORSTED LANE. RUSHMORE HILL. JUST OFF THE A21. PRATTS BOTTOM, KENT.. BR6 7PQ 10am to 5pm Both days Admission. Adults £4.00. Children £1.50 For further information: Email: Neil McGrath exhibition@odmrs.uk Facebook: Orpington and District Model Railway Society Web: odmrs.uk Model Railway 2019 Show Flyer v1.pdf
  6. Neil McGrath
    One of the youngsters at our youth group would like to produce a campsite as part of his layout. Can anyone suggest an easy way to create simple tents in OO gauge? Neil
  7. Neil McGrath
    What is your favourite modelling tool? Mine is the Antex soldering iron. It is cheap and does not lose its heat when you try to tackle larger jobs. The tip has a large thermal mass which really seems to help. I have used expensive temperature controlled irons but always come back to my trusty Antex when I want a simple and effective device. Let me know your favourite modelling tool and why you like it.
  8. Neil McGrath
    I checked the layout last night and the PVA heads seem to be well stuck to the mountain. I will give the dilute PVA a go and then see if I can paint them. Thanks for the suggestion. Neil
  9. Neil McGrath
    Thanks for the insight Robert. I think I will need a barrier layer of some description as you described. I did wonder if the paint used for damp patches in walls would work. Neil
  10. Neil McGrath
    Here is an interesting conundrum. One of our junior members wanted to reproduce the sculptures of Americn presidents on Mount Rushmore for his layout. However, rather than just stop at the original founding fathers he has recreated an image of all 45 presidents in plasticine. We have fixed the heads to the foam cliff using PVA but I am not sure how we will paint them to match the general colour of the rockface. Any ideas?
  11. Neil McGrath
    I have a small n gauge oval that is used for a game called the "Stop the train game". The idea of the game is judge the stopping distance of the train based on the speed shown on a speedometer which is linked to the PWM signal applied to the track. The whole thing is controlled by an Arduino and the train runs at a random speed each time the game is played. I run a small 03 class Bachmann shunter around the circuit and find that it always runs at its slowest when the layout is first set up and subsequently takes the shortest time to stop early in the day. The motor tends to free up during a days exhibiting and will take longer to stop near the end of the day. I am sure that it does pay to run-in a loco prior to each exhibition to be sure that it performs well on the day. My theory is that there is probably a small amount of oxidisation that buids up on the commutator and wheel contacts when the loco is not used and this gets cleaned by friction once the machine is in motion.
  12. Neil McGrath
    Wow Ray! What a fantastic and generous offer. The young lad building the layout has seen your photographs and really likes the loco. Unfortunately, we are located in Southeast London and Derby is a bit too far for us to travel. However we would be pleased to cover the delivery costs if you could post it to us. Details and progress of the modules can be found on our facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/OrpingtonandDistrictModelRailwaySociety/ Thanks Neil
  13. Neil McGrath
    I am currently running a youth training course for our club and each of the participants is building a module to their own design and learning the basics of model railway layout construction. One of our group wants to build an American themed module but I am not sure where he could obtain suitable rolling stock in HO scale at a reasonable cost. a simple switcher is probably all he needs or possibly a complete US style train set. Any suggestions?
  14. Neil McGrath
    Thanks for the info.
  15. Neil McGrath
    When I built the "Stop the train game", I initially used the default PWM frequency (around 700Hz) for my N gauge prototype. This worked fine for the little trains but the audible whine became quite unpleasant when I upscaled the design to run a 32mm gauge loco. There is a library available to adjust the frequency of the PWM, so I experimented with different frequencies. In the end I settled on a low pulse frequency of around 50Hz. This seems to work well with both scales of locomotive.
  16. Neil McGrath
    Can anyone assist with providing directions to the model shop that was set up as one of the retail concessions on what was the old Allders store? I have been there once but spent a long time wandering around before I found the place and do not know it well enough to provide anyone else with directions. Can anyone confirm if they are still trading and provide directions from the high street? Do you know of a web site for the store or can provide contact details? Thanks Neil
  17. Neil McGrath
    For large layouts with multiple trains that frequently change direction then DCC is the way to go. However, for continuous circuit operation and for relatively simple layouts, DC is the cheaper option and will often work just as well. My home layouts are all DC but at the club it is DCC for multiple operators and more complex operation.
  18. Neil McGrath
    What would you consider to be the maximum size for a layout to be considered a micro layout? I guess that it may vary with scale but would be interested to hear your opinion. My own plan is to have an OO layout on a baseboard measuring 1m x 1m. Would this be considered a mini rather than a micro? Neil
  19. Neil McGrath
    I thought you might like to see a short video of our clubs kids layout called Little Totston. It has recently been upgraded with a number of Arduinos to flash lights on emergency vehicles, simulate a fire and arc welding. Even the post mill rotates 45 degress on a servo every 30 seconds. The giraffe car sadly does not use an Arduino (it operates from magnets). My favorite animation is the crane which the kids can operate from an arcade game joystick on the front of the layout. There are also buttons provided so that the children can trigger the animations. I am still adding things and am currently working on a timer that will operate each animation every 90 seconds if nobody pushes the button. Other new features will include a truck with a working tipper, a workshop car lift, a car transporter that will unload a car and an operating fork lift. All controlled of course by Arduino. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FidcuHOQD0w
  20. Neil McGrath
    Hi Giles Which manufacturer made the original diecast model of your Ford Thames lorry? Do you have the model number? Thanks Neil
  21. Neil McGrath
    Here are a couple of short videos shot at Tonbridge on Theobalds Yard. https://www.facebook.com/neil.mcgrath.545/videos/762766757209995/ https://www.facebook.com/neil.mcgrath.545/videos/762769060543098/ Neil
  22. Neil McGrath
    until
    Event Name: Pratts Bottom Model Railway Exhibition Classification: Exhibition Address: Pratts Bottom Village HallNorsted Lane Pratts BottomKentBR6 7PQ Day 1: 14/1/17 Opening times Day 1: 10:00 - 17:00 Day 2: 15/1/17 Opening times Day 2: 10:00 - 17:00 Prices: 3.50 Adults1.50 Children Disability access: Unknown Car parking: Yes Website: www.orpingtonmodelrail.co.uk Organising body: Orpington Model Railway Society Organiser: neil.mcgrath@btinternet.com Come along to the friendly and popular show organsed by the Orpington and District Model Railway Society. Attractions Extensive club sales shop Weathering demonstrations Kent Garden Railways Loco clinic Cafe Layouts Pradeaux HO Dursley O Puerto Paseo 00-9 Glyn Valley Tramway 00-9 West Street Yard HO Skeglington N Eastbourne Trams N Little Sewage Works Gn15 Little River Falls On30 Live steam garden rail 16mm Bus layout Little Totston HO (childrens have-a-go) Disabled access to main hall but there are steps up to the stage area.
  23. Neil McGrath
    A small improvement on the reed switch idea is to use a hall effect device. These can be mounted to respond to either the north or south pole of the magnet providing two different triggers. I have a small IR remote controlled MP3 player that I intend to use for sound effects. My plan is to use an Arduino to emulate the IR remote commands from track sensors to select an individual MP3 file and trigger the necessary sound effect. Also being stereo you can balance the recording so that the sound appears to originate from a particular location on the layout. http://www.banggood.com/JQ-D005A-Car-Audio-MP3-Decoder-Board-Single-Decoding-Buildwin-Remote-Control-p-1027628.html Neil
  24. Neil McGrath
    Hi everyone I thought you might like to see my Arduino project. It is called the "Stop the Train Game" and can be seen at https://sites.google.com/site/g7aqkhamradio/stop-the-train . The aim of the game is to stop the train at the station but it is not quite as simple as it sounds. The train runs around an oval of track at a random speed each time the game is played and will take between 1/4 and 3/4 of a lap to stop depending on its speed. There is a back story relating to escaped dinosaurs and people trapped at the station, so you will rescue more people if you can stop with the carriage completely on the platform. Automatic scoring detection is achieved using light dependent resistors and a 16 x 2 LCD display is used to display the speed and scores.
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