ScRSG

Another small step in progress, the arrival of the goods shed and associated buildings, still to be weathered and finally fixed down after some more details are added. Chas

Just to show the final major signal which has now been built by our signalling expert. Chas

OK, another update as to what is going on with Larbert. Basic scenic work is commencing where possible with as much of the embankments being "built" as is possible without disturbing other work with the polystyrene foam bases and modroc used. Station buildings are underway but are being constructed offsite as are the signals, the last major one of which is now well advanced. Work on the platform surfaces continues ( a long and painstaking job). As an aside Moodelu have now sent us a refund for the point rodding stools which proved a problem. Let me say this was a most generous offer and thanks again to Alan at Modelu. Chas

I can recall visiting his shop in Maidenhead a long time ago, but I still remember the glass case at the end of the counter which had a model of an LMS style coaling plant when such things were never heard of - sticks in my mind to this day! A2/3's from Crownline (and PDK) before the DJH ones! Chas

I am sure it was used to test the North Clydeside electric OHLE, I have a vague recollection as a 14 year old (now sixty years on!) of it passing through Queen St. low level and there is this photograph (will remove if copyright offends) of it sitting in a siding outside Coatbridge Sunnyside -

I see no reason why not, the only thing would be if the sides of the MAJ were not the correct length, and I am pretty sure they are OK. If anything the clear MAJ sides are a great idea as the glazing is already done for you! I would paint and detail the brass sides first and remember they would have to be flush at the back for handles etc. (or you could fit them after you have attached the sides). Depending on how much detail you wish to have the MAJ underframes may be a little needy! It was a long time ago they were available.

Something to show how things are progressing in the background - one of the group is our signal expert and he has been working away on building the signals for Larbert. Here is an example of the work he is doing on the signal for the down line platform end signal.

A DJH kit built example

Yesterday I chose to run a Portescap powered loco for the first time in a long time, and it started to screech very loudly! I managed to release the motor and its mount, luckily I was able to reach both the screws on the gearbox, and proved that the gears in the box were smooth as silk, but the motor itself!!!! The screech suggested dry bearings in the motor but even after very carefully oiling the front bearing only a very slight improvement was heard and even after a good hour of running no further improvement was heard. Has anyone any further suggestion or is the motor a write off? Has anyone fitted an alternative motor, coreless or not, to a Kean/Portescap gearbox? If so, any suggestions of make/type that fits 10mm mounting holes, 1.5mm shaft? Thanks, Chas

No surprise there! If I am correct - many Tyne Dock conversions to come! Chas

Just to continue the kits "rescued" from Tony's, here are the two which I purchased, now completed, firstly the BR Standard 3MT on a passenger - and secondly the WD Austerity 2-10-0 side by side with the little Standard. both now lightly weathered. Chas

Having just had an email conversation with Alan Butler of Modelu, he has offered to refund the cost of the point rodding stools, which I consider to be an extremely generous offer and quite the best kind of customer service! He is also looking at a re-design of the stools to make them more usable in our kind of situation and in particular to try and find a method of representing the rollers on the stools which serve as a means of holding the rods in place. I hope he has success in this and it helps others in the use of these. Chas

Not just a case of the "average" temperature of the mix?

I just use Windows Media Player to rip CD's, but use settings to copy in a lossless format such as WAV, your hard drive is more than adequate to do this. I assume here that you are using a PC and not an Apple machine.

Just a short report on some progress now that we have limited access back into the clubrooms. The ballasted track has now all had a coat of track colour which has had the effect of harmonising the finish. This is just the first stage of weathering the track with more detailed work to be yet carried out such as grassy bits in little used sidings etc. The point rodding has undergone a bit of a setback regarding the use of the Modelu rodding stools. As it was necessary to use the track colour to weather the track before the rods themselves could be put in place, this resulted in the 0.4mm square wire to no longer fit in the stools because of the coating of paint. Remedies were considered such as running an Xacto saw blade through each rodding stool to allow the wire to sit, but this was going to be a ludicrously tiresome exercise considering the number of stools in place. After some discussion regarding these stools, including their durability on an exhibition layout, and the methods of fixing the rods in the stools it was decided that, regrettably, these stools were not the answer for us. One of our members, vitalspark of this parish, did some research using the DCC Concepts rodding stools and we believe that these will provide a satisfactory solution to the problem. Some basic scenic work has also been carried out with a start made on the forming of the embankments at the South end of the station and here a pic showing that progress - Basic formers made up from polystyrene foam which will get overlaid with Modroc and plaster etc. to end with a decent surface for grass and bushes! The work on the platforms also carries on with much detailed work on paving and surfaces being carried out, it is surprising how many different textures and finishes there are on these platforms! Hope this brings you all up to date, but our progress is still somewhat hampered by Covid restrictions but hopefully as double jabs take effect in all our members and restrictions are eased we can get back to full complements of members at the club.

Send me a PM. I might have some good news for you! I have a spare 9F detailing kit I would be happy to part with. Sorry to others who may have thought I had some news on Dave's other kits! Apologies! Chas

On the matter of unbuilt kits, here is one rescued from Tony's recent pile of disposals - being tested on the rolling road. A trip to the weathering shop is next in line. As an aside to the job on weathering we are fortunate for locos that spent the majority of their lives in Scotland that we have soft water, so no real evidence of limescale deposits on these, just an overall coating of greyish grime. As far as this particular kit is concerned the hardest job was to have the brake shoes fitted in such a way as to not short on the insulated wheels! Much trial and error and bad language ensued but hopefully now is all well (I hope!) Chas

A little help from all you knowledgeable chaps on this topic, sorry about the poor picture taken as a screenshot from a video - can anyone identify the two Gresley coaches shown? At first I thought, due to the apparent closeness of the coupling, that they were an articulated pair, but as (I think) you can see footboards on the bogies that this is not the case. Help would be appreciated! Thanks, Chas

Me too!

Is there nobody in the UK doing the same thing as Shapeways? Seems there may be an opportunity there if they are so expensive to start with, never mind the extra taxes/charges.

Sir Daniel Gooch, Bristol Bath Road, 1965.

Tony, Sorry, did you get my PM re the DJH kit? Price is OK, do I need to add the extra postage? Chas

Or you can also use 100 degree solder which "sticks" to both brass and whitemetal, tend to keep the iron on the brass side and let it flow to the whitemetal with the flux.

Like these mods perhaps? As described on the Class 21 thread. Chas

Just a little question, if I may. Regarding LNER 10000 in original grey livery. The lack of colour photographs (inevitably) of this loco, can someone please tell me if the bufferbeams were red, and if so were the buffer shanks black? Thanks Chas