ruggedpeak

For those who see 'Modern Image' as meaning contemporary rather than a fixed point in time, Rail Express seems to tick the boxes with the usual current 'news' articles and good and different modelling articles. The link between the news section and modelling is also useful, like the current issue which a piece on the history of Binliners and detail photos in the modelling section on the wagons and containers. I also think the 5 page article about life operating 'Pandora' with lots of pics clearly has modellers in mind following Hattons recent release. The Shenfield Shark piece is not only quirky and interesting in its own right but relevant for contemporary modellers of wagons abandoned at the rail side. A nice little project with a Hornby or Cambrian model. RE is the mag I most look forward to each month, followed by Traction, which is similar but for the BR Blue era. Together they provide a great D&E fix each month/2 months respectively.

As an aside SWMBO went to Wales yesterday and travelled out by IEP and back by HST. She loved the interior of the new IEP's and said how much better it was than the coaches we have on AGA (e.g. Mk3's and Renatus). As she works whilst travelling little things like the power socket being between the seats not on the wall (so can be used by either seat) and some sort of fold out laptop tray were very helpful. Apparently they are very smooth too. I did have to use pics from the reviews of the Hornby IEP to confirm what sort of train she'd been on!!

11 car at the start was £335, now £365 iirc.

Website says 1x DCC City of Brum left.

Popped into the shop today as I was working nearby. Picked up some discounted books and one of the last Stratford Pilot 08's ) I'm not local but the owners have had a few challenges recently but were very friendly and chatty. Well worth supporting.

I see that the latest issues of Model Rail and RM have reviews of the Pendolino. Have bought both but have yet to read them......

Thanks Rob. Hadn't appreciated the grinding round corners was also fixed by removing the shaft. Shaft now removed, thanks to adb968008's instructions. Runs beautifully without tripping the controller. Kind regards

Thanks. Do yours slow down going round corners e.g. 2nd radius?

So, having run my Arriva 121 on my micro layout backwards and forwards, I put it on an oval of track to run it in. With my Gaugemaster controller it required nearly 50% power to even move, then went slowly and slowed significantly to go around R2 corners. After about 3 laps it then stopped, the controller cutout having cut in. It appears once it is warm it really doesn't want to run. To check that it was not a controller issue (and everything else ran without problems) I attached a basic Hornby train set controller from the Santa Express. It ran better without stopping, still needed lots of juice to move, but made the most horrendous electrical hum. Other locos had a slight hum but nowhere near as bad. Any thoughts as I can't fathom out what is going on beyond it isn't working properly? Why such a difference between the controllers? (the sockets are hanging off the wall as we are decorating!!)

I will do this mod when i have a moment, on my micro layout the strained performance of two driven bogies is not required. Will see if this affects it's issues going through Hornby points. Thanks for putting the info.

The acid test in all of this for BRM/Warners is whether the changes does actually lead to more editorial content in the magazine, and not more adverts.

To be fair the general standard of English these days amongst those slightly younger than myself (and I'm not old!) is appalling. Words like break/brake or principal/principle are routinely misapplied/spelt on a regular basis, even in proper publications with proper editors (including some modelling mags!!!). No excuse though...

I like the sound fitted vented van, it's a great idea. Although I wonder if it is not better as a TTS module that clips onto track and can be positioned inside buildings? I like the new variations on the KFA containers so will be buying those to go with my others. I will probably buy the ZUA Shark as I love Shark's. An interesting range of new TTS modules as well, from the 9F to the Class 66. I like 67's and the Colas version looks good but presently loco prices are a bit steep so will hold off unless it ends up in a sale! So mostly wagons this year. No great worries as I have plenty on pre-order already and stuff that is overdue and has yet to arrive.

You admit pre-ordering previously, in which case you would know Hornby do not charge you until they have the product in stock ready to ship. So there is no risk to you even if the worst is to happen, which I see no evidence of. You could have just written "there's nothing for me".

It appears to be background sound - seems to be designed to be parked up at a station... "To further enhance this atmosphere, Hornby's engineers have considered how other sounds contribute to 'setting the scene'. Stand on any busy station, or observe the workings of a bustling freight depot and it is soon obvious that there are a whole range of sounds, from the grind and squeal of wagon wheels, the application of brakes, and the 'clank' of couplings, to the movement of passengers, station announcements, a 'hubbub' of conversation and carriage doors closing. The equipping of a wagon with TTS sound means that it can be placed stationary within the layout, to give a richer depth of sound, or can be included anonymously within a rake of wagons, its soundtrack blending with the sounds of other TTS locomotives." https://www.Hornby.com/uk-en/shop/new-for-2018/vent-van-with-sound-era-3-4-5.html Certainly a novel idea. And why not livestock sounds for those wagons? Or ash dust from empty ash wagons.... http://alongwinwicklines.blogspot.co.uk/2011/02/

Adb How do the units sound when a shaft is removed? Do they sound less strained. It seems like a good mod given all wheel drive and maximum traction is not required as you say. As a non-engineer I'm wondering where in the drive train the excess strain is coming from and whether it can be alleviated to keep both shafts?

Any updates on timing? Thanks.

Just realised, I asked for a Back to Back gauge for Xmas to fix the various dodgy wheels on my locos and didn't get one!

The revised track plan is below. The siding takes a Class 68 and hopefully a Class 40 (yet to be tested). If the 153 is driven right to the end of the main road the 68 can leave the siding. So I will have to see if a Class 40 and 153 combo can use the siding, but for everything else it should be fine. Overall, at this point, I am pleased with how it has turned out. Not exactly prototypical in terms of track layout but gives plenty of scope for movement. It is also fairly non-descript so can be used with a range of trains that might be found in a major urban area, so suits my Scottish and Welsh stock. In terms of next steps there is plenty of activity to be carried out: weathering of viaducts and walls, thne varnishing painting and ballasting track detailing of the layout - I think interchangeable nameplates for the platform might be good detailing the tops of the viaducts signalling.....

The Xmas break has provided some time to move this forward With the electrics under control if not fully understood (!) I have progressed the scenery, primarily filling the gap between the retaining wall and the viaduct that leads to the fiddle yard, and constructing the platform. The platform was made from another Metcalfe kit - works quite well but due to Hornby points and 153's using the platform it has to be cut quite a way back from the rail edge. All the structure including the platform are removeable and simply placed onto the layout so they can be removed if it needs moving, as none will survive a bash. Fortunately for the retaining wall Metcalfe included some matching wall in the kit as the retaining wall has blue engineering brick at the bottom, and this wall design is not in their Viaduct or Brick sheet kits. Using this I constructed an angled frame using the sprues from the kit to create a wall that would match the rest of the wall in terms of angle and look. This involved constructing several models/jigs to get the correct width for the gap. The wall included the top section with detail and capping so it looked consistent. Although it is not perfect, it does match and sits quite well. It has been firmly attached to the rest of the removable retaining wall. I then decided that having no ability for loco's to pass each other between the roads, I would add an extra siding in Fiddle Road 2 to allow them to pass. Fortunately dragging a piece of card under the track, plus some leverage from a screwdriver, separated the glued down track from the cork with minimal damage. Using a Hornby point and set track the siding has been added. Further electrical work is required to isolate the two sidings so they can be used to pass, but I will do this at a later date as it means drilling and removing the cover under the board that keeps the wiring in place! The core of the layout is now complete - we have the viaducts and walling as the main scenic sections plus the end of the platform. With careful use of the switches I can operate up to 5 separate locos on the layout. Although I said 6 before this means very limited movement as there would only be one space free at any time. With the extra siding wired up properly this will increase to 7, but I think 5 is the optimum. It also assumes light locos/single car DMU's. Once I introduce a Pacer or 150 then we lose the extra space at the isolated end of the platform. Plenty of scope for movement however.

Why would not running them for a few days make them seize up if you'd run them in?

So onwards with the scenery. All substantive scenery needs to be removal to allow the board to be carried without knocking it off. First up is the station end board. A thin piece of ply painted black with cheap acrylics and screwed onto the end of the board for quick removal. It provides the position for the Metcalfe viaduct at that end, and stops expensive locos falling off the end! Then onto the precision engineering. The Metcalfe Retaining Wall needs to be self supporting and removable. After much thinking, buying some brackets and other bits, I have gone with a brass rod solution. A visit to my local model shop started with Evergreen plastruct square section, but following discussions I changed to brass tube - 7/32 and 3/16 tube that slides one inside the other. The thinner rod is cut to length so that it fits inside the abutments of the wall. Each has a supporting piece inside so only about half the height is required. The rod is was packed into place with lots of off cuts and glued with Roket glue. Once dry they are nice and firm, three bits of rod along the wall. Corresponding holes were drilled into the baseboard and short lengths of the thicker tube glued in place with wood adhesive. At the same time the wall, which is 9 separate elements glued together, was reinforced with offcuts. http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/gallery/image/84130-img-7194/ So now we have some scenery attached, and the brass rods seem to work quite well

I like Hornby. I also like Bachmann, but which one's better? There's only one way to find out...

For info marker and High Intensity headlights are different colours as per prototype

Another learning point - as configured the layout does not offer the opportunity for trains to pass each other. Once they are on the layout there is no way for them to pass each other or swap places. TO be able to pass off scene would enhance operations a bit. The only place they can pass is in either FY2 or Road 2, as only the middle roads have connections to others. The only way to do this at present would be to create isolated sections in FY2 (Road 2 is too short for 2 locos to meet). Due to the size of loco's ranging from Class 33's to 40's, there would need to two isolating points as a 33 and 40 just fit, and the gap between them is in different locations depending upon which way round they are. Will decide if I want to pull the track up. As its the FY its not a major disaster. Isolators as below: A bit of running with scenery propped up: