77philg

Timpdon electronics has retired Bob http://www.timpdon.co.uk/timpdon/telec/index.php phil

First layout about 1 in 60 , second ,completely level the laser levels are excellent . I run a manual coal fired edrigg, so decided to build flat to aid running and save water ,the on board water pump is only small and pumping in by hand through the enots valve is a pain being an 0-4-0.

Hi ossy be careful of gradients manual locos tend to run away on the down ward levels, gradients running into curves can cause serious problems too .I put mine on the level and load the engine with wagons to make it work hard even adding weight if needed. When feeling lazy minimum load low steam pressure and let it meander around the garden while supping a mug of tea, get a good run that way . phil

hi ossy its not my layout its sams from ulverston mines here http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/121619-rebuilding-the-pdr/ Sam built the pillars first with rebar to reinforce then shuttered with plywood moulds for the top, with built in drainage channels .And its curved . I've been going to his steamups for 15+ years and at one stage his next door neighbour had a line which joined up with sams .So he had quite a decent run around 2 gardens Heres the next door line with 2 x ngg11 s my coal fired and sams gas fire Peter Angus turned up with one of his creations this would be about 2011

This garden falls away from the house quickly .So a combo of treated wood, plywood wrapped in roofing felt, concrete viaduct and a shallow concrete brick trench at the house to support the track. Its only a small garden. Ive been going about 15 years + and its always good running. I wouldn't use the lightweight blocks water penetration and frost damage is inevitable imho. My advice would be to use the largest radius curves that will fit in your garden and if you plan open days a few sidings where you can park your visiting locos when they are not running .A steaming bay that will not interfere with trains running on the main line, and on visiting day plenty of tea. phil

Ran the Bundaberg fowler ,but didn't photograph her running at an open day on the ptlr at the weekend think I might do another thread on the visit [ PDR on tour maybe] Bought a couple of kits from swift sixteen ill start building soon Started to add a new siding and a passing loop this week end , and sorting out a rockery

Depends how much your collection is worth ,some house policy's only offer £2500 for contents of the garage . http://www.towergatepartners.co.uk/walker-midgley-brokers/home/ I have insured through these for both my 00 gauge and 16mm garden rail collection and also have a separate house policy by another company. I found that the house policy might have a maximum £5000 large item which you declare up front. But a layout with all the time parts etc involved to make and replace could be £20,000 -£40,000 .Hence will not be covered, the burglars tend to do a lot of damage to the layout rather than nick it removing what they can etc. Phil

Hi bob I would have used pva/water 50/50 mix + drop washing up liquid to do that job . would have dried clear and any loose bits just add some more . phil

No mate I cant do another gauge , Although when I was doing 0 gauge I would have liked the ready to run stuff that is out there now . The 08 and jinty are gorgeous .Did the York show really enjoyed that .I intend to do museum of transport mrx Manchester 19/20 may That's a great little show in the bus museum .I do hope you can come down for a run sometime look forward to it.

Hi Bob Not much progress ,Health issues etc . Been busy with other projects which are taking 10 times longer than id hoped One of them has got to be done mostly for Leigh exhibition[ N gauge wiring ]Just finished another job . Now I want to start an 00gauge project for myself while im struggling, Then after my op hopefully get out there and do some more .Im having an open day this year ,havn't decided when though. Ill let you know phil

Hi bob has this sorted the problem or might you have land slip to contend with in the future? phil

DSCF0862 by phil, on Flickr DSCF0863 by phil, on Flickr There are still a lot of us 16milers scratch building rolling stock. In my own case I buy the odd kit to construct or the odd model I like too + scratch build .To me its a time issue ,I cant do everything myself and time imho is very expensive .The thing about 16mm is that there are a lot of different skill levels amongst us and there in my experience is always encouragement in whatever you do or in some cases buy to run ,we are not all mechanical engineers. I always encourage people in this gauge cos its a lot of hard work building these garden empires from scratch .Ask the wife she's tired out. phil

Hi bob I tend to use rail match , Lifecolour, Tamiya too, all require a water based thinner for spraying .I've not tried humbrol acrylics yet phil

Hi bob use acrylics I use them all the time .weathering powders add that little extra too .And when you can get an air brush phil

The top pic has I think coupled to the 21 tonner and behind the sliding door pal vans you wouldn't have a pic of them by any chance? phil

PM Sent another book which I think has a lot of pics and where the classes were shedded is "The power of the jubilees " which is available on amazon phil

You could always do what I do, send the good little wifey out to clear it .But make sure she operates the kettle before she goes Cant get thirsty while watching the entertainment Phil

Hi bob John Fox ,and the defunct foxfields light railway His lady Anne got this far with the plough and couldn't push it any further. The snow compacts and then wheel slip occurs. So live steam doesn't always work. Weight is the key on the loco though. phil

Hi Pete I agree on these old pictures ,this is the picture of the high street crossing including box and tram lines Amazing The blue post is still there on high street today . The railings in the foreground are still there too .And the double doors past the pub was the abattoir . .phil

hi Pete try this as well http://www.burton-on-trent.org.uk/category/amenities/railway/railway2 phil

Hi peter http://www.burton-on-trent.org.uk/category/amenities/transport/transport2 Don't know if you have seen this about the trams. Pics of high street included > what it doesn't mention is that there was an abattoir on the high street and you would often see cows heading for slaughter wandering about . As a kid in the 60s must admit watching this was strange. To be honest not a lot of the buildings have changed in appearance over the years at station street end of the high street. The horninglow end they demolished to create bargates shopping centre ,which turned into a white elephant. phil

When they dug up high street in the seventies they found the original tram lines and cobbles under the tarmac. What I would have liked to have seen is where the brewery lines crossed high street [in 2 locations] and the intersections of crossing the tram lines too .Although this has nothing to do with what you are doing. Agree they did use ash /cinders between the yards, but cobbled on the yards .I've seen cobbles done with das but pva was used under das and a jig was constructed and pressed into the das to create the cobbles. Bit like a linka brick mould, one made to gauge width , This was very slow and I don't think the layout was ever finished .phil

Not a problem with 7/8ths been interested myself, but id too much invested in 16mm to change .Although I could run 7/8ths on my 45mm track .Its amazing how many society's shoot themselves in the foot when something different comes along . Now they are trying to embrace all the narrow garden scales, but please keep us informed on what you are doing .I wouldn't mind a blow by blow account of how you build a coal fired engine in 7/8ths . phil

https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8573/30072299990_a3a8266932_z.jpg If you look closely at the fence line there are blocks to stop any creep .All blocks are concrete type not light weight versions. These light weight if wet can freeze ,crack and fall apart .I've built it bomb proof ,I can walk on top of the line to do maintenance or retrieve a derailed loco. And its at a height that I don't have to bend my back. I hate grass so that's gone .I did a lot of the work myself with the wife . but for ground clearance and paving and humping 10 tonnes of hard core I bought in the professionals. I will say for coal firing, I love it but my advice is before buying a certain model see it running first .Is it a good runner? Talk to the owner. And if anything goes wrong what's the aftercare like ? Watch him from start to finish ,or be cheeky ask him for a private viewing and can you have a go. I've shown one or two people how I do it. But every run is different, and sometimes I get it wrong and the fire drops .But the joy is you can start again and build the fire .The balancing act between fire, water to produce steam is the challenge and as I said I love it. But get as much advice as possible before buying you don't want to buy a lemon. Presume you are a member of 16mm? I can recommend them if not .And the area groups are great for info. Went to the penkridge lot a few times when I was living down there 30 years ago, to be honest they got me hooked Phil

Hi Pete are you going to infill the trackwork? with Cobbles ? concrete? phil