Barclay

I can't quite tell from the picture whether the motor and gearbox shafts are in the same plane or not? If they are then a simple length of neoprene tube, as supplied by Branchlines, could suffice, as I used in this re-motored Tenshodo brass GP35.

Crikey - I was intending to show this build as a blow-by blow account, as usual, but just a couple of sessions have seen most of the work completed! The chassis was assembled in the usual way, using the spacers provided. Bearings in the front, for the driven axle, and a rocking tube bearing at the back to give a little compensation. There seemed little point in going the whole hog with hornblocks when the axle concerned isn't even driven, let alone connected to the other one by coupling rods. The drivetrain fits nicely - the motor will be in the cab of course but there'll be a crew to hide it (sort of), and room for plenty of lead under the bonnet. The body started with a fold up platform, to which cab and bonnet are added. The brass is a little soft and care was needed to avoid distortion, but the bonnet folded up very easily. The louvred bonnet overlays were added with superglue because I could imagine it all falling to pieces again if it was soldered. The next stage will be to wheel it up and add pickups so the running can be checked. After that I need to see what I have for the front grille, because the one supplied, as @Ruston has advised, is completely wrong. I have some proper mesh that is rather coarse, and some Scalelink etching that's much finer but may not be 'open' enough. I will submit photo's in due course and see what others think. Looking at this photo., I realise I have forgotten to add the cab beading - lucky I haven't fixed down the roof yet!

It would be amazing to see it back up again and I hope it all works out for you. I remember when we were viewing properties, the estate agent was surprised at how keen I was to view the loft, but you have to get your priorities right!

About 10 loaded coal wagons, on the level. I don't think I'll manage that. As to whether it will fit, that's a 'probably' !

I have had success with an overnight soak in white vinegar, followed by a scrub with Cif: Before & after:

I suspect it was too 'hard core' for most modern buyers, i.e. it actually worked like a camera! I have an older D200 that a friend gave me when he upgraded and while it takes a good picture the menus can be quite hard work for a traditionalist like me.

A definite change of cover style then - I like it!

I always think that one of the things that can spoil photo's in the modelling press, and on here, is colours that seem too strong. With my own model photo's I almost always dial down the colour and they instantly seem more believable. I think your Nikon Df colours are much more natural.

I'm pleased with how this turned out, but a strange thing when I was re-assembling it - the tyres are now very loose on the wheels. Does this mean the Dettol has shrunk them or very slightly dissolved them? Easily fixed in this case with a thin wrap of masking tape.

Yes I think so, and in the mid 80's you only had 20:1 gears for wheels this small, so you could probably pull wheelies with it!

Looking back through other threads I see that it's more than 2 years since the Saltport Harbour Authority acquired a new locomotive. 2 main line interlopers, not to mention a small American layout, have effortlessly used up my modelling time it seems, but now it's time to set matters straight. I bought this kit at Expo-EM a couple of years ago. I could have had the Judith Edge kit for less, and I'm sure it's at least as good, but there's always been something about the Impetus range that has drawn me - perhaps that lovely box artwork, perhaps just the fact that they were being released when I was reading those early MRJs and being deeply inspired by what I was seeing. The kit came with Sharman wheels and a Branchlines + Ultrascale gearbox, and the plan is to use those. The loco. will only have 2-wheel drive, as originally designed. I know I could do better these days, with the High Level Quad-driver gearbox, etc. but that would exclude the Sharman wheels, with their 3/32" axles, so I have decided to keep it simple and use what I have. The motor is a small Mashima open-frame example, and the power train has been set up and is running very nicely, so I'm hoping that with the right weight and balance the thing will at least be able to pull a couple of wagons! The gearbox has been cut away at the lower corners in order to preserve full daylight underneath. Reference is available aplenty, thanks to @Ruston's thread and book. The kit represents an early-ish example, with the open cab entrance, and the 'RUSTON' script painted on the front, which suits the period of my layout nicely. It's 1947 and they will soon have two diesels - they are obviously more progressive than I have previously given them credit for !

After a shunting session today I have to say that this loco is one of the quietest and sweetest running I have ever built, which is a great recommendation for that 'ebay cheapo' motor - I just need to remember where I got it now! I bought it several years ago and the ebay history doesn't go back that far. At least I have one more...

I use a Maplins 60w temp controlled iron, very effective

I'm certain the bit must be faulty, it looks like a whole chunk of it has broken away. Even a heavily used and abused bit should last ages longer than this!

Retired people always say that. Personally I think they're just trying to make the rest of us cry !

Given that so many modern RTR loco's seem to have coreless motors, perhaps the 'ultimate' DC controller would have feedback that could be switched in or out, and adjustable in terms of fierceness, together with PWM of adjustable frequency, with pure DC available as well? Perfect control for every type of motor.

A work of art !

Dirty? He hasn't painted it yet. Or am I missing something?

I reckon this L&Y 0-6-0 is definitely a special - how many do you think they might have made? I look at it from time to time, have obtained drawings and works plates, but it's not reached the top of the building list yet!

Nice thing to have - I have the panel mount one fitted into a box for hand holding and it's still the best controller I have.

Oh, my it's sad to see it like that but mk. 2 will be even better I'm sure. Good luck with the move.

The K's 1361 is now complete, except for number plates, vac pipes and lamps. I'm pleased with the result and it runs very well, but this one really fought me!

Having built/fought with one of these myself it definitely fits into the category that Iain Rice might have described as needing to be towed out to sea and sunk by gunfire. To start the bidding at £72, with not even any wheels/motor/gears? Wow. But it is "Special" and "Rare" !!! https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/266641104125?hash=item3e150c5cfd:g:E3gAAOSwZyRlrZsv&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAAwMlTh3jCdsG%2BmEf%2FxxlUPlg7sXcJR0%2FKIBwefcCdUp3EHl4%2FkYzyRk7znPxuAGmIKr50TF8jc1KwLk61%2BBJJvyiAUSAzBPLOUmYhEmihA0SEFusi7qO3sdK%2BXQHdu8MoRyXW%2Fuaf0ROIKBjdqw8eSsFvzt2uAS7Bru40c0goF3PrZh%2Ft7iXejS1JRFeyzC%2BY1Wf1zgKmaon9QRdVEXDkehYLw32pVbKTR%2FAc8EwXaoFkiykKf8MxQ%2FKAQUp3cbgnhg%3D%3D|tkp%3ABk9SR5z-_dWsYw

This old Matchbox lorry is shown after just under 24 hours soaking in Dettol. It had been painted in Humbrol enamel (by me) some 40 years ago and underneath that the remains of it's original livery, so I'm pretty pleased with the outcome. Plastic wheels seem fine too.

Unless there's a short somewhere? Ideally you would test the motor with it electrically disconnected from the loco, which means, of course, cutting the wires, but if it then works, it's something shorting in the chassis somewhere.