Finsbury

Hoping for some advice.. Picked up a couple of loksound chips from Legomanbiffo at Warley and I have spent a most enjoyable day absolutely mullering an innocent deltic. I stuck the em2 in the fuel tank after removing the weight. Now this resulted in the loss of 94 grammes and she is sliding to a stop. I can cut the weight and get maybe 30/35g back in the space left, but what do the RMWeb collective suggest for a bit more weight? Still, the whole exercise has shown me that it would have worked out cheaper to get someone else to do it. I'll be on the lookout for another plastic chassis section after some enthusiastic dremelling had added some ventilation. Probably another em2 as well... Glued the speaker so maybe I saved it, sounds good. Cheers in advance, Bernie

Comment removed for fear of upsetting anyone.

My dad re-railed a train with a lollipop stick* somewhere between Bulawayo and Hwange. Do I win a prize? I only ask as I managed to walk past 'Bachmann's Tragic Overdrive' with maximum dilligaf. *It may have been a jolly big stick made of metal, I heard this second hand. Bernie edited for spullong and grummans.

I have a degenerative condition of the spine. I hope to carry on 'helping' restore a locomotive. I hope I can enjoy my new found hobby. I hope we can all enjoy exhibitions. I ain't moaning. My point is that I can see this from both sides. The common or garden rucksack wearer is not an evil owl. The head will not rotate eleventy hundred degrees, and bearing such burden you really cannot expect people to execute a military about turn to check their flanks... Spazzers like myself, and other people who may be greater or less able, always have the option of pre-emptive* bnggering out of the way. Fix the map and I'll bring the compass! I'll push as well, to the bar! *Those that know, do. Everyone else is a faker. Blinding show, see you all at AP. edit: best purchase of the day? Finsbury Park dmd book! Oh, and signing up to the emgs!

I printed it on a4 and couldn't make out the numbers, must have been my map reading, or lack of it! Nevermind, we had a great time! Bernie

My first time at Warley yesterday and I was blown away by the quality of some of the layouts. Even the missus enjoyed herself, despite my spending waaay over budget. Not a single loco purchased but I saw a D8000 class 20 in green for £89 that in hindsight, I should have acquired. Maybe it will be at Ally Pally, but I can't remember the make, let alone the vendor. The traders were willing to advise and the demonstrators were most helpful and encouraging with regard to soldering a brass kit. I think I am committed to the hobby! Not a single rucksack accident, and everyone smelt agreeable. The layout of the hall in relation to the diagram was an enigma, though! A big well done to all involved, see you next year! Bernie

You're not wrong, my friend! I shall be plagiarising indeed. Some of those recently posted look RTR. But better. Like old school kitbuilds. Or something.. You know what I mean! Corbs, that sloped cabside on #16 is simply beautiful.

Are you able to fit a blanking plug and run it on plain DC? or maybe swap in a known good dcc decoder?

While I am not a financial whizz, I remember not so long ago China demanding steel, so much so that scrappage schemes got rid of many valuable motors. Such demand resulted in a £300/ton valuation for recycled steel. We set up machinations to ship the stuff almost daily. China then valued it's steel reserves at this price and got massive loans against this eleventy trillionty pie in the sky, whilst sitting on a pile of rusting Allegros, Cavaliers and Escorts. I guess there is a silver lining. State subsidised postage will end, the common worker will soon be demanding a decent motorcar, costs will spiral. We will remember moaning about cack three poles' with fondness. And that goes for all of the 'manufacturers'. £££ Interesting times.

I reckon that China wants it's Dollar now. If we are discussing incoming models/exactitude/pricing etc, then there is a shock on the way. A massive resurgence for kit building very soon, not that they are cheap, so maybe scratchbuilding will come to the fore? (again!). However unfortunate, a dearth of 'modellers' along with rtr expense wil only lead to a further decline in the hobby. edited for spelligns.

Really interesting images. Pic#53 of CP0190 - that building is still there, casa da crianca in Peso de Régua. A few miles east of Porto. That semi-streamliner in the op is quite something. Cheers for posting those.

Did a bit of fiddling while waiting for other jobs to get done/arrive. Mainly the window frames. They look awful. Took all afternoon to mask off and paint. Can anyone advise me how to get a better finish? It seems quite soft, I daren't touch them. Humbrol metallic #11. Does it need a primer, rubbing down with emery...?

Good Lord, I have no idea. It revs up to rpm beyond the human ear. Possibly even dogs will say 'eh?' rather than yapping annoyingly. In the '50's the Americans were busy designing nuclear powered aircraft. I hope my thick bonce can slow this thing down! I will be using primarily with dcc, the start/v+-/pulsing does have a marked effect on slow running. If I find a dc controller to test also, I shall use to help with findings. I only have a little spare room, I wish I had the space for express trains! Little items of interest is the order of the day, along with locomotives I like.. A bit of OO9 will make an appearance on the layout. Rule #1, eh?! To get back to your speed query, I shall supply all details as found, forthwith. I've had a beer or two, hence the somewhat rambling reply! All the best, Fin

Cheers Chris F, Your interest spurs me on. It's been a good many years since I modelled, yet so enjoyable are the memories. I have picked up so many tips from this site, as much as enjoyment. Many are the talents herein. I wish I had the eyes I used to have, though! I forgot to include Crispy Dave earlier-he mentioned the Branchlines people, too. Cheers Chris (laughing, Dave). Mr Chrisf. ps the glazing reminds me I need to see the opticians! I'll see if it can be 'washed' down. Happy modelling, Finsbury

There will be a delay to proceedings as I think I will go for best effort. The interior is on order from Branchlines as cal.n and Steamport Southport have both alluded to. Initial priming has shown up some minor imperfections, some #2500 grit has dealt with this. A steel weight is at a local workshop being cut and drilled to fit above the chassis. Holes have been drilled front and rear for lights, just need some lead people to add a bit more weight. The glazing will have to suffice, as I don't have a clue on that front. Take care, Finsbury

Clearing out some flashing and good to go. Help with interior (in for a d, in for a L) required, ie; colours, of.

Possibly unnecessary hole from above floor. The motor seems to now sit flush on the base of the floor. hmm. We'll see, but it's starting to look like that cut into the floor was unnecessary. hmm. A splodge of silicone fixative could easily cure that, but I think some pretty curved bracing will work (unprototypically, of course). Like we care.. Now to find some plastic stuff in 'Nam.....

By the bye, can a clever bloke tell a thick'un how to make pictures small, like? ipad thing.

Chassis offered up to floor I am hoping the tabs will be hidden under seating. I pray they will be less visible than my other lash up, anyway! Does not resemble anything like the wonderful products from Branchline.

Hang on in there, Tim! It might not work, yet! It is a bit dear, moneywise. I would not ever have bought a motor at this price. The cost was ok, but customs and excise made it really dear. If you absolutely need it, the details are here http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/123592-axle-hung-motors/ Post#7 cloggydog I don't know how to clicky linky.. edit, it seems clicky linky did it all on it's own!

Not sure if this version has been done before? More than likely, mods delete if superfluous. Here I hope to give a rough description of adding a little motive power to a railbus I'm sure everyone has tucked away somewhere. DCC will also be involved. Detailing will not be bothered with, this is only proof of concept. Many thanks to @CloggyDog for finding the motor, without his effort this wouldn't be happening. Anyway. Here we have the motor fitted with the Dapol wheels. These are insulated - only one wheel is insulated on the set supplied with the motor. I used the Dapol axle too, as I had been a bit lively when dismantling and scored up the one supplied with the motor. The original smaller wheelset is shown for comparison. Here we can see the rough layout of components I'm butchering at the moment. The chassis end has been severed to accommodate the motor, offcut to the left. The scalpel points to the beginnings of a hole, this I felt was needed to get the axles central. This may not be needed after all, we shall see. More tomorrow!