Narrow Minded

Thank you sir (a fellow wargamer?) I've just visited Castle Aching (lots to catch up on!) and see you're currently constructing said castle - be aware that they all have their resident ghosts, as seen here gazing out from the arch of our own "Codnor Castle" ruins

Now the coach has passed muster concerning how it "looks", I wanted to check if it would function according to plan. I made the roof easily removeable by cutting away the clips that hold it firm - it fits snugly enough without 'em thanks to the German engineering, so I've got easy access to the interior. I'd guestimated the size of the coach in comparison to my compact camera, and hoped this would work........... ........ views from the "camera coach" straight through the window, leaning out of the drop light and looking over the balcony Looking forward to the video testing

Thanks Mike Glad you spotted the nod towards the Zillertalbahn stock during early preservation - it means I wasn't too far off target since the railway is freelance, but follows the prototype (Protolance??) Hope you have a great steam up today!

Just spent the morning re-ballasting the line at Robin Square, under the watchful eye of one of the residents Last year I'd experimented with SBR to fix the ballast after hearing good things about it. Unfortunately, it hasn't lasted at all, and the the ballast has become completely loose On the bright side, it made it a doddle to remove and recycle Still plenty of patching up to do around the rest of the line, but it'll be more of a "cosmetic" job than anything else, just enough to keep things running through the first part of the summer, before it all gets ripped up and elevated. I'm getting too old for a ground level line!

Just in time for the "weekend traffic", the coach conversion is out-shopped

Made a start on the planned mods for the Caradoc - steam dome painted and safety valve bonnet fitted

Thanks OB, I shan't be bothering with lights during this session - I might fit some later though since it'll see most use with the "short Pickerings" and they've got em The paint on the benches is acrylic from a firm called Coat d'arms and is their 524 Tan Earth. I applied it as a wash over a grey primer to get the suggestion of grain.

Thanks Mike Not far off finishing now, I masked the windows and gave the rest of the glazing a waft of cream to try and hide the "chunky" construction. It looks a bit stark in the photo, but more than acceptable once the roof's on

Sounds like a valid excuse to carefully remove a beer bottle top and give it a try (after making sure the beer doesn't go flat - "cheers!") I'm a fan of the chuff pipes myself, and will be ordering one for my latest acquisition, but it'll be a while yet as there are other mods I need to finance first. I was prepared to go back to the 'pre chuffer' days and put a folded rag over the chimney until any priming had cleared, but a handy bottle of Abbot will let me try your suggestion out ta!

A bit more activity down at Pentrich Sidings, the LGB coach seats have had a bit of a make-over (well, a "paint-over" ) and the roof has had lamp tops fitted in place of the clerestory, before having a fresh coat of paint. Meanwhile, the coach body has had its floor painted a woody brown and I quite liked the look of Halfords "Rover Russet Brown" when I paid 'em a visit The Caradoc has also had its steam dome painted, but it's still drying and I daren't look yet (it's not been the best of days for spraying out in the shed)

Yet another excellent find O.B. Definitely a different class of charity shops in Lancashire than we have down here

Very smart, and yet another nail in the coffin for my line staying ground level - definitely going to elevate once I've had some running this Spring after the horrible winter layoff. "A simple mold" ? I think not - very clever design solution for the curved viaduct.

Thanks David, I dunno about "impressive", but it just grew over the years as things I found I 'needed' but didn't have readily to hand got transferred from the general toolbox and into the kit, Yep, that's a small mirror for checking the wicks are alight on the old Lady Anne - though usually you can tell if one's out by holding a hand over the loco. Corridor connections and shortened choppers aside, a shunters pole (uncoupling hook) just makes the job so much easier - I struggle without it with just plain old 3 link chain & hook couplings! I must get round to making a safety valve adjuster! I've had an old screwdriver sitting around for years waiting to be converted. At the moment, I use the snipe nose pliers, which aren't ideal, so thanks for the nudge on that one. I used to give the SV a "quick tap" if it wouldnt stop feathering, but got a severe Tutting from an 'old hand'. Since then I've done the opposite and given it a lift with the pliers and let the spring snap it back down in position. Great idea having the culprits contributing to clearing the flangeways.

I love it! You manage to cram loads of "Narrow Gauge Charm" into your stuff every time - real works of art!

Give him a chance ossy, even "Big G" took a day off

Doh! I knew I'd forgotten something............ Water Top up bottle ............ and all the "tools" go in a handy box (17"x12"x4") while the water, oil and gas go in a slightly smaller bag with a shoulder strap, so there's a free hand for the loco box

Wow! That's amazing progress on a neat little railway!

I thought it might be of general interest, but especially useful for newcomers and potential live steam owners to have a chat about what we have in our "steam up boxes" - the stuff we all take for granted, but would be stuck without I'd personally be especially interested to see anything that I haven't previously thought of having, but would want to add to my own collection In no particular order, I have.... a little 'toolbox' including a multi-tool with snipe nose pliers and an assortment of tools A refillable lighter and a couple of spares (people always borrow lighters at steam-ups!) A couple of boiler filling syringes and a handy size container for the filtered rain water (make sure the syringe fits as shown in the photo) A collection of 3 link coupling chains, lamps and headboards Spare batteries for the working lamps, and connector clips for R/C battery packs (I lose em) Gas can adaptors - for 'screw top' and 'push fit' types and of course the fuel supply itself Steam oils (both of the recommended grades because I run Accucraft and Roundhouse loco's) and lubricating oil for the motion A "shunters pole" - for coupling the 3 link chains, but also useful for reaching the regulator inside the closed Roundhouse cabs, fishing out errant bits of ballast etc A "rolling tin" which carries a "Rolling Road", so I can carry out any fault finding without occupying the track at a steam-up Last but not least, a selection of rags for wiping down loco's, hands etc Unless I've taken something out and forgotten it, that's the contents of my box, have you got anything else in yours ?

The LGB coach bits have had their first trip to the paint shop ....... they're all etch primed and waiting for me to get to Halfords for a top coat I also had a successful steam test with the Caradoc.......... water, oil and gas all filled, and the burner lit Water on the boil and the drain ready for closing Watching the pressure gauge rise, with no steam leaks anywhere and the safety valve lifts OK after that, she puts in a faultless test run With that out of the way, I can add her to the roster and order the stuff I need to get her suitably "blinged"

Cheers O.B. Getting a bit of all sorts done today - track maintenance, pruning, rock moving, paint spraying, and a steam test

I hope everyone has had a "Happy Easter"

Totally agree with your comments on Roundhouse engineering and build quality Kevin, and would add that their after sales support is second to none. I'd also say though that in my experience over the years, Accucraft have improved in all of those aspects, and so the "Ragleth" shouldn't be overlooked as a candidate for a first live steam loco. Again, it can be purchased as manual control and R/C can be added if required later (along with any number of other modifications), and it has a reverser instead of slip eccentric which may appeal to some beginners.

Cor blimey Mike ! You're really putting yourself through the mill trying to find the right solution (and no, I'm NOT going to say "get rid of the dog" ). The best advice I can offer is to take your time, explore every possible option, and weigh up the pro's & cons of each one. I'm sure you'll find the right plan - even if it ends up being a hybrid of the ideas you go through. The best thing about LGB track is the way it can be used to quickly lay a "temporary" layout, so you can keep running while you're going through any upheaval and scratch that 'steam itch' You have my sympathy, and I'm sure the support of everyone on here

Why not go with the "burnt finger brigade" first Andy? You could always retrofit R/C later if you wanted, but I'd heartily recommend at least giving manual control a go first. Not only will it keep the initial cost down, but the tactile experience itself is one not to be missed - plus, it's not always about the "driving", setting something running and sitting back with a beverage of choice is one of life's pleasures with a garden railway

Thanks Andy, it's an Accucraft "Caradoc". I've owned one before, and regretted trading it away - this one appeared at the right price and at the right time (cosmic ordering??) Once the steam tests are out of the way, I'll be carrying out a series of basic mods to hopefully recreate my original, as seen below.