Softvark

I added some chains and wood to my 'transformer on a lowmac' - great minds think alike I couldn't put the transformer on the wood though as it was out of gauge. (Looks like the chains need tightening.)

And a set for me too please, Giles!

Thanks - I haven't tried that brand so will have to give it a go.

That's interesting - when I tried matt varnish it didn't appear to be strong enough to hold the top layer securely. Therefore I used a layering spray which works OK. I suspect it is based on PVA, mainly due to its colour, but I could be wrong. Matt varnish would definitely be cheaper though - which brand do you use?

Thanks very much for the explanation. That tree looks fabulous!

Those puddles look good and I'm impressed with the saplings - are they 'just' twisted wire?

Hi Rod Here's a shot of the tulle - The posts are 2.5mm square section plastic. You can use the tulle for passable fishing nets as well -

Hi Rod, I'll measure it up when I get home tonight and let you know.

Thanks - no nothing on RMweb. I guess I should start a thread some day.

As promised earlier today here's what tulle looks like for a chain link fence on my 7mm layout. The top wires could do with a bit of straightening! It works well on gates too.

I used tulle fabric for my chain link fence. The local habadashery shop had a large selection so I was able to choose the right size mesh and then sprayed it grey with Halfords primer. The best thing was that it was very cheap - around £1.50 for a metre. The posts I made from square plastic section with a slight bend at the top made from softening over a hot soldering iron with holes drilled using a brass jig. I'll try and post a photo later.

I've built 4 of them so I'm really looking forward to seeing this!

Wow - 20 TEAs will look fantastic! Will you be using the PRMRP kit for these?

Thanks!

Hi Phill How do you couple your coach Kadees to the locos screw link - or do you leave screw links on the end of the coach rakes? Julian

Thanks Mr G. They are certainly straighter than mine!

I'm looking forward to this build but I'm impressed with the catwalks on your tank wagons. Having built some of these in the past can I ask how you managed to get them so straight? Any tips?

I think the Treemendus forest floor is a good product. I used it a few years ago beneath the trees in this photo. The vegetation has matured a bit since this shot was taken Julian

Hi Rod, great to meet you and have a chat at Telford. Looking forward to the scenery work progressing!

Sidelines also do an inspection saloon kit - it was my Christmas present from SWMBO. Initial impressions after building the bogies are that it's very good.

Absolutely but that's not what I said. I was agreeing with Brian in post 2207 - Julian

Thanks Brian, those photos are really helpful and are somewhat reassuring that the problems not as bad as I first thought. I agree a product specifically sold to be used with Heljan should really fit without having to cut half of it away. Julian

Hi Brian That is really useful and timely as I have just built the MMP tanks but not yet fitted them as I was waiting for the MMP bogies to come back in stock - which a limited quantity have now done. I was suspicious that there may be problems with their length when trial fitted with the original Heljan bogies but thought I would leave it until after I'd made the bogies . Now that you've trimmed the sides of the tanks how much movement of the bogies do you get? Is is sufficient for most curves? Have you also found a way of making the bogie end frames removable in case of problems with the Heljan gears? Julian

I agree

How about an IRDOT from Heathcote Electronics? It's an infra red detector, so no visible light beams, and would only require a small hole in the track for the detector. You could use it to light an LED to indicate that the train has reached a specific position. http://www.heathcote-electronics.co.uk/irdot1.html The price seems reasonable. Julian