bridgiesimon

yep, ages since the last update I have been very busy helping to develop another layout for a show coming up as well as my 2 layout, I have 3 shows in 3 weeks with 3 different layouts aaaaargh!!!! Not sure how the hell I found myself in this situation but never mind! I have been working on the hobbit coaches a little more, they are now fully detailed and have the roofs added, at some point I think lighting may be added but no time for now. As can be seen, I am building a small luggage van to run with then to add to the rake, am rather pleased so far! Piccies will not upload at the mo, will try again in a bit. Simon

I am hoping that at some point they will add this beauty to the range - http://www.tauntontrains.co.uk/images/2013-SEPT/56312-24-09-13-TAUNTON-JP.jpg Although it has only just been repainted so may be some time if ever! Simon

ok, they do look well impressive!! Simon

What bogies do these MRA wagons run on? They look really good, think they will have to be added to my list for the future. Best wishes Simon

Thank you for ht ecomments, I appreciate it, we are based down here in Somerset so the likelyhood of exhibiting in the North West is rather slim I am afraid! Best wishes Simon

I have been working on the first of the Pullhobbit coaches, due to size constraints I have ditched the ide of the round doors, instead adding an end door onto a balcony and round windows each side. The sides will have beading both horizontally and vertically and will be painted in choc and cream with 'Pullhobbit' signage on each side. I havve also started to detail the interior, simply so far with block colour, lots more to do - here without the second side in place to allow access for painting and detailing. I am making a stove which will be added where the green floor area and the wall protecting plate can be seen.I am also going to add a table and lots of detail such as bottles, books, a case etc as well as a curtain at the end of the bed area. Now with the other side in place. I am planning to construct a pair of these coaches and then run them with an open coach and a luggage van as the special train. Simon

I have just been looking on google earth, possibly a good way to position the castle in relation to the bridge etc? Rather odd as it has linked to a 3D version of both the castle and the bridge but still has them in the correct places. I love watching this thread, like others, I am mega envious of your railway room!!! Best wishes Simon

Loads of playing later has confirmed it, these are the right couplers to use so I will be ordering more. I have also just found a gem of a shop sellign some awesome accessories for wargaming, based abroad and not especially cheap, I think an order needs to go their way though!! http://www.thomarillion.de/index.php?seite=home&sprache=gb_ Simon

After fitting the plastic buffer, I decided that it looks terrible adn so will not be making any more, return to just using the etched ones - skinflinting not always the bets way. Simon

The couplings are great although i have a couple of issues. The pack contains the same quantity of the loops as the mounting plates with the hook and buffing plate so I have made up 10 couplings with loops and 10 couplings with just the hook and buffering plate. This leaves 10 coupling loop etches unused - friustrating waste of etches me thinks!! So, the next plan is to try making up a simple beam with a buffing plate out of plasticard with a hook mounted on it so I would have one of these on one end and the etched coupler with loop on the other. Not sure at the moment if it will look ok but and hopeful. Mock up plastic hook and buffing plate Coupling with only the hook and buffing plate Complete coupling on the right, Will post piccies when painted and fitted to a wagon but would appreciate views so far. Simon

Coupling article was entitled 'Getting Started in 009-4' in May 2010 Railway modeller. Simon

I was not entirely happy with the Dapol couplings at the Barnstaple show, they did not allow for delayed action shunting at all, I know I was also having runnign issues but even despite that, they were not what I want. I have just ordered and received, VERY quick service from Nigal Lawton!!!!, a couple of packs of Greenich couplings to try out - http://unnycoombelala.blogspot.co.uk/2011/09/in-mean-time.html By the look of the contents of the packet, these are going to be ideal, the idea though, is that you use a black nail for the pivot and wrap steel wire around the dropper for the magnetic operation. I am thinking that I may do this a little differently and use steel wire, a little thicker thant he wire supplied, to make the pivot and the dropper in one piece. will try both ways to see which is easire/better for me. These couplings do not allow for delayed action but through reading an article in the railway Modeller a while ago, I found that some people add a wire rod poking out of the end of the vehicle just above the coupling to be the 'latch' for delayed action shunting. The idea is that when uncoupled, pulled away slightly and then puched back against the next vehicle with the loop still in the air, the loop will rest on the wire 'latch' while being pushed back before dropping down after being left att he end of a siding. This stops the coupler re-coupling while you shunt. Another advantage of these against Dapol couplers is that I can fit and use Seep electromagnets like I have on my N gauge layout, Polpendra (alos on RM Web), so will not have the trouble of unintentioanl uncoupling when running over the Dapol magnets fitted at the moment. Looks more simple than my attempt to describe it. Anyway seems that I have my task for today sorted so I had better get on with it. Best wishes Simon

Will see you on the Sunday then David, I am looking forward to seeing your stuff first hand! Your stand looks very professional, impressive. Simon

I agree you wouldn't argue with a warg but I wouldn;t argue with a dwraf carrying a battle axe either!! Love the rhyme Oz!! Simon

Latest piccies just taken - Just need loading before the roofs fixed and then finish painting the 2 geezers, I wanted to mount one on the roof but make the whole thing top heavey and it fell over!! Simon

David, that sounds awesome, I will add you to my 'DO NOT MISS' list for the day!! Simon

Latest piccie of the strong box wagons - Best wishes Simon

Ok some piccies - Completed cheapo trees with clay trunks and main branches after painting - The start of the strong box wagons as mentioned previously, I have drilled pairs of wooden strips then glued in the posts from florists wire, the top strips are not glued to the posts yet, just fitted to hold them in the right place. I plan to build solid ends with openings, including bars on the inner ends and a seat + steps to the roof for the guard. As for the side doors, I am not sure at the moment whether to build doors of strip and bars, or to make solid doors, probably the barred ones though. Rather than being mounted onto Peco wagons chassis, I am going to fit these with bogies instead as they would be carrying a heavy load of gold each and an angry Dwarf!! Anyway tis late, just realised it is 1.30 AM so better get some sleep! That is the trouble when I get into what I am doing, i lose track of time!! best wishes Simon

Are you going to be at TINGS? I am one of the people test building one, will be bringing it along on Sunday. I am bulding the log carrying units. Best wishes Simon

I will have some piccies to follow later but while away enjoying the garrats on the WHR as well as the ffestiniog and almost a trip up Snowdon - 100 mph winds across the top last Saturday stopping trains!!! I have added clay to the trees around the layout and painted them, makes a mega difference as it covers up the twists of wire. I have also started the strong box train, I have decided on a pair of wagons with strong box cages one end and a guards post the other running as a pair, the guards on the outer ends. I have the floor cut and have started to drill sections of microstrip for the tops and bottoms of the cages. Anyway, more later. SImon

I have just got to reitterate the comments made by others, the article in Model Rail is most excellent, I only picked up my copy today and it confirmed that I just have to get to the N gauge show in a couple of weeks. I am looking forward to seeing your stunning layout in the flesh!! 18 trains on the mainline? Excellent, will be able to stay ages and watch trains go by in stunning scenery, can't wait! Best wishes Simon

This is an amazing project and am very impressed, lots of green eyed monster here as well!! The walling looks great. Best wishes Simon

Tis the large nuclear flask wagon used down to Devonport isn't it? If so, I am VERY interested!!! http://www.tauntontrains.co.uk/images/2010-SEPT/37059-10-09-10-6Z71-CREWE-DEVONPORT-40STEPS-SY.jpg Most excellent start by the way!!!! Simon

Tell me about it, I travel along the M5 each day, only a short distance but its enough to know the volume of travel is mad!!!! Simon

Oh yeah November ... aaaaaaaaargh!!!! hehehehe, seriously though, that is loads of time to sort out the running and maybe get another loco or two built etc. Simon