peach james

Well, after the summer and not doing much with Long Marton, I have been running trains. I put my mk 1 sleeper back together, including changing the coupler arrangement after it broke off, and did a bit of test running with it. I also did one bogie for the LMS 12 wheel sleepers that I have. All 3 of them need painting, which I guess is slowly moving up my list of things to do. Then, after getting that train a little further along, I moved onto the "short" mineral, and went around and found 9 or 10 more 16 ton wagons that were in various states of not fully workable. I worked on them yesterday, putting coal in a fair # of the train, and fixing the various 16 tonners. 1 Bachmann got a coupler pocket, and will go with the long mineral, another got 3 link couplers and went into the loaded. 7 kit built minerals were successfully fixed & added to the train, with 2 more to be dealt with. (apparently, I have 2 or more sizes of wheels, because one had a very decidedly lopsided gait, and another keeps derailing, so something isn't right with it). I'm nearing the capacity of the ROD that I have customarily used for the loaded train. I suppose I need to look and see how many SWL the trains were allowed to be, and what the rated capacities were for the unfitted trains on the S&C. (well, most of mine are fitted, or at least fitted head) Photos perhaps, but there wasn't anything really special taking place, just trains running. James

The Anhydrite wagons are available as a semi kit from Judith Edge, as are Conflats for the CONDOR. I have rakes of both to put together... I'd hope that someone at some point would bring the Anhydrite wagons out as RTR. Rapido quote 50 000 quid for a run of wagons- I don't have the money to put down in order to get them made. James

I might have one in sketch up for a V16 one... (well, OK, it's the Cat version), or my sketches for 21 000 shp cross compound steam turbine . (I should be able to do them from memory, but that isn't quite so...that bit has had 5 years of going away now !) James

Jeff, can you not get a more recent throttle for the Lenz system? I know that my Digitrax DT400 is now obsolete due to the same issue- it goes to F12, but I have sound locos with F18+ on them... (the VIA LRC). I have NO idea what the station sounds are like, or any easy way to trip them. (I suspect I could do it by using JMRI-Computer-Digitrax to act as a throttle...) Anyway, I would suggest you consider what the upgrade path best suited to you looks like- because more features is not always required...it's not like the extra 1.8mm, which is fairly apparent in places ! James

Dear Sir's & Ma'am's Is it sad that I can understand what has been written? Including the slang that has been put out as being "new english" or some other wonderful language? I'd have to rate it as double plus ungood... It annoyed me (as a just turned 40 year old), when the kids at work would drop into textspeak. I'm one of the early adaptors of the internet- I've been playing around on it since 1986 or 87. But text speak is just horrid to me. Spelling often gets the better of me, but there us usually a helpful "check spelling" feature on modern ( 1990 or more recent) word processors. The one on our Atari 130XE worked well enough, and that's a 64k computer. How did I end up interested in railway steam? Well, I'm not quite sure. Dad had finished the 2" steam roller prior to me being born, and had the 5" gauge railway still, but had no OO around the house. I was exposed to steam right from the beginning. I can remember going to one of the Toronto shows, we think that it was in 1979. The show was in a warehouse down to the left of the ferry dock, and someone had a tank engine running with a chute to fire into the box, rather than just using the shovel. I think, that it was one of the 2-6-4 tanks, but I was 3. However, I ended up following "tin mice" rather than live steam, at least for the most part. That being said, I lost an injector steam cone yesterday, as I was puttering around with one of my 3 1/2" gauge engines. I think that I prefer scenic modeling to just running a live steam engine. I'm not sure why, but hey, that's OK. I'll add, the steam bug is fairly deep in the family. Both granddad's were involved (Granddad Powell bought a Sentinel tractor off the docks in Liverpool, and rallied it for 3 years), and I understand that there is a great uncle who was a stationmaster on the SVR, and some relationship to Edgar Shone, who had 3 full sized road engines. Even further back, we have a relative listed as being "engineman" at Edge Hill in 1831 or 2. You can't get much further back than that for involvement in railways. (* note, stilted military style writing !) James

Tim Warrirs is the other name that comes to mind NHN- http://www.bronx-terminal.com/ , in particular, http://www.bronx-terminal.com/?cat=8 , but in any case, lots of P&C work in there !

I would hope that most of the checkbook modelers who were honest about their approach, are well recognized as providing a canvas for the individuals who did the work. I have no qualms about individuals who pool together by any means in order to make something. I have huge problems if someone takes credit for other peoples work- Tony with LB has always been very forthright about who has built what bits for him, and that it mostly involves trading work for work, rather than money for work. There are layouts out there where the "owner" takes credit for work that they didn't do, because they paid to have the work done...which I find disingenuous at best, and outright lying at worst. I know of examples in the model engineering world, where the "builder" was little more than a fitter at best, and more likely just the check writer. Then, on the other hand, you find individuals like Tony, who are very free with the praise of the individuals who have done various parts of the layout for him. Over here, there is a wonderful layout in Sooke, that I know is just the work of the builder- (https://flic.kr/s/aHsko6rzEw ), and what he shakes the box for too (although there are a fair # of kit built locos on it too...), but true one man bands that produce a good looking, running & properly operated layout are few and far between. (I certainly wouldn't count my own layout in 2/3 of those...). There are other layouts that I am aware of in Canada that are the work really of a "club" of like minded individuals, which exist in one person's house & have drawn in talent to achieve the desired results. ( http://www.calon.ca/Wordpress/ , http://themodelrailwayshow.com/cn1950s/ , Kingston Sub, & Lostock Junction ). The reality is that when you exceed about 32'^2 (3m^2) of surface, then it takes singlehanded dedication to the task, or a outstanding individual, to achieve near perfect results. The pool of skills required to make a layout bigger than that generally exceeds that which any individual can provide. James

I'm sorry, perhaps I shouldn't post at 11 pm . The problem that I see is exactly what is being made- that the dumbing down of things for the 90% of the individuals as mentioned. While I very deliberately have RTR stock on Long Marton, that's because the point of the whole layout is not to be an example of what I can build, but of how to operate the layout prototypically. It's the same reason why the choices I have made have been influenced by such series as "The Midland Division from Nationalization to Electrification", and RobertCW's writings on train formations, as well as your own writings. I find that I lack time to make everything which I "need" to run Long Marton as prototypically as you manage with LB. I know that there are things that should be done to make the trains more accurate- the ribs on the Bachmann Mk 1's are a glaring example, but I have so far chosen to live with them. The issue is that if individuals don't write it down properly, then someone like me, with 0 experience of steam on rails (I was born 8 years after BR finished with steam...) won't be able to make a realistic reproduction of what was happening before they were born. It boggles my mind that someone who is involved in construction hobby would be afraid of mentioning a primary method of constructing anything- it might not be how I would do it, but knowing that it is an option is always a positive. I have not yet used 3d additive processes ("printing") but I certainly know it exists. This is the same as knowing that I read articles on how to home make white metal castings, something that I did play with but never got very far sucessfully. Demanding that you remove mention of soldering is a classic example of dumbing down to suit the aimed at market, instead of trying to elevate the market. I would rather that a publisher try and elevate their audience by providing how to information on processes, rather than tell an author to remove how they did it. It's one thing to mention that the kit can be built with glue or soldered, but another thing to imply that it can only be built by one method. There may be cases where realistically, the option is only one of them (IE etched kits, where soldering is really the best option), but ignoring that it is possible to glue the kit together entirely would also seem silly to me. I don't think I'd do it that way (when all else fails, why don't you read the instructions and try it our way?), but outright writing out an option seems silly to me. -Dibber25 on here is Chris Leigh, I thought that was fairly well known. (and I got it wrong, again, perhaps posting @ late night might not always work best !) I did not intend to get the CME & Bottlewasher riled up, I tend to use internet forum like they were a pub, the C&PO's mess on ship, or tea room at a show, rather than as a sit down formal lecture. The intent of the line was to point out how silly it is to write down an audience. It really bothers me that someone would edit to change well thought out articles for the sake of what they perceive the majority of the audience can easily cope with. Another example I can think of from the days of Model Railway Constructor is the series "The Generating Game", which laid out in simple terms how to figure out the design of a steam plant. I've used the information and ideas that I read when I was 10 & 11, to sketch out 1000+ hour long projects. By Chris Leigh putting his faith in publishing 10+ pages of writing, it certainly provided one individual with information that was useful. Had he edited it to reflect the relatively small interest that there was in the subject. I get that a publisher can only print what they receive in the way of articles, but they can influence what people will submit by how they edit the articles they print. I'd also like to thank CME for editing his post, I appreciate it. James

What utter tosh. I had a subscription to Dibber25's fine magazine right to the bitter end (MRC), when I was 9 to 11. While there were things that were way above what I could do then, it was inspirational, and until replaced with a MRJ subscription when I was 14 or so, sadly missed. I can't understand how dumbing down anything is going to make it better for the reader- they should be able to cope with what is written, but if you cannot, the answer is right at the tip of your fingers now, with a cell, laptop or tablet being everywhere. As regards to reading, I conned my sister into reading "Big Red Train Ride" to me, when I was 6 or 7, and then my first real book is (I have it downstairs...) Fire on the Line (Avril Rowlands), so certainly a railway connection. Dad had hundreds of copies of Model Engineer- I have the 39-52 spares here now, and certainly would feel no worries about jamming them into the hands of my big lad if he had any interest. It's thought processes like that which I don't get. If the article is reasonably well edited, then it will hold the readers interest even if they have no intention of doing anything with it. (I'm never going to build Black Dog Halt, but I can remember reading about it, and have since then used some of the ideas from it). James

Another bit of work done on the fortress of solitude: IMG_2296 by Peach James, on Flickr The tree fort "for the kids" . It's 10' off the ground at the low end, 13' at the high end, has a seasonal creek running under it, all kinds of fun

doh, realized we are going in circles here... James

You saw about the latest Lego set Jeff? It's a bit yellower than say, Lucy is... https://ideas.lego.com/blogs/1-blog/post/90 I'd say, from where I sit, the change of colour around the fell is very nice- the lack of christmas look is much appreciated !. If you look at the photo with the bridge in #3007, is there a kink just past the bridge? Not much, but a bit of one...it could very well be the camera is changing the angles enough that there isn't anything worth changing, but easier now. Anyway, it is far nicer than it being the fells in winter . Trains: I don't run a schedule on LM. I have appropriate trains for LM, and some stock which is not probably that appropriate. (I am fairly convinced that Montreal Loco Works never sold a LRC into the UK, but I could be mistaken !) I figure that running what is appropriate helps set the scene on the layout. I need to make the CONDOR wagons, and Anhydrite wagons up from the etches I have- which will happen right after we are done with the tree fort . https://flic.kr/s/aHskKxsg3c James James

hmm... Secret Garden Tom Cockrane/Dahmnait Doyle (Springsteen) Smells Like Teen Spirit, Tori Amos (Nirvana) Sweet Jane, Cowboy Junkies (Velvet Underground) James

That bottom photo highlights the compromises required to fit the layout into the scenery, but at the same time the other photos of the cutting are really nicely done Jeff. For someone working on his "third" serious layout, and having seen the photos you posted of the first, what an improvement you have made. (and that isn't to be critical of the work, the track coloured wash is great to see, it makes a big difference to the scene) James

https://flic.kr/s/aHskHWHeCN That was the 2nd time the bridge had failed, first at home...I've got my consulting Professional Engineer coming out here to look and give recommendations, he is a lego guy too. The bridge he built is an 8' span, and is still together, but it is also too high for me to use in the basement on the upper level. It's about about 1/2 as long, so say, 1/4th the loads. Therefore my bridge is about 8x harder to design/build. One of the other lego guys in Texas figures it should be possible to make a 100' long lego bridge. (yes, functionally, a 100' bridge). The current record is about 50', by a group in Australia. It was not horizontally stable, but it supported its load. James

Mine arrived here on the west coast of the west coast, now put away for a birthday pressie for me . (get them when you can, I guess...beats the wife buying it for me...) 'tiz a lovely fetching shade of yellow James

I'd figure, since I managed to learn how to solder via the emperical, finger burning method (advice- never pick up the silver solder by one end, always use the middle...that way, at least it's only "ow hot" not "oh, that mark's going to last a little while" hot Most individuals can be taught to solder at least to a functional level. (attaching wire to wire, without there being globs of extra). I started out with a 25w iron, and something like 3/16" solder wire. I knew better was available, but that's what I had...and learned from there. I'm not great at it, even at .1 spacing on vero board I can and do leave traces occassionally. But, if you look at what you did, remove excess, and do like everyone in here suggests- clean, flux, adaquate heat, then I find soldering an easy enough treat to do. I'm almost to the point of wearing a mask when I do so, but not quite. I got the shakes quite badly when I was younger, I started soldering @ just after : with wiring my own layouts, so was quite small, and the lead probably wasn't very good for me- neither was pumping leaded gas, or the other stuff we did then ! (I''m the one hanging upside down). So safety actually does matter to me, I get that if you are not careful most of what we do as a hobby could be life shortening. Rather less so than some other things I have done, but awareness of risks is different than blindly walking into them. James

I found a couple of images of the bought in 2", the best is almost head on, rather unusual for a model photo ! DSCF1166 by Peach James, on Flickr

Daniel on The Canadian by Peach James, on Flickr So, as I posted in the proper thread, we went for a ride on The Canadian, from Vancouver to Jasper. For the princely sum of $200, the two of us were right on time in Jasper. Daniel seemed to enjoy his time on the train, not sure how well he'd do going the whole way across to LongLac (or Toronto), but, he seemed to enjoy the 20 or so hours we were on the train. It is _so_ different a way to travel than any of the alternatives. James

So, from me being young to being a bit older, here we go: JPRoller80 The roller, finished by David Powell. This is as originally built, with UK built boiler. I'm ~5 in the photo... Dad traded a 3/4" RL for the rolls, boiler and cylinder block of this engine. It was finished in Wales, and then came to Canada with us. TEmilton89 The 1.5-2" Traction Engine. So, the 2nd engine that dad finished was this, which is a nominally 1.5"/ft traction engine. The photo is taken at Great Ontario Tractor Field Days, Ontario Agricultural Museum, Milton Ontario in 1989. At that point, the engine had been in use for ~8 years or so, and that is dad on the flatbed behind. (he can't ride like that any more !). This was "my" engine, as the roller is my sisters. Engine traded in 1991 for a part built Minnie in 1", with the sucessor engine started. RollerV2 Traction The 2nd version of the roller looked almost identical to the original, with very little external changes. Photo is ~ 1986 or so. This boiler suffered from dad being a numpty, and designed it with too many too small tubes, and not enough clearances on the water legs. When it was finally cut up to make V3, the sides of the box were completely scaled up with hard scale, and the bottom row of tubes was also affected. The too small tubes meant problems with coal burning, the eventual solution was to convert it to propane fired. DSC_0007 (2) (this is the boiler of the replacement 2", it has had a cylinder mounted to it, then it was traded in a mad fit of crazyness by dad, then traded back into his hands, with the horns cut off in the meantime, taking it from a functional semi portable to just a finished boiler again...dad has done a bit more on and off work on it) The roller has seen very heavy rebuild 2 times, being on it's 3rd boiler. RollerV3 (1) My smaller lad went for a ride behind the roller, Photos from TO So, it still is around and used by Dad. He's since bought a couple of engines, which I don't have photos of. The other 2" scale engine which he finished is here, and is a 2" scale freelance overtype wagon. Built around a donated copper boiler that suffered an unfortunate crush injury, Small steam wagon by Peach James, on Flickr There is a 2" Clayton in bits, and several other projects in the basement & shed. I moved, I think, 3 other project engines in various states of possible, and he was looking at buying a 4th. (or horse trading for it...) Any questions? Please ask.

As the front page of the instructions said (well, the ones for men)...since you've tried it your way, how about a read and trying it our way ! Sometimes electronics can be very confusing even with the background and instructions to hand. Try reading the digitrax instructions, they are painful at best. The ones for the ds54 are horrible...mind, it is a very capable piece of kit, with lots of options, but still...

They're is a model of Arten Gill proceeding slowly in Southern Ontario, on a very busy layout that runs fiddle yard to terminus (using Windemere as the terminus). Layout name is lostock junction, and there should be an interesting pdf about it on the web somewhere. I went off for a bit-took the big lad on an overnight train trip from Vancouver to Jasper, then met mum, sister and niece, spent two weeks away, went as Far East as Prince Albert, Sask. Now I have to take the littler one somewhere, before The Canadian goes away...the rolling stock is getting very tired inside. (It's more like the Supercontinental, in that it goes CN for most of the miles...some 300 km north of the original route...but being a broke retiree, I can't afford the Rocky Mountaneer, at something like ten times as much...) My laptop is still on vacation, so don't expect too many posts from me, I hate typing on an iPad ! James

Shimmy up those words- The Skydiggers

http://www.martynbane.co.uk/modernsteam/ldp/austerity/portaausterity.htm Goes into detail about the modifications made to some of the engines, involving the gas producer firing system, underfeed stokers, chimney's, drafting arrangements, and lack of care...

Oh, do I know that feeling !. Mind, I think my wife has been very happy that I have been around to divide the burden of the lads- I just had a job offer, so I might be back @ work soon anyway. working as a baker, which is totally a change in pace, but is something that I enjoy doing, and it is 3/4 time job not full time...which would suit me fine. I should go back to soldering little bits of electronics together- I've been working on doing up lighting boards for the Lego. I have 2, 1/2 done buildings I want to finish, and then more to start on. James