ianwales

As a Welshman ( who models the ECML )

I'm not the only one then

Ian

Hi Gilbert

I have a small hook, similar to ones used by guys who favour 3 link couplings, to gently pull one of the coupling tails to one side as the loco and coach come together.

Ian

 

This is about as far as the pilot would go, but by this time it would have added still more to the pollution under that overall roof. Light coloured clothes weren't a great idea when catching a train in those days. This banking manoeuvre is dead easy to do on a DCC controlled layout. I'm told this can be done using DC, but I can't imagine it can be anywhere near as simple as it is for me. My only problem is how to detach the banking engine. It would of course just have buffered up in reality, but my kadees attach themselves pretty firmly. I'm cheating by having one pilot with no front coupling, but that then creates another problem when I want to use it for general duties. Any ideas folks?

Hi Gilbert

It can be done, but, you wil need either to open the Kadee manually so that they join in "delay" mode or add a kadee uncoupling magnet in the four foot where the rear coach stops so that when the pilot approaches the magnet opens the kadee for you. In either case when you slow the pilot down the couplings disengage automatically while the main train carries on.

Ian

Hi all

Has there been any mention yet about when HJ are likely to produce the original nose version?

Ian

Hi all

I use the uploader, I dislike these topics where the user has linked to flickr or photobucket as when I open these topics in work they just come up as blanks in the post or they are blocked.

Ian

Hey, I just had a great idea. Suppose I just extend the house a few feet? I'd have to fill in the pond, but I'm sure the fish wouldn't mind. Or perhaps just extend the top floor? Whaddya mean, planning permission? It's only a few feet. Tetley's could do it - he's not got much on at the moment. Anyway, then I could just splice in a small board to ease the entrance into the fiddle yard, and extend the station board to include the Midland lines and Spital Bridge shed. Then I could have LMS 2P's and Compounds and Fowler and Fairburn 2.6.4T's and 4F's and 8F's and the odd Patriot and a Beyer Garrett, (wait a minute though, I've already ordered one of those) and perhaps a G2 and some more 3F's... :crazy:

Hi Gilbert

I would love to have someof those ex LMS types alongside my BR(ER) stock if only I had the room and a suitible location.

Ian

 

There were a number of other steel artics, lncluding twins, but I don't know of any available kits for anything other than the ones I have. Hope that helps.

Hi

If you prefer plastic kits the LNER Tourist stock Artic Twins are stillavailable from Mailcoach.

Ian

Hey, I just had a great idea. Suppose I just extend the house a few feet? I'd have to fill in the pond, but I'm sure the fish wouldn't mind. Or perhaps just extend the top floor? Whaddya mean, planning permission? It's only a few feet. Tetley's could do it - he's not got much on at the moment. Anyway, then I could just splice in a small board to ease the entrance into the fiddle yard, and extend the station board to include the Midland lines and Spital Bridge shed. Then I could have LMS 2P's and Compounds and Fowler and Fairburn 2.6.4T's and 4F's and 8F's and the odd Patriot and a Beyer Garrett, (wait a minute though, I've already ordered one of those) and perhaps a G2 and some more 3F's... :crazy:

Hi Gilbert

Is there a room next to the layout room that you could just knock a couple of holes in the wall and extend the layout into that room, or even knock the wall down!!!!!! Ian

Sorry Ian, can't find my WTT at the moment. Somewhere around 2030 though.

Hi Gilbert

Thats OK, I couldn't find reference to a Dundee-KX service in the 1959 WTT I have, there is a 1400 Edinburgh-KX which passes Peterborough at 2025 so prbably that is the successor to the Dundee

Ian

I've just finished another very satisfying operating session, and in fact finished the sequence. There is no doubt that working through things methodically and preferably calmly does give results, as there were far fewer glitches and fallings off than the first time round. Anyway, here are two or three of the late evening trains.

 

 

Another of Spital Bridge's nearly life expired D16's. This one heads the last Peterborough East - Leicester local of the day.

 

 

And here is Immingham's B1 Mayflower returning from the capital with the second Down Cleethorpes express, while in Platform 4 the stock for the 8.35pm to Melton Constable awaits its loco.

 

 

She's not had the right away yet, so the photographer is reasonably safe, provided he isn't standing on the Up main of course.

 

 

Another chance to admire Tim's other magnum opus. Sun Castle has what is described in the WTT as a Dundee - Kings Cross train. I didn't know there were any of those.

 

 

This on the other hand is likely to be the photographer's last act on earth, unless he is extremely nimble!

Hi Gilbert

What time is that Dundee-KX through Peterborough?

Ian

Just one more wafer thin mint eh? Two of you ganging up on me as well! Maybe as a longer term project........ Of course there is this 04/5 of Bill Bedford's too...... Just checked, and there were only two of those left, but both at Mexborough. Have you two co-opted andyrush into the conspiracy now?

Hi Gilbert

What were the 2 that were left at Mexborough?

Ian

That's correct. High Dyke was the first one, then Dunwich.

Hi

I Think there was one other layout, Gainsborough Central, prior to High Dyke. it is mentioned in a photo caption in one of the Retford articles in MRJ, Incidentally High Dyke has featured in MRJ too, Issue 180.

Ian

 

In all four great layouts or in fact Models of a real railway.Retford has in addition called upon the skills of several other people to numerouis to mention.It has been featured in several issues of MRJ and I will try to obtain the dates for those who are interested.

 

Regards,Derek.

Hi Derek

Retford has appeared in the MRJ Issues 101,118,141,143,171 and 179 according to the MRJ index on the net, it has also been in BRM, but, not sure of the date and I'm in work at the moment so I can't check.

I saw Retford at an ExpoEM some years ago, it, along with Biggleswade, Stoke Summit, Little Bytham and of course Gilbert's Peterborough are the layouts responsible for my obsession with the ECML despite coming from a family steeped in the GWR tradition.

Ian

Ian

 

Should have something of interest to you soon - as we've some ongoing constructional articles on - Grantham!

 

Richard

Hi Richard

O Good, looking forward to those then

Ian(Another one with somethhing based on Grantham in mind)

Maybe, after taking 60512 the 60538 will cause the ball to become 60511! Of course, if un60512 is employed, the ball could end up in a 60536!

Hi All

Thanks to you all for improving my knowledge and fitness, My knowledge of ER Pacific names is improving and my firness as i have to run up 3 flights of stairs to get my green book to understand each post!

Ian

Wouldn't it be great if Tony W could do a series of articles* with pics depicting all the layouts from Kings Cross to (say) Doncaster?

I think there is maybe a book* there somewhere? (Gainsboroung MRS through Gresley Beat through all stations/locations to Stoke Summit and then Gamston Bank).

 

Another couple to add to the growing list, Biggleswade and Welwyn North!

Ian

Hi all

There is also Stoke Summit and Gamston Bank and if it still exists High Dyke as well.

Ian

Hi all

So if Gilbert suffers from incurable locoholism and there is also CCAD what do you call a sufferer from wagon collecting and even worse All 3 conditions!!!

Ian

Hi all

This is getting too much like the real railway now! well done Gilbert. now where's my soldering iron.

Ian

Hi all

I've just bought the SP kit for the Cravens FO E3082, anyone got tips ot pitfalls for this kit I should be aware of before I start?

Ian

 

 

N.B. Excel is a presnetation package NOT a database and should not be used as such!! (first lesson of data admin.... )

Sorry! Not very good with computers, this probably explains why I can't really get excel to do what i want it to, On my old computer I had MSWorks which had a database which allowed me to view either as a list or the data one page at a time in a form view, excel won't let me do that!!

Ian

Hi

Not sure if this is the right place to ask this question ,but, I have recentlyput all the timetable information for my layout onto and Excel Database intending to print it out onto cards when the layout is built and ready for operation, however having recently acquired a 2nd hand laptop I wondered if I could achieve the same thing using Powerpoint, but would I have to re-enter all the information into the Powerpoint or is there a way of transferring the info across from the Database?

ian

Hi Brian

Yes it had just turned off Pembrey Road into New Road, I had just dropped Tom in school and noticed this coming around Gelli Onn, they were having trouble negotiating the new road arrangement there so was able to have enough time to be in New Road waiting for it.

Ian

Hi all

Just thought this photo may be of interest to some.

It is the Leyland bodied Mk1 on its way through Llanelli this morning heading for the steam centre at Cynheidre.(Apologies for the poor photo, it was taken on my phone).

Ian

Hi Guys

Sorry, should have made it clear I wasn't really complaining, just was a bit of a surprise when I saw the price, I will do what I always do and get them from my local model shop when they come in, all it really means is that I will have to get the rake bit by bit over several weeks rather than what I have done previously buying 3 or 4 coaches at once, a big advantage for me is that by being a regular customer Rob is willing to put things one side for me until I can afford them.

Ian