Nicktoix

You would have to start again, I can always get more etches. Keep up the good work. Nick

It is with sadness I attach the following from the LNWR Society website. He was a gentleman and a fine modeller also one time owner of the Home of O Gauge. "The London & North Western Railway Society regret to announce the death of our long standing member Philip Millard. Joining the Society in 1977 as member number 92 Philip soon became an acknowledged expert on LNWR carriages. He was the author or co author of many publications on the subject which remain the seminal works in this field. He was also a highly skilled modeller with an impressive output of model LNWR carriages. We will remember him for his detailed knowledge but even more so for his willingness to share such valuable information. Our Society owes him a huge debt, as do all of us with an interest in the Premier Line. We should be especially grateful that Philip took steps to ensure that his research material was secured for the future by donating it to the Society. Philip enriched our Society in so many ways, we shall all miss him. John Gowers Chair London & North Western Railway Society" Nick

I've had a break for a bit but over the last three sessions I have got the boiler and footplate fitted permanently. The footplate looks not to be level but endless checking with a surface gauge shows that it is level. The roof is just loose on this pic. It isn't shaped correctly yet it wraps over the cab side sheets. Just got the cab to fit out and the pipework to do !!!!!! that will take sometime methinks Happy Xmas and a better New Year to all Nick

O yes there is!! Just ask London Road. I know cos I designed it. I've just done some 7mm etches but not built them yet. Nick

Also the idea is that you push on the buffers not on the couplings which can cause derailments. Nick

Cylinders now finished with 3d prints for glands and front cylinder covers Just got the pony truck and cowcatchers to finish on the chassis then it's onto the body. Having said that I think I'll have a rest and do summat else for a bit. This has been taxing Nick

And now the "dangly bits" aka valve gear. Quite tricky as the clearances are tight and you have to do it in the right order. LP set on the left side fitted. The piston rod is temporary fitted and won't be permanent until the cylinder covers and glands have been fitted . The glands will be resin 3d prints. The HP valve gear fitted. I made a mess of the drop link on the LP crosshead and had to fit a patch. I had theh crossheads and valve guides cast in brass.. The full set fitted on the right side with lessons learnt from the left side. A degree of surgery was required to the motion bracket to get alignments and clearances. Now to get it running freely and tidy it up. Nick

The pickups on the 0 gauge version work very well Nick

Sensible to limit current to uncouplers. This is what happens when your push button sticks, you don't notice and wander off into the garden. Nick

I believe Beeson preferred painting onto a tarnished surface. Seems like a good recommendation to me. Also I find no need to polish surfaces up before soldering unless excessively tarnished. Your flux is acid and does a great job of cleaning. That's what it's for. Nick

An hour on the phone to Owen would be a short call. It would cover an exhibition invitation, general exhibition organisation, model railway gossip, help with modelling and of course rugby. He was a good friend and I will miss him RIP Nick

Of course if you come to Leeds show in October (hopefully) you can see our build of Friary shed in 7mm. Nick

The barrier plan is prepared in advance and the barriers laid out on the floor to the plan usually before any layouts have arrived let alone be erected. The barrier team then go around an then build them up and make any adjustments, generally finishing by 3pm Friday afternoon. Planning and teamwork Nick

I speak from experience having made the same mistake and the having to adjust all the turnouts after painting and ballasting . Easier to do it now than later. Nick

BR 12T plywood van 8 shoe braked. Found on tin ter net. Nick

Yor flangeway gauge is not suitable for setting switches . The throw is substantially more ,something like 4.75 inches which scales up at just under 3mm in 7mm scale. The flangeway gauge is for setting the gaps around the frog and not ideal at that. Nick

Yellow paint available here, it's gloss Nick

Slow progress. This is the rear end with the brake cylinders which are 3d printed. Next I fitted the track wheels and gears. The whole lot have to quartered and the rack pinions synchronised with each other and the rack. I did this by soldering a length of rack to the pinions and making all the adjustments. The white gears are "nylonish" glued to the shaft with Loctite 480. I hope I never have to take it apart. I am waiting for a new set of etches for the cylinders so have made up the expansion links meantime. Two different types. The pivots are silver soldered on first and then the rest built up from etches. They took about 2 hours in total Slow but steady. Need to go and lie in a dark room now Nick

Title changed to reflect post.

This is an oil burner at Coonor last year. They have an extended smokebox and bunker along with the camel hump which is the fuel tank. I believe they are the largest rack locos in Asia, world wide the Meyer-Kitson in South America are much larger. NIck

How do I do this, I want to add some extra wording NIck

Correct !! Nilgiri X class. 4 cylinder compound hp cylinders driving rail wheels and lp cylinders driving the rack. Originals built by SLM but converted to oil burning. Another 4 were built in India, all oil burners. There are plans to build a coal fired one in India. This is not going to be a quick build I expect it to take a year along with other projects. It will be DCC controlled with each motor independent. Nick

I've been fascinated by this loco since first seeing it on TV. After alot of research and a site visit last January I have at last got on with building the model. It is built from my own etches. BUT what is it ??? I'll tell you it is metre gauge and not European so suggestions welcome. It is 7mm. Basic chassis Not much room and these flanges have been turned down !! What does this suggest ? Waiting for the boiler so he can fire up. NIck

Needs toning down with some Leeds "improved green".