daftbovine

I am a member of a modular group that uses Minitrix telescopic track sections to join indivual N-trak modules together. Each module has three common tracks at each end, we have been using the Minitrix track sections (with Peco code 80 track) for over 20 years.

They may be worth considering - Minitrix Variotrack 14975 - they are available from Gaugemaster.

A very enjoyable and useful issue. The photos in this digital issue were fine with no pixelation which is a relief. Chris Nevard's photography deserves the best reproduction possible.

I would agree with the points made so far and would like to add a few more.

Avoid old Lima locos however cheap they may be, they don’t run well and the scale is very inaccurate - oversized locos and undersized coaches.

Although N takes up less space, try to avoid set track first radius points, most N gauge steam locos are happier on second radius points and the manufacturers often recommend second radius as the minimum for their locos.

Don’t be tempted to use an old controller for the newer models especially not a feedback controller, I’ve found the controllers that come with the Farish sets to be perfectly adequate.

Peco have produced a bookazine - The Peco Guide to N Gauge Modelling which contains a lot of useful information.

There are currently two Sancheng Terriers on eBay, they look completely the wrong colour but apart from that are they good models? I’ve never heard of Sancheng before and would be interested to know more.

Chris Nevard’s layout pictures look very ‘rough’ in my digital copy of this months magazine. It is especially noticeable on straight lines which look jagged. Has anyone else noticed this in their digital copy of the magazine?

While it’s not enough to put me off buying the magazine I find it puzzling as this effect is not apparent in other publications.

There are lots of similar examples but I always give people the benefit of the doubt because I don’t know what their personal circumstances are. I do get a bit fed up when I see real howlers in official documents and advertisements.

Hornby are culprits with an advertisement in the latest Hornby Magazine that reads “Final applaud for Claud” What on earth is an applaud? I suppose that they will argue that it is creative copywriting but it sounds really strange.

Send it back to whoever you bought it from or to Dapol, their locos have a two year guarantee. There is a 'Product Return' page on their website.

Can’t see the plan.

I’m afraid I ordered Bodiam because I like locos with blue liveries.

I like this one that’s ‘hardly used’ except for a flight off the layout onto the deck : )

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Hornby-Southern-Terrier-Locomotive-oogauge-R2100B-0-609-Boxed-Hardly-Used/253700875608?hash=item3b11c02558:g:zGcAAOSwQGhbKp9W

The plaster is painted quite a dark colour, if you were to paint it a greenish colour you would probably need less of whatever ground cover you eventually choose.

Regarding the diesel with a tree growing out of it, would it be possible to lighten the tree slightly so it doesn’t disappear completely but isn’t quite so prominent?

Peco produce a very useful ‘bookazine’ called ‘Your guide to N gauge railway modelling’ it covers almost all of the aspects a beginner would have queries about and has step by step diagrams and lots of photographs. The sections on track and DCC are invaluable and it even includes track plans.

Track foam underlay is covered but there is also a section on using conventional n gauge ballast.

Scenery is not covered in great detail but there are other books for that. It is available in both paper and digital form. The paper version can be ordered from Peco but your local model shop may very well have a copy.

Another great source of information is YouTube. It’s especially good for scenery videos.

A friend of mine plonked some 'sexy scenes' in the landscape of his home and sometimes exhibition layout without thinking. When we got to an exhibition, he suddenly realised that children would be present so we hastily made some paper tents to hide them from view. 

I'm hoping that the fact that the NRM are involved will prevent any detail and livery mistakes. I'd like to order all six but will have to choose one. I'm hoping it will arrive in time to be a Christmas present.

It seems as though small tank engines are popular at the moment, long may it continue.

One of the first things I check is wheel back to back measurements, they are often 'out' even on brand new models.

I'm intrigued - why can't you phone from overseas?

In theory I can phone from overseas but it will be expensive and I don't want to throw good money after bad. I suppose I hoped they would reply to my emails, now as a last resort I will get a friend in the UK to try and find out what is going on.

I'm afraid I won't miss them, I made a £10 'donation' to their retirement fund in August and am still waiting for a response from them as to when I can expect my nameplates. I have sent three emails but am unable to phone them as I live overseas.

Apparently they prefer people to phone them. While patiently waiting for my order, I was sent weekly emails advertising their products until I redirected their mails to the spam folder.

If they have been ill, I am sorry to hear that but that is something that could have been communicated on their website.

A corruption/incompetence of politicians, in some cases (and countries) they can be both.

A litter of Terriers (of the loco type) how about more describing different classes of locos?

Try the various cleaning methods out on a single piece of track or it could end in tears.

I hope this publication eventually appears in digital form.

I once bought some N gauge box vans from a member of our model railway club who happens to be Dutch. They were very dusty so I decided to wash them in warm soapy water, I was alarmed to see black liquid running out of them so I removed their roofs only to find that he'd weighted each one with a salted liquorice drop.

I wouldn't recommend this method.

I haven't often had to add weight to vehicles, I find that in most cases if my track work is good it isn't necessary but then again I don't use Dapol Easi Shunt couplers.

There were a few old Farish coaches that gave problems in the past and I used small squares of the lead used to balance full size motor car wheels tucked in between the coach undercarriage frames. I think it is best to get the extra weight as low down as possible.

I agree with the comments above about PVA glue and lead.

My N gauge micro layout that gets a dusting of snow every year.