Theakerr

I now wonder if Detol in Canada is not the same as Detol in the UK.  I have left stuff soaking in brown (that is the only one available over here) for long times, like over night from perhaps 20:00 to 10:00 with absolutely no softening of the plastic.   In fact as I said it is a slow process. 

Have you tried Detol.  It take time but it is very gentle on any underlying paintwork.  I am a big fan.

I am assuming that Plywood in the UK is the same as plywood in Canada and if so suggest you buy Marine Grade and 'good one side.   Marine grade is stronger, less likely to warp or separate when cutting and does not delaminate should it get wet.

FYI I have now repaired a friend's two Hornby Battle of Britain locos for the same problem.  As part of locating the afending sprocket I discovered it is the same one used in Hornby Black 5's so I ordered a spare for it. 

I dont know this vehicle but on some recent Bachmann/Hornby trucks the NEM holder on the wagons is screwed on.  This may be 're-workable'.  In any case an alternate to Team Y might be to see if you can move the holder back and attach with a small screw.

Regarding coaches I am very much a novice in terms or replicating actual train formations but try to run something that looks right.  Last night I watched an ECML video from about 1958 to as late as 1965 and what a mixture of coaches, even on what appeared to be Top Link trains.  There was even one picture of a Pullman set with a Mk1 Restaurant Car (May have got the exact type wrong) in maroon . 

Went to the fixed couplling site and came across this DCC system for Kadee couplings 

https://www.precimodels.com/en/

Looks rather neat and might even be usable on DC using a RC switch.

I just trawl the net for the new Bachmann B1's.  I think last time I paid pounds 70 for 1 and 75 for the other.  Both had been badly weathered and one had a bit of a botched job of putting extra weight and the origional body would not fit.  No problem though because I didn't want the body anyway.  I do now have a lot of tenders that one day I will convert to 'sludge' holders.  Really neat those pictures of the Hornby tender and fire iron holder.   I will take a picture of one of the tenders I have modified and post it tomorrow

Like you I have a fondness for B1's and have about 8 on my layout.  All were the original split chassis types and most of them have deteriorated.  Also, I had detailed and weathered them all.  My solution was to look for cheap new Bachmann Chassis and replace the FUBARed ones with new chassis thus preserving the weathering etc and can be had for a lot less than a Comet B1.   Essentially they are a drop in fit although all of them have piston rod guides that are slanted way down and need correcting.  They also require extra weight because they are significantly lighter than the old ones and finally I have added a tender pick-up because the pick up doesn't seem to be as good as the old ones (before they gave up the ghost).  The new chassis are excellent runners.  Re the fire iron, based on the odd photo I could find I believe there was a fire iron holder and have made one assuming that the square hole in the tender wall is the opening.  In most cases it is a faux hole going back about 10mm with a cut off fire iron sticking out. 

A modern version of a Sir Humphrey statement

Well an interesting set of posts.  First Roy, what an excellent layout.  Then the two pictures I would have sworn were Grimsby clearly are not.   That explains the smoke stack I couldn't recognize and the electric signals.  

Wife and I have re-discovered Carry On Movies.  Stupid, banal but not PC and fun to watch in these times.  Excellent day today got out to do some yard-work and worked up a sweat.  Next few days are scheduled to be miserable with some snow forecast.  Keep well all. 

2 hours ago, Tony Wright said:

Linking in some recent topics..........................

 

 

The Morning Talisman, in eight-car formation, complete with Mk.1 catering car.

 

 

Grimsby.

 

 

 

Am I right in thinking these two are Grimsby as well?

 

Please observe copyright restrictions. 

 

 

Yes.  Grimsby Docks.   I used to work at the National Provincial Bank on the Corner of Riby Square about 500M from where these Photos were taken.  Can't remember what the chimney is but the oval topped building is the Dock Tower, a hydraulic reservoir for the dock gates.  Then you can just see the Grimsby Cold Storage Building.  The level crossing here was a right pain because a fair bit of shunting took place and you could be stuck there for ages.  (like Lincoln main street).  The alternative route (cannot remember the name but it was a narrow shop lined busy street so you were between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea.  What is interesting are the colour light signals.  I don't remember them at all although I suppose they could be traffic lights.

My tomato seeds have started to sprout

Sounds like someone has been inside and played with the wiring.  I had to fix one for a friend.  The previous owner had used DCC so he just set it up accordingly.  Basically I just went in and reversed the output to the motor.  However do make sure that it still runs fwds when it is supposed to.  If it doesn't it gets a bit more complicated.    It is my understanding and experience that the direction of an 8 pin blanking plug doesn't make any difference but I have seen some 21 pin plugs and they do have a  position mark so it might be worth a simple check to see if blanking plug orientation makes a difference. 

When I reworked some CCT vans I established this:  Railmatch BR Crimson.   Can Tire Strawberry Fields Gloss The Army Painter Warpaints "Chaotic Red"  Tamiya TS11 Maroon.   Also British Model Trains https://britishmodeltrains.ca/ has a fair selection of Humbrol paints although the acrylics are all matt.

8 minutes ago, Mallard60022 said:

Yes there is but a good friend of mine recommended this and for the price of a more expensive Van/Wagon I have a professional NHS recommended Course that is there and the strategies remain for ever. I don't drink Whisky anyway, I much prefer Brandy.

There seems to be a bit of a take over of what was a great thread by slightly 'smirking' participants ,so I'm out of here.

 Go well and be safe and thanks for the ride.

Phil

Phil, Ignore them and stay around.  Jim

1 hour ago, Mallard60022 said:

Here is a nice little link from an on-line Course I am doing.

https://www.bemindfulonline.com

 

here is an exercise that I did for the first time today. It is excellent for just grounding your self.

I hope it opens for you?

3-Step-Breathing-Space.pdf 277.18 kB · 3 downloads

 

Very similar to one of mine.  In for a count of 8, out for a count of 8 eyes closed focusing on where your nose tip should be.  It is interesting because when I get there I get what feels like a slight body temp drop and I start to see waves of colours.  Very peaceful.

Tony where did you manage to get some of those old Modelers Meca connectors from?  I have a few left from eons ago.  I think they are much better than the V interlock type that appear to be the only ones on the market today.  I was thinking that during this 'lockdown' I might have a go at making some of the graph paper ones as demonstrated in Model Railway Constructor some 55+ years ago.  They still make into a pretty good unit

3 hours ago, Jamiel said:

My apologies for the quality of the photos, it is darker outside than I expected. I need to get my tripod out and use a bigger F-stop.

 

Working on a Class 120 DMU, 3 car, but only showing the two driving units at the moment. Mostly from the Craftsman conversion kits, but Comet underframes, MTK bogies and a wealth of other sources. To be powered by a Replica Railways motorised frame and controlled by DCC.

The units are roughly assembled, but not fully screwed together yet, hence the body sitting up a bit on one of them.

 

Some advice sought.

 

What do people think about using the metal end pieces for the bellows on what will be a permanently coupled set of coaches?

 

I have read elsewhere, the bellows need to be cut down a bit. Roughly connected with a couple of Kadees at the moment.

 

 

It will be interesting to see how effective the cables for the lights masquerading as brake pipes are. Will they be flexible enough to take corners or will they derail the model? They will fit into the centre car which is still being glazed at the moment.

 

The other question is what would people advise for glazing the destination boxes. I do have some Glue’n’Glaze, but it seems to remain tacky. Would varnish be good, or would cutting very small pieces of clear plastic and fixing them in, presumably with Glue’n’ Glaze?

 

Thanks to Tony and all on the thread for the constant inspiration.

 

Jamie

I dont know whose Corridor connectors you are using but I have used the plastic ends or card ends when I used to make my own because I wanted to ensure that they would slide on each other.   In any case they hardly show and you are using them in fixed rakes so I would suggest that anyhting that has a bit of slipperiness will work

Temp was +10 and my medical problem is healing so I was able to get out to do a round of Tai Chi today for the 1st time in a week.  Felt good.  Defiantly helps with the mental stress because for about 25 minutes you have to put everything else out of mind.