Theakerr

If one is looking at a laser jet suggest you pay the extra and go for the 5 colour printer.  I have a 3 colour printer and find I have a problem replicating brick colours (red brick) to the point that I do not use printed construction.  It is OK or slate roofs though although the Slaters slate sheets are very good, relatively cheap and weather up very well.  

I've also heard good words about the hex frog juicers.  I believe someone else now has a similar device out there as well

Gilbert, it has been my experience that sometimes one should step back and leave things alone for a week or so, then revisit.  In the past it has amazed how something I though/visualised as wrong turned out to be more or less correct.  I suggest that sometimes we reach a point when we loose our objectivity.  Don't mean to preach, but just my thoughts based upon a couple of personal projects, one of which actually resulted in a completely different approach that ended up being much better.

Would you care to clarify.  The NRM site shows nothing that appears related to your thread title

Quote "I'm intrigued by your statement. What can DC do that DCC cannot? What would you have in your hybrid system.".

I am also looking at the option of building a DCC to DC control system.  I run DC have about 40 locos - many small, have 5 block sections and have about 40' from the control area to the end of the layout that has to have a power feed.  I ruled out converting to DCC; cost etc.  Now to answer your question - I hope.  My main control system uses Kent Panel Control" (KPC) controllers that are fantastic.  When I expanded and needed new controllers, KPC were no longer available and i was forced to use another brand that does not have anywhere near the slow running or constant speed capability of the KPC units.  Note I live in Canada and have some specific size requirements so other options like Morley and MRC were not suitable.  So what I am mentally doodling is a DCC control system at a central location that houses all the decoders (up to 6).  The power to the motor output from the decoder will go direct to the track and i will used back emf decoders.  Thus, my reasoning goes, I will have power to track optimised for a particular loco and its load because I will be able to switch the feed to a specific decoder and I will have a feedback system that will take into account a) length of wire run, b) any resistance variations associated with my 5 block sections c) will give me optimised control for slow running and d) along with the KPC units I will only need 6 decoders.    Now if KPC do get back in business, and they keep trying, all this becomes moot because I don't know what algorithms are built into the KPC units but they do it all

Watched "Trainspotting at Little Bython" last night.  Very enjoyable but was a little surprised at one of the credits about a "Demanding Director"!

Tony, You are right, the problem was that the loco was rocking on the centre wheels.  I guess it is just terminology or from what perspective one looks, one mans high is another mans low

On at least one Little Engines kit the centre wheels were a smidgen high.  This may sound like sacrilege to the experts here but I solved it by getting a round needle file and just taking a little out of the top of the top hat bearing.  Now it was 00, so it is a bit more forgiving than P4 or EM but it worked and still running well after 20+ years. 

20 years.tiff

Thks, Fox do have a couple of Doncaster smoke box numbers

I want to renumber my sort of weathered 62059 to a Frodingham or Doncaster loco.  Being on the lazy side I was trying to find someone who made the complete number decal like model masters renumbering decals, but have come up a complete blank on both cab side numbers and smoke box numbers.  Does anyone know if said decals are available or do i have to do it the hard way.  

For my hidden sidings I have used the same approach but with model aircraft Ls etc.

Living across the pond and two hours out of Ottawa, I have pretty well been forced to physically work alone.  However, I do feel that i have beniftted from what can be described as a "Global Team".  First there is the BRMNA in Ottawa.   A motley bunch of guys and ladies with a very wide range of interests, but all willing to talk and provide cerebal input to all manner of issues.  There have been many cases where simply talking at the meetings or in later years via the internet, I have been able to solve a problem or improve on something i already had.  Then there is the internet and this forum in particular.  Again, another motley bunch of guys and ladies from whose collective wisdom has helped many times in many many formats.  

As I remember most of the stations along the Grimsby to Boston line had coal "piles" arranged as you say with the outer wall built like a stone wall utilising large coal blocks.  Some "piles" would be well over 6' high and perhaps 25' square.   I cannot vouch for its veracity, but my Father told me when he was older that the government had mandated these coal piles as reserve stock after severe shortages during the winter of 1947.  I have a undersize representation on my layout but you are the only other person I have ever seen model this common feature.  

Many years ago I had an A5 that exhibited less than stellar running qualities and, based on an article by Tony about an A5 he had "fettled". I put in a DJH motor and gearbox.   Instantly, it became an excellent runner  This motor and gearbox have now gone into 4 locos, all with good results.  Fast forward to the present day when, as a result of this thread, I acquired a SE Finecast  FE019/1024 motor gearbox kit to re-motor a Comet chassis powering a Bachmann J39.  Said chassis had a Porterscap motor and was beautifully smooth but howled so badly you could hear it two rooms away.  Pleased to report that the SE gearbox/Mashima motor/combination was extremely easy to build, is quiet, is very responsive and with all the weight I have in the Bachmann, pulls like a Mac truck.  Two out of Two Tony - Thanks

As an aside, this proves the value of the forum and this thread because I live in Canada and without them it is most likly that I would never have become aware of the kit.

No connection with SE Finecast just reporting on a quality product and good company

Aire Valley 1962,  Can agree about Dominion of Canada.  I actually bought two, one to run and one to sit in the box (for the future)

Focal plane, there is a good chance i will be in the Calgary area later this summer.  PM if you want to try to take it further

Hey Mallard,

That hill between Grimsby and Toll Bar used to kill me at 1:00 walking home from my Girlfriends

According to the forum you posted today.  I follow your layout so I looked but couldn't find a new posting.  An edit perhaps or a system error?

Is it austenitic, martensitic or high Mn cheap mans stainless?

Where possible drainpipes work very well.

Added to my favourites.  

Gilbert,

Don't beat yourself up!.  I would say your photography and editing is well into the 20% as defined by the Pareto principle and is way ahead of most of us on here.   I would also suggest that most of us look at the content rather than the photo - and I don't mean that in a negative way.

A few of my observations from the years:  I am not so sure it is the load weight as opposed to the rolling resistance imparted by the wheel axles in their housings (For the most part I run RTR coaches with the as made wheel bearings).   One mag years ago used to publish the maximum drawbar pull load before wheel slippage.   I wish it was still reported since I suggest it can at least be used as a comparison with what one already has.  I can always tell when it is maintenance time based on the slippage or slowing down on my undesigned and unavoidable gradient (my basement moves +/- 1/2" around the median point depending on the season).  Usually the problem is found to be "fluff" in the "bearings" and crud on the wheels.  Further, My Hornby A4's with a bit of extra weight will pull 14/15 coaches no problem - once it gets them moving (hand of God assist), i.e. it has overcome the starting resistance.   Another very significant component is the radius (radii) of ones curved track.    For the most part I have +40" radii but on one area it drops to about 36".  That is where the train slows down a bit if I go over 10 coaches.  A further factor is believed to be the coupling used on the coaches.  Someone on another thread, or possibly even here, years ago calculated that the draw load is reduced quite significantly (I think about18%) if the coaches are coupled such that they pull through the coach body, as your do Tony, as opposed to pulling through the bogies using a hook and bar coupling.  Side load effect could be significant on curves?   So for sake of argument that represents one more coach on a 10 coach train.  Another factor has to be the fitting of corridor connectors although i am not sure how significant it is.   Finally, assuming one can add weight, you don't just add weight, it must be properly distributed.  I know a Gentleman who had all kinds of weight into several of his locos, but they don't pull worth a kettle of fish.  Basically he put weighs in such that the load is primarily over one axle, i.e. lots of weight out front but nothing out back.  Say no more.

I guess the point i am trying to make is that there are other factors other than straight loco weight that will affect pulling capacity although I also concede that at the end of the day nothing beats loco weight and a powerful correctly geared motor.

I knew I had come across something while researching Grimsby.  Very good source of Lincs pictures http://www.davesrailpics.bravehost.com/firsby/firsby3.htm

Look at JCL Wainfleet to Haverhouse thread.  One book he references is "Railways to Skegness by A.J.Ludlam".  I have done some digging into my own books and have come up with the following British Railways Past and Present Lincolnshire, #27, Roger Hill and Carey Vessey.  Nice picture of the inside of the station shed and a good end view of the station.  Also, Railways of Lincolnshire, Paul Anderson.  Sketch of the station front and some general pictures.  Will see what else I might have over the next while.

Regards

James R. Theaker

Canada