davknigh

Actually Chris does recommend a run in as you build the gearbox testing it as each gear is added to make sure each shaft is square. Assuming that is done properly most of your problems should be minimal but the recommendation does also mention starting slowly and gradually building up speed so as to run in the coupling and connecting rods and wheel bearings. This link will take you to the general instructions on the HighLevel website in case you need a review, but If I can go by the look of your engine I suspect you’ve already followed them to the letter.

https://www.highlevelkits.co.uk/_files/ugd/27e471_9f82ee0769f5451facb64c00f25f7eb6.pdf

Cheers,

David

2 hours ago, DIW said:

I've had two of these this week, from different sender addresses of course. I thought I'd take a screenshot before deleting it. You can see I've forwarded it, as usual to report@phishing.gov.uk.

 

If it’s any comfort the same format is being used for customers of Bell Canada. I always forward mine to the appropriate authorities. Forwarding is a safe way of checking the provenance of anything that looks dodgy especially if you use a tablet to read your emails.

Cheers,

David

Nice job on the figure painting. May I make a suggestion as to the bases? While the clear squares are relatively inconspicuous I’ve found that using a product called “Tacky Wax” used by doll house modellers will work on as small an area as the feet with no added base beyond that. It also allows flexibility in placement and, in the case of a portable layout, allows the figures to be removed for transport.

Cheers,

David

Now that’s atmosphere!

Cheers,

David

Out of curiosity, how long did the Mulberry piers last that were installed after the D-Day landings?

Cheers,

David

The trick with forming the flare is first you have to get the lower portion thin enough that it will deform when annealed and pressed/hammered. I did it once many years back and IIRC I drilled out the centre, counter sunk the bottom end then turned the outside to match. ISTR a mandrel was used after that to finish the rest of the shape. This was 40+ years ago but the main thing was to get the skirt part as thin as possible before annealing and pressing/hammering.

HTH

David

On 14/05/2024 at 05:49, PenrithBeacon said:

Turning to diesels:

 

 

 

There are lots more!

All three are available as kits. The first two from HighLevel the last from Judith Edge.

HTH

David

A superb resource for machine tool practise can be found here: https://www.scalefour.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=132&t=6350&p=81211&hilit=Turning+a+flare#top

HTH

David

On 21/05/2024 at 05:42, Legend said:

I use corks from wine bottles to wipe over the rails . A handy source of supply as I never run out ! Seems to take the crud off but soft enough not to be abrasive 

Agreed! I split mine the long way and when they collect too much grunge clean them by rubbing on a coarse file and they’re good to go again.

Beyond that, get rid of all plastic wheels and traction tyres, if possible. If you find wheels on a particular wagon are collecting grunge make sure all of the wheels sit level on a flat surface. I’ve found that wheels that do not make good contact tend to get gummed up faster. And last, but not least, run frequently, then the dust doesn’t get a chance to settle!

Cheers,

David

3 hours ago, sir douglas said:

was about to do the transfers then realised i dont have any meth spirit so that will have to wait a few days

 

If you are in a rush whisky or whiskey both work for methfix transfers. It mostly depends on whether you would consider that to be an act of heresy, blasphemy, or worse. The transfers don’t care…

HTH

David

I had the pleasure of  meeting John and seeing Balmoral Road first hand at GBTS, a lovely smooth running piece of work.

Cheers,

David

The final pair,

Trix Twin, a fine collection of vintage stock

Shining Station, TTTE themed gauge 1 put together by a marvelously enthusiastic group of young people. They started with bare boards!

Cheers,

David

The last few from me.

Little India, the narrow gauge lines in the Himalayan area

Glanmule, a dual gauge line built on a budget

Just a couple more for now

Crowsnest Tramway originally by Roy Link

Mine own work

More to come later. I was not able to get around to all layouts as I was flying solo most of the time and in some cases the lighting was terrible (no fault of the layout owners I should say)

Cheers,

David

And yet more…

Leadenham from Dundas Ontario

Carfen (obviously)

Continuing…

the Buffers from London, Ontario

Brunswick Dock

Continued…

the east end

Balmoral Road

A few pictures from the show. This may be a bit fractured but size limits are size limits.

the west end of the rink

the middle bit

Good to see you’ve arrived in one piece Andy. See you at the rink tomorrow for the setup.

Cheers,

David

Frost advisory in effect for Toronto tonight, welcome to Canada!

Cheers,

David

If Rapido was to do a commemorative edition it should be more along these lines:

https://www.themetrains.com/royal-train-roster.htm

Cheers,

David

GBTS 2024 starts one week today! Come by Nemo Engineering and say hello.

Cheers,

David

As a taster for those attending here’s the show guide.

2024 GBTS Show Guide 1.pdf

Cheers,

David

4 hours ago, Fettster42 said:

Have you fitted them to Dapol ready to run stock? I have a ventilated van from and it is solid behind the buffer beans. How would I do this?

 I would first remove the body  just to make sure there is no hollow space. I only have a couple of Dapol wagons and IIRC it was possible to mount Dinghams on them without going to extremes. A couple of .5mm holes one above the other and then clean out between with a broken jeweller’s saw blade usually does the trick. The main thing is to use the blade so it cuts on the pull stroke and is therefore under tension for cutting.

HTH

David

Tim, you may find this useful; http://www.wymann.info/ShuntingPuzzles/Timesaver/timesaver-trackplan.html The original was an American design but can be done for British outline with the advantage that it will require less space than the US version. It can be built using set track.

And if the Timesaver does not create excitement for you then there are more possibilities on offer if you go back to the home page: http://www.wymann.info/ShuntingPuzzles/index.html

Cheers,

David