davknigh

Miss Prism’s method is one that I would heartily endorse. The brass is harder than the WM so will push it out of the grooves. Hard wire brushes, OTOH will ruin a file in short order. All that said, the best plan is to reserve a cheap set of files for WM use. Cheers, David

Ray, How long did you leave your couplings in the Birchwood solution? I find it works best if left suspended in the gun blue for at least five minutes after making sure the couplings are throughly degreased first. Also, gun blue does not colour solder which may also affect your results. HTH David

You don’t mention a diameter for the head. If they are 2mm or so they would be track rivets as used by members of the EMGS and the Scalefour Society for track building and can be obtained from either society if you are a member. If smaller they would be for valve gear and could be had from Allan Gibson as suggested above or Lanarkshire Model Supplies. HTH David

For information on suspension of all sorts this is probably the best reference: http://www.clag.org.uk/41-0rev.html It is from the Scalefour digest but applies in any scale. HTH David

Funny you should mention that Simon, it got me hauling out my TH&B SW9 and CPR S3 with thoughts of a small interchange. More stuff for the “eventually” list… I also thought that “Renfrew Wharf” did a lovely job of capturing Clydeside atmosphere. A good book all around, thank you for your part in producing it. Cheers, David

If you are looking for railway supplies or new and second hand goods check to see if there is a train show on in the area. Shows have replaced shops these days. A lineup can be found on this page near the bottom. https://www.cvrco.ca/shows Cheers, David

There is actually a good reason for putting a bus on a bridge provided it faces out from the back scene. An artist friend who was also a cracking good modeller explained that outward facing bus draws the eye away from the back scene so people don’t notice how close it is. The reason being that the front of the bus gets more attention than the back. Cheers, David

Copy ordered yesterday before I even saw the video! This is a concept that I embrace both as a great way to get people started and also great fun. Cheers, David

It boils down to a lack of patience. As the policeman at the end of the clip said, it's not worth the minute you'd save if it costs you your life. Cheers, David

Hi Peter, Number 6 points are what I use which are equivalent to Peco large radius IIRC. I have no problems with buffer locking with either long or short wheelbase wagons or a mix of the two. The main thing is to set up your Dinghams so that the hook is behind the buffer heads because if it isn’t the hooks can catch and cause derailments. On occasion there can be problems with locomotives with a longer overhang and short wagons but this can be overcome with the use of the wider “Flippem” loops produced by Marc at : https://pregroupingrailways.com/product/flippem-automatic-coupling-system-loops-to-be-back-fitted-to-dingham-couplings/ Note: for I suspect copyright reasons, the tail on the Flippem loop is on the opposite side from the Dingham but the couplings work the same way. As for strength, I’ve had 8 Bachmann Mk1s on a Dingham loop with no problems. HTH David

You might want to look at the Flippems, they have a wider loop for just that reason. Cheers, David

I stand corrected Cheers, David

Hi TBK, First off have you had a look at https://www.scalefour.org/moving-to-p4/? You may find some answers to your questions there. You can also pose questions on the Scalefour Forum in the visitors area https://www.scalefour.org/forum/viewforum.php?f=37&sid=abc977dcd34ff1e1e4b4924ff7b50398 It sounds like you’re off to a good start with conversions! The curves you mention should present no problems for the average industrial engine but will probably not be practical for a 9F, but then the same was true on the real thing. Cheers, David

I’m surprised nobody has mentioned Dinghams or their equivalent Flippems. They both work on the same principle with a lifting loop and a latch, emerge from the buffer beam where couplings are supposed to emerge from, can be uncoupled either magnetically or manually and an be used to set off wagons remotely in the same way as Kadees. There is a minor catch, they are handed with the loop at one end and the hook at the other but for a basic BLT or shunting plank especially if operated by tank engines or diesels this should make no difference. Some assembly required. More info here: https://www.gaugeoguild.com/GOGwiki/doku.php?id=genericitems:couplings:dingham Note that these are available in 4mm scale and here: https://pregroupingrailways.com/product-category/flippem-automatic-coupling-system/ Usual disclaimer apart from the fact I have used the original Dinghams for over 20 years and here they are in use. Cheers, David

Further evidence of the return of Amtrak to Toronto: http://www.railpictures.ca/?attachment_id=49151 Cheers, David

I was the recipient of some very sage advice from a mentor of mine over 50 years ago. It was quite simple, “don’t build anything that you are not prepared to maintain”. If the layout is a club effort with members with specialist skills that’s one thing but if you are on your own it is a different kettle of fish. Cheers, David

Those advocating a British “NMRA” would do well to remember that the NMRA has been around for 60+ years and has gone through a number of growing pains but as a consequence gained great influence in the hobby. FWIW the NMRA standard gauge for 00 is 19.05 mm. New can of worms anyone? Cheers, David

ISTR that the glue used to secure the lead in the 45XX in question was PVA rather than cyano. Cheers, David

Courage, William, the boffins are apparently trying to restore images but it may take some time. Cheers, David

As an addition to Covkid’s post about Rapido’s buses. When modelling the GM “New Look” bus Rapido did not just go with a generic model but paid attention to the variations to be found. For example, the Toronto version has a double width rear exit and other versions have air conditioning units as appropriate for the company modelled. The liveries are spot on too. There have been other versions of the GM bus but none have captured the shape as well. The same attention to detail applies even to the underside of coaches as well. Rapido does their research. Usual disclaimer applies. Cheers, David

I just checked the instructions, I was wrong. The rear axle is fixed if built as supplied. Apologies for any confusion. There is also a helpful article by Tim Shackleton in MRJ 160 on using the chassis and super detailing the Bachmann Jinty with the High Level chassis and a Brassmasters detail fret. Cheers, David

The thing that separates Nansen and Amundsen from the rest was their willingness to learn from the experts in polar travel, the Inuit. Cheers, David

The HighLevel chassis is set up with a rocking front axle and twin beam compensation for the remaining wheels. Chris’s kits are very well designed and if you follow the instructions to the letter it is difficult to go astray. Read the instructions a couple of times and carefully examine the excellent drawings as well to get the best start. There is some useful information on the CLAG website should you wish to go full suspension :http://www.clag.org.uk/pannier-csb.html It is for the pannier but the chassis is very similar to the Jinty. Cheers, David

They only had sail for propulsion and given the wind, weather, and the weakened state of his crew following the coast was not an option. The Caird was in rough shape too and the south coast of South Georgia is strewn with hazards plus they would have had to weather the south east end. Time was of the essence and the overland route was shorter. I suspect that Worsley would have had a say too given his experience as a sailor and navigator. Shackleton was a hard taskmaster who demanded absolute loyalty but gave it back in return. Remember that he could have had the pole in 1909 but turned back because he knew the team was too weak. Those were different times that we find hard to understand but those men were totally on their own with no prospect of outside help so there was no room for dissent or division. It was not a democracy. Cheers, David

Right here: https://jamescairdsociety.com/the-james-caird-today/ Cheers, David