Ralf

Hi Folks, I've been captivated by an Iain Rice plan "A Wee Puggie" for a small Argyllshire quarry which has standard gauge line supplying ungraded rock from the quarry face which is crushed / graded etc before it's loading into wagons for onward dispatch... So I'm familiar with stone loading facilities of various sorts but where had stone delivered INTO the quarry works in standard gauge wagons? How were they unloaded? - Guessing tippler wagons or skips and a shovel? Any help much appreciated - and I hope the answer isn't they only used NG or Conveyors as that's spoil my suspension of disbelief totally and I quite like the excuse of having two fleets of wagons for incoming and outgoing stone... Many thanks Ralf

Thanks Phil, it seems there's no real knowing what you'll get until you've got it! Ralf

Hi all, Planning on buying a few more cutting mats so I can leave them with parked projects on and still work on others, now the question is are they all broadly the same (apart from size!). I know there's various brands and colours but has anyone any thoughts if they're all just re-brands or if some are better / worse than others? I assume they all come out of the same factory and thus I may as well go for the cheapest option but interested in any other views... Thanks Ralf

Oooh they looks good, do the sides or bodies move or are they fixed in their respective positions? Eyeing up using RT Models Vee Skip or MSC Tipper for a forthcoming project and would like to unload them somehow - which may be using magnets and lifting the loads out in the privacy unloading shed! Thanks Ralf

Slowly work is progressing, to make DCC easier instead of a pair of short Peco Y Points I opted for their shorter single slip, without considering the geometry being different... So it'll be trimmed back (I've taken 3 sleepers worth off the single slip since the photo) a I'm going to handbuild a short section of track to shoe horn it in, hopefully running qualities will be adequate! The dog leg will be hidden behind the signal box which hopefully will disguise it from most angles... As the geometry is different both all surround track will need relaid / realigned / bodged to get it all joined back up, but the aim is that there's not too much down time or destruction so as to be able to play trains during construction so interest does run away and leave me! Cheers Ralf

Like the 749 video, looks and sounds good!! As for the orange buffers on the tanker, guessing they're prototypical?? Very odd looking though... Ralf

Looks like a fab project I shall be following. How did you simulate the concrete roughcast? It looks bang on IMHO.... Ralf

A very nice lamp it looks too! Certainly looks the part and does the job! Ralf

Well I've got an worn out dart board and a circular Lindt chocolate box of similar diameter and a couple of Ruston 48DS's, I wonder what I might create!! Ralf

Thanks for that, date in the diary... Thanks Ralf

Hi Folks, Getting back into modelling and using 3mm / Finescale Sprat & Winkle couplings and have a couple of questions... - Why do they use both 26swg Nickel Silver Wire and 28swg Brass Wire?? Going to buy some straight wire to make staples but surely 1 type of wire would do? - Planning on making a jig to improve consistency like this one (see link) - any thoughts / feedback / tips on jigs... https://cpineroad.blogspot.com/2017/03/sprat-winkle-coupling-jig.html and presumably also need a fitted height checker like the one Phil Parker has here: http://philsworkbench.blogspot.com/2019/03/fitting-sprat-winkle-couplings.html Many thanks Ralf

Give us a clue to the date? Have tried the railways website but no 2020 dates yet... Keen to see this and BSC River Don Works in the flesh! Ta Ralf

Thanks Mike, still couldn't get plenty of them in and eventually when it slipped or the crimp bent started ripping droppers off! Found a couple of Scotch Lock types knocking around - more en route! Ralf

I’d love to give it a good home if it’s still available.... ta Ralf

Some slow progress made, 1 set of points and 2 sidings relayed just awaiting some glue but all done electrically. But why is it every surface available soon looks like this: And I never knew that any Germany breweries got Ruston 48DS's!! lol

Hi Folks, Dusted off the remains of an Express Models Solder Free DCC wiring kit - (see link https://www.expressmodels.co.uk/catalogue/dcc-no-solder-power-bus-kit/dcc-no-solder-power-bus-kit-detail ) for rewiring and relaying my HO layout https://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/150385-uerdinger-modernising-erdinger-cm-sept-2014/ BUT I'm having problems... Namely getting the Crimp Blades into the Blade Splices... Even if I try them and 'wear them in' a bit before installation by the time they're upside down under the board no amount of swearing, cursing etc etc gets the beggars in - well some go in but only maybe 50/50... What am I doing wrong? What can I use instead? I love the idea but just cannot force the crimp blades in and believe me I'm trying pretty hard - I wouldn't describe myself as having little power / grip in my hands.... Many thanks Ralf

Rather that than my tart smelling like a warehouse... (no matter the sort of tart)... Liking the look of the warehouse @DanielB have been tempted with the warehouse kit myself but think I'll stick with SMS laser cut affairs. Ralf

Now reserved!! Wow that was fast...

Hi Folks, Having a clear out of accumulated junk treasure and mainly putting it on Ebay but here's something someone here might want but I don't know what it is... Its obviously a coach kit (½ a GWR B-Set maybe?) that's been started by my father I'd think at least 35-40 years ago. Some seats loose, 1 bogie frame broken in two - see pics. In later pics I've placed seats, vestibule etc in approx position to show what's what. The first pic is literally the bits you'll receive. Any questions please ask but it's free to a good home if someone is willing to collect from central Derby or PayPal me £2.90 for postage... First come first served be it via PM or reply here. Thanks Ralf

Hi All, Have leapt into the world of actually doing some modelling during my recent Cake Box - see below: I've decided to uncover and progress with my HO German layout Erdinger which was built by Roger Nicholls and I purchased at Derby Exhibition in 2015. It has since lain dormant after some half hearted attempts to convert point operation from the rear to the front of the layout. Also the removal of the over centre spring for tortoise operation but this wasn't pursued and ruined the reliabillity of the Code 100 Switch blade electrical connection... So the layout was left in a corner and abandoned. Well not any more, actual serious modelling has begun and with no current project now the cakebox is done it's time to modernise Erdinger - which will be getting: Code 75 Electrofrog points with tortoise motors DCC Opperation S&W Couplings Maybe some hand built track A new name (Urdinger - as in the railbus and gin brand) to differentiate from the original layout which none of which was my own work and the upgraded / bodged around with by me layout!) Who knows what else will occur / happen / change on the journey but thought I'd start a thread to share with you my trials and tribulations of the track re-laying. The project is being regarded as a practise / training run for a 70s UK quarry at some far off point but for now here goes... Of course each section / building / element will potentially altered / modified / upgraded, trying to view the project as tiny jobs that don't ruin the whole layout I can just chip-away at it slowly... Thanks Ralf This highlights the differences between Code 100 and 75... Seeing as the sidings will need droppers adding to the track it was decided to lift them and re-lay rather than regret packing the Code 75 up with card at a later date... The pair of Y points behind the signal box will be replaced with a single slip which is a little shorter but much easier for DCC operation... A quick play with an Exactoscale insulating rail joiner - before the rail ends were cleaned up (well it hasn't happened yet but it will)

Thanks Kevin, had submitted my rambling words and a final photographs to Phil for the competition. The loco never did get it's handrails! Ralf

Fabulous Phil, you shout and my entry will be at your command, although it's only at the pictures taken stage, I need to go and consider my 200 words... Ralf

What did you use? Literally steam generator? Fab looking cake box. Ralf

More progress, most things glued down (incl the reeds, huts, scrap, barrels etc), loco has received a driver, windows and an exhaust (no hand rails yet). Still to do: - The onlooking man needs more paint and glue - he's not keen on his blu-tak. - The wagon needs more weathering / dirt it's a poxy paint job! - Back scene glued in by wrapping it round so it's not tight / flat against the back scene baseboard. Need to trip the top or it won't go in the box! - My hardstanding doesn't match the back scene - hopefully a grey wash will help... - Add some dry brushing and some ivy to the building then I think we'll run out of time...

Well I've not been idle (nor have I been mega busy) but here's where things stand at the moment, loco mostly painted (now that was a learning curve!) needs glazing, driver, handrail and exhaust fitting. Collection of sheds and chemical loo chosen and parointed (rather badly). Pallets and drums are 3D printed from ScaleModelScenery. Scrap rail is exactly that and the spare axles are exactly that! Back scene required, off to hunt my old photographs for something peat bog-esque... To process and print. Then somehow hide the joins between the workshop and the back scene...