Dave Holt

Sorry, Dave, I hadn't spotted your comment further up the content. I suppose reliable running is what counts, so that degree of kink must be OK.

Regarding Ian's comments about the state of track geometry in industrial track, and sometimes in goods yards as well, I fully agree it could be very poor. However, I find in model terms, especially in P4/S4, it's hard enough to get stock to reliably stay on near perfect track so I fear realistically lumpy industrial type track might prove a challenge too far. Mind you, I believe derailments in goods yards were commonplace, if not daily occurrences, quickly sorted out at local level with timbers, jacks, etc., without recourse to higher management. WD 2-8-0 tenders were particularly prone to leaping off dodgy track unless well filled with water, mainly due to seizure of the compensating beams linking the inner ends of the leaf springs.

We don't want to replicate that, do we?

Bit of a nasty joggle just past the crossover, Dave. Or perhaps the camera makes it look worse than it is?

Dave.

Hi Dave.

It's good to hear that you're still active with your S4 modelling, even if activity is only in short stints. I think you're absolutely right not to carry on beyond your concentration span or when feeling tired. Although a fair bit younger than you, I find it best to put the model away and do something else if I get tired or frustrated with something I can't get to go just as I want.

It's quite common to hear of modellers changing to 7 mm due to aging problems, but to my mind, 7 mm models need much more fine detail than 4 mm if they're not to look bare. Just look at some of the 7 mm stuff in the scratch/kit building section to see what I mean. The best ones are miniature engineering masterpieces.

Anyway, enjoy you bursts of modelling and the pauses in between.

Regards,

Dave.

Hi Robin,

It looks like you've been quite busy since S4N! The bridge is very nice and the additional scenic infills make it look suitably planted. I've noted your methods for further reference.

I was a bit confused/concerned by one of the intermediate photos which appeared to show the wooden buffer stops at strange angles to the track, further on I saw the final positions - phew!

Look forward to continuing developments.

Dave.

Robin,

Great to meet you at S4North. The Lawrence Hill Junction track looks very nice indeed - lovely flowing curves. In photos 4 & 5, there is a base-board joint at a very shallow angle to the track. Is this removable or a permanent section? If removable, it could lead to some interesting alignment issues on re-assembly!

John's Brit looks completely at home. Will he have trouble reclaiming it?

Regards,

Dave.

I've enjoyed seeing the layout and chatting to you at various exhibitions over the years and am sorry to see it go. Hopefully, it won't be too long before your current project is sufficiently advanced to start showing, perhaps as a "work in progress" at society events?

Dave.

Hi Paul.

I haven't done anything to the lining. Body work was mainly fitting new, brass, front frames (shallow type), easing mould lines, rear hand rails and some extra backhead details.

The prototype I have in mind was so dirty, you couldn't see any of the lining although I might not go quite that far.

Dave.

Thank you all for the kind comments.

Dave.

Thanks for the sketch Dave. I might give that a go. Do you use 0.3mm wire or something else?

I'm quite interested in seeing Chris' latest sprung hornblocks that have the dummy spring attached to the bottom of them

Yes, I use 0.3 or 0.33 mm brass wire.

Dave.

No need to remove the dummy springs to use wire pick-ups. I use a very similar arrangement to yours but run the pick-up wire inboard of the etched spring, then bend outwards and finally bend back to bear on the rear of the wheel rim. I usually fit the pick-ups so they bear behind the brake blocks. (Had a sketch to illustrate but can't see how to attach it.)

Dave.

Ah! but though!

I've got two C13s earning their crust.

 

Yes, well I'm a bit jealous. However, i have plans! I obtained a built up Nucast C13 off ebay with a view to P4 conversion but, to be honest, it wasn't very well made. A week soaking in cellulose thinners reduced it to a set of castings (glued construction), so I can have a go myself.

One concern is the gap between running plate and boiler making the innards rather visible. Study of GA drawings obtained from the NRM showed Stephensons valve gear with an almost identical geometry to that fitted to LMS Fowler 4F's. So, a set of working valve gear etches has been purchased from Brassmasters............It's likely to keep me too busy to undertake a 2 mm scale shunting plank!

 

Robin,

Is that a Southern Q class out the back? I just love the air of dereliction in that shot. Hope you're going to try and create somehting in that style!

Dave.

An altogether more unified arrangement!

Robin,

Very impressive views. It's certainly coming along and capturing the real place very well. An equally impressive line-up of locos - all P4? I do like the ex_Crosti 9F lurking on the back road.

Dave.

Hi Dave.

Looks a neat, simple idea. I might steal it for my layout, when I get round to the cassette fiddle yard. What sort of thickness of phosphor bronze have you used for the spring clips?

Dave.

Amazing how small jobs can escalate into much bigger ones! Madness, indeed. I'm sure you'll get it all done in time for the show.

Regards,

Dave.

Hi Robin.

The bridge looks superb - both as a model and also as a prototype. Lots of interesting features, with curved abutments and those odd curly bit in the parapets. I'm intrigued by the doorway to nowhere! A hint of Kidnapped? Was there a walkway inside or was it not a doorway at all?

Dave.

Glad to have contributed to the solution!

Dave.

Hi David.

Glad to hear that the C13's are running well. Always satisfying when a plan comes together.

I converted a Bachmann Class 105, Cravens unit using conversion wheels from Branchlines (I think). It was very straight forward. I'm not sure if the power bogies use the same mechanism, but it would be odd if they didn't. Certainly worth checking out before you start.

Dave.

David,

Looks to run well through your slip. I've been thinking about these sprung diesel bogies but wondered if the improvement in ride and performance warrants the effort. Having built one, what's your view?

Dave.

Simon, there was a mixture at Delph. There was a double row of sleepers alongside the cross-over point in the loop (presumably to make track maintenance easier) but everywhere else, the setts went right up to the rail.

Peter, I have considered using ready embossed setts and the Redutex sheets certainly look good. The problem is that the main roadway is curved and the setts would follow this whereas the p-made sheets are just rectangular. Someone sent me a sample of a rubber embossed sheet but I didn't think it was flexible enough to follow the curve I need, so hand embossing appears the only practical solution. Drawing the sets by hand using a fine black ball point pen both embosses the card and represents the tar infill. I've done a small test area and was pleased with the results, although i must admit that the area I need is going to be a bit tedious!

Dave.

Dave,

Good to hear you've made some positive progress. Strangely enough, I was talking to someone very recently who mentioned the problem of unreliability with some RTR decoders, so it's not just you!

Regards,

Dave.

Looks very nice indeed. Does it hold the track OK, I'm not at all sure with just re-wheeling proprietary chassis with no suspension at all? It looks like you've fitted a new front bogie.

I spent months building a pair of DJH version and I agree they don't look as good as the Bachmann body.

I would be interested to see any othe P4 conversions you've done.

Dave.

Hi Dave.

Glad to hear that the summer gardening hasn't totally scuppered your modelling activities and that the double slip is performing better. I hope you're wrong about plastic flexi-track losing gauge with time! Otherwise, Delph/Holt might be joining you in an EM venture - all of its own doing!

Did you take time off to see the Tour? Must have gone quite close to you.

Cheers,

Dave.

Robin,

Looks a very interesting feature. Also look forward to the next opportunity to view progress!

Meanwhile, I'm bogged down with ballasting, but now on the last board, so there is light!

Dave.